Carl Pettit is a writer and editor with interests ranging from international relations and political humor to the arts and modern media.
Carl Pettit
The Spooky Origins of Halloween — 10 Strange, Fun Facts About Witches, Pumpkins, Bonfires & More
The roots of our spookiest holiday's traditions—from pumpkins to trick-or-treating—run deep, their origins reaching back thousands of years to pre-Christian pagan festivals and superstitions.
5 Strange and Colorful Local Thanksgiving Traditions
The holidays can bring out people's stranger sides, and Thanksgiving is no exception.
5 Thanksgiving Myths Debunked — Pilgrims Didn’t Wear Buckles? (And More)
Thanksgiving, which we've been celebrating in America for centuries now, is a time of family, food and, especially, tradition. Even so, many of the stories we take as gospel about this wonderful holiday—wonderful if you’re not endlessly bickering with your relatives, that is—aren’t true at all. Myth, legend and wishful thinking play into a lot of the misconceptions surrounding Turkey Day.
Read Mor
5 Simple Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas — Pinecones, Pumpkins, Dolls and More
Getting your family in the mood to eat gobs of delicious food on Thanksgiving may not be the toughest task, but you can always make things memorable by sprucing up the house a bit too. It'll enhance everyone's experience, you'll be able to reuse the decorations next year, and best of all, it's fun.
5 Strange Federal Tax Deductions You Might Not Know About
Tax season comes and goes every year, to the dread and relief of many a taxpayer. Even if you’ve taken care of your taxes this year, that doesn’t mean you shouldn't be mindful of potential tax deductions you can claim for your next round with the government in the year to come.
5 Highly Unusual Restaurant Experiences You Won’t Forget
There are all kinds of strange eateries out there, ranging from opera-themed bistros to cafes swarming with cats, as well as diners built inside of the fuselages of old airplanes. While we understand that some people just want a simple, peaceful meal when they head out, others like a little something extra special.
5 Unusual Animals That Make Great Pets
Cats and dogs, while extremely lovable, are not the only choices out there when it comes to selecting a household pet. There are quite a few unusual animals in existence that actually make good, even great companions for their human owners. We’re not talking man-eating tigers or wild boars here—there are some limits to just how exotic you should go.
5 Foods You Thought Were Healthy, but Actually Aren’t
For a country as obsessed with weight and food production as ours is, there tends to be a lot of conflicting information, health-food fads and dietary gimmicks circulating about what and how we should eat.
5 Simple Health Tips That Just Might Help You Live Longer
Life is an amazing gift when you stop and think about it. Out of all the things that are living, you get to be you—which is a lot better than being a sea slug, for example. In order to ensure that you get the most out this life and as many years as you possibly can, you need to take good care of your body—that vessel that lets you breathe air, eat food, meet your friends at restaurants and get abo
5 Everyday Items That Can Be Turned Into Jewelry
Some people don’t mind handing over their hard-earned cash for some very expensive jewelry. While we have nothing against treating yourself to pricey ornaments on occasion, there are more economical ways to go about procuring a vast inventory of fashionable accessories.