SPACE ODYSSEY: Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure?

NASA is accepting applications through Feb. 18 for “the best candidates to work in the best job on or off the planet,” the agency announced recently.

“The agency expects to announce final candidate selections in mid-2017. Those chosen may fly on any of four different U.S. spacecraft during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.”

Apply here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423817000.

The goal of the commercial crew spacecraft project is to work with American companies to develop better ways to transport people to and from the International Space Station. Meanwhile, the plan is that Orion will take humans farther from Earth than they’ve ever been: eventually, NASA wants humans to take Orion to Mars, but the agency has indicated the goal is to take that trip in the 2030s, so it won’t be for awhile.

Charles Bolden, a NASA administrator and former astronaut, said last month, “NASA is on an ambitious journey to Mars and we’re looking for talented men and women from diverse backgrounds and every walk of life to help get us there.”

The qualifications are many, but it’s fun to imagine.

SNOW SCULPTURES: Has anyone tested how good this recent snowfall is for snowman-building?

It’s been years since we built a snowman — or any kind of snow sculpture — but it’s probably about time to revisit the task. Tiring oneself out in the cold snow, then coming inside for dry socks and hot chocolate is a pretty special winter treat.

We remember as a child our family having a contest with a neighboring family on who could build the best snow sculpture. We don’t think there was a winner, but we’re pretty sure one sculpture was a giant chunk of Swiss cheese with a mouse on top, and the other was a sign for New York and Pennsylvania.

We do remember it was fun.