16 April 2010~~Week 16 of 2010: 106 days this year…259 days remain
‡ Something To Think About
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
~Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English writer, statesman
• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 2007 ►Student Cho Seung Hui goes on a killing spree at Virginia Tech killing a former girlfriend Emily Hilscher and her next door neighbor Ryan Clark, and then went on to shoot to death 30 other students before taking his own life
‡ Free Ramblings
I was thinking today that I should have spent a little more time paying attention in many of my science classes. I never go into much science. I was good at math, but preferred the liberal arts more. The first thing that got me thinking was China’s latest earthquake. The people living in the area are isolated…got that. The people are living in traditional homes….got that. But then I heard that they are living at 13,000+ feet above sea level. At that altitude life is tough every single day. Today I learned that many of the rescue teams are having problems getting to this isolated area…got that. Then I heard that many of the rescuers were having trouble breathing—suffering from altitude sickness. Then I heard that many of the search dogs that are always used in these kinds of recues can’t do it, as they too need more oxygen in their lungs. My brother lives in NYC and every year when he came back to Denver he too suffered for a day or two—mainly headaches and sleepiness. I live at about 7000’ and never suffered like that. However, working at twice my normal altitude would certainly be difficult. My second awakening when I saw the Icelandic volcano. I have long been mesmerized by volcanoes. I like watching the lava type but also am fascinated by the ash ones. Those huge clouds are awesome. The Eyjafjallajokull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) volcano [English translation: island mountain glacier] has made air travel between Europe and the US almost impossible. Turns out that volcanic ash and jet engines don’t mix. Cockpit windows quickly become permanently opaque from the stuff in the cloud. Those beautiful plumes of ash that I enjoy watching are very dangerous. Most airlines that go to Europe from the US travel over Iceland. That means all flights to and from Europe have been cancelled. Tough on travelers. The really difficult part of this is that there is no idea yet when the flights will resume. The volcano, if it follows its own pattern could continue up to a year. The only good news is that it is not expected to be erupting with such force. As if air travel wasn’t already a real hassle. I am sure glad I am not responsible for ‘finding alternative routes’ for the airlines. Tonight many of those travelers are just spending an extra night or two before coming home. Not a lot to do, since the airlines have said they will try to fly out tomorrow. Great, if it happens. What if it lasts a week or two? Nothing like spending a few weeks in an airport motel that has no incoming or outgoing flights anywhere. The airports being closed for a day takes several more days before things are back to normal. The closing during 9-11 took several weeks to straighten out. This could be a much longer mess. I definitely should have paid more attention in science class.
I had lunch with our retirement group. If you have a Wildflower Bread Company in your neck of the woods, be sure and stop in and have lunch. You might want to buy some of their freshly baked bread to take home. One warning, you have to order and pay for your meal at the counter, fill your own drink cup and find your own seat. In about ten minutes you get a great meal. We usually go to lunch about 11:30 to beat the noon crowds, but at Wildflower, we go at 11:00. Today, at 11 there were six groups ahead of us in line. It was very crowded by 11:30 and cleared out by 1:00. Even though it had lots of customers, it wasn’t at all noisy. While most people don’t have a 2+ hour lunch, we seem to be in that pattern. As we were leaving today, Cheryl commented that none of the places we have lunch ever rush us. I said it was because we tip pretty well. Then I thought about it. We are seniors. The workers could easily be our grandkids. It reminded me that my parents used to go to the ‘early bird’ specials after my brother and I moved out. I prefer having a nice big lunch and then a very light dinner when I go out. To each his own I guess.
It was a great spring day here—65° and only an occasional breeze. It was really hard not to stop at the nursery near Wildflower to get some color for my place. I know it is too early. I have decided that I am going to put some flowers in the back and will definitely be planting some bulbs this fall for next spring. Last year I bought cut flowers at the grocery store every couple of weeks as I awaited spring. This year the stores just don’t seem to have what I need.
‡ A Quick Smile…
Visiting his parents' retirement village in Florida, my middle-aged friend, Tim, went for a swim in the community pool while his elderly father took a walk. Tim struck up a conversation with the only other person in the pool, a five-year-old boy. After a while, Tim's father returned from his walk and called out, "I'm ready to leave."
Tim then turned to his new friend and announced that he had to leave because his father was calling. Astonished, the wide-eyed little boy cried, "You're a kid?"
‡ Random Fact
Blueberry Jelly Bellies were created especially for Ronald Reagan.
‡ Puzzle
Heteronyms are words that are spelled identically but have different meanings when pronounced differently. For example: Lead, pronounced LEED, means to guide. However, lead, pronounced LED, means a metallic element. Identify the heteronyms below from their definitions
1. to bend your neck; having a curve
2. a bald head; a minced food; a porcelain paste [diacritics are needed in two answers!]
3 month [capitalized]; important, eminent
‡ Side Show Stories
GARNER, Iowa - An Iowa teenager preparing for her junior prom said she will be attending the event in a dress she created from hundreds of gum wrappers. Elizabeth Rasmuson said the colored wrappers of Wrigley's 5 gum inspired her to create a jacket from the wrappers last year and the success of that project led her to create a dress for next weekend's prom at Garner-Hayfield High School in Garner, KIMT-TV, Mason City, Iowa, reported Tuesday. Rasmuson said she began collecting wrappers in August and lost count of how many went into her dress at about 200. Rasmuson's boyfriend, Jordan Weaver, used gum wrappers to create a vest to match his date's dress. Dawn Rasmuson, the girl's mother, said she is proud of her daughter's accomplishment. "I think it's really admirable for her. I mean she's a junior in high school and in today's world a lot of the girls are worried about fitting in; they don't want to stand out for wrong reason so it's really cool and so unique," she said.
‡ Calendar Information
• Observance Weeks in April•
11-17
National Environmental Week
National Library Week
National Personal Training Week
Pan American Week
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Week
Week of The Young Child
12-18
National Crime Victims Rights Week
14-18
International Whistler's Week
16-18
Trivia Days
• 16 April Observances—US/UN/World •
National Stress Awareness Day
National Eggs Benedict Day
National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day
World Hemophilia Day
Washington, D.C.: Emancipation Day Public Holiday since 2005, to commemorate signing in 1862 of Emancipation Proclamation
• 16 April Observances—by country •
Cuba : Militiamen Day: To honor the militia for stopping the 1961 Bay of Pigs (La Batalla de Girón, or Playa Girón—Pig Beach-- in Cuba)
Denmark : Queen Margrethe's Birthday
Puerto Rico : José De Diego's Birthday (1867)
•Number One Songs in…
1946 ►Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief - Betty Hutton
1954 ►Wanted - Perry Como
1962 ►Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley
1970 ►Let It Be - The Beatles
1978 ►Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees
• 16 April Happenings•
In The Arts
1922 ►Annie Oakley sets record by breaking 100 clay targets in a row
1935 ►1st radio broadcast of "Fibber McGee & Molly"
In Athletics
1980 ►Arthur Ashe retires from professional tennis
In Business or Education
1926 ►Book of the Month Club sends out its 1st selections "Lolly Willowes" & "Loving Huntsman" by Sylvia Townsend Warner
1947 ►Lens to provide zoom effects demonstrated (New York NY)
1956 ►1st solar powered radios go on sale
In Politics
1550 ►Charles V orders a stop to Indian land conquests.
1900 ►US Post Office issues 1st books of postage stamps
1993 ►The United Nations stepped in today to protect Srebrenica in Bosnia that is a haven for Muslim civilians from a Bosnian Serb onslaught
In Science/ Religion
1705 ►Queen Anne of England knights Isaac Newton at Trinity College
1724 ►1st Easter observed
1943 ►Albert Hoffman, a Swiss chemist accidentally consumes LSD-25. After taking the drug, formally known as lysergic acid diethylamide, Dr. Hoffman was disturbed by unusual sensations and hallucinations.
• 16 April Births •
Artists, Writers, and Composers
Henry Mancini (Enrico Nicola Mancini), 1924, Cleveland OH, composer/conductor (Pink Panther)
Athletes
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 63, Hall of Fame basketball player: born Lewis Ferdinand Alcindor, Jr,
Isaac Murphy, 1861, US jockey (won 628 races)
Entertainers
Charlie Chaplin [The Little Tramp], 1889, Lambeth London England, comedian/actor/director
Jon Cryer, 45, actor: Two and a Half Men
Martin Lawrence, 45, comedian, actor
Dusty Springfield, 1939, Hampstead London England, rock vocalist: born Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien
Sir Peter Ustinov, 1921, Academy Award-winning actor
Bobby Vinton, 75, singer (Roses are Red, Blue on Blue): born Stanley Vintulla
Business, Education Leaders
--
Political Leaders
Gordon Wilson, 72, Scottish politician (Scottish National Party)
Scientists /Religious Leaders
Pope Benedict XVI, 83, leader of the Roman Catholic Church: born Joseph Ratzinger at Marktl Am Inn, Germany
John Hadley, 1682, mathematician/inventor (1st reflecting telescope)
Hans Sloane, 1660, England, physician/naturalist; founded British Museum
Wilbur Wright, 1867, aeronautical fame (Wright Brothers)
• 16 April Obits •
Bernadette saint/(saw Virgin Mary at Lourdes), 1879, asthma @ 35
Jacques Cassini, 1756, French astronomer (Discover rings of Saturn), @ 79
David Lean, 1991, director (2 Academy Awards-Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia), pneumonia @ 83
Babe Ruth, 1948, baseball legend, cancer @ 53, born: George Herman Ruth, Jr.
Marie [Gresholtz] Tussaud, 1850, maker of wax figures, @ 90
‡ ANSWERS to puzzle
1. Crooked KROOKt- to bend your neck; KROOK-ed- having a curve
2. Pate PAIT- a bald head; paTAY- a minced food; PAHT- a porcelain paste [diacritics in pâté and pâte don't count!]
3. August AUgust- month [capitalized]; auGUST- important, eminent
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