TODAY’s HOLY MACKEREL: 1879 Milk was sold in glass bottles for 1st time __________________________________________________________________________
MY FREE RAMBLING THOUGHTS
Rain, snow pellets, sun, wind…spring in Flag. Winter storm warnings and high wind advisories are the plan for the weekend.
Our weekly lunch was great conversation. Mary is back from Chicago. She had great stories of her grandson, wind, sun and mittens. She had a great visit. Cheryl had some new pics of her grandkids—that just seem to keep growing and growing. A pizza slice and a nice mixed green salad also made a good lunch.
Martha is headed for Prescott on Saturday morning for a bag piping program. She invited me, but Prescott is expecting a couple of inches of snow so I begged off. It is a nice venue and I did enjoy it last year, but I’m tired of snow and didn’t look forward to being outside, in the snow, listening to great bag piping music.
My spring fever is getting stronger and since I still can’t do much outside, I spent a little time finding new lists for my history stuff below. So if things look a little different, that is why. I’ve been using the same six or seven sites for about two years and decided it was time for a new perspective. It will help keep me on my toes.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT…
~Put a couple of drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil on a cool light bulb to help repel bugs.
~Mix 2 drops of oil of peppermint or lavender with 2 teaspoons of almond or sweet oil and dab on the skin.
SOMEWHAT USELESS INFORMATION…
Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.
***
In 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII ordered for the new Gregorian calendar to replace the old Julian calendar, New Year's Day was shifted to Jan 1. According to a popular
explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false.
***
Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.
***
In 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII ordered for the new Gregorian calendar to replace the old Julian calendar, New Year's Day was shifted to Jan 1. According to a popular
explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false.
***
Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.
PUZZLE: Trivia Quiz […answers at bottom…] Literature
1. What is Sarah Josepha Hall famous for writing?
2. Where was Bunyon when he wrote 'Pilgrims Progress'?
3. What did Agatha Christie's husband do for a living?
4. Who wrote the best-selling novel 'Catch 22'?
5. Who was the leader of the wolf pack in 'The Jungle Book'?
6. Who wrote 'Private Lives' in 1930 and 'Blyth Spirit' in 1941?
7. What was the name of the ship that brought Dracula to England?
8. Minerva is the goddess of what?
9. Florinzel is a character in which Shakespearean play?
10. Which magazine wrote 'Fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity'?
2. Where was Bunyon when he wrote 'Pilgrims Progress'?
3. What did Agatha Christie's husband do for a living?
4. Who wrote the best-selling novel 'Catch 22'?
5. Who was the leader of the wolf pack in 'The Jungle Book'?
6. Who wrote 'Private Lives' in 1930 and 'Blyth Spirit' in 1941?
7. What was the name of the ship that brought Dracula to England?
8. Minerva is the goddess of what?
9. Florinzel is a character in which Shakespearean play?
10. Which magazine wrote 'Fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity'?
UNUSUAL NEWS ITEM:
Researchers in Alaska are planning a strategy to attack an invasive species with a heck of a nasty nickname: rock vomit.
Known scientifically as Didemnum vexillum, it's a type of sea squirt discovered in a harbor near Sitka last June — the first confirmation of the non-native anywhere in Alaska.
Rock vomit is so named for its penchant for spreading over hard surfaces such as piers, ship hulls, large seashells and rocks. It feeds on the tiny plankton and decaying plant material it filters from seawater, and can be lethal to other creatures — including commercially important species of fish.
"It’s a crazy organism," Linda Shaw, a biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in a NOAA release. "It smothers other creatures while producing acidic toxins that in turn prevent anything from growing on it.
"Rock vomit creates a type of barrier between ground fish and their food," she added. "It’s been causing problems worldwide."
Divers searched the harbor last fall and again in January but could not cover the entire area due to the depths. That led to the deployment of a remotely operated submersible, which videotaped much of the area and areas just outside.
"We can say that there are no big infestations outside the harbor," said Shaw. "But there are some things we want to take a closer look at as we review the video."
Once that review is complete, NOAA and state officials will launch an eradication campaign.
Maine in 1993 became the first state to detect rock vomit, which was probably introduced by ships dumping their water ballast. Since then the species has spread to other parts of New England. On the West Coast, California, Oregon and Washington also have infestations.
A LITTLE LAUGH:
My wife-to-be and I were at the county clerk's office to get our marriage license. After recording the vital information; names, dates of birth, etc. the clerk handed me our license and deadpanned, "No refunds, no exchanges, no warranties."
CLOSEUP PICTURE: Can you identify this close up picture?
FOUND ON ‘YOU TUBE’:
♫ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ♫
2006 Inductee: Blondie: Inductees: Deborah Harry (vocals; born July 1, 1945), Clem Burke (drums; born November 24, 1955), Jimmy Destri (keyboards; born April 13, 1954), Nigel Harrison (bass; born April 24, 1951), Frank Infante (guitar; born November 15, 1951), Chris Stein (guitar; born January 5, 1950), Gary Valentine (bass; born December 24, 1955). Someone forgot to tell Blondie that New Wave bands weren’t supposed to have hit records. Blondie broke the Top Forty barrier with the Number One hit “Heart of Glass” in 1979. Their conquest was no minor feat, as it meant overcoming music-industry wariness about punk and New Wave, which challenged the established order.
Click on Song Title to see and hear it.
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DAYBOOK INFORMATION
«THIS WEEK
3-9
Explore Your Career Options
Hate Week
The Masters Tournament: Golf
National Networking Week
National Public Health Week
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
The Masters Tournament: Golf
National Networking Week
National Public Health Week
National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
7-10
International Whistlers Week
«TODAY IS
«TODAY IS
All Is Ours Day
Buddha Day
§ § § §
Japan: Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival)
… ARTISTS: AUTHORS: COMPOSERS…
--
…ATHLETES
…ATHLETES
John Havlicek, Basketball Hall of Famer, turns 71
Sonja Henie 4/8/1912 - 10/12/1969 Norwegian-born American skater; Olympic gold medalist and popular entertainer.
…BUSINESS & EDUCATION
Seymour Hersh, Investigative reporter, turns 74
John Loudon 4/8/1783 - 12/14/1843 Scottish landscape architect and horticultural journalist
…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)
Darlene Gillespie, TV personality ("The Mickey Mouse Club"), turns 70
Shecky Greene, Comedian, turns 85
J.J. Jackson, R&B singer, turns 70
Julian Lennon, Rock musician, turns 48
Peggy Lennon, Singer (The Lennon Sisters), turns 70
Mary Pickford 4/8/1892 - 5/28/1979 Canadian-born American motion-picture actress
John Schneider, Actor, singer ("The Dukes of Hazzard"), turns 51
Izzy Stradlin, Rock musician (Guns n' Roses), turns 49
…POLITICIANS
Kofi Annan, Former United Nations secretary-general, turns 73
Kofi Annan, Former United Nations secretary-general, turns 73
Betty Ford, Former first lady, turns 93
Juan Ponce de Leon, 4/8/1474 – July 1521 Spanish explorer searched for Fountain of Youth, found Florida
…SCIENCE & RELIGION
David Rittenhouse 4/8/1732 - 6/26/1796 American astronomer and inventor
William Welch 4/8/1850 - 4/30/1934 American pathologist; modernized medical practices in the United States
Today’s Obits:
1981 Omar Bradley, last U.S. 5-star general, (Normandy) at 88
1990 Jose De Vega, actor—West Side Story, AIDS at 56
1996 Ben Johnson, cowboy actor (Tex, Dillinger), heart attack at 77
1997 Laura Nyro, singer, ovarian cancer at 49
1976 Phil Ochs, rock producer (Joe Hill), suicide at 35
1861 Elisha G Otis, U.S. elevator builder (Otis), diphtheria at 50
1973 Pablo (Ruiz y) Picasso, Spanish/French painter (Guernica), at 91
Today’s Events:
… ARTS
1979 204th & final episode of "All in the Family"
2002 Suzan-Lori Parks became the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama for her play "Topdog/Underdog."
… ATHLETICS
1987 Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis resigned after saying on ABC's "Nightline" that blacks may lack some of the "necessities" for becoming baseball managers.
1992 Tennis player Arthur Ashe announced that he had AIDS.
… BUSINESS & EDUCATION
1869 American Museum of Natural History opens (NYC)
1879 Milk was sold in glass bottles for 1st time
1992 After 151 years Britain's "Punch Magazine" final issue
… INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
1984 The first meeting between the eastern and western Cherokees since the 1800s is held today.
… International POLITICS
1513 Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain.
1886 William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons.
2004 Darfur conflict: The Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement is signed by the Sudanese government and two rebel groups.
… SCIENCE & RELIGION
1947 Largest recorded sunspot (7,000) observed
1964 Unmanned Gemini 1 launched
1985 India files suit against Union Carbide over Bhopal disaster
… US POLITICS
1913 17th amendment, requiring direct election of senators, ratified
1935 The Works Progress Administration was approved by Congress.
1986 Clint Eastwood elected mayor of Carmel California, Make his day
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ANSWERS:
Quiz
1. What is Sarah Josepha Hall famous for writing?
Mary had a little lamb
2. Where was Bunyon when he wrote 'Pilgrims Progress'?
Bedford Jail
3. What did Agatha Christie's husband do for a living?
Archaeologist
4. Who wrote the best-selling novel 'Catch 22'?
Joseph Heller
5. Who was the leader of the wolf pack in 'The Jungle Book'?
Akala
6. Who wrote 'Private Lives' in 1930 and 'Blyth Spirit' in 1941?
Noel Coward
7. What was the name of the ship that brought Dracula to England?
Demeter
8. Minerva is the goddess of what?
Wisdom
9. Florinzel is a character in which Shakespearean play?
The Winters Tale
10. Which magazine wrote 'Fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity'?
Knave March in 1977
Close Up Picture
Mary had a little lamb
2. Where was Bunyon when he wrote 'Pilgrims Progress'?
Bedford Jail
3. What did Agatha Christie's husband do for a living?
Archaeologist
4. Who wrote the best-selling novel 'Catch 22'?
Joseph Heller
5. Who was the leader of the wolf pack in 'The Jungle Book'?
Akala
6. Who wrote 'Private Lives' in 1930 and 'Blyth Spirit' in 1941?
Noel Coward
7. What was the name of the ship that brought Dracula to England?
Demeter
8. Minerva is the goddess of what?
Wisdom
9. Florinzel is a character in which Shakespearean play?
The Winters Tale
10. Which magazine wrote 'Fighting for peace is like fucking for chastity'?
Knave March in 1977
Close Up Picture
Exercise Springs
________AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW________
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