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Flag Today 52°/28° Week 52 Day 359 Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Wind 4 mph Gusts 6 mph Active Fire: 1119 miles away Risk
of fire: Moderate Nearest
Lightning: 1734 miles away Dec. Averages: Temps: 45°\18° Moisture: 5 Days |
Weekly Observations
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Andisop 4-24 (Meteorological Fiddling) Link Christmas Bird Count Week Link |
14-28 Halcyon Days: 14-28 (Always 7 days before and 7 days after
the Winter Solstice) Posadas |
Daily Observations
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Christmas Eve |
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Today’s Seasonal Quote
Today’s Meme
Thoughts for the day
Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays.
This will be my last post until after Christmas.
The Cowboys won another one. The Cards
are out of the playoffs. Life goes on.
One should always dig deeper when hearing
the news. Last night 60 Minutes did a story on Gun Trafficking. It turns
out that the Cartels in Mexico get between 50% and 90% of their guns from the
US. They use them to traffic drugs back into the US and terrify the locals. How
can this happen? Probably our lax gun laws. The Cartel offer US citizens lots
of money to buy their weapons and have them brought across the border. The US
will never stop the drug trade until they stop the thousands of guns sent by US
citizens to them. Such a difficult story to hear.
Christmas Traditions
Sugar Plums are Plums Coated in Sugar
Many imagine sugar plums as plums dipped in sugar, inspired
by classic holiday tales. In reality, they're a type of candy, made from dried
fruits and nuts, coated in sugar.
The confusion arises from the name, evoking images of
sugar-drenched plums. However, traditional sugar plums are a confectionery
delight enjoyed during Christmas.
Understanding this myth broadens appreciation for holiday
treats, offering a taste of history with every bite.
Christmas Trees are a Christian Tradition
Christmas trees are often associated with Christian
traditions, but their origins predate Christianity. Ancient cultures, like the
Egyptians and Romans, used evergreen plants in winter festivals.
The modern Christmas tree tradition began in Germany in the
16th century, gradually blending with Christian customs. Today, it's a symbol
of joy, unity, and celebration across cultures.
Recognizing this myth highlights the beauty of cultural
exchange, enriching our festive experiences.
Random Thoughts…
The largest man-made lake in
the U.S. is Lake Mead, created by the Hoover
Dam.
The village of Carol Stream,
Illinois is not named after a local stream but
is in fact one of only a few municipalities in the US named after a person’s
first and last name.
Jimmy Carter was the first president to admit to
seeing a UFO.
Santa must deliver presents to almost 22 million kids an hour,
every hour, on the night before Christmas. That’s about 365,000 kids a minute;
about 6,100 a second.
The drug term “trip” was first coined by U.S. Army scientists
in the 1950’s when they were experimenting with LSD.
A group of Cobras is called a Quiver.
Despite their reputation, it is actually very rare for an
opossum to have rabies because their body temperature is too low for rabies to
survive and replicate well.
Charles W. Howard Santa
Claus School (established in 1937) is the
longest continuously running Santa Claus School in the world.
Quirky town names…
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
While its name might raise eyebrows, Intercourse was likely
named for the original meaning of the word—“fellowship” or “social
interaction.” It’s now a hub for Amish tourism, but the name is what draws the
curious.
Ancient Roman Life
Roman baths included just about everything someone could need
Over the years, archeologists have discovered amazing things
that help to tell the story of life in Ancient Rome. Roman baths are one of
many discoveries. But what was their purpose? They were much more than a place
for communal bathing with the rest of the city.
Because they covered areas as small as little towns, the
baths had all the necessary amenities. The largest was the Baths of Caracalla.
The baths could accommodate 1,600 people and included a library, gym, and two
fountains measuring 19 feet. The baths also featured a gentleman’s residence,
marble statues, artwork, and mosaics.
Historic Events
Birthdays
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Ryan
Seacrest, 50 TV Show Host Carol
Vorderman, 64 Game Show Host
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@70 – Howard Hughes, businessman, engineer, pilot (d. 1976;
kidney failure)
@49 – John, King of England, Magna Carta (d. 1216;
dysentery) |
…The End for today…
