24 Dec

 

 

 

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

Andisop 4-24

(Meteorological Fiddling) Link
14-1/5/25

Christmas Bird Count Week Link 

14-28

Halcyon Days: 14-28 (Always 7 days before and 7 days after the Winter Solstice)
16-24

Posadas

Daily Observations

Christmas Eve
Last Minute Shopper’s Day
National Egg Nog Day

 

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

24 Dec History

Birthdays

Ryan Seacrest, 50 TV Show Host


Carol Vorderman, 64 Game Show Host


Ricky Martin,  53, Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter

@70 – Howard Hughes, businessman, engineer, pilot (d. 1976; kidney failure)


@70 – Lemmy, English rock singer-songwriter, bass player (d. 2015; kidney failure from drug use)


@69 – Jean-Louis Pons, French astronomer, found 37 comets (d. 1831)


@67 – Ava Gardner, American actress (d. 1990stroke)


@58 – Christopher ‘Kit’ Carson, American general, and frontiersman (d. 1868; aneurysm)


@55 – Kate Spade, American fashion designer, co-founder of Kate Spade New York (d. 2018; suicide)

@49 – John, King of England, Magna Carta (d. 1216; dysentery)

…The End for today…

                

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Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
I retired in '06--at the ripe old age of 57. I enjoy blogging, photography, traveling, and living life to it's fullest.