10 shopping days remain until Christmas
347 days so far this year…16 days remain in 2009
***Provocative Quote***
"If reality wants to get in touch with me, it knows where I am." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
I spent some time shopping today. Probably a good thing since there is only ten shopping days left. I was very successful, for the most part. My mom had two friends she always sent Fruit of the Month. Last year, I continued the tradition. They both had been such good dedicated friends who were always there for her. They both called and said, “You don’t have to do this.” So today I didn’t do it, instead I sent them each a nice one-time Hickory Farms thing. I want them to know my brother and I still appreciate their friendship with the family, but don’t want to overwhelm them with fresh fruit every month—so I opted to overwhelm them with meat and cheese and chocolate. Hmmm...probably should have stuck with the fruit. I have used Hickory Farms before—I really enjoy their cheese balls. I usually go to the local mall, pick out a few cheese things for me and have some boxes sent out around the country to friends. Ah, this year, HF changed their policy. If you buy the stuff at the mall, and have it shipped, you have to fill out a card and mail the order to Hickory Farms, somewhere across this great continent. No email for the poor vendor, no other help from the local vendor. Many of these people only open a kiosk during the Christmas season. A little extra money for the family. The guy told me he has lost a lot of sales with this new policy. So I came home, got on line, and did my order. They even had free shipping. Good for me, but bad, very bad for the poor vendor who is just trying to make a few bucks. If I were him, I would have a computer at the kiosk and let the customer use it to order. But then, I’m not now or will ever be a business person.
Today my sister-in-law turned 40. A big deal, especially in her business. My brother planned a great evening, but wouldn’t tell me doing what…guess he doesn’t trust my ability to keep a secret. I usually just send a card but since it is the big 40 I sent her balloons, chocolate, and a stuffed bear. The card read “40 isn’t old…if you are a tree.” The phone guy I ordered it from couldn’t quit giggling when I gave him the message. I guess Laura really enjoyed it too. She said it was at her business first thing this morning. She said the card gave her a good laugh, and helped her accept the inevitable. I wish I could take credit for the quote, but I did steal it. When I turned 40, I was called to the Tonalea school gym about 2pm. There were about 250 kids and staff sitting in the bleachers and a huge sign across the court with the saying. Then the staff and students sang Happy Birthday. They used “Dear Old Man” at the end. Cute. Not true…but cute. I’ve always remembered that day, and use the quote whenever someone has reached 40. It always brings a smile.
Today became another slush day. We only made it to 38° but that was enough to melt yesterday’s snow and some of the two feet left by the previous storm. Parking lots around town were slush rivers between the parking space and the store entrance. The one thing I dislike about my Xterra is the carrier on the roof. It is great for holding stuff but that means snow and ice in the winter. As the snow melts, small pieces of ice slide around the roof every time I speed up, slow down, stop or go. Finally I either climb up and get rid of them, or I hit a bump or pothole and they bounce out onto the pavement. Today it was warm enough for all the snow/ice to find its way to the pavement. Not a bad day overall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Sacrifice
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ” ~Joseph Campbell Mythologist, Writer
± Unusual Wizard of Oz Trivia…
-"Over the Rainbow" was nearly cut from the film; MGM felt that it made the Kansas sequence too long, as well as being too far over the heads of the children for whom it was intended. The studio also thought that it was degrading for Judy Garland to sing in a barnyard. In 2004, the song was ranked #1 by the American Film Institute on the 100 Greatest Songs in American Films list.
-The horses in Emerald City palace were colored with Jell-O crystals. The relevant scenes had to be shot quickly, before the horses started to lick it off.
± Random Fact
75% of Honda vehicles purchased in the U.S. are manufactured in North America
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
Gluten-free Baking Week (week 12th -18th )
Halcyon Days—week Dec 14th -28th
§ 15 December Observances
Bill of Rights Day since 1791
Cat Herders Day—not an easy task
National Lemon Cupcake Day—Lemon Queen Cakes in the 1700’s
-Alderney, Channel Islands: Homecoming Day – celebrates the return of evacuated citizens after World War II.
-Zamenhof Day: Esperanto League (1859) in honor of L. L. Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto
-Netherlands Antilles : Kingdom Day/Statute Day (since 1954)
-Pakistan : Quaid-i-Azam's Birthday (founder of Modern Pakistan)
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± Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1992…A Haitian priest who is Roman Catholic claimed that President Bush was the victim of a voodoo hex. The priest claimed that the president could undo the curse by changing the U.S.’s foreign policy to Haiti. He said that the proof of Bush’s curse was the fact that the president vomited on the Japanese prime minister
± BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Jeff Chandler [Ira Grossel] in 1918 actor (Broken Arrow)
Charles Cowden Clarke in 1787 English editor/Shakespearean critic
Dave Clark in 1942 rock drummer (Dave Clark 5-Glad All Over)
Tim Conway in 1933 comic
Edna O'Brien in 1932 Irish writer (Fanatic of Heart, Casualties of Peace)
Betty Smith in 1906 novelist (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
~Athletics
Jerry Ball in 1964 NFL defensive tackle (Raiders, Vikings)
Don Johnson in 1949 actor (Miami Vice)
Walter Reeves in 1965 NFL tight end (Browns)
Dan Williams in 1969 NFL defensive end (Broncos)
~Business / Education / Politics
Edwin Howland Blashfield in 1848 decorated the dome of Library of Congress Alan Freed in 1922 DJ, accepted payola/intro term "rock-n-roll"
J Paul Getty in 1892 oil magnate
Helena Rubinstein in 1882 US cosmetic manufacturer
~Science/Religion
Antoine Henri Becquerel in 1852 discovered radioactivity (Nobel 1903)
Charles Edgar Duryea in 1861 inventor (1st auto built & operated in US)
Gustave Alexandre Eiffel in 1832 engineer: designed Paris’ Tower & helped design Statue of Liberty
Arthur D Little in 1863 chemist (patented rayon)
± In Remembrance
Sitting Bull (Thatháŋka Íyotake )Hunkpapa-Sioux chief killed by US Army @ 59
Walt Disney animator of cancer @ 65 *cremated, Urban legend says he was put in suspended animation.
Glenn Miller US band leader/jazz composer, in plane crash @ 40
Thomas W "Fats" Waller jazz pianist of pneumonia @ 39
Chill Wills actor (Frontier Circus, Rounders), @ 75
± Historical Events on this day
1593…State of Holland grants patent on windmill with crankshaft
1791…Bill of Rights ratified when Virginia gave its approval
1791…1st US law school established at University of Pennsylvania
1792…1st life insurance policy issued in US (Philadelphia)
1810…1st Irish magazine in US, The Shamrock, is published
1874…1st reigning king to visit US (of Hawaii) received by President Grant
1939…World premiere of "Gone With The Wind" in Atlanta GA
1944…Hizbu'allah (Arm forces for Allah) forms
1952…Christine Jorgenson is 1st person to undergo a sex-change operation
1961…Adolf Eichmann convicted of crimes against humanity in Israel
1962…The first record album to poke fun at a U.S. President became the #1 LP in the country. Vaughn Meader’s The First Family made the humorist a household word. The album stayed at #1 for three months.
1964…Canada adopts maple leaf flag
1964…1st time 4 people in space
1973…American Psychiatric Association declares homosexuality is not mental illness
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Rhyme & Reason
Answer the following clue in two rhyming words (e.g. an obese feline is a fat cat) If only one number is given, the answer is a word featuring internal rhyme (e.g. voodoo)
1. motionless window shelf (5,4
2. poorly done work in the land of the dense underwood (6,6)
3. 17th century ball/mallet game (4 4)
4. lovers' meeting in the fog (4,5)
5. booted fish (4,3)
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ANSWERS
1. motionless window shelf (5,4) still sill
2. poorly done work in the land of the dense underwood (6,6) jungle bungle
3. 17th century ball/mallet game (4 4) pall mall
4. lovers' meeting in the fog (4,5) mist tryst
5. booted fish (4,3) shod cod
Monday
348 days so far this year…17 days remain in 2009
11 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
First an oops from yesterday. The Islamic New Year doesn’t begin until the 18th. My internet sources obviously are not followers.
I spent the afternoon watching movies, and baking some Christmas cookies. It was snowing most of the afternoon, and it just felt right. Outside it was 34° with wind gusts to about 30mph. Brrr. Somehow I got onto movies with a Middle East theme. First I saw Rendition, then Body of Lies. Both were spy movies and well done. It is so hard to understand what is going on in the Middle East. Both movies reminded me of how difficult it must be to live in terror and not knowing who to trust and who not to trust. So many horrible things happen over there. I have so much to learn, so much to understand.
I’m very tired of the Tiger News. I’m not a golfer. I have enjoyed watching him play. His name was added to some great Nike shirts—the first to ‘keep you dry’ with something called wicking that let’s the sweat on your shirt dry very quickly. His off-the-green antics and his decision to not talk about it publically have only added to the fodder of the news and sports world. Way too many women have decided that they will tell their story of time with Eldrick Tont Woods. Since he isn’t talking to the press, the stories they tell are making headlines with no rebuttal. So we have learned that another public figure has feet of clay. When will we ever learn not to build any pedestal too high? When will business and sports stop paying the ridiculous sums of money for an image? He is a great golfer. That alone does not make him a great father, a great husband, or a great ethical man. It is discomforting to see anyone fall. The media over-hyped him, and now they have over-hyped his fall. We know he messed up in his off-the-green life. Enough already. It’s time for a new story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Sacrifice
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the courage to surpass others at whatever cost, but the courage to serve others at whatever the cost.”
~Arthur Ashe Professional Tennis Player, Civil Rights Supporter
± Unusual Wizard Of Oz Trivia…
-Buddy Ebson, the original actor hired to play the Tin Man, became very ill from the metallic makeup and was not able to appear in the movie, but his voice can still be heard singing "We're off to see the wizard," when Dorothy and her friends are dancing down the yellow brick road after the forest scene.
-In the original book by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's slippers were not ruby but silver. The color was changed in the movie for Technicolor purposes.
± Random Fact
The face of a penny can hold about thirty drops of water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
Gluten-free Baking Week
Halcyon Days—see below—from Dec 14-28
§ 13 December Observances
National Bouillabaisse Day---Fish Stew: a recipe around since about 600BC in France
International Monkey Day—since 2000—to educate man about other primates
Alabama: Admission Day (1819—22nd state)
-Iran : Death of Iman Ja'far Sadeq (poisoned) Day
-Turkey : Festival of Mevlana-Jelaeddin Rumi (Whirling Dervishes)
-World : Halcyon Days begin—The Halcyon—a Kingfisher—is said to calm the sea the seven days before and the seven days after the Winter Solstice so they can nest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1905…Illiteracy in the U.S. was 10.6 per 100 persons. Today it is 10 per 100 persons.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Morey Amsterdam in 1908 comedian, actor: The Dick Van Dyke Show
Patty [Anna Marie] Duke in 1946 actress
Don Hewitt in 1922 CBS executive producer (60 Minutes)
Charlie "Silver Fox" Rich in 1932 singer (Behind Closed Doors)
~Athletics
Bill (William Joseph) Buckner in 1949 baseball
Anthony Mason in 1966 NBA forward (New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets)
Johnny McWilliams in 1972 tight end (Arizona Cardinals)
~Business / Education / Politics
James H Doolittle in 1896 US Army General (Raid on Tokyo 1942)
George VI in 1895 king of England
John Mercer Langston in 1829 1st black to hold US political office
Margaret Chase Smith in 1897 (Representative/Senator-R-ME)
~Science / Religion
Nostradamus [Michel de Nostre-Dam] in 1503 French astrologist/prophet
In Remembrance~
William Bendix actor (Life of Riley) phenomena @ 58
Norman Fell American actor (3’s Company) @ 74
Marie Emmanuel French composer/musicologist (Salamine) @ 76
James V King of Scotland: father of Mary Queen of Scots battle wounds @ 30 Stubby Kaye (Bernard Kotzin) actor (Guys & Dolls, Sweet Charity, @ 79
Myrna Loy [Williams] actress (Thin Man, Vanity Fair) @ 88
Roger Maris homerun hitter (61 in 61, New York Yankees) cancer @ 51
Arthur Treacher TV announcer (Merv Griffin Show) @ 81
George Washington 1st President USA @ 67
Historical Events on this day
1287…Zuider Zee seawall collapses with loss of 50,000 lives
1656…Artificial pearls 1st manufactured by M Jacquin in Paris made of gypsum pellets covered with fish scales
1793…1st state road authorized, Frankfort KY to Cincinnati OH
1911…South Pole 1st reached, by Norwegian Roald Amundsen 1915…Jack Johnson is 1st black world heavyweight boxing champion
1927…Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain
1962…The Mariner 2 space probe becomes the first spacecraft to fly by Venus
1944…NASCAR is formed and it's headquarters are located in Daytona Beach, Florida
1969…Jackson Five made their 1st appearance on "Ed Sullivan Show"
1988…US agrees to talk to Palestine Liberation Organization (1st time in 13 years)
2000…The FTC approves the $111 billion merger of America Online and Time Warner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Rhyme & Reason
Answer the following clue in two rhyming words (e.g. an obese feline is a fat cat) If only one number is given, the answer is a word featuring internal rhyme (e.g. voodoo)
1. Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon (5,3)
2. a massage parlour? (3,4)
3. Jupiter's fowl* (5,6)
4. argument over a mere trinket (6,8)
5. add me and my friend (4,2)
*very poor grammar, I know.
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ANSWERS
1. Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon (5,3) space ace
2. a massage parlour? (3,4) rub club
3. Jupiter's fowl (5,6) Zeus’s Gooses—I told you it was bad grammar
4. argument over a mere trinket (6,8) bauble squabble
5. add me and my friend (4,2) plus us
11 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
First an oops from yesterday. The Islamic New Year doesn’t begin until the 18th. My internet sources obviously are not followers.
I spent the afternoon watching movies, and baking some Christmas cookies. It was snowing most of the afternoon, and it just felt right. Outside it was 34° with wind gusts to about 30mph. Brrr. Somehow I got onto movies with a Middle East theme. First I saw Rendition, then Body of Lies. Both were spy movies and well done. It is so hard to understand what is going on in the Middle East. Both movies reminded me of how difficult it must be to live in terror and not knowing who to trust and who not to trust. So many horrible things happen over there. I have so much to learn, so much to understand.
I’m very tired of the Tiger News. I’m not a golfer. I have enjoyed watching him play. His name was added to some great Nike shirts—the first to ‘keep you dry’ with something called wicking that let’s the sweat on your shirt dry very quickly. His off-the-green antics and his decision to not talk about it publically have only added to the fodder of the news and sports world. Way too many women have decided that they will tell their story of time with Eldrick Tont Woods. Since he isn’t talking to the press, the stories they tell are making headlines with no rebuttal. So we have learned that another public figure has feet of clay. When will we ever learn not to build any pedestal too high? When will business and sports stop paying the ridiculous sums of money for an image? He is a great golfer. That alone does not make him a great father, a great husband, or a great ethical man. It is discomforting to see anyone fall. The media over-hyped him, and now they have over-hyped his fall. We know he messed up in his off-the-green life. Enough already. It’s time for a new story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Sacrifice
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the courage to surpass others at whatever cost, but the courage to serve others at whatever the cost.”
~Arthur Ashe Professional Tennis Player, Civil Rights Supporter
± Unusual Wizard Of Oz Trivia…
-Buddy Ebson, the original actor hired to play the Tin Man, became very ill from the metallic makeup and was not able to appear in the movie, but his voice can still be heard singing "We're off to see the wizard," when Dorothy and her friends are dancing down the yellow brick road after the forest scene.
-In the original book by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's slippers were not ruby but silver. The color was changed in the movie for Technicolor purposes.
± Random Fact
The face of a penny can hold about thirty drops of water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
Gluten-free Baking Week
Halcyon Days—see below—from Dec 14-28
§ 13 December Observances
National Bouillabaisse Day---Fish Stew: a recipe around since about 600BC in France
International Monkey Day—since 2000—to educate man about other primates
Alabama: Admission Day (1819—22nd state)
-Iran : Death of Iman Ja'far Sadeq (poisoned) Day
-Turkey : Festival of Mevlana-Jelaeddin Rumi (Whirling Dervishes)
-World : Halcyon Days begin—The Halcyon—a Kingfisher—is said to calm the sea the seven days before and the seven days after the Winter Solstice so they can nest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1905…Illiteracy in the U.S. was 10.6 per 100 persons. Today it is 10 per 100 persons.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Morey Amsterdam in 1908 comedian, actor: The Dick Van Dyke Show
Patty [Anna Marie] Duke in 1946 actress
Don Hewitt in 1922 CBS executive producer (60 Minutes)
Charlie "Silver Fox" Rich in 1932 singer (Behind Closed Doors)
~Athletics
Bill (William Joseph) Buckner in 1949 baseball
Anthony Mason in 1966 NBA forward (New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets)
Johnny McWilliams in 1972 tight end (Arizona Cardinals)
~Business / Education / Politics
James H Doolittle in 1896 US Army General (Raid on Tokyo 1942)
George VI in 1895 king of England
John Mercer Langston in 1829 1st black to hold US political office
Margaret Chase Smith in 1897 (Representative/Senator-R-ME)
~Science / Religion
Nostradamus [Michel de Nostre-Dam] in 1503 French astrologist/prophet
In Remembrance~
William Bendix actor (Life of Riley) phenomena @ 58
Norman Fell American actor (3’s Company) @ 74
Marie Emmanuel French composer/musicologist (Salamine) @ 76
James V King of Scotland: father of Mary Queen of Scots battle wounds @ 30 Stubby Kaye (Bernard Kotzin) actor (Guys & Dolls, Sweet Charity, @ 79
Myrna Loy [Williams] actress (Thin Man, Vanity Fair) @ 88
Roger Maris homerun hitter (61 in 61, New York Yankees) cancer @ 51
Arthur Treacher TV announcer (Merv Griffin Show) @ 81
George Washington 1st President USA @ 67
Historical Events on this day
1287…Zuider Zee seawall collapses with loss of 50,000 lives
1656…Artificial pearls 1st manufactured by M Jacquin in Paris made of gypsum pellets covered with fish scales
1793…1st state road authorized, Frankfort KY to Cincinnati OH
1911…South Pole 1st reached, by Norwegian Roald Amundsen 1915…Jack Johnson is 1st black world heavyweight boxing champion
1927…Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain
1962…The Mariner 2 space probe becomes the first spacecraft to fly by Venus
1944…NASCAR is formed and it's headquarters are located in Daytona Beach, Florida
1969…Jackson Five made their 1st appearance on "Ed Sullivan Show"
1988…US agrees to talk to Palestine Liberation Organization (1st time in 13 years)
2000…The FTC approves the $111 billion merger of America Online and Time Warner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Rhyme & Reason
Answer the following clue in two rhyming words (e.g. an obese feline is a fat cat) If only one number is given, the answer is a word featuring internal rhyme (e.g. voodoo)
1. Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon (5,3)
2. a massage parlour? (3,4)
3. Jupiter's fowl* (5,6)
4. argument over a mere trinket (6,8)
5. add me and my friend (4,2)
*very poor grammar, I know.
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ANSWERS
1. Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon (5,3) space ace
2. a massage parlour? (3,4) rub club
3. Jupiter's fowl (5,6) Zeus’s Gooses—I told you it was bad grammar
4. argument over a mere trinket (6,8) bauble squabble
5. add me and my friend (4,2) plus us
Sunday
347 days so far this year…18 days remain in 2009
12 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"When all else fails, read the directions." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Our parking lot has been sorta cleared since the big blizzard. Unfortunately, today it got pretty slushy. With the cold temps expected tonight, I figured driving out of the lot would be difficult tomorrow. Then, just as the sun was setting, a front end loader pulls up and started moving all the slush. I quickly moved my vehicle so that the guy could clean out the parking spaces. After about 15 minutes, I moved back and he continues to clear the rest of the area. Another storm is expected and while they first said we may get an inch, now it’s up to four inches. So we will be starting the next storm with a clear parking lot.
Wind gusts at 25mph and a high of 36° (feeling like 28°) kept me home most of the day. No need to fight the weekenders on the roads, in the stores, and at the drive-thru. It gives me a break, and puts one less vehicle on the road to slow everyone else down. Oh, and I intensely dislike crowds, traffic, and everything that goes with them.
Even in my younger days I was not into applying for the winter hunt. If I’m going hunting and camping, I want it to be cool enough at night for a nice fire, but not so cold that one freezes any part of the body. This is the winter hunt time. Our blizzard brought concerns from the town folk that there would be stranded hunters in need of help. There were about fifty hunters in the area between Flagstaff and Williams and the Grand Canyon. People went out for a couple of days, searching for hunters to see if anyone needed help. Luckily and surprisingly, all the hunters were fine. A winter hunt is hard enough, dealing with the snow and ice, the cold, and the short days. These hunters came prepared for it. It would be nice, here in Flagstaff, if all the mountain trekkers did the same. Every year, hikers and campers get lost, don’t come prepared for quickly changing weather conditions, or make mistakes that lead to Search and Rescue having to help them out. I’m certainly glad there are people who donate their time for Search and Rescue missions. I’m glad they weren’t needed in this latest storm. I know that I would not have the patience to be a volunteer. Most of the rescues are the hikers who made really stupid mistakes. I would want to set them and I hear that is not allowed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity.” ~Nathaniel Branden
± Unusual Christmas Stuff…
-The first nativity scene was displayed in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
-In Syria, Christian children receive their gifts from a camel.
-In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to wear an evergreen wreath with seven lighted candles on her head.
-Orthodox churches that follow the old Julian calendar will celebrate Christmas on January 7.
-A Yule log-shaped cake called a "Buche de Noel" is traditionally served in France.
± Random Fact
Almonds are a member of the peach family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
§ 13 December Observances
Ice Cream and Violins Day
-Malta : Republic Day (since 1974)
-Upper Volta : National Day
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~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1809…the first abdominal surgical procedure was performed -- in Danville, Kentucky. The patient was Jane Todd Crawford and the operation was performed without the aid of an anesthetic.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Rex Allen in 1922 (Wilcox AZ) cowboy actor—Disney Nature Narrator
Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter in 1948 musician: Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers
Phillips Brooks in 1835 Episcopal bishop/composer (Little Town of Bethlehem)
Jamie Foxx in 1967 comedian
Van Heflin (Emmett Evan Heflin, Jr.) in 1910 actor
Heinrich Heine in 1797 German poet/lyricist (Schubert, Liszt)
Ross MacDonald in 1915 detective novelist (Goodbye Look)
Carlos Montoya in 1903 Spanish guitarist
Dick Van Dyke in 1925 actor
Richard Darryl Zanuck in 1934 film producer/executive Jaws, Driving Miss Daisy…
~Athletics
Richard Dent in 1960 defensive end (Eagles,Bears)
Larry (Lawrence Eugene) Doby in 1923 Baseball Hall of Fame
Archie Moore in 1913 light-heavyweight boxing champion
~Business / Education / Politics
Harold Guinzburg in 1899 publisher (founder of Literary Guild)
Mary Todd Lincoln in 1818 1st lady
Ted (Theodore Anthony) Nugent in 1948 guitarist/conservative activist
George P Schultz in 1920 US Secretary of State
~Science / Religion
Robert Plot in 1640 English naturalist
Philip Warren Anderson in 1923 American physicist, Nobel laureate
In Remembrance~
Samuel Gompers organizer (AFL), @ 74
Grandma [Anna Mary Robertson Moses] Moses US painter, @ 101
Pigmeat Markham comedian (Here Comes da Judge-Laugh In), @ 75
Historical Events on this day
1577…Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around the world
1759…1st music store in America opens (Philadelphia)
1769…Dartmouth College in New Hampshire received its charter
1843…"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens published, 6,000 copies sold
1903…Wright Brothers make 1st flight at Kittyhawk
1903…Great Britain wanted to maintain dominance in Tibet to counteract the Soviet Union’s control over Manchuria and other parts of Asia. Tibet would also act as a buffer between Soviet controlled zones and India.
1918…Woodrow Wilson, becomes 1st to make a foreign visit as President (France)
1924…KOA-AM in Denver CO begins radio transmissions
1928…Clip-on tie designed
1966…1st US bombing of Hanoi
1969…Arlo Guthrie releases "Alice's Restaurant"
1972…300 British Thalidomide victims are being offered a compensation deal said to be worth £11.85 million over 10 years which is rejected by the victims. (Eventually an agreement is reached providing £20.00 million.)
1978…Susan B Anthony dollar, 1st US coin to honor a woman, issued
1983…British Airways incorporates
1990…President De Klerk of South Africa meets with Nelson Mandela to talk of end of apartheid
1993…Deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, they don't
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§ Rhyme & Reason
Answer the following clue in two rhyming words (e.g. an obese feline (3,3) is a fat cat) If only one number is given, the answer is a word featuring internal rhyme (e.g. voodoo)
1. Bill Gates, perhaps? (3,4)
2. constructed a canopy for your boat (5,4)
3. draft apprehension (4,4)
4. Six-foot Barbie (4,4)
5. soused animal stinker (5,5)
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ANSWERS
1. Bill Gates, perhaps? (3,4) DOS Boss
2. constructed a canopy for your boat (5,4) built tilt
3. draft apprehension (4,4) beer fear
4. Six-foot Barbie (4,4) Tall Doll
5. soused animal stinker (5,5) drunk skunk
12 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"When all else fails, read the directions." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Our parking lot has been sorta cleared since the big blizzard. Unfortunately, today it got pretty slushy. With the cold temps expected tonight, I figured driving out of the lot would be difficult tomorrow. Then, just as the sun was setting, a front end loader pulls up and started moving all the slush. I quickly moved my vehicle so that the guy could clean out the parking spaces. After about 15 minutes, I moved back and he continues to clear the rest of the area. Another storm is expected and while they first said we may get an inch, now it’s up to four inches. So we will be starting the next storm with a clear parking lot.
Wind gusts at 25mph and a high of 36° (feeling like 28°) kept me home most of the day. No need to fight the weekenders on the roads, in the stores, and at the drive-thru. It gives me a break, and puts one less vehicle on the road to slow everyone else down. Oh, and I intensely dislike crowds, traffic, and everything that goes with them.
Even in my younger days I was not into applying for the winter hunt. If I’m going hunting and camping, I want it to be cool enough at night for a nice fire, but not so cold that one freezes any part of the body. This is the winter hunt time. Our blizzard brought concerns from the town folk that there would be stranded hunters in need of help. There were about fifty hunters in the area between Flagstaff and Williams and the Grand Canyon. People went out for a couple of days, searching for hunters to see if anyone needed help. Luckily and surprisingly, all the hunters were fine. A winter hunt is hard enough, dealing with the snow and ice, the cold, and the short days. These hunters came prepared for it. It would be nice, here in Flagstaff, if all the mountain trekkers did the same. Every year, hikers and campers get lost, don’t come prepared for quickly changing weather conditions, or make mistakes that lead to Search and Rescue having to help them out. I’m certainly glad there are people who donate their time for Search and Rescue missions. I’m glad they weren’t needed in this latest storm. I know that I would not have the patience to be a volunteer. Most of the rescues are the hikers who made really stupid mistakes. I would want to set them and I hear that is not allowed.
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± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity.” ~Nathaniel Branden
± Unusual Christmas Stuff…
-The first nativity scene was displayed in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
-In Syria, Christian children receive their gifts from a camel.
-In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to wear an evergreen wreath with seven lighted candles on her head.
-Orthodox churches that follow the old Julian calendar will celebrate Christmas on January 7.
-A Yule log-shaped cake called a "Buche de Noel" is traditionally served in France.
± Random Fact
Almonds are a member of the peach family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
§ 13 December Observances
Ice Cream and Violins Day
-Malta : Republic Day (since 1974)
-Upper Volta : National Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1809…the first abdominal surgical procedure was performed -- in Danville, Kentucky. The patient was Jane Todd Crawford and the operation was performed without the aid of an anesthetic.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Rex Allen in 1922 (Wilcox AZ) cowboy actor—Disney Nature Narrator
Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter in 1948 musician: Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers
Phillips Brooks in 1835 Episcopal bishop/composer (Little Town of Bethlehem)
Jamie Foxx in 1967 comedian
Van Heflin (Emmett Evan Heflin, Jr.) in 1910 actor
Heinrich Heine in 1797 German poet/lyricist (Schubert, Liszt)
Ross MacDonald in 1915 detective novelist (Goodbye Look)
Carlos Montoya in 1903 Spanish guitarist
Dick Van Dyke in 1925 actor
Richard Darryl Zanuck in 1934 film producer/executive Jaws, Driving Miss Daisy…
~Athletics
Richard Dent in 1960 defensive end (Eagles,Bears)
Larry (Lawrence Eugene) Doby in 1923 Baseball Hall of Fame
Archie Moore in 1913 light-heavyweight boxing champion
~Business / Education / Politics
Harold Guinzburg in 1899 publisher (founder of Literary Guild)
Mary Todd Lincoln in 1818 1st lady
Ted (Theodore Anthony) Nugent in 1948 guitarist/conservative activist
George P Schultz in 1920 US Secretary of State
~Science / Religion
Robert Plot in 1640 English naturalist
Philip Warren Anderson in 1923 American physicist, Nobel laureate
In Remembrance~
Samuel Gompers organizer (AFL), @ 74
Grandma [Anna Mary Robertson Moses] Moses US painter, @ 101
Pigmeat Markham comedian (Here Comes da Judge-Laugh In), @ 75
Historical Events on this day
1577…Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around the world
1759…1st music store in America opens (Philadelphia)
1769…Dartmouth College in New Hampshire received its charter
1843…"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens published, 6,000 copies sold
1903…Wright Brothers make 1st flight at Kittyhawk
1903…Great Britain wanted to maintain dominance in Tibet to counteract the Soviet Union’s control over Manchuria and other parts of Asia. Tibet would also act as a buffer between Soviet controlled zones and India.
1918…Woodrow Wilson, becomes 1st to make a foreign visit as President (France)
1924…KOA-AM in Denver CO begins radio transmissions
1928…Clip-on tie designed
1966…1st US bombing of Hanoi
1969…Arlo Guthrie releases "Alice's Restaurant"
1972…300 British Thalidomide victims are being offered a compensation deal said to be worth £11.85 million over 10 years which is rejected by the victims. (Eventually an agreement is reached providing £20.00 million.)
1978…Susan B Anthony dollar, 1st US coin to honor a woman, issued
1983…British Airways incorporates
1990…President De Klerk of South Africa meets with Nelson Mandela to talk of end of apartheid
1993…Deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, they don't
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Rhyme & Reason
Answer the following clue in two rhyming words (e.g. an obese feline (3,3) is a fat cat) If only one number is given, the answer is a word featuring internal rhyme (e.g. voodoo)
1. Bill Gates, perhaps? (3,4)
2. constructed a canopy for your boat (5,4)
3. draft apprehension (4,4)
4. Six-foot Barbie (4,4)
5. soused animal stinker (5,5)
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Scroll down for answers
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ANSWERS
1. Bill Gates, perhaps? (3,4) DOS Boss
2. constructed a canopy for your boat (5,4) built tilt
3. draft apprehension (4,4) beer fear
4. Six-foot Barbie (4,4) Tall Doll
5. soused animal stinker (5,5) drunk skunk
Saturday
346 days so far this year…19 days remain in 2009
13 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
Dreams are the touchstone of our character.
~Henry David Thoreau
***Free Ramblings***
Another weekend is upon us. Time sure flies. I ventured out to do some Christmas shopping. I am a last minute guy and am still not in the mood, as hard as I try. I keep looking and thinking, well I still have time, I’ll keep looking. It has always worked in the past, and I hope it continues to work this year.
I have been messing around for a few days to make a DVD of my Southern Africa trip. When I made the one for Egypt, I put all the stories on the disk with no problem. Now, I can’t figure out what program I used to do this fairly simple task. I have tried several that were on my computer. Nothing would work. Today I finally got them on a disk, after about six tries. The problem with the disk is that it didn’t make Chapters, so each of the four stories just play one after another. It will work in a pinch, but I really wanted to have them separated. Maybe tomorrow it will come together. Gotta just love technology. Something it works, then it doesn’t work, then it kinda works, then it finally works again. Sheeeesh.
We had a warm night last night…it was 7°--much warmer than the last few days. Today we made it to 38° but the 15mph winds made it feel about 30°. Then it started snowing about 3pm with flurries. A lot is not expected—only an inch. I can handle that. As expected, the Letters to the Editor started today, complaining about the lack of snow removal. One letter did remind everyone that we are in financial crisis here in Flagstaff and that they did the best they could under the circumstances. I am certainly happy that our HOA keeps our street fairly clear and does a decent job of keeping the common sidewalks clear. I can understand how hard it is for people with long driveways and roads that aren’t plowed. Then again, this is a mountain community and one expects snow. It is not the best place to have a low clearance vehicle, or to be without some kind of 4 wheel or all wheel drive. If one doesn’t have that kind of vehicle, the people within the city have the advantage of a very good public transportation system for a town this small. It was running all day during the storm and continues to move people in the aftermath. I used to ride the city bus to my orthodontist and to my Grandma’s house when I was a pre-teen and early teen. It was not my favorite type of transportation, but sure got me to where I was going, and I didn’t have to have a parent tagging along. Each trip I took, I saw as an adventure into the world. So, for the next few days, the paper will print letters about how hard it is to move around in Flag when it snows. I just remember that we are in a mountain community and we have snow. We need the moisture. The forest needs the moisture. Deal with it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.” Ayn Rand Writer, Philosopher
± Unusual Christmas Stuff…
-In Belgium, St. Nicholas pays two visits to each house.
-Brazilians celebrate Christmas partly by enjoying the balmy weather outdoors.
-Christians in China call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren, which means Christmas Old Man.
-In Mexico, the pastorelas are reenactments of Mary and Joseph's search for an inn.
-Greece is home to the killantzaroi, goblins that appear only during the 12-day period between Christmas and Epiphany.
± Random Fact
Diet Coke was only invented in 1982.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
§ 12 December Observances
Day Of The Horse (since 2004)
National Ding-A-Ling Day
Pennsylvania : Ratification Day (1787)
Poinsettia Day
International Shareware Day (since 2007)
-El Salvador : Day of the Indians
-Kenya : Independence Day/Jamhuri Day (from Britain: 1963)
-Turkmenistan – Neutrality Day (since 1995)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1925…The first Motel opens the Milestone Mo-Tel of San Luis Obispo, California as the midpoint stop between Los Angeles to San Francisco and costing $1.25 per night per room.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Bob Barker in 1923 Darrington WA, game show emcee (Price is Right)
Gustave Flaubert in 1821 (France) novelist (Madame Bovary)
Connie Francis (Concetta Franconero) in 1938 singer/actress (Where the Boys Are) anti-gay activist
Frank Sinatra in 1915 singer/actor
Edward G Robinson [Goldenberg] in 1893 (Romania) actor
Karl Edward Wagner in 1945 sci-fi author (Bloodstone, Night Winds)
Dionne Warwick I 1940 singer (Way to San Jose)
~Athletics
Orlando Brown in 1970 NFL tackle (Browns, Ravens)
Jesse Owens in 1913 Olympic track star (4 golds 1936)
Cathy Rigby McCoy in 1952 Olympic gymnast
~Business / Education / Politics
Edward I Koch in 1924 Mayor NYC
Henry Wells in 1805 founder (American Express Company & Wells Fargo & Company)
~Science / Religion
Sherburne W Burnham in 1838 astronomer (binary stars)
In Remembrance~
Tallulah Bankhead actress pneumonia @ 65
Robert Browning English poet @ 77
Jack [John Joseph Edward] Cassidy actor (Oscar-He & She, Eiger Sanction), in fire @ 49
John Craig Scottish church reformer/James VI's court vicar,
Douglas Fairbanks actor heart attack @ 56
Johnny Lee actor (Calhoun-Amos 'n' Andy), @ 67
Historical Events on this day
1098…1st Crusaders capture & plunder Mara Syria 1791 Bank of the US opens
1800…Washington DC established as capital of US
1822…México officially recognized as an independent nation by US
1858…1st Canadian coins circulated (1¢, 5¢, 10¢ & 20¢)
1870…Joseph Rainey (South Carolina) became 1st black sworn into House of Representatives
1899…George F Grant of Boston )first black graduate of Harvard College, and a dentist) patents the wooden golf tee
1900…National Negro Anthem, "Lift Every Voice & Sing" is composed
1900…Charles M. Schwab formed the United States Steel Corporation
1906…Oscar Straus, 1st Jewish cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Commerce
1913…"Mona Lisa", recovered after being stolen from the Louvre Museum in 1911
1917…Father Edward Flanagan founds Boys Town dedicated to the care of at-risk children, with national headquarters in the village of Boys Town, Nebraska
1946…Tide detergent introduced
1953…Chuck Yeager reaches Mach 2.43 in Bell X-1A rocket plane
1959…UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space is established
1969…"Hello Dolly" with Barbra Streisand premieres
1980…The U.S. Congress amended the Copyright Act in 1980 to explicitly recognize that computer programs were protected as literary works
1997…Carlos the Jackal, "professional revolutionary" goes on trial in Paris
2000…The United States Supreme Court hands out it's ruling over the counting of ballets in Florida
2003…Keiko the Orca (or killer whale) made famous by the "Free Willy" movies, died in the Norwegian fjord that had become his home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1 . aretched
2 . ecoyuck
3. olflove
4. amar
5. eaveo
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Hint: 1-f, 2d, 3-g, 4-j, 5-h
Scroll down for answers
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ANSWERS
1. far fetched
2. decoy duck
3. golf glove
4. jam jar
5. heave ho.
13 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
Dreams are the touchstone of our character.
~Henry David Thoreau
***Free Ramblings***
Another weekend is upon us. Time sure flies. I ventured out to do some Christmas shopping. I am a last minute guy and am still not in the mood, as hard as I try. I keep looking and thinking, well I still have time, I’ll keep looking. It has always worked in the past, and I hope it continues to work this year.
I have been messing around for a few days to make a DVD of my Southern Africa trip. When I made the one for Egypt, I put all the stories on the disk with no problem. Now, I can’t figure out what program I used to do this fairly simple task. I have tried several that were on my computer. Nothing would work. Today I finally got them on a disk, after about six tries. The problem with the disk is that it didn’t make Chapters, so each of the four stories just play one after another. It will work in a pinch, but I really wanted to have them separated. Maybe tomorrow it will come together. Gotta just love technology. Something it works, then it doesn’t work, then it kinda works, then it finally works again. Sheeeesh.
We had a warm night last night…it was 7°--much warmer than the last few days. Today we made it to 38° but the 15mph winds made it feel about 30°. Then it started snowing about 3pm with flurries. A lot is not expected—only an inch. I can handle that. As expected, the Letters to the Editor started today, complaining about the lack of snow removal. One letter did remind everyone that we are in financial crisis here in Flagstaff and that they did the best they could under the circumstances. I am certainly happy that our HOA keeps our street fairly clear and does a decent job of keeping the common sidewalks clear. I can understand how hard it is for people with long driveways and roads that aren’t plowed. Then again, this is a mountain community and one expects snow. It is not the best place to have a low clearance vehicle, or to be without some kind of 4 wheel or all wheel drive. If one doesn’t have that kind of vehicle, the people within the city have the advantage of a very good public transportation system for a town this small. It was running all day during the storm and continues to move people in the aftermath. I used to ride the city bus to my orthodontist and to my Grandma’s house when I was a pre-teen and early teen. It was not my favorite type of transportation, but sure got me to where I was going, and I didn’t have to have a parent tagging along. Each trip I took, I saw as an adventure into the world. So, for the next few days, the paper will print letters about how hard it is to move around in Flag when it snows. I just remember that we are in a mountain community and we have snow. We need the moisture. The forest needs the moisture. Deal with it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.” Ayn Rand Writer, Philosopher
± Unusual Christmas Stuff…
-In Belgium, St. Nicholas pays two visits to each house.
-Brazilians celebrate Christmas partly by enjoying the balmy weather outdoors.
-Christians in China call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren, which means Christmas Old Man.
-In Mexico, the pastorelas are reenactments of Mary and Joseph's search for an inn.
-Greece is home to the killantzaroi, goblins that appear only during the 12-day period between Christmas and Epiphany.
± Random Fact
Diet Coke was only invented in 1982.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 12 December
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Week 12th-19th
§ 12 December Observances
Day Of The Horse (since 2004)
National Ding-A-Ling Day
Pennsylvania : Ratification Day (1787)
Poinsettia Day
International Shareware Day (since 2007)
-El Salvador : Day of the Indians
-Kenya : Independence Day/Jamhuri Day (from Britain: 1963)
-Turkmenistan – Neutrality Day (since 1995)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1925…The first Motel opens the Milestone Mo-Tel of San Luis Obispo, California as the midpoint stop between Los Angeles to San Francisco and costing $1.25 per night per room.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Bob Barker in 1923 Darrington WA, game show emcee (Price is Right)
Gustave Flaubert in 1821 (France) novelist (Madame Bovary)
Connie Francis (Concetta Franconero) in 1938 singer/actress (Where the Boys Are) anti-gay activist
Frank Sinatra in 1915 singer/actor
Edward G Robinson [Goldenberg] in 1893 (Romania) actor
Karl Edward Wagner in 1945 sci-fi author (Bloodstone, Night Winds)
Dionne Warwick I 1940 singer (Way to San Jose)
~Athletics
Orlando Brown in 1970 NFL tackle (Browns, Ravens)
Jesse Owens in 1913 Olympic track star (4 golds 1936)
Cathy Rigby McCoy in 1952 Olympic gymnast
~Business / Education / Politics
Edward I Koch in 1924 Mayor NYC
Henry Wells in 1805 founder (American Express Company & Wells Fargo & Company)
~Science / Religion
Sherburne W Burnham in 1838 astronomer (binary stars)
In Remembrance~
Tallulah Bankhead actress pneumonia @ 65
Robert Browning English poet @ 77
Jack [John Joseph Edward] Cassidy actor (Oscar-He & She, Eiger Sanction), in fire @ 49
John Craig Scottish church reformer/James VI's court vicar,
Douglas Fairbanks actor heart attack @ 56
Johnny Lee actor (Calhoun-Amos 'n' Andy), @ 67
Historical Events on this day
1098…1st Crusaders capture & plunder Mara Syria 1791 Bank of the US opens
1800…Washington DC established as capital of US
1822…México officially recognized as an independent nation by US
1858…1st Canadian coins circulated (1¢, 5¢, 10¢ & 20¢)
1870…Joseph Rainey (South Carolina) became 1st black sworn into House of Representatives
1899…George F Grant of Boston )first black graduate of Harvard College, and a dentist) patents the wooden golf tee
1900…National Negro Anthem, "Lift Every Voice & Sing" is composed
1900…Charles M. Schwab formed the United States Steel Corporation
1906…Oscar Straus, 1st Jewish cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Commerce
1913…"Mona Lisa", recovered after being stolen from the Louvre Museum in 1911
1917…Father Edward Flanagan founds Boys Town dedicated to the care of at-risk children, with national headquarters in the village of Boys Town, Nebraska
1946…Tide detergent introduced
1953…Chuck Yeager reaches Mach 2.43 in Bell X-1A rocket plane
1959…UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space is established
1969…"Hello Dolly" with Barbra Streisand premieres
1980…The U.S. Congress amended the Copyright Act in 1980 to explicitly recognize that computer programs were protected as literary works
1997…Carlos the Jackal, "professional revolutionary" goes on trial in Paris
2000…The United States Supreme Court hands out it's ruling over the counting of ballets in Florida
2003…Keiko the Orca (or killer whale) made famous by the "Free Willy" movies, died in the Norwegian fjord that had become his home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1 . aretched
2 . ecoyuck
3. olflove
4. amar
5. eaveo
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^
Hint: 1-f, 2d, 3-g, 4-j, 5-h
Scroll down for answers
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^
ANSWERS
1. far fetched
2. decoy duck
3. golf glove
4. jam jar
5. heave ho.
Friday
345 days so far this year…20 days remain in 2009
14 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"When in doubt, make it sound convincing." ~Unknown Bureaucrat
***Free Ramblings***
Sure glad I don’t live in the Midwest. We may have a blizzard every decade, but our temps didn’t drop until the snow stopped. We are still cold—low was -3° last night, high today was a blistering 31°. The 15mph winds sure made it feel colder. Those in the Midwest are hit with blizzards and sub-zero temps. It makes our hassles seem so small.
I listened to Obama’s acceptance speech today. He sure can give a good speech. However, I’m not so sure that Nobel would have been happy by this choice. Obama is doing a very good job, but he has shown us all that he is not a man of peace like so many previous recipients. I certainly understand that there is evil in the world. I believe that Nobel, the maker of dynamite, wanted to honor people who found other means to keep the peace. King and Mandella tried peaceful means for years, acknowledged that some violence had to occur, and then worked for years to keep the peace. Obama just hasn’t been on the International scene long enough to show the world that he is a man of peace.
‘member my tax problem with Colorado. Well, today they sent a letter to say that they hadn’t accepted my appeal. It took me over an hour to get an appointment with HRBlock to deal with this. After all the phone and internet hassles, I still am not sure that my appointment is with someone who is trained to do my complicated taxes. I’m sure I will have more to bitch about after my appointment next Thursday. What a mess. Why the tax system is so complicated is beyond me. Even the tax people have problems keeping up. It is no wonder the states and the Feds are broke. Most Americans work hard and want to pay the least amount of tax possible. Most tax people try to help reach that goal. The states and the Federal tax offices want to get as much money as they can. So what really happens is that tax preparers and the tax collectors do not speak Standard English. They both learn ‘tax language’ and speak to each other in that language. The poor tax payer can do little more than just listen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because in the end those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.”
~Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel--Writer, Cartoonist
± Unusual News
NEW YORK - A New York man said he has cashed in nearly half a million dollars worth of betting slips during the past 10 years without buying a single ticket. Jesus Leonardo, 57, said losing a betting slip a decade ago led him to discover nearly $2,000 in discarded slips in an off-track betting parlor's trash can, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Leonardo, who is married with two teenage children, said he now supports his family with the $100 to $300 he makes per day collecting 2,000 to 7,000 discarded tickets from five betting parlors in the city. "This has become my job, my life," he said. "This is how I feed my family." "At first, my wife thought I was crazy, but then she realized I was finding a lot of money in winning tickets, sometimes $200 a day," he said. "After a while, she didn't think I was so crazy." Leonardo said he spends hours in front of ticket machines to scan each discarded ticket. "It is such exhausting work that I give myself a lunch hour," he said.
± Random Facts
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 10 December
Human Rights Week
§ 10 December Observances
National Noodle Ring Day
International (UN) Mountain Day (since 2001
UNICEF Day (since 1946)
Indiana : Admission Day (1816—19th state)
-Argentina – Tango Day, Buenos Aires
-Upper Volta(Bourkina Fasso) : Republic Day ( from France 1958)
-Philippines – Pampanga Day, (since 1571)
-Wales – Remembrance Day of Llywelyn II (Llywelyn ab Gruffydd) (Last Leader Day)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1964 – Che Guevara speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. An unknown terrorist fires a mortar shell at the building during the speech.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Marjorie (Henderson) Buell in 1904-cartoonist: Little Lulu
Ron Carey in 1934-actor (Barney Miller—Officer Levitt)
Teri Garr in 1947-actress
Jermaine Jackson in 1954-singer The Jackson Five
Booker T Jones in 1944-organist (Booker T & MGs)
Brenda Lee [Brenda Mae Tarpley] in 1944-singer (I'm Sorry)
Nagib Machfus in 1911-Egyptian writer (Nobel 1988)
Carlo Ponti in 1912-producer, director
Susan Seidelman in 1952-director: Desperately Seeking Susan
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in 1918-writer (Nobel 1970)
~Athletics
Jay Bell in 1965-infielder (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Karen Susman in 1942-tennis pro (Wimbledon 1962)
~Business / Education / Politics
Tom Hayden in 1939-60's activist/Mr Jane Fonda
Fiorello LaGuardia ‘Little Flower’ in 1882-politician;NYC mayor
~Science / Religion
Sir David Brewster in 1781, Scotland, physicist/inventor (kaleidoscope)
Max Born in 1882 physicist (quantum mechanics, Nobel 1954)
Annie Jump Cannon in 1863-astronomer: discovered five stars
In Remembrance~
Percy Kilbride actor (Ma & Pa Kettle), @ 76
Sam Cooke singer (You Send Me), slain @33
Robert Q Lewis comic/TV panel member @70
Maurice "Mac" McDonald fast-food pioneer @ 69
Bettie Page American model @ 85
Historical Events on this day
1719…1st recorded display of Aurora Borealis in US (New England)
1844…1st dental use of nitrous oxide
1872…1st black US Governor took office, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback (Louisiana)
1882…The Bijou Theatre in Boston, MA became the first theatre to be lighted by electricity
1906…US President Roosevelt attacks abuses in the Congo
1928…Buenos Aires police thwart an attempt on President-elect Herbert Hoover
1931…British Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Newfoundland
1936…King Edward VIII abdicates throne to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson
1951…Joe Dimaggio announces his baseball retirement
1961…Adolf Eichmann is found guilty of war crimes, in Israel
1997…150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to take steps to control the greenhouse gas emissions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. estalirgins
2 . hiteine
3 . asternurope
4 . cutengle
5 . oonsense
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-v, 2w, 3-e, 4-a, 5-n
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
21. vestal virgins
22. white wine
23. Eastern Europe
24. acute angle
25. no nonsense
14 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"When in doubt, make it sound convincing." ~Unknown Bureaucrat
***Free Ramblings***
Sure glad I don’t live in the Midwest. We may have a blizzard every decade, but our temps didn’t drop until the snow stopped. We are still cold—low was -3° last night, high today was a blistering 31°. The 15mph winds sure made it feel colder. Those in the Midwest are hit with blizzards and sub-zero temps. It makes our hassles seem so small.
I listened to Obama’s acceptance speech today. He sure can give a good speech. However, I’m not so sure that Nobel would have been happy by this choice. Obama is doing a very good job, but he has shown us all that he is not a man of peace like so many previous recipients. I certainly understand that there is evil in the world. I believe that Nobel, the maker of dynamite, wanted to honor people who found other means to keep the peace. King and Mandella tried peaceful means for years, acknowledged that some violence had to occur, and then worked for years to keep the peace. Obama just hasn’t been on the International scene long enough to show the world that he is a man of peace.
‘member my tax problem with Colorado. Well, today they sent a letter to say that they hadn’t accepted my appeal. It took me over an hour to get an appointment with HRBlock to deal with this. After all the phone and internet hassles, I still am not sure that my appointment is with someone who is trained to do my complicated taxes. I’m sure I will have more to bitch about after my appointment next Thursday. What a mess. Why the tax system is so complicated is beyond me. Even the tax people have problems keeping up. It is no wonder the states and the Feds are broke. Most Americans work hard and want to pay the least amount of tax possible. Most tax people try to help reach that goal. The states and the Federal tax offices want to get as much money as they can. So what really happens is that tax preparers and the tax collectors do not speak Standard English. They both learn ‘tax language’ and speak to each other in that language. The poor tax payer can do little more than just listen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because in the end those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter.”
~Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel--Writer, Cartoonist
± Unusual News
NEW YORK - A New York man said he has cashed in nearly half a million dollars worth of betting slips during the past 10 years without buying a single ticket. Jesus Leonardo, 57, said losing a betting slip a decade ago led him to discover nearly $2,000 in discarded slips in an off-track betting parlor's trash can, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Leonardo, who is married with two teenage children, said he now supports his family with the $100 to $300 he makes per day collecting 2,000 to 7,000 discarded tickets from five betting parlors in the city. "This has become my job, my life," he said. "This is how I feed my family." "At first, my wife thought I was crazy, but then she realized I was finding a lot of money in winning tickets, sometimes $200 a day," he said. "After a while, she didn't think I was so crazy." Leonardo said he spends hours in front of ticket machines to scan each discarded ticket. "It is such exhausting work that I give myself a lunch hour," he said.
± Random Facts
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 10 December
Human Rights Week
§ 10 December Observances
National Noodle Ring Day
International (UN) Mountain Day (since 2001
UNICEF Day (since 1946)
Indiana : Admission Day (1816—19th state)
-Argentina – Tango Day, Buenos Aires
-Upper Volta(Bourkina Fasso) : Republic Day ( from France 1958)
-Philippines – Pampanga Day, (since 1571)
-Wales – Remembrance Day of Llywelyn II (Llywelyn ab Gruffydd) (Last Leader Day)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1964 – Che Guevara speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. An unknown terrorist fires a mortar shell at the building during the speech.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Marjorie (Henderson) Buell in 1904-cartoonist: Little Lulu
Ron Carey in 1934-actor (Barney Miller—Officer Levitt)
Teri Garr in 1947-actress
Jermaine Jackson in 1954-singer The Jackson Five
Booker T Jones in 1944-organist (Booker T & MGs)
Brenda Lee [Brenda Mae Tarpley] in 1944-singer (I'm Sorry)
Nagib Machfus in 1911-Egyptian writer (Nobel 1988)
Carlo Ponti in 1912-producer, director
Susan Seidelman in 1952-director: Desperately Seeking Susan
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in 1918-writer (Nobel 1970)
~Athletics
Jay Bell in 1965-infielder (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Karen Susman in 1942-tennis pro (Wimbledon 1962)
~Business / Education / Politics
Tom Hayden in 1939-60's activist/Mr Jane Fonda
Fiorello LaGuardia ‘Little Flower’ in 1882-politician;NYC mayor
~Science / Religion
Sir David Brewster in 1781, Scotland, physicist/inventor (kaleidoscope)
Max Born in 1882 physicist (quantum mechanics, Nobel 1954)
Annie Jump Cannon in 1863-astronomer: discovered five stars
In Remembrance~
Percy Kilbride actor (Ma & Pa Kettle), @ 76
Sam Cooke singer (You Send Me), slain @33
Robert Q Lewis comic/TV panel member @70
Maurice "Mac" McDonald fast-food pioneer @ 69
Bettie Page American model @ 85
Historical Events on this day
1719…1st recorded display of Aurora Borealis in US (New England)
1844…1st dental use of nitrous oxide
1872…1st black US Governor took office, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback (Louisiana)
1882…The Bijou Theatre in Boston, MA became the first theatre to be lighted by electricity
1906…US President Roosevelt attacks abuses in the Congo
1928…Buenos Aires police thwart an attempt on President-elect Herbert Hoover
1931…British Statute of Westminster gives complete legislative independence to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Newfoundland
1936…King Edward VIII abdicates throne to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson
1951…Joe Dimaggio announces his baseball retirement
1961…Adolf Eichmann is found guilty of war crimes, in Israel
1997…150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to take steps to control the greenhouse gas emissions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. estalirgins
2 . hiteine
3 . asternurope
4 . cutengle
5 . oonsense
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-v, 2w, 3-e, 4-a, 5-n
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
21. vestal virgins
22. white wine
23. Eastern Europe
24. acute angle
25. no nonsense
Thursday
344 days so far this year…21 days remain in 2009
15 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"If at first you don't succeed, you're doing about average." ~Unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Over time, one forgets what a blizzard really is, if you don’t have them very often. It’s been a decade since Flagstaff had a real blizzard. I must say, the city has done a very good job in keeping the streets open and passable. It took about 30 minutes for me to dig out my vehicle this morning. The snowplow guy had left quite a pile between my vehicle and the drive around. The snow shovel guys had thrown the 2+ feet of snow on the sidewalks into the area between parked cars. Thanks to them, I could only get one door open—the passenger side. This meant that my ol’ body had to bend, twist, and move like a teenager to get from the passenger seat to the driver seat. I was very happy that I had 4WD/low so my digging was not as bad as it could have been. I put the Xterra into 4WD/low and pulled right out. Then I drove in and out about 5 times to widen my area. Much easier than I had thought it would be. It was a tough day for many others. Many parts of the Rez go hit hard with rain & or snow. Travel on dirt roads is hard enough when it is dry. The only thing that makes those roads passable right now is frozen sand. Once it thaws, best stay home. A friend lost his dog when the dog ran into the road and the driver couldn’t stop fast enough. Another friend called to say that her annual Christmas Cookie Party set for Saturday had to be cancelled because she has had a bad case of acid reflux something for five weeks. The doctor can’t seem to find a source or a medication that stops it. She did manage to bake the cookies, but isn’t up to the party thing, so the local Food Bank will be getting some great homemade cookies tomorrow. Another friend was taking care of her friend’s cat. The path to the front door was not a path at all, just two and half foot crunchy drifts. My friend tried unsuccessfully to make it to the front door. I’m a tad younger and don’t have her problems with walking—especially in snow. The cat got fed with little problem, once I got to the front door. Nice kitty was very happy to see me, as much as a cat can be happy to see a human. S/he was much happier to get fresh food. Tomorrow I will venture out to run some errands on the other side of town.
I had to call the local paper to get it delivered. I fully understood not getting it yesterday, but couldn’t figure out why it didn’t come today. They thanked me for being so nice about it, and had the paper delivered about two hours after I called. I’m glad I got it, as it had a lot about snow in Flagstaff. I’ve been around Flagstaff since 1971. This is the most snow Flagstaff has gotten in one day since 1987. The all time record for one day still stands at the 31” from Dec. 30, 1915. I’m sure glad that record didn’t get broken. As with all winter storms, the snow comes, it piles up, it slows us down, eventually it melts and another storm brings us more. The moisture from each storm, especially in this drought, is greatly needed so we don’t complain too much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.” ~Dogen Zenji, Buddhist Monk
± Unusual News
PRESTON, England - A former employee at a British grocery store apologized for videotaped shenanigans including licking raw chickens. Adeel Ayub, 60, apologized for his actions in the videos, which were taken before he left the company in 2006, after supermarket chain Asda said it was investigating his actions at the Preston, England, store, the Lancaster Evening Post reported Monday. The videos include footage of Ayub licking raw chickens that were returned to shelves, urinating into a trash bin, destroying awards earned by the store, slashing coworkers' clothing and setting off fire extinguishers. "I know there is no excuse for my atrocious behavior and I am truly sorry for what I did back then. I express my profound apologies to Asda and to its staff and customers," Ayub said. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage from the Asda store.
± Random Facts
Maine is the only state in the United States whose name is one syllable. It is the only state that shares its border with only one other state.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 10 December
Human Rights Week
§ 10 December Observances
UN Human Rights Day (since 1948)
International Animal Rights Day (since 1998)
---Mississippi : Admission Day (1817)
---Wyoming : Wyoming Day (women's suffrage) (1869)
-Khmer Republic : Rights of Man Day
-Stockholm, Sweden : Nobel Prize presentation Day (since 1901)
-Thailand : Constitution Day (1932)
-Zanzibar: Independence Day (1963)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1953…With an investment of $7,600, Hugh Hefner published the first Playboy magazine
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Dan Blocker in 1929 actor (Tiny-Cimarron City, Hoss-Bonanza
Tim Considine in 1941 actor (Mike-My 3 Sons, Spin of Spin & Marty)
Susan Dey in 1952 actress The Partridge Family
Emily Dickinson in 1830 poet
Fionnula Flanagan in 1941 actress (Rich Man Poor Man)
Harold Gould (Harold V. Goldstein) in 1923 actor Mary Tyler Moore, Golden Girls )
Chet Huntley in 1911 newscaster
Tommy Kirk in 1941 actor (Old Yeller, Mousketeer)
Dorothy Lamour (Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton) in 1914 actress: Road to Singapore
George MacDonald in 1824 sci-fi author (Lilith, Princess & Curdie)
Otto Neurath in 1882 Australian/British philosopher (Foundation of Social Sciences)
Mary Norton in 1903 author: children’s books: Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Borrowers
Jack Scalia in 1953 actor/director
Chad Stuart in 1943 duo: Chad & Jeremy
~Athletics
Mark Aguirre in 1959 NBA forward (Detroit Pistons)
Rusty LaRue in 1973 NBA guard (Chicago Bulls)
Bryant Stith in 1970 NBA guard (Denver Nuggets)
~Business / Education / Politics
Zachariah Chandler in 1813 merchant/politician (founder of Republican Party)
Melvil[le Louis K] Dewey in 1851 Dewey Decimal System for libraries
~Science / Religion
Ada Byron (Lovelace) in 1815 considered 1st computer programmer
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet in 1787 pioneer of educating the deaf
In Remembrance~
Alfred Nobel Nobel Prize ceremony @ 63
Red Cloud Sioux Indian chief, @ 87
Otis Redding singer (Dock of Bay), plane crash @ 26
Fulton J Sheen archbishop/religious broadcaster @ 84
Freeman "Amos" Gosden (Amos 'n' Andy), @ 83
Historical Events on this day
1520…Martin Luther publicly burned papal edict
1690…Massachusetts Bay becomes 1st American colonial government to borrow money
1745…Bonnie Prince Charlies army draws into Manchester
1799…Metric system established in France
1898…Spanish-American War ends; US acquires Philippines, Puerto Rico & Guam
1901…1st Nobel Peace Prizes (to Jean Henri Dunant, Frederic Passy)
1926…2nd part of Hitler's Mein Kampf published
1927…Grand Ole Opry makes its 1st radio broadcast
1958…The first domestic passenger jet powered aircraft flight took place in the United States as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York City to Miami.
1971…William H. Rehnquist was confirmed by the Senate, 68-26, as U.S. Supreme Court Justice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. assedia
2. eltuckle
3. hestavity
4. udiomplifier
5. iboast
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-m, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-r
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. mass media
2. belt buckle
3. chest cavity
4. audio amplifier
5. rib roast
15 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"If at first you don't succeed, you're doing about average." ~Unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Over time, one forgets what a blizzard really is, if you don’t have them very often. It’s been a decade since Flagstaff had a real blizzard. I must say, the city has done a very good job in keeping the streets open and passable. It took about 30 minutes for me to dig out my vehicle this morning. The snowplow guy had left quite a pile between my vehicle and the drive around. The snow shovel guys had thrown the 2+ feet of snow on the sidewalks into the area between parked cars. Thanks to them, I could only get one door open—the passenger side. This meant that my ol’ body had to bend, twist, and move like a teenager to get from the passenger seat to the driver seat. I was very happy that I had 4WD/low so my digging was not as bad as it could have been. I put the Xterra into 4WD/low and pulled right out. Then I drove in and out about 5 times to widen my area. Much easier than I had thought it would be. It was a tough day for many others. Many parts of the Rez go hit hard with rain & or snow. Travel on dirt roads is hard enough when it is dry. The only thing that makes those roads passable right now is frozen sand. Once it thaws, best stay home. A friend lost his dog when the dog ran into the road and the driver couldn’t stop fast enough. Another friend called to say that her annual Christmas Cookie Party set for Saturday had to be cancelled because she has had a bad case of acid reflux something for five weeks. The doctor can’t seem to find a source or a medication that stops it. She did manage to bake the cookies, but isn’t up to the party thing, so the local Food Bank will be getting some great homemade cookies tomorrow. Another friend was taking care of her friend’s cat. The path to the front door was not a path at all, just two and half foot crunchy drifts. My friend tried unsuccessfully to make it to the front door. I’m a tad younger and don’t have her problems with walking—especially in snow. The cat got fed with little problem, once I got to the front door. Nice kitty was very happy to see me, as much as a cat can be happy to see a human. S/he was much happier to get fresh food. Tomorrow I will venture out to run some errands on the other side of town.
I had to call the local paper to get it delivered. I fully understood not getting it yesterday, but couldn’t figure out why it didn’t come today. They thanked me for being so nice about it, and had the paper delivered about two hours after I called. I’m glad I got it, as it had a lot about snow in Flagstaff. I’ve been around Flagstaff since 1971. This is the most snow Flagstaff has gotten in one day since 1987. The all time record for one day still stands at the 31” from Dec. 30, 1915. I’m sure glad that record didn’t get broken. As with all winter storms, the snow comes, it piles up, it slows us down, eventually it melts and another storm brings us more. The moisture from each storm, especially in this drought, is greatly needed so we don’t complain too much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.” ~Dogen Zenji, Buddhist Monk
± Unusual News
PRESTON, England - A former employee at a British grocery store apologized for videotaped shenanigans including licking raw chickens. Adeel Ayub, 60, apologized for his actions in the videos, which were taken before he left the company in 2006, after supermarket chain Asda said it was investigating his actions at the Preston, England, store, the Lancaster Evening Post reported Monday. The videos include footage of Ayub licking raw chickens that were returned to shelves, urinating into a trash bin, destroying awards earned by the store, slashing coworkers' clothing and setting off fire extinguishers. "I know there is no excuse for my atrocious behavior and I am truly sorry for what I did back then. I express my profound apologies to Asda and to its staff and customers," Ayub said. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage from the Asda store.
± Random Facts
Maine is the only state in the United States whose name is one syllable. It is the only state that shares its border with only one other state.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 10 December
Human Rights Week
§ 10 December Observances
UN Human Rights Day (since 1948)
International Animal Rights Day (since 1998)
---Mississippi : Admission Day (1817)
---Wyoming : Wyoming Day (women's suffrage) (1869)
-Khmer Republic : Rights of Man Day
-Stockholm, Sweden : Nobel Prize presentation Day (since 1901)
-Thailand : Constitution Day (1932)
-Zanzibar: Independence Day (1963)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1953…With an investment of $7,600, Hugh Hefner published the first Playboy magazine
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Dan Blocker in 1929 actor (Tiny-Cimarron City, Hoss-Bonanza
Tim Considine in 1941 actor (Mike-My 3 Sons, Spin of Spin & Marty)
Susan Dey in 1952 actress The Partridge Family
Emily Dickinson in 1830 poet
Fionnula Flanagan in 1941 actress (Rich Man Poor Man)
Harold Gould (Harold V. Goldstein) in 1923 actor Mary Tyler Moore, Golden Girls )
Chet Huntley in 1911 newscaster
Tommy Kirk in 1941 actor (Old Yeller, Mousketeer)
Dorothy Lamour (Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton) in 1914 actress: Road to Singapore
George MacDonald in 1824 sci-fi author (Lilith, Princess & Curdie)
Otto Neurath in 1882 Australian/British philosopher (Foundation of Social Sciences)
Mary Norton in 1903 author: children’s books: Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Borrowers
Jack Scalia in 1953 actor/director
Chad Stuart in 1943 duo: Chad & Jeremy
~Athletics
Mark Aguirre in 1959 NBA forward (Detroit Pistons)
Rusty LaRue in 1973 NBA guard (Chicago Bulls)
Bryant Stith in 1970 NBA guard (Denver Nuggets)
~Business / Education / Politics
Zachariah Chandler in 1813 merchant/politician (founder of Republican Party)
Melvil[le Louis K] Dewey in 1851 Dewey Decimal System for libraries
~Science / Religion
Ada Byron (Lovelace) in 1815 considered 1st computer programmer
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet in 1787 pioneer of educating the deaf
In Remembrance~
Alfred Nobel Nobel Prize ceremony @ 63
Red Cloud Sioux Indian chief, @ 87
Otis Redding singer (Dock of Bay), plane crash @ 26
Fulton J Sheen archbishop/religious broadcaster @ 84
Freeman "Amos" Gosden (Amos 'n' Andy), @ 83
Historical Events on this day
1520…Martin Luther publicly burned papal edict
1690…Massachusetts Bay becomes 1st American colonial government to borrow money
1745…Bonnie Prince Charlies army draws into Manchester
1799…Metric system established in France
1898…Spanish-American War ends; US acquires Philippines, Puerto Rico & Guam
1901…1st Nobel Peace Prizes (to Jean Henri Dunant, Frederic Passy)
1926…2nd part of Hitler's Mein Kampf published
1927…Grand Ole Opry makes its 1st radio broadcast
1958…The first domestic passenger jet powered aircraft flight took place in the United States as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York City to Miami.
1971…William H. Rehnquist was confirmed by the Senate, 68-26, as U.S. Supreme Court Justice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. assedia
2. eltuckle
3. hestavity
4. udiomplifier
5. iboast
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-m, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-r
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. mass media
2. belt buckle
3. chest cavity
4. audio amplifier
5. rib roast
Wednesday
343 days so far this year…22 days remain in 2009
16 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"I'm prepared for all emergencies but totally unprepared for everyday life.” ~Murphy—of Murphy Law fame
***Free Ramblings***
I woke up this morning to a little over two feet of snow on the ground. I was awakened several times during the night to the 60-70mph wind gusts. It was 18° and the wind had put a thick crust on the snow. I shoveled my small walk, during 40mph winds. Then it was time to find my Xterra. I know it was there. Somewhere. As I knocked the snow off the vehicle, I was standing in snow up to my…butt. There was no way I could even think about opening a door. Thanks to the snow plow that came through our parking lot, I have a two foot bank of ice right in front of the vehicle. Tomorrow I will dig, crack, and shovel, to get out of the parking space. I have 4WD and Low4WD so if I can get a little movement, I should be able to get out.
My sidewalk is only about 15 feet long to get to the common sidewalk. On one side is a huge Colorado Spruce; on the other side is a three foot square evergreen bush. That doesn’t really leave much room to throw the snow. So now I have about a four foot bank of snow on both sides. At the common sidewalk the snow is about five feet high.
The cold temperatures will continue—read no snow will melt. Then on Friday another storm is a comin’. I have heard that the main drags of Flagstaff are fine, so when I get of the parking space tomorrow, things should go very well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Respect yourself most of all.” Pythagorus, Philosopher
± Unusual News
Keiichi Iwasaki, a 36-year-old Japanese tourist has spent eight years cycling more than 45,000km across 37 countries with the equivalent of just $2 in his pocket, relying on his bicycle for transport.
Iwasaki left his home for a short tour through Japan in 2001. He liked the trip so much that he extended his trip and hitched a ride on a ferry to South Korea and began to travel the world.
"Most travellers and adventurers need money but instead of giving up an opportunity to travel the world I want to clarify that dreams can come true if you have a strong will," Iwasaki said.
During his trip, Iwasaki ran into trouble on many occasions. He was robbed by pirates, attacked in Tibet by a rabid dog, escaped marriage in Nepal and was arrested in India.
Countries Iwasaki has visited include: South Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Switzerland.
± Random Facts
Whoopi Goldberg was a mortuary cosmetologist and a bricklayer before becoming an actress.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 9 December Observances
National Pastry Day
Weary Willie Day—For Emmett Kelly—the clown
-Tanzania: Independence Day/Republic Day (1961)
-United Nations: International Anti-Corruption Day
- Antigua and Barbuda: National Heroes Day (formerly V.C. Bird Day)
-Sweden and Finland: Anna's Day. Recognizes everyone named Anna, and marks the day to start the preparation process of the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1788…George Washington sold his race horse, Magnolia, reportedly getting 5,000 acres of Kentucky farmland in the trade.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
[William] Broderick Crawford in 1911 actor (Highway Patrol)
Dame Judi Dench in 1934 actress (As Time Goes By)
Michael Dorn actor in 1952 (Worf-Star Trek Next Generation)
Kirk Douglas [Issur Demsky] in 1918 actor
Douglas Fairbanks Jr in 1909 actor
Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford) in 1922 comedian
Margaret Hamilton in 1902 actress: The Wizard of Oz
Buck Henry in 1930 screenwriter/comedian
Emmett Kelly in 1898 circus clown (Weary Willie)
John Malkovich in 1953 Emmy Award-winning actor
Donny Osmond in 1957 singer
~Athletics
Otis Birdsong in 1955 basketball guard: Kings, Nets, Celtics; scored over 14,000 career points
Dick Butkus in 1942 NFL hall of fame (Bears)/sportscaster
[David] Deacon Jones in 1938 NFL defensive end (Rams, Chargers, Redskins
~Business / Education / Politics
Thomas P "Tip" O'Neill in 1912 Speaker of the House
~Science / Religion
Clarence Birdseye in 1886 frozen vegatable king (Birdseye)
Grace Murray Hopper in 1906 computer innovator [COBOL]
John Milton in 1608 poet/puritan (Paradise Lost)
In Remembrance~
Edith L Sitwell English poet/author (Wheels)@ 77
Leon Jaworski Watergate special prosecutor @ 77
Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan (aviator) @88
Faron Young country singer, suicide @ 64
Anthony van Dyck Flemish painter @ 42
Ralph Bunche diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize, heart disease @ 67
Archie Moore American boxer @ 86
Historical Events on this day
1640…Settler Hugh Bewitt banished from Massachusetts colony when he declares himself to be free of original sin
1793…Noah Webster establishes New York's 1st daily newspaper, American Minerva
1851…1st Young Men's Christian Association in North America (Montréal)
1854…Lord Tennyson's poem, "Charge of the Light Brigade" published
1901…The Canadian Mounted Military was going to supply 600-900 of its troops to help in fighting in the 2nd Boer War, to South Africa. They also would send 900 extra horses
1907…1st Christmas Seals sold (Wilmington DE post office)
1963…The last American made Studebaker is produced
1965…"A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres
1973…Tripartite talks on Northern Ireland have end with the signing of the Sunningdale Agreement
1985…Phoenix AZ, gets 3" of snow
1990…Lech Walesa wins presidential election in Poland
1994…Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders resigns after masturbation comments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. oungeizard
2. ixedetaphor
3. mergencyxit
4. uessingame
5. epperot
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-l, 2-m, 3-e, 4-g, 5-p
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. lounge lizard
2. mixed metaphor
3. emergency exit
4. guessing game
5. pepper pot
16 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"I'm prepared for all emergencies but totally unprepared for everyday life.” ~Murphy—of Murphy Law fame
***Free Ramblings***
I woke up this morning to a little over two feet of snow on the ground. I was awakened several times during the night to the 60-70mph wind gusts. It was 18° and the wind had put a thick crust on the snow. I shoveled my small walk, during 40mph winds. Then it was time to find my Xterra. I know it was there. Somewhere. As I knocked the snow off the vehicle, I was standing in snow up to my…butt. There was no way I could even think about opening a door. Thanks to the snow plow that came through our parking lot, I have a two foot bank of ice right in front of the vehicle. Tomorrow I will dig, crack, and shovel, to get out of the parking space. I have 4WD and Low4WD so if I can get a little movement, I should be able to get out.
My sidewalk is only about 15 feet long to get to the common sidewalk. On one side is a huge Colorado Spruce; on the other side is a three foot square evergreen bush. That doesn’t really leave much room to throw the snow. So now I have about a four foot bank of snow on both sides. At the common sidewalk the snow is about five feet high.
The cold temperatures will continue—read no snow will melt. Then on Friday another storm is a comin’. I have heard that the main drags of Flagstaff are fine, so when I get of the parking space tomorrow, things should go very well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Confidence
“Respect yourself most of all.” Pythagorus, Philosopher
± Unusual News
Keiichi Iwasaki, a 36-year-old Japanese tourist has spent eight years cycling more than 45,000km across 37 countries with the equivalent of just $2 in his pocket, relying on his bicycle for transport.
Iwasaki left his home for a short tour through Japan in 2001. He liked the trip so much that he extended his trip and hitched a ride on a ferry to South Korea and began to travel the world.
"Most travellers and adventurers need money but instead of giving up an opportunity to travel the world I want to clarify that dreams can come true if you have a strong will," Iwasaki said.
During his trip, Iwasaki ran into trouble on many occasions. He was robbed by pirates, attacked in Tibet by a rabid dog, escaped marriage in Nepal and was arrested in India.
Countries Iwasaki has visited include: South Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech, Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Switzerland.
± Random Facts
Whoopi Goldberg was a mortuary cosmetologist and a bricklayer before becoming an actress.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 9 December Observances
National Pastry Day
Weary Willie Day—For Emmett Kelly—the clown
-Tanzania: Independence Day/Republic Day (1961)
-United Nations: International Anti-Corruption Day
- Antigua and Barbuda: National Heroes Day (formerly V.C. Bird Day)
-Sweden and Finland: Anna's Day. Recognizes everyone named Anna, and marks the day to start the preparation process of the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1788…George Washington sold his race horse, Magnolia, reportedly getting 5,000 acres of Kentucky farmland in the trade.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
[William] Broderick Crawford in 1911 actor (Highway Patrol)
Dame Judi Dench in 1934 actress (As Time Goes By)
Michael Dorn actor in 1952 (Worf-Star Trek Next Generation)
Kirk Douglas [Issur Demsky] in 1918 actor
Douglas Fairbanks Jr in 1909 actor
Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford) in 1922 comedian
Margaret Hamilton in 1902 actress: The Wizard of Oz
Buck Henry in 1930 screenwriter/comedian
Emmett Kelly in 1898 circus clown (Weary Willie)
John Malkovich in 1953 Emmy Award-winning actor
Donny Osmond in 1957 singer
~Athletics
Otis Birdsong in 1955 basketball guard: Kings, Nets, Celtics; scored over 14,000 career points
Dick Butkus in 1942 NFL hall of fame (Bears)/sportscaster
[David] Deacon Jones in 1938 NFL defensive end (Rams, Chargers, Redskins
~Business / Education / Politics
Thomas P "Tip" O'Neill in 1912 Speaker of the House
~Science / Religion
Clarence Birdseye in 1886 frozen vegatable king (Birdseye)
Grace Murray Hopper in 1906 computer innovator [COBOL]
John Milton in 1608 poet/puritan (Paradise Lost)
In Remembrance~
Edith L Sitwell English poet/author (Wheels)@ 77
Leon Jaworski Watergate special prosecutor @ 77
Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan (aviator) @88
Faron Young country singer, suicide @ 64
Anthony van Dyck Flemish painter @ 42
Ralph Bunche diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize, heart disease @ 67
Archie Moore American boxer @ 86
Historical Events on this day
1640…Settler Hugh Bewitt banished from Massachusetts colony when he declares himself to be free of original sin
1793…Noah Webster establishes New York's 1st daily newspaper, American Minerva
1851…1st Young Men's Christian Association in North America (Montréal)
1854…Lord Tennyson's poem, "Charge of the Light Brigade" published
1901…The Canadian Mounted Military was going to supply 600-900 of its troops to help in fighting in the 2nd Boer War, to South Africa. They also would send 900 extra horses
1907…1st Christmas Seals sold (Wilmington DE post office)
1963…The last American made Studebaker is produced
1965…"A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres
1973…Tripartite talks on Northern Ireland have end with the signing of the Sunningdale Agreement
1985…Phoenix AZ, gets 3" of snow
1990…Lech Walesa wins presidential election in Poland
1994…Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders resigns after masturbation comments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. oungeizard
2. ixedetaphor
3. mergencyxit
4. uessingame
5. epperot
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-l, 2-m, 3-e, 4-g, 5-p
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. lounge lizard
2. mixed metaphor
3. emergency exit
4. guessing game
5. pepper pot
Tuesday
342 days so far this year…23 days remain in 2009
17 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"He who laughs last probably doesn`t understand the joke." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
As promised, our blizzard has arrived. We got about an inch last night, then about 9am it really started snowing. We now have about a foot and a half and it is still coming down hard. Schools are closed. NAU cancelled classes today and tomorrow—and it’s final’s week. The poor students have two choices: Take the grade you had before the final or take the final two weeks into the next semester—mid-January. Sure glad I’m not a student. I always had at least one class per semester where I needed to do well on the final to get that A or B. I-17, the road to Phoenix, is closed. The wind is blowing with gust to 50mph. A Winter Storm has officially arrived in Flagstaff. It sure is great to be retired. I don’t have to go any place this week. I did clean the walk a couple of times and brushed off the car, just so I could see it. It isn’t that cold—only 28°--but the wind sure makes it feel colder than that.
It’s amazing how technology keeps us up to the minute on what is happening. Facebook has been great. Text messages let us stay in contact with out of town friends at no cost. Sure enjoy all this stuff. I’m sure I will get cabin fever soon, but right now, I had time to put up decorations and start getting ready for Christmas.
So I am hunkered down, ready for whatever this storm brings. The only problem may be getting the trash out of the house. Right now, the dumpster is pretty well buried. Small problem, compared to all my neighbors who still have to go to work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“Mere human beings can't afford to be fanatical about anything. Not even about justice or loyalty...If we are to survive on this planet, there must be compromises.” ~Storm [Margaret Storm Jameson] Novelist, Critic
± Unusual News
On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., my brother-in-law overheard a patriotic father pointing out a well-known building to his son. "You see that triangular-shaped octagon over there? That's the Pentagon." Source unknown.
± Random Facts
Starfish don't have brains. They feel their way through life just using the senses of touch and taste and smell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 8 December Observances
Take it in the Ear Day
-Guam : Lady of Camarin Day—Patron Saint of Guam
-Japan : Enlightenment of the Buddha
-Spain, Panamá, Canal Zone : Mother's Day
-Spain : School Reunion Day
-Uruguay : Beaches Day/Family Day
- Uzbekistan – Constitution Day( since 1992.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1829…In his first "State of the Union Address," President Andrew Jackson will state his goal to remove all Indians in the southeastern part of the United States to lands west of the Mississippi.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Kim Basinger in 1953 actress
David Carradine in 1936 actor (Kung Fu)
Sammy Davis Jr. in 1925 entertainer
Horace in 65 -BC lyric poet/satirist
Richard Llewellyn in 1906 Welsh novelist (How Green Was My Valley)
Jim (James Douglas) Morrison in 1943 singer: The Doors
Siñead O'Connor in 1966 Irish singer
Elzie Segar in 1894 cartoonist: creator of Popeye
James (Grover) Thurber in 1894 humorist
Flip [Clerow] Wilson in 1933 comedian (Flip Wilson Show)
~Athletics
Garvin Alston in 1971 pitcher (Colorado Rockies)
Joe Staysniak in 1966 NFL guard (Indianapolis Colts)
~Business / Education / Politics
William Crapo Durant in 1861 founded General Motors
~Science / Religion
John B (Jack) McKay in 1922 US test pilot (X-15)
Eli Whitney in 1765 inventor (Cotton Gin)
In Remembrance~
Bob Bell 1st Bozo the clown @ 75
John Lennon assassinated @ 40
Mary Queen of Scots executed @ 45
Golda Meir Israel's PM @ 80
Omar I 2nd Kalief of Islam, murdered
Slim Pickins actor (Blazing Saddles), @ 64
Historical Events on this day
1854…Pope Pius IX proclaims Immaculate Conception, makes Mary, free of Original Sin
1863…Abraham Lincoln announces plan for Reconstruction of South
1876…Suriname in South America begins compulsory education for 7-12 year olds
1931…Coaxial cable patented
1941…Following the unprovoked Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor yesterday the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Japan
1962…114-day newspaper strike begins in New York NY
1963…Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped in Lake Tahoe, Nevada
1974…Irish Republican Socialist Party forms
1982…Suriname army leader Bouterse murders 15 opponents
1987…The First Intifada (1987 - 1993) a mass uprising against Israeli military occupation, begins in Jabalia refugee camp and spread to Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem
1993…The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ( United States, Canada, and Mexico ) is signed into law by US President Bill Clinton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. obinedbreast
2. eavyitter
3. ndeliblenk
4. Sthmattack
5. udiomplifier
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-r, 2-h, 3-i, 4-a, 5-a
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. robin redbreast
2. heavy hitter
3. indelible ink
4. asthma attack
5. audio amplifier
17 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"He who laughs last probably doesn`t understand the joke." ~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
As promised, our blizzard has arrived. We got about an inch last night, then about 9am it really started snowing. We now have about a foot and a half and it is still coming down hard. Schools are closed. NAU cancelled classes today and tomorrow—and it’s final’s week. The poor students have two choices: Take the grade you had before the final or take the final two weeks into the next semester—mid-January. Sure glad I’m not a student. I always had at least one class per semester where I needed to do well on the final to get that A or B. I-17, the road to Phoenix, is closed. The wind is blowing with gust to 50mph. A Winter Storm has officially arrived in Flagstaff. It sure is great to be retired. I don’t have to go any place this week. I did clean the walk a couple of times and brushed off the car, just so I could see it. It isn’t that cold—only 28°--but the wind sure makes it feel colder than that.
It’s amazing how technology keeps us up to the minute on what is happening. Facebook has been great. Text messages let us stay in contact with out of town friends at no cost. Sure enjoy all this stuff. I’m sure I will get cabin fever soon, but right now, I had time to put up decorations and start getting ready for Christmas.
So I am hunkered down, ready for whatever this storm brings. The only problem may be getting the trash out of the house. Right now, the dumpster is pretty well buried. Small problem, compared to all my neighbors who still have to go to work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“Mere human beings can't afford to be fanatical about anything. Not even about justice or loyalty...If we are to survive on this planet, there must be compromises.” ~Storm [Margaret Storm Jameson] Novelist, Critic
± Unusual News
On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., my brother-in-law overheard a patriotic father pointing out a well-known building to his son. "You see that triangular-shaped octagon over there? That's the Pentagon." Source unknown.
± Random Facts
Starfish don't have brains. They feel their way through life just using the senses of touch and taste and smell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 8 December Observances
Take it in the Ear Day
-Guam : Lady of Camarin Day—Patron Saint of Guam
-Japan : Enlightenment of the Buddha
-Spain, Panamá, Canal Zone : Mother's Day
-Spain : School Reunion Day
-Uruguay : Beaches Day/Family Day
- Uzbekistan – Constitution Day( since 1992.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1829…In his first "State of the Union Address," President Andrew Jackson will state his goal to remove all Indians in the southeastern part of the United States to lands west of the Mississippi.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Kim Basinger in 1953 actress
David Carradine in 1936 actor (Kung Fu)
Sammy Davis Jr. in 1925 entertainer
Horace in 65 -BC lyric poet/satirist
Richard Llewellyn in 1906 Welsh novelist (How Green Was My Valley)
Jim (James Douglas) Morrison in 1943 singer: The Doors
Siñead O'Connor in 1966 Irish singer
Elzie Segar in 1894 cartoonist: creator of Popeye
James (Grover) Thurber in 1894 humorist
Flip [Clerow] Wilson in 1933 comedian (Flip Wilson Show)
~Athletics
Garvin Alston in 1971 pitcher (Colorado Rockies)
Joe Staysniak in 1966 NFL guard (Indianapolis Colts)
~Business / Education / Politics
William Crapo Durant in 1861 founded General Motors
~Science / Religion
John B (Jack) McKay in 1922 US test pilot (X-15)
Eli Whitney in 1765 inventor (Cotton Gin)
In Remembrance~
Bob Bell 1st Bozo the clown @ 75
John Lennon assassinated @ 40
Mary Queen of Scots executed @ 45
Golda Meir Israel's PM @ 80
Omar I 2nd Kalief of Islam, murdered
Slim Pickins actor (Blazing Saddles), @ 64
Historical Events on this day
1854…Pope Pius IX proclaims Immaculate Conception, makes Mary, free of Original Sin
1863…Abraham Lincoln announces plan for Reconstruction of South
1876…Suriname in South America begins compulsory education for 7-12 year olds
1931…Coaxial cable patented
1941…Following the unprovoked Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor yesterday the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Japan
1962…114-day newspaper strike begins in New York NY
1963…Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped in Lake Tahoe, Nevada
1974…Irish Republican Socialist Party forms
1982…Suriname army leader Bouterse murders 15 opponents
1987…The First Intifada (1987 - 1993) a mass uprising against Israeli military occupation, begins in Jabalia refugee camp and spread to Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem
1993…The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ( United States, Canada, and Mexico ) is signed into law by US President Bill Clinton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. obinedbreast
2. eavyitter
3. ndeliblenk
4. Sthmattack
5. udiomplifier
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-r, 2-h, 3-i, 4-a, 5-a
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. robin redbreast
2. heavy hitter
3. indelible ink
4. asthma attack
5. audio amplifier
Monday
341 days so far this year…24 days remain in 2009
18 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"Whatever advice you give, be brief."~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
A chilly Sunday here in Flagstaff. A few flurries were in the air around 10am, but then the sky cleared up and it was windy and cold. The 30mph gusts are supposed to be bringing in our first big winter storm. We made it to 32° but the wind chill dropped that a good 10 degrees. Anticipation is all around. We need the moisture. We really need the moisture. No one is looking forward to the snow plows. They use chemicals on most of the main roads which stain our cars until washed. The local neighborhoods get snow plows. The snow plow makes two passes on residential streets. Each pass will pile snow onto sidewalks and driveways. If we get the 18-24” they are predicting, we may be trapped in our driveways until May. It’s always a hard call when it comes to cleaning sidewalks and driveways. Do you do it as it is piling up, so it never gets too deep, or do you wait until it ends and deal with the huge amount of snow to move. The newspaper will soon be filled with angry letters from residents on how they spent an hour or more clearing their sidewalk and driveway—by a city ordinance—and then the snow plow came and put a huge pile of ice on their work. The city will respond with an explanation of the cost of snow removal, the tight city budget, and how they are doing the best they can. Well, as my mother used to say—sometimes your best is just not good enough. It sounds cruel, but she meant it with love and encouragement. Many mountain towns in real mountain states do not have the problems that Flagstaff has with snow removal. If they did places like Aspen, Vail, Park City, and Stowe would not have a ski business. So we all prepare for Flagstaff’s first big storm. Knowing that travel will be difficult. Knowing that someday it will melt. Knowing that it will help our thirsty forest. Knowing that the city will somehow muddle though. I can deal with all of it but the wind.
I started decorating today, but delayed putting stuff outside. Probably not a smart move if the storm comes, but I just couldn’t stand to be on a ladder, in all that wind. I also started my Christmas letter. As I reviewed my daily planner, it was a good year. Lots of great lunches with friends, no major health problems, no disasters in my finances.
Now for the big question of the next decade. How will we say 2010? My grandfather used to tell stories about life in early nineteen hundreds—it was always nineteen aught seven or nineteen aught nine. The big decision in 2001 was how to say it. Was it going to be ‘twenty aught one’, ‘twenty oh one’, ‘two-thousand one’, or something else? Well we all know what one turned out. Now it’s time to wonder again. Will it be ‘twenty-ten’, ‘two-thousand-ten’ or something else? That decision we made in 2001 set the pace for nine years. This decision will set the pace for the remainder of the century. My money is on ‘twenty-ten’…it is short, easy to say, and follows the pattern of the previous centuries. But then, my money was on Obama ending the Iraq and Afghan Wars in twenty aught nine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, one must be responsible because all of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do affects everything in the universe. ”
~Black Elk [Hehaka Sapa] Lakota Chief
± Unusual News
GLENDALE, Ariz. - An Arizona woman said she was given peace and comfort from an unlikely source -- a pancake bearing an image she said resembles the Virgin Mary.
Bianca Lopez said she was cooking Batter Blaster pancakes for her family a few days before Thanksgiving at their Glendale home and she noticed the image of Jesus' mother looking back at her from the final pancake of the batch, KNXV-TV, Phoenix, reported Thursday. "I think it's God's way of telling us that the holidays aren't just about presents. It's about... spending time with your family and friends and telling us to not forget about him, that he's always there watching over us and taking care of us," Lopez said. Lopez said she is keeping the pancake safe in her freezer until she can decide what to do with it.
± Random Facts
The earthquake-proof design of the Imperial Hotel inspired architect Frank Lloyd Wright's son John to create Lincoln Logs in 1916.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 7 December Observances
International Civil Aviation Day (since 1994)
National Cotton Candy Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (since 2008)
Pearl Harbor Day (1942-2008)
Delaware : Ratification Day (1787)
-Colombia: Día de las Velitas (Day of the Candles)—celebrating Immaculate Conception & beginning of Christmas Season
-India: The Armed Forces Flag Day
-Ivory Coast: National Day (from France 1960)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1912…Bust of Queen Nefertiti found in El-Amarna, Egypt. Today Egyptologists are not sure now that it is really her/him/whomever.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Ellen Burstyn (Edna Rae Gilhooley) in 1932 Academy Award-winning actress
Willa (Sibert) Cather in 1873 Pulitzer Prize-Winning author
Harry Chapin in 1942 New York NY, folk/rock singer/songwriter
Noam Chomsky in 1928 linguist (founded transformational grammar)
C Thomas Howell in 1966 Los Angeles CA, actor
Ted Knight in 1923 (Mary Tyler Moore)
Louis Prima in 1911 musician: trumpet, bandleader
Eli Wallach in 1915 actor
~Athletics
Johnny Bench in 1947 baseball catcher (Reds)
Larry Bird in 1956 hoop star (Boston Celtics)
Terrell Owens in 1973 wide receiver
~Business / Education / Politics
Helen Gurley Brown in 1917 editor-in-chief (Cosmopolitan)
Victor Kermit Kiam II in 1926 CEO (Remington shavers)/NFL owner (Patriots)
Mary Stuart in 1542 Queen of Scots
~Science / Religion
Gerard Kuiper in 1905 Dutch/US astronomer (discovered moons of Uranus, Neptune)
In Remembrance~
William Bligh British naval officer of "Bounty" fame @ 63
George Darwin theorized Moon was pulled out of Pacific Ocean @ 67
Rube Goldberg US cartoonist (Mike & Ike, Pulitzer 1948), @ 87
Historical Events on this day
36BC…Earliest known Mayan inscription, Stela 2 at Chiapa de Corzo
1804…Lewis & Clark go on a buffalo hunt with Big White.
1831…The CHOCTAW removal process has begun.
1842…New York Philharmonic's 1st concert
1926…Gas refrigerator patented
1931…ord produces the last Ford Model A
1945…Microwave oven patented
1952…My Little Margie, starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell, made its debut on CBS radio
1967…Otis Rescue records "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"
1986…Basketball coach Pat Riley got coaching victory number 300
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. uelilter
2. liveil
3. umboet
4. alicoat
5. eadbeatad
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-f, 2-o, 3-j, 4-c, 5-d
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. fuel filter
2. olive oil
3. jumbo jet
4. calico cat
5. deadbeat dad
18 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"Whatever advice you give, be brief."~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
A chilly Sunday here in Flagstaff. A few flurries were in the air around 10am, but then the sky cleared up and it was windy and cold. The 30mph gusts are supposed to be bringing in our first big winter storm. We made it to 32° but the wind chill dropped that a good 10 degrees. Anticipation is all around. We need the moisture. We really need the moisture. No one is looking forward to the snow plows. They use chemicals on most of the main roads which stain our cars until washed. The local neighborhoods get snow plows. The snow plow makes two passes on residential streets. Each pass will pile snow onto sidewalks and driveways. If we get the 18-24” they are predicting, we may be trapped in our driveways until May. It’s always a hard call when it comes to cleaning sidewalks and driveways. Do you do it as it is piling up, so it never gets too deep, or do you wait until it ends and deal with the huge amount of snow to move. The newspaper will soon be filled with angry letters from residents on how they spent an hour or more clearing their sidewalk and driveway—by a city ordinance—and then the snow plow came and put a huge pile of ice on their work. The city will respond with an explanation of the cost of snow removal, the tight city budget, and how they are doing the best they can. Well, as my mother used to say—sometimes your best is just not good enough. It sounds cruel, but she meant it with love and encouragement. Many mountain towns in real mountain states do not have the problems that Flagstaff has with snow removal. If they did places like Aspen, Vail, Park City, and Stowe would not have a ski business. So we all prepare for Flagstaff’s first big storm. Knowing that travel will be difficult. Knowing that someday it will melt. Knowing that it will help our thirsty forest. Knowing that the city will somehow muddle though. I can deal with all of it but the wind.
I started decorating today, but delayed putting stuff outside. Probably not a smart move if the storm comes, but I just couldn’t stand to be on a ladder, in all that wind. I also started my Christmas letter. As I reviewed my daily planner, it was a good year. Lots of great lunches with friends, no major health problems, no disasters in my finances.
Now for the big question of the next decade. How will we say 2010? My grandfather used to tell stories about life in early nineteen hundreds—it was always nineteen aught seven or nineteen aught nine. The big decision in 2001 was how to say it. Was it going to be ‘twenty aught one’, ‘twenty oh one’, ‘two-thousand one’, or something else? Well we all know what one turned out. Now it’s time to wonder again. Will it be ‘twenty-ten’, ‘two-thousand-ten’ or something else? That decision we made in 2001 set the pace for nine years. This decision will set the pace for the remainder of the century. My money is on ‘twenty-ten’…it is short, easy to say, and follows the pattern of the previous centuries. But then, my money was on Obama ending the Iraq and Afghan Wars in twenty aught nine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, one must be responsible because all of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do affects everything in the universe. ”
~Black Elk [Hehaka Sapa] Lakota Chief
± Unusual News
GLENDALE, Ariz. - An Arizona woman said she was given peace and comfort from an unlikely source -- a pancake bearing an image she said resembles the Virgin Mary.
Bianca Lopez said she was cooking Batter Blaster pancakes for her family a few days before Thanksgiving at their Glendale home and she noticed the image of Jesus' mother looking back at her from the final pancake of the batch, KNXV-TV, Phoenix, reported Thursday. "I think it's God's way of telling us that the holidays aren't just about presents. It's about... spending time with your family and friends and telling us to not forget about him, that he's always there watching over us and taking care of us," Lopez said. Lopez said she is keeping the pancake safe in her freezer until she can decide what to do with it.
± Random Facts
The earthquake-proof design of the Imperial Hotel inspired architect Frank Lloyd Wright's son John to create Lincoln Logs in 1916.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Hand washing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 7 December Observances
International Civil Aviation Day (since 1994)
National Cotton Candy Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (since 2008)
Pearl Harbor Day (1942-2008)
Delaware : Ratification Day (1787)
-Colombia: Día de las Velitas (Day of the Candles)—celebrating Immaculate Conception & beginning of Christmas Season
-India: The Armed Forces Flag Day
-Ivory Coast: National Day (from France 1960)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1912…Bust of Queen Nefertiti found in El-Amarna, Egypt. Today Egyptologists are not sure now that it is really her/him/whomever.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Ellen Burstyn (Edna Rae Gilhooley) in 1932 Academy Award-winning actress
Willa (Sibert) Cather in 1873 Pulitzer Prize-Winning author
Harry Chapin in 1942 New York NY, folk/rock singer/songwriter
Noam Chomsky in 1928 linguist (founded transformational grammar)
C Thomas Howell in 1966 Los Angeles CA, actor
Ted Knight in 1923 (Mary Tyler Moore)
Louis Prima in 1911 musician: trumpet, bandleader
Eli Wallach in 1915 actor
~Athletics
Johnny Bench in 1947 baseball catcher (Reds)
Larry Bird in 1956 hoop star (Boston Celtics)
Terrell Owens in 1973 wide receiver
~Business / Education / Politics
Helen Gurley Brown in 1917 editor-in-chief (Cosmopolitan)
Victor Kermit Kiam II in 1926 CEO (Remington shavers)/NFL owner (Patriots)
Mary Stuart in 1542 Queen of Scots
~Science / Religion
Gerard Kuiper in 1905 Dutch/US astronomer (discovered moons of Uranus, Neptune)
In Remembrance~
William Bligh British naval officer of "Bounty" fame @ 63
George Darwin theorized Moon was pulled out of Pacific Ocean @ 67
Rube Goldberg US cartoonist (Mike & Ike, Pulitzer 1948), @ 87
Historical Events on this day
36BC…Earliest known Mayan inscription, Stela 2 at Chiapa de Corzo
1804…Lewis & Clark go on a buffalo hunt with Big White.
1831…The CHOCTAW removal process has begun.
1842…New York Philharmonic's 1st concert
1926…Gas refrigerator patented
1931…ord produces the last Ford Model A
1945…Microwave oven patented
1952…My Little Margie, starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell, made its debut on CBS radio
1967…Otis Rescue records "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"
1986…Basketball coach Pat Riley got coaching victory number 300
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Double Play
In order to make sense of the letters below, you need to add a letter at the start of the expression, divide the string of letters, and insert the same letter again. The result will be an alliterative familiar phrase of two words.
Take "eachall" an example, add a 'b' before the 'e', divide the expression between the 'h' and 'a' and add the 'b' again. The result is BEACH BALL.
1. uelilter
2. liveil
3. umboet
4. alicoat
5. eadbeatad
^
^
^
^
^
Hint: 1-f, 2-o, 3-j, 4-c, 5-d
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. fuel filter
2. olive oil
3. jumbo jet
4. calico cat
5. deadbeat dad
Sunday
340 days so far this year…25 days remain in 2009
19 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"Clean mind, clean body: take your pick."~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Winter is certainly trying to hit Flagstaff. I got up this morning to 13° and the high only made it to 33°. The sky sure looks like snow is coming. The 30mph gusts made the temperature feel a whole lot colder. I didn’t spend much time outside today, but the time I did was not that enjoyable. The weather bureau issued a severe winter watch for Monday and Tuesday. They are saying we can expect 12-18” of snow here in Flagstaff and the Peaks will get about 24”. They also say that it may start snowing on Sunday. Well, I love snow. The forest needs the moisture, so I guess it’s time to batten down the hatches, be sure the fridge has milk, eggs, and other essentials. This is another time that I am so glad that I’m retired and don’t have to be out and about.
I was channel surfing and found a story on CNN of young inner city blacks from NY who are in a program to travel to the shanty towns of South Africa to volunteer and too learn about other cultures. “Journey for Change” sure opened some eyes. While I did visit Sowerto, I was in a van. We ate lunch there, in an outdoor restaurant that was nice, but was not up to the American standard of sanitation. The 30 Black kids volunteered time and energy in the shanty town, meeting people who have so little. They spent two weeks there and did get to go on a safari. More importantly these kids now have to do volunteer work for a year here in the states. Not all the kids have been able to raise their grades or do better in school. But they all have had a chance to do better. Those who want to see the program can click here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them.” ~Sir Frances Bacon Philosopher, Essayist, Statesman
± Unusual News
LONDON - A British fan of Monster Munch potato chips has undergone a legal name change to share the same moniker as his favorite brand of snack food. Monster Munch, 26, said he changed his name from Chris Hunt by deed poll because he has always loved the brand and his friends did not believe he would go through with the name change when he first started talking about it, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday. "They looked at me like I was nuts and dared me to change my name," Munch said. "I don't think they thought I would go through with it, but now I demand to be called either 'Monster' or 'Mr. Munch.'"
± Random Facts
In 1939, the View-Master was the brainchild of William Gruber, a organ maker and piano tuner from Portland, OR. For more than 70 years people, including GIs during World War II, have been peering at 3D images of everything from cartoon characters to famous tourist spots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Handwashing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 6 December Observances
Coats & Toys for Kids Day
National Gazpacho Day
Mitten Tree Day
International Miners' Day—to honor miners past, present, & future
National Pawnbrokers Day
St. Nicholas Day—honoring Turkish Bishop who gave coins to children
-Botswana: Independence Day (from South Africa- 1977)
-Canada – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
-Ecuador : Day of Quito ( since 1534)
-Finland : Independence Day (from Russia 1917)
-Ireland: Irish Free State Constitution Day (1922)
-Spain – Constitution Day (since 1978)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1933…Ban on James Joyce' "Ulysses" in US, lifted.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Dave Brubeck in 1920 jazz pianist/composer
Wally Cox in 1924 actor (Mr. Peepers)
Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1898 photographer: 86 LIFE magazine cover photos: most famous: end of WWII Times Square photo of nurse kissing sailor
Joyce Kilmer in 1886 US poet (Trees)
Ira Gershwin in 1896 lyricist ('S Wonderful, I Got Rhythm)
Agnes Moorehead in 1906 actress (Endora-Bewitched)
~Athletics
‘Poosh ’Em Up’ Tony (Anthony Michael) Lazzeri in 1903 Baseball Hall of Famer
Elmore Spencer in 1969 NBA center (Portland Trail Blazers)
~Business / Education / Politics
Abraham J van de Aa in 1792 lexicographer (Biographic Dictionary)
John Eberhard in 1822 built 1st large-scale pencil factory in US
Don King in 1932 boxing promoter
~Science / Religion
Kenneth Copeland in 1936 – , American televangelist
Satoru Iwata in 1959 Japanese developer and CEO of Nintendo
In Remembrance~
Don Ameche actor (Cocoon), @ 85
Frances Bavier actress (Aunt Bee-Andy Griffith Show) @ 86
Joseph Black Scottish medical/chemist/physicist, @ 71
Jefferson Davis President of Confederate States of America @ 81
Leadbelly [Huddie William Ledbetter] blues singer, @ 64
Claude [Oscar] Monet French painter (impressionist), @ 86
Roy Orbison US Rock singer (Pretty Woman, Only the Lonely), heart attack @ 52
Burr Tillstrom puppeteer (Kukla Fran & Ollie), @ 68
Historical Events on this day
1732…1st play in American colonies acted by professional players, New York NY
1745…Bonnie Prince Charlies army retreats to Scotland
1768…1st edition of "Encyclopedia Brittanica" published (Scotland)
1862…President Lincoln orders hanging of 39 Santee Sioux Indians
1865…13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery
1876…City of Anaheim incorporated for 2nd time
1877…Washington Post publishes 1st edition
1912…China votes for universal human rights
1929…Turkey introduces female suffrage
1947…Everglades National Park dedicated by Truman
1955…Dr. Joyce Brothers wins "$64,000 Question"
1956…Nelson Mandela & 156 others arrested for political activities in South Africa
1957…AFL-CIO votes to expel Teamsters (readmitted in 1987)
1973…Gerald Ford sworn-in as 1st unelected Vice-President
1988…Nelson Mandela is transferred From Robben Island to Victor Verster Prison, Capetown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Port Authority
Not just any port* word in a storm! The following clues will help you to navigate to the best port* word.
1. luggage handler (6)
2. euphemism for fat (6)
3. heiress in 'A Merchant of Venice', or satellite of Uranus (6)
4. grand entryway, or small vein supplying the liver (6)
5. overland trek between navigable waterways (7)
6. sign of something about to happen (7)
7. roofed walkway leading to an entrance (7)
^
^
^
^
^
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. luggage handler PORTER
2. euphemism for fat PORTLY
3. heiress in 'A Merchant of Venice', or satellite of Uranus PORTIA
4. grand entryway, or small vein supplying the liver PORTAL
5. overland trek between navigable waterways PORTAGE
6. sign of something about to happen PORTEND
7. roofed walkway leading to an entrance PORTICO
19 shopping days remain until Christmas
***Provocative Quote***
"Clean mind, clean body: take your pick."~unknown
***Free Ramblings***
Winter is certainly trying to hit Flagstaff. I got up this morning to 13° and the high only made it to 33°. The sky sure looks like snow is coming. The 30mph gusts made the temperature feel a whole lot colder. I didn’t spend much time outside today, but the time I did was not that enjoyable. The weather bureau issued a severe winter watch for Monday and Tuesday. They are saying we can expect 12-18” of snow here in Flagstaff and the Peaks will get about 24”. They also say that it may start snowing on Sunday. Well, I love snow. The forest needs the moisture, so I guess it’s time to batten down the hatches, be sure the fridge has milk, eggs, and other essentials. This is another time that I am so glad that I’m retired and don’t have to be out and about.
I was channel surfing and found a story on CNN of young inner city blacks from NY who are in a program to travel to the shanty towns of South Africa to volunteer and too learn about other cultures. “Journey for Change” sure opened some eyes. While I did visit Sowerto, I was in a van. We ate lunch there, in an outdoor restaurant that was nice, but was not up to the American standard of sanitation. The 30 Black kids volunteered time and energy in the shanty town, meeting people who have so little. They spent two weeks there and did get to go on a safari. More importantly these kids now have to do volunteer work for a year here in the states. Not all the kids have been able to raise their grades or do better in school. But they all have had a chance to do better. Those who want to see the program can click here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
± Quotes from Values.com—Common Ground
“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them.” ~Sir Frances Bacon Philosopher, Essayist, Statesman
± Unusual News
LONDON - A British fan of Monster Munch potato chips has undergone a legal name change to share the same moniker as his favorite brand of snack food. Monster Munch, 26, said he changed his name from Chris Hunt by deed poll because he has always loved the brand and his friends did not believe he would go through with the name change when he first started talking about it, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday. "They looked at me like I was nuts and dared me to change my name," Munch said. "I don't think they thought I would go through with it, but now I demand to be called either 'Monster' or 'Mr. Munch.'"
± Random Facts
In 1939, the View-Master was the brainchild of William Gruber, a organ maker and piano tuner from Portland, OR. For more than 70 years people, including GIs during World War II, have been peering at 3D images of everything from cartoon characters to famous tourist spots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ December Month Long Observances
Birthstone: Blue Topaz…Flower of the Month: Narcissus
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month + Hi Neighbor Month + National Write A Business Plan Month + National Tie Month + Rising Star Month + Safe Toys and Gifts Month + Spiritual Literacy Month + Stress Free Family Holiday Month + Universal Human Rights Month + Read A New Book Month+ World Aids Month
§ Week of 6 December
Operation Santa Paws Week (Donations for Shelter Animals Care) ~ National Handwashing Awareness Week ~ Clerc-Gallaudet Week (Honored for work in the Deaf Community)
§ 6 December Observances
Coats & Toys for Kids Day
National Gazpacho Day
Mitten Tree Day
International Miners' Day—to honor miners past, present, & future
National Pawnbrokers Day
St. Nicholas Day—honoring Turkish Bishop who gave coins to children
-Botswana: Independence Day (from South Africa- 1977)
-Canada – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
-Ecuador : Day of Quito ( since 1534)
-Finland : Independence Day (from Russia 1917)
-Ireland: Irish Free State Constitution Day (1922)
-Spain – Constitution Day (since 1978)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1933…Ban on James Joyce' "Ulysses" in US, lifted.
BIRTHS ON THIS DAY
~ The Arts
Dave Brubeck in 1920 jazz pianist/composer
Wally Cox in 1924 actor (Mr. Peepers)
Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1898 photographer: 86 LIFE magazine cover photos: most famous: end of WWII Times Square photo of nurse kissing sailor
Joyce Kilmer in 1886 US poet (Trees)
Ira Gershwin in 1896 lyricist ('S Wonderful, I Got Rhythm)
Agnes Moorehead in 1906 actress (Endora-Bewitched)
~Athletics
‘Poosh ’Em Up’ Tony (Anthony Michael) Lazzeri in 1903 Baseball Hall of Famer
Elmore Spencer in 1969 NBA center (Portland Trail Blazers)
~Business / Education / Politics
Abraham J van de Aa in 1792 lexicographer (Biographic Dictionary)
John Eberhard in 1822 built 1st large-scale pencil factory in US
Don King in 1932 boxing promoter
~Science / Religion
Kenneth Copeland in 1936 – , American televangelist
Satoru Iwata in 1959 Japanese developer and CEO of Nintendo
In Remembrance~
Don Ameche actor (Cocoon), @ 85
Frances Bavier actress (Aunt Bee-Andy Griffith Show) @ 86
Joseph Black Scottish medical/chemist/physicist, @ 71
Jefferson Davis President of Confederate States of America @ 81
Leadbelly [Huddie William Ledbetter] blues singer, @ 64
Claude [Oscar] Monet French painter (impressionist), @ 86
Roy Orbison US Rock singer (Pretty Woman, Only the Lonely), heart attack @ 52
Burr Tillstrom puppeteer (Kukla Fran & Ollie), @ 68
Historical Events on this day
1732…1st play in American colonies acted by professional players, New York NY
1745…Bonnie Prince Charlies army retreats to Scotland
1768…1st edition of "Encyclopedia Brittanica" published (Scotland)
1862…President Lincoln orders hanging of 39 Santee Sioux Indians
1865…13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery
1876…City of Anaheim incorporated for 2nd time
1877…Washington Post publishes 1st edition
1912…China votes for universal human rights
1929…Turkey introduces female suffrage
1947…Everglades National Park dedicated by Truman
1955…Dr. Joyce Brothers wins "$64,000 Question"
1956…Nelson Mandela & 156 others arrested for political activities in South Africa
1957…AFL-CIO votes to expel Teamsters (readmitted in 1987)
1973…Gerald Ford sworn-in as 1st unelected Vice-President
1988…Nelson Mandela is transferred From Robben Island to Victor Verster Prison, Capetown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
§ Port Authority
Not just any port* word in a storm! The following clues will help you to navigate to the best port* word.
1. luggage handler (6)
2. euphemism for fat (6)
3. heiress in 'A Merchant of Venice', or satellite of Uranus (6)
4. grand entryway, or small vein supplying the liver (6)
5. overland trek between navigable waterways (7)
6. sign of something about to happen (7)
7. roofed walkway leading to an entrance (7)
^
^
^
^
^
Scroll down for answers
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
ANSWERS
1. luggage handler PORTER
2. euphemism for fat PORTLY
3. heiress in 'A Merchant of Venice', or satellite of Uranus PORTIA
4. grand entryway, or small vein supplying the liver PORTAL
5. overland trek between navigable waterways PORTAGE
6. sign of something about to happen PORTEND
7. roofed walkway leading to an entrance PORTICO
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About Me
- Retired, Not Dead
- 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.