Contrary to expectations, the purpose of Shark Awareness Day is not to stand on the beach and shout out warnings to terrified swimmers and surfers, despite the hours of innocent fun that can provide.
It’s true that sharks are impressive hunters and predators, yet the sad fact remains that these magnificent creatures are more threatened by people than we are by sharks. The worldwide demand for shark-fin soup, shark-tooth medallions, and a false sense of security on beaches everywhere, all combine to leave sharks persecuted and endangered, with millions of them being killed each year.
Like top predators in any ecosystem, sharks play an essential role in keeping the seas healthy and productive. Whilst no-one is suggesting we go out and hug a Great White on Shark Awareness Day, it’s the least we can do to respect these wonderful creatures and let them be.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) A person from a foreign country; a foreigner. | ||
| Synonyms: | alien, foreigner, noncitizen | ||
| Usage: | As long as the number of outlanders remained small, the natives were friendly toward them. | ||
History
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 | English illustrator Edward Whymper developed an interest in mountaineering after being sent to sketch the mountain scenery of Switzerland in 1860. In 1865, after several failed attempts, he and his expedition party became the first to climb the Matterhorn—one of the last Alpine mountains to be ascended. Tragically, during the descent, four of his companions were killed in a fall. Whymper describes his experiences in Scrambles Amongst the Alps. | ||
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 | An American journalist, playwright, and diplomat, Noah was the first Jew born in the United States to reach national prominence. After finding success as a diplomat, Noah held several public offices in New York City, edited and founded many newspapers, including the New York Enquirer and The Evening Star, and wrote plays such as She Would Be a Soldier. | ||
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| When you feel a pain in your side or scratch in your throat, your first reaction may be to go online and use a symptom checker to diagnose yourself. But how good is the information and advice these online programs dole out? | |||
1868 - Alvin J. Fellows patented the tape measure.
1911 - Harry N. Atwood landed an airplane on the lawn of the White House to accept an award from U.S. President William Taft.
1946 - Dr. Benjamin Spock’s "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" was first published.
1951 - The George Washington Carver National Monument in Joplin, MO, became the first national park to honor an African American.
2003 - Jerry Springer officially filed papers to run for the U.S. Senate from Ohio.
1968, Hits 500
Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron turned 81 on February 5.
During his days in Atlanta, Hank Aaron reached a number of milestones;
he was only the eighth player ever to hit 500 career home runs, with his
500th coming against Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants on
July 14, 1968, exactly one year after former Milwaukee Braves teammate
Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th. Aaron was, at the time, the second-
youngest player to reach that plateau.
he was only the eighth player ever to hit 500 career home runs, with his
500th coming against Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants on
July 14, 1968, exactly one year after former Milwaukee Braves teammate
Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th. Aaron was, at the time, the second-
youngest player to reach that plateau.
Since his retirement, Aaron has held front office roles with the Atlanta
Braves. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982
and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
Braves. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982
and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
69 Yesterday
Marin moved to Vancouver, B.C. to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War
and while there he met his comedic partner, Tommy Chong.
and while there he met his comedic partner, Tommy Chong.
Tommy Chong (left) and Cheech Marin
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, July 14
You are a very focused person, with some obsessive qualities, but as you gain life experience, you learn to ease up and enjoy yourself more. You often have a cause that you're passionate about and certainly enjoy helping people or opening others' eyes - teaching them to see the world differently. You are communicative, busy, and often on the go. You love to travel, but your home base is very important to you. Famous people born today: Woody Guthrie, Jane Lynch, Ingmar Bergman, Matthew Fox, William Hanna, Gerald Ford, Jackie Earle Haley.
| Picture of the day | |
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Bucket-wheel excavators (BWEs) are heavy equipment used in surface mining. The primary function of a BWE is to act as a continuous digging machine in large-scale open pit mining operations. These BWEs were photographed at the Garzweiler surface mine in Germany.
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Chhau Dancer
Photograph by Arghya Chatterjee, National Geographic Your Shot
A costumed Chhau dancer performs in Purulia in West Bengal, India. Prevalent in eastern India, the traditional martial and dramatic art comes in several forms, one of which incorporates colorful, outsize masks such as the one seen here.
knit s
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Flutterby Patch: Knitting acorns
I went for a stroll in our wood yesterday looking for acorns high in the branches of the old oaks but there seems to be a poor crop this year. I can't think why.
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Oxford Envelope pattern by Frankie Brown
These envelope style cases are knitted in a very simple slip stitch pattern to give a thick, protective fabric. Instructions are given for two sizes, to fit an iPad...
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crochet
crochet
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Crochet Patterns Only: 21 October 2006
PDF Baby Sock Laundry Bag Copyright to Judith Prindle 10/21/06 Materials; # 10 cotton thread sizes g & f crochet hooks1 drawstring stopper (optional) G...
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Mini Granny Crochet Teapot pattern by La Messer
Natura Just Cotton by DMC Fingering / 4 ply 100% Cotton 170 yards / 50 grams average rating from 236 votes 1266 projects, stashed 787 times
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Munching Caterpillar pattern by Heidi Yates
I LOVE the children’s storybook about a caterpillar that eats and eats and eats. I wanted a hand puppet that could eat also. After months of working on this ...
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RECIPE
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CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea
CrockPot Peppercorn Steak
I just so happened to have a package of frozen steaks in the freezer, and gave it a try yesterday. The original recipe called for using canned tomato soup, but after a trip to the grocery store, I learned that many cans of tomato soup are thickened with wheat starch--not good in our house. So I tweaked a little, and was quite happy with the results!The Ingredients.
--4 to 6 steaks (use whatever is on sale, it's going to tenderize nicely in the crock; don't buy expensive meat.)--1 cup tomato sauce
--1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
--1/4 cup of water
--2 chopped bell peppers (I used one yellow, one green)
--1 chopped yellow onion
--8 oz sliced mushrooms
--1 T Italian seasoning
--1/4 t black pepper
The Directions.
Put the meat in the crockpot; mine was still frozen solid. Cover with the chopped vegetables. Pour in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and water. Add the Italian seasoning and black pepper.
No need to stir.
Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours, or on high for 4-6. I cooked our dinner for 6 hours on high.
The Verdict.
I liked this! I liked how the steak lifted out of the juice without falling apart, and was able to be sliced like a steak cooked in the oven or on the grill. The flavor with the tomato sauce and the Worcestershire was greats---rich and peppery. I've never used that much Worcestershire before; usually I use only a few tablespoons at a time.
This makes a lot of sauce. I bet you could use the remaining sauce as a soup base or to make a fabulous gravy. We ate our meat and veggies separate on the dinner plate, with a spinach salad.
One kid ate 2 whole steaks and proclaimed that it was the best steak she had ever had and asked if she could eat it every day for "dinner, lunch, and breakfast. And maybe sometimes for snack. After I eat my banana. Of course." And then there was a lot of eye rolling---we've had the same banana in the fridge for the last three days. She opened it, took a bite, then said she was full. There's been a lot of banana talk around here lately...
PUZZLE
CRAFTS
Create a unique, decorative knick-knack out of a perfume bottle. Keep your favorite bottles "preserved" on your vanity long after you finish up the perfume inside them. Consider using fun faux flowers and spots of gold leaf, and customize to your heart's content.
CHILDREN'S CORNER .. craft
QUOTE
Real-Life Tony Stark Builds Awesome Replicas of Superhero Suits
By Sumitra
Communications specialist Clay Hielscher seems like an average guy, but pay his home a visit and you’ll realize why he’s called the real-life Tony Stark. The Kansas man not only resembles the popular comic book character, but he is also passionate about building superhero suits from scratch – his house is like a costume prop shop for a motion picture studio.
Hielscher is a former law enforcement officer, which sort of explains his obsession with superhero battle suits. It all started a few years ago, when he was building a 17-foot kayak, just to let off some steam. One of his friends took a look at his work and suggested that he try to construct an Iron Man battle suit.
"Good Morning" in Mandarin (China) - Ni zao
CLEVER
When a duster won’t get all the grime off of your blinds, use some vinegar.
EYE OPENER
thank you, patty, for 'turning' us onto this important endeavor,
all pictures today are products of this organization.
Philadelphia Mural Arts Project
investigates muralism in the twenty-first century – believing art ignites change in communities
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Acorns always hit the spot:) And the Matterhorn!
ReplyDeletefrom rainy VT,
the Vermonster