Towering, majestic, and beautiful. Mountains are some of the most beautiful of nature’s structures, stolid and regal they stand against the sky, of such a size that they can catch entire countryside’s in their shadow, and turn back the ravages of storms against their unflinching sides. They are the source of recreation and resource, with snow covered sides providing ski slopes to enthusiasts, and minerals in abundance to those brave enough to delve into their stony sides.
In certain areas of the world they are also a source of unique agriculture, providing ample space for the production of those products that grow best on their slopes. Coffee, Cocoa, Herbs, Spices, and the form of handicrafts that spring from the minds of those who live in the unchanging protection of these towering edifices to geology. International Mountain Day is your opportunity to head out and appreciate these unique landforms, and all they have to offer.
Established in December of 2003, the United Nations General Assembly created this day to help bring awareness to all of the things we rely on mountains for. Whether it’s all of the glories mentioned above, or how necessary they are for the health and well-being of the flora and fauna that call them their home, International Mountain Day promotes them all.
International Mountain Day is a call to get out into the wild and see what it has to offer!
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) A person who escapes into a world of fantasy. | ||
| Synonyms: | wishful thinker, dreamer | ||
| Usage: | She calls herself a mere optimist, but we believe her unconditionally sunny outlook makes her an escapist. | ||
History
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 | Adolf Eichmann was a high-ranking Nazi official who oversaw the maltreatment, deportation, and murder of millions of Jews during World War II. He promoted the use of gas chambers for the mass extermination of Jews in concentration camps and is considered to be largely responsible for the logistics of the Final Solution, which was the Nazi policy to exterminate millions of people. At the end of World War II, Eichmann went into hiding. | ||
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 | Cannon was an American astronomer whose cataloging work is still in use and serves as the basis for modern theoretical understanding of stellar evolution. In 1897, she became an assistant in the Harvard College Observatory, where she later served as astronomer and curator of astronomical photographs. Recognizing that the spectra of many stars had been photographed in the second half of the 19th century, Cannon classified more than 500,000 stars. | ||
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| Allergies can make children miserable. But scientists say that they may have even more profound effects on health that can impact these children even as adults. | |||
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Allergic Kids May Have Higher Risk of Heart Disease Late...
There’s fresh evidence linking asthma, hay fever and eczema during childhood to a higher risk of having heart problems in adulthood
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1719 - The first recorded sighting of the aurora borealis took place in New England.
1769 - Edward Beran of London patented venetian blinds.
1844 - Dr. Horace Wells became the first person to have a tooth extracted after receiving an anesthetic for the dental procedure. Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, was the anesthetic.
1872 - Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback became America's first black governor when he took office as acting governor of Louisiana.
1882 - Boston's Bijou Theater had its first performance. It was the first American playhouse lit exclusively by electricity.
1936 - Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry American Wallis Warfield Simpson. He became the Duke of Windsor.
1946 - The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established by the U.N. General Assembly. The fund provides relief to children in countries devastated by war.
1981 - Muhammad Ali fought his last fight.
1987 - Charlie Chaplin's trademark cane and bowler hat were sold at Christie's for £82,500.
1991 - Salman Rushdie, under an Islamic death sentence for blasphemy, made his first public appearance since 1989 in New York, at a dinner marking the 200th anniversary of the First Amendment (which guarantees freedom of speech in the U.S.).
thanks, heide
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, December 11
You are an ardent and determined person, yet sensitive and even nervous at times. While you may appear confident, you are more of an introspective and sometimes even cynical character. Both freedom and security are equally important to you, which is often a conflict in your life and can lead to some indecisiveness. Always searching for truths, and instinctively knowing that there is not only one, you possess considerable strength of character once you grow out of your youthful uncertainty. Famous people born today: Brenda Lee, Teri Garr, Tom Hayden, Jermaine Jackson, Nikki Sixx, Christina Onassis, Rita Moreno.
| Picture of the day | |
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Fez is an indie puzzle platform game developed by Polytron Corporation and released in 2012. The player-character Gomez receives a fez that reveals his two-dimensional world to be one of four sides of a three-dimensional world; the player rotates between these four views to realign platforms, solve the game's puzzles, and collect cubes and cube fragments to restore order to the universe. Though criticized for technical issues, and in-game navigation and backtracking, Fez was commended for its emphasis on discovery and freedom, and became a keystone example of independent video game development.
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Sun Streaks
Photograph by Haukur Snorrason, National Geographic
When Haukur Snorrason hiked into Iceland’s Gljúfrabúi Canyon, he was hoping to see the setting sun hit the canyon’s waterfall. Instead, he got a more unique shot. “I ... noticed some rays from the low sunlight that … colored the spray from the waterfall,” Snorrason writes. “This was a complete surprise to me, since I have never seen a photo like that from this place.”
knit, CHRISTMAS
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Celtic Santa pattern by Mary Piontek
This Santa hat is decorated with cables. Perfect for the beginning cabler as most cables are simple repeats. Sized for an average women’s head but can easily be siz...
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knit
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Ritalin Cowl pattern by Shelley L Brander
Keep your cool as you knit this lovely cowl in 4 coordinating or contrasting colors of your favorite DK weight yarn!
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knit, CHRISTMAS
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Just Crafty Enough – Iron Craft Challenge #49 – Knit Rol...
This week for Iron Craft Susi asked us to make something for a kid. As much as I wanted to start something new, I knew I wouldn’t have time with the craft fai...
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knit
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knit, CHRISTMAS
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poinsettia - xmas-Star - Weihnachtsstern pattern by Tuna...
A decorative poinsettia, in which you have to sew only 4 threads.
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crochet, CHRISTMAS
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crochet
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Isaac Mizrahi® CRAFT™ Sutton Crochet Woven Plaid ...
Crochet yourself this woven wonder inspired by Isaac Mizrahi.
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crochet, CHRISTMAS
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Christmas Tree Potholder pattern by American Thread ...
Star Six Strand Embroidery Cotton by American Thread Company Thread 100% Cotton 8 yards / 5 grams average rating from 3 votes 13 projects, stashed 2 times
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crochet
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crochet, CHRISTMAS
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Christmas Tree Hat & Elfin Socks pattern by Patti Pierce...
Pattern comes with a pattern for Elfin Sox.
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RECIPE, CHRISTMAS
CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea
CrockPot 16 Bean Soup Recipe
I have walked by the bags of soup mix in the grocery store a hundred million times. I've even picked one up, read the print on the bag, and taken it for a ride in the shopping cart. But then I chicken out and put it back on the shelf with it's friends. I was ecstatic when April emailed me to let me know about the 16-bean soup her amazing daughter Alecksandra makes in the crockpot. By herself. And she's eight. And she probably doesn't even shed. Alecksandra rocks.
The Ingredients.
Alecksandra's version:
--1 bag of soup mix
--1 onion
--1 packet of onion soup mix
--water
--cook on low all day long
I didn't have any onion soup mix in the house. I made due with what I had in the pantry.
--1 onion
--3 cloves chopped garlic
--2 t of your favorite spice rub
--can of Italian-style tomatoes
--water
--salt (add the salt at the last minute, a teaspoon at a time, according to taste)
It is up to you how much water you use. I did not measure, but covered the beans completely and filled the 6qt oval crockpot two to three inches from the top. If you want more broth, use more water, if you want it thick and beany, use less.
The Directions.
cook on low all day. Soup tastes the best the longer you cook it, and it tastes even better the next day.
The Verdict.
this was healthy, filling and flavorful. I am thrilled to have lunch for the next week. The kids picked out their favorite beans and liked that I sprinkled parmesan on top. I can't wait until they can yield a knife like Alecksandra!
I served the soup along with corn dog muffins (simply your favorite cornbread recipe made into muffins; yum!)
Candy Cane Mice
marthastewart
INTRODUCTION
These tiny fabric creatures with their red-and-white-striped tails make fitting favors at a holiday dinner or delightful gifts for children to give to friends and relatives.
MATERIALS
STEPS
- Out of felt, draw a mouse (oval); cut out.
- With a pencil, trace ears and body onto felt; cut out.
- Cut inner ears and a dot for a nose from felt in a contrasting color, cut dots for eyes from black. Glue the face and inner ears in place.
- Make slits in body for ears and candy-cane tail where marked; to make cutting easier, fold felt across center of slits, and snip. Slip ears through slits at front; then slide wrapped candy cane through body slits, tucking the end underneath the ear piece at the back.
CHILDREN'S CORNER ..., CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS WREATH
megduerksen
this craft was quiet and calm.
when the kids were at school i cut the felt into small squares....about 1 square inch.
i just bought the rainbow of colors and a few extra of red and green.
using a rotary cutter would have been easier....but mine is BURIED under fabric and christmas.
the sheets of felt were 4 for $1.00.
so this craft is really cheap!
i strung large needles (18 Darners is what the package says....) with DMC floss.
i tied a knot at one end.
then we strung the thread with felt squares.
annie kept pulling her string off the needle so this was our solution.
i held the needle and she filled it up.
team work!
talby made several.
when they are about this size we stopped.
when you could bend it into a good sized circle....
then i tied the two ends together....and hot glued it too....
we added ribbon and voila!
a tiny christmas wreath!
or a rainbow wreath.....
or a KU wreath...
if i would change anything about this craft i would make the squares a little smaller.
i did try using wire but it was hard to get through the felt and the needle was not.
they would be really cute in all green and adding red beads or jingle bells too!
PUZZLE, CHRISTMAS
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Snowman on Wall Jigsaw Puzzle
Snowman on Wall Jigsaw Puzzle, 48 Piece Classic. Snowman decoration on wood panel wall. Scarf, wool hat,
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QUOTE
thanks, shelley
12 SURPRISING ANIMAL MASHUPS
12 SURPRISING ANIMAL MASHUPS THAT PROVE MOTHER NATURE HAS A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR. YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THESE REAL ANIMALS!
MOTHER NATURE HAS A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: what do you get when you cross a … oh, okay, I’ll stop myself.
We’ve all heard jokes surrounding the funny-looking combinations of creatures we can imagine up in our minds; no need to continue. Except … what if the funny-looking creature combinations weren’t just imaginary?
What if real-looking surprising animal mashups do exist and are just as odd-looking as those in our wildest imaginations?
You’re going to want to see these real animals:
1. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A TURTLE AND A HEDGEHOG?
AN ARMADILLO
In a fantastical way, Rudyard Kipling’s The Beginning of the Armadillos tells the story of a tortoise and a hedgehog who turn themselves into armadillos by teaching each other their unique talents. The hedgehog teaches the armadillo how to curl up into his characteristic ball; the tortoise teaches the hedgehog how to swim, which strengthens his spine so that he develops the armadillos’ characteristic armor. Before either of them know it, they become the armadillo humans know today.
In reality, National Geographic explains that armadillos are closely related to anteaters and sloths. They vary widely in size and color, from six inches to five feet. There are 20 varieties and all but one live in Latin America. Armadillos get their name from their armor, which Kipling fictionally attributes to the tortoise teaching the hedgehog to swim. They dig up burrows and can sleep up to 16 hours a day. Unfortunately, this funny-looking critter is threatened by habitat loss and over-hunting. That’s right: many cultures in the Americas hunt and eat armadillo flesh.
2. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS AN ANTEATER AND AN ARMADILLO?
THE PANGOLIN
If you thought the armadillo was the funniest-looking creature you’d ever seen, meet the pangolin. The pangolin, or spiny anteater, is a mammal with keratin scales all over its body. Like the armadillo–or hedgehog–the pangolin can roll up into a tight ball. Pangolins can also spray a pungent warning. They can be found in tropical regions throughout Africa and Asia.
The truth: it is now known that pangolins are not related to armadillos or anteaters. The resemblances are nonetheless undeniable. Each eight species of pangolins are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
3. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A BAT AND A FOX?
A FRUIT BAT
These aren’t your average bats; they’re also known as flying foxes or megabats. Fruit bats are different from garden-variety bats because they do not use echolation to navigate. Instead, they rely on their large eyes and noses to sense things out; that’s why their faces resemble other land mammals’–like dogs. They are said to have started eating fruit because insect populations were too low to keep the bats healthy and happy.
4. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A GIRAFFE AND A ZEBRA?
AN OKAPI
The okapi looks like one confused critter! It has zebra stripes, a giraffe’s head and short neck. This relative of the giraffe can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as zoos. The coolest thing about this creature is that its tongue is long enough to lick its ears. Its stripes are said to camouflage the young okapis while running through the forest with their moms.
5. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A HOOP SNAKE AND A LIZARD?
A GIRDED LIZARD
This unique lizard protects itself by curling into a ball. In order to hold the curl, the lizard grabs its tail with its mouth. The spikes then create a barrier to any predator. To be clear, this crazy-cool-looking critter has no relation to the armadillo.
6. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A DEER AND A MOUSE?
A CHEVROTAIN
The chevrotain looks like Mother Nature spent a little too much time playing around in Photoshop. Its long legs against the tiny body look funny to say the least. The chevrotain is the world’s smallest hoofed mammal, but it’s nothing to ignore; it has saber-like canine teeth for added charm.
7. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A DUCK WITH AND BEAVER?
A PLATYPUS
The platypus body combines the duck’s bill with the beaver’s tail. Mother Nature tossed in the venom of a snake and the feet of an otter just for kicks. This animal is quite remarkably unrelated to any of those other animals though.
8. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A PRAIRIE DOG AND AN ARMADILLO?
THE PICHICIEGO
This critter from Argentina looks just like a prairie dog scooped up some fancy armor. The reality is that it is the world’s smallest kind of armadillo and it is endangered due to human destruction of its habitat and predators. These funny-looking critters aresluggish above ground, but can dig well with their mighty claws.
9. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A PIG AND A SQUID?
A PIGLET SQUID
This rarely photographed, funny-looking critter likes to stay deep under the water. Piglet squids are named after their rotund shape and nothing else.
10. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A GOAT WITH AN ELEPHANT?
A SAIGA
Saigas are roughly the same size as goats and they have similar trunks to elephants. Saigas are critically endangered antelopes–not goats or elephants–that live in the vast plains of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Saigas have been an important food source for nomadic people in the region.
11. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A HAMSTER WITH A PIG?
A HONDURAN WHITE BAT
This fuzzy, funny-looking ball of cuteness is a unique species of fruit bat that can actually create a tent for itself. The tent is made when the fruit bat cuts a leaf from a tree and folds it over its head. This tent serves as an alternative home to caves for these fuzz balls.
12. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS AN ANT AND A BEE OR WASP?
A VELVET ANT
Mother Nature certainly has a sense of humor here. I mean this ant-like bee-wasp or bee-like ant-wasp is actually just a wasp–plain and simple. The females are wingless, so they crawl like ants all day until the males swoop in. Their stings are so painful that they have been called “cow killers.”
"Welcome" in Kanjobal [Q'anjob'al] (Guatemala) - Okan yul
thanks, patty
CLEVER
THE MARRIAGE DICTIONARY
bamail
A new dictionary is soon to come out, defining some issues in marriage that people were curious about. Here are some of the definitions we thought we'd offer to include in it:
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Bachelor
1. A man who has been able to avoid the opportunity of making some woman miserable.
2. A man who is said to be foot-loose and fiancee-free.
3. A man who never made the same mistake once.
4. A bad boy who has cheated some poor girl out of her alimony.
5. A person who believes in life, liberty, and the happiness of pursuit.
6. The only man who has never told a wife a lie.
Bride
A girl with great prospects of happiness behind her.
Compromise
A nice little arrangement between husband and wife whereby they both fully agree to let her have her own way.
Diplomat
A man who is able to convince his wife that a fur coat would make her look fat.
Gentleman
1. A husband who holds the stepladder tightly so his wife doesn't fall while she's painting the ceiling.
2. A man who notices his wife dropping her knitting and immediately kicks it over to her so that she can pick it up.
Housework
What a wife does without anyone noticing it until she doesn't do it.
Husband
1. A man who has decided to give up privileges he never knew he had.
2. A guy who controls the house and everyone in it, and is allowed by his wife to say so.
Joint Checking Account
A great little device which allows a wife to beat a husband to the draw.
Love
An obsessive delusion easily cured by a wedding.
Mother-in-Law
A woman who slowly destroys a man's peace of mind by telling him what's on hers.
Mrs.
A job title involving long duties, very light earnings and zero recognition.
Spouse
Someone who will protect you, help you and help you solve all the problems you wouldn't have had if you'd stayed single.
Wife
A partner who is always complaining that she doesn't have a thing to wear at the exact same time she complains about not having enough room in the closet.
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EYE OPENER
views of mount everest, himalayas
Sorry, but the graphic below the words....thanks Heidi...doesn't show, I clicked to try to pen it to see if that would help, it did NOT, so if whoever sent that to you didn't save it online first and send it with a link, therefore it is a not working...is that clear? Otherwise all is GOOD!
ReplyDeleteI know!!! you go to the "pen" click on it, then go to "site", and then you can get the link yourself!!!!sorry, just thought of that!
ReplyDeleteI know Mt. Everest is there...but I feel no urge at all!
ReplyDeleteprof premraj pushpakaran writes -- let us celebrate International Mountain Day!!!
ReplyDelete