Umbrella Day February 10, 2017

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrating Umbrella Day

I didn’t invent the rainy day. I just own the best umbrella.”
Jimmy Fallon

Everyone is familiar with the site of an umbrella, they’re present whether you live in the hottest of climates or the coldest. They’re there to keep the rain off on a blustery day, and there to protect you from sunburn on a warm and sunny one, there’s simply no day that isn’t a perfect Umbrella Day! So of course there’s a holiday to honor this ever useful, ever fashionable and essential piece of travel gear.

Umbrella Day celebrates this useful device that has been with us for quite a long time, and has served every purpose from practical to fanciful since its creation. Just how long has the umbrella been with us? Long enough that it’s permeated every culture across the globe, and originated from more than one. The oldest recorded umbrella appeared in 21 AD, in Ancient China. Though to be fair, this really was just the first recorded collapsible umbrella, Qin Shihuang’s tomb revealed a terracotta army carriage that had a permanently open umbrella attached to it dating from 210 BC. They were also found in Nineveh, Persepolis, Ancient Egypt, and Greece, just to name a few. Needless to say the umbrella has a long and noble history.

The popularity of the umbrella extended beyond its usefulness for protecting us from sun and rain, special efforts were made to turn these simple devices into exquisite works of art, some of them even being made of lace or lavishly decorated paper, and were carried by the most influential and beautiful people in the world. Today has revealed even more styles that are available in the world, including an innovation on the already innovative collapsible umbrella. Now they have telescoping ones that don’t just collapse the shade, but then collapse the handle so it can fit in your purse or car door! Isn’t that amazing?

Learn this word “scath fearthainne” (you may have to do a little looking to find the pronunciation, it’s Gaelic), it is by far one of the most beautiful words the world over for an umbrella. It means, appropriately enough, rain shadow.

Word of the Day

uncultured
Definition:	(adjective) Not cultured or cultivated.
Synonyms:	artless, uncultivated
Usage:	She regarded him as an uncultured brute.

Idiom of the Day

out of steam  — Completely exhausted, fatigued, or without energy or motivation.

History

Though Darnley's murder remains an unsolved mystery, one certainty is that at the time of his death, he was not well-liked. In line for the English throne, he infuriated Queen Elizabeth by marrying Mary Queen of Scots. He then alienated Mary by accusing her of infidelity and stabbing her secretary to death in front of her. Mary distanced herself from him, and shortly thereafter, his house exploded. He was found dead—but not from the blast.

Bertolt Brecht (1898)

Brecht was a German playwright and poet whose brilliant wit and revolutionary theatrical experiments made him a vital and controversial force in modern drama. In 1928, he displayed his hostility toward capitalism as well as his bittersweet compassion for humanity in The Threepenny Opera. With the rise of the Nazis in 1933, he went into exile, first in Scandinavia and then in the US.

Magha Purnima

Like Kartika Purnima, this is a Hindu bathing festival, and Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges on this day is a great purifying act. When they cannot get to the Ganges, they bathe in the sea or in any holy stream, river, or tank (a pool or pond used to store water). There is a large tank that is considered holy at Kumbhkonam; Hindus believe on this particular day, the Ganges flows into the tank. Magha Purnima is a day for fasting and charities. Early in the morning, libations are offered to dead ancestors, while donations of food, clothes, and money are given to the poor. 

A 'Bat Bot' Takes Flight

Bat wings have intrigued scientists for centuries. And now, engineers have created "Bat Bot," a small aircraft that mimics the flight patterns of the small, rodent-like flyers. 
READ MORE:

A 'Bat Bot' takes flight



1863 - The fire extinguisher was patented by Alanson Crane.



1870 - The YWCA was founded in New York City. 



1897 - "The New York Times" began printing "All the news that's fit to print" on their front page. 



1923 - Ink paste was manufactured for the first time by the Standard Ink Company. 



1933 - The singing telegram was introduced by the Postal Telegraph Company of New York City. 



1934 - The first imperforated, ungummed sheets of postage stamps were issued by the U.S. Postal Service in New York City. 



1971 - Carole King's "Tapestry" was released. 



1982 - 28 skiers perform backflips while holding hands, Bromont, Quebec



1989 - Ron Brown became the first African American to head a major U.S. political party when he was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. 




1998 - A man became the first to be convicted of committing a hate crime in cyberspace. The college dropout had e-mailed threats to Asian students. 




2008 - 50th Grammy Awards: Rehab, Amy Winehouse

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, February 9

You are a person who is very committed to what you believe in, and sometimes very stubbornly so! You are a true artist at heart--creative to an extreme, and sometimes nervous if you are not channeling your considerable artistic talent constructively. Compassionate and concerned, you care much about others, but often come across in a detached manner. It is very important that you finish the projects you start, which is not always easy for you, in order to feel content and satisfied. Famous people born today: Alice Walker, Mia Farrow, Joe Pesci, Gypsy Rose Lee, Dean Rusk.

READERS INFO

Starry Night

Feb 10/11: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

A penumbral lunar eclipse is hard to see with the naked eye and is often mistaken for an ordinary Full Moon.

The eclipse will be visible from Europe, most of Asia, Africa, and most of North America.

thanks, Patty, for sharing that this is called "the Snow Moon" ... further info: 

A Snow Moon, lunar eclipse and comet are all expected on Friday

Pictures of the day

Paul Fildes (1882–1971) was a British pathologist and microbiologist who worked at Porton Down during the Second World War. He was involved in anthrax strain tests on Gruinard Island and claimed to have assisted with the assassination of the Nazi Reinhard Heydrich.

This Artist Folds, Twists and Peels Stone Like it's Putty

José Manuel Castro López does seemingly impossible things with stone.

knit - VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine Heart Doily pattern by Nazanin S. Fard

				Valentine Heart Doily pattern by Nazanin S. Fard Knit this beauty for Valentine’s Day, but enjoy it any time of the year! The elegant spiral center is surrounded by a border of lacy eyelet hearts and finished...
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knit, Vintage Egg Cozy

http://www.vintageknits.com/html_assets/pdfs/eggcosy.pdf

knit
thanks, Connie

Wrist yarn holder

knit

Tony pattern by Caoua Coffee

				Tony pattern by Caoua Coffee “Tony” is the male protagonist of Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway hit “West Side Story”, that tells a modern version of Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Julie...
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knit
thanks, Amber

CupHolder Mitten pattern by Chialee Yeh

crochet - VALENTINE'S DAY

Crochet Parfait: Scrap Heart Fingerless Gloves

				Crochet Parfait: Scrap Heart Fingerless Gloves SHELL--Do 2 double crochets (dcs) in same stitch(st), chain (ch) 1, do 2 more dcs in same st. BLO--Back Loop Only--attach the yarn only in the back loop of...
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crochet

Granny Square "Spirale" pattern by eliZZZa Wetsch

				Granny Square "Spirale" pattern by eliZZZa Wetsch hook it! add to faves to queue English German About this pattern Granny Square "Spirale" by eliZZZa Wetsch average rating of 4.5 from 2 votes average diffi...
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet

Cozy Slipper Boots pattern by LisaAuch

crochet
thanks, Rae

District 12 Cowl Wrap

crochet
thanks, Nicky

Snowman Bookmark

RECIPE

Iron Skillet Cowboy Cornbread

CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Maria

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes

SWEETS

thanks, Shelley

Vegan Mexican Chocolate Pie Recipe

ADULT COLORING 

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... alphabet coloring

thanks, Natalie

PUZZLE

Fire Hydrant Jigsaw Puzzle



QUOTE

CLEVER

Stain Removal:

Just be sure to test a small patch to make sure the stain-removing tactic is compatible with your fabric

Stain Hack 2:

Stain Hack 3:

3 / 16

Stain Hack 4:

4 / 16

EYE OPENER

21 Little Things You Can Do To Help The Environment That Are Super Easy & Will Save You Money

Bustle

Saving the environment may feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. If you think about the little things you can do to help the environment, you can make a big difference yourself just by changing a couple of habits. 

These little tweaks to your behavior may not seem like a huge deal, and it may seem pointless to do such little things. But when we're talking about habits that you repeat every day — and that other people pick up and repeat as well — they end up having a huge effect. So pick and choose the ones that apply to you (no one's perfect, after all) and that you haven't already adopted, and just be mindful about how you go about your daily business. If you take just a few of these tips to heart, then the situation's not quite as hopeless as it seems.

1. Buy Cold Water Detergent

Nowadays, you don't have to wash your clothes and linens in hot water in order to get the best clean. If you get some cold water detergent, you can save energy and money on heating the water you use for all of your laundry.

2. Ditch Your Drier

Eschewing the drier for a drying rack or clothes line (if that's available to you) will also save you tons of money and energy. It does make the laundry cycle take a little longer, but if most of Europe can handle life without a drier, you can too. Don't worry, you'll get used to it with some adjustment, and then it'll just be a totally normal thing.

3. Wear More Sweaters Inside

If it's winter, it feels totally right to bundle up inside your home. And again, it will also save you lots of money and energy. (will a hoody sweatshirt do? lol)

4. No More Bottled Water

You've definitely heard this one before, but there are huge benefits to going for a reusable bottle over the disposable ones. Choose the best water bottle for your habits, and then a lovely side effect will be that you'll always be hydrated if you're carrying it around all the time. Pro-tip if you go for an insulated metal bottle: they're great as thermoses, and they'll keep the drink's warmth or coldness for hours.

5. Flush Less

Yes, it may seem a little gross, but water conservation is a big deal, and you'll save a lot of water if you don't flush the toilet every time. You'll still want to keep everything sanitary, though, so follow the tried and true drought-time rule: if it's yellow, let it mellow. If you really can't handle the thought of that, you can also do some good by peeing in the shower.

6. Be Mindful About Getting Around

This is another one you've heard before: avoid solo car trips if at all possible. Whether that means taking public transport, carpooling, biking, or just making sure that you always combine as many errands as possible into one efficient trip, using the car as little as possible is the key goal. Before you hop in that Uber, just take a moment to think — is there also a bus that could take you where you're going?

7. Think Before You Fly

Air travel is definitely unavoidable sometimes, but it's also got the highest environmental impact of any mode of transportation. Could you get where you're going by bus, train, or even a shared car?

8. Buy Local Produce

Eating local isn't just a hipster trend; if you buy as much as you can that's grown or produced locally, you can save a huge amount of energy on shipping. Don't beat yourself up if you want to splurge on some out-of-season fruit every once in a while, because buying locally and in-season most of the time will make up for it.

9. Shop Online

Dream come true, right? But apparently it's true — shopping online is actually good for the environment. Next time you need an excuse for why you bought another pair of shoes online, use this one.

10. Make A Grocery Store Plan

The key here is not to buy food that you won't use, so plan out your meals before you go to the store so you'll know exactly what to buy. Another choice here is to swing by the store more often, so you'll buy less at a time and the stuff you get will have a smaller chance of going bad.

11. Learn Your Way Around An Expiration Date

Food that's past its expiration date isn't necessarily unsafe to eat. I'm not saying you should eat moldy bread or milk that's gone bad, but don't throw something away just because its sell-by date is past. Check to see if it's still good, and if your senses tell you that it is, then trust them.

12. Get That Travel Coffee Mug

There's been a lot of talk about Starbucks' coffee cups, but in a perfect world, no one would use them at all. Luckily for you, coffee shops often offer discounts for using reusable thermoses, so you can save money while you save those cups.

13. Don't Forget Your Tote

Too much discarded plastic in the world is a huge issue, so take that out of your life by using reusable grocery bags. Keep one in your purse for spur of the moment shopping trips, keep them in your car, keep them on your apartment door handle, wherever will help you remember them. Another trick is to reuse those plastic bags you put produce into, either as wrapping for your food in the fridge or for a second (and third, etc.) round of produce at the store.

14. Drink Loose Leaf Tea

This is one of those tiny things that you hardly even have to think about. If you're a tea drinker, get a tea infuser (some of which can be totally adorable) and some loose leaf tea and ditch the tea bags. Each tea bag doesn't produce a huge amount of waste, but every little bit saved counts.

15. Don't Get Utensils With Your Take-Out

If you're getting take-out or delivery to eat at home, the delivery guy usually comes with plastic utensils already in the bag — but it doesn't have to be that way. Take an extra few seconds to make a note in your order that you don't need the utensils, and problem solved.

16. Buy Used When You Can

Used books, furniture, appliances, electronics, cars, and clothes can all be high quality and cheap if you get them at the right places. A lot of resources go into producing new items, so you want to avoid being a part of that as much as possible. Every used item you buy and then use until you can't anymore is an item that doesn't end up in a landfill. (I love jigsaw puzzels but I always get them at a thrift shop, cheap plus part of the puzzle is finding out if you really have all the pieces - more challenging and fun!)

17. Get Sustainable Paper Products

Learn what eco-friendly paper products look like, and seek them out whenever you can. Ideally, you want products that have been created sustainably, and it is possible to find them. They might be a bit more expensive, but if you're following all of the other tips to save money, you'll have a little extra.

18. Always Use The Revolving Door

There is actually a purpose to them: they keep the heat or air-conditioning inside and therefore save energy. If it means that you have to wait an extra couple of seconds to get inside, it's worth it.

19. Don't Run The Faucet

Get in the habit of turning the water off when you're brushing your teeth and lathering up your hands to wash them. You'll have to think about it the first couple of times you do it, but then it'll just become automatic, and you'll save a ton of water.

20. Wash Your Hair Less

This is better for your hair (the less you wash it, the healthier it'll be), better for your wallet (you'll save on hair products), and better for the environment (you'll be sending less chemical waste into the sewer systems).

21. Eat Less Beef

This isn't about sentimentality or how adorable cows can be. It's purely about environmental impact, and it's clear beyond a doubt that beef production has a significant negative effect on the environment. Keep the bacon and salmon fillets, but cut the burgers and steaks as much as you can.

These are just a few ideas; there are undoubtedly countless more. If we all do as much as we can, then collectively we'll make a big difference. When you put it all together, these are minor changes with big effects.