DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Sesame Street Day

There are very few of us who have not been impacted by Sesame Street in our childhood years. So, it only makes sense that Sesame Street Day was created to celebrate the tremendous influence that this maverick television program has had upon our lives.

Sesame Street Day was first established in 2009 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of its original broadcast. While initiated in New York, it should come as no great surprise that this occasion is now recognized by tens of thousands of individuals from around the world. In fact, the number of followers continues to grow each year.

Word of the Day

agonistic

Definition:

(adjective) Striving to overcome in argument.

Synonyms:

combative

Usage:

The incumbent's aggressive, agonistic approach to the debate alienated many of his supporters.

Idiom of the Day

heat wave

— A period of time in which the weather is unusually and persistently hot.

History

Sesame Street Premieres (1969)

Today, Sesame Street is an American institution. However, at the time of its debut, the show was revolutionary. Developed by the Children's Television Workshop, Sesame Street was the first educational children's show to base its content on laboratory research. Much of that research went into determining what would capture the attention spans of young viewers, and Muppets—such as Elmo and Oscar the Grouch—were found to be particularly effective.

Vachel Lindsay (1879)

Lindsay was an American poet who, in an attempt to revive poetry as an oral art form of the common people, traveled the country reciting his poems in return for food and shelter. He first received wider recognition for 1913's "General William Booth Enters into Heaven," about the founder of the Salvation Army. His works are known for their strong, musical rhythms and vivid imagery.

Bhairava Ashtami

Among Hindus, Bhairava means "frightful" or "terrible." He is a manifestation of Shiva, a terrifying character who is worshiped to obtain success, prosperity, the removal of obstacles, and recovery from illness. He is often depicted accompanied by a dog or riding on one. On Bhairava Ashtami, Hindus worship Bhairava with sweets and flowers. Dogs everywhere are treated to milk, sweets, and other delicacies. At night, worshipers keep a vigil and spend the time telling stories about Bhairava. They also offer libations to their dead ancestors.

Sheep learned to recognize photos of Obama and other celebrities, neuroscientists say

Of the roughly 1.1 billion sheep on Earth, roughly 1.1 billion have no idea who Barack Obama is. But there are at least eight sheep who can recognize the former president by his face.

READ MORE:

Sheep learned to recognize photos of Obama and other celebrities, neuroscientists say

Image result for 1775 - The U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress. The Marines went out of existence after the end of the Revolutionary War in April of 1783. The Marine Corps were formally re-established on July 11, 1798. This day is observed as the birth date of the United States Marine Corps.

1775 - The U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress. The Marines went out of existence after the end of the Revolutionary War in April of 1783. The Marine Corps were formally re-established on July 11, 1798. This day is observed as the birth date of the United States Marine Corps.

Image result for 1871 - Henry M. Stanley, journalist and explorer, found David Livingstone. Livingston was a missing Scottish missionary in central Africa. Stanley delivered his famous greeting: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

1871 - Henry M. Stanley, journalist and explorer, found David Livingstone. Livingston was a missing Scottish missionary in central Africa. Stanley delivered his famous greeting: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

1919 - The American Legion held its first national convention, in Minneapolis, MN.

1954 - The Iwo Jima Memorial was dedicated in Arlington, VA.

1969 - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry received a gold record. The song had been released 20 years earlier.

1970 - The Great Wall of China opened for tourism.

1975 - The Edmund Fitzgerald, an ore-hauling ship, and its crew of 29 vanished during a storm in Lake Superior.

1982 - In Washington, DC, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was opened to visitors.

1993 - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Brady Bill, which called for a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases.

1996 - Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins) became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 50,000 yards. (Florida)

1999 - Ted Danson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Image result for 2004 - Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) was awarded the "Man for Peace" prize in Rome at the opening of a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

2004 - Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) was awarded the "Man for Peace" prize in Rome at the opening of a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, November 10

You are strong-minded and intelligent. You are actively creative and dynamic. Your quick wit is apparent from the get-go. Your intelligence doesn’t come from pure academics—you work from your gut instincts, which more often than not steer you on the right course. Your enthusiasm is strong, but you can also be quick to tire of one particular thing, place, or path. Although you are independent and rather wilful, you won’t disregard others’ wisdom. Because you have many talents and interests, you can easily stray from your path. Your biggest challenge in life is to stay focused. Famous people born today: Richard Burton, Martin Luther, Mackenzie Phillips, Miranda Lambert, Roy Scheider.

Image result for happy birthday dance gif

READERS INFO

Crystal City Spinach Festival 2017

Nov 9-12, 2017 | Crystal City, TX

Not that violence is encouraged, but Popeye could have never delivered a solid beating to Bluto without scarfing down a can of spinach. The spinach festival in Crystal City, Texas, will hook you up thanks to the area’s history as a top producer of spinach. The festival’s spinach cook-off shows off even more muscle along with live folk music, a kiddie carnival and a parade barreling throughout the small town.

further information: Spinach Festival | Crystal City | The Spinach Festival

Gilbert Days 2017

Nov 9-18, 2017 | Gilbert, AZ

Held in Gilbert, Arizona, Gilbert Days is a family-friendly event celebrating the town's history and heritage. Guests are invited to watch the traditional Gilbert Days Parade that involves many of the town's local businesses, organizations and schools. Residents can also participate in the 5k or one mile run.

further information: Gilbert Days | Town of Gilbert, Arizona

Pirates Week Festival 2017

Nov 9-13, 2017 | George Town, Cayman Islands

Get in the swashbucklin’ spirit for the Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival, an eleven-day party filled with music, street dances, games and pirates. The festivities kick off with a massive party and a steel pan competition and continues with the opening Street Dance and Food Festival. The first full day of the festival is capped off with a fireworks display, and the party continues the next day with a mock ‘pirate invasion’ where pirate ships storm the harbor to the delight of thousands of spectators. Other events include 5k and 10k runs, a Children’s Fun Fair Day, costume contests, a float parade and more street dances!

further information: Pirates Week Festival of the Cayman Islands

Pictures of the day

Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theater, and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals.

Svalbard, Arctic Norway

Polar pas de deu x by Eilo Elvinger

knit

thanks, Sheri

Hooded Neckwarmer

knit

thanks, Helen

Basic Stocking Hat

knit

Knitted emojis

knit

Mädchenjacke mit Ajourmuster, S9482

knit, Christmas ornament

Red and Green Nordic Pullover

Skill level: Intermediate

Size

Approximately 4” across (cuff to cuff) x 2½” high

Materials

1 Ball each Berroco Comfort DK (50 grs), #2762 Spruce (A) and #2751 True Red (B)

Straight knitting needles, size 6 (4.00 mm) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Crochet hook, size 3.75 mm (F-5)

Gauge

22 sts = 4”; 32 rows = 4” in St st

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE

Note

Body of this sweater is worked in one piece from lower front edge to lower back edge. Sleeves are picked up and worked down to cuffs.

Body

With straight needles, using A, cast on 16 sts. Knit 1 row on WS. Join B and work in St st, following Chart 1 until 13 rows have been completed, end on RS. With A, purl 1 row.

Shape Neck: Next Row (RS): With A, k5, bind off center 6 sts, k to end.

Following Row: With A, p5, cast on 6 sts, p to end – 16 sts. Knit 1 row. Beg with Row 13, follow Chart 1 until Row 1 has been completed, end on WS. With A, purl 1 row on RS. Bind off. Measure down 1” from neck on each side of back and front and mark for armholes.

Sleeves

With RS facing, using straight needles and A, pick up and k12 sts between armhole markers. Purl 1 row. Join B and work in St st following Chart 2 until Row 4 has been completed, end on WS. With A, purl 1 row on RS. Bind off.

Finishing

Fold sweater in half and sew side and sleeve seams.

Neck Edging: With RS facing, using crochet hook and A, work in sc around entire neck edge. Join with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Cut two 6” long strands of B. Draw strands through front of sweater just below neck and tie as in photo, trimming ends.

Make the hangers for these mini sweaters using 16 gauge colored wire. For each hanger, cut a 12” long piece of wire. Bring the 2 ends together. 2” down from the ends, twist the 2 pieces together once to hold them in place. Shape the loop at the bottom into a hanger shape (the same as a wire coat hanger - flat across the bottom and rounded at each end). Continue to twist the 2 ends tog all the way to the end. Bend the twisted end into a hook.