Day of Reconciliation - December 16, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 
Celebrate Day of Reconciliation

They say that all good things come to an end, thankfully this remains true for horrid atrocities as well. One such ending took place in 1991 with the ending of apartheid, a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa on the back of legislation introduced by the National Party. The Day of Reconciliation was introduced in 1994 as a way to heal the rift between the people of South Africa, and bring harmony to a nation still suffering from decades of injustice.

History of Day of Reconciliation

The history of the Day of Reconciliation is the history of a nation suffering under the auspices of colonialism and the inherent racism that existed as a part of this practice. While apartheid became legislated in 1948, racial segregation had been a reality in South Africa since the reign of the Dutch Empire in 1652, and saw no change when the British took possession of the country in 1795. Things only got worse in 1950 when non-white political representation was abolished in the country. While it served to deeper entrench the policies of racial segregation, it also sparked off a series of rebellions, violence, and a trade and long arms embargo against the country.

The date for the Day of Reconciliation was selected due to its significance to both the Afrikaner and African people. For the Afrikaner it was known as the Day of the Covenant, a religious holiday celebrating a victory over the Zulus by the Voortrekker’s in 1838 at the Battle of Blood River. For the Africans it was a day of one of an important protest in 1910 against racial discrimination. In 1961 the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the “Spear o the Nation”, was established, an armed force of the ANC. The first acts of sabotage and violent resistance against the apartheid leaders also happened on that day in history.

What do you call a kid who doesn't believe in Santa?

A rebel without a Claus.

Joke of the Day

PRISON INMATES

Two prison inmates were standing in the cafeteria line getting lunch...

One inmate said to the other inmate, "When I was governor, the food was much better!"

Why is Santa so jolly?

Because he knows where all the naughty girls live.

Word of the Day

homily

Nobody likes a long homily

MEANING:

noun: A lecture of a moralizing or admonishing nature, usually tedious and trite.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Old French omelie (homily), from Latin (homilia), from Greek homilia (assembly or sermon), from homilos (crowd), from homou (together). Ultimately from the Indo-European root sem- (one), which also gave us simultaneous, assemble, simple, Sanskrit sandhi (union), Russian samovar (a metal urn, literally, self-boiler), and Greek hamadryad (a wood nymph, who lives in a tree and dies when the tree dies), dissimulate, and simulacrum. Earliest documented use: 1386.

USAGE:

“With public confidence in politics wobbling, enter that paragon of virtues Anthony Charles Lynton Blair. The old hoofer took to a pulpit at the Reuters news agency to deliver one of his husky homilies about how vulgar politics has become since his faction waned.”
Quentin Letts; Trust Is Vital, Says the Man Who Led Us to War; The Times (London, UK); Nov 26, 2019.

What do you call a broke Santa?

Saint Nickel-less

Idiom of the Day

JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON

To join an activity, trend or opinion that has become popular
Everyone thinks Boris is going to win the election so they’ve jumped on the bandwagon.

What do you call Santa if he also lives in the South Pole?

Bi-Polar.

This Day in History

1770 - Composer Ludwig Van Beethoven was born.

1773 - Nearly 350 chests of tea were dumped into Boston Harbor off of British ships by Colonial patriots. The patriots were disguised as Indians. The act was to protest taxation without representation and the monopoly the government granted to the East India Company.

1901 - "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time.


1905 - Sime Silverman published the first issue of "Variety".


1907 - Eugenia H. Farrar became the first singer to broadcast on radio. She sang from the USS Dolphin docked at Brooklyn Navy Yard.


1912 - The first postage stamp to depict an airplane was issued was a 20-cent parcel-post stamp.


1944 - During World War II, the Battle of the Bulge began in Belgium. It was the final major German counteroffensive in the war.


1951 - NBC-TV debuted "Dragnet" in a special preview on "Chesterfield Sound Off Time". The show began officially on January 3, 1952.


1971 - Don McLean’s eight-minute-plus version of "American Pie" was released.


1973 - O.J. Simpson broke Jim Brown’s single-season rushing record in the NFL. Brown had rushed for 1,863 yards, while Simpson attained 2,003 yards.


1977 - The "Saturday Night Fever" film opened in the U.S.


1998 - Eric Michelman filed the earliest patent for a scroll wheel for a computer mouse.


1999 - Sigourney Weaver received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


2000 - Researchers announced that information from NASA's Galileo spacecraft indicated that Ganymede appeared to have a liquid saltwater ocean beneath a surface of solid ice. Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is the solar system's largest moon. The discovery is considered important since water is a key ingredient for life.


2009 - Astronomers discovered GJ1214b. It was the first-known exoplanet on which water could exist.



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 16

You dislike planning ahead, preferring to wing it and then pick up the pieces, if necessary, later on. You see life as an adventure. Although your intuition is quite good, sometimes you act on impulse just for the sake of stirring things up. It's when you are acting on blind impulse rather than intuition that you are accident-prone (not just physically, either!). You are a natural psychologist, and your powers of observation when it comes to people are superb. </em>Famous people born today: 

1770 Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer (5th Symphony, Ode to Joy), born in Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (d. 1827)

1775 Jane Austen, English novelist (Pride and Prejudice), born in Steventon, England (d. 1817)

1901 Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (Coming of Age in Samoa, Thoughts & Female), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1978)

1917 Arthur C. Clarke, English sci-fi author (2001: A Space Odyssey, Childhood's End), born in Minehead, England (d. 2008)

1938 Jimmie Lee Jackson, American civil rights protester and church deacon, shot and killed by an Alabama State Trooper in 1965, born in Marion, Alabama (d. 1965)

1969 Lei Jun, Chinese Businessman and founder of Xiaomi Inc, born in Xiantao, Hubei

1976 Stuart Ashen, English YouTube personality (Ashens, Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild), born in Norwich

thanks, Tina

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

A Prickle of Porcupines

What is it called when you have not one, not two, but three or more porcupines? That is called trouble! However, in scientific terms it is called a prickle of porcupines.

According to ancient myths, birthmarks show how you were killed in your past life.

First Presidential Speech

October 5, 1947, 71 years ago to the day, President Harry Truman delivered the first ever televised presidential speech. Not many homes contained a television set at this point in time so many Americans were not able to witness this historic moment. One year later in 1948, President Truman would also become the first candidate to show a paid political ad on television.

2.

1773 -

 

Nearly 350 chests of tea were dumped into Boston Harbor off of British ships by Colonial patriots on this day. The patriots were disguised as Indians. The act was to protest taxation without representation and the monopoly the government granted to the
East India Company.

3.

Hope & Main Meet Your Maker 2019

Dec 22, 2019 | Warren, RI 

Hope & Main|691 Main S

Tour and taste your way through our monthly makers marketplace and open house! A rotating cast of the newest and most exciting Rhode Island-based food and beverage companies will be here to meet and mingle with you! Explore an abundance of well-made goods like freshly roasted coffee and cold drinks, fresh produce and farm goods, prepared foods, specialty products, sweet treats and lovely gifts.

further information: Meet Your Maker | Warren, RI 02885

4.

Renegade Craft Fair 2019

Dec 21 - 22, 2019 | Portland, OR

Pure Space|1315 NW Overton St

The Renegade Craft Fair is a DIY craft celebration that showcases unique and emerging talents in the maker community. Founded in 2003, RCF now holds events in major markets across the country and even overseas. Built on the idea that there was no great venue for DIY crafters to showcase their work, Renegade has been a launching pad for countless buzzworthy artisans and craft businesses that just needed the right platform. The weekend engagement also features food trucks and pop-up bar tents.

further information: Renegade Craft \ Portland

5.

South Street Headhouse District 4th Fridays on Fabric Row 2019

Dec 17, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA

South Street Headhouse District|200 Pine St

Your Fridays from March to December look pretty empty. Besides, your sense of fashion is too dull to be seen in public. That’s why you should take your hard-earned money to Philadelphia’s Fabric Row and completely overhaul your wardrobe. There are more than 50 local businesses to find a few outfits that will make you really stand out (in a good way, of course). There’s also an abundance of restaurants, tattoo shops and many other retail stores waiting to be explored. Perhaps you need to overhaul yourself in general.

further information: Fourth Fridays on Fabric Row - South Street Headhouse District

What did Santa sing when he went down the chimney?

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Pictures of the day

Duke Humfrey's Library is the oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. It is named after Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, a connoisseur of literature, who donated his collection of 281 books to the university at his death in 1447. Books were hand-written at the time and his legacy was considered an extraordinarily generous donation, since the university previously had only 20 books. Only three books from the original donation remain, the rest having been removed in 1550 and probably burnt during the Reformation. The library was restored and restocked by Thomas Bodley from 1598 onwards. The books in the oldest part of the library are accommodated in oak bookcases that are at right angles to the walls on either side, with integrated reading desks. The ceiling consists of panels painted with the coat of arms of the University of Oxford.

Suðurland, Iceland

Sunset view from the back of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The waterfall of the river Seljalandsá drops 60 metres (200 ft) over the cliffs of the former coastline.

The Santa at the shopping mall was quite surprised when he saw Martha, a woman in her mid-twenties, asking to sit on his lap. We all know Santa doesn't usually take requests from adults, but she smiled at him very nicely and he ended up asking her what she wanted for Christmas.

"Something for my mother, please," she replied.
"Something for your mother? That's very loving and thoughtful of you," smiled Santa. "What would you like me to bring her?"
Emily answered quickly, "A son-in-law."

knit ... Christmas
thanks, Ruth

Holiday Gnome Wall Art
knit
thanks, Amber

Baby Raglan Sweater Pattern: Seamless, Bottom-Up
knit

Geranium Knitted Slippers

knit

Berries-in-a-Basket Blanket

knit ... Christmas

Pocket Aran Gift Card Holder

What nationality is Santa Claus?

North Polish.

Knit Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Julia Christmas Sweater

Q: How do snowmen make babies?

A: Snowballs, of course.

crochet
thanks, Helen

DROPS 115-43

crochet ... Christmas
thanks, Ava

Scheepjes Christmas Blog Hop : little snowballs on the wall

crochet

Little Bigfoot Lion

crochet, Christmasin easy Spanish

{ Un Arbolito de Navidad... }

crochet

Caron Crochet Tilt-A-Whirl Afghan

Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve?
Because it soot's him.

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Creamed Corn Recipe

What do you call Santa's helpers?

Subordinate clauses.

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Ida

Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Barbecue Chicken

What's the difference between Santa and a knight?

One slays the dragon, the other drags the sleigh.

SWEETS ... Christmas

Saltine Toffee Bark

What did Santa say to his wife?

It's going to reindeer.

ADULT COLORING

What goes "oh oh oh"?

Santa walking backwards.

CRAFTS ... Christmas

thanks, Stella

Make Your Own Christmas Crackers With Old Maps

Why are Christmas trees so fond of the past? 

Because the present's beneath them.

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Chanukah

thanks, Beth

Masking Tape Menorah Craft

What do you call an elf who sings?

 A wrapper!

PUZZLE

Euphorbia Grandialata Jigsaw Puzzle

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claustrophobic.

WORD SEARCH

ambulance blog bypass caught clean convey create

deliberate detail fast glamor going grown known

major neighbor paddle palace parade

patch pension place planning potato rain riddle

savor science sled step stone target television toss used

Why did the snowman want a divorce?

Because his wife was a total flake.

SUDOKU ... very hard

solution:

What's the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?

The Christmas alphabet has Noel.

QUOTE ... Christmas

Why did the Grinch rob the liquor store?

He desperately needed some holiday spirit.

CLEVER ... Christmas

Making gingerbread cookies? Turn them into ornaments that will last for years with three coats of varnish.

DIY Gingerbread Ornaments

Or poke holes in them and string them as a garland.

thanks, Heide

EYE OPENER ... Chanukah

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 

THE CHANUKAH STORY

The Maccabean revolt and the miracle of the oil.

by Lesli Koppelman Ross

In 168 BCE, the ruler of the Syrian kingdom, Antiochus Epiphanes IV, stepped up his campaign to quash Judaism, so that all subjects in his vast empire — which included the Land of Israel — would share the same culture and worship the same gods.

He marched into Jerusalem, vandalized the Temple, erected an idol on the altar, and desecrated its holiness with the blood of swine. Decreeing that studying Torah, observing the Sabbath, and circumcising Jewish boys were punishable by death, he sent Syrian overseers and soldiers to villages throughout Judea to enforce the edicts and force Jews to engage in idol worship.

When the Syrian soldiers reached Modin (about 12 miles northwest of the capital), they demanded that the local leader, Mattathias the Kohein (a member of the priestly class), be an example to his people by sacrificing a pig on a portable pagan altar. The elder refused and killed not only the Jew who stepped forward to do the Syrian’s bidding, but also the king’s representative.

A depiction of the Maccabees decorates the Or Torah Synagogue in Acre, Israel.

With the rallying cry “Whoever is for God, follow me!” Mattathias and his five sons (Jonathan, Simon, Judah, Eleazar, and Yohanan) fled to the hills and caves of the wooded Judean wilderness. Joined by a ragtag army of others like them, simple farmers dedicated to the laws of Moses, armed only with spears, bows and arrows, and rocks from the terrain, the Maccabees, as Mattathias’ sons, particularly Judah, came to be known, fought a guerrilla war against the well-trained, well-equipped, seemingly endless forces of the mercenary Syrian army.

In three years, the Maccabees cleared the way back to the Temple Mount, which they reclaimed. They cleaned the Temple and dismantled the defiled altar and constructed a new one in its place. Three years to the day after Antiochus’ mad rampage (Kislev 25, 165 BCE), the Maccabees held a dedication (hanukkah) of the Temple with proper sacrifice, rekindling of the golden menorah, and eight days of celebration and praise to God. [Proper] Jewish worship had been reestablished.

Perhaps the most famous part of the story is what happened next: a tiny jar of oil kept the candles burning for the full eight days. However, this detail does not appear in any Jewish texts until 600 years later in the Talmud, mentioned in a larger discussion of why Hanukkah observance is so important.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick, science fiction writer (16 Dec 1928-1982)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

When you look off into the distance, objects seem closer together as they become further away. For example, the outside borders of a road or railroad appear to converge as they recede into the distance.

The Ponzo illusion involves placing two lines over an illustration of a railroad track. Which line is longer? In reality, they are exactly the same length.