DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate St. Nicolas Day

St Nicolas Day is observed on December 6th in the West, although in the East Christian countries it is celebrated on the 19th. If you don’t know who St Nicolas is, you’ll more than likely still know of his American version Santa Claus, or the British version of Father Christmas. The latter two give their presents on Christmas Day, but this saint gives his out on the 6th.
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History of St Nicholas Day

The actual Saint Nicolas was a man born in Turkey during the Roman Empire, who lived a life of Christianity from a very young age. He is written off as being an especially benevolent soul, caring for children and helping the poor and sick when he could.

We couldn’t pinpoint the exact date that St Nicolas Day first came into being, but it seems that this day has been observed for a long time, honoring the saint that would become the basis for the beloved Santa Claus.

Christmas Tree At A Public Library

Joke of the Day

THE SPEED OF LIGHT

My brain travels at the speed of light...

One second it’s here and the next it’s 186,000 miles away.

Levitating Christmas Tree

Word of the Day

hyaloid

MEANING:

adjective: Glassy or transparent.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin hyaloides, from Greek hualoeies (glass-like), from hualos (glass). Earliest documented use: 1835.

USAGE:

“He squinted through the hyaloid membrane of the docking chamber’s blister and sighted upward along the elastic cable.”
Donald Moffitt; Second Genesis; Open Road; 2014.

Living Succulent Christmas Tree

Idiom of the Day

HIT THE ROAD

To leave somewhere or start a journey
It’s getting late so I’m going to hit the road.

'Green' Christmas Tree From Recycled Plastic Drinking Bottles

This Day in History

1735 - In London, French surgeon Claudius Amyand peformed the first successful appendectomy at St. George's Hospital. The patient was an 11-year old boy that had swallowed a pin.

1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.

1877 - Thomas Edison demonstrated the first gramophone, with a recording of himself reciting Mary Had a Little Lamb.

1883 - "Ladies' Home Journal" was published for the first time.

1923 - U.S. President Calvin Coolidge became the first president to give a presidential address that was broadcast on radio.

1947 - Everglades National Park in Florida was dedicated by U.S. President Truman.

1973 - Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the vice-president of the United States after vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned.

1994 - Orange County, CA, filed for bankruptcy protection due to investment losses of about $2 billion. The county is one of the richest in the U.S. and became the largest municipality to file for bankruptcy.

1998 - Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour connected the first two building blocks of the international space station in the shuttle cargo bay.

2006 - The iTunes Music Store was officially launched in New Zealand.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 6

You are always searching for truths in this lifetime, and you love to explore and learn. In fact, you are thirsty for knowledge. There is a flair for the dramatic in you, although you do come across as straightforward, personable, and frank. You make snap decisions. For the most part, you are able to complete what you start, and when you don't, it stems from over-estimating your human capabilities, not from lack of follow-through! You require intellectual stimulation in order to hold your interest in relationships, as you are restless and desirous of change. Famous people born today:

1805 Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, French magician and father of modern magic, born in Blois, France (d. 1861)

1886 Joyce Kilmer, American poet (Trees), born in New Brunswick, New Jersey (d. 1918)

1890 Dion Fortune, British occultist, born in Llandudno, Wales (d. 1946)

1900 Agnes Moorehead, American actress (Endora in Bewitched), born in Clinton, Massachusetts (d. 1974)

1996 Stefanie Scott, American actress (Quinn Brenner-Insidious: Chapter 3) and singer (New Girl in Town), born in Chicago, Illinois

READERS INFO

1.

1882 -

TODAY: In 1882, Anthony Trollope, who'd recently had a "fit of the giggles" from reading F. Anstey’s comic novel Vice Versa, dies after a stroke, probably brought on by the laughter.

2.

Holly Dickens Festival 2019

Nov 29 - Dec 15, 2019 | Holly, MI

As the oldest Charles Dickens themed event in the United States, the Holly Dickens Festival celebrates the legacy of one of history’s most famous authors. In the spirit of the holidays, the festival focuses specifically on Dickens’ popular work, “A Christmas Carol.” For three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the festival transforms Holly, Michigan, into a holiday wonderland with a tree lighting, visits with Santa and holiday shopping opportunities.

further information: Holly Dickens Festival

3.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2019

Dec 15, 2019 | San Diego, CA

Shelter Island to Ferry Landing|Shelter Island Dr & Anchorage Ln

Image result for San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2019 Dec 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | San Diego, CA

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights has been a local holiday tradition since 1971. Every year, the festival has a new theme for its boat display, with watercrafts decorated and illumined with lights. Guests can climb aboard for the parade's fun and scenic route around the San Diego Bay. Over 100 vessels participate, with the best-decorated boats receiving awards for creativity and originality.

further information: Parade Schedule & Route - San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

4.

HERPS Exotic Reptile and Pet Show 2019

Jan 25 - 26, 2020 | Conroe, TX

The Lone Star Convention and Expo Center|9055 Airport Rd

Image result for HERPS Exotic Reptile and Pet Show 2019 Jan 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | Conroe, TX

Scaly. Slimy. Awesome. While they won’t win any awards for being the cutest pup, reptiles are some of the coolest pets you could ever own. Slither your way through hundreds of vendors table to get a look at an assembly of reptile and amphibian species and collect nuggets of mind-blowing information along the way.

further information: HERPS Conroe Exotic Reptile and Pet Show

Two Hand Saws Turned Into Christmas Tree

FRIDAY'S INTERESTING FACTS

Christmas Tree At Local Sheriff's Office

PATTERN BOOK FRIDAY

Let's Crochet Star Book No. 209

Tree That Art Center Put Up

Pictures of the day

Calliphora vicina is a species in the family Calliphoridae, the blow flies. The species is particularly important in the field of forensic entomology due to its consistent time of arrival and colonization of the body following death. This picture is a macro photograph of the head of a C. vicina fly. The head is dominated by a pair of large compound eyes, each composed of several thousand light-receiving units known as ommatidia, arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The ommatidia are elongated and rod-shaped, and are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the eye; each has its own lens and photoreceptor cells. The brain combines the points of light from each of the ommatidia to form a mosaic image. Also visible in the picture are various bristles, pedipalps and mouthparts.

Southern Germany