There are so many things so many of us take for granted on an everyday basis that millions of people in the world are forced to live without, such as electricity and medical care. There are also many extremely simple and basic things that might not even come to mind when thinking about how lucky we are to live where we do because we have never, ever had to do without them. Shoes are one of them.
Try. Just for a second, try to imagine doing virtually any of the things you do on an everyday basis without shoes. How many sharp little stones and even pieces of glass would you likely get stuck in your feet during a short walk to the store or to work? How would you ever kick a ball without bending your toes painfully backwards? And how much more at risk would your feet be of becoming infected when the millions of bacteria the ground is covered with got into even a tiny cut or over-scratched mosquito bite? In other words, life without shoes is much less comfortable and much more dangerous, yet it is estimated that around 300 million people in the world today are so impoverished that they cannot afford shoes. One Day Without Shoes Day was created to help people who have never known such extreme poverty put themselves in the proverbial shoes of those who are forced to go without every day, raise awareness about the problem and money to combat it.
The History of One Day Without Shoes Day
One Day Without Shoes Day was created by the Californian company Toms Shoes to encourage people to pay more attention to the numerous problems a lack of shoes can cause in the lives of impoverished children. It all started when Blake Mycoskie, the owner of Toms Shoes, visited Argentina in 2006 and noticed that many of the children were running through the streets barefooted. Soon, he discovered that a lack of shoes was a wider problem in Argentina as well as other developing countries and he decided that he wanted to use his shoe company to help them, especially because the lack of shoes often had a serious impact on those childrens’ lives by discouraging them from attending school and making it much easier for them to contract various infections. Mycoskie then came up with the “one for one” business model, meaning that for every pair of shoes his company sold, it would provide a new pair of shoes free of charge to the shoeless youth of Argentina and other developing countries. The first 10,000 pairs of free shoes were distributed in to Argentinian children in October 2006.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) Sudden impairment of neurological function, especially that resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage. | ||
| Synonyms: | stroke, cerebrovascular accident | ||
| Usage: | The medical evidence showed conclusively that death was due to apoplexy. | ||
History
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 | Dürer, a painter and printmaker, was one of the most influential artists of the German school as well as the first German artist to achieve substantial international renown. He was a superb draftsman and painter but is perhaps best known for the vast number of woodcuts and engravings he made throughout his career, which combine meticulous craftsmanship with rich detail. His work has influenced generations of printmakers and draftsmen. | ||
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 | The Order of Skull and Bones is a secret society based at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. It was founded in 1832 by Phi Beta Kappa pledges William Huntington Russell and Alphonso Taft. Membership has included US Presidents such as George W. Bush, Supreme Court Justices, business leaders, and US Senators such as John Kerry. | ||
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 | An innovative concept for tiny probes attached to gliders could one day allow small robots to explore intricate locales on Mars that probes never could reach before, scientists say. The project, called MARSDROP, would send two landers to the Red Planet as hitchhikers aboard a larger spacecraft. | ||
1688 - The English poet Alexander Pope was born.
1819 - Bicycles were first seen in the U.S. in New York City. They were originally known as "swift walkers."
1881 - The American branch of the Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton.
1922 - The cartoon, "On the Road to Moscow," by Rollin Kirby won a Pulitzer Prize. It was the first cartoon awarded the Pulitzer.
1959 - The musical "Gypsy" opened on Broadway.
1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a ten-day "bed-in" in Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel.
1979 - Elton John became the first Western pop star to play in the U.S.S.R.
1980 - The movie "The Empire Strikes Back" was released.
Born, 1908
James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997)
Stewart won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in the 1940 film,
“The Philadelphia Story”. He earned an Oscar nomination for his starring
role in the 1946 film, ”It’s A Wonderful Life”. Jimmy Stewart is also best
remembered for his performances in many of Alfred Hitchcock‘s films,
including: “Rear Window” (1954), “Vertigo” (1958), and “The Man Who
Knew Too Much” (1956). He also had a noted military career and was a
World War II and Vietnam War veteran, who rose to the rank of Brigadier
General in the United States Air Force Reserve.
“The Philadelphia Story”. He earned an Oscar nomination for his starring
role in the 1946 film, ”It’s A Wonderful Life”. Jimmy Stewart is also best
remembered for his performances in many of Alfred Hitchcock‘s films,
including: “Rear Window” (1954), “Vertigo” (1958), and “The Man Who
Knew Too Much” (1956). He also had a noted military career and was a
World War II and Vietnam War veteran, who rose to the rank of Brigadier
General in the United States Air Force Reserve.
The Colonel Returns
Darrell Clayton Hammond
(AP) – KFC is bringing back Colonel Sanders as the fried chicken chain seeks
to refresh its image by harkening back to its past.
to refresh its image by harkening back to its past.
Sanders, who founded KFC, will be played by "Saturday Night Live" alumnus
Darrell Hammond (above) in TV commercials. The real Colonel Harland Sanders
(below) died nearly 35 years ago, and KFC hasn’t featured him in TV ads for
about 20 years.
Darrell Hammond (above) in TV commercials. The real Colonel Harland Sanders
(below) died nearly 35 years ago, and KFC hasn’t featured him in TV ads for
about 20 years.
KFC also plans to redesign its restaurants with light fixtures shaped like chicken
buckets and quotes from Colonel Sanders hanging on the wall.
buckets and quotes from Colonel Sanders hanging on the wall.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, May 21
You are exceptionally witty, playful, and possess a youthful quality to your personality your entire life. You are highly creative on a mental level, have an excellent memory, and love a good debate. Sometimes short on patience, you might feel that others don't move as quickly in thought as you do. However, you are also a people person. Famous people born today: Plato, Henri Rousseau, Mr. T, Raymond Burr.
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Paralucia aurifera is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae found in eastern Australia. Émile Blanchard first described this species, which is active from December to January, in 1848.
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Goddess Dressing
Photograph by Stephanie Sinclair, National Geographic
In Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, young Newari girls called kumaris are worshipped as living goddesses. Like other kumaris, Dangol, pictured here, wears special makeup for festivals. But it’s more than makeup that changes on these occasions. Former kumaris have described feeling bigger and stronger and said that heat radiates from their foreheads.
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Lou grant aouzet pattern by Isabelle Andréo
cast on add to faves to queue free! download French About this pattern Lou grant aouzet by Isabelle Andréo average rating of 5.0 from 1 vote average diff...
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Heirloom Teddy pattern by Patons Australia
Due to the volume of requests for this pattern I have tried to make it easier for ravelry members to access the pattern.
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crochet (must register)
Springtime In Paris Macarons
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Over 6,000 Free Patterns on LionBrand.com
Discover over 800 yarns and 6,000 free knit, crochet, and craft patterns on LionBrand.com. Discover the perfect pattern for you.
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crochet
crochet
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Ten Stitch Blanket Crochet Pattern
This Ten Stitch Blanket Crochet Pattern is a conversion of Frankie Brown’s Ten Stitch Blanket [...]
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crochet
crochetlatte
ABBREVIATIONS
Ch: Chain
HDC: Half Double Crochet
st(s): Stitche(s)
DC: Double Crochet
sl st: Slip Stitch
hk: Hook
This pattern uses American terminology.
COLLAR
Hook: 4mm
Yarn: Sport / 5 ply – I used Sullivans Coton-a
Ch 52
R1: HDC in 2nd Ch from hook and in each to end. Ch 2 and turn.
R2: HDC in next 2 sts. 2 HDC in St *HDC in next 3sts, 2 HDC in next sts* Repeat to end. Ch 2 and turn
R3: HDC in next 3 sts. 2 HDC in ST *HDC in next 4 sts, 2 HDC in next sts* Repeat to end. Ch 1 and turn.
R4: Skip next 3 sts. 5DC in next st. DC in next st. 2 DC in next st. *DC in next 5sts,. 2 DC in nex st* Repeat until you have 5 sts left. 5DC in next st. ch 1. Skip 3sts sl st in last st.
If you wish finish off by SC all around the edge of the collar, Don’t forget to add extra SCs for the corners. (I didn’t do this bit because I’m too impatient)
Cast off. Weave in ends.
LARGE FLOWER (Blue and Fuchsia)
Hook: 2.5mm
Yarn: I used embroidery cotton – it’s good if you don’t want to buy a whole ball of yarn for one flower plus there are a wide variety of colours available.
Ch 4 and sl st to first ch to form a ring ( I left a long tail to stitch the flower to the collar)
R1: 10 SC in the ring. Join to first SC with a sl st. (change colours here if you wish)
R2: *ch 10 and sl st in same st. ch 10 and sl st in same st* Repeat in all remaining 9 SC (giving you 20 10 ch loops). sl st in first SC.
Cast off.
LEAVES
Hook: 2mm or 1.5mm for smaller leaves.
Yarn: Embroidery Cotton
I almost always use this pattern I found from Easy Makes Me Happy for my leaves. It’s the best one I’ve found so far, it’s quick, simple and gives a nice shape.
Ch 7 ( I left a long tail to stitch the leaf to the collar)
R1: SC in 2nd ch from hk, HDC in next ch. DC in next 3 chs. Work (2 HDC. ch 2. SC in 2nd ch from hk, 2 HDC) in last ch. Now working on opposite side of foundation chain. DC in next 3 chs. HDC in next ch. SC in last ch. Join with sl st into first SC.
Cast off.
SMALL FLOWER (Yellow and Light Pink)
Hook: 2mm
Yarn: Embroidery Cotton
Ch 4 and sl st to first ch to form a ring ( I left a long tail to stitch the flower to the collar)
R1: 10 SC in the ring. Join to first SC with a sl st. (change colours here if you wish)
R2: * Ch 2. 1 DC in next st. 1 HDC in same st. sl st into next st* Repeat to end – You should have 5 petals.
Cast off.
TIES
I simply attached some embroidery cotton to the corner of the collar and chained 70 with a 2mm hook. You could attach pom-poms or tassels or just use ribbon instead – the possibilities are endless!
RECIPE
diabetic friendly
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The Comfort of Cooking » Skillet Italian Sausage, Pepper...
Skillet Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions Made by Georgia January 28, 2015 9 comments » Share
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CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea
CrockPot Pineapple Chicken Recipe
This is a very simple dish--and chances are you have all four ingredients already! The sweetness of the pineapple works great with the salt from the soy sauce and the touch of spice from red pepper flakes.
The Ingredients.
--enough chicken for 4
--20 oz can of pineapple chunks
--1/4 cup soy sauce (Tamari wheat free or La Choy are gluten free)
--1 t red pepper flakes
The Directions.
plop the chicken into the crockpot. I used frozen breast tenders. Drain the pineapple, and add the chunks with the soy sauce and the red pepper flakes.
cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 3-4.
The cooking time will depend on how thick your pieces of chicken are, and if they are frozen or not.
My frozen breast tenders only needed to cook on low for 4 hours.
Serve over rice, quinoa, or on a bed of fresh spinach.
The Verdict.
We ate this over spinach and ate outside. It was a hot evening, and we were in swimsuits. The kids had a ball feeding the guinea pigs any spinach that fell to the ground. I liked the flavor a lot, and the kids ate the chicken and picked at the pineapple. I did open a fresh can for them, though. Eating hot pineapple weirded them out. I added more red pepper flakes to my dish, and I can't remember what Adam did. Our chicken was dry. I'm always a touch disappointed when I use the frozen breast tenders after using thighs for a while. The breast pieces just don't retain moisture the way the thighs do. I don't seem to remember this while I'm at the store, though.
PUZZLE
CHILDREN'S CORNER .. coloring
CRAFT
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QUOTE
WHEN MONEY IS WORTHLESS
Using banknotes as wallpaper and building blocks during hyperinflation in Germany (then called the Weimar Republic) in 1923.
Hyperinflations are usually caused by large persistent government deficits financed primarily by money creation (printing money). Now why does this ring a bell for us today?
How To Say Coffee in Hindi: kŏfī
CLEVER
EYE OPENER
Love that all the pictured dogs are celebrating No Shoes Day! :)
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