Opposite Day is the worst day for not saying anything to the people far away from you. You can’t have fun today, as nothing is allowed and nobody wants to have fun with you. Of course, on Opposite Day, all of that means the opposite! It’s the best day to talking to the people close to you, having fun is the absolute most important thing you can do, and everyone is going to want in on it! Opposite Day may be infuriating for some, but it can be the best (worst?) fun you’ll have all year!
History of Opposite Day
Opposite Day is particularly popular among children, who enjoy the kind of absurdity that can happen when everything you say is backwards. This kind of thing can open the mind to some incredibly diverse ways of thinking, and its stimulating trying to keep up with everyone saying the opposite of what they actually mean. The more cynical of us may wonder how this is any different from the rest of the year.
Opposite Day is particularly popular among children, who enjoy the kind of absurdity that can happen when everything you say is backwards. This kind of thing can open the mind to some incredibly diverse ways of thinking, and its stimulating trying to keep up with everyone saying the opposite of what they actually mean. The more cynical of us may wonder how this is any different from the rest of the year.
Opposite Day requires mental dexterity, a quick wit, and the ability to pick words we may not use every day out of the cobwebbed recesses of our brain. Not only that, but some of the things we may be overheard saying to our friends and coworkers may be nothing short of outrageous! Be careful though, you want to make sure the people you’re talking to know its Opposite Day, or you may wind up hurting someone’s feelings.
Opposite Day has shown up in a lot of different forms of media, from Spongebob Squarepants, where Spongebob uses the nature of the day to try to prevent his neighbors from stopping the sale of his house, to the Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy where they celebrated the madness of this very special day, and tried to remain sane through it all!
Hope you like the trippy beautiful art of Australian artist Joel Rae. Surrealism is a tough row to hoe these days. Art tends toward abstraction or hyper personal. After Warhol, Johns, and Rauschenberg it’s hard to be a surrealist. Leave it to an Australian to juxtapose life, fantasy, and art in unique and interesting ways. Australia strikes me as a land of few pretensions and even fewer Madison Avenue aspirations.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (adjective) (Of soil) soft and watery. | ||
| Synonyms: | boggy, marshy, mucky, muddy, quaggy, sloppy, sloughy, soggy, squashy, swampy, waterlogged | ||
| Usage: | Right across the lower part of the bog lay a miry path. | ||
Idiom of the Day
History
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Becomes First US City to Fluoridate Its Water (1945)
Around 1901, dentist Frederick McKay began to research why many Colorado residents' teeth were stained brown yet were also cavity-free. The culprit, as it turned out, was fluoride. Though it can discolor teeth in large doses, fluoride also prevents decay. Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first US city to experiment with adding fluoride to its water supply. The rate of cavities plummeted, and fluoridation became a national health policy.
Anne of Brittany (1477)
| Upon her father's death in 1488, Anne became the sovereign duchess of Brittany—and her hand in marriage became very valuable. When she was forced to become queen of France by marrying Charles VIII at age 14, her marriage contract stipulated that whichever spouse survived the longest could keep Brittany. Charles died first, but Anne was then forced to marry his successor. Until her death, she fought in vain to preserve Brittany's autonomy within France. |
Bhishma Ashtami
In Hindu mythology Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu. Shantanu then married a beautiful young maiden named Satyavati, who had two grandchildren by a son who had been born before she married the king. In the battle between the two groups of offspring, Bhishma was badly wounded. He waited on his death-bed of arrows for 58 days, during which he delivered many religious discourses. To this day, he is considered a great example of self-denial, loyalty, and devotion. During the festival held in his honor, libations are offered to Bhishma with barley, sesame, flowers, and water from the sacred Ganges River.
Scientists see evidence of iridescent rainbow feathers on a dinosaur
A team of Chinese, American and Belgian scientists have unearthed a 161-million-year-old dinosaur fossil showing that the animal may have had vibrant, iridescent plumage like that of peacocks and other birds today. The fossil of the dazzling dinosaur ...READ MORE:
Scientists see evidence of iridescent rainbow feathers on a dinosaur
1799 - Eliakim Spooner patented the seeding machine.
1858 - Mendelssohn’s "Wedding March" was presented for the first time at the wedding of the daughter of Queen Victoria and the Crown Prince of Prussia.
1870 - G.D. Dows patented the ornamental soda fountain.
1915 - In New York, Alexander Graham Bell spoke to his assistant in San Francisco, inaugurating the first transcontinental telephone service.
1924 - The 1st Winter Olympic Games were inaugurated in Chamonix in the French Alps.
1937 - NBC radio presented the first broadcast of "The Guiding Light." The show remained on radio until 1956 and began on CBS-TV in 1952.
1945 - Richard Tucker debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in the production of "La Gioconda".
1949 - The first Emmys were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club.
1958 - Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" became the first single to ever enter the U.K. pop chart at Number One.
1959 - In the U.S., American Airlines had the first scheduled transcontinental flight of a Boeing 707.
1961 - John F. Kennedy presented the first live presidential news conference from Washington, DC. The event was carried on radio and television.
1999 - In Louisville, KY, man received the first hand transplant in the United States.
2010 - In Arlington, TX, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame had its grand opening.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, January 25
You have tremendous insight into others’ character and motivations. A little mysterious yourself, you need time to retreat and refresh your spirit frequently. You don’t always feel understood, but you are also complicated and don’t always let others in! However, you thrive in partnership. Your nature is a dual one, and you may hold down two different jobs as well. You are attracted to strong and determined people. With intellect and intuition equally strong, you are a highly interesting and intelligent friend. Famous people born today: Alicia Keys, Robert Burns, W. Somerset Maugham, Virginia Woolf.
1.
1961:
President John F. Kennedy held the first live television presidential news conference. Kennedy read a prepared statement covering several different topics and then responded to questions from reporters. The presidential press conference was not a new invention, but having the press conference televised live was a definite departure from previous press conferences.
Woodrow Wilson held the first presidential press conference in 1913. Initially, presidential press conferences were considered "off the record," and presidents were given the opportunity to change statements that they had made to reporters. The press conferences were also held in the president's office. President Eisenhower held the first televised press conference on Jan. 19, 1955, in the Indian Treaty Room. Since the press conference was recorded by the press, it was essentially held "on the record."
President Kennedy used the opportunity of the live presidential television press conference as a way to promote his policies. Kennedy moved his press conferences to the State Department Auditorium which could hold more than 200 reporters. Subsequent presidents have also held live press conferences, but the number each has held has varied depending on the individual commander-in-chief and their view on its effectiveness in promoting policies.
SPARKS Literary Festival 2018
Jan 28, 2018 | Saint John's, NL
Suncor Energy Hall|230 Elizabeth Ave
Organized by Memorial University’s Department of English, The SPARKS Literary Festival is an annual celebration of the written and spoken word in Newfoundland, Canada. The event features emerging and established Newfoundland writers across a variety of genres. Come enjoy live readings, informal discussions and participatory workshops throughout the day.
further information: SPARKS Literary Festival - 2018
3.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum Storytelling Festival 2018
Feb 2-3, 2018 | Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Valley Museum|230 N Rose St
Gather around and take a step into the imagination of others for a while at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Storytelling Festival. For two days guests can escape the monotony of their daily lives and jump into the worlds created by some of the most creative authors and poets around. Allow yourself to get wrapped up in an amazing tale, lose yourself in the story the visual artists portray, and even take the opportunity to learn some history through the African American story quilts. With as many brilliant authors, educators, vendors, and artists that travel from all over the country to the museum, it’s bound to be an experience you won't forget.
further information: Storytelling Festival: Family Stories - Kalamazoo Valley Museum
A savanna hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) from the Brazilian Pantanal. This species of large raptors is found in open savanna and swamp in Central and South America. It feeds on small mammals, lizards, snakes, crabs, and large insects.
THE COYOTE'S HOWL
A coyote stops to howl near the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Photographer Glenn M. writes, "Another pair of intrepid photographers had gone out to look for this coyote based on its howls, and the coyote ended up coming to us."
thanks, Nancy
knit
thanks, Linda
knit
knit
thanks, Doris
crochet
thanks, Gabby
crochet
crochet
crochet
Pursuit Under Silver Skies
RECIPE
thanks, Shelley
Slow Cooker Lo Mein
2 reviews
Serves 3-4 servings ADJUST SERVINGS
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 370kcalCalories from fat 75 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 8g | |
| Saturated Fat 2g | |
| Cholesterol 164mg | |
| Sodium 1106mg | |
| Carbohydrate 36g | |
| Dietary Fiber 4g | |
| Sugars 10g | |
| Protein 37g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- SAUCE
- 2/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes, optional
- 2 cups fresh lo mein noodles or cooked spaghetti noodles
- 2 cups baby bok choy, washed and sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
- 2 tablespoons corn starch + 3 tablespoons cold water
- Sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Lightly grease 4-5 quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add chicken and season with salt and black pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce and pour over chicken. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low, stirring once to distribute sauce evenly.
- Meanwhile, prepare noodles according to package directions and set aside.
- Once chicken is cooked, transfer to cutting board and cut into cubes or shred with two forks.Toss back in to slow cooker along with bok choy, bell peppers and carrots. To thicken sauce, whisk together corn starch and water in a small bowl and stir into slow cooker. Allow sauce to cook and thicken on high for 30 minutes. Give everything a good stir to combine and coat with sauce.
- Serve hot and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.
by Kelly
RECIPE NOTES
Due to the lower heating element in older slow cookers, the sauce may not thicken in the slow cooker. If that is the case, spoon out all the sauce from the slow cooker into a small saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat until it thickens up. Combine with rest of ingredients and serve.
* Feel free to add in any other vegetables of your choice. Broccoli, snow peas and bell peppers would work well in this dish.
*Adding the fresh pre-cooked or cooked dry noodles JUST 20 minutes PRIOR to serving will ensure that the noodles will NOT get too soft and mushy.
**Use pork instead of chicken or extra firm or deep fried tofu for a meatless meal. I also have a vegetarian version on my site
SWEETS
thanks, Stacy
thanks, Sandra
WOOD RINGS
Just about anything small can be transformed into a ring and one my favorites materials are beads.
With a little paint, wood beads can easily be transformed a unique ring.
Paint the beads a solid color.
And then added simple and tiny details.
Once the painted bead is dry, glue the bead to the ring blank.
The last step was to add a drop of glue and add a small decorative bead to the hole.
The result...colorful and funky wood statement rings!
Looking for more ring inspiration?
Fantasy Toadstools Jigsaw Puzzle
WORD SEARCH
| adjust bandit brow buxom contemplate | dangerous darn drawn drift duvet flagrant flee fortune goose | hence ideal little loving mate mirror moral | orbital outline pillages present ravage sits slight story | strip swing there tier trapeze woman world |
solution:
me (below) .. you?
You're a true art aficionado!
Scientific Explanations That Can Make Life Less Annoying (Part 2)
(excuse their French!)
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