DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate Daylight Appreciation Day

Image result for Daylight Appreciation Day gif

There’s a point during every year where we experience the longest period of sunlight we will experience throughout the entire year. With the exception of the extreme northern and southern portions of the planet, there will be no day longer than this pivotal day, the Summer Solstice. The sun will spend the longest time in the sky, and provide us with the greatest amount of light of any time of the year, and Daylight Appreciation Day is dedicated to celebrating this celestial event.

History of Daylight Appreciation Day
Since time out of mind mankind has been aware of the ever-changing pattern of the year, the cycling of long periods of night to long periods of daylight. In the past these events were assigned mystical elements, marking the transition of some great sun god from the land of the living to the land of the dead, to ultimately be reborn in deep winter when the days began getting longer again. In most cultures a great ceremony was held around both these events, commemorating the glory days of the Gods strength, and his ultimate passing into the dark to be reborn once again.

These days were marked with great feasts, as the ancients knew that the plants and animals that grew and thrived required the sun to grow, and thus was vital to humanities continued existence. Recently we’ve come to understand that this is all part of a natural cosmic dance and a result of the rotation of the Earth, it’s orbit around the sun, and the way it is angled on its axial tilt. All that aside, Daylight Appreciation Day marks the longest day of the year, and reminds us all to get out and celebrate while the sun is still with us.

Word of the Day

rejuvenate

Definition:

(verb) Return to life; get or give new life or energy.

Synonyms:

restore, regenerate

Usage:

He was advised that the Italian climate would rejuvenate him.

Idiom of the Day

Miss Right

— The perfect or most suitable woman to be in a relationship with or to marry.

History

SpaceShipOne Completes First Privately Funded Human Spaceflight (2004)

Unlike its privately funded predecessors, SpaceShipOne was actually manned, by a pilot and two passengers, when it flew to the edge of space in 2004. Developed by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and funded by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the suborbital space plane won the $10 million Ansari X Prize for launching three people—or their weight equivalent—into space twice within two weeks in a privately developed, reusable spacecraft.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905)

Sartre was a French philosopher, playwright, and novelist who became the foremost exponent of existentialism in the 20th century. His first novel, Nausea, was one of many works depicting man as a lonely being burdened with a terrifying freedom. He served in World War II, was taken prisoner, escaped, and was involved in the French resistance, during which he wrote multiple works. In 1964, he became the first person to voluntarily decline the Nobel Prize in Literature.

National Aboriginal Day

Long before a national holiday was established, this day of the year had been observed by Canada's Inuit, Métis, and First Nations peoples as a celebration of Aboriginal heritage. In 1996, the Canadian government made June 21 an official holiday, including all citizens in the observance. Celebrations take place throughout Canada, and are organized by the regional offices of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage. Some festivities are modest celebrations; others exhibit a stronger focus on culture and tradition by holding canoe races, powwows, and awareness events.

These 550-Million-Year-Old Footprints Could Be The Oldest Ever Discovered

Scientists think they have discovered the 550-million-year-old footprints of a small bug-like animal in the Yangtze Gorges area of China. This critter was roaming the planet millions of years before the first mammals, the first dinosaurs, and even the ...
READ MORE:

These 550-million-year-old footprints could be the oldest ever discovered

Image result for 1788 - The U.S. Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.

Image result for 1788 - The U.S. Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.

1788 - The U.S. Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.

Image result for 1834 - Cyrus McCormick patented the first practical mechanical reaper for farming. His invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size.

Image result for 1834 - Cyrus McCormick patented the first practical mechanical reaper for farming. His invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size.

1834 - Cyrus McCormick patented the first practical mechanical reaper for farming. His invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size.

Image result for 1859 - Andrew Lanergan received the first rocket patent.

Image result for 1859 - Andrew Lanergan received the first rocket patent.

1859 - Andrew Lanergan received the first rocket patent.

Image result for 1913 - Georgia Broadwick became the first woman to jump from an airplane.

1913 - Georgia Broadwick became the first woman to jump from an airplane.

Image result for 1954 - The American Cancer Society reported significantly higher death rates among cigarette smokers than among non-smokers.

Image result for 1954 - The American Cancer Society reported significantly higher death rates among cigarette smokers than among non-smokers.

1954 - The American Cancer Society reported significantly higher death rates among cigarette smokers than among non-smokers.

Image result for 1970 - Tony Jacklin became the second British golfer in 50 years to win the U.S. Open golf tournament.

Image result for 1970 - Tony Jacklin became the second British golfer in 50 years to win the U.S. Open golf tournament.

1970 - Tony Jacklin became the second British golfer in 50 years to win the U.S. Open golf tournament.

Image result for 1974 - The U.S. Supreme Court decided that pregnant teachers could no longer be forced to take long leaves of absence.

Image result for 1974 - The U.S. Supreme Court decided that pregnant teachers could no longer be forced to take long leaves of absence.

1974 - The U.S. Supreme Court decided that pregnant teachers could no longer be forced to take long leaves of absence.

Image result for 2003 - The fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," was published by J.K. Rowling. Amazon.com shipped out more than one million copies on this day making the day the largest distribution day of a single item in e-commerce history. The book set sales records around the world with an estimated 5 million copies were sold on the first day.

Image result for 2003 - The fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," was published by J.K. Rowling. Amazon.com shipped out more than one million copies on this day making the day the largest distribution day of a single item in e-commerce history. The book set sales records around the world with an estimated 5 million copies were sold on the first day.

2003 - The fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," was published by J.K. Rowling.Amazon.com shipped out more than one million copies on this day making the day the largest distribution day of a single item in e-commerce history. The book set sales records around the world with an estimated 5 million copies were sold on the first day.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, June 21

While you come across as slightly detached due to a refined, sociable demeanor, you are in fact quite sensitive, warm, spiritual, and loving. You also tend to worry quite a bit, and ideally, this trait lessens as you age. You tend to thrive in a partnership, but you could often give more than you receive. Creative and imaginative, you are also very broad-minded and although you are intensely curious about people, you are rarely petty. Famous people born today:

1902 Howie Morenz, Canadian professional ice hockey player (Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Black Hawks, NY Rangers), born in Mitchell, Ontario (d. 1937)

Writer Jean-Paul Sartre

1905 Jean-Paul Sartre, French existentialist philosopher and writer (Le Mur, Nobel 1964; declined), born in Paris (d. 1980)

Actress Judy Holliday

1921 Judy Holliday, American comedienne and actress (Born Yesterday, Adam's Rib), born in NYC, New York (d. 1965)

Lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi

Lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi

1947 Shirin Ebadi, Iranian lawyer, human rights activist and 1st Iranian Muslim woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize (2003), born in Hamadan, Iran

Pakistani Politican Benazir Bhutto

1953 Benazir Bhutto, 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan and 1st female leader of a Muslim nation, born in Karachi, Pakistan (d. 2007)

READERS INFO

Summer solstice

It’s the scientific start to summer in the Northern Hemisphere, when this half of the world tilts toward the sun.

2.1834 -

Image result for cyrus mccormick mechanical reaper

On this day in 1834, Cyrus McCormick patented the first practical mechanical reaper for farming. His invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size.

Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival 2018

Jun 21-24, 2018 | Charleston, SC

Charleston is a cultural paradise in the Southeast that should be on your radar (if it isn’t already). The Holy City will draw you in to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month for four days of high-energy fun with the family. The Carnival’s vibrancy can be attributed to its theatrical costumes, its bold dance performances set to upbeat island music and its authentic cuisine.

further information: Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival

4.

Provincetown Portuguese Festival 2018

Jun 21-24, 2018 | Provincetown, MA

If you don’t have the green to travel all the way to Portugal or Brazil, you can make the trip to Massachusetts for the Provincetown Portuguese Festival. Authenticity rules the Cape Cod-based festival, offering delectable cuisine, energetic dance performances by Portuguese dancers and more than 30 activities across the board. Provincetown celebrates its Portuguese heritage with the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony to ensure a bountiful fishing season.

further information: Provincetown Portugese Festival

Pictures of the day

Hanoi, Vietnam

A woman collects lotus flowers at a lake in Hanoi. The flowers, which bloom every June, are collected for their inner parts to be mixed with tea for fragrance

Believe It or Not, This is a Single-Celled Organism -

Valonia Ventricosa

You are looking at a single cell that can grow 4-9 cm in diameter!

knit
thanks, Marilyn

Emmaline pattern by Jennifer Wood

knit
thanks, Millie

Pi Dishcloth pattern by Nettie DiLorenzo

knit

Knitted Swiffer Pad

knit

Baby Shorts pattern by marianna mel

knit

Knit 'Shirt and Tie' Slippers

crochet
thanks, Sharon

Amigurumi Octopus Baby Toy

crochet
thanks, Bertha

Gingham Crochet Picnic Blanket

crochet

Crochet Floral Head Garland

crochet

*make sure you click and also visit: See pattern for the bow and photo tutorial for sewing on the parts here*

Crochet Heart Teddy Amigurumi

crochet

thanks, Helen

PEACOCK PICOT LACE SCARF

This light and airy scarf is crocheted with a simple picot stitch, and a deep green yarn with flecks of red and blue, reminding me of the colors of a peacock's tail.

2 skeins with a D hook.

Ch 57, or any multiple of 5+2

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 5, sk next 4 ch, sc in next ch: rep from * to end across

Row 2: ch 5, turn, (sc, ch 3, sc in next ch 5 lp, (ch 5, sc, ch 3, sc) in each ch 5 lp across to last ch 5 lp, ch 2, dc in last sc

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in 1st dc, ch 5, (sc ch 3, sc, ch 5) in each ch 5 lp across to last ch 5 lp, sc in 3rd ch of turning ch 5

Repeat rows 2-3 until your scarf is the desired length.

After a row 2, Finishing row: ch 1, turn, sc in 1st dc, ch 4, (sc, ch 4) in each ch 5 lp across to last ch 5 lp, sc in 3rd ch of turning ch 5.

Fasten off, and weave in ends. I blocked this to open up the lace and define the picot stitch.