Guinea Pig Appreciation Day July 16, 2018

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate Guinea Pig Appreciation Day

As far as small fuzzies go, the Guinea Pig is certainly one of the world’s favorites. Having been domesticated in South America for thousands of years, they’re one of the longest-serving companions to humans and today are the pet of choice for many children and adults alike. With their soft squishy bodies, cute little ears and their easy-going demeanor, if you’re looking for a cuddly companion you can’t go far wrong.

To keep the love of guinea pigs alive, Guinea Pig Appreciation Day celebrates everything that we love about these cutesy critters and celebrates just what it is that makes them great pets.

The History of Guinea Pig Appreciation Day

We first started domesticating the humble guinea pig as far back as 5000 BC, when they were usually kept as livestock. In Europe, they became known as exotic pets when traders brought them to the UK in the 1500s, with even royalty being keen to keep them.

Throughout the years, we have bred many different breeds of guinea pigs – from breeds with long lush coats that need trimming frequently, to piggies with no hair at all!

No matter the breed, one thing they all have in common is their love of veggies – guinea pigs thrive off leafy veg and fruit, and since they are generally healthy animals they don’t usually need a large amount of veterinary care. Because their teeth grow continuously, however, they need hay in their diet so that they keep their chompers worn down.

thanks for all the pics, Patty

I’m not Over-Weight, I’m Under-Height!!

Word of the Day

comeuppance
Definition:	(noun) A punishment or retribution that one deserves; one's just deserts.
Synonyms:	deserts
Usage:	The central character is an evil man who gets his comeuppance in the end.

You do have an odd perspective on things.

Idiom of the Day

not your father's  — Very modern or updated; no longer what an older generation would expect or be used to.

Okay, I caught him, now what do I do with him?

This Day in History

World's First Parking Meter Installed (1935)

The parking meter was invented in 1935 by Carl C. Magee in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The first meter was installed there later that year, guaranteeing drivers a parking space for an amount of purchased time. Used until the 1980s, Magee's original design had a coin acceptor, a dial, and a visible flag indicating the expiration of paid time. Reverend C.H. North was the first person in the US to get a parking ticket because of an expired meter.

Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen (1872)

Amundsen was a Norwegian polar explorer who led the first expeditions to traverse the Northwest Passage and to reach the South Pole. Turning to air exploration, in 1926 he and Umberto Nobile succeeded in flying over the North Pole and unexplored regions of the Arctic Ocean in a dirigible built and piloted by Nobile. A bitter controversy followed with Nobile as to the credit for the success. Yet in 1928, when Nobile crashed a different dirigible, Amundsen launched a rescue mission.

Pilgrimage of Saut d'Eau

The pilgrimage to the church in Ville-Bonheur, Haiti, combines both Christian and Voodoo beliefs. There is a sacred grove just outside Ville-Bonheur where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary once appeared on top of a palm tree. At this holy place, known as Saut d'Eau (waterfall), two waterfalls tumble from a precipice more than 100 feet high to create a kind of natural cathedral. This is the home of Damballah-wedo and other African deities who play a part in Voodoo. Some worshipers tie colored cords to the sacred trees at the foot of the falls, while others bathe in the water. 

The koalas are threatened. Can their genome help us save them? The koala is an unusual creature. Native to Australia and a bit bigger than a raccoon, it spends most of its time in eucalyptus trees, gorging on leaves that are toxic to nearly every other animal on the planet. The koala sleeps about 22 hours a day ...

READ MORE:

The koalas are threatened. Can their genome help us save them?


1790 - The District of Columbia, or Washington, DC, was established as the permanent seat of the United States Government. 


1845 - The New York Yacht Club hosted the first American boating regatta. 


1862 - David G. Farragut became the first rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.


1926 - The first underwater color photographs appeared in "National Geographic" magazine. The pictures had been taken near the Florida Keys. 


1951 - J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye" was first published. 


1957 - Marine Major John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record when he flew a jet from California to New York in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 8 seconds. 


1969 - Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, FL, and began the first manned mission to land on the moon. 


1970 - The Pittsburgh Pirates played their first game at Three Rivers Stadium.


1981 - After 23 years with the name Datsun, executives of Nissan changed the name of their cars to Nissan. 


1985 - The All-Star Game, televised on NBC-TV, was the first program broadcast in stereo by a TV network. 


2009 - In Chicago, Sears Tower was renamed Willis Tower. 

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, July 16

This is a year of a brand new chapter in your life story, as you're reinventing yourself in some significant way. You're inclined to rock the boat this year so that you can break free from a limiting situation, but be mindful when/if making sweeping changes. There can be increased steadiness and reliability in your social life, and some relationships (or a key one) improve happily. Your social life is more satisfying and people in your life tend to back you up. Money matters can thrive now. Famous people born today: 

1821 Mary Baker Eddy, American founder of Christian Science (Science & Health), born in Bow, New Hampshire (d. 1910)

1907 Orville Redenbacher, American popcorn magnate (Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popcorn), born in Brazil, Indiana (d. 1995)

1911 Ginger Rogers [Virginia McMath], American actress, dancer and singer (Top Hat, Kitty Foyle), born in Independence, Missouri (d. 1995)

1942 Margaret Smith Court, Australian tennis star(1970 Grand Slam, 24 Grand Slam wins), born in Albury, New South Wales, Australia

1958 Michael Flatley, Irish choreographer (Lord of Dance), born in Chicago, Illinois

READERS INFO

1.

Sandsations Long Beach Sand-Sculpting Competition Extravaganza 2018

Jul 18-22, 2018 | Long Beach, WA

Along the shoreline, adjacent to Long Beach Boardwalk|208 Bolstad W

You may have thought your sandcastle was impressive that one time, but then some obnoxious, 5-year-old nightmare stomped on it. This is the big leagues, and people are here to revel in the glory that is your sand sculpture. Along the shoreline, true artists, families and casuals will build the ultimate sand sculptures to be assessed by a panel of judges. Prizes are awarded to the best in each class, so all skill levels are welcome.

further information: SandSations | Sand Sculpture Competition

2.

Rendezvous In The Park 2018

Jul 19-21, 2018 | Moscow, ID 

East City Park|904 E 1st St 

Rendezvous In The Park is an all-ages outdoor concert series held at Moscow’s East City Park in Idaho. The event features a variety of local, national and international musicians representing a diverse range of genres from blues to classical. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase at the evening concerts, so you can buy dinner and a beverage, or bring your own picnic basket, as you sit on your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy some great music. During the day on July 16&17, there are music and art workshops for young children taught by area artists and musicians. Participants also get lunch and a snack during the workshop.

further information: Rendezvous In Moscow Inc.

3.

Chinatown-ID JamFest 2018

Jul 19, 2018 | Seattle, WA

Set on the third Thursday of June, July and August, the annual Chinatown-International District JamFest in Seattle, Washington, is a community celebration that showcases local eateries, bars, venues and businesses. Highlights of the event include live musical performances by homegrown talents, cabaret shows, karaoke, a marketplace and discounted admission to the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

further information: JamFest > Wing Luke Museum

Who the heck is “Sugar Lips?”

Pictures of the day


A dorsal view of a female Nephila pilipes, a species of golden silk orb-weaver spider found in East and Southeast Asia as well as Australia. Commonly found in primary and secondary forests, as well as gardens, this species spins an asymmetrical golden web that is vertical with a fine irregular mesh, with the hub usually nearer the top. Considerable sexual dimorphism is demonstrated in the size of specimens, with females averaging a body size of 30–50 millimetres (1.2–2.0 in) and males growing to 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in).

LEIDA AND LAELLE – I WILL LIFT YOU UP

Since 2016, I’ve been involved with Haitian immigrants and refugees living in my city, Estrela. I have become friends with some families, and especially with twin sisters, Leïda and Laëlle. They say living in Brazil is like living in paradise—very different from the reality of their country of origin. They dream of becoming models and teachers, as a way to earn money to bring their other relatives from Haiti to Brazil, to live all near one another. On this day, they were playing in front of their home, improvising exercises to develop their imagination and creativity, as if they were actresses, and playing an imitation game with poses. Laëlle reached for Leida’s face and lifted her head up, showing her where she should look. At this brief moment, I took the photo. Location: Estrela, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

I hate this game.

knit
thanks, Linda

Water Lily

knit
thanks, Nancy

Year Of The Cat pattern by Annalisa Dione

knit

Primrose Vest pattern by Esther Kate

knit

Not So Square pattern by Kris Buddendorff

knit

Hobbit Day Shawl pattern by Denise Plourde

 

Flight ‘Hum-One’ coming in for a landing. 

crochet
thanks, June

Hen & Chicks Amigurumi

crochet
thanks, Julie

Girl's Crochet Fat Bottom Bag

crochet, vintage

Sewing Susan

crochet

Abigail Dress pattern by Teresa Richardson

crochet

Hepatica Granny Top

Where’s my Coffee?

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

Kalpudding (Meatloaf With Caramelized Cabbage) Recipe

Whoo-o loves ya, Baby?

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Agnes

Chicken and Pepperoni Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Lesley

Single Serving Pie in a Jar

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

thanks, Emma

How to Make Fabric Ribbon

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... sewing

thanks, Betty

Harriet: A Simple Sewing Project for Kids

PUZZLE

Flower Osteospermum Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

agree aspect battle boon bother color community curve

design desire devil dirge divine duel empire entry figure

garage grass horse ideas lath lunar nearby neon

people procrastinate reach reasonable relative riches riot roil

scream skis slid spice stay system tease wicked young

SUDOKU ... medium

solution: 

QUOTE

CLEVER

You never know when you might have to give someone CPR, so it's a good thing to learn how to do it.

You could save someone's life someday.

EYE OPENER

Top 10 lost women's classics

theguardian

 Shelf discovery ... Octavia Butler, pictured in 2004.

What is a “lost” women’s classic? How unappreciated does something have to be before you consider it lost? Also, lost to whom?

Lost until someone finds them, I guess. But lost, as a status, is a transient one. The following books have all endured some kind of success, some kind of loss, and at least a few of them will have you saying: “What do you mean, lost? I saw that in an airport WH Smith!”

To this, I have no answer. These are simply the books that I want to push into people’s hands, that they might not find elsewhere. The books, you’ll realise, that your library was lost without.

1. Kindred by Octavia Butler

This is often cited as the first science fiction published by a black woman, but you don’t need to put Kindred in the category of “firsts” to find it brilliant. It follows 26-year-old Dana, a black woman moving in with her white boyfriend, who is periodically sent back in time to a pre-civil war Maryland plantation. Here, she’s forced to protect her distant white relatives from destruction while they abuse her and other slaves. It is the marker you should judge all other time-travelling narratives by.

2. Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin

I have limited interest in adjectives, and food writing is full of them. Even good food writing I find hard going. Or at least, I did, until someone gifted me this slim little paperback. It’s full of gross references to 80s food, such as creamed spinach. Regardless, it’s a tragicomic exploration of life and friendship through food, something every food writer wants to achieve, but Colwin truly pulled out of the bag.

3. Are You Somebody? by Nuala O’Faolain 

I had always wondered, when reading Nora Ephron, if Ireland ever had an equivalent. Someone witty and female who would not only call a spade a spade but acknowledge the blade, the handle and the funny way it sticks out of the earth. Recently, I discovered that person in Nuala O’Faolain. Her memoir Are You Somebody? is equal parts hilarious, tragic and wonderfully gossipy. “Years after I was in Hull, Philip Larkin apologised. ‘I was asked to look out for you,’ he said. ‘But I’m afraid I couldn’t be bothered.’”

4. Passing by Nella Larsen

Passing is one of those books you’re either obsessed with, or have never heard of. A gem of the Harlem Renaissance, it follows two black women, the married Irene and the beautiful Clare, who has committed to a life of “passing” as white and is now homesick for the culture she abandoned.

There were thousands of “tragic mulatto” narratives being peddled in Larsen’s day, and most of them had a very similar arc: light-skinned black girl tries to “become white”, fails, is rejected by both cultures and dies tragically. Most of them are worth leaving in the cultural dust. Passing both follows the genre and subverts it completely, its use of Irene as narrator making it a compelling psychological drama as well as an investigation of race and class in Harlem in the early 20th century.

5. Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady by Florence King

Republican, southern, and gay, King was the definition of an equal-opportunities hater. She was the Dorothy Parker of the American south, and because Dorothy Parker figures are much better suited to chic cocktail bars than they are to sweltering wraparound porches, she has largely flown under the radar. In her own words, “even my different drummer had a different drummer”.

6. One Pair of Feet by Monica Dickens

This wartime nurse may have been a descendant of Charles Dickens, but she had very little interest in feigning compassion at the discomfort of others. This reads more like a diary than a memoir, with none of the usual ego and self-preservation of autobiography.

7. Dolly City by Orly Castel-Bloom

When a book’s very first page includes the butchering and eating of a pet goldfish, you know you’re in for a bumpy ride. Baby stealing, grave-digging, pet-eating, Holocaust jokes – you name it, this Tel Aviv nightmare has it. A cult classic about motherhood and, in particular, Jewish motherhood, Dolly City is horrifyingly dark yet ceaselessly comic.

8. Angel by Elizabeth Taylor 

It took me becoming a Virago author to finally understand that there are two very different Elizabeth Taylors. Angel is the story of a teenage girl with a preternatural taste for melodrama who ends up writing a bestseller whose success baffles even her publishers. You can’t help but think that it’s a sly wink from Taylor, who wrote a score of books and dozens of short stories, toward the industry as a whole.

9. The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford

What better way to fill the ninth spot on this list that with an author who was actually nine when she wrote her book? What’s fascinating about the story is that, while it was written by a child, it is definitely not a children’s book. It’s a serious society novel, and takes itself hugely seriously. It ends up being an unwitting parody not only of literature, but of adults as a class of people.

“Bring three glasses of champaigne commanded the prince and some ices he added majestikally. The goods appeared as if by majic and the prince drew out a cigar case and passed it round.
“One grows weary of Court Life he remarked.
“Ah yes agreed the earl.”

10. The Brontës Went to Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson 

“I was so rasped with life that I hit Goldsmith’s tomb with my umbrella. I said, ‘I’d give five pounds if somebody’d come along and tell us both how clever we are.’”