World Octopus Day - October 8, 2018

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate World Octopus Day

As the name suggests, World Octopus Day celebrates one of the most distinctive creatures living on the planet today; the octopus.

Octopuses are worthy of appreciation for a number of reasons. First of all, they are one of earth’s great survivors. Indeed, despite their relatively short life span, octopus fossils date back more than 300 million years, meaning that they pre-date even dinosaurs. They are also highly intelligent, with around 500 million neurons located in their brains and arms, allowing them to bypass their instincts, learn lessons and solve problems.

In addition, they are visually stunning, coming in various different colors and shapes, while the Giant Pacific Octopus is able to grow to weigh more than 600 pounds!

So how should you celebrate World Octopus Day? How about a trip to a sea life center? Alternatively, put aside a small section of your day to simply learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Word of the Day

escargot
Definition:	(noun) Edible terrestrial snail usually served in the shell with a sauce of melted butter and garlic.
Synonyms:	snail
Usage:	I ordered escargot in an attempt to appear sophisticated, but when the plate of snails was set down before me, I could not bring myself to choke down a single one.

Idiom of the Day

be sick to death of (something)  — To be or become exceedingly wearied by, bored of, or exasperated with something.

This Day in History

Raytheon Patents Percy Spencer's Microwave (1945)

Self-taught engineer Percy Spencer discovered the cooking potential of microwaves in the 1940s. While working on magnetrons for the Raytheon Company, he noticed that a peanut butter chocolate bar in his pocket had melted. He determined that microwaves emitted from his magnetrons had cooked the candy bar and confirmed this theory by testing it on popcorn. Raytheon patented Spencer's microwave oven in 1945 and put it on the market in 1947. 

Edward "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890)

A skilled American race car driver, Rickenbacker entered World War I as a driver but soon became a fighter pilot. He shot down 26 enemy aircraft, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor and the moniker "Ace of Aces." After a failed foray into automobile manufacturing, he ran several airlines for General Motors and eventually acquired one of them. In 1942, his plane was lost while on a tour of military bases in the Pacific, and he was presumed dead, but he was rescued.

Taiiku-no-Hi (Health and Sports Day)

Taiiku-no-Hi, or Health and Sports Day, is a national legal holiday in Japan set aside to promote good physical and emotional health through athletic activity. Since 1966 it has been observed on the anniversary of the first day of the Olympic Games held in Tokyo in 1964.

Humans delayed the onset of the Sahara desert by 500 years

Humans did not accelerate the decline of the 'Green Sahara' and may have managed to hold back the onset of the Sahara desert by around 500 years, according to new research led by UCL. The study by a team of geographers and archaeologists from UCL and ...
READ MORE:

Humans delayed the onset of the Sahara desert by 500 years

1938 - The cover of "The Saturday Evening Post" portrayed Norman Rockwell. 

1952 - "The Complete Book of Etiquette" was published for the first time. 

1956 - Donald James Larsen (New York Yankees) pitched the first perfect game in the history of the World Series. 

1966 - The U.S. Government declared that LSD was dangerous and an illegal substance.

1970 - Soviet author Alexander Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize for literature. 

1991 - A slave burial site was found by construction workers in lower Manhattan. The "Negro Burial Ground" had been closed in 1790. Over a dozen skeletons were found. 

2003 - Siegfried Fischbacher and his manager announced that the "Siegfried and Roy" show at the Mirage was canceled permanently. It was also said that if Roy Horn survived, after a tiger attack on October 3, the duo would continue to work together. 



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, October 8

You possess a highly creative mind. You are likely quite good with language and/or languages, and you have an unmistakably goofy sense of humor. You have a wonderful sense of judgment. Although you will entertain some attraction to the mystical, you are largely logical. You can be a charming conversationalist, making each person you talk to one-on-one feel very special. Although you are capable of much hard work, leisure time is very important to you. You are more decisive than the typical Libra personality. You are creative, witty, and fair-minded. Famous people born today:

1943 R. L. Stine, American children's book writer(Goosebumps), born in Columbus, Ohio

1948 Johnny Ramone [Cummings], American rock guitarist (Ramones), born in Long Island, New York (d. 2004)

1949 Sigourney Weaver [Susan Alexandra], American actress (Alien, Working Girl), born in Manhattan, New York

1970 Matt Damon, American actor (Good Will Hunting, Ocean's trilogy, Bourne trilogy), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts

1980 Nick Cannon, American actor and rapper(Love Don't Cost a Thing), born in San Diego, California

1985 Bruno Mars [Peter Gene Hernandez], American singer ("Just the Way You Are", "Grenade"), born in Honolulu, Hawaii

READERS INFO

1.

A talented and popular vaudeville star, Nora Bayes (October 8, 1880 - March 19, 1928) became an example of the limits of women’s power and independence in the early twentieth century when her attempts to command respect from producers backfired.

Bayes performed in small vaudeville venues for several years before opening the billing at the Palace Theatre in London in 1905 and becoming part of the Ziegfeld Follies in 1907, which launched her career. Her higher salary and imperious attitude led to friction in her marriage and her growing confidence in her popularity led Bayes to challenge producers, walking out of the Follies in 1909 to protest Sophie Tucker’s performance in the show and causing Florenz Ziegfeld to bring an injunction for breach of contract that kept Bayes from performing for months. 

She earned success again on the Keith vaudeville circuit in 1914 before her fights with Keith caused her to break her contract. Despite these blows to her career, Bayes was still in demand, with George M. Cohan requesting her to make the first recording of “Over There” in 1917. She launched a one-woman show later that year, starred in Ladies First the following year, and continued to perform in vaudeville until 1927.

2.

Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving Day celebrates the sharing of food and thanking God for the year's bountiful harvest and family health. The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced back to two events. The first Canadian appearance of the holiday dates back to 1578 when Martin Frobisher and his crew came together for a communal meal to thank God for reuniting the crew after they were separated due to bad weather. The second appearance dates back to 1606, when Samuel de Champlain organized the Order of Good Cheer to boost settler's spirits after a dreadful winter. The feast included entertainment and was open to everyone, including the aboriginals, and continued as a weekly tradition followed by an annual tradition every autumn season. 

Under British rule, the holiday differed in theme and dates until 1957, when the Canadian Parliament finally declared the official date of Thanksgiving celebrations to be held on the second Monday of October. This date coincides much better with the actual date of Canadian harvests due to the arrival of winter.

Thanksgiving Facts & Quotes

• According to the Turkey Farmers of Canada, for Thanksgiving 2015, 2.5 million whole turkeys were purchased by Canadians. (34% of the year's purchases).
• Thanksgiving is not an official statutory holiday in the Maritime provinces of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
• Unlike the United States, Canada does not celebrate a Black Friday shopping equivalent the day after Thanksgiving.
• A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed  ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October. - Parliament Proclamation (January 31, 1957)
• Give thanks for each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanksgiving Top Events and Things to Do

• Watch the Canadian Football League Thanksgiving Day Classic football matches held in Montreal over the long weekend.
• Use the long weekend to start decorating your home for Halloween.
• Enjoy the last unofficial weekend of cottage season before the lakes and rivers begin to freeze.
• Prepare a Canadian Maple Syrup dish. Popular dishes are Maple Ham and sweet baked beans with maple syrup.
• Reflect on what you are thankful for this year. Prepare a small toast or speech for an evening dinner in order to thank your loved ones.

3.

4.

Carthage Maple Leaf Festival 2018

Sep 29 - Oct 28, 2018 | Carthage, MO 

Dating back to the 1960s, the annual Carthage Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage, Missouri, is a community celebration drawing over 80,000 attendees each year. The event-filled extravaganza typically features a grand parade, 5k/10k fun runs, marching bands, beauty contests, arts and crafts, quilt shows, food vendors, a car show and hands-on children's activities.

further information: http://www.carthagemapleleaf.com/maple-leaf

5.

Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular 2018

Oct 9 - Nov 4, 2018 | Louisville, KY

Iroquois Amphitheater|1080 Amphitheater Rd

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, Kentucky, cranks up the Halloween fun. Featuring nearly 5,000 unique pumpkin lanterns and a variety of spooky and dazzling decorations in the great outdoors, the seasonal spectacular provides four nights of family-friendly fun. Whether you come to check out the kooky pumpkins bearing likenesses of Freddy Krueger or Jack Skellington, or to soak up some live music near a haunted ship, this illuminated art show is a frighteningly good time.

further information: Event | Louisville | Jack O'Lantern Spectacular



Pictures of the day


Margaret Lee (c. 1506 – c. 1543) was a sister of the poet Thomas Wyatt, and likely a friend of Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII of England. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Wyatt and Anne Skinner, and was married to Sir Anthony Lee (died 1549), by whom she had four sons and five daughters. Historians have speculated that she was present during Boleyn's execution.

TEA CULTURE

For a long time, I have been fascinated by the ancient Mongolian method of hunting with Golden Eagles. In early 2018, I followed one family of eagle hunters during their migration from winter camp to spring camp. Mongolia is sparsely populated, but the inhabitants have a very hospitable and welcoming culture. Tea for Kazakh culture is one of the attributes of hospitality. Tea isn’t just a drink, but a mix of tradition, culture, relaxation, ceremony, and pleasure. Damel, seen here wrapped in heavy fur clothes, drinks a cup of tea to keep warm from the chilly temperatures in Western Mongolia. Location: Altai Mountains, Western Mongolia

knit, Halloween
thanks, Nancy

Pumpkin Potholders

knit
thanks, Dawn

Free Knit Pattern Slippers Socks

knit

Asymmetrical Knit Shawl Free Pattern

knit

Magic Loop Teddy - Simply Notable

knit

Fox Tea Cosy Knitting Pattern

gina-michele

I created a tea cosy knitting pattern but kept this knitting pattern as beginner-friendly as possible. The front and back are knit separately and then joined together using double pointed needles. The tea cozy is split at the sides to allow for the handle and spout as well as easy on/off access. The ears, eyes and nose are all sewn on afterwards.

(Note- my tea kettle measures 7 inches high – including lid and 7 1/2 inches wide .This pattern works best on a rounded tea kettle of similar size)
Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Terracotta and in Linen
Needles: Size 7 straight, Size 7 Double Pointed
For the front of the cosy:
Cast on 28 sts using the straight needles. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch. Switch to linen yarn and work in Stockinette Stitch for 4 inches. Place stitches on a holder.

For the back of the cosy:
Cast on 28 sts using the straight needles. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette Stitch and work until piece measures 5 inches from the cast on edge.

Shaping:
Divide the stitches among 4 double pointed needles so there’s 14 sts on each. Place a marker. With the orange yarn work in Stockinette Stitch for 1 inch. Knit 2, knit 2 together across round. Knit next round. Knit 2, knit 2 together across round. Knit 2 rounds. Keep working until piece covers the top of your kettle lid. Knit 2 together across row until you are left with a handful of stitches. Work them in stockinette stitch for 1 inch (this cover the knobs on top of the lid). Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches and pull to tighten.

For the snout:
Using the double pointed needle, pick up 12 sts on the first orange row above the linen. There will be 8 stitches left on either side. Knit 1 row. Working in Stockinette stitch, decrease 1 stitch at every side until there are 3 stitches. Work until piece measures 4 inches from where you picked up the stitches. Bind off.

For the ears (make 2):
Using the double point needles, pick up 10 stitches on the side of the top. Knit 5 rows. Decrease 1 stitch every row until you are left with 1 stitch. Pull yarn through stitch to secure.

Finishing: Sew the bottom of the cozy together on the sides of the ribbing. Using a yarn needle and black worsted weight yarn, embroider on the eyes. Attach the strip for the snout at the bottom by embroidering on the nose. Weave in ends.

crochet
thanks, Lois

Crocodile Stitch Afghan Block - Dahlia pattern by Joyce D. Lewis

crochet
thanks, Julie

Bandito Cowl pattern by Kris Basta

crochet

Zen and the Art of Stash Diving Scarf pattern by Robyn Chachula

crochet

Scalloped Potholder pattern by Priscilla Hewitt

crochet

Ladies Baggy Cardigan pattern by Laura Eccleston

RECIPE

10-Minute Easy Vegan Pistachio Granola

CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Amy

Slow-Cooker Dinner Rolls Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Shelley

Twin Peaks - Double R Diner Cherry Pie Recipe

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS ... Halloween

Spiderweb Kirigami

With Halloween around the corner, how about some festive papercutting for the occasion? Try making spiderweb kirigami!

Here's how:

Start with a piece of square origami paper in your desired size.
We used our favourite 50 Colours Origami Paper - the 7.5cm / 3" size.

1. Fold paper in half diagonally. Crease well.

2. Fold paper in half again. Crease well.

3. Turn paper so that the top point is facing down / towards you. Visualize dividing the triangle into 3 equal parts. Fold the right third towards the left. Crease well. Then fold the left third over the right. Crease well. This part may take practice or refolding to get three equal parts - no worries, just keep trying!

4. Cut straight across the top of the folded triangle. Discard the paper parts in red.

5. Cut the top of your triangle into a curve. Discard the red part. Copying the top curve, cut lines along the entire length of the triangle leaving a thin line of paper at the end of each cut. Cut as many strips as you can / would like.

6. Cut out every other strip - seen in red - and discard. Cut off tip. Don't cut off the tip until all other strips have been cut and removed - just in case!

7. Carefully unfold to discover your kirigami spiderweb. If desired, you can gently press with a warm, dry iron to remove creases.

8. Use your spiderwebs anyway you'd like - decorate a table, string into a garland, use in a handmade card.

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Halloween coloring

PUZZLE

Brunsvigia Josephinae Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

annoy awesome berth cable canoe carousel castle cause closet corner

decompose denim determine done emcee enacted fasten

grill horseplay lasso lectern leer lets metes motes

nasty ounce purpose rotor round

seal seat seep sell space star studio taint usage

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

CLEVER ... Halloween

Use foam pumpkins for this. You can purchase them at any craft store and for 50% off with coupons. Foam pumpkins are a flat color. To make them more realistic, paint the ribs of the pumpkins a dark brown. Dry brush the same dark brown paint onto the flat parts of the pumpkins. 

We are making a faux succulent planter. To remove the top of the pumpkin, punch holes using a screwdriver. Take a utility knife and cut around the top, from hole to hole.

Remove the top and some of the foam. Trim the stem of your faux succulent to fit.

Add Spanish moss to the top and place your faux succulent into the foam.

So pretty and last forever!

EYE OPENER

thanks, Anne

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