Look On The Bright-Side Day - December 21, 2018

DIANE'S CORNER ... 
Celebrate Look On The Bright-Side Day

Every one of us has heard the phrase “Look on the bright side!” at some point in our lives, from friends to family telling us to cheer up. But, where does the phrase truly mean?

To figure that out, we must delve deep into the mountain that is the past. So come with us as we explore the beginnings of the phrase and the holiday named after it, Look on the Bright Side Day.

The History of Look On The Bright-Side Day

Now, nobody knows who, when, or where the popular phrase was coined. As for the meaning, it’s a way of someone telling us to be cheerful and optimistic despite of the difficulties one may be facing during the day. While being optimistic is difficult for some of us, especially when we have to deal with the loss of a loved one or an ending relationship, the phrase stands to push us forward and look at the brighter things in life and in the events that have happened to us.

For example, a relationship just ended, sure, it does hurt to watch someone walk away that was an important part of our life, but there are plenty more women and men in the world who are far better than that one person. This advice isn’t entirely without its benefits, however, as making sure to keep a positive mindset can actually help in many different ways.

• Increased life span.
• Lower rates of depression.
• Lower levels of distress.
• Greater resistance to the common cold.
• Better psychological and physical well-being.
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.

Word of the Day

plenteous
Definition:	(adjective) Affording an abundant supply.
Synonyms:	ample, copious, rich
Usage:	The vintner was thrilled with the plenteous grape harvest, which would make barrels and barrels of wine.

thanks, Helen

Idiom of the Day

that's my girl!  — An expression used to express praise and pride in what has just been done or accomplished by one's daughter, or, less often, one's girlfriend or another female with which one has a relationship of some kind.

thanks, Heide

This Day in History

Introduction of the Modern Crossword Puzzle (1913)

Though a type of crossword puzzle has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians, 20th-century British-American journalist Arthur Wynne is generally credited with the invention of the modern form of the crossword. Within a decade, such puzzles were being published in most leading US newspapers. The word game was further popularized when Simon & Schuster published a crossword puzzle book in 1924. The craze soon spread to England and beyond. 

Florence Griffith Joyner, AKA FloJo (1959)

"FloJo" was a US sprinter whose incredible speed and unique fashion sense left an indelible mark on the running world. She first turned heads at the 1984 Olympics, where her silver-medal performance was nearly overshadowed by her long, painted nails and flashy racing suits. By 1988's Games, however, there was no denying her skill. She set one world record during the Olympic trials and another at the Games, where she also took three golds and a silver.

Doleing Day

It was customary at one time in England on St. Thomas's Day for the poorer inhabitants of the parish to call on their wealthier neighbors and receive a gift or "dole" of food or money. In return, they would give their benefactors a sprig of holly or mistletoe. The custom of "going a-gooding," as it was called, gave rise to the name Gooding Day in parts of Sussex; in other areas it was referred to as Mumping (Begging) Day, since those who had to beg were said to be "on the mump." Children would often spend St. Thomas's Day begging for apples.

Microfossils found in China have revealed what could be our earliest known ancestor on the tree of life, researchers say. But don't go looking for a resemblance. Saccorhytus, which looks a little like the "chestburster" from "Alien," was a tiny, bag-like sea creature that lived 540 million years ago.

READ MORE:

Is this ancient, bag-like sea creature our earliest ancestor?

1620 - The "Mayflower", and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed at Plymouth Rock, MA. 


1898 - Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium. 


1909 - McKinley and Washington schools of Berkeley, CA, became the first authorized, junior-high schools in the U.S. 


1913 - Arthur Wynne published a new "word-cross" puzzle in the "New York World" in England. The name was later changed to "crossword.

1914 - Marie Dressler, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Swain appeared in the first six-reel, feature-length comedy. The film was entitled "Tillie’s Punctured Romance". 

1937 - Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." 

1951 - Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from major league baseball. 

1968 - Crosby, Stills and Nash performed together in public for the first time. 

1970 - Elvis Presley went to the White House to volunteer his services to U.S. President Nixon on fighting the nation's drug problems. He gave Nixon a chrome-plated Colt .45 and Tricky Dick gave Elvis a Narcotics Bureau badge. 

1971 - The U.N. Security Council chose Kurt Waldheim to succeed U Thant as secretary-general. 

1998 - The first vaccine for Lyme disease was approved. 


2002 - Larry Mayes was released after spending 21 years in prison for a rape that maintained that he never committed. He was the 100th person in the U.S. to be released after DNA tests were performed.



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 21

You are exceptionally magnetic, possess a flair for the dramatic, and generally like being at the center of attention. Your charisma is unmistakable, and is one of the ingredients in your recipe for success; the other main ingredients are your determination and talent. You are particularly suited to an acting or teaching position--one that plays up your wonderful ability to inspire others. You remember every little detail about people, and this is very charming! You are a success-oriented person who others often consider to be quite fortunate. Famous people born today:

1117 Thomas Becket, English archbishop of Canterbury (1162-1170), born in London, England (d. 1170)

1603 Roger Williams, English theologian and colonist, born in London, England (d. 1684)
1937 Jane Fonda, American actress (Barbarella, Klute, 9 to 5), born in NYC, New York
1948 Samuel L. Jackson, American actor (Amos & Andrew, White Sand, Pulp Fiction), born in Washington, D.C.
1954 Chris Evert, American tennis player (18 Gram Slam singles titles), born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1957 Ray Romano, American actor (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ice Age), born in Queens, New York
1977 Emmanuel Macron, French politician, President of France (2017-), born in Amiens, France


READERS INFO

1.

Winter solstice

It’s the scientific start to winter in the Northern Hemisphere, when this half of the world tilts away from the sun. The ‘night sky’ event of December 21st is actually not a single event; the whole day marks the December Solstice for planet earth. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year and begins the winter season; the southern hemisphere will experience the longest day of the year and start the summer season.

2.

The 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 8

Before astronauts could take a giant leap for mankind on the lunar surface, Frank Borman, James Lovell Jr. and William Anders went ‘round the moon and back in a lunar orbit that set the stage for 1969’s Apollo 11 mission. 

3.

Global Winter Wonderland 2018

Nov 30, 2018 - Jan 6, 2019 | Sacramento, CA 

Cal Expo|1600 Exposition Blvd

Global Winter Wonderland, Sacramento’s premier holiday event, features spectacular illuminated landscapes for festivalgoers to explore. This multicultural celebration represents various heritages and presents a different theme each day focusing on a different culture or region. Navigate your way around multiple villages in the festival and check out the live entertainment, international cuisine, a full carnival and festive shopping.

further information: Global Winter Wonderland 2018


4.

Atlanta Christkindl Market 2018

Nov 30 - Dec 23, 2018 | Atlanta, GA

Atlantic Station|1380 Atlantic Dr NW

This festival teleports one to the magical, glowing atmosphere of traditional German Christmas markets. Peruse a slew of market stalls while sipping warm hot chocolate. Enjoy live music, wine tastings and fireworks at this holiday spectacle.

further information: Atlanta Christkindl Market™

5.

12 Days of Aspen 2018

Dec 20-31, 2018 | Aspen, CO

If Harry and Lloyd can kick it in Aspen for a couple weeks, so can you. Twelve days sound like a lot to manage until it's all over in the blink of an eye, thanks to the abundance of fun you'll find in this world-famous city. There's a family skating party, story time for kids and adults, cookie decorating, film screenings and skiing among dozens of other activities. Twelve days may not even be enough.

further information: 12 Days of Aspen

Pictures of the day


The Wilton Diptych is a small portable diptych of two Baltic oak panels, painted on both sides, set in frames of the same material and joined by two hinges. Dating from around 1395–1399, it is an extremely rare survival of a late Medieval religious panel painting from England. The diptych was painted for King Richard II, who is depicted kneeling before the Virgin and Child in what is known as a donor portrait. He is presented to them by his patron saint, John the Baptist, and by the English royal saints Edward the Confessor and Edmund the Martyr. The inner faces of the panels are in excellent condition for their age, though some glazes have been lost, but the outer faces have paint losses from handling. This picture shows the lefthand panel of the inside of the diptych, with Richard II and the saints.

Smiling Fox

“This fox was sleeping inside the box and poked his head out to enjoy the sunshine during the snowing season.” Miyagi Zao, Fox Village, Japan

knit, Christmas
thanks, Violet

Furry Fairies pattern by Alan Dart

knit
thanks, Sally

The "Perfect" Baby Sock pattern by Denine Currie

knit

Penguin Knit Holiday Sweater

http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/patons-penguin-knit-holiday-sweater.html?

knit

Snowflakes Sock Pattern

knit

Retro 1930s Boudoir Throw pattern by Anita Closic

thanks, Patty

crochet, Christmas
thanks, Sharon

Sheep in Santa Hats Fingerless Gloves 

crochet
thanks, Ava

Celtic Weave Strip Hobo Bag

crochet

Empire Swing Jacket pattern by Kim Guzman

crochet

SLEEVE FOR eREADER

https://talesoftwistedfibers.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/kindle-paperwhite-sleeve_free-crochet-pattern-tales-of-twisted-fibers.pdf

crochet

Quick Gift Crochet Cuppa Tea

thanks for the following four funnies, Shelley

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

Top Secret Recipes Version Of KFC Coleslaw By Todd Wilbur Recipe

Fw: 

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Amy

Hot Spiced Cherry Cider

SWEETS ... Christmas

thanks, Helen

CHRISTMAS MIX RECIPE

1 cup raisins

2 cups salted peanuts

4 cups pretzels

4 cups cheerios

4 cups crispix

2 cups M&M's

2 - 12oz bags white chocolate chips

3 TBLS oil

- Melt white chocolate ships and oil together.  Pour over cereal mixture and stir well. 

- Let mixture cool on wax paper until hard, Break into small pieces

- Put all ingredients in large bowl mix well

- Heat white chips until creamy

- Quickly pour melted chips over cereal mixture

- Mix quickly until all coated with white chocolate

- Spread on wax paper

- Let stand until dry-break into small pieces.

- Store in plastic sealed containers

THE ONE TIME I NEEDED A THREAD and NEEDLE ..

ADULT COLORING ... Christmas

CRAFTS ... Christmas

thanks, Ellie

ORANGE LANTERNS

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Christmas

thanks, Mollie

Drinking Straw Christmas Tree

PUZZLE ... Christmas

Big Bobble Jigsaw Puzzle




WORD SEARCH

attack badger battle beach cavern defer devastate

energy gesture govern graduate group ladder lemon locket lover

merge music performance please pouch power preach

rascal recent return roar seen shatter stand storage surrender

tend terror think white

SUDOKU ... easy

solution:

QUOTE ... Christmas

CLEVER ... Christmas Antiques

Shedding Some Light

Question: I'm very curious about what this Santa-shaped bulb might have been used for, since the cap is on top of his head. Was it part of a specialty light strand? Please shed some light on my interesting bulb.

Answer: Figural light bulbs were an innovation in Christmas tree lighting that originated in Austria in 1909. By 1919, General Electric was producing machine-made figural bulbs. About the same time, Japan began making figural bulbs of translucent milk glass. Although Santa Claus figures were popular, other forms included clowns, cartoon characters -- including Little Orphan Annie and Dick Tracy -- snowmen, animals and birds. Japan resumed production of these bulbs, including yours, after World War II. Because milk-glass bulbs were heavier than regular Christmas lights, the base was usually at the top, allowing the figures to hang from the sockets. Prices for this particular Santa bulb on internet sites range from $10 to $15. Less common figures sell for $30 or more.

Ring Those Bells

Question: This beautiful bellpull reminds me of the TV show Downton Abbey and the wealthy households of yesteryear. The handle is made of red and white glass and brass. The entire piece is in quite good condition. What can you tell me about the age of this pull based on its handle design and tapestry?
Answer: Used in mansions to summon servants, bellpulls were often hung on either side of a fireplace to add a decorative element to the wall. Victorian textile bellpulls appear regularly at antiques auctions. Found much less frequently is an art-glass handle such as this, which attached to the pull by its brass mount. The handle is a type of glass made in Bohemia in the 19th century. An auction house in Germany in 2008 estimated a similar glass pull would sell for 90 to 120 euros ($125 to $165), but it ended up selling for 220 euros (about $300). Vintage needlepoint textile pulls regularly sell in the $50 to $100 range.

EYE OPENER

THE FBI HAD IT’S EYE ON IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE HAD EMPLOYED TWO COMMON TRICKS USED BY COMMUNISTS..."

---

    

RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE IS NOW REGARDED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST BELOVED CHRISTMAS SEASON MOVIES OF ALL TIME. THE TALE OF GEORGE BAILEY, WHO HAD PLANNED TO COMMIT SUICIDE ON CHRISTMAS EVE BEFORE HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL INTERVENES AND SHOWS HIM ALL THE LIVES HE’S TOUCHED, IS A CLASSIC OF AMERICAN CINEMA.

AS YOU SIT DOWN FOR YOUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY SEASON RE-WATCH OF THE MOVIE, TRY NOT TO LET WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT MAR YOUR ENJOYMENT: AROUND THE TIME OF ITS RELEASE IN 1946, J. EDGAR HOOVER AND HIS FBI WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ‘MALIGNANT UNDERCURRENT’ OF COMMUNISM THAT (APPARENTLY) RAN THROUGH IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE!

MAYBE IT’S NOT SO WONDERFUL

WE’RE GOING TO NEED A LITTLE CONTEXT HERE, SO LET’S START FROM THE BEGINNING. THE MOVIE IS REVERED AS AN ALL-TIME CLASSIC TODAY, THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, BUT IT HAD QUITE THE TROUBLED BEGINNING. AS SCREEN RANT REPORTS,

“THE MOVIE LED A LIFE AKIN TO GEORGE BAILEY HIMSELF: BORN WITH GREAT AMBITION, DEALT A SERIES OF SETBACKS, AND RESIGNED TO OBLITERATION BEFORE RETURNING WITH A RENEWED LEASE ON LIFE…  THERE WAS A TIME WHEN IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE BANKRUPTED A MOVIE STUDIO, ENDED A LEGENDARY FILMMAKER’S CAREER AND WAS TOTALLY FORGOTTEN BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.”

ON THE MOVIE’S ROAD TO REDEMPTION, THOUGH, IT HAD TO CONTEST WITH ISSUES MUCH MORE TROUBLING THAN SIMPLY MAKING ENOUGH MONEY TO PLEASE EXECUTIVES. IN THE SUPER-DISTRUSTFUL WAKE OF WORLD WAR II, HOOVER HAD HIS FBI SCREEN MOVIES TO DETECT COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA, AND IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE WAS FOUND TO BE RIFE WITH IT!

THAT’S RIGHT. AS SMITHSONIAN REPORTS, “AN UNNAMED FBI AGENT WHO WATCHED THE FILM AS PART OF A LARGER FBI PROGRAM AIMED AT DETECTING AND NEUTRALIZING COMMIE INFLUENCES IN HOLLYWOOD” ENJOYED IT—FINDING IT “VERY ENTERTAINING,” THE REPORT GOES ON—BUT WAS ALSO ALARMED BY HOW SUBVERSIVE IT WAS.

COMMUNISM AND HOLLYWOOD

JOHN NOAKS, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE, HAS DELVED INTO THE FBI’S FILES FROM THE 1940S, AND LOOKED AT HOW THEY DETERMINED THAT MOVIES PUSHED THE COMMUNIST AGENDA DURING THE PERIOD. ACCORDING TO HIS FINDINGS, A REPORT DUBBED ‘COMMUNIST INFILTRATION INTO THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY’REACHED AN UNSETTLING CONCLUSION.

THAT UNNAMED AGENT CONCLUDED THAT “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE HAD EMPLOYED TWO COMMON TRICKS USED BY COMMUNISTS TO INJECT PROPAGANDA INTO THE FILM.” THE FIRST OF THESE WAS PORTRAYING TYPICALLY “AMERICAN” VALUES AND INSTITUTIONS IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT. THIS IS SEEN IN THE CHARACTER OF MR. POTTER, BANKER AND THE MOST SCROOGE-TASTIC MISER SINCE… SCROOGE. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1, CAPITALISM 0.

SECONDLY, THE MOVIE WAS SEEN TO BE BRINGING ANTI-AMERICAN AND PRO-COMMUNIST ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT. GEORGE BAILEY’S SUICIDAL STATE AND HIS OVERALL QUESTIONING OF WHETHER HIS LIFE HAD MEANT ANYTHING WAS AN ISSUE THAT THE FBI REPORT CHARACTERIZED AS A “SUBTLE ATTEMPT TO MAGNIFY THE PROBLEMS OF THE SO-CALLED ‘COMMON MAN’ IN SOCIETY.”

MUCH OF THE MOVIE’S NARRATIVE IS UNDERPINNED BY THE COMPETITION BETWEEN TWO BANKERS, WITH POLAR-OPPOSITE ATTITUDES AND APPROACHES. WHEN ONE TRIUMPHS OVER THE OTHER AND IS SEEN TO BE RIGHT, THERE’S A CLEAR MESSAGE ABOUT CAPITALISM AND COMMUNISM AND… WELL, THERE IS IF THAT’S WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO SEE. WHICH THE FBI CERTAINLY DID.

…AND NOW IT’S WONDERFUL AGAIN

WITH ALL THIS POLITICAL DRAMA IN MIND, YOU’RE PROBABLY WONDERING HOW IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE MANAGED TO COME OUT OF ALL THIS SCOT-FREE, HOW IT ROSE TO BECOME SUCH A CINEMA ICON WITHOUT BEING SMEARED IN RETURN. THE SIMPLE FACT IS, NOTHING BECAME OF THE REPORT. THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION BEYOND THAT.

THE DAILY KOS SUGGESTS THAT PERHAPS THE GREAT POPULARITY OF THE MOVIE’S STAR, JIMMY STEWART, SAVED IT FROM THE WRATH OF THE HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE, TO WHICH IT WAS REFERRED FOR THOSE TROUBLING UNDERTONES. WHATEVER THE CASE, THE MOVIE STILL INSPIRES AND UPLIFTS AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD TODAY, OVER SEVENTY YEARS AFTER IT WAS INITIALLY RELEASED. LET’S BE THANKFUL FOR THAT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.