DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate Put on Your Own Shoes Day

Image result for Put on Your Own Shoes Day gif

Sounds simple enough – and surely plenty of us do it every day, unless you really feel like braving the walk to work in your socks – but it seems this day might be more to do with shoes themselves and a way of encouraging children to put on and tie their own shoes.

report this ad

History of Put On Your Own Shoes Day

There is very little information available about this day that we could get our hands on, and the jury’s out on exactly what it means. It could be a metaphor for walking your own way in life, being independent and being an individual. It could be a day to encourage children to tie up their own laces, or it could just be a day meant to observe the benefits, and the style iconography, of the humble shoe.

Strange as it sounds, the history of footwear itself is exceptionally varied and colorful. The first shoes were probably worn around 40,000 years ago, in the Middle Paleolithic period. They weren’t as stylish as the ones you can get hold of today, made from leather and wrapped around the foot. In a pinch, bark and big leaves were probably used, making a rudimentary sandal.

Sandals became popular during the time of the Ancient Romans, whom history recalls using the now recognizable style. Roman sandals were a bit of a game changer at the time due to their lightweight, sturdy and breathable nature which made marching and pillaging a bit easier for their foot soldiers.

Footwear wouldn’t start truly being something fashionable until around the Baroque period, when the design of your shoe was a key indicator of your social class. The higher your heels, the higher your class. Walk around without any shoes on at all and you probably weren’t doing so well.

Throughout the following centuries and across the world, shoes have seen some weird and wonderful designs – both for fashion and practicality. And nowadays, both!

thanks for 'Your Life in Pics,' Helen

Word of the Day

wirework

Definition:

(noun) Mesh netting made of wires.

Synonyms:

grillwork

Usage:

His white mice live in a little pagoda of gaily-painted wirework, designed and made by himself.

Idiom of the Day

teensy-weensie

— childish Particularly small or tiny.

This Day in History

The Banana Massacre (1928)

In December 1928, after a month-long strike to secure better working conditions, United Fruit Company workers from the Colombian town of Ciénaga gathered with their families in the town square to hear a scheduled gubernatorial address. Instead of words they were met with bullets fired by government troops. An unknown number died that day.

Henry VI of England (1421)

Henry VI became king of England when he was not yet nine months old. That same year, the English proclaimed the infant the successor to the French throne, but France did not recognize this. The young monarch grew up to be a mild, honest, and pious man, a patron of literature and the arts. He was, however, also mentally unstable, weak-willed, and politically naive, and this created a power vacuum that his overly powerful ministers vied to fill.

St. Nicholas's Day (Greece)

As the patron saint of ships and seamen, St. Nicholas is very important to the Greeks, so many of whom have traditionally made their living at sea. Many Greek ships, from the smallest fishing boat to the largest commercial vessel, carry an icon of the saint on board. Seamen honor St. Nicholas on his feast day, which falls at a time of year when storms grow more frequent, by burning a light before his icon and saying prayers for the safety of their boat or ship.

This new atomic clock is so exact, it could be used to detect dark matter

Scientists have invented a new clock that keeps time more precisely than any that have come before. The clock is so accurate that it won't gain or lose more than one second in 14 billion years — roughly the age of the cosmos. Its ticking rate is so ...
READ MORE:

This new atomic clock is so exact, it could be used to detect dark matter
Image result for 1735 - In London, French surgeon Claudius Amyand performed the first successful appendectomy at St. George's Hospital. The patient was an 11-year old boy that had swallowed a pin.

Image result for 1735 - In London, French surgeon Claudius Amyand performed the first successful appendectomy at St. George's Hospital. The patient was an 11-year old boy that had swallowed a pin.

1735 - In London, French surgeon Claudius Amyand peformed the first successful appendectomy at St. George's Hospital. The patient was an 11-year old boy that had swallowed a pin.
Image result for 1774 - Austria became the first nation to introduce a state education system.

Image result for 1774 - Austria became the first nation to introduce a state education system.

1774 - Austria became the first nation to introduce a state education system.
Image result for 1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.

Image result for 1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.

1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.
Image result for 1883 - "Ladies' Home Journal" was published for the first time.

Image result for 1883 - "Ladies' Home Journal" was published for the first time.

1883 - "Ladies' Home Journal" was published for the first time.
Image result for 1923 - U.S. President Calvin Coolidge became the first president to give a presidential address that was broadcast on radio.

Image result for 1923 - U.S. President Calvin Coolidge became the first president to give a presidential address that was broadcast on radio.

1923 - U.S. President Calvin Coolidge became the first president to give a presidential address that was broadcast on radio.

Image result for 1947 - Everglades National Park in Florida was dedicated by U.S. President Truman.

Image result for 1947 - Everglades National Park in Florida was dedicated by U.S. President Truman.

1947 - Everglades National Park in Florida was dedicated by U.S. President Truman.

Image result for 1973 - Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the vice-president of the United States after vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned.

Image result for 1973 - Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the vice-president of the United States after vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned.

1973 - Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the vice-president of the United States after vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned.

Image result for 1990 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle was enshrined in the Little League Museum's Hall of Excellence.

1990 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle was enshrined in the Little League Museum's Hall of Excellence.

1995 - Joni Mitchell was awarded the Billboard's Century Award.

Image result for 2002 - Officials released the detailed plans for a $4.7 million memorial commemorating Princess Diana. The large oval fountain was planned to be constructed in London's Hyde Park.

2002 - Officials released the detailed plans for a $4.7 million memorial commemorating Princess Diana. The large oval fountain was planned to be constructed in London's Hyde Park.

Image result for EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A DECENT COFFEE

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 6:

You are always searching for truths in this lifetime, and you love to explore and learn. In fact, you are thirsty for knowledge. There is a flair for the dramatic in you, although you do come across as straightforward, personable, and frank. You make snap decisions. For the most part, you are able to complete what you start, and when you don’t, it stems from over-estimating your human capabilities, not from lack of follow-through! You require intellectual stimulation in order to hold your interest in relationships, as you are restless and desirous of change. Famous people born today:

1805 Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, French magician and father of modern magic, born in Blois, France (d. 1861)

New Zealand Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage

872 Michael Joseph Savage, Australian-born New Zealand politician and first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand (1935-40), born in Tatong, Australia (d. 1940)

1886 Joyce Kilmer, American poet (Trees), born in New Brunswick, New Jersey (d. 1918)

1900 Agnes Moorehead, American actress(Endora in Bewitched), born in Clinton, Massachusetts (d. 1974)

READERS INFO

1933 -

TODAY: U.S. federal judge John M. Woolsey rules that James Joyce's novel Ulysses is not obscene. "In many places it seems to me to be disgusting," but nothing, he added, had been included in it as "dirt for dirt sake."

Wonderland of Lights 2018

Nov 21 - Dec 30, 2018 | Marshall, TX

Downtown Marshall near Historic Harrison County Courthouse|200 W Houston St Image result for Wonderland of Lights 2018 Nov 21 - Dec 30, 2018 | Marshall, TX

Wonderland of Lights is one of the top Christmas lighting events in the country. The month-long event launches the end of November in Marshall, Texas, with the Annual Lighting Ceremony. Throughout the following weeks, guests can enjoy the outdoor ice-skating rink, Santa’s Workshop, carriage rides and family fun and entertainment. The lights and activities will remain open every evening through the end of the year.

further information: City of Marshall Texas Official Site

3.

Starry Starry Nights 2018

Nov 23 - Dec 31, 2018 | Llano, TX

Badu Park|300 Legion Dr
Image result for Starry Starry Nights 2018 Nov 23 - Dec 31, 2018 | Llano, TX

Starry Starry Nights in Llano, Texas, starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs until the end of the year. Colorful twinkling lights are strung along the Llano River and through Christmas Park, creating a festive glowing landscape for the whole family to enjoy. There are also animated displays, a lighted Christmas Parade with decorated floats and a Snow Day where children can come have fun in the snow!

further information: Starry Starry Nights

4.

Lights Spectacular Hill Country Style 2018

Nov 23, 2018 - Jan 6, 2019 | Johnson City, TX

Crowds gather at the Blanco County Courthouse every Friday after Thanksgiving to watch the lighting of 100,000 twinkling lights. After the lighting of the courthouse, guests can take pictures with Santa, take a carriage or hay ride through the town or shop for Christmas ornaments from vendors. The event continues through the 1st of January with various events each night

further information: Lights Spectacular

Pictures of the day

Pope Julius II (5 December 1443 – 21 February 1513), born Giuliano della Rovere, was the pope and ruler of the Papal States from 1503 until his death. His papacy was dominated by conflict with the Republic of Venice, which had seized papal territory following the death of Julius's predecessor. This escalated into the War of the League of Cambrai. Julius was also a notable patron of arts and infrastructure. He commissioned the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This oil painting, Portrait of Pope Julius II, was produced in 1511–12 by the Italian painter Raphael. There are several versions, one of which hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and was believed for many years to be the original. However, research in 1970 indicated that a version owned by the National Gallery in London is likely the original.