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Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia

Sometimes it’s the smallest act that makes the biggest impact, something as simple as saying please or thank you can turn a day around, and make a life seem that much better. Random Acts of Kindness Day encourages you to get out there and be the light you want to see in the world.

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History of Random Acts Of Kindness Day

Random Acts Of Kindness Day was first created in Denver, Colorado in 1995, and nine years later it spread to New Zealand in 2004. Random Acts of Kindness Day can include just about anything, including something as simple a taking a tray of muffins to work. The idea behind this holiday is to make the world a better place by spreading a little light around. Lift someone up with your words, compliment them on their appearance, all these things can help to really turn around someone who’s having a bad day.

Additionally, research has shown that the very act of doing something for someone else gives us a chemical high, a higher one, in fact, than if something had been done for us. There was a wise man who once shared a concept “Do not think of those who are in need, such as panhandlers, as seeking charity. They are, instead, providing a service. A service that allows you to get your fix of feel good while simultaneously paying someone for providing it.” It may be a bit more open-minded than some people are ready for, but it certainly helps bring things into light!

Swedish embroidery artist Ulla-Stina Wikander was born 1957 in Kungälv. She is currently living in Stockholm/Kullavik, Sweden and has been working as an artist since 1986. She uses household appliances and cooking tools as the base to her cross-stitched sculptures, bestowing outdated objects with a new life. Most of the items come from the 70s where the cross-stitch designs come from the 62-year-old artist’s vast collection, allowing Wikander to give a new context to each blow-dryer, rolling pin, and typewriter she covers.

Word of the Day

milieu

noun [mil-yoo, meel-]

surroundings, especially of a social or cultural nature: a snobbish milieu.

How is milieu used?

... he grew up in Dagenham, on the eastern outskirts of London, a milieu that he has recalled as “gray and grimy.”PATRICK RADDEN KEEFE, "HOW MARK BURNETT RESURRECTED DONALD TRUMP AS AN ICON OF AMERICAN SUCCESS," THE NEW YORKER, JANUARY 7, 2019

Idiom of the Day

A Blessing in Disguise

When some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive; A good thing that you do not recognize at first as being good.

Example Usage: "The hotel is full tonight; we will need to find a new place to stay." Answer: "Maybe it is just a blessing in disguise; I've been wanting to try a new place anyway."

Comment: Some people believe that when good things happen to us they are "blessings" (gifts from God), and that we do not always recognize them for what they are at first.

This Day in History

1801 - The U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Jefferson was elected president and Burr became vice president.

1817 - The first gas lit streetlights appeared on the streets of Baltimore, MD.

1876 - Julius Wolff was credited with being the first to can sardines.

1878 - In San Francisco, CA, the first large city telephone exchange opened. It had only 18 phones.

1904 - The opera "Madam Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini had its world premiere at La Scala in Milan.

1924 - Swimmer Johnny Weissmuller set a world record in the 100-yard freestyle. He did it with a time of 57-2/5 seconds in Miami, FL.

1933 - Blondie Boopadoop married Dagwood Bumstead three years after Chic Young’s popular strip first debuted.

1934 - The first high school automobile driver’s education course was introduced in State College, PA.

1965 - Comedian Joan Rivers made her first guest appearances on " The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson" on NBC-TV.

1966 - Brian Wilson began recording the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations."

1968 - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Springfield, MA.

1976 - Bette Midler was awarded the "Woman of the Year" award from Harvard's University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical Society.

1996 - World chess champion Garry Kasparov beat the IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue" in Philadelphia, PA.

2002 - It was reported that George Michael's in Hamstead was burglarized. The theft included his $114,000 Aston Martin sports car and $140,000 in paintings, jewelry and clothing.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, February 17

You are a responsible, success-oriented, and driven person who rises to most any challenge that comes your way. Your staying power is tremendous, and others are generally in awe of your ability to overcome obstacles. Your professional life is extremely important to you. You need to be careful that your worldly ambitions don't take over your life. Others admire you for your cool and collected approach to the world, and although you enjoy this reputation, it can come at a price--you don't always open your heart to others and might feel alone even if you are surrounded by people. Famous people born today:

1936 Jim Brown, American NFL Running Back(Cleveland Browns), born in St. Simons, Georgia

1955 Mo Yan, Chinese novelist and nobel laureate (Red Sorghum Clan, The Republic of Wine), born in Gaomi, Shandong, China

1963 Michael Jordan, American NBAguard/forward (Chicago Bulls) and sports superstar, born in Chicago, Illinois

1981 Paris Hilton, American actress and heiress (The Simple Life), born in NYC, New York

1991 Ed Sheeran, English singer-songwriter(Shape of You, Thinking Out Loud), born in Halifax, England

READERS INFO

1.1801 -

On this day, the U.S. House of Representatives
broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson (above)
and Aaron Burr (below). Jefferson was elected president
and Burr became vice president.

2.

1996 -

World chess champion Garry Kasparov beat the IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue" in Philadelphia, PA. on this day.

3.

Ottawa Winterlude 2019

Feb 1 - 18, 2019 | Ottawa, ON

Confederation Park and Other Locations in Ottawa|Laurier Ave W & Elgin St

Image result for Ottawa Winterlude 2019 Feb 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | Ottawa, ON

This year, you’ll find your iconic festival favourites, as well as new experiences and locations. As always, you’ll be able to marvel at the sculptures created during the International Ice Carving Competition, skate on the world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway, and go crazy at Snowflake Kingdom. But many more indoor and outdoor activities await, all highlighting Canada’s cultural, artistic and culinary diversity!

further information: Winterlude 2019

4.

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo 2019

Feb 7 - 24, 2019 | San Antonio, TX

Freeman Coliseum Grounds & AT&T Center|3201 E Houston St

Image result for San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo 2019 Feb 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is an all ages event that has a slew of food, shopping and entertainment. Started in 1949, this celebration puts emphasis on agriculture and education among Texas youth. Horse and livestock shows are available alongside the rodeo portion of the event. Entertainment includes live music, a carnival and food sampling.

further information: Home | San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

SUNDAY'S INTERESTING FACTS

PATTERN BOOK SUNDAY

Free Knit Shawls Pattern eBook

Pictures of the day

Tennis player Annika Beck (born 16 February 1994 in Giessen, Germany) playing a shot during the 2015 Wimbledon qualifying tournament. She turned professional in 2009 and retired in 2018. During her career she won two singles titles and one doubles title on the WTA Tour, including the 2014 Luxembourg Open, as well as seven singles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.

Revealing an Opal for the First Time is Kind of Magical