DIANE'S CORNER ...
Celebrate Tug-of-War Day
One of the simplest of sports, dating back to ownership disputes over food and clothing, the history disappears into legend with the Sun and Moon wrestling over light and darkness.
Most cultures have references to competitions of strength that involve pulling in opposite directions which can be found on stone carvings, in ancient texts and legends. Vikings used animal skins stretched across a fire pit, if any more incentive to pull were required. When tall ships were common on the seas a ‘tug ‘o’ war’ was a common way for sailors to show their prowess with heavy rigging.
Dropped from the Olympic Games in 1920, Tug of War still remains a Worldwide sport and many nations have their own governing bodies. Aside from formal competitions ‘pulls’ feature at many fairs and festivals. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on their favorite side. Join in Tug-of-War Day by organizing your own event, or getting involved in another!
Tug-of-war is a competitive sport that takes place around the world and has a long and ancient history. Two teams hold each end of a large rope and attempt to pull the other towards them in order to win. Contests often take place over bodies of water or muddy areas so that the losing team suffers the indignity of falling in, which is preferable to the Viking version of tug-of-war when teams competed over a pit of fire.
The number of people taking part can vary from just a few to a large crowd, with the world record for a single tug-of-war standing at 1,574 participants. It is not surprising that such a popular event has its own annual day; Tug-of-War Day. Cries of ‘heave’ are heard around the world on a day when numerous matches take place, giving a chance to take part or cheer on this timeless team game.
thanks for some more Chicken in their Hats pics,
Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
Word of the Day
sockdolager
MEANING:
noun:
1. A decisive blow or remark.
2. Something exceptional or outstanding.
1. A decisive blow or remark.
2. Something exceptional or outstanding.
NOTES:
The word sockdolager has an unusual claim to fame in US history. It turned out to be the cue on which John Wilkes Booth fired his shot at the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), in Ford’s Theater. Lincoln was watching the play Our American Cousin and Booth, an actor himself and aware of the dialog, knew the line that brought the loudest burst of laughter from the audience was:
“Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, you sockdologising old man-trap.”
Booth fired his gun at that precise moment to muffle the loud noise of his shot with the guffaws from the audience.
USAGE:
“Well, here’s a sockdolager. A new poll says nearly half of Canadians can’t name a single Canadian author.”
John Robson; Not Reading, It’s the Canadian Way; The Ottawa Citizen (Canada); Jan 2, 2009.
“Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, you sockdologising old man-trap.”
Booth fired his gun at that precise moment to muffle the loud noise of his shot with the guffaws from the audience.
John Robson; Not Reading, It’s the Canadian Way; The Ottawa Citizen (Canada); Jan 2, 2009.
Idiom of the Day
A Dream Come True
A wish or dream that has become reality.
Example Usage: Our vacation to Hawaii was like a dream come true.
This Day in History
1856 - The tintype camera was patented by Professor Hamilton L. Smith.
1864 - The Knights of Pythias was founded in Washington, DC. A dozen members formed what became Lodge No. 1.
1878 - Thomas Alva Edison patented a music player (the phonograph).
1922 - Ed Wynn became the first big-name, vaudeville talent to sign on as a radio talent.
1949 - Bollingen Foundation and Yale University awarded the first Bollingen Prize in poetry ($5,000) to Ezra Pound.
1964 - Simon & Garfunkel completed the original acoustic version of "Sounds of Silence."
1985 - William Schroeder became the first artificial-heart patient to leave the confines of the hospital.
1985 - Cherry Coke was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company.
1987 - A controversial, anti-smoking public service announcement aired for the first time on television. Yul Brynner filmed the ad shortly before dying of lung cancer. Brynner made it clear in the ad that he would have died from cigarette smoking before ad aired.
1999 - Dennis Franz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2001 - The museum at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center was dedicated.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, February 19
You are self-reliant, practical, and independent. Your artistic talents are many. Private time is especially important to you, as you need it to recharge and to feel fresh once again. Your moral views are on the traditional side, and you set high standards for yourself. You are emotional and at times moody, and your personal charm and charisma is great. Your greatest rewards and success come from your responsibility and hard work. Famous people born today:
1473 Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish mathematician and astronomer who theorized that planets revolve around the sun (Heliocentric theory),(d. 1543)
1856 - The tintype camera was patented by Professor Hamilton L. Smith.
1949 - Bollingen Foundation and Yale University awarded the first Bollingen Prize in poetry ($5,000) to Ezra Pound.
1985 - William Schroeder became the first artificial-heart patient to leave the confines of the hospital.
1985 - Cherry Coke was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company.
1987 - A controversial, anti-smoking public service announcement aired for the first time on television. Yul Brynner filmed the ad shortly before dying of lung cancer. Brynner made it clear in the ad that he would have died from cigarette smoking before ad aired.
1999 - Dennis Franz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2001 - The museum at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center was dedicated.
DAILY SQU-EEK
1924 Lee Marvin, American actor (Paint Your Wagon, Cat Ballou), born in NYC, New York (d. 1987)
1959 Roger Goodell, American NFL Commissioner, born in Jamestown, New York
1963 Seal [Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel], English singer-songwriter (Killer, Crazy, Kiss by a Rose), born in London
READERS INFO
1.
You dont want to miss what Corner reader Sally is up to!
2.1473 -
On February 19th, Nicolaus Copernicus is born in Torun, a city in north-central Poland on the Vistula River. The father of modern astronomy, he was the first modern European scientist to propose that Earth and other planets revolve around the sun.
The monument to Nicolaus Copernicus in Warsaw.
2.
1922 -
Ed Wynn became the first big-name, vaudeville talent to sign on as a radio talent.
Ed Wynn on stage (second from left) as “The Fire Chief,” ca. 1935.
3.
On February 19th, Nicolaus Copernicus is born in Torun, a city in north-central Poland on the Vistula River. The father of modern astronomy, he was the first modern European scientist to propose that Earth and other planets revolve around the sun.
The monument to Nicolaus Copernicus in Warsaw.
Ed Wynn became the first big-name, vaudeville talent to sign on as a radio talent.
Ed Wynn on stage (second from left) as “The Fire Chief,” ca. 1935.
3.
Emerald City Comicon 2019
Mar 14 - 17, 2019 | Seattle, WA
Washington State Convention Center|800 Convention Pl
Held in downtown Seattle, Emerald City Comicon is the crown jewel of comic book and pop culture conventions in the Pacific Northwest. The three-day extravaganza features dozens of comic book writers, artists and novelists taking photographs with fans and signing copies of their latest and greatest works. Celebrity writers, directors and actors from the small, silver and streaming screens hold Q&A sessions, showcase trailers for upcoming cinematic works and in some cases, break news on their involvement with sequels and new projects. From indie RPG games to social deduction games and everything in between, the gaming community can revel in the dozens of group play and tournament-style events. A kids area, character-filled burlesque performances and dance parties are among the additional attractions. At ECCC cosplay is optional, but letting your geek flag fly is mandatory. Excelsior!
further information: Emerald City Comic Con – March 14 – 17, 2019 - Emerald City Comic Con
4.
4.
Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival 2019
Mar 8 - 9, 2019 | Redlands, CA
University of Redlands|1200 E Colton Ave, Redlands
The Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival in Redlands, California, is a celebration of literacy that brings together students, parents and educators with editors, authors and illustrators of kids' books. The two-day event features readings, lectures and Q&A sessions with nationally recognized, best-selling writers and industry professionals.
further information: Children's Literature Festival 2019
Ida Husted Harper (February 18, 1851 – March 14, 1931) was an American author, journalist, columnist, and suffragist. She was the chosen biographer of Susan B. Anthony, with whom she also worked on the six-volume History of Woman Suffrage. Harper served as secretary of the Indiana chapter of the National Woman Suffrage Association, became a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement in the U.S., and wrote columns on women's issues for numerous newspapers across the United States. She traveled extensively, delivered lectures in support of women’s rights, handled press relations for a women's suffrage amendment in California, headed the National American Woman Suffrage Association's national press bureau in New York City, and chaired the press committee of the International Council of Women.
Fox Glance
During a regular trip through the forest, of which my actual intent was landscapes, I encountered this stunning little Red Fox. The moment came as the light broke through the clouds and trees, he turned with a glance of curiosity and gave me the unusual composition I was after. A scene I'll never be lucky enough to see again in my life, so was over the moon I'd managed to capture the moment. Location: Thetford Forest, England.
knit
thanks, Grace
knit
thanks, Anna
knit
PAIR OF PENGUINS
https://www.loveknitting.com/us/pair-of-penguins-knitting-pattern-by-amanda-berry
knit
Crochet Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
MESSENGER BAG
crochet
thanks, Sasha
crochet
thanks, Helen
crochet
crochet
crochet
RECIPE
thanks, Jane
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Nora
SWEETS
thanks, Shelley
SALTED CARAMEL COOKIES
SALTED CARAMEL COOKIES
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
Repurposed Coffee Beans
This is not only practical, it also doubles as an air freshener! Fill up a small vase or glass jar with things like coffee beans, dried beans, marbles, popcorn kernels, rice, or mini crystals, and use it to store all of your makeup brushes. This is also a fantastic idea for table centerpieces. Simply throw a tea light or battery operated candle in there.
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts
Create a Snow Globe
PUZZLE
| actor addition adore alarm amass bass booth brand brook | chase close collect conservative cover enjoy flank force | house leer meter military misery order overseas | panic pause pest pluck rare sees source spend | star steed survey thorn throw track traffic vile |
SUDOKU ... medium
solution:
QUOTE
thanks, Ellie
ADELE VARCOE
CLEVER
EYE OPENER
WHY DO WE KNOCK ON WOOD?
You’ve probably said this phrase and performed this action countless times, without the slightest clue as to the meaning behind it. So why do we feel compelled to “knock on wood” as an insurance policy against bad luck?
Unfortunately, nobody knows for sure and while you’ll often read detailed accounts of how the saying comes from centuries old practices by various peoples (depending on the origin theory you’re reading), oddly enough the expression itself only popped up a little over a hundred years ago, first documented in 1905, with the British equivalent “touch wood,” popping up in 1899.
As for the various theories of how the expression came to be, these include that most Pagan cultures in the ancient world – from Ireland to India – believed that trees were inhabited by nature spirits, and often incorporated them into their rituals and worship. Thus, the theory goes that it was thought that one could simply knock on the bark of a tree to invoke the aid of the benevolent nature spirit residing within. The Irish also supposedly believed this was how you thanked the little people, or leprechauns, for any good luck you’ve been experiencing.
So over time, knocking on the tree may have become a way of showing gratitude for a run of particularly good luck, and the acknowledgement that the nature spirits deserve thanks for blessings received, in case they got miffed and caused your luck to change from good to bad. Mortals provoking the ire of the gods is never a good idea, so respect is crucial to avoiding serious backlash – and bad luck.
Yet another theory gives credit to Christians, who elevated twisting Pagan tradition for their own purposes to an art form. In this theory, the wood in question is the cross that Christ was crucified on. Knocking on the wood, more or less then invokes Christ’s protection.
There’s also a Jewish version of “knock on wood” origin that contends the practice originated in the 1490s during the Spanish Inquisition under the infamous Torquemada. Jews were running for their lives at the time, and as synagogues and temples were built from wood, coded knocks were devised so Jews could gain entry. This resulted in many lives being saved, so “knocking on wood” became synonymous with good luck according to this origin theory.
All that said, again, despite the supposedly ancient origin of knocking on wood for luck, the earliest documented references of the expression “knock on wood” and “touch wood” date back only a little over a century ago. If we go a little further back, to the early 1800s we find a series of children’s chasing games, including “Tiggy-touch-wood,” where one of the rules state that you cannot be tagged if you “touch wood.”
This was an extremely popular game at the time, and could very well be how the British equivalent of”knock on wood,” “touch wood,” came about; that may have in turn given rise to “knock on wood” across the pond. Or perhaps not, but at least this particular “touch wood” origin theory seems plausible enough with a slightly more direct connection to the phrase over any ancient spiritual origin theories. Given the two expressions mean pretty much the same thing and first popped up around the same time, there’s bound to be tangible connection. Unfortunately, just what that connection is and how, for certain, these expressions came to be has been lost to history.
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