DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate ASL Day

There are many ways to communicate, and thousands of languages, each with their own various dialects. However, when considering the languages of the world many people forget those that don’t use the voice at all. Throughout the world there are those who are not born with the gift of verbal speech, and have had to find another way to communicate. The written word is one such method, but away from a computer it’s clumsy for casual conversation, and thus was born languages that include the use of hand signs to express meaning and share ideas. Appropriately enough, they’re known as Sign Languages, and American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the most prominent forms in the world.

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History of ASL Day

ASL has an incredibly long history, given the age of the country in which it was born. In 1815 a school for the deaf was established with the intent of creating a cohesive language for those who could not use verbal speech. It was a remarkable leap forward for the time, and through the combination of several extant sign languages, Native American signals, French Sign Language, and even one for that was specifically created in Martha’s Vineyard (Known appropriately enough as Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language) the American Sign Language (ASL) was born.

Since it’s creation ASL has expanded throughout the world, being used in the majority of Canada, all throughout America, and has even expanded to areas like Central Africa, West Africa, and even Southeast Asia. Given it’s origin, it shares many commonalities with French Sign Language, and has even been considered a creole of that language.

Not sure what a creole is? Neither were we! It’s basically a language formed from two other languages, that is in turn passed on to another generation. Whatever it’s technical designation, ASL has certainly opened the doors of communication for many people with various speech impairments that prevent them from using verbal speech. Even more interesting is that ASL has been being taught as a second language in many places in the word, creating a scenario where even where the two involved may not share a spoken language, they’re able to communicate through sign. How amazing is that?

thanks all the pics, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Word of the Day

bibliotaph or bibliotaphe

MEANING:

noun: One who hoards books.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek biblio- (book) + taphos (tomb), which also gave us cenotaph Earliest documented use: 1823.

USAGE:

“A more pertinent example of the morbid bibliotaph is recorded by Blades; this was the late Sir Thomas Phillipps, of Middle Hill, who acquired bibliographical treasures simply to bury them. He bought books by the library, crammed his mansion with them, and never even saw what he had bought.”
Holbrook Jackson; The Anatomy of Bibliomania; University of Illinois Press; 2001.

Idiom of the Day

Work like a charm -

Meaning - Works very well or has the desired effect.

Example - I had cloves from my sore throat and they worked like a charm.

This Day in History

1817 - The first American school for the deaf was opened in Hartford, CT.

1850 - The city of San Francisco was incorporated.

1865 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln died from injuries inflicted by John Wilkes Booth.

1871 - "Wild Bill" Hickok became the marshal of Abilene, Kansas.

1923 - Insulin became generally available for people suffering with diabetes.

1934 - In the comic strip "Blondie," Dagwood and Blondie Bumstead welcomed a baby boy, Alexander. The child would be nicknamed, Baby Dumpling.

1945 - During World War II, British and Canadian troops liberated the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen.

1952 - The first B-52 prototype was tested in the air.

1956 - The worlds’ first, all-color TV station was dedicated. It was WNBQ-TV in Chicago and is now WMAQ-TV.

1983 - In Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, the Tokyo Disneyland themepark opened.

1987 - In Northhampton, MA, Amy Carter, Abbie Hoffman and 13 others were acquitted on civil disobedience charges related with a CIA protest.

1989 - Students in Beijing launched a series of pro democracy protests upon the death of former Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang. The protests led to the Tienanmen Square massacre.

1996 - In San Francisco, CA, Jerry Garcia's remaining ashes were scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge. A small portion of his ashes had been scattered in the Ganges River in India on April 4th.

1997 - Christopher Reeve received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2010 - In Prospect Harbor, ME, the Stinson Seafood plant stopped sardine processing after 135 years in operation.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, April 15:

You always seek to be fair with others, trying to find a balance. As security-minded as you are, however, you tend to follow your heart in love rather than to listen to your voice of reason, and there are times when you can be extremely impulsive. Your intelligence tends to come more from your perceptiveness and innate understanding of the world around you than through studies. Famous people born today:

1452 Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, scientist and visionary, born in Vinci, Florence, Italy (d. 1519)

1469 Guru Nanak, Founder of the religion of Sikhism and the 1st Sikh Guru, born in Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi, Punjab, Pakistan (d. 1539)

1707 Leonhard Euler, Swiss mathematician(Euler's Constant), born in Basel, Switzerland (d. 1783)

1875 James J. Jeffries, American heavyweight boxer, born in Carroll, Ohio (d. 1953)

1933 Elizabeth Montgomery, US actress(Samantha/Serena-Bewitched), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 1993)

1943 Robert Lefkowitz, American physician (Nobel Prize for Chemistry), born in NYC, New York

1959 Emma Thompson, British actress (Henry V, Howards End, Oscar 1992), born in London, England

1960 Philippe of Belgium, King of the Belgians (2013-), born in Brussels, Belgium

1982 Seth Rogen, Canadian actor and writer (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, The Interview), born in Vancouver, British Columbia

1990 Emma Watson, English actress (Hermione Granger-Harry Potter Series), born in Paris, France

1997 Maisie Williams, English actress (Game of Thrones), born in Bristol

READERS INFO

1.

Sacramento Food Film Festival 2019

Apr 10-17, 2019 | Sacramento, CA

Food Literacy Center|2973 3rd Ave

The Sacramento Food Film Festival entertains and educates the public about food through film and art. The festival screens documentary films covering a broad array of topics related to food, in addition to other visual artwork focused on food. Media at the festival explore the ecological, economic and nutritional aspects of food while suggesting the possibilities of positive change. Both the subject matter and the proceeds of this event contribute to food literacy.

further information: Food Film Festival 2019

2.

Galveston County Fair & Rodeo 2019

Apr 17 - 25, 2019 Dates | Hitchcock, TX

Galveston County Fairgrounds|10 Jack Brooks Rd

The Galveston County Fair & Rodeo takes place every year in April and provides a whole host of fun activities for the whole family. In addition to showcasing Texas’ livestock and agriculture industries, the festival offers live entertainment, contests, cook-offs, carnival rides, a talent show and of course, rodeos. Delicious local food, barbecue and traditional midway fare are available throughout the grounds, and a recent addition features Texas wines and offers tastings to anyone of age.

further information: Galveston County Fair & Rodeo

3.

Draft House Bar & Grill Crawfish Boil & Block Party 2019

Apr 30, 2019 | Little Elm, TX

Draft House Bar & Grill|2700 E Eldorado Pkwy

The Draft House Bar & Grill has trapped thousands of these little critters to support your gluttonous eating habits. Boiled to perfection, you’ll wolf down pounds of crawfish and other Louisiana favorites before you spill into the streets for a ridiculously fun block party. There’s freshly hopped beer to sample and tons of people wearing dry clothing that need to get soaked in the dunk tank.

further information: Draft House Bar and Grill to host block party April 30

Pictures of the day

A map of the the French city of Brest, dated to around 1700. Located in the Finistère department of Brittany, Brest lies in a sheltered bay close to the western extremity of metropolitan France. Originally named Bresta, possibly derived from a Celtic word meaning hill, the city came under the rule of the duke of Brittany in 1240. From 1342 to 1397 the city was under English rule, and became part of France in 1491 when a marriage unified Brittany with the French crown. Cardinal Richelieu designated the city a major naval base in 1631, a status it retains today. The city centre was mostly rebuilt after heavy Allied bombing during World War II.

Every US Highway Drawn in the Style of a Transit Map

Every US Highway Drawn in the Style of a Transit Map

Graphic designer Cameron Booth draws every current and signed Interstate Highway and U.S. Highway in the contiguous 48 states in the style of a transit map.

Port-la-Nouvelle, France
amazing, photographs

Port and lighthouse overnight storm with lightning.

knit, Easter
thanks, Vicky

Lola Bunny pattern by Beth Skwarecki
knit, Passover
thanks, Rose

As Promised the Kippah Pattern

knit

School of Fish Scrubbies

knit

Sloper as a linen V-neck

knit

Lion Puppet

Crochet Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Easter

Set of Scrunchies

crochet, Easter
thanks, Gabby
Crochet Mini Bunny Free Pattern

Mini Bunny

crochet, Passover
thanks, Doris
Crocheted Yarmulkes | Purl Soho

Crocheted Yarmulkes
crochet

Top with Striped Yoke

crochet

8" Tapestry Daffodil Afghan Square

crochet

Summer Shawl Crochet Pattern

Nariño, Colombia
amazing, photographs

Las Lajas Sanctuary church

RECIPE ... Passover vegetarian
Power Greens Matzah Ball Soup

Image result for Power Greens Matzo Ball Soup

The rich homemade broth and with light and fluffy matzo balls and rounds of carrots, celery, and parsnips. Its magical powers are unparalleled. Matzo ball soup has the ability to cure most ailments.

What’s great about this soup is that you can pretty much throw in any greens you have in your fridge: broccoli, kale, Swiss chard. Throw it in there! It’s vegetarian friendly, and can be made ahead of time. In fact. The flavors just intensify as the days go on. Make sure to store the matzah balls separately, unless you want green balls. Which isn’t totally a bad thing.

Ingredients

For matzah balls:
3 eggs
½ cup vegetable stock
1 cup matzah meal
¼ cup grated onion
2 Tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

For soup:
4 Tbsp butter (can use margarine, but butter preferred)
1 medium white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium Russet potato (about 1 pound), washed peeled and small diced
½ bunch asparagus tops and stems, chopped
1 cup spinach, rough chopped
1 cup arugula
¼ bunch parsley, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
Juice from ½ lemon
1 tsp ground cumin
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Directions

To make matzah balls, separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, stock, matzah meal, onion, olive oil, salt and pepper. Do not over mix, this leads to dense balls. The a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand or stand mixer until you have stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the matzah mixture until just combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.

When ready to make soup, heat a large pot of water to a simmer. Shape the matzah mixture into 12-15 1-inch balls. Place balls into water and simmer for 30 minutes or until matzah balls are cooked. Check doneness by cutting one ball in half. The color should be uniform all the way through.

In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 7-8 minutes until onion is cooked though and translucent. If onion starts to brown, turn heat down. Then add garlic and cook for one more minute.

Then add the potatoes, asparagus, spinach, arugula, parsley and broth and turn heat back up to medium. Simmer covered for about 10-15 minutes until asparagus and potatoes are tender. Don’t overcook or your vegetables will turn pea green.

Turn off heat, and blend soup in a blender or with an immersion blender. Add additional broth if your soup is very thick.

Season with lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper to taste. Serve with matzah balls.