World Autism Awareness Day - April 2, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day was established on December 18, 2007 by the United Nations. The General Assembly put together resolution 62/139, which consisted of four major elements. The participation of all UN organization and its member states, a dedication to raising awareness of Autism in the general community, and a standing request to the UN Secretary-General to move forth this message to all it the UN member states.

report this ad

Autism affects approximately 1 out of every 150 children around the world. It is a neural development disorder that affects their ability to socialize normally by impacting their abilities to utilize verbal and non-verbal communication. Since 2012, there has been a 30% increase in the amount of children being affected with autism, and World Autism Awareness Day helps to bring awareness to this growing health concern.

Autism first appears very early on, sometimes manifesting as early as infancy, in other times waiting until later in childhood. The disease progresses steadily without remission, its first symptoms generally appearing around six-months, and being firmly in place by age two or three. Rather than having one distinguishing characteristic, Autism is indicated by the coming together of three separate symptoms. The triad includes difficulty socializing, problems in communication, and a limited number of interests combined with repetitive behavior such as can-stacking.

Autism is no longer classified as a single disorder, but rather an entire spectrum ranging in severity. Autism is the core of all of these syndromes, with its features being prevalent to varying degrees throughout, and includes such disorders such as Rett Syndrome and Childhood disintegrative disorder. One of the most commonly known disorders on the list, outside of Autism itself, is Asperger’s. Asperger Syndrome is signified by the presence of Autism symptoms with no impairment of language development.

Asperger Syndrome often leads to problems with social interaction with their peers. Common body language queues that are picked up on by those not on the Autistic Spectrum are often lost on those who suffer from AS. It is not uncommon among the Asperger community to hear them speak of their frustrations with non-Asperger people, as huge chunks of the conversation just seem utterly lost on them. Things such as tone, context, and sarcasm have to be considered very carefully, as they are not often native to those with AS, and their frustration with communication often stems from this and other social queues.

However, much like anyone on the Autistic spectrum, they will present with areas of intelligence that are much stronger than that of others. These areas tend to be in the reading, language, music, or spatial skills, occasionally manifesting to such a degree that they may fall into the “gifted” range in those areas. This seems to be counterbalanced by significant delays in other areas of development.

Sam Barsky is an American artist and internet celebrity. He is known for knitting sweaters of holiday themes and iconic landmarks (then taking selfies in front of those landmarks while wearing them). His sweaters are knitted without a pattern free-handing them as he goes along. His sweaters have been recognized as art, having been displayed in numerous galleries museums. Though he gets lots of requests, Barsky does not sell his sweaters because he says it is impossible to be a "human sweater mill.

Word of the Day

scow

Model of scow schooner Alma

MEANING:

noun: A flat-bottomed boat with square ends.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Dutch schouw (ferryboat). Earliest documented use: 1524.

USAGE:

“Small waves lapped over the scow edge.”
Jon Keller; Of Sea and Cloud; Tyrus Books; 2014. 

Idiom of the Day

Fast track something -

Meaning - Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result.

Example - In view of the seriousness of the crime, the civil society is pressing up on a fast track decision from the court.

This Day in History

1513 - Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted Florida. The next day he went ashore. 

1872 - G.B. Brayton received a patent for the gas-powered streetcar. 

1877 - The first Egg Roll was held on the grounds of the White House in Washington, DC. 

1889 - Charles Hall patented aluminum. 

1902 - The first motion picture theatre opened in Los Angeles with the name Electric Theatre. 

1905 - The Simplon rail tunnel officially opened. The tunnel went under the Alps and linked Switzerland and Italy. 

1932 - A $50,000 ransom was paid for the infant son of Charles and Anna Lindbergh. He child was not returned and was found dead the next month. 

1935 - Sir Watson-Watt was granted a patent for RADAR. 

1951 - U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower assumed command of all allied forces in the Western Mediterranean area and Europe. 


1956 - "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns" debuted on CBS-TV. 


1958 - The National Advisory Council on Aeronautics was renamed NASA. 

1972 - Burt Reynolds appeared nude in "Cosmopolitan" magazine. 

1984 - John Thompson became the first black coach to lead his team to the NCAA college basketball championship. 

1992 - Mob boss John Gotti was convicted in New York of murder and racketeering. He was later sentenced to life in prison. 


1996 - Lech Walesa resumed his old job as an electrician at the Gdansk shipyard. He was the former Solidarity union leader who became Poland's first post-war democratic president. 

1997 - Joni Mitchell was reunited with Kilauren Gibb. Gibb was the daughter that Mitchell had given up for adoption 32 years before. 


2014 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that limits on the total amount of money individuals can give political candidates and political action committees were unconstitutional. 



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, April 2

Security and stability are exceptionally important to you, but that doesn't mean you don't take any risks--they are simply calculated ones. You are highly intuitive and positive, and you can articulate yourself well. Often, partnerships bring the most success into your life. However, you often take on more responsibility than others. You are never pretentious, answering to your own inner voice and inspiration. Famous people born today: 

742 Charlemagne, 1st Holy Roman emperor (800-14), born in Liège, Frankish Kingdom (d. 814)

1725 Giacomo Casanova, Italian writer, adventurer and famous lover, born in Venice, Italy (d. 1798)

1805 Hans Christian Andersen, Danish author of 150 fairy tales (The Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen), born in Odense, Denmark (d. 1875)

1875 Walter Chrysler, American founder of car company Chrysler, born in Wamego, Kansas (d. 1940)

1914 Alec Guinness, British actor (The Ladykillers, The Bridge on the River Kwai), born in London, England (d. 2000)

1939 Marvin Gaye, American singer (Sexual Healing), born in Washington, D.C. (d. 1984)

1965 Rodney King, African American motorist beaten by LA cops, born in Sacramento, California (d. 2012)

READERS INFO

1.

Mission Creek Festival 2019

Apr 2 - 7, 2019 | Iowa City, IA

The Englert Theatre & Other Locations in Iowa City|221 E Washington St

One week of art is what the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City, Iowa, promises its guests for its annual spring event. It’s not many festivals that would put radio personalities on the same poster as hip indie music artists, but that’s the atmosphere at this festival which features literature, film, music, food and many more attractions. This festival was founded to promote the arts in the eastern part of Iowa state, and its many events are held throughout the town in locations like retail stores, restaurants, theaters, bookstores and many other unique venues. Everything is set up to be walkable, and some events are individually ticketed, while many are free. This festival’s history reaches back decades to an event in San Francisco that was brought to Iowa in 2006, taking advantage of the many venues located near each other in the city’s downtown.

further information: Mission Creek Festival 2019

2.

Downtown Visalia Wine & Cheese Walk 2019

Apr 5, 2019  | Visalia, CA 

Cheese and wine are vague terms that will make people drop to their knees with their mouths open anyway. The Wine & Cheese Walk in Downtown Visalia knows you’re that easy, so it’s going to spoil you with artisan cheeses that are expertly paired with delectable wines from 30 different locations. Just to make sure they’ve really hooked you, they’re pulling out all the stops with scrumptious appetizers and chocolates to go with that orgasmic pairing.

further information: Downtown Visalia Wine Walk - Downtown Visalia

3.

Hawaii Arts & Crafts Food Festival 2019

Apr 24 - 27, 2019 | Hilo, HI

Nani Mau Gardens|421 Makalika St

The annual Hawaii Arts & Crafts Food Festival in Hilo is a cultural celebration in the Aloha State that showcases the artistry and culinary creations of the locals. The three-day event features over 100 artisans and crafters displaying their unique works, many of which are a nod to Hawaiian heritage. Area chefs and popular haunts serve up their signature dishes, and contemporary and traditional Hawaiian musical acts provide a live soundtrack for the festivities.

further information: Hawaii Arts , Crafts And Food Festival 2019



Pictures of the day

 Roundabout, Sunday 20 June.
A diagram of movement within a roundabout in a country where traffic drives on the left. A roundabout is a type of road junction, or traffic calming device, at which traffic streams circularly around a central island after first yielding to the circulating traffic. Unlike with traffic circles, vehicles on a roundabout have priority over the entering vehicle, parking is not allowed and pedestrians are usually prohibited from the central island.


Quiet morning 

after raining for whole night in Xingping, Yangshuo.

knit, Easter

Five Little Bunnies
knit
thanks, Ivy

Ice Cream Sundae Hat pattern by Natasha Price
knit
thanks, Wendy

Two Knock-Out Socks You Can Knit
knit

Big Comfy Sweater pattern by Lorna Miser
knit, 9 - 24 mths

Kathleen Dress


Knit Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Knitted Ribbed (Welted) Toe Baby Booties

crochet
thanks, Sasha

Sunny Days Beach Bag pattern by Annaboo's House

crochet

Ruffle Top

crochet

Springtime Bolero Crochet Pattern

crochet



crochet, Easter
thanks, Doris

myrosevalley

EASTER EGG COZY TUTORIAL

Material: 
4ply or 5ply cotton, work with double strands. 
40-50 g base color (Rosa 00246)
20-25 g second color (Jade 00253)
10-15 g edge color (Sonne 00208)
5mm hook
Scissors
Darning needle

How to:
Work a long strip which will be folded in half lengthwise. Sew pockets for the eggs, either by hand with a darning needle or on a machine, or with a crochet hook doing slip stitches. 

Gauge and measurements: 
Every pocket should measure about 6-7 cm/≈ 2,5 inches wide to fit a medium sized egg. I calculated 7 trebles (UK)/double crochet (US) between seams. Make a swatch to get the right measurement before starting on your foundation chain. 

Calculation:
The calculation I use for my foundation chain is: 
7 chains x 13 eggs and then I multiply this by 2 as I am folding the strip in half = 182 chains. Then I add another 3 chains for turning, a total of 185 chains. (7 x 13 x 2 + 3 = 185). I was winging it and I think it ended up slightly to long. Next time I will adjust it to fit only 10 eggs, a total of 143 chains (7 x 10 x 2 + 3 = 143).

FOUNDATION: 
To fit 13 eggs, I made 185 chains for my foundation chain. 
To fit 10 eggs, make a foundation chain of 143 chains. 

ROW 1:
Make a treble (UK)/double crochet (US) in the fourth chain from your hook and in every stitch until end of row. Chain 3 and turn your work.

ROW 2:
Skip stitch at the base of your 3 chains made and make treble (UK)/double crochet (US) in the next stitch and in every stitch until end of row. Cut yarn and fasten off. 

ROW 3:
Join new yarn, chain 2 (counts as first half treble (UK)/half double crochet (US), make half treble (UK)/half double crochet (US) in every stitch until end of row. Cut yarn and fasten off. 

ROW 4: 
Join new yarn, chain 2 (counts as first double crochet (UK)/single crochet (US) and 1 chain). Make a double crochet (UK)/single crochet (US) followed by 1 chain in every stitch until end of row. Cut yarn and fasten off. 

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

Stupid Easy 3 Ingredient Nacho Dip Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Anna

Crockpot Cheesy Tortellini Recipe! {Easy 5 Ingredients}

SWEETS

thanks, Heide

Maple Pudding

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS ... Easter sewing

thanks, Ellie

DIY Bunny Pillow

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Easter

thanks, Renee

Cute Bunny Nose Masks

PUZZLE

Fish Four Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

bland blast chain chrome could credit

delta derange disturb dress fewer giant horse

lover metal mockingbird petals power pretend quite

reality really rhyme sound squeak staid still story

television think thread today were worth

SUDOKU ... very hard

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent











CLEVER

Hello, my name is Pippi! You?

You are Pippi Longstocking.

Like Pippi Longstocking—hero of books by Astrid Lindgren, plus movies and TV shows—you are an unpredictable whirlwind of energy. You’ve never met an animal you didn’t like, and you’ll stand up for anyone (or any critter) that needs help.

What Fictional Hero Are You?

EYE OPENER

What 'Project Runway' Can Teach Us About the Creative Process