DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate Best Friends Day

Life wouldn’t be the same without best friends. They’re the friends that can be counted on to be there at a moment’s notice. The ones who love, laugh, support, and cherish – in both good and bad times.

Friends can be celebrated on any day of the year, but what better day than Best Friends Day?

The day is largely unofficial, with no clear clue as to its origins, but that doesn’t stop the millions who mark the day each year from enjoying their best friends. Celebrations can be as low key or as flamboyant as desired. A picnic in the park, a get together over coffee, or a nice meal in a favorite restaurant are popular ways to celebrate a close friendship.

Should distance keep best friends apart, it’s enough to pick up the phone to wish that special person a very happy Best Friends Day.

thanks for the pics and jokes, Helen

Word of the Day

ossify

MEANING:

verb tr., intr.:
1. To convert or change into bone.
2. To make or become rigid in thinking, attitudes, habits, etc.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin os (bone). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ost- (bone), which also gave us ossuary and ostracize. Earliest documented use: 1670.

USAGE:

“Mikhail Ugarov and Elena Gremina, playwrights who were husband and wife, were lamenting that Russian theater had grown ossified and distant from society’s problems.”
Sophia Kishkovsky; Moscow Theater Rebels, Husband and Wife, Are Dead; The New York Times; Jun 8, 2018.

Idiom of the Day

Lump in your throat -

Meaning - Refers to a tight feeling in your throat because of an emotion like sadness or gratitude.

Example - After all the hardships, I saw my son winning a gold medal today - I had a lump in my throat.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

"DO YOU BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH?" THE BOSS ASKED ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES.
"YES, SIR," THE NEW EMPLOYEE REPLIED.
"WELL, THEN, THAT MAKES EVERYTHING JUST FINE," THE BOSS WENT ON. "AFTER YOU LEFT EARLY YESTERDAY TO GO TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL, SHE STOPPED IN TO SEE YOU!”

This Day in History

1786 - In New York City, commercially manufactured ice cream was advertised for the first time.

1869 - Ives W. McGaffey received a U.S. patent for the suction vacuum cleaner.

1934 - The Cincinnati Reds became the first Major League team to use an airplane to travel from one city to another. They flew from Cincinnati to Chicago.

1948 - Milton Berle hosted "Texaco Star Theater" NBC-TV. It was the show's debut.

1969 - The New York Yankees retired Mickey Mantle's number (7).

1991 - A victory parade was held in Washington, DC, to honor veterans of the Persian Gulf War.

2001 - Marc Chagall's painting "Study for 'Over Vitebsk" was stolen from the Jewish Museum in New York City. The 8x10 painting was valued at about $1 million. A group called the International Committee for Art and Peace later announced that they would return the painting after the Israelis and Palestinians made peace.

2004 - Nate Olive and Sarah Jones began the first known continuous hike of the 1,800-mile trail down the U.S. Pacific Coast. They completed the trek at the U.S.-Mexico border on September 28.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, June 8

You are a true networker, possessing an insatiable curiosity and readily reaching out to people, but you have a distinctly private side as well. You have a real flair for the dramatic, and you can be a great storyteller. Your drive is powerful and you thrive on challenges. You are pleasant and agreeable, but you won't compromise your principles to be these things. You are witty and always have something interesting to contribute to any conversation. Famous people born today:

1867 Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect (Guggenheim) recognized as "the greatest American architect of all time", born in Richland Center, Wisconsin (d. 1959)

1916 Francis Crick, English molecular biologist who co-discovered DNA's structure and 1962 Nobel laureate, born in Northampton, England (d. 2004)

1925 Barbara Bush, First Lady of the US (1989-93) and wife of George H. W. Bush, born in NYC, New York (d. 2018)

1927 Jerry Stiller, American comedian (Frank Constanza-Seinfeld), born in Brooklyn, New York

1933 Joan Rivers, American comedian and actress (Late Show, Hollywood Squares), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2014)

1955 Tim Berners-Lee, English inventor (World Wide Web), born in London, England

1966 Julianna Margulies, American actress (ER, The Good Wife), born in Spring Valley NY

1977 Kanye West, American rapper and record producer, born in Atlanta, Georgia

READERS INFO

1.

1949 -

TODAY: In 1949, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is published and immediately deemed to be one of the most "frightening" and "depressing" books ever written.

2.

City Theatre Summer Shorts Festival 2019

May 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | Miami, FL

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts|1300 Biscayne Blvd

Summer is coming! Get ready with a hilarious round of fast and furious speed dating theater at SUMMER SHORTS! America’s Short Play Festival presents fresh and original shorts, 10-minute comedies, dramas, and mini-musicals, lined up in a fun-filled theatrical celebration. It's a whole season of theater in under 2 hours!

further information: Summer Shorts 2019

3.

Sitka Summer Music Festival 2019

June 3 - 30, 2019 | Sitka, AK

Sitka Summer Music Festival is Sitka, Alaska’s premiere month-long classical chamber music festival. It features the finest classical musicians from around the world in the pristine setting of Southeast Alaska. There’s events scheduled six days a week in various locations across town, with formal concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings.

further information: Sitka Summer Music Festival

4.

Parker Days Festival 2019

June 6 - 9, 2019 | Parker, CO

Along Mainstreet between S Parker Rd & Pine Dr|19590 Mainstreet

Bring the family or fly solo to enjoy multiple stages of rocking music, parades, carnival rides and games to make the most of this long weekend.

further information: Parker Days Festival

Pictures of the day

The Coldstream Guards is the oldest regiment of the British Army in continuous active service, part of the Foot Guards of the Guards Division. It originated in Coldstream, Scotland, where General George Monck founded the regiment in 1650. The Coldstream Guards is one of two regiments of the Household Division that can trace its lineage to the New Model Army, the other being the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). During the Crimean War(1853–1856), the Coldstream Guards fought in the Battle of the Alma, the Battle of Inkerman and the Siege of Sevastopol. On its return, four men of the regiment were awarded the newly instituted Victoria Cross. This picture is a carbon print of a photograph titled Heroes of the Crimean War. From left to right, the guardsmen depicted are Joseph Numa, John Potter and James Deal. The photograph is dated 1856 and was produced by Hughes & Mullins, after a similar photograph by Cundall & Howlett. This copy was commissioned by Queen Victoria and printed around 1889 to 1891; it is now part of the Royal Collection.

Carneiros Beach in Brazil

Tourists pose in front of a Catholic chapel.

knit, Father's Day
thanks, Martha
Image result for How to Knit a Granite Stitch Necktie

Granite Stitch Necktie
knit
thanks, Wendy

Arbor pattern by Melissa Burt

knit

Chevron Tile Dishcloth

knit

Chester the Monkey pattern by Steffi Hochfellner

knit

Quemchi Top

SUPPORT A FAMILY
THE PROSPECTIVE FATHER-IN-LAW ASKED, "YOUNG MAN, CAN YOU SUPPORT A FAMILY?"
THE SURPRISED GROOM-TO-BE REPLIED, "WELL, NO. I WAS JUST PLANNING TO SUPPORT YOUR DAUGHTER. THE REST OF YOU WILL HAVE TO FEND FOR YOURSELVES.”

Knit Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Farah Pattern

crochet, Father's Day
thanks, Ann
Cozy Couch and Bedside Organizer Caddy - on bed

Cozy Couch and Bedside Organizer Caddy - Moogly
crochet
thanks, Mary

Moroccan Motif Cushion

crochet

Slippers pattern by Pierrot

crochet

Summer Lovely Tunic

crochet

Jeanette at Sunset

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread Recipe

CLIMB THE WALLS
"OH, I SURE AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU," THE LITTLE BOY SAID TO HIS GRANDMOTHER ON HIS MOTHER'S SIDE. "NOW MAYBE DADDY WILL DO THE TRICK HE HAS BEEN PROMISING US."
THE GRANDMOTHER WAS CURIOUS. "WHAT TRICK IS THAT?" SHE ASKED.
"I HEARD HIM TELL MOMMY THAT HE WOULD CLIMB THE WALLS IF YOU CAME TO VISIT," THE LITTLE BOY ANSWERED.

CROCKPOT RECIPE

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Lesley

Blueberry Ambrosia Fruit Salad

PRAYERS :
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER ASKED, "NOW, JOHNNY, TELL ME, DO YOU SAY PRAYERS BEFORE EATING?" "NO SIR," HE REPLIED, "WE DON'T HAVE TO, MY MOM IS A GOOD COOK!”

ADULT COLORING

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

CRAFTS

thanks, Claire

MAGNET VASES

They're made from plastic bags and toilet paper tubes. And yes, you can put water in these puppies! Here's the magnetic vases:

Aaaand, they're super easy. Here's what you need:

toilet paper tubes
plastic bag
ruler
scissors
Mod Podge
strong glue (I used a craft & hobby glue, maybe hot glue would work? hmmmm... not sure)
strong magnets
tape
scrapbook paper

Alrighty. Start with your paper tube, and fold it in half, like so:

Then fold the other way, so you get a square shape:

Now measure and draw a line all around the tube at one inch from the bottom (or is it the top???), like this:

Cut up to the line on each of the folds.

Fold the flaps over, and tape down. Like so:

Take your plastic bag and put it into the top, making sure there aren't any holes or gaps that would cause a leak.

Cut off the excess plastic, making sure to leave enough to fold over the side and tape it into place. Try to make it as un-bulky as possible.

Now using your Mod Podge, glue your paper on the outside. I found a rectangle that's 6.5" by 4" works well. Start with one side, lining up the edge of the paper with the corner. When you get to the next side, crease the paper at the corners for nice definition.

When you get to the bottom, cut up the corners like you did with the bottom of the paper tube itself... step 4 I guess it would be... and glue down the paper piece by piece. Let it dry for at least a few hours.

When it's completely dry, you can add the magnet to the back. Just glue it on.

Add a little water (less than halfway) ... making sure your magnet can hold it up

Put some flowers in, and stick it up somewhere (fridge)!

THE WATER PISTOL
WHEN MY THREE-YEAR-OLD SON OPENED THE BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, HE DISCOVERED A WATER PISTOL... HE SQUEALED WITH DELIGHT AND HEADED FOR THE NEAREST SINK.
I WAS NOT SO PLEASED. I TURNED TO MOM AND SAID, "I'M SURPRISED AT YOU. DON'T YOU REMEMBER HOW WE USED TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY WITH WATER GUNS?"
MOM SMILED AND THEN REPLIED..... "I REMEMBER!!”

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Father's Day

thanks, Lucy

mustache mug tutorial

PUZZLE

Braque du Bourbonnais Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

FIRST TIME USHERS
A LITTLE BOY IN CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME WATCHED AS THE USHERS PASSED AROUND THE OFFERING PLATES.
WHEN THEY CAME NEAR HIS PEW, THE BOY SAID LOUDLY, "DON'T PAY FOR ME DADDY I'M UNDER FIVE.”

SUDOKU ... hard

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Nina

GRANDMA'S AGE
LITTLE JOHNNY ASKED HIS GRANDMA HOW OLD SHE WAS.
GRANDMA ANSWERED, "39 AND HOLDING."
JOHNNY THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN SAID, "AND HOW OLD WOULD YOU BE IF YOU LET GO?"

1. In 2000, hundreds of tiny silver fish rained down on Great Yarmouth, England. 2. Hitler's nephew, William Patrick Hitler, fought against him in the U.S. Navy. 3. Leopard slugs mate in midair - dangling from a rope of mucus!

1. In 2000, hundreds of tiny silver fish rained down on Great Yarmouth, England. 2. Hitler's nephew, William Patrick Hitler, fought against him in the U.S. Navy. 3. Leopard slugs mate in midair - dangling from a rope of mucus!

CLEVER

Keep Marshmallows Fresh Longer

ehow

Marshmallows can become hard and sticky pretty quickly if they aren't stored properly. Once you open a bag of marshmallows, it's really hard to keep air out of the bag and keep them fresh. This method will keep your marshmallows fresh and ready to use for up to 3 months.

Gently press the air out of the bag without smashing the marshmallows.

Press as much air out as you can without smashing the marshmallows, then zip the bag closed.

Place the marshmallows in your freezer.

The marshmallows will freeze a bit, but not fully. To use, simply remove your desired amount of marshmallows from the bag and let them come to room temperature...usually around 30 minutes. Your marshmallows will return to their original consistency and be ready for recipes or roasting over a fire!

EYE OPENER

These Are the Most Endangered Historic Places

in the United States

afar

Some national monuments in southeast Utah, like Mule Canyon, are being threatened by gas and oil extraction, which is why they appear on the list.

The annual list from the National Trust for Historic Preservation includes a mix of places under threat from factors like climate change and neglect.

One list, released by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is sobering—a reminder of the culturally and geographically significant places that are most at risk, from North Dakota to Puerto Rico.

One of the most well-known places on the list is Washington, D.C’s National Mall Tidal Basin, home to the Jefferson Memorial and every spring, those Instagram-worthy cherry trees. The area is at risk of increased flooding because of rising sea levels, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation estimates that roughly $500 million is needed to maintain the popular site in the National Park System. Already, high tide each day means that water flows onto the surrounding sidewalks, eroding the site’s structure and threatening the roots of the cherry trees. Because of this, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has launched a three-year campaign to help save the Tidal Basin.

The Excelsior Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, opened in 1944.

Another iconic stretch also made the list: Nashville’s Music Row, which has more than 200 music-related businesses around 16th and 17th avenues south and has been considered integral to the city’s music and recording industries for more than 60 years. But the area is under threat from development and has seen 50 buildings demolished since 2013. Without protections in place, advocates say, the area could look completely different in 50 years.“This designation is the happiest we’ve ever been receiving bad news,” said Elizabeth Elkins, vice president of the board of Historic Nashville, Inc., reported in the Tennessean. “We are glad that the rapid rate of destruction of Music Row will now be in the national spotlight.”

The James R. Thompson Center in Chicago may be sold and demolished.

Elkins isn’t entirely off in her approach. Although the places on the list are there for serious reasons, some advocates believe that the designation helps push the sites into the public consciousness and inspires action. Thus far, it seems to have worked: Since the privately funded nonprofit began listing endangered places 32 years ago, fewer than 5 percent of listed sites have been lost.

One such example is Georgia’s Ocmulgee, a corridor of wildland with cultural significance to American Indians. After it was placed on the list of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2011, Ocmulgee saw a surge of local support, with a new law protecting sites within its borders that were previously at risk and unprotected, plus expanded property boundaries thanks to local landowners willing to sell their land for the park’s growth.

Those interested in helping save at-risk places can learn more by clicking into each site’s page on the list, which details some things travelers can do, including signing local petitions and writing letters to the Department of the Interior.