Social Security Day - August 14, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate Social Security Day

Wherever we are and whatever we do we’re a small part of a greater society and there’s no better indicator of our togetherness than a social security system, which is why we should celebrate Social Security Day.

Anyone can fall on hard times, or have a period during which a little help doesn’t go amiss, which is why these support systems exist. A good way to celebrate Social Security Day is to think about the more unfortunate members of society and do something for them.

Cooking a traybake or a big stew and taking it to a soup kitchen is one good idea. Another good idea is to volunteer for a shift in that same kitchen. Send the kids out to mow the lawn of an elderly or infirm neighbor, or have a yard sale and donate the proceeds to a homeless charity. Have fun, but be generous as well.

thanks for the pics, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Word of the Day

rocket science

Rocket scientist Wernher von Braun with the F-1 engines of the Saturn V rocket

MEANING:

noun
1. The science of rocket design, construction, and flight.
2. Something requiring advanced knowledge and intelligence.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca (spindle, distaff) + science, from Latin scientia, present participle of scire (to know). Ultimately from the Indo-European root skei- (to cut or split), which also gave us schism, ski, shin, adscititious, conscientious, exscind, nescient, sciolism.  Earliest documented use: 1931.

USAGE:

“California requires barbers to study full-time for nearly a year, a curriculum that costs $12,000 at Arthur Borner’s Barber College in Los Angeles. Mr. Borner says his graduates earn more than enough to recoup their tuition, though he questions the need for such a lengthy program. ‘Barbering is not rocket science,’ he said.”
No Right to Work; The Economist (London, UK); Feb 7, 2011.

Idiom of the Day

ALL EARS

To be eagerly waiting to hear about something
Person A: “I have to tell you about what happened on our trip to Spain…”Person B: “I’m all ears!”

This Day in History

1880 - The Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany was completed after 632 years of rebuilding.

1935 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The act created unemployment insurance and pension plans for the elderly.

1936 - The first basketball competition was held at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. The U.S. defeated Canada, 19-8.

1945 - It was announced by U.S. President Truman that Japan had surrendered unconditionally. The surrender ended World War II.

1953 - The whiffle ball was invented.

1959 - The first meeting was held to organize the American Football League.

1980 - People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was incorporated.


1987 - Mark McGwire set the record for major league home runs by a rookie when he connected for his 49th home run of the season.


1995 - Shannon Faulkner became the first female cadet in the history of The Citadel, South Carolina's state military college. She quit the school less than a week later.


1997 - William Friedkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999 - 765,000 tickets to a Backstreet Boys North American tour were sold in one day.


2000 - It was announced that Charles Grodin would be joining CBS' "60 Minutes II" as a commentator.

thanks, Gabby

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, August 14

Very little can get past you – you are exceptionally perceptive and can typically size up a situation or a person quickly. Although you’re not a slave to routine, you’re very organized and can effectively help others organize their lives. You can communicate articulately and, at the same time, with great warmth. You are a spirited, intelligent, and curious person who has a flair for the dramatic. You can be quite outspoken, and you have an inner thirst for adventure. You have tremendous reasoning capacity, and you can empower others with your advice and help. People turn to you for your unique insight. You are charming, respected, and extraordinarily fair. Life and people fascinate you, and you look for new, exciting experiences. You seek out intelligent, adaptable, and flexible mates. The need for change and growth is strong in a relationship, but exhausting to some partners. You can be quite impulsive in love. Famous people born today: 

1777 Hans Christian Ørsted, Danish physicist and chemist (View of Chemical Law), born in Rudkøbing, Denmark (d. 1851)

1851 Doc Holliday, American gambler, dentist and gunfighter (Gunfight at the O.K. Corral), born in Griffin, Georgia (d. 1887)

1888 John Logie Baird, Scottish inventor and father of the television, born in Helensburgh, Scotland (d. 1946)

1926 René Goscinny, French cartoonist (Asterix), born in Paris, France (d. 1977)


1945 Steve Martin, American comedian, musician, author and actor (Parenthood, The Jerk, Roxanne), born in Waco, Texas

1947 Danielle Steel, American author (Rememberance, Zoya, Star, Daddy), born in New York City, New York



1950 Gary Larson, American cartoonist (Far Side), born in Tacoma, Washington


1959 Earvin "Magic" Johnson, American Basketball Hall of Fame point guard, executive (5-time NBA champion, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, Olympic gold 1992), born in Lansing, Michigan


1966 Halle Berry, American actress (X-Men: The Last Stand, Monsters Ball), born in Cleveland, Ohio

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Fact of The Day:

The federal government levied an income tax for the first time on August 5, 1861.

2.

1962 -

John Lennon asked drummer Ringo Starr to join the Beatles. A couple of days later Starr officially replaced drummer Pete Best. Before joining the Beatles, Starr played in a band called Rory Storm and the Hurricanes but had left the band shortly before being asked to join the Beatles. During his time with the band, Starr not only played the drums but also sang lead vocals on a couple of Beatles songs such as With a Little Help From My Friends and Yellow Submarine. After the Beatles broke up, Starr continued with a solo musical career although he still collaborated with the other former Beatles on various projects. He has also toured with various artists as Ringo Starr & His All Starr-Band. Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a Beatle and later for his solo career.

3.

Elvis Week 2019

Aug 9 - 17, 2019 | Memphis, TN

Elvis Presley’s Graceland|3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard

Rock around the clock at Elvis Week in the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis fans from all over the country flock to Memphis to honor the King with several Elvis-themed events, parties, contests, panel discussions and more. There are also special concerts, dances and a Candlelight Vigil in the Meditation Garden at Graceland that lasts well into the morning. This festival not only spotlights the enduring legacy of one of America’s most iconic stars, but also the culture and history of the city he called home.

further information: Elvis Week Schedule of Events

4.

D-Day Conneaut 2019

Aug 16 - 17, 2019 | Conneaut, OH

Conneaut Township Park|480 West Lake Erie Avenue

D-Day Conneaut is an annual reenactment of American troops storming the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, signaling the beginning of the end of World War II. Held in Conneaut Township Park, over a thousand reenactors pay tribute on a beach that closely resembles Omaha Beach in Normandy. Mock battles, living history displays, era-appropriate garbed actors as well as historians make for an engaging and educational two-day event. Mortar firing, veteran speakers, tank demos and a soccer match are among the additional attractions. The event is free to the public and is one of America’s premier living history events.

further information: D-Day Conneaut 2019 - Rock The Lake


5.

Sterling Renaissance Festival 2019

Jul 7 - Aug 18, 2019 | Sterling, NY 

Sterling Renaissance Festival Grounds|15385 Farden Rd

The Sterling Renaissance Festival in Sterling, New York, is billed as one of the oldest and most successful interactive Renaissance festivals in the world. Running six weekends in the summer, the event that recreates an authentic English village from days of yore, featuring over 100 street performers as well as stages boasting musicians, professional actors, jugglers and comedians. Additional attractions include arts and crafts, a pub and of course, savory turkey legs.

further information: Sterling Renaissance Festival | Sat., Jul 6 – Sun. Aug 18



Pictures of the day

Lyriothemis acigastra is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, found in India. Until 2013, it was thought to be restricted to the northeastern states of Assam and West Bengal, but it has now also been recorded in the southern state of Kerala. It is a small dragonfly with brown-capped greenish-yellow eyes and a blackish-brown thorax marked with yellow. Laterally, there are three stripes. Its wings are transparent, palely tinted with yellow at the base. The female is similar to the male, but the abdomen is cylindrical instead of tapered from base to end and reddish yellow instead of blood red. This picture shows a male L. acigastra individual.

BEATA

Taking place every year across Galicia, Rapa das Bestas, or ‘Shearing of the Beasts,’ involves cutting the manes of semi-feral horses that live in the mountains. Horses are rounded up into enclosures called curros, foals are branded and the adults groomed before being freed. The best known is the Rapa das Bestas of Sabucedo, which occurs on the first weekend in July.

knit

thanks, Leah

Dalekanium pattern by Dena Stelly

knit
thanks, Helen

Sling Bag Pattern

knit

Lace pullover

knit

Dust Bunnies pattern by Alison Clayton
knit

Dawn pattern by Hanna Maciejewska

Knit Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent


crochet
thanks, Violet

Mother Fox and Baby Fox pattern by Allison Hoffman
crochet
thanks, Sasha

Hibiscus Tote Bag

crochet

Lacy Tube Socks

crochet

Louisiana Bayou Bedspread #3406 pattern by American Thread Company

crochet

Hooty Owl Crochet Baskets

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

KFC Original Recipe Chicken Copycat) Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE

Slow Cooker Oats Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Lesley

Tinto De Verano Red Wine Popsicles

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

thanks, Alexa

Framed Pin Cushion

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts

thanks, Mollie

Homemade Wind Chimes

PUZZLE

Bougainvillea Close Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

CLEVER
thanks, Stella

Play animal matchmaker in Mahjong Safari HD, a wild new take on mahjong! Connect matching pairs of animals to clear them from the level. Win your way through multiple levels to complete your safari collection. CLICK 'PLAY NOW"

Mahjong Safari HD

EYE OPENER

thanks, Winnie

Learn How To Solve Sudoku Puzzles with Little Effort

Sudoku

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things. -Russell Baker, columnist and author (14 Aug 1925-2019)



OPTICAL ILLUSION

In this illusion, black spots quickly appear and disappear at the intersections.