World Mosquito Day - August 20, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate World Mosquito Day

World Mosquito Day was first established in 1897, when the link between mosquitoes and malaria transmission was discovered by Sir Ronald Ross. It aims to raise awareness about the causes of malaria and how it can be prevented, as well as fundraising for research into the cure of malaria. It is also a salute to the groundbreaking work of Sir Ross and scientists who have followed him.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine celebrates World Mosquito Day with exhibitions and parties designed both to entertain and to inform, while other celebrations include Malaria No More’s ‘Mozzy Air’ campaign, encouraging people to take anti-malarial when flying to malaria zones, and Nothing But Nets’ twitter campaigns to provide mosquito nets for poor communities.

Get involved by holding a fundraiser to provide nets or quinine, distributing information about the precautions people should take when travelling to danger spots, or celebrating the achievements of research into mosquitoes and how to prevent the diseases they carry.

Word of the Day

malaprop

Mrs. Malaprop tells Captain Jack Absolute she cannot comprehend why someone is saying such awful things about her vocabulary (Huntington Theatre Company’s production of The Rivals)

MEANING:

verb intr.: To misuse a word by confusing it with a similar-sounding word, producing a humorous effect. For example, “pineapple of perfection” for “pinnacle of perfection” (from the play The Rivals).

ETYMOLOGY:

After Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Richard Sheridan’s play, The Rivals (1775), who confused words in this manner. The name Malaprop is coined from French “mal à propos” (inappropriate). Earliest documented use: 1959.

USAGE:

“Why not throw caution to the birds, as he had malaproped, and make the call?”
Arnold Grossman; Going Together; Fulcrum Publishing; 2007.

Idiom of the Day

BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW

To do too much or take something on that is too difficult
Person A: “I’m going to start that weekend job at the museum on top of my full-time job because I really need the money.”Person B: “Sounds like a lot of work! Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

This Day in History

1741 - Danish navigator Vitus Jonas Bering discovered Alaska.

1866 - It was formally declared by U.S. President Andrew Johnson that the American Civil War was over. The fighting had stopped months earlier.


1939 - The National Bowling Association was founded in Detroit, MI. It was the first bowling association in the U.S. for African-Americans.


1945 - Tommy Brown (Brooklyn Dodgers) became the youngest player to hit a home run in a major league ball game. Brown was 17 years, 8 months and 14 days old.


1960 - Connie Francis begins working on the film "Where the Boys Are."


1965 - The Rolling Stones single "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was released in the U.S.


1977 - Voyager 2 was launched by the United States. The spacecraft was carrying a 12 inch copper phonograph record containing greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music and sounds of nature.


1985 - The original Xerox 914 copier was presented to the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of American History. Chester Carlson was the man who invented the machine.


1997 - Alabama Governor Fob James joined the mayors of Montgomery and Georgina, AL, in the Alabama State Capitol to dedicate a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 65 to the memory of Hank Williams. The section of roadway was renamed the "Hank Williams Memorial Lost Highway."


1998 - Canada's Supreme Court announced that Quebec could not secede without the federal government's consent.


2000 - Bon Jovi played the last concert to be held at the historic Wembley stadium before its demolition.


2010 - The last American combat brigade exited Iraq after more than seven years after the U.S.-led invasion began.



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, August 20

You are a hard worker, yet you also enjoy the comforts of home and family. Striking a balance between these two passions is important for your all-around happiness. You don’t turn to others for advice or help very readily, simply because you find much satisfaction doing things on your own; yet you are also highly companionable. You enjoy conversation, friendly companionship, and a peaceful environment. You try to avoid discord as much as you can, and due to your graciousness and gentle manner, you usually succeed. You are excellent at strategy. You may cling to your lifestyle and don’t make changes as readily as others. An overall feeling of stability is important to you. You are a very ardent, charming lover, and you may be drawn to partners who are emotional and a tad dramatic. Famous people born today:

1779 Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, Russian explorer who discovered the continent of Antarctica, born in Osel, Estonia (d. 1852)

1833 Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States (Republican: 1889-93), born in North Bend, Ohio (d. 1901)

1901 Salvatore Quasimodo, Italian poet, critic and translator (Nobel 1959), born in Modica, Italy (d. 1968)

1918 Jacqueline Susann, American author (Valley of the Dolls), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1974)

1948 Robert Plant, English rock vocalist (Led Zeppelin), born in West Bromwich, England

1983 Andrew Garfield, British American actor (The Amazing Spider-Man), born in Los Angeles, California


1992 Demi Lovato, American actress (Camp Rock) and singer/songwriter (Unbroken), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Fact of The Day:

While an Oscar is of unnamed value to someone who wins (or loses) one, the actual trophy has a raw value of about $600.

2.
1977 -

 

Voyager 2 was launched by the United States on this day 

in 1977 and aboard was a copper 12 inch phonograph 

record containing greetings in dozens of languages, 

samples of music and sounds of nature.

 

A photo of the 12 inch copper record that was sent into
space on both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.

3.

Birmingham Restaurant Week 2019

Aug 16 - 25, 2019 | Birmingham, AL

There's no question that you like to eat. It's a way of life in the South, in fact. Your one and only job is to come with an empty stomach and cram it full of Birmingham's award-winning cuisine. Happening twice a year, participating local restaurants offer diners two- and three-course meals to help them get acquainted with true Birmingham flavors.

further information: Birmingham Restaurant Week | For the love of local

4.

Edmore Potato Festival 2019

Sept 12 - 15, 2019 | Edmore, MI 

It’s always a good time for taters. The summertime is especially a good time, because that’s when the Edmore Potato Festival takes place. Once the opening ceremonies are done, the potato party pace continues to accelerate, with live music, a parade, a rodeo, a care show and tons of activities the entire family can join.

further information: 2019 Edmore Potato Festival

Pictures of the day

Modern Rome is a name given to each of three almost identical oil-on-canvas paintings by Italian artist Giovanni Paolo Panini, originally produced as pendant paintings to Ancient Rome for his patron, the comte de Stainville, who was the French ambassador to Rome from 1753 to 1757. The first two versions of the painting were created for Stainville in 1757, while the third was painted a couple of years later for Claude-François de Montboissier de Canillac de Beaufort. This picture is the second version of Modern Rome, part of the collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work shows a picture gallery with a large number of paintings and sculptures depicting contemporary buildings and monuments in Rome, including St. Peter's Square, the Trevi Fountain, Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza Navona, Michelangelo's Moses and a Medici lion. Stainville is depicted in an armchair in the left of the gallery. The first version of the painting is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, while the third is in the Louvre in Paris.

Photographer Captures Fog Waves 

That Look Like Oceans in the Sky

Professional photographer Nick Steinberg is a self-professed ‘fogaholic’

knit
thanks, Charlotte

Euna Socks

knit

thanks, Sarah

Fairy Pin and Pin Cushion

knit

Openwork tee knitting pattern

knit

Layla Toddler Overalls

knit

Beachcomber Tote pattern by Destiny Meyer



Crochet Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Seafoam Cardigan

crochet
thanks, Ann

SHARK! Beverage Cozy

crochet
thanks, Helen

Granny Mile-a-Minute Afghan pattern by Vicki Mikulak

crochet

Darcy Large Monkey

crochet

Breath of Summer

crochet

Row Count G



RECIPE

thanks, Shelley

Olive Tapenade

CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Jane

Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken

SWEETS

thanks, Carol

The Only 3 No-Bake Cookie Recipes You Need in Your Life

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

Bleach Stenciling T Shirt Project

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... bling

thanks, Kitty

Edible Necklaces

PUZZLE

Two Horses at Fence Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Tina

 

CLEVER 

thanks, Sheri

Water Bottle

Empty water bottles make for great yolk removers.

EYE OPENER 

The Perfect Blend

Question: I love this pastry blender's cheerful green handle, which makes it perfect for a display of kitchen collectibles. Does it date to the 1940s as I estimate? When did companies start making utensils with plastic or Bakelite handles instead of wood? How much is it worth?

Answer: A pastry blender is used to incorporate cold butter into flour while still allowing small lumps of the butter to remain. This results in a light, flaky texture in biscuits and pastries. This Androck brand pastry blender was made by the Washburn Co. of Worcester, Mass., probably in the 1930s; its patent date is "11-12-29." Kitchen utensils with plastic handles became prevalent in the 1950s. With less baking being done at home, these utensils have languished in kitchen cupboard drawers. Judging by the number of vintage examples available on internet sites and at flea markets, the supply is ample. The going rate is $10.

A Bothersome Bee

Question: I couldn't resist purchasing this quirky teapot featuring a man with a bee on his nose. I've never seen anything like it. Do you think it's a one-of-a-kind item, or was it mass-produced? Can you estimate what it would sell for in a shop or at auction?

Answer: An internet search quickly turned up several examples of this hand-painted ceramic teapot called "Chef With a Bee on His Nose." Matching cups and a sugar bowl were also found. Some of the items bear labels marked "Tilso & Co.," which was an importer based in New York City. It is said that the name was derived from the names of the owner's wife and daughter, Tillie and Sonia. The company imported various ceramic items from Japan, including vases, clocks, dishes and figurines. It is likely the teapot was made in the 1930s to 1950s. They are found on internet sites priced from $25 to as much as $85.

Cute Kewpies

Question: The cupid character on this old blue porcelain bath set is just darling. Both the pieces are in good condition, with a little wearing of the gold accents. The mark on the back reads, "Austria, Princess Louise" with a crown. How old is this set, and what would be its current value? Were other types of products made with the same whimsical cupid design?

Answer: American illustrator Rose O'Neill conceived Kewpies as comic strip characters that resembled cupids. The comic strip was first published in the December 1909 issue of Ladies' Home Journal. Small bisque Kewpie dolls were produced in Germany beginning in 1912, and they became an international sensation. The charming Kewpie image quickly spread to dolls, tableware, lamps, candlesticks, inkwells, clocks, jewelry boxes, hat pins, salt and pepper shakers, picture frames and many other items. Wehinger & Company, a china manufacturer, used the Austria, Princess Louise crown mark on its wares from 1910 to 1918. Your dish and powder jar together have a value of $75 to $125.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. -Edgar Guest, poet (20 Aug 1881-1959)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Yes, the leaning tower of Pisa does actually lean, but these two images are in fact one and the same.

Although the image on the right appears to be leaning away from the one on the left this is only in your head. Go ahead and try the same thing with the Empire State Building…it will lean too, promise.