Fancy Rat and Mouse Day - November 12, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate Fancy Rat and Mouse Day

Fancy Rat & Mouse Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate these beautiful creatures. Not to be confused with wild (black) rats, the Fancy Rat is the domesticated brown rat; while the Fancy Mouse is the domesticated form of the house mouse.

Both can be very smart and affectionate and make ideal pets, particularly for children (especially since there is much less looking after than with a dog, cat or rabbit!). But don’t let that make you think the members of the Fancy Rat And Mouse Association take their Fancy Rats and Mice less seriously than they would take any other pets!

Fancy Rat and Mouse breeders and enthusiasts head to California several times a year, where professionally bred varieties are judged on a range of categories. It is, in reality, a serious business. Karen Robbins, AFRMA’s spokeswoman, makes a convincing argument for the pets, saying, “Rats are very intelligent and can be trained like dogs. They are clean like cats—always washing themselves—and are very personable. They know their owners and want to be out with them.”

History of Fancy Rat and Mouse Day

The American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association, a California-based non-profit club of rodent enthusiasts that sets breed standards, organizes shows, and helps to promote both the fancy rat and the fancy mouse as appealing pets, was formed in 1983. The AFRMA claim their main objective is to “promote and encourage the breeding and exhibition of fancy rats and mice for show and pets.” Being held annually on November 12th of every year, Fancy Rat & Mouse Day is sponsored by AFRMA,with the aim of popularizing raising and breeding fancy mice and rats as pets and companions.

Artist Francis Bacon is best known for his post-World War II paintings, in which he represented the human face and figure in an expressive, often grotesque style.

Joke of the Day

SECRET FORMULA

The police recently arrested a man selling "secret formula" tablets he claimed gave eternal youth.

When going through their files they noticed it was the fifth time he was caught for committing this same criminal medical fraud.

He had earlier been arrested in 1794, 1856, 1928 and 1983....

Word of the Day

listless

MEANING:

adjective: Devoid of energy or enthusiasm.

ETYMOLOGY:

From list (desire, inclination), from Old English lystan (to be pleasing). Ultimately from the Indo-European root las- (to be eager), which also gave us lust. Earliest documented use: 1440.

USAGE:

“She grew froward -- by turns high-spirited and listless, voluble and dumb, doting and cynical.”

John Barth; Lost in the Funhouse; Doubleday; 1968.

Idiom of the Day

GET SOMETHING OUT OF ONE’S SYSTEM

Do something you have wanted to do so that you can then move on from it
I don’t drink much anymore; I got it out of my system when I was at university!

This Day in History

1815 - American suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born in Johnstown, NY.

1840 - Sculptor Auguste Rodin was born in Paris. His most widely known works are "The Kiss" and "The Thinker."


1859 - The first flying trapeze act was performed by Jules Leotard at Cirque Napoleon in Paris, France. He was also the designer of the garment that is named after him.

1892 - William "Pudge" Heffelfinger became the first professional football player when he was paid a $500 bonus for helping the Allegheny Athletic Association beat the Pittsburgh Athletic Club.


1915 - Theodore W. Richards, of Harvard University, became the first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.


1931 - Maple Leaf Gardens opened in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was to be the new home of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL).


1946 - The first drive-up banking facility opened at the Exchange National Bank in Chicago, IL.


1954 - Ellis Island, the immigration station in New York Harbor, closed after processing more than 20 million immigrants since 1892.


1984 - Madonna released the album "Like A Virgin" in the U.S.


1984 - Space shuttle astronauts Dale Gardner and Joe Allen snared the Palapa B-2 satellite in history's first space salvage.


2013 - A series of portraits of Lucian Freud by the British painter Francis Bacon known as Three Studies of Lucian Freud sold for $142.4 million at an auction in New York City.


2013 - In New York, it was announced that the new World Trade Center was the tallest building in the United States. The height was measured at 1,776 feet. The building was also the fourth tallest building in the world at the time.

thanks, Amy



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, November 12

You are determined and some might say stubborn. The trick for you is to channel your determination into something constructive--into a life path that suits you well. Otherwise, your tendency to become fixated can lead you down the wrong path, especially if you struggle with self-esteem issues. Your mind is strong, and you possess significant powers of attraction. You have a good eye for form and style. Emotional self-indulgence is a potential downfall for you. You know a good opportunity when you see one, and you are generally not afraid to take a risk. Famous people born today:

1606 Jeanne Mance, French-Canadian settler who founded the first hospital in North America (Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal), born in Langres, France (d. 1673)

1815 Elizabeth Cady Stanton, American women's rights activist, born in Johnstown, New York (d. 1902)

1840 Auguste Rodin, French sculptor (Kiss, Thinker), born in Paris, France (d. 1917)

1841 John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh, English physicist and discoverer of argon (Nobel Prize 1904), born in Maldon, Essex, England (d. 1919)

1929 Grace Kelly, American actress (Rear Window) and Princess of Monaco, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1982)

1944 Al Michaels, American sportscaster (Miracle on Ice, American Football), born in Brooklyn, New York

1945 Neil Young, Canadian singer/songwriter (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), born in Toronto, Ontario

1980 Ryan Gosling, Canadian actor (The Notebook, Drive), born in London, Ontario


1982 Anne Hathaway, American actress (Les Misérables, The Dark Knight Rise, The Princess Diaries), born in NYC, New York

thanks, Riley

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

Origin of the Word “Hello”

The word “hello” came into existence for a highly practical purpose. Something was needed to start a phone conversation. Something was needed to let the other person know that you were on the line. It is believed the Alexander Graham Bell was going to go with ‘Ahoy’ but chose hello instead after hearing a person say the word ‘Hullo’, which is an English greeting.

The basketball used in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is 29.5 inches in circumference, which makes it the largest ball used in professional sports.

Where Is A Lobster’s Brain?

Where is a lobster’s brain? If your answer is “in the head”, you would be wrong. A lobster’s brain is located in its throat. In case you are wondering what is located in a lobster’s head, that answer would be its kidneys.

2.

2007 -

TODAY: In 2007, Ira Levin, author of Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, and more, dies.

3.

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival 2019

Nov 3 - 17, 2019 | Saint Louis, MO 

The J - St. Louis Jewish Community Center|2 Millstone Campus Dr

Don’t let the Jewish label dissuade you – this festival is geared towards all religious affiliations and backgrounds. All that matters is your love for books because this gigantic book festival brings dozens of your favorite authors to talk about their work and a wealth of interesting subjects. You may not identify with the same religious doctrines, but you’ll at least fall in love with literature all over again with your fellow attendees.

further information: St. Louis Jewish Book Festival - St. Louis JCC

4.

Words and Music Festival 2019

Nov 21 - 24, 2019 | New Orleans, LA 

Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette|817 Common St

Words and Music Festival is billed as "A Literary Feast in New Orleans" and is a multi-arts event. Each year the festival centers on a humanities theme, and writers and authors speak on subjects relating to life, writing and art. Master classes and workshops are available for both writers and readers, and musicians and visual artists are also showcased at the event. The gathering features special events for writers such as one-on-one critiques where authors receive feedback about their work and how to prepare their writing for publication.

further information: Words and Music – A Literary Feast in New Orleans

5.

Harvest Moon Storyland Maze 2019

Nov 24, 2019 | Chattanooga, TN 

TN Riverpark|4301 Amnicola Hwy

The Harvest Moon Storyland Maze is the non-frightening, family-friendly Halloween event you’ve been looking for. Designed for kids under 10, this maze brings your little one’s favorite stories to life through interactive performances. Interact with characters from beloved fairytales and stories, pet a creature at the critter corral, ride the Storyland train, jump in bounce houses and enjoy a day of fun family events at the Tennessee Riverpark.

further information: Harvest Moon Storyland Maze



Pictures of the day

Portsmouth Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, is an Anglican cathedral church in Portsmouth, England. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Portsmouth and the seat of the bishop of Portsmouth. The cruciform building was constructed in the Romanesque style on land donated by Norman lord Jean de Gisors in the 1180s and dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket, who was martyred around ten years earlier. It was made a cathedral upon the establishment of the Diocese of Portsmouth, which was split from the Diocese of Winchester in 1927, after which it was extended in a "Neo-Byzantine" style by Charles Nicholson. This picture shows the cathedral's quire, built in a classical style in the late 17th century, looking northeastwards towards the apse.

White Mountains, N.H. 

Sugar Hill Scenic Vista along the Kancamagus Highway

knit

thanks, Emily

Dolores cat scarf

knit
thanks, Marcy

Herringbone Lace Hat

knit

Apple Pie

knit

Squishy Knit Headband

knit

Afghan Knitalong Square 14 - Well Plaid

Knit Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Petite Bonnet

crochet ... Thanksgiving
thanks, Tara

Tiny Thanksgiving Turkey Amigurumi pattern by Allison Hoffman

crochet ... Thanksgiving
thanks, Charlotte

Thanksgiving Throw Pillows

crochet

Catherine wristwarmers

crochet

Angel Wings Shawl Pattern

crochet

Ocean Waves Throw

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Jacques Pepin’s Basic Roast Chicken Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE ... Thanksgiving
thanks, Tina

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

SWEETS

thanks, Lesley

No Bake Jello Key Lime (Raspberry or Orange) Cream Pie-diabetic friendly

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS ... Thanksgiving

thanks, Alice

Plastic Spoon Pumpkin

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Thanksgiving

thanks, Lucy 

Fun Last-Minute Thanksgiving Crafts

PUZZLE

Boat on Beach Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

admire again amazing bread dreams essay esteem everyday

flair flood focus hone ignore keyboard

lenient lizard manner market maroon metes mother need never

perception rape sand scene seam servitude sober soften start

taunt timid trod wealthy worry wren wrong

SUDOKU ... medium




solution:

QUOTE

CLEVER 

Remove gum from clothing

You’re just about to walk out the door when Junior points to the gum stuck to his pants. Keep your cool and grab an ice cube.

Rub the ice on the gum to harden it, then scrape it off with a spoon. 

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Wren

Matchbox cars, the coloring book among National Toy Hall of Fame inductees

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

To the artist there is never anything ugly in nature. -Auguste Rodin, sculptor (12 Nov 1840-1917)

Francis Bacon

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Are the holes on the inside 

or outside?