Operation Santa Paws - December 17, 2019

DIANE'S CORNER ... 
Celebrate Operation Santa Paws

Animals serve an important part in our lives, being those friends and companions that give us love unconditionally. They protect our homes, and are there whenever we need them, asking for nothing but love and tenderness in exchange for all they give. Operation Santa Paws Day is a reminder that we need to return that love, and remember them at this most special time of year.

Every year there is a rush of animals that, through abuse and neglect, wind up abandoned in shelters and animal rescues everywhere. All too often they’re given as birthday or Christmas gifts, and simply abandoned as the shine wears off the newest puppy or the kitten gets grown up. Whatever the case, millions of animals world-wide end up in shelters, and there simply isn’t enough resources to support them all. This is where Operation Santa Paws Day comes in.

History of Operation Santa Paws 

This holiday was organized by Justin Rudd in 2001, this holiday was originally put together in Long Beach, California to help support their local shelters and rescues. While anyone can choose to participate by donating new toys, treats, food or money to help keep these dedicated servants of the animal public going. Justin has spread his campaign far and wide, getting stores nationwide to participate in this humanitarian effort.

Newborns Wearing Knit/Crochet Christmas Outfits

Joke of the Day

ARE LIONS REALLY DANGEROUS?

The zoo keeper found a new employee standing uneasy next to the lion's cage.

Zoo keeper: "Didn't I tell you that when the lion is wagging his tail, he was friendly?"

Employee: "He was wagging his tail and roaring at the same time."

Zoo keeper: "So, what's that got to do with it?"

Employee: "Well, I don't know which end to trust."

Word of the Day

raguly

MEANING:

adjective: Having a row of oblique notches.

ETYMOLOGY:

Probably from Old English ragg. Earliest documented use: 1660.

NOTES:

Why would someone need a word for having a row of oblique notches? Like a row of sawn-off branches or a row of teeth with gaps? If you are into heraldry, you might want to have an edge like that in your coat of arms. As you proudly show visitors your logo and describe its features, remember that the word raguly is used post positively as shown in the usage example below. If raguly is not your thing, here are other edges for you to consider.

Want to take part in a fun exercise? What would your family’s coat of arms look like? Share it with us at words@wordsmith.org. Hand-drawn images are fine. Take a picture and tell us the features of your coat of arms and why you chose them.

USAGE:

“Two of the front windows as appears by the two crosses raguly, represent me and my son.”
William Lawrence; The Pyramid and the Urn; Iona Sinclair; 1994.

Idiom of the Day

JUMP SHIP

To leave or abandon a difficult situation
I don’t think the company is going to survive. We should probably jump ship!

This Day in History

1791 - A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go "One Way."

1903 - The first successful gasoline-powered airplane flight took place near Kitty Hawk, NC. Orville and Wilbur Wright made the flight.


1959 - The film "On the Beach" premiered in New York City and in 17 other cities. It was the first motion picture to debut simultaneously in major cities around the world.


1965 - Judy Garland and The Supremes became first artists to perform at the Astrodome in Houston, TX.


1969 - Television history was made when Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki Budinger were married on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.


1986 - Davina Thompson became the world's first recipient of a heart, lungs, and liver transplant.


2000 - Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers) caught an NFL-record 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. The previous record was held by Tom Fears (Los Angeles Rams) with 18 catches on December 3, 1950, against the Green Bay Packers. Owens also broke Jerry Rice's franchise record of 16 receptions set in 1994 against the Los Angeles Rams.


2004 - U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law the largest overhaul of U.S. intelligence gathering in 50 years. The bill aimed to tighten borders and aviation security. It also created a federal counterterrorism center and a new intelligence director.

thanks, Amy



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, December 17

You are a leader at heart--whether you choose to lead or not, others naturally follow, turning to you for insightful and unique advice as well. You are articulate and sociable, and while a breezy manner might suggest otherwise, you have a strong business sense,  possess keen organizational skills, and you are rather ambitious. You also admire others with a strong work ethic and may easily go into business with a romantic partner. Intuitive and compassionate, you have a philosophical or religious side to you that is not always apparent. Famous people born today: 

1929 William Safire, American political columnist (NY Times) and speech writer (Nixon), born in NYC, New York (d. 2009)

1930 Bob Guccione, American publisher (Penthouse, Omni), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2010)

1936 Pope Francis [Jorge Mario Bergoglio], Catholic Pope (2013-) 1st Jesuit pope, 1st from the Americas and 1st non-European pope since Syrian Gregory III in 741, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina

1953 Bill Pullman, American actor (Sommersby, League of their Own, Independence Day), born in Hornell, New York

1978 Manny [Emmanuel Dapidran] Pacquiao, Filipino boxer (first ever eight-division world champion), born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines

thanks, Debbie

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

Ever wonder where the term “computer bug” comes from? It came from US Navy Admiral Grace Hopper. 

She was a computer scientist in 1945. She was working on a computer that was lagging. She fixed it by removing a moth that somehow became stuck inside the computer. The first ever “computer bug” was an actual bug.

When someone or something is “long in the tooth”, that means it’s old, worn out, on it’s last leg, about to give, etc. But where did the saying come from? 

It comes from horses. The teeth of a horse continue to grow as it gets older. So as the years go by, each tooth gets longer and longer, hence the expression “long in the tooth”.

Do you know who Robyn Fenty is? No? How about Robyn Rihanna Fenty? There are plenty of celebrities who have simply dropped their given first names and instead chosen to use their middle names, and you probably didn't even realize
it!

Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher, and Bruce Willis are just a few. Did you know Bruce Willis' full name is Walter Bruce Willis? Ashton Kutcher's first name isn't actually Ashton, it's Christopher. Brad Pitt goes by his middle name, too. The actor’s full name is William Bradley Pitt.

2.

1957 -

TODAY: In 1957, Dorothy L. Sayers, English crime writer and poet, dies.

3.

Toledo Farmers' Market 2019

Dec 21, 2019 | Toledo, OH

Toledo Farmers' Market|525 Market St

If you're looking to spend some hard-earned cash on fresh fruits, vegetables and other local goods, the Toledo Farmers' Market will trump any grocery store and their rotting produce sections. Sprouting from the city's own dirt, you'd be hard-pressed to find more luscious produce and goods, providing a rich and colorful sensory experience that only your local farmers can accomplish. Even if you can't spend the money right now, you can at least take advantage of the market's sights and smells to induce a feeling of euphoria, according to science.

further information: Downtown Toledo Farmers Market

4.

Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers' Market 2019

Dec 23, 2019 | Jersey City, NJ

Grove PATH Plaza|325 Grove St

The Historic Downtown Farmers' Market keeps on growing and growing. More vendors are popping up yearly to serve you the freshest local produce, baked goods and other delicious fare. From May to December, you can take a stroll through the market to stock up on these goodies before the devastating winter swoops in and reduces you to frequent trips through the drive-thru.

further information: Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers' Market

5.

Schlafly Beer Anniversary Party 2019

Dec 23, 2019 | Saint Louis, MO

Schlafly Tap Room & Schlafly Bottleworks|2100 Locust St

Anniversaries are normally associated with spending a ridiculous amount of money because the date is “special.” Well, this doesn't concern marriage, this is Schlafly's anniversary party. Belly up to both of their St. Louis breweries and drink their delicious suds without breaking the bank. All of their beers will be sold at original early 90s prices, which is just another reason the 90s kick ass.

further information: Schlafly Beer Anniversary Party - 2019-12-23 December 2019



Pictures of the day

Maria I (17 December 1734 – 20 March 1816) was Queen of  Portugal from 1777 until her death in 1816 and the country's  first undisputed queen regnant. This picture is an oil-on- canvas portrait, painted in 1783, showing the queen in her  boudoir. It is usually attributed to Giuseppe Troni, the Italian  court painter to the House of Braganza, and now hangs in the  Palace of Queluz, which became the official and full-time  residence of the queen and her court from 1794. At that time,  the queen was becoming increasingly deranged. In 1807, after Napoleon's conquests in Europe, under the direction of her  son, Prince Regent João, her court moved to Brazil. The  Portuguese colony was then elevated to the rank of kingdom,  with the consequent formation of the United Kingdom of  Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, of which she was the first  monarch.

Royal Botanical Garden

An installation at the Royal Botanical Garden during Christmas celebrations. 

knit ... Christmas

thanks, Karen

Elf Hat Tea Pot Cover

knit
thanks, Patty

Trio of Hats

knit

BasicArmWarmers pattern by Anya Lomakina

knit

Dragon Wing Cowl

knit

Puppy Toy Basket

Crochet Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Crochet Audrey Tunic

crochet ... Christmas
thanks, Helen

5 Point Granny Star

crochet
thanks, Sharon

Crochet Weebee Sally Doll Kit

crochet

Easy, Chunky Crochet Sweater

crochet

Crescent Bag

crochet

Circles Throw

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Sheet-Pan Sausage With Peppers and Tomatoes Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Cora

Slow-Cooked Corn Chowder

SWEETS ... Christmas

thanks, Joanne

Tie-Dye Butter Cookies Recipe

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS ... Christmas

thanks, Claire

Thread apples on steel wire and hang the wreath on the door ... 

Can it be easier in a busy Christmas season?

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Christmas

thanks, Natalie

Felt Pencil Toppers Christmas Tree Craft

PUZZLE

Gnome Right Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

action
after

check
coach
compensation
cram

direction

easel
expect

fixed
floor
franchisee

great

hare
honey

immediate
insist

leap
lies

mine
money

night
notify

peppermint
pipe
plows

quality

right

screw
slide
speed
spend
sweep

tiger
toed
toil
trash

voted

worthless



SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

thanks for the Christmas funnies, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent


QUOTE

thanks, Helen

CLEVER 

"Beethoven-Year" 

A green traffic light with the portrait of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven in his native city of Bonn. Germany is launching a "Beethoven-Year" with more than 700 events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth.

How Germany is celebrating 250-year-old 'pop star' Beethoven

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Lila

52 things I learned in 2019

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Contentment is, after all, simply refined indolence. -Thomas Chandler Haliburton, author, judge, and politician (17 Dec 1796-1865)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Keep looking at the flashing green dot and the yellow ones will disappear.