DIANE'S CORNER ...
Celebrate Kid Inventors' Day
Pablo PicassoEvery child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Just because children possess less knowledge of how the world works, that doesn’t mean they can’t have ideas for practical and useful inventions. In fact, many people believe that children are capable of being particularly creative for the simple reason that they don’t yet know how difficult many things are, and are therefore able to imagine much more than adults. In fact, there are plenty of things we enjoy on an everyday basis that were invented by children or teenagers. And if their creativity doesn’t deserve recognition, what does? Kid Inventors’ Day is the day we celebrate all the kids who dared to defy the world and come up with better solutions than all of the adults before them.
History of Kid Inventors’ Day
Kid Inventors’ Day was created several years ago by people who wanted to celebrate the achievements of the youngest inventors as well as encourage more children to be creative.
The date chosen to celebrate this day, January 17th, was no accident—it is the anniversary of renowned polymath, politician and child inventor Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. Due to his countless other achievements, many people don’t know that when Franklin was just 12 years old, he invented the world’s first swim flippers, making him a great role model for every child who dreams of making something nobody has ever seen before. Over the centuries, other children have invented many other things we continue to use today, such as popsicles (a very tasty accident!), the trampoline and ear muffs. Perhaps one of the most impressive things invented by a child is the language of the blind now used the world over, Braille. Louis Braille, its inventor, lost his vision in a tragic accident at age 3 and spent his early teen years developing his new language while studying at The National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris.
Almost 200 years later, American teen Ryan Patterson also improved the lives of the disabled when he invented a glove with special sensors that translates the hand motions of American Sign Language into written words on a digital display.
Sixty years ago, mankind got its very first glimpse of the far side of the Moon, so called because it faces away from the Earth.
With the technology of the late 1950s, the fact that it was taken at all seems not far short of miraculous.
Joke of the Day
A MEETING WITH THE BOARD
After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church board after the service. The first man to arrive was a stranger.
“You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board of the church,” said the minister.
“That is why I am here,” said the man. “If there is anyone here today more bored than I am, I’d like to meet him or her.”
“You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board of the church,” said the minister.
“That is why I am here,” said the man. “If there is anyone here today more bored than I am, I’d like to meet him or her.”
Word of the Day
alfresco
MEANING:
adverb, adjective: Outdoors; in the open air.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Italian alfresco (in the fresh). Earliest documented use: 1717.
USAGE:
“Abrupt reforms in the late 1980s sent many young men on to the streets. And the alternatives to living alfresco are better than in New York.”
Where Have All the Homeless Gone?; The Economist (London, UK); Aug 14, 2004.
Where Have All the Homeless Gone?; The Economist (London, UK); Aug 14, 2004.
Idiom of the Day
NOT ONE’S CUP OF TEA
Something you don’t like or are not interested in
She’s a great cook, but the meal she made really wasn’t my cup of tea. It was far too spicy.
She’s a great cook, but the meal she made really wasn’t my cup of tea. It was far too spicy.
This Day in History
1773 - Captain Cook's Resolution became the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle.
1806 - James Madison Randolph, grandson of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, was the first child born in the White House.
1871 - Andrew S. Hallidie received a patent for a cable car system.
1912 - English explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. Norwegian Roald Amundsen had beaten him there by one month. Scott and his party died during the return trip.
1945 - Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg disappeared in Hungary while in Soviet custody. Wallenberg was credited with saving tens of thousands of Jews.
1961 - In his farewell address, U.S. President Eisenhower warned against the rise of "the military-industrial complex."
1972 - Highway 51 South in Memphis, TN, was renamed Elvis Presley Blvd.
1985 - Leonard Nimoy got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1996 - Pink Floyd was officially inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
2000 - British pharmaceutical companies Glaxo Wellcome PLC and SmithKline Beecham PLC agreed to a merger that created the world's largest drugmaker.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, January 17
You have a lucky streak or at least a strong sense that you have a guardian angel in life. You have a penchant for investigation and research and love a good mystery. You thoroughly enjoy giving gifts and/or introducing people to new ideas or things. You can be stubborn and determined, and your managerial sense is strong. Ambitious and goal-oriented, you are headed for success. Famous people born today:
1706 Benjamin Franklin, US Founding Father, inventor, ambassador and writer (Poor Richards Almanac), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1790)
1922 Betty White [Ludden], American actress and comedian with the longest TV career of a female entertainer (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Golden Girls), born in Oak Park Illinois
1928 Vidal Sassoon, British-American hair stylist and CEO of Vidal Sasson, born in London (d. 2012)
1942 Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay], American boxer (world heavyweight champion 1964-7 74-8), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 2016)
1962 Jim Carrey, Canadian-American actor (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dumb & Dumber, The Mask), born in Ontario Canada
1964 Michelle Obama, 1st African-American US First Lady (2009-16), born in DeYoung, Illinois
1980 Zooey Deschanel, American actress (Almost Famous, New Girl), born in Los Angeles, California
READERS INFO
1.
(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:
What is ‘Flip Night’ at the Front Porch? Also, what is the Front Porch? It’s a bar located in the city of Denver, Colorado. Once a week they host ‘Flip Night’, where patrons get to flip a coin to decide the fate of their drink. If they guess the correct outcome (heads or tails), the drink is free. However, if they guess wrong, they pay DOUBLE.
In every deck of playing cards, there come four kings. The king of diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades. While never official, there was a day and time in which it was believed the each king in the deck represented an actual king. King David of Israel was the spade, Alexander the Great of Macedonia was the club, King Charlemagne of France was the heart, and Roman Caesar Augustus was the diamond.
There are currently eight people who have received the distinction of being named honorary United States citizens. There are eight, but only one of them could be the first. Those bragging rights belong to former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
2.
JAN 17, 1972 -
TODAY: Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, here pictured next to an alianthis tree outside her old house in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, dies. (Photo from the New York Daily News).
3.
thanks for the Offbeat Holiday, Patty
JAN 18 - NATIONAL THESAURUS DAY
British lexicographer Peter Mark Roget—who is most famous for publi
shing The Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (a.k.a. Roget’s Thesaurus) in 1852—was born on January 18, 1779. As such, this is a day to honor, celebrate, extol, laud, praise, revere, salute, etc. his contributions.
1773 - Captain Cook's Resolution became the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle.
In every deck of playing cards, there come four kings. The king of diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades. While never official, there was a day and time in which it was believed the each king in the deck represented an actual king. King David of Israel was the spade, Alexander the Great of Macedonia was the club, King Charlemagne of France was the heart, and Roman Caesar Augustus was the diamond.
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TODAY: Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, here pictured next to an alianthis tree outside her old house in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, dies. (Photo from the New York Daily News).
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4.
Tucson Senior Olympic Festival 2020
Jan 14 - Feb 1, 2020 | Tucson, AZ
Morris K Udall Regional Park|7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd
Have you ever dreamt of spiking a volleyball square in the face of your all-time nemesis? Encourage him/her and everyone else to sign up for an action-packed day of volleyball at the University of Arizona's Rec. Center. Step onto the court with confidence that you're about to crush it alongside your friends, new friends and enemies. Serve, bump, set and spike your way to a day you will never forget.
further information: Tucson Senior Olympic Festival
5.
SYRCL Wild & Scenic Film Festival 2020
Jan 16 - 20, 2020 | Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Museum of Natural History|1 Wade Oval Dr
The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival is a cinematic showcase of environmental works from filmmakers around the world. The four-day affair features over 100 short and feature-length films that tell stories of nature, conservation, climate change, wildlife and indigenous cultures. World premieres, workshops and an awards ceremony are among the additional attractions.
further information: Wild & Scenic Film Festival
6.
Houston Salsa Congress 2020
Jan 16 - 19, 2020 | Houston, TX
The Westin Houston, Memorial City|945 Gessner Rd
Finally, a Congress that everyone would vote for! In 2000, the first Houston Salsa Congress was hosted in the City of Houston, and the event has become a tradition which continues to highlight the beauty, creativity, and culture of Latin dance and music with through featured live artists from all around the globe. Now one of the largest salsa events in the country, this festival provides guests with a magical experience that will transport them straight into the heart of Latin culture.
further information: Home
FRIDAY'S INTERESTING FACTS
further information: Home
So far, two diseases have successfully been eradicated: smallpox and rinderpest.
The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was diagnosed in October 1977, and the last case of rinderpest was diagnosed in 2001.
Cherophobia is an irrational fear of fun or happiness.
7% of American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows.
I know 7% doesn’t sound like a lot, but that actually works out at 16.4 million American adults. Sounds like a lot now right?
I know 7% doesn’t sound like a lot, but that actually works out at 16.4 million American adults. Sounds like a lot now right?
If you lift a kangaroo’s tail off the ground it can’t hop.
Kangaroos use their tails for balance whilst hopping, so if you elevate their tail, they would have no balance and fall over.
Kangaroos use their tails for balance whilst hopping, so if you elevate their tail, they would have no balance and fall over.
Bananas are curved because they grow towards the sun.
Bananas go through a process called “negative geotropism.” Instead of growing towards the ground, they start growing towards the sun. The fruit grows against gravity, which gives the banana its familiar curved shape.
PATTERN BOOK FRIDAY
Patons 448 Young Men s Pullovers
Pictures of the day
Bananas go through a process called “negative geotropism.” Instead of growing towards the ground, they start growing towards the sun. The fruit grows against gravity, which gives the banana its familiar curved shape.
PATTERN BOOK FRIDAY
Patons 448 Young Men s Pullovers
Pictures of the day
The Malayan banded pitta (Hydrornis irena) is a small woodland bird in the Pittidae family from tropical south-eastern Asia, seen here in Si Phang Nga National Park, Thailand. Although common in parts of its range, its forest habitat is threatened by logging and conversion to agricultural land, and populations are also declining because of illegal collection for the cage-bird trade. Pittas are a popular group of birds among birdwatchers, due to their bright-coloured plumage and the relative difficulty of seeing these retiring birds in dark forest habitats.
Beautiful Wooden Bookshelf Inserts
by Japanese Artist Monde
knit ... Valentine's Day
thanks, Charlotte
Knit Pattern of the Day:
thanks, June
crochet
thanks, Sara
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent
SWEETS
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts
PUZZLE
SUDOKU ... very hard
QUOTE
CLEVER
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent
SWEETS
thanks, Sandy
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
thanks, Karen
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts
thanks, Iris
PUZZLE
| above allergic alright artificial aspen barricade breath bride | cans clean concentrate convey dinner direct dirt district dumbstruck | explain grass heard insure later | money needle party reference region rife | seed sire steer teeth tern there wager |
SUDOKU ... very hard
solution:
QUOTE
CLEVER
thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
Freshen Coat Closets
Keep an open box of baking soda inside your closet to remove any odors that are trapped inside. The powerful, powdery scent will keep your closets fresh and clean all year round. You can also mop a closet floor without carpeting by using a vinegar baking soda mix.
EYE OPENER
thanks, Michelle
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
I cannot conceive otherwise than that He, the Infinite Father, expects or requires no worship or praise from us, but that He is even infinitely above it. -Benjamin Franklin, statesman, author, and inventor (17 Jan 1706-1790)
OPTICAL ILLUSION
Anomalous motion illusion
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