National Geographic Day - January 27, 2020

DIANE'S CORNER ... 
Celebrate National Geographic Day

National Geographic is something we take for granted, which is not surprising considering that it has been around for well over 100 years. The first issue of the magazine was published in 1888, and National Geographic Magazines have been published regularly, once per month, since then.

National Geographic Magazine has covered thousands of topics since its inception, from lovely, peaceful Balinese dancers to controversial topics such as the brutal killing of animals by poachers and those convinced of the magical properties of certain animal parts. For almost 130 years, National Geographic magazine has been awakening people’s interest in far away, unknown countries, their foods and customs, and above all, those who live there, both human and not. And this is of course why National Geographic is more than deserving of its own day, and we’ve seen to it that it got one.

History of National Geographic Day

National Geographic Magazine was created as a text-oriented publication by the National Geographic society in 1888. Due to the popularity of the segments containing numerous pictures, National Geographic magazine quickly switched to extensive pictorial content.

National Geographic Magazine became especially famous for its balanced portrayal of North America compared to the countries behind the iron curtain, downplaying politics to focus on culture, and not avoiding the Cold War topic as many publications tended to do at that time. More recently, National Geographic Magazine has been especially outspoken on environmental issues, such as deforestation and endangered species. National Geographic Magazine has also been praised for its beautiful photography and its book-like quality.

Joke of the Day

Foreign Language

A dog was so clever that his owner sent him to college. Home for vacation, the dog admitted he had learned neither history nor science, but added proudly, “I did make a good start in foreign languages.”

“Okay,” replied the owner, “say something in a foreign language.”

The dog said, “Meow!”

Word of the Day

bibliophilia

MEANING:

noun: The love of books.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek biblio- (book) + -philia (love).

USAGE:

“If you’ve ever flirted with bibliophilia, ever dabbled in recreational sniffing and fondling of books, be advised: this magnificent volume [Winter Papers 5] might push you over the edge.”
Kevin Barry and Olivia Smith; A winter wonderland; Sunday Times (London, UK); Dec 22, 2019.

Idiom of the Day

PIECE OF CAKE

Something that is very easy
My English exam was a piece of cake.

This Day in History

1756 - Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born.

1870 - Kappa Alpha Theta, the first women’s sorority, was founded at Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, IN.

1880 - Thomas Edison patented the electric incandescent lamp.


1888 - The National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, DC.


1926 - John Baird, a Scottish inventor, demonstrated a pictorial transmission machine called television.


1927 - United Independent Broadcasters Inc. started a radio network with contracts with 16 stations. The company later became Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS).


1945 - Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland.


1977 - The Vatican reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's ban on female priests.


1984 - Wayne Gretzky set a National Hockey League (NHL) record for consecutive game scoring. He ended the streak at 51 games.


2010 - Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple iPad.



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, January 27

You possess creative and verbal style, an analytical mind, and a broad tolerance of others' differences. Many of you are excellent at teaching, whether or not you do it for a living, as others readily respect you and follow your lead. As well, you are good at encouraging and motivating people. You are an especially trustworthy person. You value your personal freedom more than most and don't easily accept restrictions. Your thinking is progressive and way ahead of your time. Famous people born today:

1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian musical prodigy and composer (Figaro), born in Salzburg, Austria (d. 1791)

1775 Friedrich von Schelling, German philosopher (Views on Christianity), born in Leonberg, Württemberg, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1854)

1832 Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], English author (Alice in Wonderland), born in Daresbury, England (d. 1898)

1850 Edward Smith, English naval captain of the RMS Titanic, born in Hanley, Staffordshire (d. 1912)

1936 Samuel C. C. Ting, American physicist and Nobel Laureate (1976 J/ψ particle), born in Ann Arbor, Michigan

thanks, Lori

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

Brontology is the scientific study of what causes thunder. Thunder is the result of lightning. 

The boom or roar of thunder comes from a bolt of lightning quickly heating the air around it. This causes the air to rapidly expand and produce the sound effects.

Currently there are over 300 cities throughout the world that boast a population of 1 million or more. The first city EVER to reach the 1 million mark was Rome, Italy in 133 B.C.

Bugs Bunny is the beloved rabbit from Warner Bros. Looney Tunes. He first came to life back in 1938. However, did you know that Bugs Bunny wasn’t his original name? It’s true. When he first debuted, Bugs was known as Happy Rabbit.

2.

thanks for the Offbeat Holidays, Patty

JANUARY 27: 

THOMAS CRAPPER DAY

Often incorrectly credited with inventing the toilet, Thomas Crapper was a plumber and businessman who did, in fact, champion the modern wash closet and also invented the ballcock—that floating ball in the body of your toilet. His apropos surname was just a coincidence: The word crap already existed in the English language at the time of his birth.

3.

JANUARY 27: 

BUBBLE WRAP APPRECIATION DAY

Celebrated on the last Monday of January, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is a day to give thanks for the many hours of joy this beloved packing product has brought us all. And to share all that you know about it with others (like how it was originally meant to be wallpaper, and could potentially offer real-life mental health benefits). And if you don’t know much about it, here are 50 facts for you.

4.

Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival 2020

Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2020 | Austin, TX 

Palmer Events Center|900 Barton Springs Rd

Austin’s Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival is a four-day festival and convention held annually at the Austin Convention Center. Featuring tatted-up performers and skilled tattoo artists, this festival features a unique balance of entertainment and education. Seminars are offered for those interested in tattoo art history, form and meaning. Tattoo contests are held throughout the festival, allowing brave attendees the chance to have the craft practiced upon them by professional, skilled artists.

further information: 18th Star Of Texas Tattoo Art Revival •

5.

Randolph Street Market Festival 2020

Feb 8 - 9, 2020 | Chicago, IL

Plumbers Hall|1350 W Randolph St

The Randolph Street Market Festival is an internationally recognized European-style indoor and outdoor shopping extravaganza in Chicago’s historic West Loop.

further information: Randolph Street Market

6.

U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition 2020

Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2020 | Lake Geneva, WI

Flat Iron Park|201 Wrigley Dr

You could roll a ball of snow into a morbidly obese snowman, but building snowmen is becoming a dying art. That's why you should sled on over to the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition to see what marvelous works of art can come from frozen water. With the best packing snow available, these sculptors will create any life-sized object you can think. From Greek Gods and ice dragons to army tanks and ferocious wildlife, there's no such thing as impossible in snow sculpting.

further information: Winterfest & Snow Sculpting Competition

Pictures of the day

Childhood is the first in a series of allegorical oil-on-canvas  paintings by American artist Thomas Cole, entitled The Voyage of Life, which represent man's journey through life. In the  painting, an infant sits in a boat guided by an angel. The vessel glides out of a dark, craggy cave, which Cole described as being "emblematic of our earthly origin, and the mysterious past". The landscape is lush; everything is calm and basking in warm  sunshine, reflecting the innocence and joy of childhood. The river is smooth and narrow, symbolizing the sheltered experience of  childhood, and the figurehead on the prow holds an hourglass  aloft. This painting, along with the other three in the series, was  painted in 1842 and is held by the National Gallery of Art in  Washington, D.C.

No shirt, no problem for Gary Atlas in Brooklyn

Running on the Coney Island boardwalk on a day when the high temperature was 16 degrees.

knit ... Valentine's Day
thanks,  Marcy

Have a Heart Valentine Socks pattern by Denise Bein Kroll

knit
thanks, Paige

Izaiah's Pullover
knit

Six Degrees of Separation pattern by Rhonda Shildt

knit

Prints For Baby Pullover pattern by Susie Bonell

knit

Striped Stocking Cap pattern by Lin Damrell

Knit Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

ISSUEff17 ** Napi : Knitty.com

crochet ... Valentine's Day

Valentine Bag

crochet

thanks, Helen

Mathilda's Easy Crochet Cardigan

crochet

thanks, Charlotte

Mandala Placemat

crochet

Macaron Pin Cushion

crochet

Sedona Fringed Throw

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Iris

Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Vegetables

SWEETS ... Valentine's Day

thanks, Gloria

Cream Cheese Mints {An Easy Valentine’s Day Candy Idea}

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS ... Valentine's Day

thanks, Mary

make: felt heart mobile

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... science

thanks, Betty

Science Activities for 3 - 5 Year Olds

PUZZLE

Number Cube Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

abuse advantage brake broke clamp exalt habit

late lest lights lunch mayhem necessarily never nosed notice

orange pallid peace plans quarantine

recede round seduce send serene shiny shoal split stupid

towels truck trustworthy virus weird white

SUDOKU ... hard

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Amy

CLEVER 

thanks, Sally. She says, "I can't stand the stuff as a beverage but as a quilter, vodka makes a wonderful pressing spray that removes wrinkles and deep folds in cotton fabric.  Also, I think the iron glides more easily without the messy built up that spray starch produces.  Here is my recipe for vodka pressing spray (I only use a few drops of peppermint oil instead of the lavender):"

Homemade Linen or Ironing Spray Formula

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Marge

Holding Hands Is Natural Pain Relief

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

A fellow of mediocre talent will remain a mediocrity, whether he travels or not; but one of superior talent (which without impiety I cannot deny that I possess) will go to seed if he always remains in the same place. -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer and musician (27 Jan 1756-1791)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Tattoo