Dr. Seuss Day - March 2, 2020

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Dr. Seuss Day

We truly love him
in a house.
We truly love him
with a mouse.
We truly love him
here or there.
We truly love him
anywhere.
We truly love the silly goose.
We truly love old Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss Day is a full twenty-four hours to make a mess with the Cat in the Hat, dance around with the Fox in Sox, hear a Who with Horton, count the red and blue fish, help the Grinch see the error of his ways, and listen to Sam I Am’s friend complain about his dish of green eggs and ham, the ungrateful hairball!

Theodor Seuss Geisel, commonly known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, was a writer, poet and cartoonist. Though best known as a children’s author (he released a whopping forty-six books for tykes), his career also saw him work as an illustrator for advertising campaigns and a political cartoonist during the Second World War. He was also a true perfectionist, known to discard 95% of his material before settling on a theme for a new book, sometimes spending up to a year writing a single story, and preferring payment upon completion, rather than in advance.

March 2nd is a celebration of his life and works, as it was on this day in 1904 that he entered the world. Having lived eighty-seven years and made an incredible impact on numerous generations, he died in 1991 at his home in La Jolla, California. His many bizarre, colourful and zany tales are still cherished by young and old alike, and, having been translated into more than twenty languages, are read all across the world every single day.

If you fancy paying a fitting tribute, we recommend dressing up with a friend as Thing 1 and Thing 2. All you need are blue wigs and red jumpsuits. Oh, and boundless energy!

Joke of the Day

ONE MILLION DOLLARS

Two friends are chatting...

"I will give one million dollars to the person who will fulfill my wish."

"What is your wish?"

"That somebody would give me two million dollars."

Word of the Day

canker-blossom

MEANING:

noun: One who destroys good things.

ETYMOLOGY:

From canker (to decay, infect, or corrupt), from Old English cancer (crab, tumor) + blossom (the mass of flowers on a plant). Earliest documented use: 1600, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

USAGE:

“Remember when Eric Clapton wasn’t such an frothy, knotty-pated, canker-blossom?”
Making a Mix - Sean Beirne; New Haven Register (Connecticut); Feb 3, 2006.

“Hermia: O me! (to Helena) You juggler! You canker-blossom!
You thief of love! What, have you come by night
And stol’n my love’s heart from him?”
William Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; 1600.

Idiom of the Day

STEAL SOMEONE’S THUNDER

To take attention or praise away from someone else’s accomplishments by outdoing them with your own
My sister is always stealing my thunder – I announce I’m getting married and she tells everyone she’s pregnant!

This Day in History

1861 - The U.S. Congress created the Territory of Nevada.

1877 - In the U.S., Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election by the U.S. Congress. Samuel J. Tilden, however, had won the popular vote on November 7, 1876.

1897 - U.S. President Cleveland vetoed legislation that would have required a literacy test for immigrants entering the country.

1899 - Mount Rainier National Park in Washington was established by the U.S. Congress.

1908 - In Paris, Gabriel Lippmann introduced three-dimensional color photography at the Academy of Sciences.

1925 - State and federal highway officials developed a nationwide route-numbering system and adopted the familiar U.S. shield-shaped, numbered marker.

1933 - The motion picture King Kong had its world premiere in New York.

1962 - Wilt 'The Stilt' Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks 169-147. Chamberlain broke several NBA records in the game.

1964 - The Beatles began their first film, "A Hard Day's Night."


1969 - In Toulouse, France, the supersonic transport Concorde made its first test flight.


1984 - The first McDonald's franchise was closed. A new location was opened across the street from the old location in Des Plaines, IL.


1998 - Images from the American spacecraft Galileo indicated that the Jupiter moon Europa has a liquid ocean and a source of interior heat.


2016 - Astronaut Scott Kelly returned to Earth after 340 days in space aboard the International Space Station.

thanks, Anna



DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, March 1

Although you are self-reliant and for the most part independent, you are also a true giver, with loads of compassion for others. You have a vision and you go after it. Truly inspired, you have an innate understanding that change is necessary in order to grow and move forward. You can be very persuasive when you want to be. While you can be moody and sensitive, you are also very good at picking yourself up from a fall, dusting yourself off, and changing plans if need be. Famous people born today:

1793 Sam Houston, American born 1st President of Republic of Texas (1836-38, 1841-44) who helped bring Texas into the United States as a constituent state, born in Rockbridge County, Virginia (d. 1863)

1904 Dr. Seuss [Theodor Geisel], American children's author (The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham), born in Springfield, Massachusetts (d. 1991)

1917 Desi Arnaz, Cuban-American actor (Ricky Ricardo-I Love Lucy), born in Santiago de Cuba (d. 1986)

1919 Jennifer Jones [Phyllis Isley], American actress (Farewell to Arms), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma (d. 2009)

1931 Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1985-91), born in Stavropol, Russia

1968 Daniel Craig, English actor (James Bond films), born in Chester

1977 Chris Martin, English musician (Coldplay), born in Exeter, England
thanks, Wren

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

A film set has many moving pieces all going on at the same time. Crews set up the next scene while the actors prepare. Walkie Talkies are everywhere with constant back and forth communication. Two frequently heard terms while filming are “10-1” and “10-2”. What do they mean? 10-1 means you are going to the bathroom to go #1 while 10-2 means you are going to go #2.

The first country to print paper money was China in 618 A.D. This began during the Tang Dynasty, who referred to the new currency as flying money.

Sharks never gets sick. Their tissue carry antibacterial properties that protect them and keep them healthy.

2.

1965 -

The musical film The Sound of Music was released. The famous film starred Julie Andrews as Maria, a young woman who leaves her convent life to act as a governess for the seven von Trapp children. While a governess, Maria introduced the children to singing. Christopher Plummer portrayed Captain von Trapp, the children's father and a widower, who falls in love and marries the young governess. In the movie, the Nazis order the captain to report for duty in the Germany navy, which he decides against doing because of his disagreement with Nazi ideology. The von Trapp family escape the Nazis during a musical competition with the help of the nuns at the convent. The family eventually walks across the mountains into Switzerland. Although The Sound of Music was very loosely based on a real family, there are many key differences. For instance, Maria did leave an Austrian convent, but did so in order to tutor one of the von Trapp children who was recovering from an illness. Some of the children's names and ages were changed for the film. Maria and Captain von Trapp married much earlier in real life than portrayed in the film. Another important difference was that Captain Georg von Trapp was recruited by the Nazis to join their navy but was never ordered to report for duty. In both the movie and in real life, Georg chose not to join. The real family consisted of Georg's seven children with his first wife, who died of scarlet fever in 1922, and an additional three children that he had with Maria, whom he married in 1927. Most importantly, the von Trapp family were professional touring singers, and they left Austria via a train to Italy rather than escape over the mountains as portrayed in the film. The family eventually settled in Vermont during the 1940s. Before The Sound of Music film, the von Trapp story had been featured in a book, in two other films, and in a musical stage production. Maria von Trapp wrote a book, published in 1949, called The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. The movies, The Trapp Family (1956) and a sequel entitled the Trapp Family in America (1958), were released in West Germany. The Broadway musical The Sound of Music, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, premiered on Nov. 16, 1959, and starred Mary Martin as Maria and Theodore Bikel as the captain. The popular musical won six Tony awards including Best Musical. The movie The Sound of Music became a huge commercial success as well, receiving five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

3.

Festival of the Arts BOCA 2020

Feb 28 - Mar 7, 2020 | Boca Raton, FL

Mizner Park Amphitheater|590 Plaza Real

God-given talent is difficult to spot especially when half the population decides to sit on their hands and do nothing with it. Boca Raton, Florida, features a special collection of individuals who took full advantage of their gifts, and you'll witness them first-hand at the Festival of the Arts. With exceptional work in film, classical music, visual art and literature on display throughout the venue, you won't have to take more than two steps to find the next great thing.

further information: Festival of the Arts BOCA

4.

Craftsmen's Classic Art & Craft Festival 2020

Mar 13 - 15, 2020 | Chantilly, VA 

Dulles Expo Center|4320 Chantilly Shopping Center

The Craftsmen’s Classic is such a…classic…that it occurs 9 times a year in many different locations in the Carolinas and Virginia. Why is it so popular? Well, it’s because it hosts hundreds of fine artisans and craftsmen who put their stunningly original work on display. With traditional and contemporary works abound, you never know what you’ll stumble upon at this festival.

further information: Festival

5.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts 2020

Mar 19 - 21, 2020 | Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Davis Concert Hall|312 Tanana Dr

Several Native cultures have called Alaska home for many, many years, and their one-of-a-kind art probably kept them distracted from the blistering, frigid temperatures. A student-led tradition, the Festival of Native Arts brings all the Native cultures together to celebrate their rich heritage. Offering entertainment and educational value, the Native people will put on a series of colorful dance and music performances and showcase their unique visual art.

further information: Festival of Native Arts

Pictures of the day

The Portrait of Chaliapin is an oil-on-canvas painting by  Boris Kustodiev, produced in 1921. Feodor Chaliapin was a  Russian opera singer; possessing a deep and expressive  bass voice, he enjoyed an important international career at  major opera houses. He is depicted here wearing an expensive fur coat, which had come from a Soviet warehouse containing  items confiscated from rich people during the Russian Revolution, and which he had received in lieu of payment for a performance. The background shows festivities at the traditional folk holiday  of Maslenitsa. Dressed in a smart suit and holding a cane,  Chaliapin is portrayed as having risen above his contemporaries. His favourite dog is at his feet and, at the bottom left, his two  daughters stroll on the festive square in front of a poster promoting  his concert. This copy of the painting is in the collection of the  Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Dublin

The Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College

knit ... Easter
thanks, Vicky

Baby Onesie

knit
thanks, Emily

Wavedeck pattern by Kate Atherley

knit

Easy Knit Mittens Pattern

knit

202-8 Stone Fields pattern by DROPS design

knit

Nuthatch Socks pattern by Carrie Oster

Crochet Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Halo Shawl

Modern Bunny Lovey

crochet ... Easter
thanks, Helen

Crochet Lace Eggs - by Donna Wolfe from Naztazia

crochet

thanks,  Julie

Potobello Road Scarf

crochet

Square-Cut Diamond Throw

crochet

Learn How to Crochet and Infinity Scarf

crochet

Equinox pattern by ByMimzan

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup

CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Cora

Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken

SWEETS ... Easter

2 Ingredient Flourless Nutella Cake

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

thanks, Kay

How to Make a Bar of Felted Soap

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Easter

thanks, Lillian

Make an Easter Bunny Cake With 2 Round Cakes

PUZZLE

Butterfly Azure Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

again another begin bless clear control cyst

dossier everyone fashion gore grasp happiness

intelligent loose machine magic mother never

pleasure railroad reel secure seem sleep sorrow stare sure

television think treat valley voice weary would yield

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

CLEVER 

thanks, Alice

20 quick and simple wedding ceremony hacks

Here’s some unique ways to make the ceremony all about you and your partner.

1. Have your closest friends and family marry you, make it a community event. That is, involve all of them in the ceremony, not just as groomsmen or bridesmaids, but ask them to perform a ceremonial aspect of the ceremony or sing a song, perhaps even a poem or a scripture reading. It’s a creative way of honouring their commitment to the commitment that the bride and groom are making. One couple I’m marrying next year is having the bride’s daughter take them through their vows.

2. Have a man of honour or a best girl. If your best friend is of the opposite sex don’t deny them prime position!

3. Have your guests sit or stand in a circle around you as you are married. In a circle or a horseshoe shape.

4. Don’t have an official bridal party and tell everyone invited that they are your bridal party.

5. Write your own vows for the most memorable and special thing from the day.

6. Have a ring warming. (What’s a ring warming you ask? There are different versions of this, but generally the rings are placed in a small bag and are passed around to each guest prior to the ring exchange. Each guest blesses the rings or says a prayer.) Bridesmaids could carry something other than flowers, if flowers aren’t a special object in your life. Perhaps candles, or a book, or a ceremonial symbol.

7. Choose a processional song that is very special to both of you. It doesn’t have to be a ‘wedding’ song.

8. Honour your cultures with a prayer, poem or song from your heritage.

9. Hire a professional solo artist or band to sing a song of your choosing. Make it a lively event.

10. Exit the ceremony to spend a few moments in private together, instead of walking into the crowd of guests. It’s based off a jewish tradition, but you could make it yours.

11. Hold the ceremony in a place that’s special to you both, perhaps underwater or in a certain restaurant.

12. Don’t say I do. You don’t have to, in fact there are only a few things you have to say. Make sure your celebrant isn’t throwing a ‘default’ ceremony at you.

13. Ask the celebrant to identify guests subtly or secretly in the message. It might be a nice way of subtly honouring them.

14. Sit all of the guests on hay bales. Or choose other odd or special seats.

15. Invite as few people as possible. It’s not a competition to see who can have the biggest wedding. Make the guest list intimate and special.

16. Give your celebrant some ideas on what they could joke about, and what they shouldn’t joke about. Not that they would start a stand-up comedy gig, but so they could bring a smile into the day.

17. Look at everything you’re doing on the day, and ask yourself why you’re doing it. If you can’t find a good reason, throw it out! This goes for everything from timing, to having a bridal party, releasing doves, throwing the bouquet, etc. Find a reason for it or throw it.

18. Get your own special blend or brew, of wine or beer, labelled and distributed to your guests at your reception.

19. Prepare a special morning for the boys. The girls will often spend all morning in makeup, but the boys do nothing, plan a day for them.

20. Feel free to fire, re-hire, and fire again if your wedding professional isn’t providing you with the service you need. Don’t pander to poor-quality staff if your one and only wedding day is at risk. Take it by the horns and make it awesome!

EYE OPENER 

They publish all the news that's fit to anagram.

The Anagram Times

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

We have come to a point where it is loyalty to resist, and treason to submit. -Carl Schurz, revolutionary, statesman, and reformer (2 Mar 1829-1906)

Dr. Seuss

OPTICAL ILLUSION

Light or Dark Pencil Optical Illusion

Tell which side of pencil is darker? 

If you said right side, then its time to take a long breath right now as both the sides of pencil are equally dark