Meteor Watch Day - June 30, 2020

DIANE'S CORNER ... 

Celebrate Meteor Watch Day

Today is Meteor Watch Day! A meteor or “shooting star” is the visible streak of light from a heated and glowing meteoroid falling through the Earth’s atmosphere; it is also call a “shooting star”.

Learn about Meteor Watch Day

Legend has it that if you wished upon a shooting star the wish would come true. It is believed to have originated in Greece, when a Greek astronomer Ptolemy, around AD 127-151, wrote that the Gods occasionally, out of curiosity, peer down at the Earth from between the spheres.

When this happened stars sometimes slip through the gap, becoming visible as shooting stars. It was thought that because the Gods were already looking at us, they would be more receptive to any wishes we made!

Did you know that these shooting stars are actually very small? The size of the meteoroid can vary the size of a closed fist to the size of a pebble. Thousands of meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis, but very few of them actually reach the surface; but when they do, they are called “meteorites.”

To celebrate Meteor Watch Day, hope for clear skies and spend some time star-gazing. Or why not find out when the next meteor shower is going to take place. Remember if you see a shooting start make a wish, the Gods may answer it.

History of Meteor Watch Day

When space debris, for example, pieces of rock, enter the earth’s atmosphere, the surrounding air becomes scorching hot because of the friction. Therefore, you see a ‘shooting star’ that streaks through the sky, with flaming air surrounding it. This is what is known as a meteor. Most of the meteoroids that result in meteors are merely the size of a pebble. 

Meteors tend to be viewed during the night. They are at their most visible when they are between 34 and 70 miles above the Earth. Once they reach between 31 and 51 miles above the Earth, they usually disintegrate. Their glow time tends to last for around one second.

Although it may seem that we are able to see a big number of meteors, we actually only see a very small percentage of them. This is because only a very small number of meteoroids will hit the atmosphere of the Earth and then skip back into space. 

Different hues in the light can be caused because of the speed and the chemical composition of the meteoroid. This means that you can see some exciting color combinations. This includes…

• Red (silicate)
• Purple (potassium)
• Green or blue (copper)
• Yellow (iron)
• Yellow or orange (sodium)

The Perseids is one of the most active showers in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been named after Perseus, which is a constellation whereby most of the activity occurs. The comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle releases particles that result in meteors showering down on the earth.

The display that is put on is truly magical and dazzling. The Perseids are active during the summer months, typically from around the middle of July until the end of August. On some evenings, when there is a new moon and a clear sky, those watching the sky are able to see more than one meteor per every minute. Pretty impressive, right?

Joke of the Day

A Star with a Tail

Teacher: "Class does anyone know what is a comet?"

Little Johnny: "A what?"

Teacher: "A comet. You know what a comet is?"

Little Johnny: "No."

Teacher: "Don't you know what they call a star with a tail?"

Little Johnny: "Oh sure. Mickey Mouse. "

Word of the Day

swashbuckle

MEANING:

verb intr.: To swagger, bluster, behave recklessly, etc.

ETYMOLOGY:

Back-formation from swashbuckler (one who makes a noise by striking a sword on a shield), from swash (of imitative origin) + buckler (a small round shield), from boucle (a boss on a shield), from Latin buccula, diminutive of bucca (cheek). Earliest documented use: 1897. Swashbuckler is from 1560.

USAGE:

“Ever since DNA was first used in 1986 to catch a killer, it’s swashbuckled its way through society as an almost infallible weapon of truth: convicting the guilty, freeing the innocent, revealing bloodlines, paternity, and identity.”
Carolyn Abraham; Unravelling the Canadian Gene Machine; The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada); Feb 3, 2018.

Idiom of the Day

A lick and a promise

If you give something a lick and a promise, you do it hurriedly, most often incompletely, intending to return to it later.

This Day in History

1859 - Charles Blondin became the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

1921 - U.S. President Warren G. Harding appointed former President William Howard Taft chief justice of the United States.

1952 - CBS-TV debuted "The Guiding Light."

1953 - The first Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, MI. It sold for $3,250.

1958 - The U.S. Congress passed a law authorizing the admission of Alaska as the 49th state in the Union.

1966 - The Supremes made the studio recording of "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

1970 - The Cincinnati Reds moved to their new home at Riverfront Stadium.

1974 - Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected in Toronto, Canada.

1985 - Yul Brynner left his role as the King of Siam after 4,600 performances in "The King and I."

1998 - Officials confirmed that the remains of a Vietnam War serviceman buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were identified as those of Air Force pilot Michael J. Blassie.

2004 - The international Cassini spacecraft entered Saturn's orbit. The craft had been on a nearly seven-year journey.

thanks, Carol

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, June 29

Quietly charismatic, you attract attention as an intriguing person, even if you are not looking for it. You are very emotional, and this is a strength, but it does sometimes prevent you from moving forward. While people in your life are usually helpful, you often end up doing things yourself in your own way. You are extremely loving and compassionate, but you have an independent streak that compels you to take the lead. Famous people born today: 

1917 Susan Hayward, American actress (I Want to Live, Tulsa), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1975)

1966 Mike Tyson, American boxer (youngest ever heavyweight champion 1986-90, 20 years, 4 months, 22 days), born in Brooklyn, New York

1969 Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lankan cricket opening batsmen (MVP-1996 World Cup), born in Matara, Sri Lanka

1985 Michael Phelps, American swimmer (record 23 Olympic gold medals), born in Baltimore, Maryland

thanks, Tina

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

If the sun were to explode right now, we wouldn't know it for another eight minutes and 20 seconds.

Human babies are 75% water at birth. A banana is 74% water.

Pluviophile: A lover of rain; someone who finds peace of mind and joy during rainy days.

2.

1952 -

“Guiding Light,” created by Irna Phillips, debuted on TV. It aired from 1952 to 2009, making it the longest-running daily television program, and was Phillips’s vehicle for creating iconic soap opera tropes.

3.

Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Halstead Crochet Pattern

Pictures of the day

Jam Gadang is a 26-metre-tall (85 ft) clock tower and major  landmark and tourist attraction in the Indonesian city of  Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. The structure was built in 1926,  during the Dutch colonial era, as a gift from Queen Wilhelmina  to the city's controleur. A figure of a rooster was originally  placed on the apex, but this was changed into a Shinto shrine– like ornament during the Japanese occupation (1942–1945); following Indonesian independence, the tower's top was  reshaped to its present form, which resembles traditional  Minang roofs. The tower was damaged in two earthquakes that  struck the island in 2007 and was subsequently refurbished. It  has been used as an observation post for fire control, and during Ramadan the call to prayer that marks the breaking of the fast is  sounded from the tower.

Russia

The Aurora Borealis over Lake Ladoga in the Leningrad region. 



knit
thanks, Sue

Streamline Tank pattern by Alexandra Tavel

knit
thanks, Denise

Chevron Bag
knit

New York City Lights pattern
knit

Hillside Baby Blanket Knitting pattern by Diana Poirier
knit

Golden Honey Shrug

Knit Pattern of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Gentle Breeze Baby Hat

Gentle Breeze Baby Jacket

Gentle Breeze Baby Blanket

crochet
thanks, Gabby

Granny Squared Crochet Top

crochet
thanks, Lois

Crochet Girl Purse

crochet

Tunisiam Washcloth

crochet

Birdhouse

crochet

Crochet Purse with Fringe


Quarantine Cooking Recipes

thanks, Debbie

This Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe With Fresh Tomatoes Is Healthy DIY Perfection

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Sweet Potato and Bacon Gratin

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Stacy

Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken

VEGAN RECIPE

thanks, Alice

VEGAN SUBSTITUTIONS FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTS

IN CAKES

SHORTENING OR BUTTER: Use soy margarine. Make sure there is no whey or other dairy product in the soy margarine.

DAIRY MILK: Try soy milk. This is available in your local health food store, food co-op, Asian store and some supermarkets.

EGGS: Use Ener-G Egg Replacer. If this binder is not available in your local health food store, write to Ener-G Foods, Box 84487, Seattle, WA 98124-5787 and ask for their mail-order catalog. (There may be other brands of egg replacer you may be like better.)

BUTTERMILK: Place 1 tablespoon of vinegar in your measuring cup and add soy milk as required.

FROSTING: You can use a sugarless apple butter.

SWEETNER: Because white sugar may be whitened using animal bones, some people may not want to use it. Try a sweet juice instead of water called for in the recipe. For an even sweeter taste, use juice concentrate in the mixture. Also, try rice syrup.

SWEETS

thanks, Vicky

S'mores Donuts! A campfire favorite, turned into a decadent breakfast treat!

ADULT COLORING

FUN

Egg equation

If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days?

Answer:

Two dozen. If you increase both the number of hens and the amount of time available four-fold, the number of eggs increases 16 times. 16 x 1.5 = 24. 

CRAFTS

thanks, Miriam

Coiled Magazine Paper Bowls

CHILDREN'S CORNER

thanks, Bella

Super Stylish Popsicle Stick Bracelets

PUZZLE

Flowers in a Wall Jigsaw Puzzle



WORD SEARCH

after barrier breeze cases delay doubt entry explode

fence field first flippant hardware importation league lies lungs

need owner pail pause pitch plate point poll

replace rice river shade slap steal stem strike studies swipe

temperature tike tissue trap truly twitch under

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Abby

CLEVER 

Canada Day celebrations are going virtual this year so you can enjoy programming from the safety of your own home!

Canada Day

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Becky

You might be a Bananas Foster baby—or were you born in the year of Hummingbird Cake? Take a look back at 60 marvelous years of dessert trends. They're our birthday gift to you! (1940 - 2000)

The Most Popular Dessert the Year You Were Born

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone. -Czeslaw Milosz, poet and novelist (30 Jun 1911-2004)

Bye bye, June, 2020

OPTICAL ILLUSION

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