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.

Learn about National Geographic Day

National Geographic Day is a day for us to pay tribute to the incredible National Geographic Magazine, which is also sometimes referred to as NAT GEO. This magazine has been going strong for many years now; over three decades! It originally contains articles about world culture, history, geography, and science. It is known for having a glossy format, a rectangular and bright yellow border, and some of the most incredible and dramatic photographs. Since 2019, The Walt Disney Company has had a controlling interest in the magazine.

This magazine is published on a month-by-month basis. Subscriptions are available, and members will receive extra map supplements. As is the case with most traditional print media today, national Geographic has evolved. It is still available in the printed version, yet there is also an online edition, which is interactive. A lot of people prefer to collect the printed versions, though. Now and again, there are special editions of the magazine that are run, so it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for these!

National Geographic has won a number of awards over the years. In 2020, it won the News & Magazines Webby Award for the category Apps, Mobile & Voice. It also received a National Magazine Award in 2017 for having the best website. Rolling the clock further back, the magazine has won the American Society of Magazine Editors’ General Excellence Award a number of times, including in 2007, 2006, and 2011. It also won three National Magazine Awards in 2008. When you take this into account, it is really not hard to see the impact that this magazine has had, and so we definitely feel that it is more than deserving of a day of its own!

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.

thanks for the pics, Bev

and we are grateful

Joke of the Day

thanks,

Word of the Day

dogged

MEANING:
adjective: Stubbornly determined or persistent.

ETYMOLOGY:
If you have ever faced a dog digging in his heels, you know what dogged is. The word dog is from Old English docga. Earliest documented use: 1300.

USAGE:
“It took years of dogged work by journalists, lawyers, and campaigners to establish how widespread the practice [phone hacking by Mirror] was.”
Hanging on the Telephone; The Economist (London, UK); Nov 14, 2020.

Idiom of the Day

What does 'Around the clock' mean?

If something is open around the clock, it is open 24 hours a day. For example, an airport is open around the clock.

friends

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.

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

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

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

1984 - Carl Lewis beat his own two-year-old record by 9-1/4 inches when he set a new indoor world record with a long-jump mark of 28 feet, 10-1/4 inches.

2010 - Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple iPad.

thanks, Judy

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)

1885 Jerome Kern, American Broadway composer (Showboat, Roberta), born in NYC, New York

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

READERS INFO
1.
(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:
8777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777Raise your hand if you know what a waterphone is? Also known as an ocean harp, a waterphone is a handcrafted acoustic percussion instrument. It is often used for making those scary and eerie sounds that are heard in horror movies. It was created by Richard Waters in 1975.

The average person produces enough flatulence to fill a birthday balloon in a single day!

Say hello to the Andean Condor, the largest flying bird on Earth. Found in the Andes Mountains of Peru, the condor weighs in at approximately 27 pounds, stands 48″ tall, and has an amazing wingspan of 14 feet.
2.
Jan 27 -

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an international memorial day on 27 January commemorating the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during the Second World War. It commemorates the genocide that resulted in the deaths of 6 million Jews and 11 million others, by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

3.
Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

In the early summer of 2020, Advil* was found in the blood of 94% of cases of Covid deaths at autopsy. Poor cardiac health is one of the two major comorbidities in Co-VID 19. Read notes at the end for further information.
Here are five clinically validated, natural alternatives worth considering:

Arnica: a 2007 study found that arnica, applied topically, was as effective as ibuprofen for relieving symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the wrist, and with less side effects.

Ginger: a 2009 study found that ginger was effective as ibuprofen for pain symptoms associated with difficult menstrual cycles (dysmenorrhea).

Turmeric: a 2014 study found that turmeric extracts were as effective as ibuprofen for relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

Thyme: 2004 study found that an extract of thyme was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain and spasm symptoms associated with difficult menstrual cycles (dysmenorrhea).

Omega-3 fatty acids: a 2006 study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with fish oil helped neurosurgery patients reduce their need for medications, and experienced results consistent with previous research indicating palliative effects at least as effective as ibuprofen.

Cinnamon: a 2015 study found that cinnamon was as effective as ibuprofen for pain associated with difficult menstrual cycles (dysmenorrhea).

***
The concern began after a study in The Lancet stated that ibuprofen boosts the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which may facilitate and worsen COVID-19. As a result, WHO originally warned most patients to stick with acetaminophen, which is also known as paracetamol or Tylenol.
Patients likely have increased ACE2 expression if they’re treated with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARBs), or thiazolidinediones, the report noted. Those drugs are commonly taken by those with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Ibuprofen can also increase ACE2, the study noted.
--Health Line
However, the point has been made that since blood clots are found in the lungs of deceased Co-VID patients, low and regular doses of aspirin might be taken if no contraindications are present.

Pictures of the Day

Halos are optical phenomena that appear near or around the Sun or Moon, and sometimes near other strong light sources such as street lights. There are many types of halos, but they are mostly caused by ice crystals in cold cirrus clouds located high (5-10 km, or 3-6 miles) in the upper troposphere. The particular shape and orientation of the crystals is responsible for the type of halo observed. Light is reflected and refracted by the ice crystals and may split up into colors because of dispersion, similarly to the rainbow.

Volcanic Rock in Brazil

Geologist finds rare formation inside rock that looks exactly like Cookie Monster on Sesame Street

the gang's all here for nap time

knit
thanks, Helen

Follow My Lines Hat

knit
thanks, Helen

Follow My Lines Shawl

knit

Ornella pattern by Annalisa Dione

knit

Jay Sweater pattern by Rachel Brockman

knit

Shelburne pattern by Lee Juvan

let's go on a fun little hike he said

Crochet Patterns of the Day:

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Indian Rocks Beanie Free Crochet Spider Stitch Hat Pattern

Hello Sunshine Afghan

Ha Ha - make them read

crochet
thanks, Julia

The Derek Baby Blanket

crochet
thanks, Phyllis

Vintage Crochet Hanger Tutorial

crochet

Reindeer Headwarmer

crochet

Hooty Owl Crochet Baskets

crochet

Crocodile Stitch Mermaid Tail Blanket

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Vegetarian Skillet Chili Recipe

but I bet it WOULD have sold

Quarantine Cooking Recipes

thanks, Debbie

Rosemary Dinner Roll Recipe

close but not quite so far

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Stacy

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup

thanks for the pics, Agnes

VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN RECIPE ..

Valentine's Day

Both vegetarian and vegan diets may provide health benefits, including reduced body weight, lower cholesterol levels, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is important for vegetarians and vegans to ensure that they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements.

thanks, Alice

Sarah Britton's Bold and Beautiful Raspberry Cashew Cheezecake

COPYCAT RECIPE

thanks, Jenny

Copycat PF Changs Lettuce Wraps Recipe

RETRO

thanks, Ann

Chicken Potpie Casserole

SWEETS .. Valentine's Day

thanks, Gloria

Vanilla Glazed Baked Cake Donut Recipe

ADULT COLORING .. Valentine's Day

FUN

thanks, Bonnie

How many taps can you get in 30 seconds? Tap as fast as you can and beat your high score!

Fast Tap

CRAFTS .. Valentine's Day

thanks, Zoey

DIY Branch Heart Wall Art

CHILDREN'S CORNER .. Valentine's Day

thanks, Betty

Valentine Ideas

PUZZLE

Tulip Inside Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

abbreviate
actually
again
article

brazen

cause
caution

decree

elicit
eyed

feats
fruit

gallop
gross

indite
issue

line
lizard
lurk

master
myself

natural

often

pickle
reason

simple
sissy
slate
sterile
sweat

thick
title

train
trees

undue
upper

valid
verse

wake
wise

SUDOKU .. medium

solution:

ICE BREAKER ..

thanks, Kris

You can use 'ice breaker questions' to build a rapport, enabling strangers to engage in back and forth conversion. With a little practice and possibly a beer or two, you’ll be breaking more ice than the Titanic.