International Read to Me Day - March 19, 2021

 DIANE'S CORNER .. 

Celebrate Int'l Read to Me Day

         SPRING WILL SPRING UP TOMORROW! YIPPY

When we’re young, bedtime meant a number of things. It often meant taking a warm bath to get clean before shuffling off to bed, begging for a glass of water no less than three times and, of course, cuddling down with our parents for a bedtime story. There was something about the sound of their voice telling us our favorite stories that helped drag us into a contented slumber, where perhaps we’d dream these tales they told us. There’s a day to recall these days and even to remind you to share these moments with your loved ones, and that’s International Read To Me Day.

History of International Read To Me Day

International Read To Me Day was established by the Child Writes Foundation to encourage the growth and spread of adult literacy. It became clear that in countries throughout the world adult literacy is a problem, and many adults simply lack the ability to read even for pleasure. When trying to find ways to help offset this, it became apparent that being read to as a child helped to encourage literacy and a love of reading in adults. The result of these findings was obvious! A holiday needed to be established to encourage the foundations of literacy by reading to our children, and thus was born “International Read To Me Day”!

While the holiday is definitely focused on encouraging children to read, some of the fundamental facts about this holiday extend even into adults. Reading to someone is an intimate act, something that can create closeness between two people and bring comfort to those we share it with. In Victorian times it was not at all unusual for an elderly person with failing eyes to employ someone strictly to read to them from their favorite tales. Reading a story to our partner at bed time can help foster a sense of togetherness far more intimate than watching a movie together.

thanks for the Antiques pics, Nina

Joke of the Day

Two men are hiking through the woods when one of them cries out, “Snake! Run!” 

His companion laughs at him. “Oh, relax. It’s only a baby,” he says. “Don’t you hear the rattle?” 

Word of the Day

Kentish cousins

MEANING:

noun: Distant relatives.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Kent, a county in England. Since most of the county is bounded by the sea and the river Thames, its citizens were not as mobile and intermarriages were common. Earliest documented use: 1796.

USAGE:

“It is due to the correspondence maintained between the Hampshire and the Kentish cousins that various facts relating to the period of Jane Austen’s girlhood were not long ago discovered by one of the authors of ‘Life and Letters’.”
Helen Amy; The Jane Austen Files; Amberley Publishing; 2015.

Idiom of the Day

What does 'At cross purposes' mean?

When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, March 19

You are a little hard to understand, but that is part of your quirky charm. You have an original sense of humor, and you are given to extremes of feeling. You can certainly be temperamental, and often very determined to get your way, but you are also a caring, compassionate, and perceptive person who is forgiving and aware. Famous people born today:

1813 David Livingstone, Scottish explorer (found by Stanley in Africa), born in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland (d. 1873)

1821 Richard Burton, English explorer and translator (Arabian Nights), born in Torquay, Devon (d. 1890)

1848 Wyatt Earp, American frontiersman and marshal who participated in the gunfight at the OK Corral, born in Monmouth, Illinois (d. 1929)

1891 Earl Warren, Governor of California and 14th US Supreme Court Chief Justice (1953-69), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 1974)

1947 Glenn Close, American actress (The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction), born in Greenwich, Connecticut

1955 Bruce Willis, American actor (Moonlighting, Die Hard), born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany

thanks, Mollie

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

In the early 1900s, there was a U.S. baseball team made up of death row inmates. Their executions were postponed as long as they kept winning. (interesting article)

The Titanic wreckage is disappearing. Sunk in 1912, the ship has survived for over 100 years, but it's gradually being corroded by a unique type of bacteria that is eating away at its hull. Scientists estimate the great ship might only have about
a decade left before the tiny organisms have consumed it entirely and it's gone forever.

Ireland's oldest pub dates back to the year 900CE. When Sean's Bar was renovated in 1970, they found the walls were made of 10th century structures. The pub has a record of every owner in its history, including Boy George, and has centuries of photos, artifacts,and memorabilia on display. Guinness World
Records has named it the oldest pub in Europe, and it's most likely the oldest in the world. 

READERS INFO

1.

1842 -

TODAY: In 1842, Honoré de Balzac tries to create buzz for his play Les Ressources de Quinola by circulating a rumor that tickets were sold out. The play opens to an empty theater. (Some credit this as the invention of "Le self-own.")

2. thanks for the Offbeat Holidays, Patty

March 20th  – Snowman Burning Day.

Snowman Burning Day was first celebrated in 1971 at Lake Superior State University, this is a holiday all about welcoming the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Lake Superior is one of the coldest places in the US, so there’s always enough snow for a snowman! 

3.

March 21 – Common Courtesy Day.

Today is a day to show off just how good your manners are. But more than that it is a great opportunity to see the joy simple manners bring to people.

4.

Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Why Every Judge On Shark Tank Backed This Product

PATTERN BOOK FRIDAY

Love of Knitting 2014 06 Special Summer Issue

COFFEE

thanks, Bev

Pictures of the Day

The Habanero chile is the most intensely spicy chile pepper of the Capsicum genus. Most habaneros rate 200,000–300,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), and the Red Savinas variety, at 580,000 SHU, holds the record for being the "World's Hottest Spice". The Habanero and Scotch bonnet are not identical, but are two varieties of the same species; the most notable difference is their shapes. The habanero is a cultivar; the Scotch bonnet a true variety.

CHINA

Aerial perspective of the red chilli harvest season in Bayingolin Mongol prefecture, Xinjiang, when farmers pick and leave them to dry in the sun

knit
thanks, Amber

Portland Cardigan

knit
thanks, Sue

Yin Yang Scarf pattern by Susan McKinnell

knit

My Sweetest Friend pattern by Solveig Engevold

knit

Winifred pattern by Amy Christoffers

knit

Cozy Big Bow Headband pattern by Amanda B Collins

Crochet Patterns of the Day: Easter

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Spring Baskets

Spring Easter Basket

crochet .. Easter
thanks, June

Bunny Bag pattern by Croc's Betty

crochet
thanks, Sarah

Granny Baby pattern by Gabriela Abrazables

crochet

Feather and Fan Top pattern by Rebecca Averill

crochet

Plupp Bag pattern by kanelsnackan

crochet

Primavera Flowers Granny Square

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Matzo Ball Soup With Celery and Dill Recipe

Quarantine Cooking Recipes

thanks, Debbie

Cajun Baked Catfish

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Denise

Slow Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken

VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN RECIPE

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

Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts

COPYCAT RECIPE 

thanks, Jenny

In-N-Out Burger Copycat Recipe

RETRO

thanks, Ann

Marilyn Monroe Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Helen

Peanut Butter Toffee Brownie Dip

COOKBOOK FRIDAY

Cow Brand Soda Cook Book and Facts Worth Knowing

ADULT COLORING

FUN

CRAFTS

thanks, Claire

Bird Nest Helper DIY: Make Your Own

CHILDREN'S CORNER

thanks, 

and

answers:

PUZZLE

Sailing Ship Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

absorb airy attack await basis bright cause change commercial

desire drip empty exist fortress guys harp

interest magic minute nobody paramedics pest pleasure

schedule search seed shaken share soldier still stray summer

teen that through yesterday

SUDOKU .. hard

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. 

If You Can Instantly Become An Expert In Something, What Would It Be?

QUOTE

CLEVER 

thanks, Amy

Steam Straighteners Creases and Softens New Shoes

Breaking in a new pair of shoes seems like it takes forever. For those who are in a hurry for new sneakers to fit perfectly, steaming will shape and manipulate the instep, shaft and width of boots and shoes. Steam also helps smooth out creases in worn or rumpled shoes.

Method: Hold an iron on its hottest, steamiest setting several inches away from your shoes and rotate them slowly in the steam. Tip: Wear a pair of gardening gloves or winter gloves while steaming your shoes.

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Lesley

15 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started Cooking

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defense, we would sanction the subversion of one of those liberties which make the defense of our nation worthwhile. -Earl Warren, jurist (19 Mar 1891-1974)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

www.DianesDailyCorner.Blogspot.com