International Midwives' Day - May 5 2021

DIANE'S CORNER .. 

Celebrate Int'l Midwives' Day

The midwife considers the miracle of childbirth as normal and leaves it alone unless there’s trouble. The obstetrician normally sees childbirth as trouble; if he leaves it alone, it’s a miracle.

Sheila Stubbs

It’s clear to anyone who gives it half a thought that women did not always give birth in hospitals, and in fact, they most commonly would give birth in their own homes under the guide of an experienced woman. There were those who specialized in the birthing process and who helped it come to fruition naturally, and those women were called Midwives. International Midwives’ Day serves to remind us that the female body is perfectly capable of giving birth and carrying a child to term without some of the invasive methods employed by Obstetricians and other practitioners.

History of International Midwives’ Day

The history of Midwifery goes back to prehistory, though there are records all over the world of midwife traditions. These women are those who made a study of the birthing process and the vital role it plays in perpetuating the species and its cultural significance. While it’s true in ancient days their practices were based heavily in experience and superstition, today’s midwives are just as capable and competent at seeing a woman to term as the more commonly used OB/GYN’s and Obstetricians.

While there are men who specialize in midwifery, thousands of years of tradition has rendered this field of medicine almost exclusively a woman’s art. So much so, in fact, that in order to be a midwife in ancient Greece you had to have given birth yourself, making it an exclusively female practice. It is this history that led to the division between Midwifery and Obstetricians, a split that took place in 17th Century Europe. While the practice of midwifery fell off for a while in the past couple hundred years, there is a rising movement towards home birth that is making this practice more relevant than ever. International Midwives’ Day celebrates these intrepid men and women and the part they play in a happy home and healthy birth.

There have been a number of different themes over the years for International Midwives’ Day. Typically, a new theme will be set every year. However, there have been some years whereby themes continue onto the next. Some of the themes we have seen so far include the likes of…

• The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever
• Midwives Changing the World One Family at a Time
• Midwives: For a Better Tomorrow
• Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery
• Midwives, Mothers, and Families: Partners for Life!
• Midwives: Defenders of Women’s Rights

Irrespective of the theme, there are three key aims when it comes to International Midwives’ Day. So, let’s take a look at them…

• Inform everyone with an interest in both justice and health that midwives are critical in lowering neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity. 
• Celebrate the achievements of midwives, as well as their contribution to improving newborn, maternal, reproductive, and sexual health outcomes. 
• Motivative policymakers to implement change by recognizing the unique professional role of a midwife, as well as lobbying for adequate midwifery resources.

Joke of the Day

Word of the Day

canary

The coat of arms of the Canary Islands features dogs, not canaries

MEANING:

noun:
1. A small finch, native to the Canary Islands, having greenish to yellow color, and known for its melodious song.
2. A bright yellow color.
3. A singer.
4. An informer.

ETYMOLOGY:

From French canari (canary), from Spanish canario (canary; of the Canary Islands), from Latin canis (dog). Ultimately from the Indo-European root kwon- (dog), which also gave us canine, chenille (from French chenille: caterpillar, literally, little dog), kennel, canary, hound, dachshund, corgi, etc. Earliest documented use: 1568.

NOTES:

The Canary Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Africa, are named after an animal, but it’s not canaries. It’s dogs. The island’s name is, literally, the Island of the Dogs, from Latin Canariae Insulae, supposedly named after large dogs found there. The canary birds are native to the area and are named after the islands. The yellow sense is after the birds, the singer sense is named after their singing, and finally, the informer sense developed because an informer sings or squeals.
The canary has also given us the idiom “canary in the coal mine” to refer to something that gives an early warning of a danger or failure. Due to their small size, canaries are more susceptible to carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases and were carried by coal miners in the mine shafts.

USAGE:

“He enjoyed a close friendship with the MGM canary Kathryn Grayson, with whom he starred in Show Boat.”
Obituary of Howard Keel; The Daily Telegraph (London, UK); Nov 9, 2004.

“The two high-ranking mobsters were named in a 39-count indictment in Brooklyn federal court yesterday, which made use of wiretaps and the recordings of a canary who is working with the government.”
Stefanie Cohen; Bonfire of the Bonannos Busts 19; New York Post; Feb 7, 2007.

Idiom of the Day

What does 'At the end of your rope' mean?

If you are at the end of your rope, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, May 5

Determined and often stubborn, you have ambition and can work hard for what you want. You are multi-talented and somewhat restless. While you value stability, you crave stimulation and create new challenges for yourself to reach, which keeps your life in a state of flux. You are a good conversationalist, quite amorous, and especially attractive and magnetic. Famous people born today:

1818 Karl Marx, German philosopher (Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital), born in Trier, Prussia (d. 1883)

1865 Nellie Bly [Elizabeth Cochran Seaman], American journalist and writer (Ten Days in a Mad House), born in Cochran’s Mills, Pennsylvania (d. 1922)

1921 Arthur Leonard Schawlow, American physicist, shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work with lasers, born in Mount Vernon, New York (d. 1999)

1942 Tammy Wynette [Virginia Pugh], American country singer ("Stand By Your Man"), born in Itawamba County, Mississippi (d. 1998)

1943 Michael Palin, English comedian (Monty Python, Fish Called Wanda), born in Sheffield, Yorkshire

1988 Adele [Adele Laurie Blue Adkins], Briish pop-rock singer-songwriter ("Rolling In The Deep"; "Someone Like You"), born in Tottenham, London

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

If a Donkey and a Zebra have a baby, it is called a Zonkey.

You can cut a pie into 8 pieces, with only three cuts.

Of all the oxygen you breathe 20% of it is used by your brain.

READERS INFO

1.

1864 -

TODAY: In 1864, journalist Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, better known as Nellie Bly, is born.

2.

1937 -

 

The Hindenburg flies over Manhattan on May 6, 1937.

3.

Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

THINGS I LEARNED LIVING IN THE SOUTH

1. A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.

2. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in the South.

3. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one's seen before.

4. If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.

5. Onced and Twiced are words.

6. It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!

7. Jawl-P? means: Did you all go to the bathroom?

8. People actually grow, eat and like okra.

9. Fixinto is one word. It means I'm going to do something.

10. There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and then there's supper.

11. Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar. It is referred to as the Wine of the South.

12. Backwards and forwards means I know everything about you.

13. The word jeet is actually a question meaning, 'Did you eat?'

14. You don't have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is, you work until you're done or it's too dark to see.

15. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH em.

16. Y'all is singular. All Y'all is plural.

17. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.

18. You carry jumper cables in your car for your OWN car.

19. You only own five spices: salt, pepper, mustard, Tabasco and ketchup.

20. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports, the motor sports, and gossip.

21. Everyone you meet is a Honey, Sugar, Miss (first name) or Mr (first name)

22. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

23. You know what a hissy fit is..

24. Fried catfish is the other white meat.

25. We don't need no dang Driver's Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive!!!

26. You understand these jokes and forward them to your Southern friends and those who just wish they were from the SOUTH.

AND one more:

27. Why did the chicken cross the road? To show that stupid possum that it CAN be done!

COFFEE

thanks, Ella

Pictures of the Day

A Photorealistic Image of George Washington If He Lived in the Present Day

This is tripping me out

Red Fox and Northern Lights

A beautiful red fox is photographed with the Aurora Borealis outside of Bethel, Alaska. This shot was taken during a spectacular display of the northern lights. 

knit
thanks, Connie

Child Bolero

knit
thanks, Marcy

Bauletto Bag pattern by Stefania PrimeMaglie

knit

Tri-Color Baby Blanket

knit

Short Sleeve Hooded Sweater

knit .. Mother's Day

Flower Hotpad

Knit Patterns of the Day: 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Baby Blanket Pattern

Baby Slippers Knitting Pattern {With Pom Poms}

crochet
thanks, Helen 

The Year of The Chicken Granny Square

crochet
thanks, Tara

Crystal Light Hanging Basket pattern by Goddess Crochet

crochet

The Spring is starting

crochet

Sand Dollar Bag pattern by Kristin Omdahl

crochet

Gehäkelte Espadrilles

RECIPE

thanks, Sally

Lemon Chicken

Quarantine Cooking Recipes

thanks, Debbie

Skillet Meatballs for Two

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic 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

Don't Throw Away the Rind! Make Old-Fashioned Watermelon Rind Pickles

COPYCAT RECIPE 

thanks, Jenny

Olive Garden Copycat Alfredo Sauce

RETRO

thanks, Ann

Prawn Cocktails Cucumber Cups

SWEETS .. Mother's Day

thanks, Anna

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

ADULT COLORING

FUN

thanks, Mia

Spot All 5 Differences in this Classic Farrah Fawcett White Mustang Cobra Picture

reveal:

CRAFTS

thanks, Kris

Egg Carton Wreath

Made from the common paper egg carton, Mom will love hanging this wreath on a covered door or over the mantel.

To make: Cut individual egg cups from paper egg cartons. Notch and cut decorative edges with scissors. Dye or paint cups desired colors. Attach cups and craft paper leaves to a painted craft ring with hot-glue.

CHILDREN'S CORNER

Girl's World (May 2020)

PUZZLE

Small Boats Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

ahead anxious assistant bloom bound break

calm child collective cross easier every impact

light market memories month nail national never

payment reflection regret restate restriction rife shot stuff

taste today toes track travel violate wheel wrong

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. 

What Event Has Changed The Course Of Your Life The Most?

QUOTE

thanks, Ellie ;-)

CLEVER 

thanks, Frances

Virus Poem

THE VIRUS IS RAGING, MY LIFE IS A MESS.
I LIVE IN PYJAMAS AND DON’T HAVE TO DRESS.

I’M IN ISOLATION, JUST STAYING AT HOME
AND WOULD GIVE MY LAST DOLLAR TO BE FREE TO ROAM.

I’M SERIOUSLY AT RISK (OR THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY),
TELLING ME TO STAY IN AND NOT GO OUT EACH DAY.

IN MY HEAD I’M SO YOUNG THOUGH MY LICENCE REVEALS
I’M A 70-PLUS SENIOR. (BUT THAT’S NOT HOW IT FEELS !)

WHEN I RUN OUT OF FOOD AND DELIVERIES ARE LATE,
I HAVE TO BUY GROCERIES BETWEEN 7 AND 8.

SO EARLY IN THE MORNING I HEAD OUT TO RESTOCK
AND DISCOVER A LINE UP THAT WINDS AROUND THE BLOCK. 

SOCIAL DISTANCING SENIORS ALL 6 FEET APART
MAKE ME WONDER JUST WHEN I BECAME 'AN OLD FART'. 

MY MEALS ARE REPETITIVE (A LOT LIKE MY GAS !)
AND I’M TIRED OF DISCUSSING WHY TR**P IS SUCH AN ASS. 

MY LATEST NEW OUTFIT IS GLOVES AND A MASK
AND I’M STARTING TO WONDER IF I’M UP TO THIS UNFAMILIAR TASK?

I WASH ALL MY GROCERIES, ALL FRUIT, MEAT, AND VEG.
WILL THIS ADDITIONAL PRECAUTION TIP ME OVER THE EDGE? 

MY BEAUTIFUL BROWN HAIR HAS WHITE ROOTS OF GREY!
NO HAIRDRESSERS AROUND TO HELP WASH THEM AWAY.

I’VE BEEN TALKING TO MYSELF. NOW I’M ANSWERING BACK.
IS IT MONDAY, WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY? I’VE REALLY LOST TRACK.

I’VE STOPPED DOING HOUSEWORK, IT’S WEEKS SINCE I’VE DUSTED
AND I KNOW WITHOUT VISITORS, I’LL NEVER GET BUSTED.

I FACETIME MY FRIENDS OR WE GROUP CHAT ON ZOOM
AND TRY TO PRETEND WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME ROOM

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT IS GOOD TO REFLECT
ON WHAT THIS ALL MEANS AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.

IT’S A TIME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT WE’VE GOT.
LIKE A WARM HOUSE AND FOOD THAT OTHERS HAVE NOT. 

THE BOTTOM LINE HERE, BY THE TIME THIS ALL ENDS
IS THAT WE’LL ALL GET THROUGH IT WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Laura

Facts About Ludwig van Beethoven

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water. -Christopher Morley, writer (5 May 1890-1957)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

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