Black Cat Day - October 27, 2021

DIANE'S CORNER .. Celebrate Black Cat Day

Because of superstitious beliefs in some cultures, black cats are sometimes associated with bad luck and, sadly, are more likely to be put to sleep or wait a long time to be adopted from shelters. Black Cat Day was launched to show people that a black cat could be the perfect cat for them, and help raise awareness about black cats in general.

If you’ve been looking for a rescue cat yourself, why not consider a black cat? Not only are the superstitions about them bringing bad luck completely untrue, but you might find a black cat to be a fantastic feline companion for you! On Black Cat Day, a fun way to celebrate, if you own a black cat, is to take photos with your pet to share and spread awareness about the day on social media. Children can join in by drawing pictures of black cats.

Learn about Black Cat Day

A lot of people think that black cats are associated with bad luck. If you see a black cat, do you walk away from it? For a lot of historical settings and cultures, black cats were actually related to positive things. However, it seems that this myth about them bringing bad luck is the one that has stuck the most. That is why Black Cat Day is so important. It is all about dispelling this myth and appreciating how great black cats are.

Black cats are loyal companions, and they have been seen in pop culture over recent years. We have Luna, the classic cartoon black cat, which features in Sailor Moon, as well as Salem, which is the black cat from Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – a show that we’re sure many of you watched when you were younger! We can’t forget about Hocus Pocus and the brilliant, sarcastic Thackery Binx either. Black cats are great, and they have so much personality, which is why we need to promote everything that is good about them rather than allowing this negative black cat spin to keep rolling. 

It’s worth pointing out that there are a lot of myths and superstitions regarding black cats, and many of them are actually positive. For example, in sailing lore, having a black kitten on a ship is said to calm both the sea and the wind. In England, if a Black Cat visits your hotel, B&B, or inn, you are encouraged to welcome the cat nicely, as he will bring more patrons. There are some other superstitions in England regarding black cats as well, for example, if a black cat walks in front of you, he is said to take your troubles with him. Also, a pudgy black cat is believed to be a charm for a great marriage. 

In Scotland, it is believed that placing black kittens on your porch will attract positive events and allay misfortune. In Early America, they believed that black cats had magical powers in their bones, which attracted power and good fortune. 

Black cats are also very symbolic. Rather than being associated with bad luck, they actually symbolize understanding that there is no such thing as bad luck. They are also associated with strength, sensuality, elegance, supporting and advocating adoption, beating the odds, and standing up against prejudice. So, as you can see, black cats are very powerful creatures, which send a positive message to people. This is why black cat gifts, including jewelry charm bracelets and artwork, have become so popular with people who are looking to send positive and uplifting messages to their loved ones.

History of Black Cat Day

Black Cat Day was created in 2011 by Cats Protection in order to celebrate beautiful black cats. When the campaign was first launched, it was revealed that it took black cats an average of a week longer to find a home when compared with other colored cats. Because of this, the campaign was set-up to celebrate black cats and to help promote them as beautiful pets that deserve as much love and attention as other cats. 

In order to understand a bit more about Black Cat Day and why it is so important, we need to look at the history of black cats in terms of them being viewed as bad luck bringers! This can largely be linked to the Middle Ages whereby people, especially those in the Catholic Church, believed that witches were shape-shifting black cats. Ever since then, the damage has been done. So, if you are truly to believe that black cats bring bad luck, then you need to believe that they are witches as well, and we can assure you that this probably isn’t true! 

JOKE OF THE DAY

thanks, Beth

WORD OF THE DAY

Domdaniel

MEANING:

noun: A place of wickedness.

ETYMOLOGY:

From French domdaniel (house of Daniel), apparently from Latin or Greek. Earliest documented use: 1801.

NOTES:

It’s not clear who Daniel is in the term Domdaniel. The place Domdaniel was introduced by a French continuation of the Arabian Nights by Dom Chaves and M. Cazotte in the late 18th c. Later, the place has appeared in the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, H.P. Lovecraft, and Neil Gaiman, among others.

USAGE:

“They generally proceeded to the Domdaniel, riding on spits, pitchforks, or broomsticks.”
Charles Mackay; Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions; Richard Bentley; 1841.

TODAY'S ARTIST 

thanks, Natalie

Johannes Mytens or Jan Mijtens, or "Mytens" to the English (c.1614 – 24 December 1670) 

was a Dutch Golden Age painter, almost entirely as a portraitist.

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does 'Beat the rap' mean?

Meaning:

If you beat the rap, you escape conviction and punishment for a crime or something you have done wrong.

DAILY SQUEEK

If You Were Born Today, October 27:

You are an energetic, emotional, and dynamic person. A study in contradictions, at times you appear reserved and quiet, and at other times bold and even reckless. Your inner restlessness can drive you to achieve much, as long as you learn to control your mood swings. Success is within your reach, largely due to your dynamism. You are enigmatic and passionate, and your powers of observation exceptional. Famous people born today: 

1728 James Cook, British explorer, navigator and cartographer who was the first European to explore much of Australia, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, born in Marton, Yorkshire, England (d. 1779)

1858 Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (R: 1901-09; Nobel 1906), born in NYC, New York (d. 1919)

1932 Sylvia Plath, American poet and novelist (Colossus, 3 Women, Bell Jar), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1963)

1939 John Cleese, English actor and comedian (Monty Python), born in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

1952 Roberto Benigni, Italian director and actor (Life Is Beautiful, The Tiger and the Snow), born in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy

thanks, Olivia 

“Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts.” Audrey Hepburn

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

An ant will survive a fall from any height because its terminal velocity can never be high enough to kill it.

Pirates wore eye patches to have one eye adjusted for the top deck, and the other already adjusted for the darkness when going below deck.

Lego doesn't make any military-themed sets because the creator didn't want to make war seem like child's play.

READERS INFO

1.

1978 -

Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel were awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for negotiations that resulted first in the Camp David Accords, then in a peace treaty between their countries.

2.

1886 -

U.S. President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty—a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States—on Bedloe's (later Liberty) Island in Upper New York Bay.

3.

Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Money–Saving Cleaners

To dilute in mop bucket, or full strength in spray bottle.

• 1 L of water
• 50ml of detergent
• 150ml of alcohol
• 150ml of alcohol vinegar
• 2 T. baking soda
• 1/2 c. of washing powder

Toilet Pucks

• 1 c. baking soda
• 1 c. borax
• ½ c. citric acid
• Dish detergent / disinfectant cleaner
• A few drops of blue food colouring

Wearing gloves, mix powders well, then dribble in and mix just enough of the liquids to make it like wet sand. Pack tightly into a flexible ice cube tray, and slap the contents onto a tray or cookie sheet. After about an hour, gently put them on cake racks to completely dry for 24 hours. Store in an air-tight container. To use, dissolve one in the toilet and brush the sides well before flushing.

COFFEE

thanks, Ella

PICTURES OF THE DAY

The rockwarbler (Origma solitaria) is a species of bird in the Australian warbler family Acanthizidae. It is found only in the Australian state of New South Wales, where its preferred habitat is woodland with cliffs and gullies and exposed sandstone or limestone rocks. Its nest is a hanging structure in a cave, made of grasses, roots, bark and moss, with spider web used as an adhesive. The species is listed as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This rockwarbler was photographed in the Royal National Park.

"Splashing"

Dragonfly in the rain.

knit .. Halloween
thanks, Marcy

A Mickey Mouse Halloween Dishcloth pattern by Kelly Montag

knit .. Halloween
thanks, Connie

Pumpkin Roll Beanie

knit .. Halloween

Felted Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

knit .. Halloween

Sweet Stole

knit .. Halloween

One Skein Rats

CROCHET PATTERNS OF THE DAY 

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Ombre Log Cabin Infinity Scarf

Textured Crochet Afghan Pattern (+7 Sizes!)

crochet .. Halloween
thanks, Alexa

Crochet a Pumpkin

crochet .. Halloween
thanks, Sharon

Halloween Crocheted Cup Cozy Pattern

crochet .. Halloween

How to make a cute crocheted Halloween bat

crochet .. Halloween

Skull and flower bracelet by Liz Ward, perfect for halloween

crochet .. Halloween

Digging Your Own Grave

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Whatever You Want Soup Recipe

PANTRY RECIPE

thanks, Debbie

Curried Pumpkin and Wild Rice Soup

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Carol

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

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

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

COPYCAT RECIPE 

thanks, Jenny

Deluxe McD's Copycat Cheeseburger Salad

RETRO RECIPE

thanks, Ann

Eggless Fruit Loaf from 1952

SWEETS RECIPE .. Halloween

thanks, Vicky

Spooky Boo Brownies

ADULT COLORING

FUN

thanks, Amy

FACTS: TRUE OR FALSE QUIZ There are ten facts below. Your task is to read them carefully and try and work out which fact is not true. Nine facts are true, only one is false. 1. TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. 2. There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious." 3. There are more chickens than people in the world. 4. The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid. 5. The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. 6. Maine is the only American state whose name is just one syllable. 7. Butterflies taste with their feet. 8. There are only three words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, and stupendous. 9. "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt". 10. The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.   To check which fact is false, look here:              Answer           Fact 8 is incorrect. There are four: the 4th is hazardous

CRAFTS .. Halloween

thanks, Hazel

Grapevine Pumpkin

CHILDREN'S CORNER .. Halloween

thanks, Sonja

Egg Carton Mini Pumpkins

PUZZLE

Dog Spaniel Friz Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

aeration agency attack blues broad child clues cutie

dogma duet field fight final handout

last later links member moment mute napkin

radar realm revolution scars servant sorts steal structure substance

teal tedium train truck vault woman

SUDOKU .. very 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. 

What Are You Most Looking Forward To In The Next 10 Years?

QUOTE

thanks, Helen

CLEVER 

thanks, Joanne

Make Your Kitchen Clutter Free With These 8 Smart Tricks!

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Frances

100 Interesting Facts About The World To Blow Your Mind

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in. -Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (27 Oct 1858-1919)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

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