Freedom Day - November 9, 2022

DIANE'S CORNER .. 

Celebrate Freedom Day

In many parts of the world, freedom is something that is taken for granted—the freedom to choose any religion we want (or no religion at all), the freedom to be in a relationship with the person we love, the freedom to travel…the list goes on. Unfortunately, there are many, many places in the world where these freedoms are not available to most people, who are forced to live empty, unfulfilling lives so the rulers of their countries don’t have them thrown in jail or worse.

If you don’t know what it means to be afraid to voice your opinion, then you can consider yourself very lucky to live in a place where liberty is a priority as well as a basic human right. And like all good things, liberty should be celebrated, and that’s what World Freedom Day is all about.

Learn about World Freedom Day

For a lot of people, it is crazy to think about a world without freedom. Many people have experienced freedom in all of their lives. However, for a lot of people, this is not the case, and so it is important that we understand this and that we look for ways to make changes.

World Freedom Day has been created in commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The date is not so much about the wall itself, but more about what it symbolized. The fall os this wall was the end of communism in both Central and Eastern Europe.

At the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into two parts. There was West Germany and East Germany. The Soviet Union controlled East Germany. The French, British, and American occupied sectors of West Germany. After the Second World War, East Germany was declared a country of its own.

The living conditions between West and East Germany were considerably different when you consider completely different leadership styles. Economic conditions thrived in West Germany, where it was capitalist. However, in communist East Germany, the opposite happened. A lot of Germans defected to West Germany to try and get away from the difficult and challenging conditions that came with communist leadership.

This resulted in a monumental three million people leaving East Germany between the years of 1949 and 1961. As a consequence, the Soviet Union found itself in a very desperate position. They threatened using nuclear weapons so that they could overtake West Germany.

In 1961, barbed wire and concrete posts were erected by soldiers, creating a physical barrier between West and East Berlin. This happened during the night, with people in Berlin waking up in the morning to realize that they would not be able to go to the other side of the city, even if they had family or a job on the other side.

The 91-mile wall had minefields, watchtowers, electric fences, and other features installed overtime to make sure that no one could pass through it.

Travel restrictions from East Germany were greatly lowered in 1989 when a new leader took over. People were allowed to cross into West Berlin from East Berlin again. This resulted in thousands descending on the wall when they recognized the borders were not closed in 1989. They started to use hammers and chisels to chip the wall away, and it came down, piece-by-piece.

A year later, in 1990, Germany became a single state again, with the West and East sides of the country reunited. While the issue may seem resolved in Germany, this does not mean that freedom is not threatened. All over the world, there are tyrants that attempt to manipulate monetary sectors, threaten violence, or attempt to use other forms of power to gain control of different areas. That is why World Freedom Day is so important. We need to raise awareness about the different issues that are still happening around the world and fight for the people who need it the most.

History of World Freedom Day

The World Freedom Day is a federal observance commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. The day commemorates the end of communism in Eastern and Central Europe and was designated in 2001 by President George W. Bush. It was created to celebrate the reunification of loved ones separated by the Iron Curtain and differing ideologies, and ultimately serves to acknowledge that the resolve of the masses can shift boundaries, break unfavorable resolutions and ultimately determine the type of leadership they desire so as to live is a freer, more fair society.

thanks, Michele, Picture Coordinator

cuddling with a friend to keep warm

JOKE OF THE DAY

our angry looking skies mostly hid the lunar eclipse....

WORD OF THE DAY

a gogo

MEANING:

adjective: In abundance.

ETYMOLOGY:

From French à gogo (aplenty). Earliest documented use: 1950. A synonym, galore, is also used post positively.

USAGE:

“There was music, dancing, and champagne a gogo.”
Lina Simoni; The Scent Of Rosa’s Oil; Kensington; 2008.

TODAY'S ARTIST 

thanks, Natalie

Fritz von Uhde (born Friedrich Hermann Carl Uhde; 22 May 1848 – 25 February 1911) 

was a German painter of genre and religious subjects. His style lay in-between Realism and Impressionism, he was once known as "Germany's outstanding impressionist" and he became one of the first painters to introduce plein-air painting in his country.

the truth is IN YOU

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does 'bluestocking' mean?

Meaning:

An intellectual woman is a bluestocking.

have you put away enough food to last you through winter???

thanks, Patsy

already time to prepare for the cold months...

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

One thousand seconds is about 16 minutes
One million seconds is about 11 days
One billion seconds is about 32 years
One trillion seconds is about 32,000 years

If you're convicted of a crime in North Korea and sentenced to a prison camp, your family goes too.

Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna were all born in the Great Lakes region in 1958. They were all born within two months of each other.

smart humans need signs like this because????

YOUR CALL by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Pumpkin Praline Tiramisu

temperatures are starting to drop so always check....

COFFEE

thanks, Ella

not all that long ago....

PICTURES OF THE DAY

The Weedy sea dragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is native to the shallow water around the southern coastline of Australia, between Port Stephens and Geraldton, as well as Tasmania. Weedy sea dragons are named for the weed-like projections on their bodies, which serve to camouflage them as they move among the seaweed beds where they are usually found.

French Polynesia

A grey reef shark cruising alongside molluscs over the Fakarava Atoll

enjoy your breaks and take time to recharge

knit
thanks, Leah

Turkey Day Dishcloth

knit
thanks, Cindy

Skunk Baby pattern by Sara Elizabeth Kellner

knit

Silver Birch Cardigan

knit

215 Minute Mitt pattern by Rose Stewart

knit

Violino pattern by Adrien Antal

raining? It's ok....

KNIT PATTERNS OF THE DAY

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Triple Berry

River Severn

I want politicians who work for the people and the country!

 

crochet
thanks, Ava

Thanksgiving Table Runner

crochet
thanks, Rose

Easy Dashes Beanie

crochet

Cobblestone Vest

crochet

Simple Drawstring Bag

crochet

Bobble and Fringe Crochet Pillow

this one sure loves her daily walks

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Hot Brown

aka 'quality' time together...

PANTRY RECIPE

thanks, Debbie

Homemade Cream Soup Mix

simply delicious

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Mindy

Slow Cooker Glazed Pork Ribs with White Beans

why can't we go out in the rain???

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

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

COPYCAT RECIPE 

thanks, Jenny

Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)

great white shark photo-bombs picture of a surfer

RETRO RECIPE

thanks, Ann

Old-Fashioned Split Pea Soup with Ham

Growing up in the 50's & 60's, this was our security lock

SWEETS RECIPE

thanks, Lesley

Fast and Easy Coconut Custard Pie Recipe

now, we have a little rain

ADULT COLORING

morning walks are getting cooler

FUN

answer:

still so easy for them to hunt in the fields

CRAFTS

thanks, Karen

Plastic Pumpkin Snowman/Fall Decoration

sure wish schools had more of this for the kids

CHILDREN'S CORNER

thanks, Karen

Footprint Pilgrims and Cornucopia

so much fuss over 'clocks'!!!

PUZZLE

Pear Orchard Wagon Jigsaw Puzzle

A ship shipping ships

WORD SEARCH

around assimilate attack awake become before broke caterer

erst excellent finish funny gratitude horizon

intent loot music near partner plume protege

reason reduce riot rote sand seldom service sleepily

speak spear species stack strong sure swine wearily

just going about, doing his job....

SUDOKU .. hard

solution:

thanks for the funnies, Amy

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 Would Be A Common Reason Your Siblings Would Fight?

QUOTE

thanks, Judy

CLEVER 

thanks, Michele

Perfect Recipe for a Perfect Marriage

These were the good old days when humor didn't have to start with a four letter word or political. It was just clean and simple fun. And he always ended his programs with the words, "And May God Bless"with a big smile on his face.

1. Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays.

2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas.

3. I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.

4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen.

5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.

6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said "There are too many gadgets, and no place to sit down!" So I bought her an electric chair.

7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was. She told me, "In the lake."

8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.

9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?" The driver said, "No, jump in!".

10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.

11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was 'Always'.

12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt her.

13. The last fight was my fault though. My wife asked, "What's on the TV?" I said, "Dust!".

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Helen

Knitter's Notebook: Keep Looking at Your Hands

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Every one of us is precious in the cosmic perspective. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (9 Nov 1934-1996)

OPTICAL ILLUSION

This photo was taken through the window, merging the person with the bird of prey into a figure resembling the Egyptian falcon god Horus

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