If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder...you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
The History of Thanksgiving and its Celebrations Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with thanksgiving ceremonies. Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits. Harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were held by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians.
The Greeks The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Their goddess of corn (actually all grains) was Demeter who was honored at the festival of Thesmosphoria held each autumn. On the first day of the festival married women (possibility connecting childbearing and the raising of crops) would build leafy shelters and furnish them with couches made with plants. On the second day they fasted. On the third day a feast was held and offerings to the goddess Demeter were made - gifts of seed corn, cakes, fruit, and pigs. It was hoped that Demeter's gratitude would grant them a good harvest.
The Romans The Romans also celebrated a harvest festival called Cerelia, which honored Ceres their goddess of corn (from which the word cereal comes). The festival was held each year on October 4th and offerings of the first fruits of the harvest and pigs were offered to Ceres. Their celebration included music, parades, games and sports and a thanksgiving feast.
The Chinese The ancient Chinese celebrated their harvest festival, Chung Ch'ui, with the full moon that fell on the 15th day of the 8th month. This day was considered the birthday of the moon and special "moon cakes", round and yellow like the moon, would be baked. Each cake was stamped with the picture of a rabbit - as it was a rabbit, not a man, which the Chinese saw on the face of the moon. The families ate a thanksgiving meal and feasted on roasted pig, harvested fruits and the "moon cakes". It was believed that during the 3 day festival flowers would fall from the moon and those who saw them would be rewarded with good fortune. According to legend Chung Ch'ui also gave thanks for another special occasion. China had been conquered by enemy armies who took control of the Chinese homes and food. The Chinese found themselves homeless and with no food. Many staved. In order to free themselves they decided to attack the invaders. The women baked special moon cakes which were distributed to every family. In each cake was a secret message which contained the time for the attack. When the time came the invaders were surprised and easily defeated. Every year moon cakes are eaten in memory of this victory.
The Hebrews Jewish families also celebrate a harvest festival called Sukkoth. Taking place each autumn, Sukkoth has been celebrated for over 3000 years. Sukkoth is know by 2 names - Hag ha Succot - the Feast of the Tabernacles and Hag ha Asif - the Feast of Ingathering. Sukkoth begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, 5 days after Yom Kippur the most solemn day of the Jewish year. Sukkoth is named for the huts (succots) that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. These huts were made of branches and were easy to assemble, take apart, and carry as the Israelites wandered through the desert. When celebrating Sukkoth, which lasts for 8 days, the Jewish people build small huts of branches which recall the tabernacles of their ancestors. These huts are constructed as temporary shelters, as the branches are not driven into the ground and the roof is covered with foliage which is spaced to let the light in. Inside the huts are hung fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, corn, and pomegranates. On the first 2 nights of Sukkoth the families eat their meals in the huts under the evening sky.
The Egyptians The ancient Egyptians celebrated their harvest festival in honor of Min, their god of vegetation and fertility. The festival was held in the springtime, the Egyptian's harvest season. The festival of Min featured a parade in which the Pharaoh took part. After the parade a great feast was held. Music, dancing, and sports were also part of the celebration. When the Egyptian farmers harvested their corn, they wept and pretended to be grief-stricken. This was to deceive the spirit which they believed lived in the corn. They feared the spirit would become angry when the farmers cut down the corn where it lived. The United States In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World the Pilgrim's fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found they had enough food to put away for the winter. The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. They built homes in the wilderness, they raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians. The custom of an annually celebrated thanksgiving, held after the harvest, continued through the years. During the American Revolution (late 1770's) a day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each November as the holiday.
Canada Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Observance of the day began in 1879.
Monday 11/013/00 Monday evening Intermediates (second session of six sessions) The cost is $12.00 for the six sessions. Some topics to be addressed include: Basics of maneuvering about the Windows Operating System, copy/paste,drag/drop, editing, saving to various drives, right mouse button options, creating folders and files, uninstalling, deleting, advanced email and browser techniques involving bookmarks, address books, forwarding messages, attachments, and HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Dave Winkelman provides the leadership for this class. Beginner computer knowledge and beginner computer skills are necessary. A ton of info is packed into the six sessions. This course is designed for those who "think they know" and especially for those who "want to know" more.
Tuesday 11/14/00 @9:00 AM Tuesday morning Newbies (first of six sessions) This is a very basic course in computer techniques for the internet. There is a $12.00 per course charge for this class. Class size is limited so participants should pre register. Skills taught in the beginner classes include mouse techniques like drag and drop, plus very beginner basics for email and browsing the Web. Dave Winkelman provides the leadership for this class. It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it is very difficult to retain information without practice. You really would not try to learn to play the piano with out actual keyboard time.
Wednesday 11/15/00 @9:00 AM Wednesday morning group of Senior Net Learners: . This is an advanced group and we cover a lot of territory. We are kind of free flowing. You never know what will transpire. We had a great session last week with guest leader, Kerry Clausen, who conducted a session on the Sony Mavica cameras. We want to cover faxing and reinstalling the Windows Program this week. Be there or be square. We will continue addressing Q&A from the group. New participants are always welcome. It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it sure helps with the learning curve. Usually, Mike Foust, and anyone else who wants to jump into the fray, provide the leadership for this session. Intermediate computer knowledge and Intermediate computer skills are necessary.
Thursday 11/16/00 @ 9:00 AM Thursday morning Intermediates (fifth session of six sessions) Call KCnet to register. The cost is $12.00 for the six sessions. Some topics to be addressed include: Basics of maneuvering about the Windows Operating System, copy/paste, drag/drop, editing, saving to various drives, right mouse button options, creating folders and files, uninstalling, deleting, advanced email and browser techniques involving bookmarks, address books, forwarding messages, attachments, and HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Mike Foust provides the leadership for this class. Beginner computer knowledge and beginner computer skills are necessary. A ton of info is packed into the six sessions. This course is designed for those who "think they know" and especially for those who "want to know" more.
Thursday 11/16/00 @1:00 PM Thursday Afternoon Newbies (third session of six sessions) This class is a very basic course in computer techniques for the internet. There is a $12.00 per course charge for this class. Skills taught in the beginner classes include mouse techniques like drag and drop, plus very beginner basics for email and browsing the Web. Dave Winkleman provides the leadership for this class. It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it is very difficult to retain information without practice. You really would not try to learn to play the piano with out actual keyboard time.
The Intermediate Group Course Content: We mess around with the desktop, rearrange icons, change backgrounds, create screen savers, learn to make shortcuts on the desktop, learn a bunch of ways to access the hard drive and discuss how our computers resemble a file cabinet in its organization. We learn a little bit about extensions like .gif, .wav, .mid, .txt, .doc, .jpeg, .exe, and dot de dot de dot... just to name a few. We discover what special programs are already installed on our computers to help us see these special extensions. We make folders and subfolders on the hard drive. We copy and paste files into these folders. We learn the difference between cut/paste and copy/paste. We learn how to copy/borrow graphic and midi files from the internet and save them to the new folders we make. Then we copy and paste files from floppies to the hard drive, we move files from the hard drive to a floppy disk. We take floppies home with graphics and midis on them to put on the hard drives to use with email. We investigate the difference between uninstall and delete for programs and files and when it is appropriate to do either. We learn how to do a "Thorough" Scandisk, Defrag. and Cleandisk. We become proficient with Bookmarks and Forwarding messages. The final week we will get into HTML in email. So look out because we will be terrorizing our friends with neat souped up emails. Yep!, we definitely learn enough to be verrrrry dangerous AND...WE HAVE FUN!!!.
OTHER SESSIONS MEETING AT KCNET: Scanners and Scanning KCnet Technician John Bitner will lead a class in Scanners and Scanning, Wednesday, November 15, 5 - 7 PM. John will discuss different types of scanners, quality of output (dots per inch, DPI), and encourage the students to do some scanning during the class. Plan to bring photos or documents you'd like to scan and also a couple of floppy disks to take your work home. For more information, call the office at 893-8111 and ask for Dave or John. There is a fee for this workshop.
Web Page Creation KCnet Education Coordinator/Technician will lead a class for Beginners in Web Page Creation. This will be a two-session course, Wednesday November 22 and Wednesday November 29, 5-7 PM. Dave will demonstrate how to create and edit a basic web page using a web page editor, the one in Netscape Composer. Students will sit at a computer and actually create a web page. Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. There is a charge for the class. Students are encouraged to bring ideas, photos, and/or business cards to scan or copy, as well as floppy disks totake their work home.
MAC Users: This is an ongoing (no start or finish date) group of Apple Mac owners/users. The group meets every 1st Thursday each month from 4:30-6:30. Each session is $5.00. Clair Falls is the group leader.
THE FIRST EIGHT TIPS ARE FROM TIPWORLD! SOME WORDS ABOUT EMAIL VIRUSES! Here is another way to delete messages in Netscape Communicator Messenger without opening them (thereby avoiding email worms such as I-Love-You and Melissa). First, it is important to note the following from the Netscape Web site: "You cannot be infected with a virus simply by opening an email message. If the suspect email message contains an attachment, do not open the attachment! To go a step farther, you could make it your policy to delete any email with an attachment, unless you have either requested it or the sender has informed you prior to sending. In this day, it does not matter whether or not the attachment is from a known and trusted source, if you are not expecting it and did not ask for it, do not open it." That said, you can delete a message without opening it by clicking View, Show; uncheck Message in the submenu. This will remove the message pane (also accomplished by clicking the middle of the dividing bar between the message pane and the rest of the Messenger window). As we know from past tips, this allows us to delete a message without it appearing in the window. The idea is that if there is no message pane, no message will appear there.
SWITCHING BETWEEN LANGUAGES ON THE KEYBOARD by Mark Richardson win98tw@hotmail.com Recently, a reader wrote in to ask how he could switch quickly from using standard English lettering to using the Greek alphabet. From the Keyboard control panel, you can designate a keyboard shortcut for switching between languages. First, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel and then double-click the Keyboard icon. Click the Language tab and choose either Left-Alt-Shift or Ctrl-Shift to choose a keyboard shortcut for switching languages. When you're finished, click OK. Incidentally, as long as the Enable Indicator On Taskbar icon is checked on the Language tab of the Keyboard control panel, you can also switch languages by clicking on the language indicator in your System Tray.
ADDING ITEMS TO THE SEND TO FOLDER This is a good tip. Whenever you right-click on a file or folder in Windows 98, one of your options is to send the particular file or folder (or the data it contains) somewhere using the Send To command. For example, you can use this feature to create a copy of a document on a floppy by right-clicking on the file and choosing Send To, 3 1/2 Floppy (A). Or, you can move the file to your My Documents folder by choosing Send To, My Documents. If you like, you can even add your own folder or action to your Send To folder. All you have to do is create a shortcut to the folder or application by right-clicking on it and choosing Send To, Desktop (Create Shortcut). Then move that shortcut to the C:\Windows\SendTo folder. The new shortcut will automatically become part of the Send To menu.
PRINT THOSE BOOKMARKS Here's a slick way to print all your bookmarks in Netscape. Open the bookmarks in Netscape and highlight the first one; hold down the Shift key, and click on the last one. Then press Ctrl-C to copy the list. Open up your mailer, start a new message and press Ctrl-V to paste into the message. Send the message to yourself or others and print out the resulting file.
THOSE CONFOUNDED FRAMES - ALWAYS IN THE WAY! A reader writes: "When visiting a certain site with frames at the top containing drop-down boxes, I try to print a page. What I get is just the topmost frame on the page without the body of the page that I wish to be printed. If I "Print Preview" the page, it's all there. If I try to print from the Preview screen, I usually get nothing. What gives?" It may be that you are not selecting the proper frame with your mouse before printing. Netscape usually defaults to the last frame for which it loaded any data. This may not necessarily be the main frame of a page, or the frame you want to print. To ensure that you print only the frame you want, use your mouse to click anywhere within that frame. Then you can click File, Print Frame, and Netscape will print the last frame you clicked on. If you are still having problems (some sites make extensive use of frames, which can really foul up the printing process), you can also open the frame in a new browser window. Right-click anywhere in the frame in question and select Open Frame In New Window, then print from the new browser window. Be sure to close it when you're done to go back to the original layout of the page.
USING TASK SCHEDULER TO OPEN PROGRAMS AUTOMATICALLY If you always open the same program every time you start Windows (such as your email application), you can designate that program to open automatically every time Windows starts simply by using Microsoft's Task Scheduler. First, open Task Scheduler by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks. Then click the Add Scheduled Task icon. Click the Next button and select the application you want to open. Click Next and then choose When My Computer Starts. Click Next, then Finish, and your selected program will load every time you start Windows.
ENABLING SOUND RECORDING So basic-so easy to forget. Whether you're using sophisticated sound software or Windows' built-in Sound Recorder program, you need to take a couple of steps to make sure you can record using a microphone. If you're having trouble making sound recordings, the first thing to check is your Volume Control settings. Open Volume Control by double-clicking on the Volume icon in your System Tray. Under the Mic column, make sure that the Volume is set to a level that's high enough for the sounds to register in your sound program. Also, make sure that the Mute box is not checked in the Mic column. When you've done these things, click X to close the Volume Control window.
A QUICK WAY TO DISPLAY PROPERTIES Normally, to view the properties of a particular file or folder, you right-click on it and choose Properties. But if you're skilled in using your mouse and keyboard together, there's an even quicker way to get a look at those properties. Just hold down the Alt key with your left hand as you use your right hand to open the file or folder with your mouse (use the left mouse button, as usual). The Properties dialog box springs up, no matter what kind of icon you clicked on.
THE NEXT TWO TIPS ARE FROM DUMMIES DAILY! SSOME SEARCH ENGINE STUFF The Boolean AND operation, and most Boolean operations, can be used repeatedly, even within a single search. The more of them you put into your search, the more specific that search will be. For example, searching for: lions produces a list of all pages that mention the word lions. lions AND tigers produces a list of all pages that mention both lions and tigers, but not pages that mention only lions or only tigers. lions AND tigers AND bears (oh my!) lists only pages that mention all three animals, and not pages that mention only one or two of them.
THE STRUCTURE OF DOMAIN NAMES A domain name has at least three levels and, oddly enough, they're listed in reverse order in the URL. For example, in the domain name http://www.kcnet;.org, The top-level domain name is .org. The second-level domain name is kcnet. The third-level domain name is www.
INTERESTING SITES: FLIGHT ARRIVALS-- Sure, you can put trust in your good karma, go to gate 13 to meet your friend's flight, and hope it arrives on time. Or you can call up the airline, navigate its cumbersome phone system, and eventually connect with someone who only recently learned to tell time. Or you can follow your handy bookmark to flightarrivals.com and save time and trouble. You can track comings and goings in the U.S. and Canada by airline, flight number, airport, or city. The results are reminiscent of the screens in the airport but more detailed, describing how far the flight actually is from the airport. They even list the air speed of the plane and its elevation. If you live in fear of being caught at an airport for hours without adequate reading material, this is your site. www.flightarrivals.com
SCIENCE MASTER Concerned about your child's knowledge of science? Science Master offers you and your family a great resource to keep up with current advances in science and technology and learn more about the breakthroughs we now take for granted. Designed to support education, the site contains a wealth of information to help explain the complexities of modern science. But regardless of your age or education, science is really cool. What could be more fun than downloading a movie of the sun's magnetosphere? There are learning galleries, numerous articles, a homework helper, and a free newsletter. So if you're feeling ready for a daily dose of space news or want to visit the gallery of molecular artwork, this is your spot. www.sciencemaster.com/
PRODUCT MANUALS Thanks to Tom Livingston. Find support information for thousands of products. Use LiveProducts simulations to see how they work. Get answers fast with interactive user manuals. Purchase and keep track of your product warranties. Store all your model numbers in one place. www.livemanuals.com/
HAVE SOME FUN WITH THESE A big trend in building personal home pages is the specialty site that simplifies the process of publishing digital images to the Web, allowing you to create online photo albums. Most of these sites give you the choice of whether to make your photo-sharing public or private. Online album providers include Club Photo, Picturetrail, PhotoLoft, Ofoto, Zaplet, Kodak, and Photo Island. Though the album services are free, most of these sites offer additional photo products and services for sale, such as prints made from your digital originals. Zaplet www.zaplet.com Kodak www.kodak.com/ Club Photo www.clubphoto.com Picturetrail www.picturetrail.com PhotoLoft www.photoloft.com Ofoto www.ofoto.com Photo Island www.photoisland.com
MR. SWAP While pondering whether to up your bid on the Ming Dynasty statuette you've been tracking on Ebay, surf on over to Mr. Swap, the cyberspace answer to the barter system. A nexus for the swapping of music, videos, or games, Mr. Swap allows you to use cash or "swap points" to acquire your favorite movie, game, or Enya CD. Swap points are worth a dollar each, and you acquire them by listing the stuff you want to swap, buying other people's stuff, recruiting a friend to swap stuff, winning the weekly sweepstakes, or simply swapping. Once you've found what you need, Mr. Swap handles the shipping. www.mrswap.com/
THREE FOR THE GARDNERS http://www.greystoneg.com/ http://www.greystoneg.com/pages/3links.html This next one takes awhile to open but it is worth a bunch of chuckles. I'm going to nominate my Bald Eagle Creek neighbor for the Sanford and Son Category. http://suite101.com/files/topics/75/files/tackytacky.html
VETERANS TRIBUTES Here is a nice Veterans' Day page thanks to Fran and Jan Youmans via Tom Livingston www.flowgo.com/refer/redir.cfm?page_id=2066&d=11-09-00 Another From Charlie Sabatini www.flowgo.com/refer/redir.cfm?page_id=1883&d=11-11-00
DIDJA KNOW?: TAPS Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
ANOTHER VERSION OF THE ORIGINATION OF TAPS The Origin of "Taps" Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day’s end was a tune borrowed from the French called "Lights Out". In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, [he] asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to hi satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limit of our Brigade. The next day, I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music, which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac." This more emotive and powerful "Taps" was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874, it was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became mandatory at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air. --from an article by MSG Jari A. Villanueva, USAF
Who invented sunglasses? It was definitely not some Hollywood movie star. But shades of Tinsel Town, the first sunglasses – there was no single inventor -- were used to hide behind. Fifteenth century Chinese judges didn't worry about being recognized. But they did care, in the interests of being even-handed, about hiding their reaction to trial testimony. They didn't want people to follow their eye movements so they wore smoked-tinted quartz spectacles to conceal them. Our modern, widespread use of sunglasses to keep out the glare, however, stems largely from pilots in the 1930s, who began to wear them to shield their eyes from the sun. Civilians quickly emulated the aviators. Some even adopted sunglasses for fashion as well as protection, hoping to make their social life take off. EXTRAORDINARY ORIGINS OF EVERYDAY THINGS by Charles Panati
Why do oysters make pearls? Well, they're caused by a foreign substance that might enter the shell, for example a grain of sand. In order to reduce the irritation caused by this foreign substance, the oyster deposits successive layers of nacreous material (mother-of-pearl) around it. This, eventually, turns into a pearl--in about 2 to 3 percent of oysters.
Why do we carry a torch for someone? "I don't want to set the world on fire," goes the song. "I just want to start a flame in your heart." Or perhaps just induce heartburn, depending on how the romance goes. But no matter what course love takes, we often resort to fire for metaphors to describe it. This particular expression derives from another of life's passionate activities: politics. In 19th century America, people cared enough about their party's candidates to march in parades for them. These campaign parades were great spectacles. Bands joined in the fun, and partisans carried torches to show how strongly they felt about their favorite. Eventually, "carrying a torch" as an expression of passion also became synonymous with strong romantic feelings for someone. Of course, in love as in politics, you don't always win. You may even get burned. Source: WHY YOU SAY IT by Webb Garrison
Why are previews, or "coming attractions," for movies called trailers? There you sit, looking forward to the film that got those great reviews. You've spent an amount equal to your monthly mortgage payment at the refreshment stand and you want to get on with the show. But the theater is subjecting you to the 8th of 11 previews. By the time the feature begins you'll probably be in a nursing home. Wait a second. These previews precede the main feature. So why are they called "trailers?" Can't a movie mogul tell his head from his tail? They're called trailers because in the mid 1920s, when "coming attractions" became a regular part of the program, they came after, or "trailed," the feature. Of course by then you and your snookums would have been passionately petting in the balcony, oblivious to what was on the screen, not to mention what was coming next week. Source: I HEAR AMERICA TALKING by Stuart B. Flexner
RATTLESNAKES Did you know that the rattlesnake has no ears? Yup, this makes it pretty difficult for it to track prey, wouldn't you think? Well, the snake makes up for the lack of ears with its tongue. A rattler's forked tongue contains Hudsonian cells, which are highly sensitive to heat. By constantly sticking out its tongue, the snake can locate approaching animals by sensing the heat from their bodies. Mix this with good eyes and SNAP! You're caught.
FAST FACTS: NAME THE MAN WHO SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR ONE DAY? That would be Missouri's David Atchison...who, as president pro tempore of the Senate in 1849, was U.S. president for one day - Sunday, March 4th - pending the inauguration of President-elect Zachary Taylor on Monday, March 5th.
WHAT DOES THE 19th AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION DO? The 19th amendment - ratified in 1920 - extends to women the right to vote.
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON TO BE BRANDED AS PUNISHMENT FOR A CRIME? In 1844, Jonathan Walker had the initials SS branded into the palm of his right hand. He had been convicted of slave stealing -helping slaves escape to the Bahamas. Branding had been used officially as punishment in America since the seventeenth century.
HOW ARE U.S. HIGHWAYS NUMBERED? Odd-numbered highways move north and south, while those with even numbers move east and west. Highways with one or two-digit numbers are through routes, often long ones used for distance driving. Three-digit routes that begin with an even number are usually beltways around a city. Three-digit routes that begin with an odd number are spur routes in a city or town.
SAFEST MODE OF TRANSPORT Elevators rank as the safest form of transportation and have the record of only one fatality every 100 million miles traveled, That's pretty good, unless you happen to be the one. Steps on the other hand, are five times more dangerous than elevators. That's because very few people trip over an elevator.
SHARING Ben Franklin originated the first circulating library. Boy, some people will do anything just to avoid buying the book.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES The Capitol Building in Washington D.C. has 365 steps...one for each day of the year. So be careful - you could break your neck if you happen to visit during leap year. Source: USELESS DIGEST
QUOTES: "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." --Will Rogers "No man is an Ireland." --Chicago Mayor Richard Daley
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." --Vice President Dan Quayle
"Politics gives guys so much power that they tend to behave badly around women. And I hope I never get into that." --President Bill Clinton
"The Internet is a great way to get on the Net." --Presidential candidate Bob Dole Source: THE 267 STUPIDEST THINGS DEMOCRATS / REPUBLICANS EVER SAID)
"The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators." --Edward Gibbon
"Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact." --William James
"No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself." --James Russell Lowell
"Changes are not only possible and predictable, but to deny them is to be an accomplice to one's own necessary vegetation." --Gail Sheehy
"Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are." --Julius Charles Hare
"He that lives upon hope will die fasting." --Benjamin Franklin
"Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper." --Francis Bacon
"Hope is the most treacherous of human fancies." --James Fenimore Cooper
As long as I have any choice in the matter, I will live only in a country where civil liberty, tolerance and equality of ALL citizens before the law are the rule. --Albert Einstein
THIS WEEK'S CUTIES: GOTCHA Thanks Tom Livingston. The man left for work one Friday afternoon. But, being payday, instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with the boys and spending his entire paycheck. When He finally appeared at home, Sunday Night, he was confronted by a very angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally his wife stopped the nagging and simply said to him. "How would you like it if you didn't see me for two or three days?" To which he replied. "That would be fine with me." Monday went by and he didn't see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results. But on Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.
After an astounding college career in the early 1950's, Rodney "Hot Rod" Hundley signed with the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He and teammate Bob Leonard once missed a team flight because they were out too late the night before. Lakers owner Bob Short had them report to his office the next morning. Hundley went into Short's office, where he was told he would be fined a thousand dollars for missing the flight. At 10 percent of Hundley's yearly salary, this was the largest fine ever imposed on a professional basketball player. Hundley came out of Short's office and was accosted by Leonard, who asked "How much?" "A big one, baby," Hundley said. "A big bill." "A hundred dollars?" Leonard asked worriedly. Leonard gasped. His face fell. He was on the verge of tears. Hundley put his hand on Leonard's shoulder and said, "It's a record." Leonard's face lit up. "Let's go out and celebrate!"
After the wrestling match, the interviewer approached Bruiser in his locker room. "What happened out there tonight, Bruiser? Just about everyone expected you to win this match." "I can't understand it," Bruiser said. "I won the rehearsal."
Arnold and his wife were cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from the local shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed it was over eleven years old. They both laughed and tried to remember which of them might have forgotten to pick up a pair of shoes over a decade ago. "Do you think the shoes will still be in the shop?" Arnold asked. "Not very likely," his wife said. "It's worth a try," Arnold said, pocketing the ticket. He went downstairs, hopped into the car, and drove to the store. With a straight face, he handed the ticket to the man behind the counter. With a face just as straight, the man said, "Just a minute. I'll have to look for these." He disappeared into a dark corner at the back of the shop. Two minutes later, the man called out, "Here they are!" "No kidding?" Arnold called back. "That's terrific! Who would have thought they'd still be here after all this time." The man came back to the counter, empty-handed. "They'll be ready Thursday," he said calmly.
DARNED IF I KNOW from Bud Casselberry. Is it OK to use the AM radio after noon? What do chickens think we taste like? What do people in China call their good plates? What do you call a male ladybug? What hair color do they put on the driver's license of a bald man? When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it? Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them? Why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor when you can't drink and drive? Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds? Why are there Interstates in Hawaii? Why are there flotation devices in the seats of planes instead of parachutes? Why are cigarettes sold at gas stations where smoking is prohibited? Have you ever imagined a world without hypothetical situations? How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work? If the 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why does it have locks on the door? Why is a bra singular and panties plural? You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff? If a firefighter fights fire and a crime fighter fights crime, what does a freedom fighter fight? If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil? If a cow laughs, does milk come out of her nose? If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, what happens? Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of a drive-up ATM? Why is it that when you transport something by car it is called shipment, but when you transport something by ship it's called cargo? Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? What would Geronimo say if he jumped out of an airplane? Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together? If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal? If you throw a cat out of the car window, does it become kitty litter?
Thanks to Bill Hamm via Bud Casselberry For the first time in many years, an old man traveled from his rural county to the city to attend a movie. After buying his ticket, he stopped at the concession stand to purchase some popcorn. Handing the attendant $2.50, he couldn't help but comment, "You know, the last time I came to the movies, popcorn was only 15 cents." "Well, sir," the attendant replied with a grin, "You're really going to enjoy yourself tonight! We have sound now."
Thanks to Judy Garner vis Bud Casselberry A man brought a very limp dog into the veterinary clinic. As he lay the dog on the table, the doctor pulled out his stethoscope, placing the receptor on the dog's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly and said, "I'm sorry, but your dog has passed away." "What?" screamed the man. "How can you tell? You haven't done any testing on him or anything. I want another opinion!" With that, the vet turned and left the room. In a few moments, he returned with a Labrador Retriever. The Retriever went right to work, checking the dead dog out thoroughly.After a considerable amount of sniffing, the Retriever sadly shook his head and said "Bark". The veterinarian then took the Labrador out and returned in a few moments with a cat, who also checked out the dog on the table. As had his predecessors, the cat sadly shook his head and said, "Meow." He then jumped off the table and ran out of the room. The veterinarian handed the man a bill for$600. The dog's owner went postal. "$600! Just to tell me my dog is dead? This is outrageous!" The vet shook his head sadly and explained. "If you had taken my word for it, it would have been $50,but with the Lab work and the cat scan..."
GCF: New Technology. Also Judy Garner A lady came to the hospital to visit a friend. She had not been in a hospital for several years and felt uneasy, not knowing about all the new technology. A technician followed her onto the elevator,wheeling a large, intimidating looking machine with tubes and wires and dials. "Boy, would I hate to be hooked up to that thing," she said. "So would I," replied the technician. "It's a floor-cleaning machine."
OK! That's a Wrap. See ya next week! I hope you enjoyed this communication and can attend one or more of the sessions scheduled for this week.