sandrewn

I know it is not, but what if it was!! OMG. I think I would be on Bills' side with this one.

January 4th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Angela of Foligno Elizabeth Ann Seton Ferréol of Uzès Mavilus Pharaildis of Ghent Rigobert January 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) The eleventh of the Twelve Days of Christmas. (Western Christianity) Independence Day (Myanmar), celebrates the independence of Myanmar from the United Kingdom in 1948. Colonial Martyrs Repression Day (Angola) Day of the Martyrs (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Ogoni Day (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People) Tokyo Dome Show: The annual Wrestle Kingdom event run by New Japan Pro-Wrestling World Braille Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Dimpled Chad Day Free Flower Basket Day National CanDo Day National Clara Day National Missouri Day National Rachel Day Pop Music Chart Day Tom Thumb Day Weigh-In Day World Hypnotism Day National Spaghetti Day Kris Bryant’s Birthday Isaac Newton’s Birthday Jeannie Mai’s Birthday Martell Holt’s Birthday Dafne Keen’s Birthday Kate McKinnon D’Arcy Carden Fun Observances Trivia Day Here is some trivia for you - January 4 is Trivia Day. The day celebrates information of little value and the individuals who not only remember these bits and pieces of useless information but also enjoy sharing them with others. Latin Term The word trivia comes from the Latin term for the intersection of three paths. In the Middle Ages, the word came to refer to the subjects - rhetoric, grammar, and logic - studied by those who followed the Liberal Arts field. Of Little Importance The modern day usage of the word trivia to mean something of little importance can be traced back to the publishing of the book - Trivialities, Bits of Information of Little Consequence - by British author Logan Pearsall Smith in 1902. Knowing and sharing trivia as a hobby and a pastime, however, did not become popular until the 1960s when the weekly newspaper of Columbia University, the Columbia Daily Spectator, published a trivia game on February 5, 1965. Soon, trivia became a popular game played at parties and at a competitive level. Trivia Day is also sometimes known as National Trivia Day in the United States. How to Celebrate? Gather up some friends and play Trivial Pursuit. Call friends and family and enlighten them with some trivia. Even better, stop random people and start a conversation with “did you know...?” You may even make some friends. Participate in a trivia night or spend the day filling your brains with more random trivia. Did You Know… …that the term factoid, which is now used as a synonym of trivia originally referred to a piece of unreliable information that is accepted as a fact because it is repeated very often? *** My great-aunt looked confused when I told her that my daughter was 18 months old. “Oh,” she said. “I thought she was a year and a half.” “But Aunt Marie," I said, “18 months and a year and a half are the same.” She shrugged. “What do I know? I never had kids.” *** During a high school visit to France, I stayed with a French family. One night, I was unsure what the meat on my dinner plate was, so I pointed to it and asked in my best 11th-grade French: “Qui est-ce?” The family’s expressions told me I needed some tutoring. Instead of asking “What is it?” as I had intended, I’d asked “Who is it?” *** My wife and I run a small restaurant where we often name our specials after our employees—dishes like "Chicken Mickey," after our dishwasher who gave us the recipe, and "Rod's Ribs," after a waiter who had his personal style of barbecue. One evening after rereading the menu, I broke with this tradition and changed the description of the special we had named after our chef. Despite her skills and excellent reputation, somehow I didn't think an entrée named "Salmon Ella" would go over big with our customers. *** You know you're a mom when... ...picking up another human to smell their butt is not only normal but totally necessary *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

A Spider's Web Is Part of Its Mind, New Research Suggests It might mean that spiders possess an extraordinary kind of consciousness. A Spider's Web Is Part of Its Mind, New Research Suggests

This is a filler, until I figure out what I did to screw up the blog I did do, that is on hold for something probably stupid that I unknowingly did. sandrewn

January 3rd 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d'état (Burkina Faso) Christian feast day: Daniel of Padua Genevieve Holy Name of Jesus Kuriakose Elias Chavara (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) Pope Anterus William Passavant (Episcopal Church) January 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Ministry of Religious Affairs Day (Indonesia) Tamaseseri Festival (Hakozaki Shrine, Fukuoka, Japan) The tenth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Drinking Straw Day Earth at Perihelion - 1 Perihelion Day - 2 Humiliation Day International Mind-Body Wellness Day JRR Tolkien Day Memento Mori "Remember You Die" Day National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day Women Rock! Day Lloyd Polite’s Birthday Mel Gibson’s Birthday Katie Thurston’s Birthday Jisoo Kim’s Birthday Katie McGrath’s Birthday J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday Raegan Revord’s Birthday Erick Brian Colón’s Birthday Então Roberta?’s Birthday Greta Thunberg’s Birthday Fun Observances (2) Fruitcake Toss Day Fruitcake Toss Day on January 3 is an annual holiday that celebrates fruitcakes - the gift that keeps on giving - by tossing them in an empty space The holidays can be a stressful time and can make the calmest person want to toss something in anger. Well, fear not, collect all that dense, unwanted fruitcake that everyone and their sisters brought to your holiday party and toss them on Fruitcake Toss Day. It is thought that this holiday was first created and celebrated in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in 1995. How to Celebrate? Collect all the fruitcake you can. Find an empty space, and start tossing your fruitcakes. Feeling competitive? Compete for the highest or farthest throw. Fruitcakes are sometimes known as the gift that gives on giving, referring to a practice of re-gifting fruitcakes during the holiday season. So, instead of tossing fruitcakes, why not share them with family, friends, and colleagues? Did You Know… …that fruitcakes that contain alcohol have a long shelf life? Because of this, the fruitcake was the snack of choice for travelers and winter dwellers in the days of no refrigeration. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Festival of Sleep Day Take a break on January 3 or Festival of Sleep Day by sleeping in, taking naps or just staying in bed the whole day long. While the origins of this unofficial holiday are unknown, we assume that the holiday encourages people to catch up on their sleep post-holiday and New Year celebrations. Important Sleep Sleep is one of the most common and important human activity. Sleep allows human bodies to rest, heal, develop and can help memory processing and preservation. Lack of sleep or poor sleep can have multiple negative effects on the human body and mind. How to Celebrate? This one is straightforward. Get into your favorite PJs, crawl into bed and get out only when you want to. They say that clean bed linen and an uncluttered and temperature controlled environment facilitates good sleep. Take stock of your sleeping environment on this day, and fix anything you think may be affecting your sleep. Need more rest? Try Public Sleeping Day in February. Did You Know… …that an irrational fear of sleep is known as Somniphobia? *** A man vacations on a tropical 
island, and the first thing he hears 
is drums. He goes to the beach 
and hears the drums; he eats lunch, he hears the drums; he tries to sleep, he can’t—drums. Finally he storms over to the manager. “I’ve had it! Can’t you stop those drums?” he begs. “No!” says the manager. “It’s very bad if the drums stop.” “Why?” “When the drums stop, the bass solo begins.” *** My flight was delayed in Houston. Since the gate was needed for another flight, our aircraft was backed away from the terminal, and we were directed to a new gate. We all found the new gate, only to discover a third gate had been designated for our plane. Finally, everyone got on board the right plane, and the flight attendant announced: "We apologize for the gate change. This flight is going to Washington, D.C. If your destination is not Washington, D.C., you should deplane at this time." A moment later a red-faced pilot emerged from the cockpit, carrying his bags. "Sorry," he said, "wrong plane." *** I couldn't decide whether to go to Salt Lake City or Denver for vacation, so I called the airlines to get prices. "Airfare to Denver is $300," the cheery salesperson replied. "And what about Salt Lake City?" "We have a really great rate to Salt Lake—$99," she said "But there is a stopover." "Where?" "In Denver," she said. *** Q. There's a one-story house where everything inside is pink: pink walls, pink doors, pink floors, pink ceilings, pink windows, pink curtains, pink chairs, and pink tables. What color are the stairs? A. There are none—it's a one-story house! *** Yes, Yes, I know it is the 3rd of January! But 2024 is Leap Year!!! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Assassin Bugs Turn Webs Against Spiders The bugs make like ensnared prey to catch spiders off-guard before stabbing them with their sharp mouth parts. Assassin Bugs Turn Webs Against Spiders | Live Science (it is working again, sorry for the delay)

I don't seem able to post images here right now ?? Will try again later on today. Sorry, thanks.

January 2nd 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Ancestry Day (Haiti) Berchtold's Day (Switzerland) Christian feast day: Basil the Great (Catholic Church and Church of England) Gregory of Nazianzus (Catholic Church) Macarius of Alexandria Seraphim of Sarov (Eastern Orthodox Church) Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah (Episcopal Church) January 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Kaapse Klopse (Cape Town, South Africa) The first day of Blacks and Whites' Carnival, celebrated until January 7 (Colombia) The ninth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) 55 mph Speed Limit Day Happy Mew Year for Cats Day Motivation and Inspiration Day National Cream Puff Day National Erica Day National Personal Trainer Day National Pet Travel Safety Day New Year's Day Substitute Reconquest Day Swiss Cheese Day World Introvert Day Tfue’s Birthday Taye Diggs’s Birthday London Charles’s Birthday Dax Shepard’s Birthday Colby Brock’s Birthday Bryson Tiller’s Birthday Will Kirby’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tue Jan 2nd, 2024 - Mon Jan 8th, 2024 Someday We'll Laugh About This Week Fun Observances (3) Buffet Day Want to hit the buffet table one last time before you start your New Year’s resolution? Then Buffet Day on January 2 is the fun food holiday for you. How to Celebrate? Visit your favorite buffet restaurant for lunch or dinner and try every dish on the buffet table. Just make sure you have time to nap after your meal. Get together with friends to host a buffet lunch or dinner at home. Host a themed potluck buffet where everyone brings a dish or 2 that fits the theme. Here are some ideas: sandwich buffet, salad buffet or a bacon buffet - where all dishes have to have bacon in them. Did You Know… …that the idea of a buffet table originated from an alcoholic beverage serving system in Sweden? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Run It up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes It Day January is the month of new beginnings, so it is only fitting that January 2 is Run It Up The Flagpole And See If Anyone Salutes It Day. The name of the holiday comes from the English language expression, run it up a flagpole and see if anyone salutes it, which means putting new ideas and ventures to test and to see if they gain acceptance and popularity, just like a flag would have respect by people saluting it. Advertising Term It is commonly used in advertising and is a popular phrase in the United States. The day encourages people to be creative and to implement their ideas. How to Celebrate? Have a great idea? Run it by your friends and family to hear what they think. Want a style makeover? This may be the day to do it - ask your closest friends what you think of your new style. Want to start a new business? Go out and do your market research today. Did You Know… …that the world’s highest free-standing flagpole is located in Dushanbe, Tajikistan? Standing at 541 feet (165 meters), the flagpole is known as the Dushanbe Flagpole. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Science Fiction Day Science fiction fans around the world celebrate January 2 as Science Fiction Day. It celebrates science fiction writer Isaac Asimov's official birthday. The day was widely celebrated for the first time in 2012 and is usually known as National Science Fiction Day in the United States. Set in the Future The holiday focuses on a genre of literature that explores the effect of imaginary change through technological innovations, scientific discoveries, natural events and disasters and evolution on people and their relationships. Usually, works of science fiction (sci-fi) are set in the near or distant future, and unlike fantasy, sci-fi tends to stay away from the supernatural and the magical. Part of Popular Culture Many scholars of the genre believe that the first piece of recorded fiction - the Epic of Gilgamesh - was also the first work of science fiction. Others believe that sci-fi became a legitimate genre of fiction during the late 16th and 17th century with the emergence of modern science. Today, science fiction is a well-read genre of literature and a huge part of popular culture also in movies and TV-series. Father of Modern-Day Science Fiction Isaac Asimov is considered to be one of the fathers of modern-day science fiction. A prolific writer, he is thought to have edited and written about 500 books and hundreds of short stories. Considered to be one of the most influential science fiction writers of all times, Asimov is credited with coining the word robotics and for introducing the Three Laws of Robotics. While he grew up in the United States, Asimov was born in Russia sometime between October and January 1920. He officially celebrated his birthday on January 2. How to Celebrate? Read your favorite science fiction authors, watch science fiction movies and hold science fiction themed parties. Attend a short story and book reading that bookstores and libraries hold to showcase the works of classic and new science fiction authors. Encourage young readers in your life to pick up a science fiction book or short story to read. Did You Know… …that Asimov had a fear of flying? According to some sources, he flew on an airplane only twice in his life. In addition to being aviophobic, he was a claustrophiliac - he loved to be in enclosed places. *** Six Dumb Questions Real Lawyers Asked In Court “How many times have you committed suicide?” “Were you alone or by yourself?” “Was it you or your brother who was killed?” “Without saying anything, tell the jury what you did next.” “Was that the same nose you broke as a child?” “Now, doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?” *** If you’re interested in becoming a lawyer, you’ll need a degree. But as these court transcripts reveal, the question is, in what? Attorney: "How was your first marriage terminated?" Witness: "By death." Attorney: "And by whose death was it terminated?" Witness: "Guess." Attorney: "Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?" Witness: "All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight." *** Justice isn't just blind—it's snickering at these real courtroom give-and-takes: Judge (to young witness): Do you know what would happen to you if you told a lie? Witness: Yes. I would go to hell. Judge: Is that all? Witness: Isn't that enough? Q: Isn't it a fact that you have been running around with another woman? A: Yes, it is, but you can't prove it! Q: Have you ever heard about taking the Fifth? A: A fifth of wine? Q: No, the Fifth Amendment. Q: What did your sister die of? A: You would have to ask her. I would be speculating if I told you. *** I was walking along a back road when two bunnies suddenly leapt into the air and landed one on top of the other. To my astonishment, I saw that one had pushed the other onto a stout groundhog. In disgust, he lifted his nose with a grunt and a distinct 
snarl, as if to say, “These rabbits nowadays! What do they teach their children?” After the startled and likely embarrassed bunnies scuttled away, the groundhog stayed in the same position for a few moments before waddling off, still in a huff. I’ll never forget that woodchuck’s shocked face! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** (Updated) Queen Elizabeth II was related to Vlad the Impaler, making King Charles III the 'heir to Dracula's bloodline.' *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Bowl and Doily Spider Web Frontinella pyramitela Spiders build a fascinating variety of webs. This kind is called a "Cup and Saucer" (or Bowl and Doily) web, built by the Bowl and Doily Spider.

January 1st 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Adalard of Corbie Basil the Great (Eastern Orthodox Church) Feast of the Circumcision of Christ Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church) Feast of Fools (Medieval Europe) Fulgentius of Ruspe Giuseppe Maria Tomasi Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Octave Day of Christmas, considered a holy day of obligation in some countries (Catholic Church); and its related observances: World Day of Peace Telemachus Zygmunt Gorazdowski January 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Earliest day on which Handsel Monday can fall, while January 7 is the latest; celebrated on the first Monday of the year (Scotland) Second day of Hogmanay (Scotland) December 31-January 1, in some cases until January 2. The last day of Kwanzaa (African-Americans) The eighth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Constitution Day (Italy) Dissolution of Czechoslovakia-related observances: Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State (Czech Republic) Emancipation Day (United States) Euro Day (European Union) Flag Day (Lithuania) commemorates raising of the Lithuanian flag on Gediminas' Tower in 1919 Founding Day (Taiwan) commemorates the establishment of the Provisional Government in Nanjing Global Family Day Independence Day (Brunei, Cameroon, Haiti, Sudan) International Nepali Dhoti and Nepali Topi Day Jump-up Day (Montserrat) Kalpataru Day (Ramakrishna Movement) Kamakura Ebisu, January 1–3 (Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan) National Bloody Mary Day (United States) National Tree Planting Day (Tanzania) New Year's Day (Gregorian calendar) Japanese New Year Novy God Day (Russia) Sjoogwachi (Okinawa Islands) Public Domain Day (multiple countries) Triumph of the Revolution (Cuba) Observances (click on the day, BD, week or Month for details) Apple Gifting Day Bonza Bottler Day Commitment Day Copyright Law Day Ellis Island Day First-Foot Day Mummer's Parade National Hangover Day National Shepherd Day National Thank God Its Monday Day New Year’s Dishonor List Day Ring a Bell Day Tournament of Roses Parade - 1 Rose Bowl Game - 2 Universal Hour of Peace Z Day Weigh-In Day Poppy’s Birthday Morris Chestnut’s Birthday George Washington Carver’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon Jan 1st, 2024 - Fri Jan 5th, 2024 World Series of Beer Pong Mon Jan 1st, 2024 - Sun Jan 7th, 2024 Celebration of Life Week Diet Resolution Week National Time Consciousness Week New Year’s Resolutions Week Silent Record Week Observances (click on the month for details) Adopt a Rescued Bird Month Apple and Apricot Month Artichoke and Asparagus Month Be Kind To Food Servers Month Bread Machine Baking Month California Dried Plum Digestive Month Celebration Of Life Month Cervical Health Awareness Month Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month Clap 4 Health Month Dry January Family Fit Lifestyle Month Financial Wellness Month Get A Balanced Life Month Get Ireland Active Get Organized Month Ginuary International Brain Teaser Month International Change Your Stars Month International Child-Centered Divorce Month International Creativity Month International Quality of Life Month International Wayfinding Month International Wealth Mentality Month Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month Little Things Mental Health Campaign Manuary March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month National Bath Safety Month National Be On-Purpose Month National Birth Defects Prevention Month National Black Diamond Month National Blood Donor Month National Book Blitz Month National Braille Literacy Month National CBD Month National Clean Up Your Computer Month National Codependency Awareness Month National Conscience Month National Eye Care Month National Fiber Focus Month National Glaucoma Awareness Month National Hobby Month National Hot Tea Month National Mail Order Gardening Month National Meat Month National Mentoring Month National Menudo Month National Oatmeal Month National Personal Trainer Awareness Month National Polka Month National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month National Radon Action Month National Skating Month National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month National Slow Cooking Month National Soup Month National Staying Healthy Month National Sunday Supper Month National Thank You Month National Train Your Dog Month National Volunteer Blood Donor Month National Wheat Bread Month Poverty Awareness Month Poverty in America Awareness Month Prune Breakfast Month Receding Gums Awareness Month Retail Bakers Month Rising Star Month Self-Love Month Shape Up US Month Stalking Awareness Month START Child Health campaign Teen Driving Awareness Month Thyroid Awareness Month Tubers and Dried Fruit Month Unchain a Dog Month Veganuary Walk Your Dog Month California Restaurant Month Fun Observances Polar Bear Plunge Day Also known as Polar Plunge, Polar Bear Swim Day, New Year's Dive, Loony Dook Start off the year with an act of daredevilry. Celebrate Polar Plunge Day on January 1 by taking a dip in the cold, freezing waters of your local lake, river or pond. The Polar Bear Plunge, where participants jump into a cold water body, is an activity usually held in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a popular New Year’s Day tradition in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Netherlands. In these countries, many people organize and participate in a Polar Bear Plunge for charity. Too cold? Celebrate Swim a Lap Day in June instead. How to Celebrate? If you are brave enough to participate, find a pond, lake, the sea or just fill up your bath with freezing cold water and take a plunge. Support someone who is participating in a Polar Bear Plunge for charity. In the Southern Hemisphere? Then you probably want to celebrate Polar Bear Plunge Day every day until the summer is over. Did You Know… … that polar bears have 2 layers of fur and are insulated from the cold with 4 inches (10 cm) of blubber? *** Two dog owners are arguing about whose pet is smarter. “My dog is so smart,” says the first owner, “that every morning he goes to the store and buys me a sesame seed bagel with chive cream cheese, stops off at Starbucks and picks me up a mocha latte, and then comes home and turns on ESPN, all before I get out of bed.” “I know,” says the second owner. “How do you know?” the first demands. “My dog told me.” *** A woman called our airline 
customer-service desk asking if she could take her dog on board. “Sure,” I said, “as long as you provide your own kennel.” I further explained that the kennel needed to be large enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, turn around, and roll over. The customer was flummoxed: 
“I’ll never be able to teach him all of that by tomorrow!” *** I’m a dog trainer. Before I met with a new client, I had her fill out a questionnaire. One question asked, “Why did you choose this breed?” My client responded, “I often ask myself this very same question.” *** A cat is making a declaration of love to his beloved. "I'd die for you!" he tells her. She looks back at him skeptically and replies, "Oh yeah? How many times?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

SHAWN? SHAWN, IT’S ME, MARY. CAN YOU HEAR ME? JESUS, YOU GUYS, HE SMELLS LIKE A DISTILLERY. I’M GLAD HE PASSED THE BAR EXAM, BUT DID YOU HAVE TO LET HIM DRINK LIKE THIS? YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST TAKEN OFF HIS SHOES. OH, AND HE’S STILL GOT GUM IN HIS MOUTH. THAT’S JUST GREAT. HE COULD CHOKE. SHAWN? SHAWN, IT’S MARY. YOU FELL ASLEEP WITH GUM IN YOUR MOUTH. I’M JUST GOING TO GET IT OUT FOR YOU, OKAY?

This one is from Australia, so the odds are....?

December 31st 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Pope Sylvester I (Catholic Church) December 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis (Azerbaijan) New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: First Night (United States) Last Day of the Year or Bisperás ng Bagong Taón, special holiday between Rizal Day and New Year's Day (Philippines) Novy God Eve (Russia) Ōmisoka (Japan) The first day of Hogmanay or "Auld Year's Night" (Scotland) The seventh of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) The sixth and penultimate day of Kwanzaa (United States) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Andrea Day National Champagne Day National Heroes Day (Timor-Leste) Restoration Day in Geneva World Peace Meditation Day No Interruptions Day Unlucky Day Psy’s Birthday Val Kilmer’s Birthday Nadia Parkes’s Birthday Natalia Pitti’s Birthday Joey McIntyre’s Birthday John Denver’s Birthday Henri Matisse’s Birthday Hunter Schafer’s Birthday Gabby Douglas’s Birthday Harvey Mills’s Birthday Donna Summer’s Birthday Donald Trump Jr.’s Birthday Bailey McKnight’s Birthday Anthony Hopkins’s Birthday Amber Katelyn Beale’s Birthday Fun Observances Make Up Your Mind Day Are you indecisive? Then, Make Up Your Mind Day is the unofficial holiday you should choose to close out the year with. The name of this unofficial holiday comes from the English language phrase make up your mind, which means to make a decision. The day encourages people to take charge of their lives and make decisions that they can stand by and be proud of, in the upcoming year. Important Quality Being decisive can be challenging especially in today's fast-paced, uncertainty-ridden world. People have more information and resources available to assist them in their decision-making process, but have fewer controls over the outcomes and the consequences of their choices. Despite this, decisiveness is more and more being viewed as an important quality for people to have both in their professional world and in their personal lives. Studies have shown that employees react favorably to decisive bosses and employers and co-workers tend to view indecisive people as incompetent and weak. Easy to Learn However, there is good news for the chronic overanalyzer and the lifelong second guesser - decisiveness may not come naturally to you, but you can easily learn how to make good decisions, quickly and with little anguish. Experts suggest that to be decisive, one must first become comfortable with incomplete information and embrace risk. Start with small, inconsequential decisions and work your way to life altering major decisions. Do not underestimate gut feelings, but do not rely just on them. Listen to your heart and to your brain. Break down big decisions into smaller, more manageable mini decisions and never hesitate to ask for help. How to Celebrate? By making up your mind, of course. Have a big decision to make? Don't hesitate, just do it and don't worry about what could have been. Resolve to make quick decisions and try not to regret them. For example, next time you are at a restaurant, give yourself a time limit to make your menu selection and stick to it. Struggling to be decisive? Ask a friend or a family member to be your support system. Tell them to pull you back in line every time you start waffling. Meditate over your decisions. Make a pro and con list and reason out the consequences of your decision logically. Stick to the list and once you have made your decision, do not go back on it. Did You Know… …that according to some studies, making high-stress decisions can tire out the brain, making it less effective for other activities? *** The Dumbest Police Calls in America From the police blotter, 
or, what a beat cop deals with 
every day: • A deputy responded to a report 
of a vehicle stopping at mailboxes. 
It was the mail carrier. • A woman said her son was 
attacked by a cat, and the cat would not allow her to take her son to the hospital. • A resident said someone had 
entered his home at night and taken five pounds of bacon. Upon further investigation, police discovered 
his wife had gotten up for a late-night snack. • A man reported that a squirrel 
was running in circles on Davis Drive, and he wasn’t sure if it was sick or had been hit by a car. An 
officer responded, and as he drove on the street, he ran over the squirrel. *** Three Dumb ER Stories You’re Allowed To Laugh At “Patient in to ER at 0400 with no complaints: ‘I have been having chest pain for 4 months but I am not having chest pain now. The reason I’m here now is because I heard that 4am is the best time to come cause there are not that many people.’ ” “Had a woman call 911 because she ‘had déjà vu in the shower and got nervous.’” “Got a frantic call from a woman who claimed she had overdosed and needed help immediately. We arrive on scene, and she hands us an empty mint container, saying she took them all. That night she learned that you cannot overdose on mints.” *** The Mystery Kitchen Utensil My collection of vintage kitchen utensils includes one whose intended purpose was always a mystery. It looks like a cross between a metal slotted spoon and a spatula, so I 
use it as both. When not in use, it 
is prominently displayed in a 
decorative ceramic utensil caddy 
in my kitchen. The mystery of the spoon/spatula was recently solved when I found one in its original packaging at 
a rummage sale. It’s a pooper-scooper. *** A young man was planting some flower seeds on a sweltering day, sweating from the hot sun. His neighbor said, “You need to wait until the sun goes down, or plant in the morning when it is coolest.” The man said, “I can’t do that. It says on the package, ‘Plant in full sun!’ ” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

December 30th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abraham the Writer Anysia of Salonika Egwin of Evesham Frances Joseph-Gaudet (Episcopal Church) Liberius of Ravenna Pope Felix I Ralph of Vaucelles Roger of Cannae December 30 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of the Declaration of Slovakia as an Independent Ecclesiastic Province (Slovakia) Rizal Day (Philippines) The fifth day of Kwanzaa (United States) The sixth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Falling Needles Family Fest Day Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute National Bacon Day National Cheryl Day National Resolution Planning Day LeBron James’s Birthday Carson Wentz’s Birthday Kristina Alice’s Birthday Kylin Kalani’s Birthday Kim Taehyung’s Birthday Kristin Kreuk’s Birthday Joshua Hong’s Birthday Justin Combs’s Birthday Yelawolf’s Birthday Tiger Woods’s Birthday Raymond Cham Jr.’s Birthday Brady Noon’s Birthday Bandhunta Izzy’s Birthday Stephanie Del Valle’s Birthday Davy Jones’s Birthday Tyrese Gibson’s Birthday Ellie Goulding’s Birthday Patti Smith’s Birthday Fun Observances Bicarbonate of Soda Day December 30 is Bicarbonate Of Soda Day. Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate is one of the most commonly found chemical compound in households. While the origins of this holiday are unknown, we can all safely assume that whoever created this holiday, not only wanted to give a shout out to one of the most used chemical compounds in the history of mankind, but also wanted to encourage people to use it more and more in their daily lives. Multi-Purpose Household Item Commonly used these days in baking, cleaning, polishing old silverware and treating heartburn, bicarbonate of soda was used by ancient Egyptians for painting. Known by Many Names The compound's scientific name is sodium hydrogen carbonate, but it is known by many other names around the world. Some of the common ones are baking soda, cooking soda and bread soda. How to Celebrate? Learn about the history of the manufacturing and use of baking soda. Learn what other things you can use baking soda for. Build a baking soda and vinegar volcano at home. Did You Know… …that baking soda is a very versatile household product? Use it to deodorize your fridge, to clean tea and coffee stained cups and teapots, and clean household surfaces. *** Because it was my brother's birthday, our mom wanted to do something special. She called his fraternity house and said she wanted to bring a cake. The young man who took the call was very excited. "Hey, Mrs. Schaeffer," he said, "that would be great!" The next day she drove to the fraternity and rang the doorbell. The same boy answered the door. When he saw the cake, his face fell. "Oh," he said, clearly disappointed. "I thought you said 'keg.' " *** Forget about the past, you can't change it. Forget about the future, you can't predict it. Forget about the present, I didn't get you one. *** Here’s the news: A Rhode Island man was arrested for passing a counterfeit $100 bill. What gave him away? Lincoln’s face: It’s supposed to be on the $5 bill. Here’s the laugh: A counterfeiter drives to a small town, enters a store, and hands the rube behind the counter an $18 bill. “Mind making change?” he asks. “Sure,” says the clerk. “Ya want two nines or three sixes?” *** This man was really lonely, so he posted an ad on a popular website. The ad said, simply: "Wife wanted." He was surprised the next morning to find he had over a hundred replies in his inbox. Unfortunately, they all said the same thing: "You can have mine." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Nope

December 29th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ebrulf Jonathan, Prince of Israel and David's friend. Thomas Becket Trophimus of Arles December 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day (Ireland) Independence Day (Mongolia) The fifth day of Christmas (Western Christianity) The fourth day of Kwanzaa (United States) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) International Cello Day National Paula Day National Ha Day Still Need To Do Day Tick Tock Day Falls Festival History Ross Lynch’s Birthday Pardison Fontaine’s Birthday Pimp C’s Birthday Minatozaki Sana’s Birthday Mary Tyler Moore’s Birthday Jude Law’s Birthday Ted Danson’s Birthday Davina Potratz’s Birthday Candace Rice’s Birthday Jon Voight Fun Observances Pepper Pot Day December 29 is Pepper Pot Day, an unofficial holiday that honors the stew famously associated with George Washington's army during the American Revolution. Made of tripe, vegetables and pepper, pepper pot soup, also sometimes known as Philadelphia pepper pot, has for long been the subject of many American revolution legends. Rumor has it that the soup was responsible for helping George Washington's army win the American Revolution. During the war, many farmers chose to sell food to the British. This created a shortage of food for the Continental Army. The cooks in the army cooked whatever they could find their hand on in a stew and saved the day by feeding soldiers pepper pot. Different Versions Versions of the stew can be found in Guyana and other Caribbean countries, where it is reserved for special ocassions like weddings and holidays. The Caribbean version of the stew does not use tripe, and has hot peppers as one its main ingredients. It is thought that the Philadelphia pepper pot may have been inspired in many ways by the cuisine of Caribbean slaves and immigrants in America. How to Celebrate? Make a big pot of pepper pot stew at home and invite your friends and family to enjoy it with you. Did You Know… … that tripe usually comes from 3 of the 4 chambers of a cow's stomach? *** On a fishing trip to a remote lake in Northern Quebec, I asked the outfitter, “Do you stay here during the winter?” “No,” he said. “The snow gets too deep. We can’t get supplies in. Like many Canadians, I go south for the winter.” “Oh,” I said. “Where do you go?” “Vermont.” *** Concerned about what will happen to cities if the polar ice caps melt? Don't be. New names have already been chosen. Atlantis City, New Jersey Pariscope, France Sail 'Em, Massachusetts Floodelphia, Pennsylvania Helsunki, Finland Sao Marco ... Paulo, Brazil *** According to a news story, if global warming continues, in 20 years the only chance we'll have to see a polar bear is in a zoo. So in other words, nothing is going to change. *** If you feel a bit lonely, forgotten, or just need someone to cheer you up remember... You can always change your birthday on Facebook! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

December 28th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abel (Coptic Church) Caterina Volpicelli Feast of the Holy Innocents or Childermas; in Spain and Latin American countries the festival is celebrated with pranks (inocentadas), similar to April Fools' Day (Catholic Church, Church of England, Lutheran Church), and its related observances: Els Enfarinats (Ibi, Spain) Simon the Athonite December 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) King Taksin Memorial Day (Thailand) Proclamation Day (South Australia), celebration started on the day following Christmas (South Australia) Republic Day (South Sudan) The fourth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Call a Friend Day National Chocolate Candy Day National Download Day National Short Film Day National Tim Day Pledge of Allegiance Day Maggie Smith’s Birthday London Goheen’s Birthday John Legend’s Birthday Joe Manganiello’s Birthday Gayle King’s Birthday Eric Griffin’s Birthday Woodrow Wilson’s Birthday Dolores Catania’s Birthday Ratan Tata’s Birthday Posie Rayne LaBrant’s Birthday Nash Grier’s Birthday Malcolm Gets’s Birthday Maya Boyce’s Birthday Big 30’s Birthday Nichelle Nichols’s Birthday Danny Edge’s Birthday Quackity’s Birthday David Archuleta’s Birthday Stan Lee’s Birthday Denzel Washington’s Birthday Emery Kelly’s Birthday Fun Observances Card Playing Day Tired of all the holiday activities? Need a break before the New Year fun begins? Get your family and friends together for a quiet and fun night in on Card Playing Day. Held annually on December 28, the day celebrates card games and aims to bring together family and friends after a busy holiday season. How to Celebrate? Learn a new card game. Host a card game night. Keep it simple, get take-out or pop a few frozen pizzas in the oven and get playing. Did You Know… …that the earliest known records of playing cards exist from the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty in China? *** Every morning I think I’m going to make pancakes, but I keep waffling. *** A man told a friend about taking his wife to dinner for their anniversary. He described how the food was made in front of them. The friend said, “I’ve heard of places like that, what is the name of the restaurant?” The man replied, “Subway.” *** My granddaughter told me, 
 “Don’t buy brown eggs; they’re not ripe yet.” *** We Uber drivers never know whom we’re going to end up with as a passenger. One day, I was driving over a new bridge, the design of which was very confusing. Completely confounded, I muttered, “I’d love to meet the genius who designed this mess.” With that, my passenger extended his hand in my direction and said, “Well, today is your lucky day. My name is Mike, I work for the county engineer’s office, and I’m the genius who designed this!” Surprisingly, he still gave me a tip. *** At an event famous for giving out awards in bizarre categories, the emcee enthusiastically announces, “The next prize will go to the laziest person in the audience. If you think you qualify, raise your hand.” Everyone raises their hands except a middle-aged man who seems to show little interest. “Congratulations! You are the winner,” says the emcee to the man. “Your prize is this $100 bill!” Still showing no emotion, the man replies, “Would you mind coming over here and putting it in my pocket?” *** My boss yelled at me the other day, “You’ve got to be the worst train driver in history. How many trains did you derail last year?" I said, "Can’t say for sure, it’s so hard to keep track!" *** *** *** *** The Magic Schoolbus *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

@Bill W Thank you and the answer is yes(click on it). National William Day

December 27th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Blessed Francesco Spoto Blessed Sára Salkaházi Fabiola John the Apostle Pope Maximus of Alexandria Nicarete Theodorus and Theophanes December 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day (North Korea) Emergency Rescuer's Day (Russia) St. Stephen's Day (Eastern Orthodox Church; a public holiday in Romania) The third of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Abigail Day Anniversary of Benazir Bhutto's Death Case Day International Day of Epidemic Preparedness National Fruitcake Day National Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day National Martha Day National Samuel Day Visit the Zoo Day National Leftovers Day Nick Chubb’s Birthday Salman Khan’s Birthday Kamri Noel McKnight’s Birthday Louis Pasteur’s Birthday Heather O'Rourke’s Birthday Isela Sule’s Birthday Hayley Williams’s Birthday Dustin Bates’s Birthday Carson Palmer’s Birthday Savannah Guthrie’s Birthday Timothée Chalamet’s Birthday Amberlynn Reid’s Birthday Bill Goldberg’s Birthday Fun Observances No Interruptions Day Put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door and ban all interruptions on December 27 because it is No Interruptions Day. Holiday season tire you out? Ready to recharge your batteries before the New Year? While the creator of this unofficial holiday is unknown, it is very clear that they intended to create this holiday as a way to encourage people to take some time off for themselves and get ready for New Year's Eve festivities and the New Year. Disconnect In a world where there are plenty of distractions both at work and at home, it is sometimes important to disconnect and concentrate on the tasks at hand. These tasks could be as mundane as catching up on sleep, getting some me-time at the spa, or as important as putting some time in strengthening your relationships with family and friends, or finishing up work and projects for the year. The High Cost of Interruption Interruptions at the workplace are one of the biggest causes of lowered productivity and high costs. A study done by Dr. Gloria Mark at the University of California, found that on average people are interrupted about 20 times in an hour at work. Such interruptions can be in the form of phone calls, emails, co-workers stopping by to chat, and new tasks being handed off the worker. In addition to reducing productivity, interruptions in the workplace can cause higher stress levels and general dissatisfaction with work. In many workplaces such as in the airline or health industry distractions can have catastrophic consequences. The holiday is sometimes celebrated on December 31. How to Celebrate? Switch off your phones, disconnect your internet and do something you really enjoy doing – knit a scarf, read a book or work on your car, all without any interruptions. If you have been distracted at work, take this day to try and increase your productivity. Inform your colleagues that you will be working all day and would appreciate that you be bothered only in case of an emergency. Unplug your office phone, set an out of the office response to emails and concentrate on finishing up your tasks. Sometimes life's daily interruptions can affect our relationships with friends and family. Take this day to concentrate on your closest relationships. Do something special with your loved ones - go for a hike or a picnic and leave the phone behind. Spend quality time with your friends and let them know that your uninterrupted time is theirs today. Did You Know... ...that there is an academic field called interruption science that studies the effects of distractions on productivity? *** Three buildings in town were overrun by squirrels—the town hall, the hardware store, and the church. The town hall brought in some cats. But after they tore up all the files, the mayor got rid of the predators, and soon the squirrels were back. The hardware store humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free outside town. But three days later, the squirrels climbed back in. Only the church came up with an effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and made them members. Now they see them only on Christmas and Easter. *** Seeing her friend Sally wearing a new locket, Meg asks if there is a memento of some sort inside. “Yes,” says Sally, “a lock of my husband’s hair.” “But Larry’s still alive.” “I know, but his hair is gone.” *** Senior citizens have taken to texting with gusto. They even have their own vocabulary: BFF: Best Friend Fainted BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth CBM: Covered by Medicare FWB: Friend with Beta-blockers LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low! *** AN OLDER WOMAN runs into her friend at the mall. “You’re not going to believe this,” she said. “I found an old lamp the other day. I rubbed it and a genie popped out. He explained that genies don’t give three wishes anymore, but he did offer me a choice between one of two wishes. He could give me a better memory or turn my husband into the greatest lover ever.” “Tough choice,” said her friend. “Which one did you choose?” “That’s the thing. I can’t remember.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

No, it is real and very charismatic. Habronattus americanus - Wikipedia

Habronattus americanus - Wallowa Mountains, Oregon - 2016 Easily one of the most charismatic salticids of the Pacific Northwest - if not all of America! A fitting name for such a fantastically handsome Habronattus species!

December 26th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances: Day of Good Will (South Africa and Namibia) Family Day (Vanuatu) Thanksgiving (Solomon Islands) Christian feast day: Abadiu of Antinoe (Coptic Church) Earliest day on which Feast of the Holy Family can fall, celebrated on Sunday after Christmas or 30 if Christmas falls on a Sunday. James the Just (Eastern Orthodox Church) Stephen (Western Church) Synaxis of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Church) December 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Independence and Unity Day (Slovenia) Mauro Hamza Day (Houston, Texas) Mummer's Day (Padstow, Cornwall) St. Stephen's Day (public holiday in Alsace, Austria, Catalonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland), and its related observances: Father's Day (Bulgaria) The first day of Kwanzaa, celebrated until January 1 (United States) The first day of Junkanoo street parade, the second day is on the New Year's Day (The Bahamas) The second day of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity) Second day of Christmas (Public holiday in the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia) Veer Baal Divas, is observed to pay tribute to martyr sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Wren Day (Ireland and the Isle of Man) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Candy Cane Day National Homeowners Day National Whiners Day Natalie Nunn’s Birthday Mao Tse Tung’s Birthday Kit Harington’s Birthday Lars Ulrich’s Birthday Jade Thirlwall’s Birthday David Rose’s Birthday Chris Daughtry’s Birthday Barry Wood’s Birthday Andy Biersack’s Birthday Luke Gulbranson’s Birthday Jared Leto Fun Observances Thank You Note Day On December 26, take out your best stationary and write thank you notes to everyone you need to thank because it is Write a Thank You Note Day. ‘Tis the season to exchange gifts. It is also the season to be grateful and thankful. So sit with a cup of hot chocolate and left overs from your Christmas dinner and say thank you. Hand-written, Text or Email Thank you notes are very simply notes and letters of appreciation and gratitude. Thank you notes are traditionally hand-written, though in recent years it is acceptable to send a thank you note through email or by text. Thank you notes are usually sent in a variety of professional and social situations such as after a job interview or after receiving a wedding or a birthday gift. How to Celebrate? Hand write thank you notes. Be sincere and write from the heart. The recipients will appreciate having their efforts acknowledged. If you can, why not add a small handmade gift for some of your recipients to thank them for their thoughtfulness? If you don’t have the time, an email thank you note is better than sending no such note. Did You Know... ...that the term thank is thought to come from the Old English word, þoncian meaning to reward? *** A therapist has a theory that couples who make love once a day are the happiest. So he tests it at a seminar by asking those assembled, “How many people here make love once a day?” Half the people raise their hands, each of them grinning widely. “Once a week?” A third of 
the audience members raise their hands, their grins a bit less vibrant. “Once a month?” A few hands tepidly go up. Then he asks, “OK, how about once a year?” One man in the back jumps up and down, jubilantly waving his hands. The therapist is shocked—this disproves his theory. “If you make love only once a year,” he asks, “why are you so happy?” The man yells, “Today’s the day!” *** When my coworker answered his phone, the confused woman on the other end asked, “Who is this?” “This is Steve. With whom did you wish to speak?” After a pause: “Did you just say whom?” “Yes, I did.” The woman replied, “I have the wrong number,” and hung up. *** A Twitter exchange between an angry customer and an apologetic Domino’s Pizza: Customer: Yoooo I ordered a Pizza 
& Came with no Toppings on it or anything, Its Just Bread Domino’s: We’re sorry to hear about this! Customer (minutes later): Never mind, I opened the pizza upside down *** My friend called me in hysterics. “I just saw a mouse in my kitchen!” she yelled. “I’m so grossed out! It’s 
so disgusting!” “What are you going to do?” 
I asked. “I’m not sure. But you can bet I’ll never eat the stuff I drop on the floor anymore.” *** A man boards a plane and is seated next to an Air Marshall and his ‘sniffing dog’. Soon, the plane takes off and the Marshall says, “Sniffer, search.” The dog walks along the aisle, and stops next to a woman. He then returns to his seat and puts a paw on the Marshall’s arm. “Good boy,” says the Marshall. “What happened?” asks the man. “That woman is in possession of marijuana. We’ll arrest her when we land.” Once again, Sniffer searches the aisles. He stops beside a man, then returns to his seat, and places two paws on the Marshall’s arm. “That man is carrying cocaine,” the Marshall explains. The dog walks up the aisle again, then races back, jumps into his seat, and poops all over it. “What’s going on?!” demands the man. The Marshall nervously replies, “He just found a bomb!” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn