sandrewn

December 11th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Cian Daniel the Stylite María de las Maravillas de Jesús Pope Damasus I Sabinus of Piacenza Victoricus, Fuscian, and Gentian December 11 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Establishment of Kurdish Women's Union (Iraqi Kurdistan) Indiana Day (United States) International Mountain Day National Tango Day (Argentina) Pampanga Day (Pampanga province, Philippines) Republic Day, the day when Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community in 1958. (Burkina Faso) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day National App Day National Caesar Day National Jon Day UNICEF Birthday - 01 UNICEF Day for Change -02 Green Monday National Have a Bagel Day Rey Mysterio Jr.’s Birthday Sam Wilkinson’s Birthday Nikki Sixx’s Birthday PJ Liguori’s Birthday Tommy Sotomayor’s Birthday Mos Def’s Birthday Jermaine Jackson’s Birthday John Kerry’s Birthday Javi Marroquin’s Birthday Jack Griffo’s Birthday Hailee Steinfeld’s Birthday Alexa Demie’s Birthday aimsey’s Birthday Mo'Nique’s Birthday Rajneesh's Birthday Fun Observances Noodle Ring Day December 11 is Noodle Ring Day, a day for comforting baked pasta. Popular during the mid-1900s, Noodle Ring Day is a dish made of flat noodles or any other type of flat pasta baked in a ring mold or a bundt pan. Fill the Ring Making noodle ring from scratch is easy, all you need is some cooked pasta, eggs, bread crumbs and a cheese that melts easily. Mix all the ingredients and put it in a mold and bake until all the eggs cook and the cheese melts. Unmold and fill the center with a filling of your choice. Many recipes recommend chicken salad, sautéed vegetables or canned tuna as a filling. How to Celebrate? Dig out your grandma’s cookbooks and make a noodle ring for dinner. Don't like the pasta that is available in the stores? Make your own from scratch and then use to make a noodle ring. Make a dessert version of the dish - use sugar while baking the noodles and instead of a savory filling use fresh cut fruit or a custard or pudding. Host a vintage dinner party and have friends bring their favorite vintage dishes to share. Make a noodle ring as your contribution to the dinner table. Did You Know… …that experts believe that people around the world consume over 600 types and shapes of pasta? *** First you forget names, then you forget faces. Next you forget to pull your zipper up and finally, you forget to pull it down. —George Burns *** According to most studies, people's No. 1 fear is public speaking. No. 2 is death. Death is No. 2. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. —Jerry Seinfeld *** The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for steak to cook. —Julia Child *** "I was playing chess with my friend, and he said, 'Let's make this more interesting.' So we stopped playing chess." —Matt Kirshen *** A passenger in a taxi tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed and lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus and drove up over the curb, stopping inches from a large window. For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then the driver quietly said, “Please don’t do that! You scared the daylights out of me.” The passenger, who was also frightened, apologized and said he didn’t realize a tap on the shoulder could startle someone so much —to which the driver replied, “It’s really not your fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving 
a hearse for 25 years.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

First I would say, the boy is braver, because of his age and not having lived long enough to know better. Now Mr . Tarantula, admittedly crazy, but not stupid by a long shot. He chose the Chilean Rose Tarantula for a very wise reason. Chilean rose hair tarantula - Zoo Atlanta ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Most spiders on the body - Guinness World Records - YouTube

December 10th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Alfred Nobel Day or Nobeldagen (Sweden) Christian feast day: Behnam, Sarah, and the Forty Martyrs (Syriac Orthodox Church) Eulalia of Mérida Karl Barth (Episcopal Church (USA)) Thomas Merton (Episcopal Church (USA)) Translation of the Holy House of Loreto December 10 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day (Thailand) Human Rights Day (International) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales International Animal Rights Day Iraq Victory Day National Corey Day National Derek Day National Lager Day Worldwide Candle Lighting Day World Choral Day Raven-Symoné’s Birthday Neptune’s Birthday MeMpHiTz’s Birthday Maliah Michel’s Birthday Kyliegh Curran’s Birthday Kevin de León’s Birthday Kang Daniel’s Birthday Flynn Timothy Stocklin’s Birthday Emily Dickinson’s Birthday Delaney Childs’s Birthday Caila Quinn’s Birthday Bobby Flay’s Birthday Teyana Taylor’s Birthday Evelyn Lozada’s Birthday Fun Observances (2) Dewey Decimal System Day December 10 is Dewey Decimal System Day. The day commemorates the birth of Melville Dewey, the inventor of the Dewey Decimal System of library classification. The system, first published in 1876, organizes library materials by fields. There are 10 main fields that are further divided into smaller, more specialized area. Libraries around to the world use the system to organize and classify their books. In addition to creating this ingenious system of organization, Melville Dewey was also a big proponent of the metric system. He was the founder of the American Metric Bureau. How to Celebrate? Learn more about the Dewey Decimal System. Visit a library and talk to a librarian about how they keep track of all the books in the building. Did You Know… …that only 3 countries in the world do not use the metric system today? These are the United States, Myanmar, and Liberia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jane Addams Day December 10 is Jane Addams Day, an unofficial holiday that celebrates the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Created in 2007, the holiday is held annually on December 10 to commemorate the date in 1931 when Addams was awarded the world's most prestigious award for those who work to spread peace and prosperity in the world and their communities - the Nobel Peace Prize. Five Prizes The award is one of the five prizes instituted by the Swedish inventor, Alfred Nobel and is given out annually in Oslo, Norway. Addams shared her prize with Nicholas Murray Butler. Feminist and Peace Activist Born in 1860, Jane Addams was a social worker, a feminist, and a peace activist. She was committed to improving the lives of women and children and to improving conditions of underprivileged communities in Chicago. In 1889, she co-founded the Hull House in Chicago, a settlement house that encouraged educated women to work for social reform in working class neighborhoods in the city. Addams was also a feminist and believed that women had the right to vote and make themselves heard both in politics and in society. Founder of Social Work In addition to her prolific social work, Jane Addams was also involved in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She is also known as the founder of social work in the United States. How to Celebrate? Women like Jane Addams made it possible for women in the United States to have the political, economic and social opportunities they have today. So, spend this day reading about the history of women's rights in the U.S. If you have children and kids in your life, tell them about the work of Jane Addams. The Jane Addams Peace Association gives out annual awards to children's books that promote the cause of peace, equality and social justice. Even though Jane Addams worked hard to ensure social change, peace and equality, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Celebrate the life and work of an inspiring woman by volunteering your time and money to a social justice charity. Remember, you don't have to be in the United States to honor Jane Addams. Her ideals of equality, peace and justice are relevant to all times, ages and places. Did You Know... ...that Jane Addams was only the second woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? The first woman was peace activist Baroness Bertha Sophie Felicita von Suttner. *** Traveling through the Midwest, I stopped at an Ohio welcome center to pick up a state map. I found plenty of brochures but no maps. Then I spotted two employees and asked whether they had any. “Sure,” said the first guy. “I’ll get you one.” As he walked to the back, the second guy explained, “We keep them in the storage room. If we leave them out on the counter, people just come in and take them.” *** “Has your diet changed?” 
I asked an 87-year-old woman I was admitting into the hospital. “Yes,” she said. “For Lent, I gave 
up whipped cream on my Jell-O, hard candy, and my two beers a night. [Pause] And look where it’s gotten me.” *** A child psychologist had twin boys—one was an optimist; the other, a pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on Christmas Day he loaded the pessimist’s room with toys and games. In the optimist’s room, he dumped a pile of horse droppings. That night, the father found the pessimist surrounded by his gifts, crying. “What’s wrong?” the father asked. “I have a ton of game manuals to read … I need batteries … and my toys will all eventually get broken!” sobbed the pessimist. Passing the optimist’s room, the father found him dancing for joy around the pile of manure. “Why are you so happy?” he asked. The optimist shouted, “There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!” *** Natives of Baltimore, Maryland, my wife and I decided to move to the country in southwest 
Virginia for a change of pace. After we made the move, we started to notice little things about our neighbors. One we could not get over was how they gave directions. When we asked, everyone said to go down yonder and go over yonder and go around yonder. We would say thank you, but when we got into the truck we’d look at each other and ask, “Do you know where yonder is?” So for the first year or so, we drove around in circles. Then the other day, while we were in town shopping, someone asked us for directions. As I told them where to go, it came to me all at once. It took some time, but yeah—now I know where yonder is. And the people there are all right. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Skitter, skitter! This picture belongs to an article called, The Other Arachnids, I found it to be quite interesting. Skitter, skitter!

December 9th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Anna's Day, marks the day to start the preparation process of the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve, as well as a Swedish name day, celebrating all people named Anna. (Sweden and Finland) Armed Forces Day (Peru) Christian feast day: Feast of the Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by St. Anne (Eastern Orthodox Church) Juan Diego Leocadia Nectarius of Auvergne Peter Fourier December 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Fatherland's Heroes Day (Russia) Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Tanganyika from Britain in 1961. (Tanzania) International Anti-Corruption Day (United Nations) National Heroes Day, formerly V.C. Bird Day. (Antigua and Barbuda) Navy Day (Sri Lanka) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Genocide Prevention Day - 1 International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime - 2 International Day of Veterinary Medicine Lost and Found Day MS Ireland Christmas Jumper Day National Blake Day National Llama Day National Opal Apples Day National Pastry Day Techno Day V.C. Bird Day Weary Willie Day Gingerbread Decorating Day International Shareware Day Lori Greiner’s Birthday Kwadwo Asamoah’s Birthday Lily Pebbles’s Birthday Kirk Douglas’s Birthday Kountry Wayne’s Birthday Kendall Vertes’s Birthday Kenneth Pabon’s Birthday Jaida Essence Hall’s Birthday Judi Dench’s Birthday Isaiah Russell-Bailey’s Birthday Grace Hopper’s Birthday Donny Osmond’s Birthday Minho’s Birthday NI-KI’s Birthday Angela Deem’s Birthday Booba’s Birthday Redd Foxx’s Birthday PnB Rock’s Birthday Fun Observances Christmas Card Day Christmas is just a few weeks away, and if you haven’t sent out your greeting cards, make sure you do it on December 9 because it is Christmas Card Day. How to Celebrate? Send out your holiday and Christmas cards. Make your own cards – your recipients will appreciate a handmade card. If you don’t have time to send in physical cards, what about sending e-cards? Don’t celebrate Christmas or the holidays? Why not send out New Year cards instead? Did You Know… …that the first Christmas cards were sent in 1843 and were commissioned in London, United Kingdom by Sir Henry Cole. John Callcott Horsley illustrated the card, which featured the members of a family. *** 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. *** My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. 
It might have had something to 
do with how she completed this 
sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” *** A friend of mine works at a tattoo shop. A client walked in and got a sentence tattooed on his back. A few hours later, the customer called, 
demanding a refund. Client: You did my tattoo backward! Tattoo artist: It’s backward? Client: Yes! I’m looking at it in the mirror right now! *** When our son was young, his grandma joked about the Sandman and how he put kids to sleep by sprinkling “sleepy sand” in their eyes. Later that day I found Chico napping with his head in a cardboard box. When I asked him why, he said he wasn’t going to let anyone put sand in his eyes. I couldn’t convince him it was a fairy tale, because Grandma wouldn’t lie! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Opiliones (Cosmetidae) II Taken in Manaus, AM, 10 Aug 2012. Animal recorded at Porto Urucu, Coari, AM, Brazil. Opiliones (formerly Phalangida) are an order of arachnids commonly known as harvestmen. Although they belong to the class of arachnids, harvestmen are not spiders, which are of the order Araneae rather than the order Opiliones.

December 8th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Battle Day (Falkland Islands) Bodhi Day (Japan) CARICOM–Cuba Day (Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Cuba) Christian feast day: Budoc (Beuzec) of Dol Clement of Ohrid (Julian Calendar), and its related observances: Student's Day (Bulgaria) Eucharius Feast of the Immaculate Conception (public holiday in several countries, a holy day of obligation in others), and its related observances: Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Anglican Communion), lesser commemoration Festa da Conceição da Praia, celebrating Yemanjá, Queen of the Ocean in Umbanda (Salvador, Bahia) Festival of Lights (Lyon) Mother's Day (Panama) Lady of Camarin Day (Guam) Patapios of Thebes Pope Eutychian Richard Baxter (US Episcopal Church) Romaric December 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day (Romania) Constitution Day (Uzbekistan) Day of Finnish Music (Finland) Earliest day on which National Tree Planting Day can fall, while December 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Monday in December. (Malawi) Hari-Kuyō (Kansai region, Japan) National Youth Day (Albania) Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day (Ethiopia) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Christmas Jumper Day National Blue Collar Day National Brownie Day National Health Savings Account Day National Lard Day National Salesperson Day National Simon Day Santa Marian Kamalen Day Take it in the Ear Day Udhauli Parva Virgin of Caacupé Day Nicole Laeno’s Birthday Teri Hatcher’s Birthday Nicki Minaj’s Birthday Kappa Kaiju’s Birthday Kim Basinger’s Birthday Sam Hunt’s Birthday Benjamin Rein Brady’s Birthday Dwight Howard’s Birthday Gregg Allman’s Birthday Dharmendra’s Birthday Diego Rivera’s Birthday Deveraux Jagger’s Birthday Corey Taylor’s Birthday Clarence White’s Birthday Pee Wee’s Birthday Ian Somerhalder’s Birthday Philip Rivers’s Birthday Jim Morrison’s Birthday Tanner Buchanan’s Birthday Ann Coulter’s Birthday Mary Queen of Scots’s Birthday Fun Observances (2) Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day December 8 is Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day. While the origins of this Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day are unknown, we are certain that the creators of this unofficial holiday wanted people to pretend to be time travelers. Future or Past In a general sense, most of us do that every day without pretending - we travel from one second to another. But time travelers are special - they have the ability to move from one point in time to another faster or slower than what us normal humans can do. They can travel in the past or travel in the future. While most physicists and scientists agree that time traveling can be theoretically achieved, our present day technology and scientific knowledge aren't advanced enough to make it a reality. How to Celebrate? All you need to do is to pretend that you can travel through time. Act like you just arrived from another century or even another planet. Here are some more ways you can celebrate this fun holiday: Watch all your favorite time traveling movies and shows. What about hosting a blast from the past party? Choose an era and base the party around the clothing, food and language of that period. Walk around dressed like someone from the past or future. Speak old English or Latin or any other ancient language when asked why you are dressed the way you are. Did You Know… …that one of the most popular paradox associated with time travel is the Grandfather Paradox? According to this paradox, if a person goes back into time to kill her/her grandfather before he has biological children and succeeds, then one of the person’s parents would never be born, and therefore, the person in question would not exist. This means that the person could not go back in time to kill his or her grandfather, which would mean that the person’s grandfather would have biological children and the person would exist today. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Official Lost and Found Day The second Friday of December is celebrated every year as Official Lost and Found Day. Losing things is part of life and if what we have lost is not very important, most people tend to stop looking for it after trying for a while. In fact, lost and found offices all around the world are full of things that people lost and have forgotten about. Celebrated first in 2012, Official Lost and Found Day is an unofficial holiday that reminds people to not give up on the things they have lost and to increase their efforts to find them. How to Celebrate? If you have lost something or if you forgot an item somewhere, make an effort to track it down. If it is a personal object, chances are that someone is holding it for the owner to claim it. Though not technically lost, items sold at thrift stores and flea markets are certainly forgotten. Take this day to visit your local thrift store and find something that will be loved in your home. If you are prone to losing things, perhaps today is the day to figure out a way to make sure you don't lose things frequently. Some ideas include putting a name tag and contact information on your belongings and creating a process to check if you have all your things with you when leaving the home, getting off public transport and leaving any public area. Did You Know... ...that the lost and found system in Japan today dates back to a code written in 718? *** When my local barista handed me my change, one coin stood out. “Look at that. You rarely get one of these old wheat pennies nowadays,” I said, tapping the sheaf of-wheat design. I handed her the penny. Turning it over and over in her hand, she said, “You know, I always thought they were made of copper.” *** One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” *** Could a ... ... librarian be called a bookkeeper? ... referee be a game warden? ... dairyman be a cowboy? ... cabinetmaker be the president? *** Dad always bragged about the gunners on his ship. Once during target practice, an unmanned drone flew past an antiaircraft cruiser. The cruiser opened up, shells furiously flying all around the drone but not hitting it. Then came Dad’s ship’s turn. The gunners’ very first shot sent the drone into the water! Forty years later, Dad met the man responsible, and he told him how impressed he had been. “Yeah, I got in a lot of trouble for that,” the gunner said. “Turns out we were supposed to shoot around it, not hit it.” *** A pair of jumper cables walk into a cafe. The barista sees them and says, “I’m sorry but I’ll have to ask you to leave. I don’t want you starting anything in here.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The little girl was drinking milk in her glass when she tipped it and slipped milk everywhere. The cats wasted no time in making the best of the opportunity. As we know that there is no use to cry over spilled milk, the little girl simply started drinking it off the floor. *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Nope! Nope! Hell No! No Way!!

December 7th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Armed Forces Flag Day (India) Christian feast day: Aemilianus (Greek Church) Ambrose Maria Giuseppa Rossello Sabinus of Spoleto December 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Eve of the Immaculate Conception-related observances: Day of the Little Candles, begins after sunset (Colombia) International Civil Aviation Day National Heroes Day (East Timor) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (United States) Spitak Remembrance Day (Armenia) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Cotton Candy Day National Illinois Day National Joy Day National Judith Day National Rina Day Unduvap Full Moon Poya Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Birthday Sara Bareilles’s Birthday Noam Chomsky’s Birthday Pete Alonso’s Birthday Larry Bird’s Birthday Nazanin Kavari’s Birthday Jon Moxley’s Birthday Dan Bilzerian’s Birthday Ava Foley’s Birthday Tom Waits’s Birthday Sowon’s Birthday Summer Fontana’s Birthday Asian Doll’s Birthday Shae Bennett’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thu Dec 7th, 2023 - Fri Dec 15th, 2023 Hanukkah Fun Observances Letter Writing Day On December 7 bring out your finest stationery and your writing equipment and pen a letter to someone special because it is Letter Writing Day! While it is unclear who created Letter Writing Day, it is apparent that the creators of this unofficial holiday wanted to revive the art and tradition of letter writing and for people to show off their penmanship. As Old As Written Language Letter writing is as old as written language - people in ancient civilizations communicated with each other through letters written on a variety of different surfaces. Archaeologists have discovered letters written on wood, metal and ceramic plaques, leather, and fabric. Preserved letters are great historical resources - they are treated by historians as first hand accounts of the social, economic and political conditions prevailing at the time. The mass production of paper and innovations in transportation made letter writing into an effective way to communicate with family and friends as well as elevated it into an art form. It also became a way for children and young adults to learn how to write and to present their thoughts and ideas cogently. Decline in Letter Writing The advent of the telegraph and other modern means of communications in recent years, especially the e-mail, has made letter writing a less popular activity. Today, fewer and fewer people take the time to sit down and write letters to their loved ones. Letter Writing Day aims to change this. The holiday encourages people to hand write letters and send them to their loved ones the old fashioned way - through the post or mail! How to Celebrate? Write letters to your loved ones and friends. They will appreciate the effort you put in it and will love getting a handwritten note. If you send out newsletters or cards for the holidays, maybe today is the day to add little handwritten letters or notes to them. Did You Know… …that until the mid-19th century, envelopes were all handmade? Because of this, envelopes were extremely expensive and most people just folded up their letters and sealed them with a wax seal. *** The public safety officer came up to a large mob of people outside a department store and asked, “What’s happening?” A mall officer replied, “These people are waiting to get the new Barbie doll.” The public safety officer shook his head and muttered, “Who can resist a Barbie queue?” *** Police in Tampa, Florida, raided and shut down a weekly $4-a-round mah-jongg game played by four 
elderly women. The Week asked its readers for titles of crime movies that could be made about this bust: Golden Girls, Interrupted The Lavender Hair Mob Indicting Miss Daisy No Country for Old Women The Social Security Network *** Q: What kind of exercise do lazy 
people do? A: Diddly-squats. *** My doctor took one look at 
my gut and refused to believe that 
I work out. So I listed the exercises 
I do every day: jump to conclusions, climb the walls, drag my heels, 
push my luck, make mountains out of molehills, bend over backward, run around in circles, put my foot 
in my mouth, go over the edge, and beat around the bush. *** My ten-month-old was sitting in her high chair, twisting and moving all over the place. My wife said to me, “Straighten her up.” I looked at my daughter and said, “What are you doing with your life? Do you want to be this way forever? It’s time to grow up.” My wife hasn’t asked me to do anything since. *** We can’t all live on a street with a pleasant name like Oak or Elm. Here are the least popular street names (that we hope don’t exist): • Drinkand Dr. • Vicious Circle • West 943,185th Street • Psycho Path • Peoples Ct. • Nofriggin Way *** I advertised the following item on our local radio program: For sale: Small push-type lawn mower. Brand-new, $40. One person called and asked if the lawn mower was a single or double cylinder. I told him, “It depends on how fast you walk!” *** *** *** *** My 6 yo trying to cheat tooth fairy. Those are tic-tacs *** *** ( B.T.W - I'm a Jumper ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

An Eight-Legged Beauty Red-Legged Golden Orb-Web Spider / Seidenspinne (Nephila inaurata) Karongwe Bush Camp, Karongwe Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa HBW !

December 6th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Anniversary of the Founding of Quito (Ecuador) Armed Forces Day (Ukraine) Christian feast day: Abraham of Kratia Aemilianus (Roman Catholic Church) Denise and companions Blessed János Scheffler María del Monte Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras Nicholas of Myra, and its related observances: St Nicholas Day, where St. Nicholas/Santa Claus leaves little presents in children's shoes. (International) December 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day (Spain) Day of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Finland from Russia in 1917. National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Mitten Tree Day National Gazpacho Day National Miners Day National Pawnbrokers Day National Travis Day World Trick Shot Day Princess Sofia’s Birthday Satoru Iwata’s Birthday Millie Davis’s Birthday Nathan Blair’s Birthday Kenneth Copeland’s Birthday Mike Wilkerson’s Birthday Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Birthday Frankie Beverly’s Birthday EvanTubeHD’s Birthday Stella Chuu’s Birthday That Girl Nicole’s Birthday Darian Rojas’s Birthday A Boogie wit da Hoodie’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wed Dec 6th, 2023 - Sun Dec 10th, 2023 Older Driver Safety Awareness Week Wed Dec 6th, 2023 - Tue Dec 12th, 2023 Computer Science Education Week National Influenza Vaccination Week Fun Observances (2) Put on Your Own Shoes Day December 6 is Put On Your Own Shoes Day. It is a day to, well, put on your own shoes or if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, strap on your own sandals. Other than encouraging people to make sure they put on their own shoes while they step out of their homes, it is unclear what the unknown creator wanted to achieve with this obviously made-up holiday. Perhaps it was created by someone with young children as a way to prompt them to start learning how to wear and lace up their shoes. Worn Since Antiquity Shoes have been part of the human wardrobe since antiquity - the oldest preserved shoe in the world was found in Armenia and is believed to be at least 5000 years old. For most of history, shoes were basic and were used to protect the feet from the elements rather than for comfort and fashion. In fact, shoes made specifically for the left and the right feet were not invented until the 1800s. Today, shoes are a billion dollar industry around the world, with footwear being a major fashion item. How to Celebrate Put on your own shoes, of course. If you have kids who are learning to put on their shoes, maybe today is the day to let them do it all by themselves. Did You Know… …that both men and women wore shoes with heels until the 18th century? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Microwave Oven Day December 6 is Microwave Oven Day. It is a day to celebrate and honor the invention that has made the lives of college students, single people and over-worked parents easier, by making it convenient and faster for them to cook and reheat food. It is unclear why the anonymous creators of the unofficial holiday chose this date to celebrate the common household appliance. Heats by Agitating Molecules Invented by American engineer Percy Spencer during World War II, a microwave oven uses electromagnetic waves to heat and cook food. The waves produce heat by agitating the water, fat and sugar molecules in food and cook it. Because of this, food tends to heat and cook faster and more evenly than other cooking methods. A New Industry Microwave ovens were first commercially sold in the United States in 1946 under the name Radarange. They rapidly became a coveted kitchen appliance and spawned a whole section of the food industry. Now, one can find ready-to-microwave meals and microwave cookbooks in grocery stores around the world. Creating Equality in the Kitchen Short cooking times also meant that women did not have to spend a bulk of their time in the kitchen and could use it to pursue activities that they previously did not have time for. In addition, microwave ovens also made it possible for men, who traditionally did not cook, to cook meals for themselves and for their families. How to Celebrate? Make all your meals and snacks for the day using a microwave oven. If you are in the market for a microwave oven, today might be the day to bring one home? Did You Know… ...that the Sun and Jupiter emit microwaves? Astronomers study them using radio telescopes. *** Our boatswain's mate was a smoker who would toss his matches overboard. Then one day, he surprised us all when he popped a cigarette in his mouth and produced an expensive lighter from his pocket. With great fanfare, he flipped open the top, flicked the spark wheel, lit his cigarette ... then chucked the lighter overboard. *** Dear Charlie, We’ve been neighbors for six tumultuous years. When you borrowed my snowblower, you returned it in pieces. When I was sick, you blasted Metallica. And when your dog decorated my lawn, you laughed. I could go on, but I’m not one to hold grudges. So I am writing this letter to tell you that your house is on fire. Cordially, Harry *** The last time we changed from daylight saving time, a preacher friend posted, “For those who habitually show up 15 minutes late to church, allow me to remind you that tonight is the night you set your clock back 45 minutes.” *** My cat just walked up to the paper shredder and said, “Teach me 
everything you know.” *** Our 4-year-old granddaughter, Ivy, has been taking riding lessons for over a year. One day during breakfast, she was talking with her mom about horseshoes. Ivy’s mom said the person trained to shoe a horse is called a farrier. “Are they little people with wings?” Ivy asked. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** " I Love Winter " *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Myrmarachne plantaleoides weaver ant mimic spider (If all you see is a Title, it means I don't have any answers for you....yet!)

December 5th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abercius Clement of Alexandria (Episcopal Church) Crispina Dalmatius of Pavia Gerbold Justinian of Ramsey Island Nicetius (Nizier) Pelinus of Brindisi Sabbas the Sanctified December 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Children's Day (Suriname) Day of Military Honour - Battle of Moscow (Russia) Discovery Day (Haiti and Dominican Republic) International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development Klozum (Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands) Saint Nicholas' Eve (Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Romania, Germany, Poland and the UK) Krampusnacht (Austria) The King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Birthday (Thailand) World Soil Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Bathtub Party Day Light up A Life Day National AFL-CIO Day National Blue Jeans Day National Communicate with your kids days National Devon Day National Father's Day in Thailand National Johnny Day National Johnny Day Sacher-Torte Day Walt Disney Day Joan Didion’s Birthday Haley Pham’s Birthday Gary Allan’s Birthday Frankie Muniz’s Birthday Paula Patton’s Birthday Taz Skylar’s Birthday Martin Van Buren’s Birthday Little Richard’s Birthday Lauren London’s Birthday Khadeen Ellis’s Birthday Jules LeBlanc’s Birthday Keri Hilson’s Birthday Ava Kolker’s Birthday Kwon Yuri’s Birthday Bianka Bryant’s Birthday Lexi Hensler’s Birthday Chase Rutherford’s Birthday Manish Malhotra’s Birthday Christina Rossetti’s Birthday Matt James’s Birthday Walt Disney’s Birthday Saint West’s Birthday Clayton Jennings’s Birthday UnspeakableGaming’s Birthday Conan Gray’s Birthday Claudia Walsh’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tue Dec 5th, 2023 - Sat Dec 9th, 2023 Inclusive Schools Week Tue Dec 5th, 2023 - Mon Dec 11th, 2023 National Handwashing Awareness Week Fun Observances Day of the Ninja December 5 is the Day of the Ninja, a day to honor and celebrate the sneaky and stealthy masked warriors in black garb from ancient Japan. A) Back in 2003, Ninja Burger created International Ninja Day on December 5 as a way to celebrate the Ninja “speed” with which their burgers are delivered. or ??? Legend has it that this unofficial holiday was created in 2003 to commemorate the release of Tom Cruise’s movie, The Last Samurai. (I vote for the Ninja Burger scenario) Professional Spies Ninjas were professional spies in Japan. Active between the 13th and the 19th century, a ninja's job included infiltration, sabotage, espionage, and even assassination. While popular culture is full of stories about ninjas, usually featured as cunning, secretive, brave, and skillful fighters, there are very few historical accounts of them. Historians believe that in the Japanese society ninjas were not considered to be part of an elite class of fighters - that place was reserved for the samurais. Because of this, ninjas were often recruited to do unsavory tasks like arson and terrorism. Did Not Dress in Black In those days, a ninja, also known as a shinobi, did not wear the all black outfit ninjas are depicted wearing today in films, TV shows, and comic books. After all, one of the main tasks of a ninja as a spy was to infiltrate by blending into his surroundings. They would often dress as the locals to do their job. The secrecy surrounding ninjas led to the rise of legends about their skills and powers - something that has now become a part of popular culture. Modern day depictions of ninjas show them having superhuman powers such as invisibility, ability to walk on water and shape shift. How to Celebrate? Watch ninja movies or have a Teenage Mutant Ninja marathon. Have a ninja themed party. Everyone dresses like a ninja. Go to work dressed as a ninja and sneak up on your coworkers and friends. Did You Know… …that contrary to popular belief, ninjas were not all men? Women ninjas were known as Kunoichi. *** Teacher: “If you had one dollar and you asked your father for another, how many dollars would you have?” Vincent: “One dollar.” Teacher: “You don’t know your arithmetic.” Vincent: “You don’t know my father.” *** The teacher of the earth science class was lecturing on map reading. After explaining about latitude, longitude, degrees, and minutes, the teacher asked, "Suppose I asked you to meet me for lunch at 23 degrees, four minutes north latitude and 45 degrees, 15 minutes east longitude?" After a confused silence, a voice volunteered, "I guess you'd be eating alone." *** Teacher: "Why are you so late?" Student: "Someone told me to go to hell." Teacher: "Why did that make you late to class?" Student: "I couldn't find it at first, but now here I am." *** A lawyer married a woman who had previously divorced 10 husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin." "What?" said the puzzled groom. "How can that be if you've been married 10 times?" "Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative. He kept telling me how great it was going to be. Husband #2 was in software services. He was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me. Husband #3 was from field services. He said everything checked out diagnostically, but he just couldn't get the system up. Husband #4 was in telemarketing. Even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver. Husband #5 was an engineer. He understood the basic process, but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method. Husband #6 was from finance and administration. He thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not. Husband #7 was in marketing. Although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it. Husband #8 was a psychologist. All he ever did was talk about it. Husband #9 was a gynecologist. All he did was look at it. Husband #10 was a stamp collector. All he ever did was... God! I miss him! But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!" "Good," said the new husband, "but, why?" "You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm going to get screwed!" *** An old guy walks into a bar and the bartender asks for ID. "You've got to be kidding," he said. "I'm almost 60 years old." The bartender apologized, but said he had to see the license. The guy showed his ID, then paid and told the bartender to keep the change. "The tip's for carding me," he said. The bartender put the change in the tip cup. "Thanks," he said. "Works every time." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

THE LAST VISIBLE DOG Kate Steeds's blog of ideas, arty thoughts & art research. THE LAST VISIBLE DOG: September 2011

December 4th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ada Anno II Barbara, and its related observances: Barbórka, Miners' Day in Poland Eid il-Burbara, a holiday similar to Halloween in honor of Saint Barbara. (Russia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey) Bernardo degli Uberti Clement of Alexandria (Anglicanism, Eastern Catholicism) Giovanni Calabria John of Damascus Maruthas Nicholas Ferrar (Anglicanism) Osmund Sigiramnus December 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Navy Day (India) Thai Environment Day (Thailand) Tupou I Day (Tonga) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Cabernet Franc Day Chester Greenwood (Earmuff) Day Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day Global Fat Bike Day International Cheetah Day International Day of Banks National Dice Day National Francis Day National Sock Day Tree Dressing Day Santa’s List Day World Wildlife Conservation Day National Cookie Day Walt Disney Day Scarlett Estevez’s Birthday Rarsclart Marnie’s Birthday Ronnie Ortiz-Magro’s Birthday Karen Walker’s Birthday Marisa Tomei’s Birthday Jin’s Birthday JellyRoll’s Birthday Jay-Z’s Birthday Skip Bayless’s Birthday Tyra Banks’s Birthday Cash Nasty’s Birthday Dylan Meyer’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon Dec 4th, 2023 - Sun Dec 10th, 2023 National Human Rights Consciousness Week Fun Observances Wear Brown Shoes Day On December 4 take our your best brown shoes and wear them because it is Wear Brown Shoes Day. The origins of this sartorial holiday are unknown, but we can safely assume that the holiday aims to encourage people to change up their daily dressing rituals. How to Celebrate? Wear brown shoes. If you don’t own a pair, maybe today is the day to go get new brown shoes. If you usually wear brown shoes to work, why not wear a different shade of brown – perhaps tan or camel or russet? Did You Know… …that the shoes that Neil Armstrong wore when he first stepped on the Moon were left behind? Some say this was to avoid contamination, while others suggest that it was to compensate for the weight of the Moon rocks the astronauts had collected. *** A man walks into a bar and the bartender says, "If you can make that horse over there laugh, you can get free drinks for the rest of the night." The man walks over, says something to the horse, it laughs, and he walks back over to the bar to collect his free drinks. The next night, the man goes back to the bar and the bartender asks the man if he can make the horse cry. The man walks over, does something to the horse, and it starts to cry. The bartender asks, "How did you make it cry?" The man replies, "Well, to make the horse laugh last night I told it I had a bigger dick and to make it cry tonight I showed it." *** One day a man was walking in the woods when he got lost. For two days he roamed around trying to find a way out. He had not eaten anything during this period and was famished. Over on a rock ledge he spotted a bald eagle. He killed it, and started to eat it. Surprisingly, a couple of park rangers happen to find him at that moment, and arrested him for killing an endangered species. In court, he pleads innocent to the charges against him, claiming that if he didn't eat the bald eagle he would have died from starvation. The judge ruled in his favor. In the judge's closing statement he asked the man, "I would like you to tell me something before I let you go. I have never eaten a bald eagle, nor ever plan on it, but what did it taste like?" The man answered, "Well, it tasted like a cross between a whooping crane and a spotted owl!" *** Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the edge of their pool and throw them fish? *** A man rushes his limp dog to the veterinarian. The doctor pronounces the dog dead. The agitated man demands a second opinion. The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat. The cat sniffs the body and meows. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead, too." The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead. The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body and barks. The vet says, "I'm sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead, too." The man finally resigns to the diagnosis and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, "$650." "$650 to tell me my dog is dead?" exclaims the man. "Well," the vet replies, "I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 is for the cat scan and lab tests." *** Daughter: Dad there’s a moth on the outside of the bathroom door. Can you get rid of it? Daughter: Please hurry because I’m going to cry. Daughter: Dad… Daughter: Dad… Dad: Dad is dead. You’re next. Love, Moth *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** You guys, explain this one to 'Google ' please. *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

December 3rd 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abbo of Auxerre Pope Abraham of Alexandria (Coptic, 6 Koiak)) Adrian (Ethernan) Birinus Cassian of Tangier Emma (of Lesum or of Bremen) Francis Xavier Blessed Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer zu Gleifheim Zephaniah December 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Doctors' Day (Cuba) International Day of Persons with Disabilities Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Candle Day Coats and Toys for Kids Day Crate Day Day of Navarre Farmer’s Day in Ghana Advent Begins - 1 First Sunday of Advent - 2 Let’s Hug Day National Dorothy Day National Green Bean Casserole Day National Harley Day National Heather Day National Isaac Day National Lisa Day National Rhubarb Vodka Day National Ronald Day National Roof Over Your Head Day Saba Day in Saba World Coati Day Vector’s Birthday Lil Baby’s Birthday Lil Bibby’s Birthday Andy Grammer’s Birthday Kiki Pepper’s Birthday Rex Lunsford’s Birthday Tiffany Haddish’s Birthday Gemma Styles’s Birthday Jake T. Austin’s Birthday Chandler Hallow’s Birthday Emily's Ears’s Birthday Brendan Fraser’s Birthday Barry Kramer’s Birthday Andy Williams’s Birthday mks.vision’s Birthday Daily Dose of Internet’s Birthday Ozzy Osbourne’s Birthday Jenna Dewan’s Birthday Rico Love’s Birthday Julianne Moore’s Birthday Trina’s Birthday Amanda Seyfried’s Birthday Lily Weber’s Birthday Fun Observances Make a Gift Day Take out the glitter, the yarn and your glue gun because it is Make A Gift Day. The unofficial holiday is annually celebrated on December 3. It encourages people to lovingly hand craft gifts for all their loved ones. The holidays are just around the corner. And if you are panicking about all the gifts you still have to buy and worrying about how your wallet is feeling lighter by the day, then Make a Gift Day is the unofficial holiday for you! Show Your Love Gifts are a way for people to show love and concern for the recipients. They may also be presented as a token of respect or as a sign of forgiveness. In many cultures, gifts are given out during festivals, weddings and other major life events like birthdays, retirements and housewarmings. How to Celebrate This is an easy one! Make handmade gifts for everyone this holiday season! They will appreciate all the hard work you have put in it. Plus your wallet will thank you come January. Host a gift making party. Gather around your arts and crafts supplies and get together with your friends to DIY some gifts. Don't have a DIY skill? This is the day to pick up a hobby so that you can start making handmade gifts for your family and friends in the New Year. Did You Know... ...that in China, gifts wrapped in red paper are considered to bring luck to the recipient? *** A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. "Well, you can paint my porch. How much will you charge?" The blonde said, "How about 50 dollars?" The man agreed and told her that the paint and ladders that she might need were in the garage. The man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, "Does she realize that the porch goes all the way around the house?" The man replied, "She should. She was standing on the porch." A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. "You're finished already?" he asked. "Yes," the blonde answered, "and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats. " Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the $50. "And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari." *** A blind guy on a bar stool shouts to the bartender, "Wanna hear a blonde joke?" In a hushed voice, the guy next to him says, “Before you tell that joke, you should know something. Our bartender is blonde, the bouncer is blonde. I’m a six foot tall, 200 lb black belt. The guy sitting next to me is six foot two, weighs 225, and he’s a rugby player. The fella to your right is six foot five, pushing 300, and he’s a wrestler. Each one of us is blonde. Think about it, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?" The blind guy says, “Nah, not if I’m gonna have to explain it five times." *** A husband and wife were driving through Louisiana. As they approached Natchitoches, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth, then they stopped for lunch. At the counter, the husband asked the blonde waitress, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are very slowly?" She leaned over the counter and said, "Burrr-gerrr Kiiing." *** In ancient Rome, deli workers were told that they could eat anything they wanted during the lunch hour. Anything, that is except the smoked salmon. Thus were created the world's first anti-lox breaks. *** This Wooly Worm Caterpillar Can Predict Winter Weather This Wooly Worm Caterpillar Can Predict Winter Weather and It's Basically The New Punxsutawney Phil *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Devil's Tower. From west side, showing millions of tons of fallen rock. Tower 800 feet high from its base. *** ' WOW ' *** *** Can't do this in your Prius *** ' Chicken House ' *** Now That is a "Saw fish" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

City spiders may spin low-vibe webs Spider webs built on human-made materials have less background bounce than those built on trees and other natural surfaces, which might shrink the arachnid’s hunting success. City spiders may spin low-vibe webs

December 2nd 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Armed Forces Day (Cuba) Christian feast day: Avitus of Rouen Bibiana Channing Moore Williams (Anglicanism) Chromatius Habakkuk (Eastern Orthodox) December 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (United Nations) Lao National Day National Day (United Arab Emirates) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Asom Divas Bartender Appreciation Day Business of Popping Corn Day International Sweater Vestival National Anytime Hawaiian Day National Bartender Day National Build Joy Day National Katherine Day National Mutt Day National Skip School Day Safety Razor Day SKYWARN™ Recognition Day Special Education Day World Computer Literacy Day World Pollution Prevention Day Candle Day Play Basketball Day Global Fat Bike Day Ssundee’s Birthday Ryker Person’s Birthday Nailah Blackman’s Birthday Nelly Furtado’s Birthday Juice WRLD’s Birthday Lucy Liu’s Birthday Charlie Puth’s Birthday Gianni Versace’s Birthday Britney Spears’s Birthday Action Bronson’s Birthday Abra’s Birthday Aaron Rodgers’s Birthday Teairra Marí’s Birthday Pedro Vargas’s Birthday Fun Observances Fritters Day December 2 is Fritters Day, an unofficial holiday that is dedicated to the snack made by frying battered vegetables, fruits or meat. Traditionally thought to be types of cake, fritters are usually deep fried and can be served as snack, main course or even dessert. In many cultures, they are considered to be fast and casual food, commonly prepared by street side vendors. Fritters are also sold at fairs and festivals. Culinary Controversy There is some debate within the culinary community as to what kind of fried food can be considered a fritter. Some culinarians believe that anything that is battered and fried is a fritter, while others assert that a fritter must have the main ingredient chopped up and fried with the flour batter or dough. This can lead to some confusion over the nomenclature of fried foods - corn dogs are not considered to be fritters, because they are made by battering and frying a whole corn dog. Fried candy bars on the other hand, while being the sweet version of a fried corn dog – a whole candy bar battered and fried, are often called fritters. Different Varieties Every culture around the world has its own version of the fritter. In the United States, fritters are usually made by mixing vegetables or fruits with a batter of flour and eggs. Popular fritters include corn fritters, apple fritters, and crab cakes. In Japan, tempura is a popular type of fritter and is served with sauces or with other dishes. In many parts of India, and Pakistan, fritters are called pakora and are made by mixing vegetables - usually onions or potatoes - with a batter of chick pea flour and deep frying them. How to Celebrate? Have fritters for all your meals. Start the day with donuts, have tempura for lunch, onion pakoras for a snack and corn fritters for dinner. For dessert, have churros - a sweet fritter of Spanish origin - with a cup of hot chocolate. Make your own fritters at home. Experiment with the flavors - raid your fridge and fry whatever you can think can be fried with batter. Of course, if all one has to do is batter and fry something to make a fritter, does that make deep fried Twinkies a Twinkie Fritter? The mind boggles indeed. Did You Know… …that the word fritter has another definition, unrelated to food, in the English language? It means to waste something, usually unwisely. *** Why did I get divorced? Well, last week was my birthday. My wife didn't wish me a happy birthday. My parents forgot and so did my kids. I went to work and even my colleagues didn't wish me a happy birthday. As I entered my office, my secretary said, "Happy birthday, boss!" I felt so special. She asked me out for lunch. After lunch, she invited me to her apartment. We went there and she said, "Do you mind if I go into the bedroom for a minute?" "Okay," I said. She came out 5 minutes later with a birthday cake, my wife, my parents, my kids, my friends, & my colleagues all yelling, "SURPRISE!!!" while I was waiting on the sofa... naked. *** Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "And what starting salary are you looking for?" The engineer replies, "In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer inquires, "Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red Corvette?" The engineer sits up straight and says, "Wow! Are you kidding?" The interviewer replies, "Yeah, but you started it." *** A man was having premature ejaculation problems so he went to the doctor. The doctor said, "When you feel like you are getting ready to ejaculate, try startling yourself." That same day the man went to the store and bought himself a starter pistol and ran home to his wife. That night the two were having sex and found themselves in the 69 position. The man felt the urge to ejaculate and fired the starter pistol. The next day he went back to the doctor who asked how it went. The man answered, "Not well. When I fired the pistol, my wife pooped on my face, bit three inches off my penis, and my neighbor came out of the closet with his hands in the air." *** “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.” Source: Overheard in the ER *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Future space devices inspired by spider legs Future space devices inspired by spider legs

December 1st 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Battle of the Sinop Day (Russia) Christian feast day: Alexander Briant Ansanus Blessed Bruna Pellesi Castritian Blessed Charles de Foucauld Edmund Campion Eligius Evasius Grwst Nahum Nicholas Ferrar (Episcopal Church) Ralph Sherwin Ursicinus of Brescia December 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Damrong Rajanubhab Day (Thailand) Earliest day on which Farmer's Day can fall, while December 7 is the latest; celebrated on the first Friday in December. (Ghana) Earliest day on which Good Neighborliness Day can fall, while December 7 is the latest; celebrated on the first Sunday in December. (Turkmenistan) Earliest day on which Sindhi Cultural Day can fall, while December 7 is the latest; celebrated on the first Sunday in December. (Sindhi diaspora) First President Day (Kazakhstan) Freedom and Democracy Day (Chad) Great Union Day, celebrates the Union of Transylvania with Romania in 1918. (Romania) Military Abolition Day (Costa Rica) National Day (Myanmar) Republic Day (Central African Republic) Restoration of Independence Day (Portugal) Rosa Parks Day (Ohio and Oregon, United States) Self-governance Day or Fullveldisdagurinn (Iceland) Teachers' Day (Panama) World AIDS Day, and its related observances: Day Without Art Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day National Peppermint Bark Day Commemoration Day Indigenous Faith Day in Arunachal Pradesh National Christmas Lights Day National Cookie Cutter Day National Package Protection Day National Women Support Women Day Portugal Independence Day Prisoners for Peace Day Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting State Inauguration Day in Nagaland National Bartender Day Faux Fur Friday Wear a Dress Day Salva Dut’s Birthday Sarah Silverman’s Birthday Philip DeFranco’s Birthday Richard Pryor’s Birthday Natalie Noel’s Birthday Nicholas James Muscarella’s Birthday Javier Báez’s Birthday Jen Psaki’s Birthday Janelle Monae’s Birthday Drakeo’s Birthday Dianna Williams’s Birthday Tyler Joseph’s Birthday Zoë Kravitz’s Birthday Bette Midler’s Birthday Corinna Kopf’s Birthday Woody Allen Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fri Dec 1st, 2023 - Thu Dec 7th, 2023 Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week National Cookie Cutter Week Observances (click on the month for details) Gift of Sight Month Month of Giving Month of Overseas Filipino National Cat Lovers’ Month National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month National Tie Month National Volunteers Month National Write a Business Plan Month Operation Santa Paws Safe Toys and Gifts Month Spiritual Literacy Month The Nos Galan Road Races Universal Human Rights Month Volunteerism Month (Philippines) Worldwide Food Service Safety Month National Pear Month Fun Observances Eat a Red Apple Day December 1 is Eat a Red Apple Day, an unofficial holiday that celebrates one of the healthiest fruits available in nature's pantry. One of the oldest fruits to be grown and consumed by humans, apples are thought to be native to the Central Asian region. Today, about 10,000 types of apples are grown all over the world. Apples can come in a variety of colors, though the most common are red and green or golden apples. Full of Nutrition Apples are some of the healthiest fruits known to man. They are very low in calories, have high amounts of fiber and Vitamin C and their skin is full of antioxidants. They are thought to have bad cholesterol reducing properties and can help lower the risk of certain types of cancer. How to Celebrate? With lots of red apples of course! Have caramelized apples with your french toast or pancakes. Have an apple and walnut salad for lunch and pork chops with apples for dinner. And don't forget the apple pie for dessert! Did You Know… …that apples from trees that grow from apple seeds tend to be very sour and bitter? Sweet apple trees are grown by grafting. *** Q: What do computers eat for a snack? A: Microchips! *** I named my hard drive "dat ass," so once a month my computer asks if I want to "back dat ass up." *** Q: What did the computer do at lunchtime? A: Had a byte! *** Q: What starts with E, ends with E, and has only 1 letter in it? A: Envelope. *** Instead of "the John," I call my toilet "the Jim." That way it sounds better when I say I go to the Jim first thing every morning. *** Q: What is the difference between snowmen and snowwomen? A: Snowballs. *** I never wanted to believe that my Dad was stealing from his job as a road worker. But when I got home, all the signs were there. *** Why is it that your nose runs, but your feet smell? *** If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then lefties are the only ones in their right mind. *** When I lost my rifle, the Army charged me $85. That’s why in the Navy, the captain goes down with the ship. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

November 30th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Bonifacio Day (Philippines) Christian feast day: Andrew and its related observances. Joseph Marchand (one of Vietnamese Martyrs) November 30 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Commemoration Day (United Arab Emirates) Day to Mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from the Arab Countries and Iran (Israel) Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Barbados from the United Kingdom in 1966 National Day (Benin) Regina Mundi Day (South Africa) Saint Andrew's Day (Scotland) Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) Barbados Independence Day Cities for Life Day Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare Guru Nanak Jayanti Meth Awareness Day Mindanao Week of Peace National Mason Jar Day National Mississippi Day National Mousse Day National Personal Space Day National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day Native Women's Equal Pay Day Perpetual Youth Day International ESG Day International Systems Engineer Day Nyjah Huston’s Birthday Pigeon John’s Birthday Mandy Patinkin’s Birthday Mark Twain’s Birthday Winston Churchill’s Birthday Bo Jackson’s Birthday Ian Hecox’s Birthday Steve Aoki’s Birthday Emily Skinner’s Birthday Hannah Bagshawe’s Birthday Der Echter Gangster’s Birthday Chrissy Teigen’s Birthday Cheyenne Evans’s Birthday Rianna Pepe’s Birthday Jill Zarin’s Birthday Stephanie Carrillo’s Birthday Jorge Garay’s Birthday Trill Sammy’s Birthday Kaley Cuoco’s Birthday Woody Allen’s Birthday Billy Idol’s Birthday Fun Observances Computer Security Day November 30 is Computer Security Day. The unofficial holiday encourages people to secure their computers and their personal information. Computers, electronic devices, and smart phones have made our lives easier by making communication faster, more convenient and more efficient. At the same time, they have created many privacy and security issues. The holiday reminds people to stay on top of their computer security and to take steps to make their personal information and data secure. Since 1988 First observed in 1988, Computer Security Day (CSD), is now celebrated worldwide by businesses, schools and government organizations. If the holiday falls on a weekend, many companies celebrate it on the first business day after November 30. How to Celebrate? Using the same old password or the same password for all your online accounts? You may be vulnerable to hackers. Spend the day changing and updating your passwords. Sign up for a password manager that not only generates random passwords for you but can also save them for you so you don’t have to remember them. Update all your spyware and malware protection software. Back up your files and photographs. If you own a business or are responsible for organizing events at your workplace, why not hold a computer security seminar for your employees and co-workers? Draw up a security strategy and best practices for all of them to follow and present it at the meeting. Did You Know… …that the first known computer virus was called the Creeper Virus? The virus affected the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network or ARPANET, the precursor to today’s internet. *** A little boy goes to his dad and asks, "What is politics?" The dad says, "Well son, let me try to explain it this way: I'm the breadwinner of the family, so let's call me capitalism. Your mother, she's the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the government. We're here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you the people. The nanny, we'll consider her the working class. And your baby brother, we'll call him the future. Now, think about that and see if that makes sense." The little boy goes off to bed thinking about what dad had said. Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has soiled his diaper. The little boy goes to his parents' room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed. The next morning, the little boy says to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now." The father says, "Good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about." The little boy replies, "Well, while capitalism is screwing the working class, the government is sound asleep, the people are being ignored and the future is in deep shit." *** After numerous rounds of, "We don't know if Osama is still alive," Osama himself decided to send Ted Kennedy a letter in his own handwriting to let him know he was still in the game. Kennedy opened the letter which appeared to contain a single line of coded message, 370HSSV-0773H. Kennedy was baffled, so he e-mailed it to John Kerry. Kerry and his aides had no clue either, so they sent it to the FBI. Noone could solve it at the FBI, so it went to the CIA, then to the NSA. With no clue as to its meaning, the FBI finally asked Marine Corps Intelligence for help. Within a few seconds the Marine Corps cabled back with this reply, "Tell Kennedy he's holding the message upside down." *** I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car. *** Three brothers wanted to give their blind mom a birthday gift. The first got her a big beautiful house. The second got her a brand new luxury vehicle with a driver. The third got her a talking parrot to keep her company. When they all got together, they wanted to know which gift she liked best. She said they were all great but she thanked her third son because she liked the chicken dinner best. *** My high school assignment 
was to ask a veteran about World War II. Since my father had served 
in the Philippines during the war, 
I chose him. After a few basic questions, I very gingerly asked, “Did you ever kill anyone?” Dad got quiet. Then, in a soft voice, he said, “Probably. I was the cook.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** (1923) *** *** Negro Boys Industrial School Fire of 1959 - Encyclopedia of Arkansas *** I got a bit carried away, sorry. I did not not mean to offend or upset any of you. But all these things did happen and so much more. I am almost sure that most of you did not know, most any of this either. Before any of us cast the first stone, let us check our own pasts' a little more carefully. *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Toadlike Bolas Spider (Mastophora phrynosoma) A Toadlike Bolas Spider in Howard Co., Maryland.

November 29th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Brendan of Birr Francis Fasani Illuminata Radboud of Utrecht Saturnin November 29 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (United Nations) Liberation Day or Dita e Çlirimit (Albania) Republic Day (Yugoslavia) Unity Day (Vanuatu) William Tubman's Birthday (Liberia) Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) Chadwick Boseman Day Choose Women Wednesday Isdal Woman Day National Evan Day National Lemon Cream Pie Day Square Dancing Day Throw Out Your Leftovers Day Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Package Protection Day National Chocolates Day International Jaguar Day Reginae Carter’s Birthday Anna Faris’s Birthday Laura Marano’s Birthday Louisa May Alcott’s Birthday Howie Mandel’s Birthday Kennedy Cymone’s Birthday Don Cheadle’s Birthday Fawad Khan’s Birthday Chris Chann’s Birthday Chadwick Boseman’s Birthday C.S. Lewis’s Birthday Vin Scully’s Birthday The Game’s Birthday Tiffany Smith’s Birthday Brian Baumgartner’s Birthday Russell Wilson’s Birthday Fun Observances Electronic Greeting Card Day November 29 is Electronic Greeting Card Day. Spread cheer by sending personalized e-cards to your family and friends. While the origins of this unofficial holiday are unknown, it is clear that the holiday aims to encourage people to start a conversation with family and friends you haven't seen or spoken to for a while over the Internet. Sending e-cards or e-greetings can not only spread cheer, it can also help people reconnect. How to Celebrate? Send e-cards. They are easy, environmentally friendly and cheap to send. You don’t need an occasion to send e-cards to your loved ones – just send a card to tell them that you care about them and how much they mean to you. Make your own holiday greeting card and send them to your loved ones online instead of mailing copies. Did You Know… …that the e-card was created in 1994 by Judith Donath in the form of an electronic postcard? *** There were two cannibals who captured a man. They decided it would be fair if they started eating from opposite ends. After a few minutes, the one who started at the head asked the other one, "How's it going down there?" And the other one replies, "I'm having a ball!" *** A couple are rushing into the hospital because the wife is going into labor. As they walk, a doctor says to them that he has invented a machine that splits the pain between the mother and father. They agree to it and are led into a room where they get hooked up to the machine. The doctor starts it off at 20% split towards the father. The wife says, "Oh, that's actually better." The husband says he can't feel anything. Then the doctor turns it to 50% and the wife says that it doesn't hurt nearly as much. The husband says he sill can't feel anything. The Doctor, now encouraged, turns it up to 100%. The husband still can't feel anything, and the wife is really happy, because there is now no pain for her. The baby is born. The couple go home and find the postman groaning in pain on the doorstep. *** A child goes to his father and asks, "Father, how do parents think of names for their children?" The father answers, "Well, son, the night before the mother gives birth, the father goes into the woods and camps for the night. When he wakes the following morning, the first thing he sees is what he names his child, which is why your sister is named Soaring Eagle. Why do you ask, Bear Poop?" *** When my three-year-old was told 
to pee in a cup at the doctor’s office, he unexpectedly got nervous. With 
a shaking voice, he asked, “Do I have to drink it?” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn