sandrewn

September 17th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Australian Citizenship Day Christian feast day: Albert of Vercelli Ariadne of Phrygia Blessed Cecilia Eusepi Stanislaus Papczyński Hildegard of Bingen Lambert Robert Bellarmine Satyrus of Milan Socrates and Stephen Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński September 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constitution Day, observed on the previous Friday if it falls on a Saturday, the following Monday if on a Sunday; and the beginning of the Constitution Week (United States) Heroes' Day (Angola) Marathwada Liberation Day (Maharashtra) National Unity Day (Belarus) (since 2021) Operation Market Garden Anniversary is still remembered with parachuting and dedications on this day. (Netherlands) Teachers' Day (Honduras) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) International Patient Safety Day - 1 World Patient Safety Day - 2 National Pet Bird Day Wife Appreciation Day International Grenache Day National Apple Dumpling Day National Arielle K. Sterrett Day National Bobby Day National Monte Cristo Day National Pet Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety Day National Professional House Cleaners Day National Table Shuffleboard Day Smithsonian Day Time's Up Day World Manta Day Patrick Mahomes II’s Birthday Mason Patterson’s Birthday Mia Talerico’s Birthday Jonathan McReynolds’s Birthday Kevin Hunter’s Birthday GZBkarma’s Birthday Jean-Robert Bellande’s Birthday Flo Rida’s Birthday Cassandra Peterson’s Birthday Bobby Lee’s Birthday Anastacia’s Birthday Alfie Deyes’s Birthday John Ritter's Birthday Fun Observances International Country Music Day Celebrate all things country on September 17 or International Country Music Day. The unofficial holiday was created in 2003 as a way to bring together musicians and fans of the popular music genre, and to increase the number of country music aficionados around the world. Country music is a type of music that originated in eastern and southern United States during the 1920s. A combination of several styles, country music grew out of folk music brought to America by European immigrants. Unlike the prevailing European music at that time, however, country music took on a very distinct American flavor when it came to song lyrics. Singers and musicians avoided lyrics about love and romance, and instead sang about the daily life struggles of an ordinary working class person. Many Styles Stylistically, country music usually includes harmonies that are guided by instruments like the banjo, guitars and the harmonica. As country music has evolved over the year, several sub-genres have emerged. Some of these include honky-tonk, bluegrass music, rockabilly, country rock and country pop. Today, country music is some of the most widely heard music in the United States and in many other parts of the world. In the U.S., people celebrate National Country Music Day on July 4. How to Celebrate? Celebrate this musical holiday by listening to all your favorite country music songs. If you have never been introduced to this genre of music, today is the perfect reason to take some time off, put in your ear phones and discover the wonderful, melodious world of country music. Visit a local country music concert or host a country music party at home. Play country music and have your guests come dressed as their favorite country music artist. Did You Know… …that Nashville, Tennessee is considered to be the home of country music? *** In an attempt to balance work and motherhood, I delegated the grocery shopping to my young babysitter. But the job proved a tad daunting. One day while I was at work, she texted me from the supermarket. "Can't find Brillo pads," she wrote. "All they have are Tampax and Kotex." *** My mom moved into a new condo, and I went to visit for a couple of days. Searching for a coffee cup one morning, I sighed, "It seems like I'm always looking for something in your kitchen." "That's good," Mom said. When I looked confused, she explained, "Because when you know where to look, it's time to go home." *** Over dinner, I explained the health benefits of a colorful meal to my family. "The more colors, the more variety of nutrients," I told them. Pointing to our food, I asked, "How many different colors do you see?" "Six," volunteered my daughter. "Seven if you count the burned parts." *** When my customer ordered 
iced tea, I asked, “Sweetened or 
unsweetened?” Her answer: “What’s the difference?” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** What happens when you leave a window open on your car overnight during a snow blizzard in Reykjavík, Iceland. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

The ladybird spider Dorset Britain's most elusive spider. Numbers slumped to 56 spiders in 1994. Following habitat management and captive breeding the most recent web count found 1,000 spiders.

September 16th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Andrew Kim Taegon (one of The Korean Martyrs) Curcodomus Cyprian (Catholic Church) Edith of Wilton Euphemia Ludmila Ninian Pope Cornelius Vitalis of Savigny September 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics). Cry of Dolores, celebrates the declaration of independence of Mexico from Spain in 1810. See Fiestas Patrias Independence Day (Papua New Guinea), celebrates the independence of Papua New Guinea from Australia in 1975. International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Malaysian Armed Forces Day (Malaysia) Malaysia Day (Malaysia, Singapore) Martyrs' Day (Libya) National Heroes Day (Saint Kitts and Nevis) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Batman Day National Dance Day Abergavenny Food Festival Anne Bradstreet Day Feast Portland International Coastal Cleanup Day International Eat An Apple Day International Red Panda Day Maldives: Qaumee Dhuvas Mayflower Day Mexican Independence Day National AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day National Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day for Kids National Choose Your Chocolate Day National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day National Gymnastics Day National Play-Doh Day National Sew a Jelly Roll Day National Sit With a Stranger Day National Stepfamily Day National Tattoo Story Day National Trail of Tears Commemoration Day Puppy Mill Awareness Day Responsible Dog Ownership Day Stay Away From Seattle Day Teenager Workout Day Usher Syndrome Awareness Day Working Parents Day World Barber Day World Ozone Day Locate An Old Friend Day Nick Jonas’s Birthday Lauren Bacall’s Birthday Marc Anthony’s Birthday Ian Harding’s Birthday Claire Saffitz’s Birthday Chase Stokes’s Birthday BB King’s Birthday Alexis Bledel’s Birthday Amy Poehler Birthday Fun Observances (3) Collect Rocks Day On September 16 take a walk to the park, the beach, or to the jewelers, and collect some pretty looking rocks. Why, you ask? Because it is Collect Rocks Day. While the origins of this obviously made up holiday are unknown, we can safely assume that the day encourages people to learn more about geology. Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials and the processes through which these materials are created. Three Major Types Rocks are tightly compacted formations of minerals and are found all over the lithosphere, the top solid layer of the Earth. Geologists classify rocks into three major types based on texture, composition, and size. These types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Almost 65% of the Earth is made up of igneous rocks, though over time one type of rock can turn into another due to exposure to the Earth's atmosphere and environmental factors. This transition between different type of rocks is called a rock cycle. How to Celebrate? Rocks have been an integral part of human activity since antiquity. Some of the earliest weapons and musical instruments were made of rocks. Mining of rocks has made it possible for humans to use metals and other materials for developing technology. Here are some ways you can show your appreciation for rocks and their importance in our daily lives: Take a walk and collect different kinds of rocks - who knows you may just find a new fossil hiding in the rocks? Learn more about the different types of rocks so that you can identify the types of rocks you just collected. Not sure what to do with the rocks? What about painting on them and displaying them creatively? If painting is not your thing, but you are still creatively inclined, why not spend the day learning about rock art? Rock art is art made on rock. Ancient humans used it as a way to record significant events and as part of rituals. If there is an archealogical site close to where you live, that features such art, why not take a trip to see it? Did You Know… …that petrology is the scientific study of rocks? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guacamole Day September 16 is Guacamole Day. The unofficial holiday celebrates the delicious Mexican side-dish or dip made of avocados. Usually eaten as a side-dish, guacamole has been a part of traditional Mexican cuisine since the time of the Aztecs. Today, the dip, whose name comes from an Aztec dialect Nahuatl and means guacamole sauce, is a popular side-dish, salad addition and party dip all around the world. Mostly Avocado Traditionally, the dish is made by mashing avocados in a mortar and pestle and adding chopped onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice and cumin to it. Guacamole is informally called guac in the United States and Canada. Healthy Fruit Avocados are fruit native to Mexico and Central America and are considered to be a good source for Vitamin K and some types of vitamin B. The holiday is also called National Guacamole Day in the U.S. How to Celebrate? With lots of guacamole, of course! Have guacamole for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have it with your bacon and eggs for breakfast, use it as a spread for your sandwich at lunch, add it your salad at dinner, or if you are like us eat a bowlful of yummy guacamole by itself! Ever tried to make a sweet guacamole? In Sri Lanka, mashed avocado is mixed with milk and sugar or syrup and eaten as a dessert. Did You Know… …that avocados are also known as alligator pear owing to the texture of its skin? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ National CleanUp Day The third Saturday in September is National CleanUp Day in the United States. National CleanUp Day was created by hiking enthusiasts Steve Jewett and Bill Willoughby in partnership with Clean Trails, a nonprofit that works to keep the outdoors clean. The unofficial holiday raises awareness about cleanliness and reducing litter. Cleaning the Outdoors The outdoors can bring a lot of joy and peace to those who enjoy hiking, walking, and climbing. Littering and trash, however, can not only ruin the experience, but it can also negatively affect the flora and fauna. National CleanUp Day is an attempt to bring together those who love the outdoors and nature to help clean up trails, parks, beaches, and other natural communal spaces. The observance encourages people to make an effort to reduce littering and to recycle so that the nature around us remains clean and devoid of garbage. Higher Quality of Life The core philosophy of the observance is that our quality of life can be widely impacted by the nature around us—garbage and litter filled natural spaces can negatively impact an individual's well-being as well as the environment. How to Celebrate? Get together with friends, family, and co-workers to organize a cleaning trip to the closest park, hiking trail, or beach. Raise awareness against littering and throwing garbage in communal spaces through social media and word of mouth. Join a local clean-up crew and help clean up your outdoors. Did You Know… …that almost 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year? *** My father’s secretary was visibly distraught one morning when she arrived at the office and explained that her children’s parrot had escaped from his cage and flown out an open window. Of all the dangers the tame bird would face outdoors alone, she seemed most concerned about what would happen if the bird started talking. Confused, my father asked what the parrot could say. “Well,” she explained, “he mostly says, ‘Here, kitty, kitty.’ ” *** When my daughter and I caught only one perch on our fishing trip—not enough for even a modest lunch—we decided to feed it to her two cats. She put our catch in their dish and watched as the two pampered pets sniffed at the fish but refused to eat it. Thinking quickly, my daughter then picked up the dish, walked over to the electric can opener, ran it for a few seconds, then put the fish back down. The cats dug right in. *** I worked at a boarding kennel where people leave their dogs and cats while on vacation. One morning I had taken a cat out of his cage, and after playing with him and replenishing his food and water, I put him back in. A few minutes later, I was surprised to see the feline at my feet, since the cage doors lock automatically when they’re shut. I couldn’t figure out how the cat escaped, until I bent down to pick him up and spied his nametag: “Houdini.” *** The only people who don’t click Skip on ads before YouTube videos are people who died during that ad. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** A first grade teacher collected well-known proverbs. She gave each kid in the class the first half of the proverb, and asked them to fill in the rest. Here’s what the kids came up with: Better to be safe than… punch a 5th grader. Strike while the… bug is close. It’s always darkest before… daylight savings time. Never underestimate the power of… termites. You can lead a horse to water but… how? Don’t bite the hand that… looks dirty. No news is… impossible. A miss is as good as a… Mr. You can’t teach an old dog… math. If you lie down with dogs, you… will stink in the morning. Love all, trust… me. The pen is mightier than… the pigs. An idle mind is… the best way to relax. Where there is smoke, there’s… pollution. Happy is the bride who… gets all the presents. A penny saved is… not much. Two is company, three’s… The Musketeers. None are so blind as… Helen Keller. Children should be seen and not… spanked or grounded. If at first you don’t succeed… get new batteries. You get out of something what you… see pictured on the box. When the blind lead the blind… get out of the way. There is no fool like… Aunt Edie. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and… you have to blow your nose. *** sandrewn

Further proof, that I sometimes(unintentionally) mislead with my posts. Instead of just copying what I read, I should of stated clearly what exactly it was a photograph of, my bad. The spider Aphanlochilus rogersi is a very striking mimic of C. pusillus(an ant). Although Gliding Ants seem to be very well defended the spider Aphanlochilus rogersi is a very striking mimic of C. pusillus, but not for the purposes of protection. It is an infiltration tactic. A spider will sit on the edge of a foraging trail of its model, seemingly undetected by the ants. When one worker strays too far off the beaten track, the spider strikes and runs with its prey before the large and dangerous foraging force has time to react. These spiders are remarkably abundant but very fast. Ant mimicry is mimicry of ants by other organisms. Ants are abundant all over the world, and insect predators that rely on vision to identify their prey such as birds and wasps normally avoid them, either because they are unpalatable, or aggressive. Thus some other arthropods mimic ants to escape predation (protective mimicry). Conversely, some species (e.g. Zodariidae spiders) use their anatomical and behavioral ant mimicry to hunt ants (aggressive mimicry). Other cases are also known. The term myrmecomorphy is also used to describe ant mimicry. 80% of spiders with Batesian mimicry imitate ants, comprising more than 100 species.

Turtle Ant mimic Crab Spider, Aphantochilus rogersi

September 15th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Battle of Britain Day (United Kingdom) Christian feast day: Joseph Abibos Alpinus (Albinus) of Lyon Aprus (Èvre) of Toul Catherine of Genoa James Chisholm (Episcopal Church) Saint Dominic in Soriano (formerly) Mamilian of Palermo Mirin Nicetas the Goth Nicomedes Our Lady of Sorrows September 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics). Cry of Dolores, celebrated on the eve of Independence Day (Mexico). Earliest day on which Father's Day can fall, while September 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Sunday in September. (Ukraine) Earliest day on which German-American Steuben Parade can fall, while September 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Saturday in September. (United States, especially New York City) Earliest day on which POW/MIA Recognition Day can fall, while September 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Friday in September. (United States) Earliest day on which Prinsjesdag can fall, while September 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Tuesday in September. (Netherlands) Earliest day on which Respect for the Aged Day can fall, while September 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Monday in September. (Japan) Engineer's Day (India) Independence Day, celebrates the Act of Independence of Central America from Spain in 1821 of Guatemala (a Patriotic Day), El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. International Day of Democracy Knowledge Day (Azerbaijan) Restoration of Primorska to the Motherland Day (Slovenia) Silpa Bhirasri Day (Thailand). The beginning of German American Heritage Month, celebrated until October 15 The beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated until October 15 (United States) World Lymphoma Awareness Day (International) Observances (click on the day, BD, week or month for details) Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day Felt Hat Day Greenpeace Day International Dot Day Martyrdom of Imam Reza National Africa Civility Day National Cheese Toast Day National Concussion Awareness Day National Creme de Menthe Day National Custom Framing Day National D.A.R.E. Day National Doodle Day National Double Cheeseburger Day National Google.com Day National Linguine Day National Malcolm Day National Online Learning Day National Ruben Day National Tackle Kids Cancer Day National Tradesmen Day Rosh Hashanah World Afro Day World Engineers Day Raspberry Day Greenpeace Day 4pm Finish Day Tommy Lee Jones’s Birthday Sommer Ray’s Birthday Tom Hardy’s Birthday Park Jae-hyung’s Birthday Prince Harry’s Birthday Marco Polo’s Birthday Nipsey Russell’s Birthday Lisa Vanderpump’s Birthday Lee Felix’s Birthday Jenna Marbles’s Birthday Agatha Christie’s Birthday Aaliyah Mendes’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Fri Sep 15th, 2023 - Sun Oct 15th, 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Fun Observances Make a Hat Day On September 15, don your creative hat, gather your craft supplies, channel the secret milliner in your soul and make yourself a hat because it is Make a Hat Day. We can all safely assume that the unknown originator of this unofficial holiday aimed to encourage people to look their very best by sporting a hat they made from scratch. Throughout history people have used hats to protect themselves from the elements, for religious purposes, and to denote profession, class and status. These days, hats have become fashion accessories, worn by people to reflect their personalities and style. How to Celebrate? Make hats using a variety of materials – yarn, felt, paper, and cloth. Go crazy embellishing it. Wear a hat that you made to work. Have a hat themed party, and have your guests come dressed in hats they have made, decorate the venue with hats and serve hat shaped cupcakes. Host a hat making party. Gather around with your friends with craft supplies and spend an evening designing and making hats. Hold a hat contest, where everyone makes their own hat and whoever has the best and the most creative hat wins. Did You Know... ...that the word milliner, which refers to a person who designs, makes, or sells hats, is named after the Italian city of Milan? Originally the word was used for residents of Milan. *** Test Answers From Smart-Alecky Students • Q: 
What’s the name of a 
six-sided polygon? A: Sixagon. • Q: 
What part of the body is 
affected by glandular fever? A: The glandular. • Q: 
In The Tempest, why does 
Ariel sing in Gonzalo’s ear? A: 
She’s a mermaid and wants to be human. • Q: 
In comparison with large 
hydrocarbons, how would you describe small hydrocarbons? A: They’re smaller. • Q: 
Who were the Bolsheviks? A: A Russian ballet company. *** Spotted on Facebook… Student: I don’t understand why my grade was so low. How did 
I do on my research paper? Teacher: Actually, you didn’t turn in a research paper. You turned in a random assemblage of sentences. In fact, the 
sentences you apparently 
kidnapped in the dead of night 
and forced into this violent and arbitrary plan of yours clearly seemed to be placed on the pages against their will. Reading your paper was like watching unfamiliar, uncomfortable people interacting at a cocktail party that no one wanted to attend in the first place. You didn’t submit a research paper. You submitted a hostage situation. *** I’m now in high school, so when I ran into my third-grade teacher, I doubted she would remember me. “Hi, Miss Butcher,” I said. “Hi, Eddie,” she replied. “So you do remember me?” I asked. “Sure. You don’t always leave a good impression, but it is a lasting one.” *** The note left on the office refrigerator was addressed to “The culprit who ate what you thought were two peanut butter ice cream bars.” We’ll skip over the details and 
go straight to the signature: 
“Love, Constipated-Dog Owner.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Just so you know, if I know what it is(the spider) I will always, tell you in that post. If I don't know and/or get a question about it, I will keep looking for an answer and post it when(or if) I find it. Thanks for the continued interest.

It caught my attention also. This reference that I came across, should answer all of your questions(I hope). Photos of Dead Leaf Spider (Poltys idae) · iNaturalist

And then there is/are the 'Stanza(s)', that none of us talk about or even admit to knowing?!?! You know what/who I mean, don't act all so innocent!! That is all I have to say for now. Well, maybe, I know it is a bit early, but just in case I forget, I want to wish you all a Happy Festivus.

Dead Leaf Spider / Rolled-leaf Spider Araneidae - Poltys sp.

September 14th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Aelia Flaccilla (Eastern Orthodox Church) Cormac mac Cuilennáin (or of Cashel) Crescentius of Rome Feast of the Cross (Christianity) Elevation of the Holy Cross (Eastern Orthodox) Lord of Miracles of Buga Louis Gabriel Taurin Dufresse (one of Martyr Saints of China) Maternus of Cologne Notburga September 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Engineer's Day (Romania) Hindi Day (Hindi-speaking states of India) Mobilized Servicemen Day (Ukraine) San Jacinto Day (Nicaragua) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Rosa Tequila Day Are You Okay Day Death of Prophet Muhammed Gobstopper Day National Coloring Day National Cream Filled Donut Day NATIONAL EAT A HOAGIE DAY National Food Is Medicine Day NATIONAL LIVE CREATIVE DAY National Noel Day National School Pictures Day National Sober Day National Virginia Day Shayne Topp’s Birthday Nas’s Birthday Deshaun Watson’s Birthday Audriana Giudice’s Birthday Andrew Lincoln’s Birthday Amy Winehouse’s Birthday *** *** A man and a giraffe walk into a bar. After a few drinks, the giraffe falls over and dies. The man begins to walk out when the bartender stops him. “Hey, you can’t leave that lyin’ there!” The bartender yells out. The man turns around: “It’s not a lion. It’s a giraffe.” *** *** The flight attendant on our trip was handing out plastic pilot wings to some kids. As I stepped 
forward, she jokingly offered me one, but I passed. Pointing to the Airborne wings on my Army uniform, I 
explained, “The last time someone 
gave me wings, I had to jump 
out of the airplane.” Col. David Jessop (Ret.), *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Blast from the Past *** A tree on fire after a lightning strike *** Just a mom carrying her babies *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

September 13th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Feast of the Cross (Assyrian Church of the East) Aimé (Amatus) Ame Eulogius of Alexandria John Chrysostom Marcellinus of Carthage Maurilius (Maurille) of Angers Nectarius of Autun Venerius the Hermit Wulfthryth (Wilfrida) of Wilton September 13 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of the Programmer, during a non-leap year. (International) Día de los Niños Héroes (Mexico) Engineer's Day (Mauritius) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Peanut Day Defy Superstition Day European Heritage Days International Chocolate Day National Bald is Beautiful Day National Celiac Disease Awareness Day National Hug Your Boss Day National Jose Day National Juan Day National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day National Twilighters Day Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day Supernatural Day Uncle Sam Day National Quiet Day National Fortune Cookie Day Tyler Perry’s Birthday Snoh Aalegra’s Birthday Swizz Beatz’s Birthday Roald Dahl’s Birthday Playboi Carti’s Birthday Niall Horan’s Birthday Lili Reinhart's Birthday Fun Observances (2) Positive Thinking Day Is life getting you down? Are you on your way to getting a Ph.D. in complaining? If your answer is a yes, then Positive Thinking Day (PTD) on September 13 is just the holiday you need to celebrate. PTD is a day to set aside all negative thoughts and see that the glass is always half full. The stresses and struggles of daily life can sometimes fill our heads with pessimistic thoughts. This unofficial holiday promotes the idea that negative thoughts do more harm than good - they drain energy, create more stress and can make one a less likeable person. Nobody wants to spend time with someone who is always negative and pessimistic. Lowers Depression The holiday, also known as International Positive Thinking Day encourages people to deal with difficult situations in life with optimism and positivity. Positive thinking can have many benefits. Studies have shown that positive thinking can reduce stress and the risk of heart diseases, lower depression and increase life span. Some studies have even shown that positive thinking can increase the body's resistance to the common cold. How to Celebrate? Think positive! If you are having trouble believe that the glass is half full, then have a friend or a loved one reaffirm you. Take or sit in a positive thinking seminar. Sometimes hearing about the benefits of positive thinking from an uninvested party can help. Make a conscious decision not to put yourself down every time you do something wrong. Laugh as much as you can. Laughter can reduce stress and decrease the urge to think negatively. Go out for a comedy show or movie, do a marathon of your favorite comedy TV show or read a comic novel. You will see a marked difference in how you feel after a few laughs. After all, someone wise did once say laughter is the best medicine! Still feeling a bit low? Turn that pity party into an awesome dance party. Studies have shown that physical exercise can help alleviate mood and promotes positive thinking. Do something nice for yourself, a loved one or a stranger - doing good deeds can help increase levels of optimism. Did You Know... ...that the term Debbie Downer is the name of a fictional character on the popular American late-night live television sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live? The always negative character, played by Rachel Dratch made its first appearance in 2004. These days the term is used to call anyone who is always complaining and negative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roald Dahl Day September 13 is Roald Dahl Day, a holiday dedicated to one of the world’s greatest storytellers. Celebrated every year on the anniversary of his birthday, the unofficial holiday celebrates all the characters created by the much loved and read children’s author whose most popular books included Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. While Dahl, considered to be one of the most widely read and influential British writers of all time is primarily known for his fantasy fiction stories for children, he also wrote screenplays for films and television shows, including the screenplay for the popular musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Unique Storyteller Dahl, who had Norwegian ancestry and was named after explorer Roald Admundsen, had a unique approach to storytelling. All his books for children were written from the point of a child's imagination and often filled with dark humor. How to Celebrate? Read or reread some of his more popular works. If you have children, participate in Mischief and Mayhem events organized by your local library or bookstore. If there are none locally, you may even be able to organize one yourself or participate in a virtual event. Watch movies based on his books. Have a Roald Dahl themed party where guests dress up like characters from his books. Did You Know… …that Roald Dahl was a fighter pilot during the Second World War? *** While on manoeuvres in the desert, our convoy got lost – forcing our lieutenant to radio for help. “Are you near any landmarks that might help us locate you?” the base operator asked him. “Yes,” said the lieutenant. “We are directly under the moon.” *** A friend of mine works at a tattoo parlour. A client walked in and got a sentence tattooed on his back. A few hours later the customer called, demanding a refund. “You did my tattoo backwards,” he screamed down the phone. “It’s backwards?” my friend said, confused. “Yes!” came the angry reply. “I’m looking at it in the mirror right now!” *** I was driving home recently when I stopped on impulse at a roadside vegetable stand. It was deserted expect for a sleeping German shepherd. I stepped carefully over the dog, grabbed some veggies, then opened up the cash box to leave some money. Taped to the inside of the lid was a note: “The dog can count.” *** Famous film quotes get the 
redneck treatment: • “You had me at ‘Sooooey!’” • “Use the horse, Luke.” • “Are you crying? There’s no crying in NASCAR!” • “Of all the trailer parks in Pine Cone County, she had to pull her 
’68 Rambler into mine.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

If it is a 'he', that would make him over or about 20 generations old, no surprise about that beard. Carolina Wolf Spider Facts, Identification, & Pictures Just for your information, 20 generations for us would be around 400-600 years (for the average person).

Replace 'objects' with 'books', which leads to replacing 'daft' with 'embezzling'.

It is so darn easy to get off track with these daily words. Example: Athletes often have deft footwork.........Twinkle toes???????? Origin of: The expression, describes a person who is light on their feet, a good dancer but has also been applied to football players, dates from the early 20th century.

Which is the only state that recognizes a state spider? The Carolina Wolf Spider was named South Carolina's official state spider back in 2000. It is currently the only state that recognizes a state spider.

September 12th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ailbe (Elvis, Eilfyw) of Emly Ebontius Guy of Anderlecht The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary John Henry Hobart (Episcopal Church (USA)) Laisrén mac Nad Froích Sacerdos of Lyon September 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Commemoration of the mass hanging of the Saint Patrick's Battalion (Mexico) Day of Conception (Russia) Defenders Day (Maryland, United States) Enkutatash falls on this day if it is a leap year. Celebrated on the first day of Mäskäräm. (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rastafari) Nayrouz (Coptic Orthodox Church) (leap years only, September 11 on normal years) National Day (Cape Verde) National Day of Encouragement (United States) Saragarhi Day (Sikhism) United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation (International) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Video Games Day National Ants on a Log Day National Police Woman Day National Report Medicare Fraud Day Gym Day Sydney Sweeney’s Birthday Zackary Arthur’s Birthday Paul Walker’s Birthday RM’s Birthday Jennifer Hudson’s Birthday Hans Zimmer’s Birthday Emmy Rossum’s Birthday Bizzy Bone’s Birthday 2 Chainz’s Birthday Louis C.K. Birthday Fun Observances Chocolate Milkshake Day September 12 is Chocolate Milkshake Day. So, what are you waiting for? Take out that blender and make yourself a glass of yummy chocolate milkshake. Also known as thick shake, a milkshake is a cold beverage made by blending together milk or ice cream with some sweetening agents and flavorings. Popular flavors of milkshakes include vanilla, strawberry and of course, chocolate. Chocolate milkshake is made by blending chocolate syrup or cocoa powder with milk or ice cream. Fries on the Side It is believed that the original milkshakes were alcoholic, though in its present day form milkshakes are generally associated with wholesome family meals. In many parts of the world, burgers, fries and milkshakes are considered to be a good food and beverage pairing. In some parts of Boston, a milkshake is also called a frappe. How to Celebrate? This unofficial holiday is the prefect excuse to indulge in a tall glass of chocolate milkshake. Here are some more ways you can celebrate this delicious holiday: Have chocolate milkshake for all your meals. Add healthy chia seeds to your chocolate milkshake for breakfast, and make it extra special for dinner by adding a dash of rum, whiskey or irish cream. Experiment with flavors. Add a bit of orange essence or mint to your chocolate milkshake. Or what about making a oreo or brownie batter chocolate milkshake? Instead of making dark or milk chocolate milkshakes, why not make white chocolate milkshakes? Add a bunch of raspberries or hazelnuts to the shake when blending. Go out to your favorite shake shop for their milkshakes. Many restaurants offer free chocolate shakes on this day. Did You Know... …that the popular candy, Milky Way, is actually named after a milkshake? Created in 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the candy was created to taste like a malted milkshake. *** “Do you want to hear a good Batman impression?” asked my friend Dave. “Go on then,” I replied. “NOT THE KRYPTONITE!” he screamed. “That’s Superman,” I said. “Thanks, I’ve been practising,” he replied. *** What did the snail who was riding on the turtle's back say? Wheeeee! *** What do you get when you mix a cocker spaniel, a poodle, and a ghost? A cocker-poodle boo. *** Why don’t we see elephants hiding in trees? Because they’re really good at it. *** When a zoo’s gorilla dies, the zookeeper hires an actor to don 
a costume and act like an ape 
until the zoo can get another one. In the cage, the actor makes faces, swings around, and draws a huge crowd. He then crawls across a partition and atop the 
lion’s cage, infuriating the animal. But the actor stays in character—until he loses his grip and falls into the lion’s cage. Terrified, the actor shouts, “Help! Help me!” Too late. The lion pounces, opens 
its massive jaws, and whispers, “Shut up! Do you want to get 
us both fired?!” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Harvestman in Valdivian Rainforest - Chile

September 11th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Battle of Tendra Day (Russia) Christian feast days: Blessed Francesco Bonifacio Deiniol Felix, Regula, and Exuperantius Harry Burleigh (Episcopal Church) John Gabriel Perboyre (one of Martyr Saints of China) Leudinus (Bobo) Our Lady of Coromoto Paphnutius of Thebes (Roman Catholic Church) Patiens of Lyon Protus and Hyacinth Sperandia Theodora of Alexandria September 11 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Death Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan) Emergency Number Day (United States) Enkutatash falls on this day if it is not a leap year. Celebrated on the first day of Mäskäräm. (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rastafari) National Day (Catalonia) Nayrouz (Coptic Orthodox Church), September 12 on leap years. September 11 attacks-related observances (United States)😞 National Day of Service and Remembrance Patriot Day Teachers' Day (Argentina) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) IRONMAN Wales Libraries Remember Day National Boss/Employee Exchange Day National Hot Cross Bun Day No News is Good News Day Taraji P. Henson’s Birthday Yukiko Todoroki’s Birthday Ludacris’s Birthday Kygo’s Birthday Jc Caylen’s Birthday Ginger Minj’s Birthday Angeline Varona’s Birthday Andy Ruiz Jr. Birthday Fun Observances Make Your Bed Day When you wake up on September 11, make a point to make your bed because it is Make Your Bed Day! This unofficial holiday with unknown origins encourages people to make and tidy up their beds in the mornings. Making up the bed or making the bed are expressions used to refer to the act of fixing the bed to look like it hasn't been slept in. This is usually done in the morning. Sleep Better Studies show that inculcating the habit of making beds every morning can increase productivity during the day and can make people happier. The idea is that the organization that goes into making beds can spill over to the tasks a person does during the rest of the day. The act also gives people some time before they start their day to meditate over about what they want to achieve during the day. A clean and made up bed also helps people sleep faster and better. How to Celebrate? Make your bed – it take a few minutes and keeps your sleeping areas tidy. If you were looking to update your bed and your bed linen, today is the day. Nothing is more fun than making your bed with newly washed, starched and ironed bed linens. Did You Know... ...that French king Louis the XIV is thought to have owned 413 beds? *** We were at a red light when a car pulled up, its music blasting. “He’ll be deaf before he’s 25,” I said. “It won’t help us,” my wife replied. “He’ll only turn it up.” *** One hard thing to explain to teens is how legitimately exciting it used to be when someone would wheel in an overhead projector. *** While he was visiting, my father asked for the password to our Wi-Fi. “It’s taped under the modem,” 
I told him. After three failed attempts to log on, he asked, “Am I spelling this right? T-A-P-E-D-U-N-D-E-R-T-H-E-M-O-D-E-M?” *** On Facebook, the English 
language has few friends. 
Three examples: Post: I can’t stand people 
that don’t know the difference between your and you’re. There so dumb. Response: Their, their, calm down. Post: Is it me or does nobody have manors these days? Response: I just have a normal house. Post: I do not have patients for stupid today. Response: Patience. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** I know it is a repeat. My only excuse is that it is in Hungarian this time. I'll give you the translation tomorrow. Okay, one more time: It doesn't cool faster, if you blow on it! sandrewn

The Spectacular World of Spiny Orb-Weaver Spiders I am going to stop right here!!! I don't know why, but as soon as I saw the above picture, one thought popped into my mind and I can not get rid of it, ' Lady Gaga '. Sorry to you all, and to you Lady Gaga

September 10th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Amerindian Heritage Day (Guyana) Children's Day (Honduras) Christian feast day: Alexander Crummell (Episcopal Church) Aubert Blessed Thomas Tsugi, Charles Spinola, and Great Martyrs of Nagasaki Edmund James Peck (Anglican Church of Canada) Nicholas of Tolentino Theodard of Maastricht September 10 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Gibraltar National Day Saint George's Caye Day (Belize) Teachers' Day (China) World Suicide Prevention Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Grandparents Day Day of the Homeland Harvest Moon Festival National Anti-Junk Light Day National Pet Memorial Day National TV Dinner Day Top Up Day White Balloon Day Stella Bennett’s Birthday PaintingRainbows’s Birthday Ryan Phillippe’s Birthday Mikey Way’s Birthday Misty Copeland’s Birthday Madeline Grimaldi’s Birthday Matthew Tyler Vorce’s Birthday Karl Lagerfeld’s Birthday Jack Gilinsky’s Birthday Emma Kittiesmama’s Birthday Colin Firth’s Birthday Big Daddy Kane’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Sun Sep 10th, 2023 - Sat Sep 16th, 2023 Chef Appreciation Week Housekeepers Week Fun Observances (2) Swap Ideas Day September 10 is Swap Ideas Day. It is a day to share thoughts, barter goods, exchange ideas, trade opinions and discuss viewpoints with family members, friends, co-workers and strangers. This unofficial holiday is a celebration of the collaborative spirit. It promotes the notion that knowledge grows best when shared and that best ideas come about through teamwork. After all, two (or more) heads are better than one! The day is also known in the United States as National Swap Ideas Day. How to Celebrate? Have a million dollar idea? Get together with a trusted family member, friend and co-worker and talk to them about what you have in mind. Who knows, they may come up with something that may make your plan better and easy to implement? Is there a problem that is bothering you? Exchange ideas with someone to figure out a solution to your quandary. And remember, you don't have to swap serious ideas on Swap Ideas Day. Have some fun with what you swap. For example, what about exchanging knitting or sewing patterns with fellow artists or swapping recipes or food items with other cooks? Love reading? Have a friend lend you their favorite book and loan your favorite author's book to them in return. Host a favorite things party. Ask everyone to bring their favorite thing for all the other guests. The favorite thing could be a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of some beverage or a pen. Make sure to set a maximum budget. During the course of the party, swap everyone's favorite thing with each other. By the end of the party, you may just go back home with some more new favorite things! Host a book swap meet. Ask everyone to bring a book or two that they no longer want to hold on to, pile the books on a table and let people choose a book to take back home. Attend a swap meet. A swap meet is a type of market where people barter products and merchandise. Did You Know… …that the use of the word swap originated in the 13th century? Then swap was used to refer to the sound of hitting. In the 16th century, the word came about to mean exchange, because people used to hit their hands together to indicate that they had come to an agreement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hug Your Hound Day On September 10, give your four-legged best friend a big hug because it is Hug Your Hound Day. Created by canine behaviorist Ami Moore, the holiday encourages dog parents and owners to focus on their dogs' health, safety and happiness. The unofficial holiday celebrates the special bond between dogs and their owners. The day also aims at creating more a more dog friendly environment in urban areas. The holiday is also known as National Hug Your Hound Day in the United States. Another holiday for man's best friend is Dog Appreciation Day. How to Celebrate? Take your hound for a long walk or to the dog park to say hello to their friends. Treat them to their favorite treats. And of course, give them a big hug! If you have been thinking of bringing a dog in your life, take this day to visit your local shelter to see if you can adopt a dog. Don't have the time or space to adopt a dog? What about volunteering your time and money to your local dog shelter. Spend the day bringing joy in the lives of dogs who are waiting to be adopted. If you are a business owner, take steps to make your business more dog friendly. Don't have a dog, but love cats? Don't worry, you have a holiday that you can celebrate with your feline friends: Hug Your Cat Day! Did You Know… …that pigs and dogs were the earliest domesticated animals in human history? *** My nine-year-old and I passed a store with a sign that read “Watch Batteries Installed – $5.” He seemed confused: “Who would pay to watch batteries installed?” *** Heavy snow had buried my van in our driveway. My husband dug around the wheels, rocked the van back and forth, and finally pushed me free. I was on the road when I heard an odd noise. I got on the phone and called home. “Thank goodness you answered,” I said when my husband picked up. “There’s an alarming sound coming from under the van. For a moment I thought I was dragging you down the highway!” “And you didn’t stop?” *** “Those frames are so flattering,” I assured my sister. She’d just gotten new glasses after 25 years and wasn’t happy with them. “They’re OK,” she said, staring gloomily at herself in the mirror. “Can you see better?” “Yeah, I can see better.” “So what’s wrong?” “Well, for one thing,” she said, “I thought I was still cute.” *** My grandpa is definitely a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. Once, while getting dinner ready, I asked him how he liked his vegetables prepared. He said, “Fed to a cow, so they’ll turn into steak.” *** A Sale-A-Day Keeps Quality at Bay I think I’ve finally decoded the 
language of sale-a-day websites: Statement jewelry = large and ugly Lots of personality = odd and ugly Cutting-edge = disturbing and ugly *** *** *** Now that's just wrong! *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** I know it is a repeat. My only excuse is that it is in Hungarian this time. I'll give you the translation tomorrow. sandewn

A dried out frog with a spider living in its mouth. (truth is, sometimes stranger than fiction)