Brain Wrinkles from Jenni

Patriotic Facts-Under God

2008-07-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the original Pledge of Allegiance didn't have the words "under God" until 1954?

Knowing this has changed my view point. I am a deeply religious person and, after reading about our country's history and founding fathers, I do believe that we are a nation "under God". When I teach it to my preschoolers (in a state funded program) I do keep "under God" in it. I don't want it dropped, but I do see other arguments now.

Patriotic Facts-Population

2008-07-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

On this day (July 4th if you don't know) back in 1776, many of you know (if you don't you should be ashamed of yourself) that a Declaration of Independence was approved; this started what was to become this great country.

Now, for the interesting fact: In the 13 colonies, there were 2.5 million citizens living in those 13 colonies!

I don't know why, but I never imagined it to be such a big number...I don't know what I thought it would be, but 2.5 million is a lot of people!

Patriotic Facts-Signatures

2008-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was signed August 2, 1776 (it took time to get copies made back then and distributed); it was signed by 56 delegates. However, when it came to signing it, the delegates signed in geographic order of their colonies from north to south. There were some delegates that were not present at the time and had to sign later.

Some others who were new delegates were allowed to sign later and three original delegates never signed (one because he had left before it was ready, one was opposed, and one was too ill).

Patriotic Week-A bit morbid?

2008-07-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Calvin Coolidge is the only President to have been born on July 4th. But did you know that three Presidents have died on this day: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe

A bit appropriate

Patriotic Week-First Celebrations

2008-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, it was celebrated quite grandly from the beginning. But, did you know that it didn't become a legal holiday until 1941?

Interesting to me. But I am betting because up until then people just naturally shut down and celebrated, this just made it so they had to.

Patriotic Facts-Uncle Same

2008-06-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Uncle Sam became popular during the War of 1812 when the term was on supply containers. He wasn't officially adopted as a national symbol until 1961.

Warning, I'm going on a short bandwagon trip here: Uncle Sam is a symbol of this country. You may not like some of the things that our government has or is doing. However, when I see images of Uncle Sam bloody and mutilated, I only think how anti-American that person or people must be. He represents our COUNTRY not our GOVERNMENT. And, just as desecrating a flag shows disdain for this country, so does desecrating Uncle Sam's image. Before you go and make your "free speech" statements by destroying these images, think about what these images represent and how your actions aren't just showing your right to free speech. No, your actions are telling me that you have no respect for this country and you aren't just being UN-American, you are being ANTI-American, and that is so much worse.

Go ahead and have your free speech demonstrations; but remember why you are allowed to have them: you live in the great country called the United States of America!

Patriotic Facts-Statue of Liberty

2008-06-29T08:07:00.001-07:00

I am so sorry I was away for a week. It has just been so hot around here I think my brain literally was fried. I couldn't think straight and had no stamina to sit at the computer for more than a few minutes at a time. However, I am back! So, this is a week of Patriotic Facts (since it does end in the fourth of July). Let's start off with the Statue of Liberty:

Most people know that this was a gift to us from France. But, did you know that there are 7 spikes on her crown? Each spike represents the 7 seas and the 7 continents.

Egg Facts-Time

2008-06-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

It takes about 24 hours for a hen to produce an egg from beginning to end. The process then starts all over again about 30 minutes later.

Egg Facts-Blood Spots

2008-06-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I found this facinating as well. Throw that old wives tale out the window:

Also called meat spots. Occasionally found on an egg yolk. Contrary to popular opinion, these tiny spots do not indicate a fertilized egg. Rather, they are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface during formation of the egg or by a similar accident in the wall of the oviduct. Less than 1% of all eggs produced have blood spots.

They do try to get them all out:

Mass candling methods reveal most eggs with blood spots and those eggs are removed but, even with electronic spotters, it is impossible to catch all of them. As an egg ages, the yolk takes up water from the albumen to dilute the blood spot so, in actuality, a blood spot indicates that the egg is fresh. Both chemically and nutritionally, these eggs are fit to eat. The spot can be removed with the tip of a knife, if you wish.

Egg Facts-Try it!

2008-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun thing to try. If you put an egg in a bowl of vinegar you can "melt" off the shell and what you'll have left is the membrane.

You could actually see inside an egg this way! It's totally cool.

Egg Facts-Size Classification

2008-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

While we usually see Medium, Large, and Extra Large in stores, did you know that there are actually two more sizes? Small and Pee Wee!

Since there isn't much of a market for these sizes, they usually sell these to bakers and such.

Egg Facts-Yolk

2008-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I then ran across this interesting fact:

The color of a yolk is determined by the chicken's diet!

That totally threw me! I just thought they were yellow no matter what. But apparently, since most people prefer that bright yellow color, farmers make sure that they eat plenty of yellow food (corn meal and such). If they were to feed them a colorless meal (white corn meal, for example) the yolk would be white.

I wonder if they put food coloring in the feed if they could make eggs with a whole rainbow of colors. How would that be for Easter? I'm still pondering this one. It's probably my favorite egg fact right now.

Egg Facts-Color

2008-06-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is the fact that really started all this. My cook's daughter had made a comment at the store about brown eggs and not wanting brown eggs and she didn't want eggs that came from a brown chicken...she was trying to be funny.

Her mom laughed at her and said "That's not how they get brown eggs". At this point in the story, I stopped her and said "I think she's right. I'm almost positive I heard that somewhere as a true fact." So, of course I had to look it up. And this is what I found:

The color comes from pigments in the outer layer of the shell and may range in various breeds from white to deep brown. The breed of hen determines the color of the shell. Breeds with white feathers and ear lobes lay white eggs; breeds with red feathers and ear lobes lay brown eggs. White eggs are most in demand among American buyers. In some parts of the country, however, particularly in New England, brown shells are preferred. The Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire and Plymouth Rock are breeds that lay brown eggs. Since brown-egg layers are slightly larger birds and require more food, brown eggs are usually more expensive than white.

So, she was right! The first fact I had only mentioned the ear lobes. I didn't even know chickens had ear lobes! I'll have to check it out.

Egg Facts-Size

2008-06-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

After an interesting conversation with my center cook, I decided to look up some facts on eggs. You are reaping the benefits. This week will be a week of egg facts.

Fist, did you know that the size of an egg is mostly determined by the age of the chicken. Basically the older the bird, the larger the egg!

Happy Flag Day

2008-06-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, the United States of America flag is flown above the White House whether or not the President or the First Family is there. It is flown 24/7 no matter what.

It could have been different

2008-06-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

The first parking meter ever installed was in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...

...and so began the parking fiascoes...

I just wonder how...

2008-06-12T19:42:00.000-07:00

The same way that geologists study the Earth, selenologists study the moon.

I wonder what sort of things they can study without actually being there?

The Vice President

2008-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Originally, the vice president was the presidential candidate that got the second most amount of votes. That was definitely different than the way we do it today!

Left Handed Tuesday-Evolution of Tools

2008-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

As the sophistication of tools evolved there was a clear preference for one hand that began to emerge.

Such responsibilities for such a small creature

2008-06-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal world.

How much presure can you stand?

2008-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Your knees can take up to 14 pounds of pressure before it breaks...I don't know if I think that this is a lot or not as much as I suspected. When I heard this fact I thought, "Wow, is that all?" But then it is a joint and so how much did I think it could withstand?

What goes up doesn't come down

2008-06-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's possible to lead a cow up steps, but not down.

Hm, I wonder who the unlucky one was to discover that? And how many cows did he have in is attic before he had the proof he needed? Not necessarily something I would want to try out.

You're eyes will pop out!

2008-06-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's a strange one:

Frogs cannot swallow with their eyes open!

I wonder if that's anything like sneezing with our eyes open...

Cards and seasons

2008-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Since I admitted my love for playing cards yesterday, let's move on a bit more. It is believed that there is some significant symbolism in a deck of cards:

The 52 cards represent the 52 weeks in a year and the four suits represent the 4 seasons.

I kind of like that!

Bluffing?

2008-06-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

I love cards! I am so thankful for them! What would I ever do without them?

Well, if I was born before 1120AD, I may never have gotten the experience.

It is believed that cards were invented in China in 1120AD.

Left Handed Tuesday-Twins

2008-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Twins have a higher percentage of left-handedness...

Goodness knows I'm not a twin; the world wouldn't know what to do with two of me!

Who needs a q-tip?

2008-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

When you have a 21 inch tongue like the giraffe, you don't!

That's right people a giraffe can clean his own ears with his 21-inch long tongue. I guess that's why they have such a long neck!

Let's go to the zoo!

2008-06-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

In the Animal Crackers cookie zoo, there are 18 different animal shapes.

Hm, I think I get ripped off. I swear I always get the same four animals over and over in my box.

Slow down and take a breath!

2008-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Until a baby is 6 to 7 months old, they can breathe and swallow at the same time. This is a function that adults can't do.

Ever see a child down a bottle and not come up for air? Well, apparently they don't have to come up for air. They can do both at once!

I am totally fascinated!

2008-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just learned this fact. It has totally wowed me!

Thumbs, the digit that hold us above the lower animals, are so important that there is actually a separate, special section in the brain that is reserved just for it's use. This is separate from the section that controls the other fingers.

Now, I just find this amazing. As I type I am thinking about this and how my fingers are moving and I just can't get this out of my mind right now. I may have to think about this some more...

Strongest muscle...

2008-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

the tongue! I never really thought about it much, but until I learned this, I never knew that the tongue was a muscle.

I figure someone who talks too much must have a really strong tongue; after all it gets quite a workout!

Listening to the ocean

2008-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, did you ever pick up a shell and hold it up to your ear thinking that you could hear the ocean? I remember by brother teaching me this trick. I knew it couldn't really be the ocean, but I never knew exactly what it was. Well, I have recently been educated on this:

It is the sound of the blood pulsing through your ear.

Well, if you can never hear the ocean in these, you might want to get your ears checked!

Left Handed Tuesday-Muppets

2008-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Kermit the Frog is actually left-handed? How do they know? I'm not sure, but maybe it has something to do with his puppeteer (Jim Henson) being left handed.

The largest organ...

2008-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Many people don't know it, but the largest organ you have is your skin! Your skin is actually an organ that helps keep the body at the ideal temperature and protect it from damage.

Vaccinations anyone?

2008-05-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

With a vaccination process invented by a Chinese Buddhist nun in the eleventh century, until recent years there were people living in remote areas that were immunized against smallpox by having dried up and powdered scabs from victims of the disease blown up their noses.

I'm sure it works, and maybe because of my culture and experiences, I just can't imagine this. Makes me sneeze just thinking about it.

Hummingbirds facts

2008-05-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

As I was hanging a new wind chime (with little blue hummingbirds on it) in our preschool yard today, a question came my way: "Why are they calling hummingbirds? Do they hum?"

Not knowing the answer, I of course had to find out, and so I pass this information on to you:

The feathering on the wing is actually what makes the humming sound; which gives the bird its name.

Here's a bonus fact: Hummingbirds can actually fly upside down! I had already known (just in case you didn't) that they could fly backwards, but never knew about the upside down thing.

They really are amazing little creatures aren't they?

You can help!

2008-05-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you can help get my husband out of jail? Okay, so this isn't an interesting fact to you. But it is a call for help in raising money for MDA. My husband is being arrested in June to help raise money for this great cause.

Please help out. Just $5 will make a difference. We've put in the first $10!

So, as you can see, any small amount will help. Go here to donate on line, it's that easy.

It's right in my world

2008-05-21T19:16:00.001-07:00

Did you know that more people use blue toothbrushes than red ones?

I think that is interesting. Ask around, see what color other people use that you know. I've had more answer blue (or a shade of blue) than any other color. Mine is blue and green.

What color is yours?

Our legal system

2008-05-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, you don't have to be a lawyer to be a Supreme Court Justice.

If you pay any attention to the news, you should already know this fact as President Bush put up just this type of person first when he had the opportunity.

I think I'm okay with this. After all, maybe being a lawyer is what does some judges in.

Seeing gold!

2008-05-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

Did you know that a tiny bit of gold the size of a match book can be stretched out to the size of a tennis court?

A little bit of gold goes a long way!

It's the law AND practical advice

2008-05-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you wonder where laws come from. Why would anyone write a law like that? I often wonder to myself. Okay, so I think that more often than not. But in Tennessee, they made a law that can also be looked at by other's as good advice:

It's against the law, in Tennessee, to drive a car while sleeping.

I don't really think they need a law about this, just some good sense.

Straight or curved

2008-05-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

So, another camel fact for today (have I mentioned I love camels?). Well, this is something I learned recently. It made sense when I heard it; but I had never really thought about it:

A camel's spine is straight!

Interesting, huh? Makes sense, but who would really think about it? Okay, maybe a zoologist or someone who takes care of camels...

The staple for all...rice!

2008-05-12T20:15:00.001-07:00

Here is something that I just learned everyday. I never even knew, or thought I needed to know at that:

Rice is grown (and harvested) on every continent except one (can you guess which one?)...

Antarctica! Conditions there make it impossible to grow. However, I have a feeling someday someone will make some sort of technology to make it grow there as well.

Never knew, but maybe it could be useful

2008-05-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am not much to be on or in the ocean much. Don't get me wrong, I love to swim, but I get really apprehensive about doing so in the ocean. I also didn't come from a family of boaters; so I didn't spend much time on the ocean either. It's no wonder I didn't know this little fact:

A mile on the land and ocean are not the same!

I don't know the difference, I just know that fact. However, I am sure that some boater will probably benefit greatly from knowing this!

In honor of mothers everywhere...

2008-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that Anna Jarvis from Philadelphia is the woman who began the campaign for Mother's Day. This led to President Wilson to sign it into a national holiday in 1914.

However, did you know that only nine years later Anna filed a lawsuit to stop the commercialization of Mother's Day? She obviously lost. She had hoped for a quiet day full of quiet prayer and reflection in gratitude to God for the things mothers had done.

Well, I thank God everyday for my mother! Do you have a favorite memory of your mom?

United States Royalty

2008-05-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

The only place in the United States to have a royal palace is Honolulu, Hawaii.

This is because before they became a state, they had royalty. King Kalakaua and his sister (who took over reign when he passed) Queen Lili`uokalani, we the two who lived there. More information in the Iolani Palace can be found here. I have visited there and it is amazingly gorgeous; as is the rest of Hawaii!

Chicken Soup Cures

2008-05-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

The month that chicken soup is sold most in? January! Why? Peak of the flu season. There is more chicken noodles soup purchased during the flu season than any other time of the year.

It may not actually have any medicinal powers; but I think we all agree that the placebo effect is fabulous!

Square eyes

2008-05-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had never heard this until recently, so I haven't been able to check it out for myself. I have, however, heard this information twice in the past few months. I now pass this knowledge on to you:

Goats have rectangular pupils!

I am going to have to find a goat and check it out!

Hats and drinks!

2008-05-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so a ten gallon hat actually only hold less than one gallon of liquid.

I just have 2 questions:
1. Why then is it called a ten gallon hat
and...
2. Who, in their right mind, has ever tried to measure the liquid holding of a hat and did they drink from it?

While I do know the answer to the first, I am still looking for the answer to the second. The reason it is called a 10 gallon hat is because English speakers messed up once again in translation. The spanish word galon, which means something about braids (something Spanish cowboys wore on their hats) was mis-heard by English speakers as gallon. Therefore, we call it a 10 gallon hat.

Obvious fact

2008-05-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, this isn't really a very interesting fact; but I find I can stump a lot of people when I ask them this question:

How many grooves are on one side of an LP record?

What's fun about it is that it always stumps them! The answer is ONE!

For some reason, people just forget that fact. Of course, you need to ask someone who was born before 1980. Now I just get a blank stare and a response: "You mean those black, round, music discs? How did those work anyway?"

I'm not even that old! Most of my records that I used came from my older siblings and parents. So, anyway, that's the fact of the day...sort of obvious, but I bet I got someone!

Seeing all around

2008-05-04T12:48:00.001-07:00

Did you know that donkeys can see all four of their feet at once?

The way their eyes are placed on their heads allows them this advantage. I think that's cool! Not only are donkeys absolutely adorable creatures, they see all around too!

Jet Propulsion

2008-05-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, I learned this from a children's picture book, but it is still fascinating:

Dragonflies use water shooting out of their tail ends to propel them forward while flying.

I think that that is just cool! I never knew that, never would have thought it, and am intrigued now to see a dragonfly so I can check it out!

Toothpicks

2008-05-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

My dad always had a toothpick in his mouth. Okay, maybe not always, but it is a strong visual memory I have. After every meal, he would get a toothpick and end up chewing on it the rest of the night. With this is mind, I can understand this fact:

The object most often choked on by Americans is a toothpick.

White with fright?

2008-04-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't know if it's because they are afraid of the dark; but if you keep a goldfish in a dark room it will turn white eventually.

I haven't tried it yet, don't know that I will, but I think that is interesting. I wonder how long it would actually take. I also wonder why they do this. And most importantly: Why do we even know this fact?

Have you tried it?

Waiting around

2008-04-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

This morning, I literally spent 30 minutes at a traffic signal at a very busy intersection where there was something wrong with the light. On some cycles it would totally skip our turn (those of us who were turning left). The other cycles it would literally change green and immediately turn yellow then red. So, I found this interesting fact:

An average person spends 2 weeks of his life waiting for a traffic light to change.

So, am I done? Does this mean I will never again have to wait for a signal? Or does this just mean I am above average?

Something new I learned this week

2008-04-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

This is our Holy week at church: Holy Pascha. (Read more here.) I am always amazed at this time of year, and I learned something very fascinating this week:

When people were crucified back in Jesus' time, they used to break their knees. This made it more difficult to catch a breath (I don't know the logistics of it yet). Anyway, Jesus' legs were never broken. This is important because he was the sacrificial lamb; and any sacrifice had to be unbroken. His legs weren't broken because he had, surprisingly, already died before that time had come. All the more reason to know that he truly is our Savior.

Okay, I did a lousy job of describing it. But here are some better explanations.

Can you figure out why?

2008-04-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

Of all the 50 states in the USA, Texas is the only one that allows resident to cast absentee ballots from outer space.

I won't why that is? She asks with the words "Houston we have a problem" ringing in the back of her head.

Yes I know why that would be...do you?

Always left out

2008-04-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

Check it out, there are no states in the United States that has the letter Q in it's name.

When I was in kindergarten and learning the alphabet, the teacher told us a story about how Q was crying and U saw this and in the end, to help out Q, U would always stay by his side. She told this story so we would remember to always put a U in words. Well, if I knew this story and then had to name a state, then I wouldn't use a crybaby letter like Q either. However I do think that New Mexico has made up for Q's lack of use in Albuquerque.

What would we call him?

2008-04-23T11:11:00.001-07:00

As Holy Pascha approaches this week, I have been looking into facts about Jesus. So, here's the first one:
Jesus' name is equivalent to Joshua.

I think that's neat. I never would have guessed it, and I like it!

Spring is in the air...

2008-04-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that children actually grow more in the spring? Apparently it's not just the flowers and plants that grow so much this time of year; children do too! It's true! Scientific fact.
My theory is that in the winter and fall they are inside so much with so little sunlight, that of course they grow more. Their bodies are storing up all that growing energy. When they get outside in the spring, they run, jump, climb, enjoy the sun, and they just spring right up!

Non-curdling milk

2008-04-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

I knew there was a reason I liked camels! Their milk doesn't curdle. Okay, I don't know how good it tastes or if, since it doesn't curdle, it doesn't go bad, but it's still an interesting fact for one of my all time favorite animals.

Protecting the girl

2008-04-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

There is a reason the bride stands to the left of the groom at a wedding. It's so that his sword hand would be free to fend off any attackers. Supposedly, Anglo-Saxon brides were frequently kidnapped and brawls were common.

What's that floating down the river?

2008-04-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well, by golly, I think it's a porcupine! That's because it is a fact that porcupines float in water. I can't tell you why, but I can give you my theory:
I figure that the space between their quills prohibits water from sneaking in causing them to float. I can't explain my theory, that's why it's a theory. Anyone know the real answer?

Got your cootie shot?

2008-04-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

I just thought that cootie was a funny word that children made up at one time...I was wrong. Cootie is actually an official word for head lice!

Castle Facts

2008-04-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Many don't know this, but the drawbridge on Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland actually functions. It was first lowered on opening day (July 17, 1955) and stayed that way until the 80's when Fantasyland was under construction. Following the completion of the improved Fantasyland, they lowered the drawbridge again; where it has stayed down to this day.

Only half a Sandwich

2008-04-11T19:48:00.001-07:00

Okay, I always knew that the Sandwich was invented by the Earl of Sandwich when he put meat between two pieces of bread; maybe you knew that too. However, do you know why he needed to put meat between two pieces of bread?
Because he was a compulsive gambler! He loved playing cards so much that he wouldn't leave even for meals and would ask his servant to bring him his meat between two slices of bread so that he could play cards with one hand and eat with the other.

First Ladies

2008-04-10T20:12:00.001-07:00

It wasn't until 1877 when the term "First Lady" was used. It was used to reference Lucy Webb Hayes. It is said that most First Ladies hated the label...

I wonder, when we have a female president (and I am not at all endorsing any one to be such a woman right now) how her husband will be referred: First Gentleman?

Try it-paper folding

2008-04-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have tried this so many times and so many different ways, and it always comes true:

No piece of paper can be folded in halves more than seven times over. (The stipulation is that it must be a square, dry paper).

Left Handed Tuesday

2008-04-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there are more left handed men than women?

Table manners

2008-04-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

Years ago I went on a blind date with this guy. He was okay, but we definitely weren't a match. We spent the day at an amusement park, which was fun; and ended the day eating at a fine Italian restaurant. I didn't know if he just had no table manners or if, by this time, he was just trying his best to annoy me to the fullest; but when we finished dinner, he actually put his face on the table and wiped his mouth. He didn't even pick the table cloth up to his face, nope. He bent his head down and moved it side to side. After thinking about it, I figured maybe he got this fact all wrong:

Tablecloths were originally meant to be served as towels with which dinner guests could wipe their hands and faces after eating

I mean, maybe he thought that it was appropriate!

March Madness

2008-03-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

The lifespan of a basketball in an NBA game is about 10,000 bounces.

Not being one to follow much of basketball, I don't know how long this would be, but I'm guessing not long enough.

Easter Facts

2008-03-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

What? Easter has already past and I am doing a post on the facts? Well, yes and no to its passing. What people celebrate on Easter is actually called Pascha; the resurrecting of Jesus from the dead. The pagan celebration of Ishtar (pronounced Easter) in the past battled the celebration of the Christians. Many of the traditional celebration (Easter eggs, bunny rabbits, etc...) come from this. However, the true day of Pascha coincides with Passover. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, we celebrate this day on what is believed to be the day of the true resurrection. This year, it is on April 27th.
Although I am not opposed to the idea of celebrating on Easter Sunday, for me, celebrating on the actual day in a solemn manner reminds me of my true belief. Yes, Jesus' birth was important, and everything else he did while here on Earth; however, with out his Crucifixion, death, and resurrection, we wouldn't have the faith we have today. I like that, usually, we celebrate on a different day than everyone else. Though I enjoy the Easter Sunday festivities (egg hunts, Easter baskets, etc...); it takes away, for me, the true meaning of the day we are supposed to be celebrating.
I don't usually use this blog for personal thoughts; but for this fact it was appropriate. I hope you all had a great Easter and a Holy Pascha.

One or Two

2008-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Did you know that no matter what plane the President is on, it's called airforce one? So, if he is traveling and has to switch planes (you know, a layover in Chicago or something) the plane he gets off of is now just another plane and the one he boards is now airforce one.

When I shared this information with a family member, he figured I needed to know that the President and Vice President never travel together...well duh! I figured that was common knowledge, so I never thought it worthy to share with you valued readers. But, maybe I was wrong, did you all know that?

De-icing a plane

2008-03-25T07:52:00.001-07:00

I'm back! On my adventures, I got to fly back in the snow, well part of the way. It was snowing in Denver when I left so I got to experience the de-icing of a plane. A pretty boring, if not facinating, experience. So of course, I had to find out how it works. Basically, here's how it works:
A crw of people (on really cool cherry picker type trucks) drive around and spray this stuff over the plane. It's a glycol based fluid that is heated that removes any ice that is on the plane already. Then they spray an ice suppressant to prevent more ice from forming. Afterall, if would be pretty silly to get rid of the ice only to let it form again!

Anyway, it was fun watching from the plane window the process.

Snakes have nothing on the hippo

2008-03-14T08:10:00.001-07:00

A snake cane open it's mouth an amazing amount to eat a meal, that's pretty common knowledge; but did you know that a hippopotamus can open its mouth so wide that a 4 foot child could fit inside?!?

That's amazing...and a bit scary.

The streets in our towns...

2008-03-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

The most popular street name in the USA is.....Second Street!

When I was asked this, I couldn't even begin to guess; then when I heard the answer I was all "Oh, yeah that makes sense." Then I thought, "Wait a minute. If there's a Second street, doesn't there have to be a first street?" Then the explanation came: Some towns/cities use first street, some use main street, everyone uses second street! It all makes sense now!

The speed of glass

2008-03-12T08:09:00.001-07:00

Did you know that when glass breaks the crack moves more than 3,000 miles per hour? That's 50 miles a minute! Close to a mile a second!

Bug fact that will cause you to turn

2008-03-11T14:10:00.001-07:00

Did you know that the only bug that can turn its head is the praying mantis? No other bug can do this amazing task. That makes them pretty special.

Pony? express

2008-03-10T07:47:00.001-07:00

Did you know that there were only horses on the Pony Express? Not one single Pony! Marketing had it's play I guess; could you imagine calling it the Horse Express? Probably wouldn't have worked.

Fight for your life

2008-03-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

If you ever find your head in the mouth of a crocodile...stick you finger in his eye. He'll let go immediately.
So, today's fact is both a fact and useful information; although I can't imagine any of my readers finding their heads trapped in the jaws of a crocodile

Ecosystem

2008-03-06T08:02:00.001-08:00

Everyone and everything has a place and a purpose on Earth right? Well, none is more apparent than the squirrel. That's right, the squirrel! Squirrels end up planting millions of trees world wide every year because of the nuts they bury and then later forget where they hid them! So, their forgetfulness helps replenish the trees of the world...I wish my forgetfulness was just as useful!

Earthquakes do amazing things

2008-03-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

There have been a lot of earthquake reports lately. So, here is an earthquake fact that I have found very interesting:

In 1811, there was an earthquake that actually caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards!

That's something huh? It must have been a pretty interesting site. Not that I'm asking to see it again...uh,uh, no way! I'm happy just imagining it.

2008-03-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

Some birthday facts in honor of my husband's birthday. Since he loves music, these are all about the infamous song:

Mildred J. Hill, a schoolteacher born in in 1859, composed the melody to the song Happy Birthday to You. If was publishd in 1893 by Mildren and her sister, Patty Smith Hill, who had written the lyrics.

The song, though published in 1893, was not copyrighted until 1935 after a lawsuit.

Happy Birthday to you brings in about $2 million dollars a year and is one of three most popular songs in the English language (the other 2 being For he's a jolly good fellow and Auld Lang Syne).

Music to your ears

2008-03-03T09:31:00.001-08:00

Did you know that a violin contains about 70 different and separate pieces of wood?

Leap into this fact!

2008-02-29T08:25:00.001-08:00

Nope, not about a frog today; it's all about this special day! Leap Year Day! February 29th! It only comes around every 4 years (that's not the fact of the day. If you didn't know that then you really need this blog):

Okay, there is a whole mess of reasons why leap year and every other holiday is on the day when it is, and when particular days fall when they do, which all plays into the reason why February 29th is leap year day and somehow this day got put arbitrarily into a month somewhere in the middle of the year...
Well, February used to be the last month of the year, so Julius Caesar proclaimed to have the last day of February every 4th year to be a leap year day. So you see, it was actually tacked on to the end of the year initially. Then Pope Gregory had to come along and move things around...and so leap year in the middle of the year is the end result.

Achilles Heel

2008-02-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

We hear about the Achilles heel often. The Achilles is a tendon in the ankle, so named for the legendary Greek Mythology character Achilles whose only vulnerable spot on his body was his ankle. However, the phraseology of this wasn't picked up in the English language until the 19th century. Being used as a metaphor for vulnerability, it's earliest citation is in an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in "The Friend; a literary, moral and political weekly paper" in 1810. The quote is here.

Cockroaches!

2008-02-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Cockroaches survived the ice age? I knew this but my friend Mindy reminded me of this interesting fact the other day. And since she is the reason I do this blog...and she was so excited to have a "sort of interesting fact" for me, I am honoring her again by telling you all this fabulous fact.

Left Handed Tuesday-Boxing

2008-02-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

There is a belief (and almost a proven fact) that left handers in most sports have an advantage. This fact is debunked, however, in boxing. Boxing is one of the few sports where lefties don't have an advantage. As a matter of fact, there are only 4 heavy weight champions: James J. Corbett (Gentleman Jim), Michael Moorer, Corrie Sanders, and Ruslan Chagaev.
Let's here it for the Lefties!

Wedding fact

2008-02-25T07:48:00.001-08:00

Everthing in a wedding has a traditional background, whether it be short tradition (something significant to the bride and groom) or long standing tradition (wedding rings, white dress, etc...). The tiered cake has it's own traditional meaning. Originally the tiered cake came from a game in which the bride and groom attempted to kiss over cake getting higher and higher...without knocking it over!

Colors of Rain!

2008-02-23T16:49:00.001-08:00

Did you know that every rainbow has a twin? It's usually much lighter than the primary rainbow, and you usually have to look hard for it, but it's always there! Check it out next time you see a rainbow.

Washington facts

2008-02-22T08:06:00.000-08:00

Washington, being the first president, ended up setting many precedents for all presidents after him. One of these included serving only two terms. It wasn't until much later that it became law that a president could only serve two terms.

Lincoln is not the inspiration!

2008-02-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

Lincoln logs. A fabulous children's building toy. They are great! I always figured that they were made to represent Abraham Lincoln and were hence names after him. I was wrong! I found out today that they are actually named for the inventor's father! Apparently, they guy who made them's father's middle name was Lincoln. He was with his father as a boy when he saw a building being made using this type of building system. As an adult, he used this memory to make a new building toy and named them after his father as a tribute to him! I am sure that is something that NO ONE ever thought of!

Left Handed-qutoes?

2008-02-20T07:42:00.001-08:00

Okay, maybe I'm getting my blogs mixed up here, but today's fact is also a quote. It's a common quote...with a fact afterwards:
"If the left side of your brain controls the right side of your body and the right side of your brain controls the left side of your body, then left-handed people must be the only ones in their right minds."
This fabulous quote was written by none other than the great W.C. Fields

Ketchup waste

2008-02-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

You know that last bit of ketchup you can never get out of the bottle? The bit that gets stuck at the bottom cornoer, hanging on with a death grip, never to enhance your hot dog, not knowing what it's going to miss? Well it's about 3.3 ounces of ketchup that will never see the inside of a stomach.
That's right, there is 3.3 ounces left on the sides of the bottle of ketchup that never get out.

Good old Washington and Lincoln

2008-02-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrate presidents...specifically this used to be two different holidays to celebrate Washington and Lincoln. So here are some facts about these two great Presidents:

George Washington: Had no formal education. He was the only president to not reside in Washington DC during his presidency. He was actually voted in unanimously! That's a great feat! Contrary to popular belief, he didn't have wooden teeth. He did wear dentures made of ivory, lead, animal teeth, human teeth; but never wood.

Abraham Lincoln: He as well had no formal education. He was the first president to be assasinated. He was also the tallest president (6'4"). In poles, he is noted as being the greatest President ever (Washington is 2nd)

Nascar season is open!

2008-02-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, for all of you Nascar fans, this is the opening of the Nascar season. It's a bit funny actually. They call the Daytona 500 the "superbowl of racing"; however it's the first race of the season, they do things a little backwards I guess. Anyway, the fact of the day:

Richard Petty is credited with 200 career victories, seven of which came from the Daytona 500!

Valentines day facts

2008-02-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

Okay so here's the scoop:
85% of the cards bought for Valentine's day are done so by women...The majority of the candies and flowers are bought by the men!

I thenk this is really a day for women! How did we score that one?

Monkey Buisness

2008-02-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that a monkey peels a banana the opposite way than we do? There is a reason for this madness. They don't really take it off the banana tree before peeling it. It actually works pretty well. I always peel my bananas from the bottom ever since I heard this. This way that end piece that you avoid down on the end gets taken off immediatly and real nice and clean!

Bonus fact: if you take your finger and stick it in the end and run your finger up the length, it will split into three equal sections. Try it! It's totally fun! I can't resist every time I eat a one!

Left-Handed Tuesday-Presidents

2008-02-12T07:39:00.001-08:00

Since we are in the presitential election year, how about a left-handed presitential fact:
in the 1992 US presidential election, all three candidates are left handed:
Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Ross Perot.
I'm not sure how I feel being associated with some of these guys, but the greatness of presidency is a left handed greatness for sure!

For those with glasses

2008-02-11T09:43:00.000-08:00

For those of us who where glasses, here's a little known (nor needed) fact:
The depth of the indents you get from wearing your glasses, where they rest, that indent is .03 centimeters deep.