Here’s a puzzler for you…puzzles! The origins of jigsaw puzzles go back to the 1760s when European mapmakers pasted maps onto wood and cut them into small pieces. John Spilsbury, an engraver and mapmaker, is credited with inventing the first jigsaw puzzle in 1767. The dissected map has been a successful educational toy ever since. American children still learn geography by playing with puzzle maps... Read More
OUR Nation is reverently thinking today Of the loved ones sleeping beneath the cold clay; Of the sacrifice made, and the brave deeds done, To preserve our Union as a glorious one. We ne’er will be able to pay the great cost Of the noble, the true, and the brave that we’ve lost; But over their graves, with tears like the dew, We’ll lay our... Read More
Memorial Day is right around the corner on the calendar. Most celebrate this 3 day weekend as the unofficial start of summer. Throughout the United States backyard barbeques abound. As the summer heat is turned up simple, cool dishes are served up on many family dinner tables. Interestingly enough, most perceive the colder the better to eat in summer, but in some countries the “hotter”... Read More
Summer vacation is approaching. Many families have been anticipating a break from the school and work schedules. This is not the time for biorhythmic confusion. If you’re planning a trip which involves traveling through multiple time zones, you can’t avoid jet lag. Studies have found that it takes a full day to recover from each time zone you travel through. Our bodies are naturally programmed... Read More
For all the students preparing for History and English Lit finals in upcoming weeks, here is a seasonal interest piece just for you! In 1157, collection of writings by Thomas Tusser, “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry,” there is a poem. A familiar poem by today’s standards, but probably would not pass the grade in class due to its brief length. It goes as follows:... Read More
Well, you better find them because it is “National Knuckles Down Month!” This phrase was commonly used to describe the process of getting busy and doing something productive in the business world. Quite simply, the term is used in the game of Marbles. When getting ready to “shoot” the marble, you turn your hand palm up with all of your knuckles (except for your thumb)... Read More
It’s Spring Fever Time! Can you name the State to it’s Flower? Yes, there are repeats…and there is a pattern! STATE FLOWER STATE STATE FLOWER STATE STATE FLOWER STATE CAMELLIA FORGET ME NOT SAGUARO CACTUS APPLE BLOSSOM GOLDEN POPPY COLUMBINE CO MOUNTAIN LAUREL PEACH BLOSSOM ORANGE BLOSSOM CHEROKEE ROSE HIBISCUS SYRINGA VIOLET PEONY WILD ROSE SUNFLOWER GOLDENROD MAGNOLIA PINE CONE BLACK EYED SUSAN... Read More
It takes an average of twenty-five hours for a hen to form and lay an egg. Salt causes raw egg to congeal. This makes it an especially helpful agent in cleaning up any egg-decorating accidents. An old farmer’s saying holds that if you hear thunder on the first day of April, the corn and hay crops will be plentiful. April Fool’s day originated in France,... Read More
Helpful numbers when shopping for potting soil: 1 US dry quart = 0.033420139 cubic foot. 5 gallon bucket = 14 dry quarts = 0.54 ft³ How to calculate amount of potting soil needed for containers (*not included in Tables below) Convert all dimensions from inches into feet. ( 3” ÷ 12” = .25 feet) Multiply the three dimensions together (length x width x height)... Read More
“Swept and dusted sitting-room & kitchen 350 times. Filled lamps 362 times. Swept and dusted chamber & stairs 40 times.” Entry in an 1864 housewife’s diary Yes, it is that time of year again to take part in the age-old tradition of SPRING CLEANING! Not only is it linked to religious and cultural traditions, our biological system seems hard wired for tidying up, really. We... Read More
