NOVEMBER FORSYTHIA

In my recent daily travels I have twice seen forsythia bushes popping blooms! Our November here in southeastern Pennsylvania has been unseasonably warm. What have YOU seen that has been fooled by this weather?

This photo was taken last spring and is available from me as an attractive notecard.

HELPFUL HINTS

My neighbor has been giving me old magazines which I've been enjoying. In one issue of REAL SIMPLE I came across an interesting page titled "7 LISTS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER." Thought you readers might find the following interesting and/or helpful. I did!

10 THINGS TO KEEP IN A FIRST-AID KIT
1. Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
2. Sterile gauze pads and cloth tape to secure them
3. Latex-free disposable gloves
4. Tweezers
5. A thermometer (digital variety is safest)
6. Triple antibiotic ointment
7. Antiseptic wipes
8. A face mask to use when administering CPR
9. Topical antihistamines and aspirin
10. First-aid instructions

6 SIMPLE RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS
If you don't have _________________ try ________________
1. 1 teaspoon lemon juice -- try 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
2. 1 cup cake flour -- try 1 cup less 2 TBL all purpose flour
3. 1 cup buttermilk -- try 1 cup milk plus 1 TBL lemon juice, or 1 cup plain yogurt
4. 1 cup brown sugar -- try 3/4 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses
5. 1 cup heavy cream -- try 2/3 cup milk plus 1/3 cup melted butter
6. 1 cup ricotta cheese -- try 1 cup cottage cheese

HOW TO GET A HUMAN ON THE LINE!
Tired of not knowing how to reach a live person? Here's how to skip the guesswork, courtesy of gethuman.com
Here are a few:

Apple: 800-275-2273 -- press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages

FedEx: 800-463-3339 -- say "representative" at each prompt, ignoring messages

PetCo: 888-824-7257 -- Don't press or say anything

VISA: 800-847-2911 -- Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages

Wal-Mart.com: 800-966-6546 -- Press 5 to speak to a customer service rep

White House: 202-456-1414 -- This number goes directly to an operator

RE-SUNG BY SCIENCE

By the 6th grade, many girls lose interest in math and science, which they may need for future jobs. So the next time your daughter or grand-daughter asks you to sing a lullaby, sing it in science.

TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR (re-sung by science!)

Twinkle, twinkle little star
You're a ball of gas that's very far.
32 light years in the sky
10 parsecs which is really high.
Helium, carbon and hy-dro-gen
Fuse to make our starry friend.
When it enters supernova stage
It explodes with bursts of rays.
And if the star's mass is big and bold
It will become a black hole!

For other great ideas, go to Girls Go Tech.

The photograph was taken in the rain at Fanny Chapman Park in Doylestown. For the best view click on the photo to see it full size. The rain drops on the branches will then be visible. The pond fountain is in the background.

10 1/2 INCLINATIONS

Ben Okri

When I attended the American Association of School Libraries Conference in 2006, I heard Dr. Ross Todd, an amazingly inspirational visionary in the field of school librarianship. He is Associate Professor at Rutgers University School of Communication, Information & Library Studies, Department of Library & Information Science. He is also the Director of CISSL
(Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries).

Dr. Todd emphasized that READING not become a lost art – today we find ourselves in a sort of CATCH 22 situation when it comes to reading. Librarians have always been strong proponents for reading, but now their jobs also require them to be leaders in technology. Reading has been victimized by the digital information explosion. We need to re-think and create reading incentives that incorporate technology. . . . and to get kids to read, we need to address the reasons why they don’t.

Several years ago I read a marvelous article where the British Royal Society of Literature asked authors to nominate 10 books they think children should read before they leave school. This was part of a quest to develop a universal list. Most named well known classics like Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss, Catcher in the Rye, something by Shakespeare, or The Hobbit.

But, in my opinion, African poet and novelist Ben Okri came up with the best reading list which he titled 10 1/2 Inclinations.

1. There is a secret trail of books meant to inspire and enlighten you. Find that trail.

2. Read outside your own nation, color, class, gender.

3. Read the books your parents hate.

4. Read the books your parents love.

5. Have one or two authors that are important, that speak to you; and make their works your secret passion.

6. Read widely, for fun, stimulation, escape.

7. Don’t read what everyone else is reading. Check them out later, cautiously.

8. Read what you’re not supposed to read.

9. Read for your own liberation and mental freedom.

10. Books are like mirrors. Don’t just read the words. Go into the mirror. That is where the real secrets are. Inside. Behind. That’s where the gods dream, where our realities are born.
10½. Read the world. It is the most mysterious book of all.

CHANGING THE LOOK

I've been fooling around with changes recently.

I've had wall paper removed in my family room and foyer. The walls now have a fresh coat of paint. It's exciting to see the difference. Next are new draperies which are being made by a neighbor of a good friend. As I am restoring order to the rooms, I am making changes. Throwing away some things, giving away others, and rearranging shelves and wall hangings.

I've also been changing my photographs in Photoshop which is a software program that allows the photographer to manipulate the photographs in a myriad of ways. I am so eager to learn how to make this software work for me, I ordered the book Photoshop 7 for Dummies.

And now I have a new look for my blog as well.

The photograph is of our cat Kristie who is 18 years old.

LIQUIFY

I have been fooling around with Adobe Photoshop in an attempt to learn the many features it offers for manipulating photographs. Last evening I took one of my flower photos and discovered the liquify option and had alot of fun playing with it. Made me feel like a painter! Would love your observations and comments.

LOOKING AT A ROPE

Several months ago I saw a little item in a magazine -- FOUR WAYS OF LOOKING AT A ROPE. The blurb listed these four ways:
1. as a marriage symbol
2. as homage
3. as cow control
4. as rodeo routine

Here are a few that came to my mind.
5. as a way to hoist and dry clothes
6. as a restraint
7. for rescue purposes
8. as a swing

Now, what can YOU add to the list?

IS #13 UNLUCKY?

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. I got through the day without hitch. Actually, it turned out to be a very positive day -- several good things happened! How was YOUR Friday the 13th?

TEN REASONS WHY THE NUMBER 13 IS UNLUCKY

by Stacy Conradt - November 13, 2009

Mental Floss Magazine Blog

It’s Friday the 13th again! Anyone see any black cats? Walk under any ladders? I don’t really subscribe to the theory that Friday the 13th is unluckier than any other day, but superstitious people may have good reason to stay in bed on days like today. Here are 10 reasons the number 13 is unlucky.

1. There were 13 people at the Last Supper. It’s said that Judas Iscariot – the one who betrayed Jesus – was the 13th man to take his place at the table.

2. Similarly, there’s a Norse legend that has 12 gods sitting down to a banquet when the 13th (uninvited) god, Loki, showed up. Loki killed one of the other gods, which led to events that eventually resulted in Ragnarök – the death of a bunch of gods, a slew of natural disasters, and the eradication of everything on earth save for two human survivors. There’s a lot more to the story than that, but you get the general idea.

3. Traditionally there used to be 13 steps leading up the gallows. There’s also a legend that a hangman’s noose traditionally contained 13 turns, but it’s actually more like eight.

4. Apollo 13 is the only unsuccessful moon mission (intended to get men on the moon, anyway) thus far. An oxygen tank exploded and the survival of the astronauts on board was pretty touch-and-go for several days, but they did all come home safely in the end (but you already knew that).

5. There was a mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307.

6. According to Mr. Krabs on Spongebob Squarepants, there are 13 dirty words. Squidward must be a George Carlin fan, because he responded with “I thought there were only seven?” “Not if you’re a sailor,” Mr. Krabs replied.

7. Although a “coven” is now just considered to be a group of witches (or vampires, if you’re into a certain young adult series about vampires), it was once believed that a coven was made up of exactly 13 members.

8. There’s an old superstition that says if you have 13 letters in your name, you’re bound to have the “devil’s luck.” Silly, yes, but slightly more convincing when you consider that Charles Manson, Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all contain 13 letters (I know, I know, what about their middle names?).

9. Kids officially become teenagers at the age of 13, and we all know that’s a scary phase.

10. In numerology, the number 12 is considered to be the representation of perfection and completion. So it stands to reason that trying to improve upon perfection by adding one is a very bad idea indeed – your greed will be rewarded with bad luck.

And here’s a bonus fact for you today. In the late 1800s existed a group called The Thirteen Club. Their purpose was to debunk the legend that 13 people at a table would result in the death of one of them within a year. They met on the 13th of the month and had dinner 13 people to a table, and to make matters worse, they purposely spilled salt on the table without throwing it over their shoulders. The horror! They also fined members who showed up late – 13 cents, of course. Members of the 13 Club included five U.S. presidents – Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and Chester A. Arthur. I’m not sure if it’s worth noting that two of these presidents were shot – one fatally, of course – but I’ll mention it anyway. And, if you’re keeping track, Chester A. Arthur only became president because he was vice when Garfield was assassinated.

LATIN PHRASES -- part 5

I didn't realize the wide variety of colors and texture in pumpkins until I stopped at the Eastburn Farm to look at their display. I think this is a white pumpkin, but it was actually more grey. Price: $65.00!

The final two Latin phrases:
9. Memento Mori(meh-MEN-toh MOR-ee): “Remember, you must die”
Carpe diem is so 20th century. If you’re going to suck the marrow out of life, trying doing it with the honest, irrefutable, and no less inspiring memento mori. You can interpret the phrase in two ways: Eat, drink, and party down. Or, less hedonistically, be good so you can get past the pearly gates. Naturally, the latter was the one preferred by the early Christian Church, which would use macabre art—including dancing skeletons and snuffed-out candles—to remind the faithful to forgo temporal pleasures in favor of eternal bliss in heaven. The phrase also served to prevent swelling heads. Some historians say that victorious, parading Roman generals would have servants stand behind them and whisper “memento mori” in their ears to keep their egos in check.

10. Sui Generis(SOO-ee JEN-er-is): “Of its own genus,” or “Unique and unable to classify”
Frank Zappa, the VW Beetle, cheese in a can: Sui generis refers to something that’s so new, so bizarre, or so rare that it defies categorization. Granted, labeling something “sui generis” is really just classifying the unclassifiable. But let’s not over-think it. Use it at a dinner party to describe Andy Kaufman, and you impress your friends. Use it too often, and you just sound pretentious.

LATIN PHRASES -- part 4

Winter cabbage -- I loved the color and curly leaves.

On with the Latin phrases!
7. Ad Hominem(ad HAH-mi-nem): “To attack the man”
In the world of public discourse, ad hominem is a means of attacking one’s rhetorical opponent by questioning his or her reputation or expertise rather than sticking to the issue at hand. Translation: Politicians are really good at it. People who resort to ad hominem techniques are usually derided as having a diluted argument or lack of discipline. If pressed, they’ll brandish it like a saber and refuse to get back to the heart of the matter. Who said the debate team doesn’t have sex appeal?

8. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam(ad-MA-yor-em DAY-ee GLOR-ee-um): “All for the Greater Glory of God”
Ad majorem dei gloriam is often shortened to AMDG. In other words, it’s the WWJD of the Jesuits, who’ve been drilling the mantra into their followers since (Saint) Ignatius of Loyola founded the Catholic Order in 1534. They believe all actions, big or small, should be done with AMDG in mind. Remind your Jesuit-educated buddies of this when they seem to be straying from the path. (Best used with a wink and a hint of irony.)

LATIN PHRASES -- part 3

I stopped for lunch the other day at Dominick's and snapped this picture of their wood burning oven. I am trying to expand my photography to include subjects of everyday life that we often don't take the time to stop and observe. I was happy with the result of this one snap.

Two more Latin phrases for your perusal.
5. E Pluribus Unum(EE PLUR-uh-buhs OOH-nuhm): “Out of many, one”
Less unique than it sounds, America’s original national motto, e pluribus unum, was plagiarized from an ancient recipe for salad dressing. In the 18th century, haughty intellectuals were fond of this phrase. It was the kind of thing gentlemen’s magazines would use to describe their year-end editions. But the term made its first appearance in Virgil’s poem “Moretum” to describe salad dressing. The ingredients, he wrote, would surrender their individual aesthetic when mixed with others to form one unique, homogenous, harmonious, and tasty concoction. As a slogan, it really nailed that whole cultural melting pot thing we were going for. And while it continues to appear on U.S. coins, “In God We Trust” came along later (officially in 1956) to share the motto spotlight.

6. Quid Pro Quo(kwid proh KWOH): “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”
Given that quid pro quo refers to a deal or trade, it’s no wonder the Brits nicknamed their almighty pound the “quid.” And if you give someone some quid, you’re going to expect some quo. The phrase often lives in the courtroom, where guilt and innocence are the currency. It’s the oil that lubricates our legal system. Something of a quantified value is traded for something of equal value; elements are parted and parceled off until quid pro quo is achieved.

LATIN PHRASES -- part 2

I love to photograph doors, and when I am driving around, I am always looking for old or unusual doors. Given that I love barns, I stopped when I saw these weathered doors and the old farm equipment. The milk can was a bonus.

Here are the next two Latin phrases:
3. Habeas Corpus(HAY-bee-as KOR-pus): “You have the body”
When you wake up in the New Orleans Parish Prison after a foggy night at Mardi Gras, remember this one. In a nutshell, habeas corpus is what separates us from savages. It’s the legal principle that guarantees an inmate the right to appear before a judge in court, so it can be determined whether or not that person is being lawfully imprisoned. It’s also one of the cornerstones of the American and British legal systems. Without it, tyrannical and unjust imprisonments would be possible. In situations where national security is at risk, however, habeas corpus can be suspended.

4. Cogito Ergo Sum(CO-gee-toe ER-go SOME): “I think, therefore I am”
When all those spirited mental wrestling matches you have about existentialism start growing old (yeah, right!), you can always put an end to the debate with cogito ergo sum. René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher, coined the phrase as a means of justifying reality. According to him, nothing in life could be proven except one’s thoughts. Well, so he thought, anyway.

TEN LATIN PHRASES YOU PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND

The MENTAL FLOSS MAGAZINE is running a list this week -- ten Latin phrases you pretend to understand. I'll share a photo and two phrases daily for the next five days.

This photo was taken yesterday as I was wrapping up a walk at Tyler State Park. It was getting dark quickly. The clouds were pink and the sky was so blue. The silhouette against the color was quite striking.

Here are the first two Latin phrases:
1. Caveat Emptor(KAV-ee-OT emp-TOR): “Let the buyer beware”
Before money-back guarantees and 20-year warranties, caveat emptor was indispensable advice for the consumer. These days, it’d be more fitting to have it tattooed on the foreheads of used-car salesmen, infomercial actors, and prostitutes. For extra credit points, remember that caveat often makes solo appearances at cocktail parties as a fancy term for a warning or caution. Oh, and just so you know, caveat lector means “let the reader beware.”

2. Persona Non Grata(puhr-SOH-nah non GRAH-tah): “An unacceptable person”
Remember your old college buddy, the one everybody called Chugger? Now picture him at a debutante ball, and you’ll start to get a sense of someone with persona non grata status. The term is most commonly used in diplomatic circles to indicate that a person is unwelcome due to ideological differences or a breach of trust. Sometimes, the tag refers to a pariah, a ne’er-do-well, a killjoy, or an interloper, but it’s always subjective. Back in 2004, Michael Moore was treated as a persona non grata at the Republican National Convention. Bill O’Reilly would experience the same at Burning Man.

TREE MAN

This Tree Man lives on my street, and I say hello to him every time I stop at the stop sign. I often wonder what his expression is implying?

Has something frightened him?

Is he blowing air?

Is he imitating an owl?

Does he know something I don't?

Has he seen too many cops on the side street waiting for speeders?

Is he reminding us to set our clocks back to standard time?