... that Americans eat almost 21 pounds of candy per year, per person. Twelve of those pounds are chocolate. Considering that chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a natural substance reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love, may have a lot to do with our obsession.
... Popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old boy, Frank Epperson, in 1905. In 1923, he applied for a patent on what he was calling an "Eppsicle". Epperson was a father by then, and his children always referred to them as "Popsicles", since their "Pop" made them. That, of course, is the name that stuck.
... that the Cobb Salad was invented by an LA restaurant owner, Bob Cobb, who was looking for a creative way to use leftovers. He threw in avocado, celery, tomato, chives, watercress, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, bacon, and Roquefort cheese. yummmmm
... that the most popular flavored coffees are Irish Cream and Hazelnut. My favorite, by far, is Irish Cream. Ironically, my least favorite is... Hazelnut. heh.
Showing posts with label Today I learned. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Today I learned. Show all posts
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Today I learned...
... that Jacques Cousteau invented scuba gear while in the French resistance during WWII. Cousteau was born in Saint Andre de Cubzac, Gironde, France on June 11, 1910. Cousteau graduated from the French naval academy in 1929, and headed for aviation school. A near-fatal car accident, however, prevented him from graduating from aviation school and may have saved his life- only one other student from his class survived the opening weeks of WWII. The scuba gear he designed allowed divers to lay mines against their own ships, preventing disabled ships from falling into enemy hands.
... that the male platypus is the Oone of very few poisonous mammals- it has a spur on its back foot from which it delivers a very painful venom.
... that the male platypus is the Oone of very few poisonous mammals- it has a spur on its back foot from which it delivers a very painful venom.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Today I learned...
... Mark Twain believes the first novel ever written on a typewriter was "Tom Sawyer". Twain wrote the book in 1876, and said that many of the adventures in the book really happened, Huck was based upon a real friend, and Tom is a combination of three different boys he knew in school. Typewriter historian Darryl Rehr believes the first was Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" manuscript. What I want to know: WHO KNEW THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS A TYPEWRITER HISTORIAN??
... Eleanor Roosevelt was the only First Lady to pack heat- and "Eleanor" isn't her first name: Anna is. Both of her parents were dead by the time she turned 10, so she was raised by extended family. President Teddy Roosevelt is her father's older brother, which also means that she was Franklin Roosevelt's 5th cousin. When she married FDR, Uncle Teddy walked her down the aisle. She was a HUGE supporter of racial equality in our military, especially the Tuskegee Airmen. Her racial equality advocacy was a major factor in President Truman's decision to desegregate the military in 1948. One of my favorite quotes EVER is credited to Eleanor Roosevelt: The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of an group of animals I have ever seen. Thank GOD for the United States Marine Corps!
OORAH AND AMEN, MRS.ROOSEVELT!!!
... The most common shoe size for female models is an 8... which explains why I am not a model, with my size 10 1/2 hoofs. It has nothing to do with my wee-bit-bigger-than the average model dress size of 2. Yup. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
... The electric chair was invented by... A FREAKIN' DENTIST. In 1881 Dr. Albert Southwick got the idea after watching an elderly drunk man accidently kill himself by touching the terminals of an electric generator. He thought it looked quick and painless. Oh yeah... totally painless.. just like getting a new crown. No wonder I hate going to the dentist- it really is TORTURE!
... Eleanor Roosevelt was the only First Lady to pack heat- and "Eleanor" isn't her first name: Anna is. Both of her parents were dead by the time she turned 10, so she was raised by extended family. President Teddy Roosevelt is her father's older brother, which also means that she was Franklin Roosevelt's 5th cousin. When she married FDR, Uncle Teddy walked her down the aisle. She was a HUGE supporter of racial equality in our military, especially the Tuskegee Airmen. Her racial equality advocacy was a major factor in President Truman's decision to desegregate the military in 1948. One of my favorite quotes EVER is credited to Eleanor Roosevelt: The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of an group of animals I have ever seen. Thank GOD for the United States Marine Corps!
OORAH AND AMEN, MRS.ROOSEVELT!!!
... The most common shoe size for female models is an 8... which explains why I am not a model, with my size 10 1/2 hoofs. It has nothing to do with my wee-bit-bigger-than the average model dress size of 2. Yup. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
... The electric chair was invented by... A FREAKIN' DENTIST. In 1881 Dr. Albert Southwick got the idea after watching an elderly drunk man accidently kill himself by touching the terminals of an electric generator. He thought it looked quick and painless. Oh yeah... totally painless.. just like getting a new crown. No wonder I hate going to the dentist- it really is TORTURE!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Today I learned...
... that just a few days ago the Cincinnati Reds played the St. Louis Cardinals in the Civil Rights game. The game is meant to honor the civil rights movement and the African-Americans who have played professional ball. Ironically, the St. Louis Cardinals don't have ANY African-American players or coaches this year. heh.
... that the New York Yankees have won 26 World Series titles, more than any other team. It's no wonder then that Yankees right fielder, Mickey Mantle, holds the record for most home runs (18) and RBI's (40) in World Series history.
... that Cal Ripken, Jr. holds the record for the most consecutive major league games played, 2,632, and he played them all for one team: the Baltimore Orioles. The previous record holder was Lou Gehrig. In front of a sold-out crowd on Sept. 6, 1985, he broke Gehrig's record, playing his 2,131st consecutive game, getting a home run to boot. The game was later named by fans as the "Most Memorable Moment in MLB history".
... that Claude Berry was the first MLB player to wear a protective cup? The year was 1904; the team, Chicago White Sox.
... MLB balls are rubbed down with Lena Blackburne's special rubbing mud. Every Major AND Minor League team uses the same mud, and has for the past 75 years. The exact formula used to make the mud is a well-kept secret. All we know is that comes from somewhere along a tributary of the Delaware River in Burlington County, New Jersey.
... that the New York Yankees have won 26 World Series titles, more than any other team. It's no wonder then that Yankees right fielder, Mickey Mantle, holds the record for most home runs (18) and RBI's (40) in World Series history.
... that Cal Ripken, Jr. holds the record for the most consecutive major league games played, 2,632, and he played them all for one team: the Baltimore Orioles. The previous record holder was Lou Gehrig. In front of a sold-out crowd on Sept. 6, 1985, he broke Gehrig's record, playing his 2,131st consecutive game, getting a home run to boot. The game was later named by fans as the "Most Memorable Moment in MLB history".
... that Claude Berry was the first MLB player to wear a protective cup? The year was 1904; the team, Chicago White Sox.
... MLB balls are rubbed down with Lena Blackburne's special rubbing mud. Every Major AND Minor League team uses the same mud, and has for the past 75 years. The exact formula used to make the mud is a well-kept secret. All we know is that comes from somewhere along a tributary of the Delaware River in Burlington County, New Jersey.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Today I learned....
... The whole story behind the VFW's Buddy Poppy program. In 1915, inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields", Moina Michael wrote her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
It is here that we find the origin of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day. Ms. Michael sold red poppies to her friends, donating the money to charities benefiting our military. Madam Guerin, visiting from France, learned of Ms. Michael's poppies, and did the same thing upon her return to France, with the money benefiting war orphans and widows. In 1922, the VFW became the first veteran's organization to officially sell poppies nationwide. Their poppies are made by disabled American veterans, with the proceeds going directly to VFW programs aimed at assisting our disabled veterans. The VFW has tradmarked the name "Buddy Poppy", and ensure that all Buddy Poppies were made by disabled or needy veterans in VA hospitals across the nation.
... On the first Memorial Day, May 30, 1868, approximately 5,000 people helped decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union AND Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington. No distinction was made between the sides- it was a day of unity, acknowledging the human cost of war to both sides. This point is important to note, considering the fact that the Civil War didn't officially end until May 5, 1868 and it took so long for word to reach the whole country that the last shots were fired a month after the war ended.
... The tradition of placing flags on the graves at Arlington has been carried out by the 3rd US Infantry since the late 1950's. They then patrol the cemetary, 24 hours a day, throughout Memorial Day weekend, making sure the flags remain standing.
... That in 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Resolution was passed. At 3PM, EST, all Americans are asked to stop what they are doing for a private moment of reflection.
... That the US flag should be flown at half-mast until noon, and then flow high and proud at the top of the staff for the rest of the day. (To be honest, I knew it was supposed to be lowered, but I wasn't sure about how long or when)
I ask that you honor this day of rememberance, and think about all who have died in the name of our country. It is so much more than just another day off work. I leave you with these words from Francis A. Walker, Confederate Civil War General, educator, and economist:
We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
It is here that we find the origin of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day. Ms. Michael sold red poppies to her friends, donating the money to charities benefiting our military. Madam Guerin, visiting from France, learned of Ms. Michael's poppies, and did the same thing upon her return to France, with the money benefiting war orphans and widows. In 1922, the VFW became the first veteran's organization to officially sell poppies nationwide. Their poppies are made by disabled American veterans, with the proceeds going directly to VFW programs aimed at assisting our disabled veterans. The VFW has tradmarked the name "Buddy Poppy", and ensure that all Buddy Poppies were made by disabled or needy veterans in VA hospitals across the nation.
... On the first Memorial Day, May 30, 1868, approximately 5,000 people helped decorate the graves of more than 20,000 Union AND Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington. No distinction was made between the sides- it was a day of unity, acknowledging the human cost of war to both sides. This point is important to note, considering the fact that the Civil War didn't officially end until May 5, 1868 and it took so long for word to reach the whole country that the last shots were fired a month after the war ended.
... The tradition of placing flags on the graves at Arlington has been carried out by the 3rd US Infantry since the late 1950's. They then patrol the cemetary, 24 hours a day, throughout Memorial Day weekend, making sure the flags remain standing.
... That in 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Resolution was passed. At 3PM, EST, all Americans are asked to stop what they are doing for a private moment of reflection.
... That the US flag should be flown at half-mast until noon, and then flow high and proud at the top of the staff for the rest of the day. (To be honest, I knew it was supposed to be lowered, but I wasn't sure about how long or when)
I ask that you honor this day of rememberance, and think about all who have died in the name of our country. It is so much more than just another day off work. I leave you with these words from Francis A. Walker, Confederate Civil War General, educator, and economist:
We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Today I learned....
.... That it is ILLEGAL in Texas for anyone to have a pair of pliers in their possession, but it is LEGAL to carry any kind of weapon in your car, without a permit. Phew. Thank goodness Texans are now allowed to bring swords to plier fights!
.... In Alaska, it is illegal to look at moose from an airplane, nor can you push a live moose out of a moving airplane. In Fairbanks, it is also illegal to give alcoholic beverages to a moose. Thank goodness they cleared that up- all this time I was under the impression that it was ok to get your moose drunk, shove it out of a moving airplane, and then watch it splat on the ground!
.... In my homestate of Ohio, I am prevented from fishing for whales on Sundays. Hot Damn! I can still go out and fish for saltwater whales in our freshwater rivers and lakes Monday through Saturday! I am, however, now considering moving to Toledo, where it is illegal to throw a snake on anyone. I hate snakes.
.... You can ROLL TIDE, ROLL in Alabama, but if you are driving, you'd better have shoes on your feet, windshield wipers on your car, and for pete's sake... TAKE OFF THAT BLINDFOLD! If you don't, you're breaking the laws of both Alabama and Darwin.
That is all.
You may return to your day, with knowledge that makes you go... WTF???
.... In Alaska, it is illegal to look at moose from an airplane, nor can you push a live moose out of a moving airplane. In Fairbanks, it is also illegal to give alcoholic beverages to a moose. Thank goodness they cleared that up- all this time I was under the impression that it was ok to get your moose drunk, shove it out of a moving airplane, and then watch it splat on the ground!
.... In my homestate of Ohio, I am prevented from fishing for whales on Sundays. Hot Damn! I can still go out and fish for saltwater whales in our freshwater rivers and lakes Monday through Saturday! I am, however, now considering moving to Toledo, where it is illegal to throw a snake on anyone. I hate snakes.
.... You can ROLL TIDE, ROLL in Alabama, but if you are driving, you'd better have shoes on your feet, windshield wipers on your car, and for pete's sake... TAKE OFF THAT BLINDFOLD! If you don't, you're breaking the laws of both Alabama and Darwin.
That is all.
You may return to your day, with knowledge that makes you go... WTF???
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Today I learned.....
.... that zebra's are black with white stripes, not white with black stripes. If you shave a zebra, you would find black skin underneath. What I'd like to know: WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU SHAVE A ZEBRA?
.... the first toilet to ever appear on tv was on the show "Leave it to Beaver". Fortunately, no beaver was shot during the filming of the show. What I'd like to know: WHO TOOK THE TIME TO WATCH ENOUGH OLD TV SHOWS TO FIGURE OUT THE FIRST TIME A TOILET APPEARED??
.... that the word "avocado" means "testicle" in Aztec. What I'd like to know: WHO HAS TESTICLES AS BIG AS AVOCADOS???
That is all.
You may return to your day, with knowledge that makes you go... WTF???
.... the first toilet to ever appear on tv was on the show "Leave it to Beaver". Fortunately, no beaver was shot during the filming of the show. What I'd like to know: WHO TOOK THE TIME TO WATCH ENOUGH OLD TV SHOWS TO FIGURE OUT THE FIRST TIME A TOILET APPEARED??
.... that the word "avocado" means "testicle" in Aztec. What I'd like to know: WHO HAS TESTICLES AS BIG AS AVOCADOS???
That is all.
You may return to your day, with knowledge that makes you go... WTF???
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