Category: Fun
Friday Quote 2/03/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Ground Hog Day
The ever-famous groundhog Phil, saw his shadow this morning so we have six more weeks of winter. I wonder if some government agency has been tracking his accuracy. Let’s find out why Groundhog Day exists.
The History
The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter.
As time rolled on the day evolved into another form. The following English folk song highlights the transition to weather prognostication.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
Phil is not a Hedgehog in America because they don’t live here, it was the German settlers that brought the tradition to America.
Melinda
References:
Wordless Wednesday *Sydney Opera House
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Eric Clapton-Layla
I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/27/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday *St. Petersburg Waterway
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Melinda
Just Pondering
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
“You don’t always need a logical reason for doing everything in your life. Do it because you want; Because it’s fun; Because it makes you happy.
unknown
Melinda
Fun Facts
Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.
There are parts of Africa in all four hemispheres
The cornea is one of only two parts of the human body without blood vessels
The world’s first animated feature film was made in Argentina
German chocolate cake was invented in Texas
Marla Gibbs continued to work as a flight attendant for two years after being cast on a hit TV show
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
Diffuser Blends Make Great Gifts
With Valentine’s around the corner, I wanted to share a gift idea. These recipes are easy to make and everyone will enjoy getting one.
New Buds
1 drop spearmint
2 drops lemongrass
3 drops and lavender
April Showers
3 drops lemon grass
4 drops eucalyptus
5 drops lemon
Fresh Laundry
1 drop clary sage
2 drops mint
3 drops pine
Spring Cleaning
2 drops peppermint
3 drops wild orange
3 drops lemon
Ocean Breeze
1 drop spearmint
1 drop ylang ylang
2 drops wild orange
3 drops of tangerine
Goodbye Allergies
2 drops frankincense
2 drops lemon
3 peppermint
3 drops lavender
Herb Garden
3 drops rosemary
3 drops lavender
3 drops mint
Spring Bouquet
2 drops geranium
2 drops lavender
2 drops clary sage
2 drops chamomile
There weren’t any instructions for how to dispense. My suggestion is a guess, if you’re a regular crafter you may have a better idea. Let me know.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger ft. Christina Aguilera (Official Music Video)
I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/20/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
5 Creative Projects To Help Focus Your Mind
A creative project is a great way to focus your mind and spend some downtime. Art, gardening, craft, and DIY are all very therapeutic. You’ll feel more relaxed and gain some perspective. Creativity is the perfect way to channel stress and anxiety. Put your overactive mind to good use and make something you’ll cherish forever. There are plenty of different kinds of ideas depending on your interests. Here are five creative projects to help focus your mind.
Paint by numbers
Paint by Numbers is an example of a trendy craft gone viral during lockdown. It is incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, and not just for kids anymore. Even though you’re following instructions, it still requires a lot of patience and hard work. Paint by numbers is a good compromise if you like art but aren’t necessarily an experienced painter. You’ll be able to enjoy the results without being a natural artist. You can display your painting proudly for all your family and friends.
Winter Flowers
There are several reasons why gardening is so therapeutic. It’s a great way to get back in touch with nature and gain some perspective. Sun and fresh air also go a long way. Even when the seasons start to change, this doesn’t mean you have to be a fair-weather garden. There are plenty of winter flowers you can plant such as pansies and jasmine that grow all year round. If you want to keep it inside you could even build your own mini zen garden, or decorate the house with plants.
Customize your car
If you’re the type that likes to get your hands dirty then why not sink yourself into a project in the garage? Customize your car to your liking this fall. Automotive Stuff is an example of a site where you can find your own parts. You can even trade car parts online with other car owners. If you prefer, start small with the interior, or even work under the hood. If you’re passionate about cars you could invest in a used vehicle to revamp.
Make your own bath products
You’d be surprised how many simple products you can make at home. All you need is some essential oils and a couple of household ingredients, and you can make a variety of bath products. This is a more eco-friendly option as well, not to mention thrifty. If you want to use your creativity to make something you’re going to use, then bath products are ideal. You can even give them as gifts to your family and friends.
Upcycle your furniture
Whether you decide to flip the furniture or keep it, it’s easy to see why upcycling has become such a popular pastime. You could invest in some second-hand furniture at your local thrift store and turn it into a creative project. For example, you could find an old photo frame, print your Domonique Rodgers NC State print, and hang it on the wall. Creating Upcycling is a fun way to revamp furniture or repurpose other items. Perhaps you can find a new use for some old things around the house. It’s very therapeutic and satisfying.
This a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost
Wordless Wednesday *Church of the Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Melinda
Today in History January 15, 2023
So glad you are enjoying the Today in History on Sundays, thanks for all the feedback.
1929
Martin Luther King Jr. born
On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister. King received a doctorate degree in theology and in 1955 helped organize the first major protest of the African American civil rights movement: the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. Influenced by Mohandas Gandhi, he advocated civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance to segregation in the South. The peaceful protests he led throughout the American South were often met with violence, but King and his followers persisted, and the movement gained momentum.
1967
Packers beat Chiefs in first Super Bowl
On January 15, 1967, the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) smash the American Football League (AFL)’s Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10, in the first-ever AFL-NFL World Championship, later known as Super Bowl I, at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Founded in 1960 …read more
1972
“American Pie” hits #1 on the pop charts
On January 15, 1972, “American Pie,”, an epic poem in musical form that has long been etched in the American popular consciousness, hits #1 on the Billboard charts. The story of Don McLean’s magnum opus begins almost 13 years before its release, on a date with significance …read more
1919
Great Boston Molasses Flood
Fiery hot molasses floods the streets of Boston on January 15, 1919, killing 21 people and injuring scores of others. The molasses burst from a huge tank at the United States Industrial Alcohol Company building in the heart of the city. Listen to HISTORY This Week Podcast: The …read more
1831
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is finished
On January 15, 1831, Victor Hugo finishes writing Notre Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Distracted by other projects, Hugo had continually postponed his deadlines for delivering the book to his publishers, but once he sat down to write it, he completed …read more
Melinda
Just Pondering
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
Happiness looks like?
Happiness feels like:
Happiness sounds like:
Happiness smells like:
Melinda
Fun Facts
Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.
The world’s oldest wooden wheel has been around for more than 5,000 years
Dead skin cells are a main ingredient in household dust
Sudan has more pyramids than any country in the world
The bumblebee bat is the world’s smallest mammal
The circulatory system is more than 60,000 miles long
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
#Weekend Music Share-Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion (Live)
I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/13/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday *Picasso
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Issababy Creates
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Issababy Creates.
This perhaps the least specific blog you will find. My interests include: DIY projects, Yoga, writing, photography, reading, camping, hiking, or something altogether
different depending on my current mood. I’ve never been pigeon holed into one category so neither is my blog.
Her blog is so much fun, you have to check her out.
Melinda
Today in History January 8, 2023
So glad you are enjoying the Today in History on Sundays, thanks for all the feedback.
1877
Crazy Horse fights last battle
On January 8, 1877, Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and his men—outnumbered, low on ammunition and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves—fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana.
Six months earlier, in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Crazy Horse and his ally, Sitting Bull, led their combined forces of Sioux and Cheyenne to a stunning victory over Lieutenant Colonel George Custer (1839-76) and his men. The Native Americans were resisting the U.S. government’s efforts to force them back to their reservations. After Custer and over 200 of his soldiers were killed in the conflict, later dubbed “Custer’s Last Stand,” the white American public wanted revenge. As a result, the U.S. Army launched a winter campaign in 1876-77, led by General Nelson Miles (1839-1925), against the remaining tribes on the Northern Plains.
2002
President George W. Bush signs No Child Left Behind Act into law
On January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush signs the No Child Left Behind Act into law. The sweeping update to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 created new standards and goals for the nation’s public schools and implemented tough corrective measures for …read more
2011
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords injured in shooting rampage
On January 8, 2011, Gabrielle Giffords, a U.S. congresswoman from Arizona, is critically injured when a man goes on a shooting spree during a constituents meeting held by the congresswoman outside a Tucson-area supermarket. Six people died in the attack and another 13, including …read more
1940
Mussolini questions Hitler’s plans
A message from Benito Mussolini is forwarded to Adolf Hitler. In the missive, the Duce cautions the Fuhrer against waging war against Britain. Mussolini asked if it was truly necessary “to risk all-including the regime-and to sacrifice the flower of German generations.” …read more
1946
Elvis Presley receives his first guitar
In competing versions of the story, what Elvis Presley really wanted for his birthday was a rifle or a bicycle—both fairly typical choices for a boy his age growing up on the outskirts of Tupelo, Mississippi. Instead, Elvis’s highly protective mother, Gladys—”She never let me out …read more
Have an awesome day!
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-OneRepublic – Counting Stars (Official Music Video)
I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/06/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday *Gulf Shores, Alabama
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Melinda
Happy New Year
Before we start celebrating, let’s talk about drinking and driving. Plan your drive home if you like to drink a few extra. It’s a terrible thought of hurting yourself or others, let alone kill someone. It’s a mistake that could haunt you for the rest of your life.
I want to see you alive!
Let’s celebrate!!!!!!! 2023 has arrived for some and others are waiting to see what the New Year brings. The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on the past and reset your compass for success in the new year.
I will be enjoying a very low-key evening with some good eats and tucked in to sleep long before midnight.
See you next year, here’s to you!
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry Perform Their New Song “Where We Started” | LIVE @ CMA Awards
I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 12/30/2022
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday *Sydney Harbor Bridge
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate you and love your comments each week.
Sydney Harbor Bridge
Melinda
Kwanzaa 26th-Jan 1st.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 