What I Heard This Week! 09-10-2020
Pearls Before Swine is a comic strip written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis since December 2001. There was a time when I read it each day. The story revolves around the daily lives of a group of animals that think and talk like people. There is Pig, Rat, Zebra, Goat, and a bunch of crocodiles (a fraternity called Zeeba Zeeba Eata) that speak in broken English and try to eat Zebra, as well as several supporting characters. Rat even has a very violent sock puppet named Pepito. It is pretty funny, and I don’t know why I ever quit reading it. On Labor Day, I was working by myself at the office and decided to quit cleaning and read the newspapers. Guess what fell out…Sunday comics and there on top was Pearls Before Swine. Goat and Pig are talking. Goat says to Pig, “Are you worried about being able to pay your rent?” Pig says, “What day is today?” Goat answers, “Sunday.” Pig says, “Sundays I worry about getting the virus. Mondays I worry about the economy failing. Tuesdays I worry about racism. Wednesdays I worry about the planet. Thursdays I worry about losing my healthcare. And Fridays I just started saving for murder hornets, those giant hornets that are coming to kill us all. Oh, wait. Saturdays I worry about losing my job, so sure, I can fit that on Saturday. Goat replies, “Quite the era.” Pig answers, “My worry schedule’s packed.” Isn’t it the truth! I think it’s safe to say that everyone’s worry schedule is packed full right now.
YOU: “Siri, when will the world end?” SIRI: “As long as you keep me charged, we should be just fine.”
It is called Proud Pour, sustainably grown wine for people who care about the environment AND enjoy a good glass of wine. Their goal is to reach millions of people with important environmental stories and calls-to-action. Proud Pour supports 22 environmental nonprofits that are protecting bees, wild oysters, sea turtles, coral reefs…you know, the things that we should all be protecting all the time, but we have become so lazy. You can order online at ProudPour.com or shop at over 750 stores that carry the wine. To date, fans have helped plant 75 acres of bee habitat (flowers), restore 12 million wild oysters, feed a sea turtle patient for 2 years, and grow over 100 new baby corals – simply by drinking well. They say, “the Pinot Noir (for bees) pairs particularly well with nature documentaries and mowing your lawns less frequently.” There is also Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Chardonnay for Sharks, Cider for Sea Turtles, and Syrah for Soil. Right now, $49 for 3-bottle special.
A friend told me an easy way you can test to find out if you are positive. Open a bottle of wine. Sniff it. Can you smell it? Then taste it. Can you taste it??? If you answered yes to both questions, then you are negative. Proceed with drinking the whole bottle because you will have to open a new bottle tomorrow. (For some reason it only works with a brand-new bottle…) 😉 Now you can tell your friends that you are involved in research.
Homecoming got its start on college campuses as a fall celebration of the first football game of the season, inviting alumni an opportunity to return to their alma mater. Although most early homecomings date back to the turn of the century, there is some debate over which school actually began the tradition. The University of Missouri claims to have invented homecoming in 1911. Baylor University says it held its inaugural homecoming game in 1909. The University of Illinois dates theirs to 1910, having held it every year since then, except in 1918, when it was canceled because of the influenza pandemic. Hmmm.
The Spanish Flu first appeared in early March 1918. It was called the Spanish Flu because in France, England and the US, newspapers were not allowed to report on anything that could harm the war effort. The only ones reporting on the severe widespread flu outbreak were the Spanish journalists.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Comedian JoAnne Worley is 85. Laugh-In. Rock musician Roger Waters is 77. Pink Floyd. Singer Beyonce Knowles is 39. Actor Mitzi Gaynor is 89. South Pacific. Singer Merald ‘Bubba’ Knight is 78. Gladys Knight & The Pips. TV veterinarian Dr. Jan Pol is 78. Pro golfer Tom Watson is 71. Actor Bill Murray is 70. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is 53. Ironman.
Actor Raquel Welch is 80. She wore ‘mankind’s first bikini’ in One Million Years B.C. Singer Pink is 41. Senator Bernie Sanders is 79. Actor Charlie Sheen is 55. Actor Michael Keaton is 69. Actor Macaulay Culkin is 40. Actor Damon Wayans is 60. Beverly Hills Cop. Actor Julie Kavner is 70. Rhoda’s younger sister, Brenda Morgenstern. Actor Hugh Grant is 60. Singer Frankie Avalon is 80. Venus.
“People wanting to be 35 when they’re 50 makes me think: why? Why don’t you be 50 and be good at that?” Emma Thompson
Genetically modified mosquitoes (yes, you are reading this right) are supposed to be released in the Florida Keys. More than 750 million of them. This collection of all-male mosquitoes (named OX5034…look out R2D2), have been altered to produce female offspring that die at larval stage. This type of female mosquito bites for blood, but the males just feed on nectar, so they do not carry diseases. They are hoping these genetically modified males will breed with the existing females, which rely on blood for their eggs, therefore causing the temporary collapse of the wild population of female mosquitoes. I wonder how Mother Nature feels about this. What about…oh, never mind. If only we all had bat houses in our backyards.
People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.~ Dalai Lama XIV
A study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference found that combining these lifestyle habits – eating healthier (vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, seafood, poultry and olive oil — while avoiding red meats, butter, cheese, pastries, sweets and fried food), exercising regularly (150 minutes a week of biking, walking, swimming, gardening, or yard work), refraining from smoking, a limit of one glass of wine a day, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent. A separate study showed that lifestyle choices can lower risk even for those who are genetically ‘pre-lifestyle’ disposed to the disease.
One of Yellowstone National Park’s largest geysers, the Giantess Geyser, erupted last month after 6-1/2 years of silence. Giantess Geyser is known for infrequent but violent eruptions that can be heard a mile away. Before it blows, the area around it will sometimes shake, then the eruption can last up to 48 hours and eruptions can take place two times every hour. Geysers are hot springs with constrictions in their plumbing that prevent water from circulating freely to the surface where heat would escape. The deepest circulating water of the system can exceed the surface boiling point of water (199°F/93°C). Surrounding pressure increases with depth, much as it does with depth in the ocean. Increased pressure exerted by the enormous weight of the overlying water and rock prevents the water from boiling. As the water rises due to heating, steam forms and expands, increasing pressure in the constricted plumbing near the surface. At a critical point, the confined bubbles lift the water above the surface vent, causing the geyser to splash or overflow. This decreases pressure on the system, and violent boiling results. Tremendous amounts of steam force water out of the vent, and an eruption begins. Water is expelled faster than it can enter back into the geyser’s plumbing system, and the heat and pressure gradually decrease. The eruption stops when the water reservoir is depleted or when the system cools.
Matthew Robson was born in 1992 and his father gave him 18-year-old Macallan Whiskey for his first birthday, and many birthdays after. His father, from Scotland, thought it would be interesting if he bought a bottle every year, so his son would end up with 18 bottles of 18-year-old whiskey for his 18th birthday. There were strict instructions to never, never open any of the bottles. Experts say Macallan whiskey has become collectable and Matthew is now hoping to sell his collection through a whiskey broker (yep, a whiskey broker) because it’s worth about $53,000, which he plans to turn into a down payment for his first home. There is already interest from buyers in NY and Asia. What an interesting dad. I always gave my kids newly released postage stamps, Beanie Babies, and state coins. Bourbon. Hmmm. Makes so much more sense.
A Dirty Dancing sequel is in the works. Jennifer Grey, who played Baby in the first film, will be executive producer. Steven Spielberg will be bringing West Side Story to theaters on Dec. 18. He says, “This has been a journey without precedence: a joyful, stunningly moving, endlessly surprising encounter with the story and score of one of the world’s greatest musicals.” The Batman movie is shut down again because Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID. Zoe Kravitz stars as Catwoman and Colin Farrell is The Penguin. HBO Max announced a cast-reunion special for the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to air around Thanksgiving, the 30th anniversary of the series.
Luby’s has been working hard in their efforts to turn the company around financially by closing and selling underperforming restaurants, cutting pay and staff, but it was not enough. Looks like the home of the Lu-Ann Platter is for sale to repay debt and other obligations. Some company-owned Fuddruckers locations will be converted to franchise locations. Thanks, COVID. Fire warnings and out of control fires continue in California and Oregon, with temperatures during the day as high as 120 degrees, all while Denver moves from 101 degrees, down to the 30’s with 6 to 7 inches of snow expected along with a winter advisory, with as much as 18 inches expected at higher elevations. Nah, there’s no real climate change. September 2nd officially marked the 75th anniversary of the day that World War II ended, one of the most major events in world history. Everyone is talking about the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks, sweetened with vanilla, topped with a pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice. I am not talking about it, just relaying information. A species of mushroom discovered in Malaysia reminded scientists of a sponge, so they called it Spongiforma squarepantsii. Excuse me while I get some tissues before I tell you the next scoop…Keeping Up with The Kardashians will end in 2021.
Last week while we were unloading the papers in front of the office, I met one of my ‘littlest’ readers who picked up a copy of the paper, even though she is not old enough to read yet. She had on a beautiful pink dress and a very unusual spelling to her name…fast forward. I lost the piece of paper where I wrote her name. I am so sorry. I told her I would put her name in the paper and now I cannot. Mom, please call my office and refresh my memory so I can make it right. Thanks to Tracy at Luby’s this week. While I was picking up my lunch, we agreed at the pick-up window, that we still do not understand the ‘coin’ shortage in the US. Mrs. Collin, enjoy the milkweed seeds we left on your porch.
My birthday was last month, and I asked that no one recognize the fact, but some disregarded my wishes and helped me through that day. Thank you. Wine, cheese, crackers, chocolate chip cookies, bath bombs, cute cards, and more wine. It was obvious that they felt I might hurt myself and just wanted to show me that getting old means you get lots of ‘food’ presents from your friends. It definitely helped to alleviate some of the pain. 😊 One gift was a brownie mix. Don’t ask, don’t tell. I took it to mean that when you are old, you can do what you want, then pretend that you forgot it was illegal. I told everyone at my office that I just wanted a can of cat food for the SPCA and homemade pizza for lunch. It was a perfect celebration. I made sure that I ate the chocolate pie first because who knows how many more years or days I still have. Eat dessert first…and often. Have a great week. Wash your mask!
Lisa
