Never cross a crow - it will remember your face...
Crows can remember human faces associated with stressful situations for up to five years and they’ll also warn their friends.
Crows are known for their extraordinary smarts and have been observed making tools to dig food out of tight spots.
Now a five-year study by scientists at the University of Washington has found they possess an unusually good memory for human faces linked to a stressful event.
The researchers donned a caveman mask before trapping, banding and releasing wild crows at five sites on or near their campus in Seattle, Washington.
They then observed how the crows reacted when approached by someone wearing the caveman mask and compared it to the reaction prompted by a control mask – in this case, a mask depicting the face of former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney.
While the Cheney mask drew a muted response, the caveman mask prompted rounds of angry squawking and flapping, not only from the birds previously captured but also from crows that had witnessed the initial trapping.
At one of the five sites, 20% of crows reacted angrily to the caveman face shortly after the trapping. After five years, the proportion of crows reacting to the caveman face was recorded at 60%, suggesting that word had spread among the flock that this was a dangerous face.
" Taco mac and cheese has seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese sauce over tender pasta. Make this Mexican-inspired recipe for taco night!"
- 16-ounces elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1-ounce taco seasoning
- 1 (10-ounce) can of Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained well
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups half and half
- 4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- Taco Toppings such as tortilla strips, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Cook the noodles per the directions on the back of the box and drain well, set aside.
- In a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat brown the ground beef. Drain any excess fat or water off of the beef and add the taco seasoning and Rotel, stir it in well, cook an additional 2 minutes, and set aside.
- In a heavy bottom skillet over medium-low heat, add the butter and melt. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and flour to the pan and whisk to mix into the butter. Cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Slowly add the half and half to the pan whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer to thicken. Take off the heat and add 3 cups of the Monterey Jack cheese and 1 cup of the sharp cheddar cheese, whisk to combine and melt the cheese into the sauce.
- Mix the cheese sauce with the noodles and the ground beef mixture, pour everything into the baking dish. Smooth out the top so it cooks evenly.
- Add the remaining cheeses on top of the casserole. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with your favorite taco toppings!
1926 – Jeffrey Hunter, American actor (d. 1969)
Tragic death!
National Tie One on Day might confuse people with its name. However, it is not at all about going out, getting crazy and drinking too much while others are at home, working hard preparing for tomorrow’s big Thanksgiving Day meal.
The day celebrates the apron as well as the past generations of women who wore them and it was also created as a day to bring joy to the life of someone in need and celebrate the spirit of giving.
“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel
Through the years, aprons have served many purposes. They’ve protected hands from hot items coming out of the oven. In a moment of sadness, they’ve wiped tears away. Generation after generation, they protect our clothes while we cook. Though, they also protect shy, young children as they hide from strangers. During moments of haste or even humor, they handily swat away unwelcome kitchen visitors (cats, flies or cookie snatchers). They’ve carried eggs, vegetables, toys, and even the catch of the day. Aprons fan us as we wait for cakes to finish cooking and while on cool mornings, they’ve warmed hands waiting for children at the bus stop or for the postman. Occasionally, they even make us feel a little more adept in the kitchen, too.
NATIONAL TIE ONE ON DAY HISTORY
Best-selling author, Ellyn Anne Geisel, created National Tie One on Day. She’s also the author of the book titled, The Apron Book.
