Good 45º cloudy morning.
More rain is predicted for us through next Tuesday.
Yesterday we topped at 60º.
Picture of the Day...1500 year old tree in So. Carolina..(shared by Dave Clark)
Interesting about Friday the 13th.......
FRIDAY THE 13TH MYTHS
Do you have a fear of Friday the 13th? If so, you have a condition called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Some people are so fearful of this date that they don’t even leave their homes. As a result of so many people staying indoors on Friday the 13th, airfares are cheaper, and there is less traffic. But what’s the big deal about this date? Why do people consider it unlucky?
Since 7 is considered a lucky number, we thought we would balance things out by giving 7 myths about Friday the 13th and the supposedly unlucky number 13.
7 MYTHS SURROUNDING FRIDAY THE 13TH
1. The Last Supper Had 13 Guests
Jesus had one last meal with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion. This means there were 13 guests at the last supper. It is believed that Judas was the 13th person to take his seat. Judas is infamous for betraying Jesus and committing suicide afterward.
2. The God of Mischief and Disorder was the 13th Guest
According to Norse mythology, when 12 gods sat down together at a feast, an unwelcome guest named Loki showed up. Loki was the god of mischief and disorder. Because there were 13 guests at the table, one of the gods died during the meal. Still, to this day, some hosts refuse to have 13 guests at their table for fear, one of them will die.
3. The Biblical Meaning for the Number 13 Isn’t Good
In the Bible, the number 13 is often associated with rebellion and lawlessness. This number represents all the governments that were created by man and inspired by Satan. In the book of Mark, Jesus says 13 things defile a person. Some of these things include evil thoughts, murders, thefts, wickedness, pride, and an evil eye.
4. Friday Is an Unlucky Day of the Week
Many people love Friday. In fact, you have probably exclaimed, “Thank God It’s Friday.” However, Friday is historically an unlucky day of the week. This goes back to the 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote Canterbury Tales. Chaucer wrote, “and on a Friday fell all this mischance.” In Britain, Friday was the day when criminals were hung. For this reason, Friday became known as Hangman’s Day.
5. The Arrest of the Knights of Templar Began on Friday the 13th
The Knights of Templar were a Catholic military order founded in 1119. They were also known for being proficient bankers. After losing the war to England, King Philip IV of France became heavily indebted to the Knights. On Friday the 13th, the king ordered the arrest of all Templars. Following a trial in Paris, some of the Templars were burned at the stake.
6. The Curse of 13 Letters in a Name
According to an old superstition, if you have 13 letters in your first and last name, you are cursed. You might laugh at this idea, but here are some names with 13 letters:
- Charles Manson
- Jeffrey Dahmer
- Adolfus Hitler (the baptismal name of Adolf Hitler)
- Saddam Hussein
- Osama bin Laden
Of course, this doesn’t mean that if you have 13 letters in your name, you are an evil person. But, interestingly, so many evil people have 13 letters in their name.
7. An Italian Composer Died on Friday the 13th
This might not seem like such a big deal. There are probably a lot of people who die on Friday the 13th. However, the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, regarded Fridays as an unlucky day. He also regarded the number 13 as an unlucky number. He died on November 13th, 1868. It was a Friday.
What do you think of Friday the 13th? Do you stay indoors? Do you purposely avoid having appointments or events on this day? If so, you’re certainly not alone.
Minnesota Hotdish
A favorite dish in Minnesota for years, but the term "hotdish" wasn't used until the 1930's. This is a one dish meal that includes some kind of meat, a can of cream soup, mixed veggies, and a starch. This isn't the kind of dish you make a fuss about, it's the kind you throw together for dinner, the church potluck, or a family get together.
1½ pounds ground beef
1 t. onion powder
¼ t. salt
2 10.75oz cans cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1 16oz pkg frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ of a 32oz pkg frozen seasoned tater tots
1. Preheat oven to 400º
2. Coat 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray
3. In skillet brown ground beef with onion powder, salt and pepper, stirring until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain. Spoon into baking dish.
4. In bowl combine soup and milk, mixing well.
5. Top ground beef with frozen vegetables. Pour soup mixture over that and sprinkle with cheese.
6. Place tater tots on top of cheese.
7. Bake 40-45 minutes or until tater tots are golden.
**This dish is not written in stone ..... use whatever kind of meat you like (shredded cooked chicken thighs are good.) Use a variety of cream soup, use different vegetables.
Historically this date.........
1822 – The design of the Greek flag is adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus.
1993 – Space Shuttle program: Endeavour heads for space for the third time as STS-54 launches from the Kennedy Space Center.
2001 – An earthquake hits El Salvador, killing more than 800.
And births this date include...
1884 – Sophie Tucker, Russian-born singer and performer (d. 1966)
1919 – Robert Stack, American actor (d. 2003)
1931 – Charles Nelson Reilly, American actor (d. 2007)
1934 – Rip Taylor, American actor (d.2019)
1943 – Richard Moll, American actor
1961 – Julia Louis-Dreyfus, American actress
1962 – Trace Adkins, American country music singer-songwriter
1966 – Patrick Dempsey, American actor
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good safe Friday the 13th. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo
According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is January 13th so around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day! A friend of Ernie and Big Bird, Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.
The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s. They produced a variety of toys from dolls and various animal shapes, including the rubber duck.
In 1928, Landon Smart Lawrence received the earliest patent fora rubber duck toy. His clever design weighted the toy so that when it tipped it returned to an upright position. The sketch included with the patent was that of a duck.
During World Wars I and II, rubber was a valuable commodity. Rationing became mandatory and by the 1940s with the advent of plastic, the rubber ducky began being produced in vinyl and plastic.
Russian Sculptor Peter Ganine sculpted many animal figures. One, a duck, he later designed and patented into a floating toy which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have become familiar with today.
Sales of the iconic yellow rubber ducky we’ve come to know today soared in Britain in 2001. Why? A British Tabloid, The Sun, reported Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck in her bathroom that wore an inflatable crown.
The rubber ducky became a Toy Hall of Fame inductee in 2013. Founded in 1998, the Hall of Fame has only inducted 52 other toys.
I have some rubber ducks.......
