Quote to ponder under the apple tree

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires,
and a touch that never hurts.
~ Charles Dickens (born February 7, 1812)

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Resources to bite into

1. Groundhog Day in Puxsutawney Is Today!

The current Brain Aerobics Weekly features an acknowledgement of Groundhog Day in Puxsutawney, Pennsylvania, which has been celebrated there since the late 1880s. However, the tradition of using an animal to predict the coming of spring goes back at least to the ancient Romans who used a hedgehog. Pennsylvanians, lacking that cuddly creature among its native fauna, have substituted a larger rodent. The idea is that if the groundhog named Pete or Phil (whichever is alive in any given year) sees his shadow, he will go back in his burrow, and we will have another six weeks of winter. Therefore, those longing for spring should always hope for an overcast February 2nd. Puxsutawney, for those who are interested, derives its name from a Delaware Indian word for “sand flies.” There’s a punch line there somewhere.

2. Winter Olympics

The current Brain Aerobics Weekly also anticipates the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver February 12 – 28. One event that I didn’t realize had Olympic status is called “skeleton,” and is essentially old-fashioned sledding – lying on your stomach and flying head first down the hill. Named for the sled, not for the sledders, it has been in and out of favor over the years, but is currently in. Other events such as figure skating, speed skating, ski jumping, and ice hockey have been popular since the first winter games in 1924. You can learn more at http://www.vancouver2010.com/.

3. Remembering David Letterman’s Top Ten Lists

In all the recent late night TV programming controversies, it’s nice to remember that David Letterman remains his unique self. “Late Night with David Letterman” – the first version of his show – premiered February 1, 1982. It was more than another three years before he aired his first Top Ten List, which was apparently written in retaliation for the People Magazine top ten lists that Mr. Letterman found stupid and annoying, but his own lists eventually became a regular feature of his show. The first list was titled “The Top Ten Things That Almost Rhyme with Peas.” Here are the 10 items:


10) Heats
9) Rice
8) Moss
7) Ties
6) Needs
5) Lens
4) Ice
3) Nurse
2) Leaks
1) Meats


Source: http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/first.html

Tips/ideas/insights to savor

The current Brain Aerobics Weekly also features a trivia quiz on “Which came first?” Because it’s winter and for those of you living in colder climes, you may be growing weary of drab days, we focused on recreational amenities. Here are a few samples:

1. The first a) ___ Monopoly game or b) ___ the first Slinky?

2. The first a) ___crossword puzzle or b) ___ the first jigsaw puzzle?

3. The first a) ___hamburger served or b) ___the first pizzeria?

4. The first a) ___ drive-in movie theatre or b) ___the first in-flight movie?

5. The first a) ___miniature golf course or b) ___the first roller rink?

To make up your own lists, check out the website listed above.

Answers: 1. a; 2. b; 3. b; 4. b; 5. They opened about the same time.

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