Sunday - Funday - July 26, 2020

Sunday Funday - July 26, 2020

Hello!!

Let’s do some geography first.

Last week I asked about Stamford Connecticut and directions.  If you go directly north, south, east, or west of Stamford - you end up in the same state - New York.  (East is trickier - as you will hit the far end of Long Island NY).

Now, today’s geography questions are more from my memories.

1. What is unique about Carter Lake, Iowa?

2. What is unique about Keokuk, Iowa

3. There is one point on the map where four states converse.  Where is it and what are the four states

4. Nothing counting Alaska (or Hawaii as if that mattered) - what is the farthest north point on the United States / Canada border?

Answers on the bottom of today’s blog

National days upcoming

July 26th - National Aunt and Uncle Day!!  (Be sure to wish them blessings - and I’m not sure you can get a Hallmark card for the day!!)

July 27th - National Scotch Day.  I thought maybe this was for people of Scotch ancestry, but, no, it is for Scotch whisky (or whiskey).

From the day description:

“On July 27th, we recognize an aged whisky distilled from malted barley. Make a toast on National Scotch Day and share a drink with a friend.

Since Scotch is protected by law, specific guidelines must be followed when making it to be labeled as Scotch. Otherwise, it may be an ordinary whisky (or whiskey if it’s made in the United States). First and foremost, Scotch must be made in Scotland. Another requirement includes the grain used in the fermentation process. For Scotch, only malted barley may be used. The Scotch must also be aged in oak barrels for at least three years and have an ABV of less than 94.8%. While most Scotch is made with barley, water, and yeast, other grains can be included, but no fermentation additives, per law.”

It has been a while, but my sister and brother-in-law have a bottle of Scotch waiting for me to sip from in Michigan.  (It may be several years before that bottle gets empty!!)

July 28th - National Milk Chocolate Day

And, yup - not the best for your diet: “While candy bar makers use milk chocolate to make their most popular candy bars, the treat isn’t the healthiest of the chocolates. Dark chocolate takes home the honors for nutrition. With added sugar and fat, milk chocolate packs on the calories.”

And, some news that interests me. 

Tesla is building a new $1 billion facility near Austin Texas.  TechCrunch says “Tesla has picked a site near Austin for its next U.S. factory, a four to five-million-square foot $1.1 billion plant that will assemble the automaker’s futuristic Cybertruck, the Tesla Semi and the Model Y and Model 3 for sales to customers on the East Coast. “

Why does that interest me?  As I age, I recognize that eventually, I may want an autonomous vehicle (aka “self-driving”).  A lot of seniors could stay in their own homes with self-driving vehicles (my opinion) and keep their individuality and mobility.  (And, of course, I like Elon Musk and his unique approach to business - SpaceX, the Boring Company, Batteries, and electric backup.  Game changers!!!

Let’s go to Mars!!!

There are FOUR Mars missions being launched:

“In the summer of 2020, four space agencies around the world plan to launch pioneering missions. NASA’s Mars 2020 aims to land a rover that will release a small autonomous helicopter. The EU and Russia are sending a joint mission—complete with tiny ovens that will bake small batches of soil in search of signs of life. China and the UAE, meanwhile, are busy preparing what would be their first trips.”  

This is because Mars and Earth’s orbits are going to be closer.  

Of course, Elon Musk wants to colonize Mars!!!  

How about a Community (or Friendly) Fridge?

“With more and more people laid off and in need of support to weather the pandemic, community fridges have popped up across the country—there are now at least 15 in NYC alone. 

The premise is simple: outdoor fridges with their contents available to anyone who needs them. 

They’re stocked by volunteers, ranging from people buying food expressly for the fridges to local restaurants looking to cut down on food waste.”

These sound like the Little Libraries that have sprung up.  (I know of four Little Libraries within walking distance from my apartment - and two have canned goods and more!! 

From my Daily Happiness news feeds:

“Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and offer thanks

for all the troubles we don’t have.

“The key to being happy is knowing you have the power to choose what to accept and what to let go.

​​​​​​​

“Two things prevent us from happiness; living in the past and observing others.

Something to think about

I have a friend whose nephew is deaf, but he reads lips expertly. He has been frustrated with COVID as he can't see lips. I suppose if he is in a safe environment, you could lower your mask and face him to communicate.

And, finally:

Geography Questions:

1. Carter Lake is wholly surrounded by Omaha Nebraska.  Many years ago, Carter Lake was truly in Iowa, but the Missouri River cut a new channel around the community - and it now is geographically in Nebraska, but is part of the State of Iowa

2. Look closely at a map of Iowa - and most particularly the line between Iowa and Missouri.  It is a straight line from the west (Missouri River) to the east - but then the state line dips alone the Des Moines River to the Mississippi River.  If the line was drawn straight, Keokuk would have been in Missouri!!  (I lived in Keokuk for five years - 1973 to 1978 and both of our children were born there!!!. 

3. The Four Corners are at the intersection of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.  

4. The boundary between the United States and Canada (not counting Alaska) is a straight line (the 49th Parallel) - EXCEPT when it hits Northern Minnesota and has a ‘bump’ around Angle Inlet for a Native American (aka Indian) Reservation.

May you have a Blessed Week, a week of excitement, learning, loving, grace, and deep peace!!!

Hugs!!

Karen