Sunday Funday - September 6, 2020

 Sunday Funday - September 6, 2020

WOW - tomorrow is Labor Day!!!

Let’s talk about that: 

Labor Day

The article says: “Do you get weekends off work? Lunch breaks? Paid vacation? An eight-hour workday? Social security? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, you can thank labor unions and the U.S. labor movement for it. Years of hard-fought battles (and the ensuing legislation they inspired) resulted in many of the most basic benefits we enjoy at our jobs today. On the first Monday in September, we take the day off to celebrate Labor Day and reflect on the American worker’s contributions to our country.”

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The United States has been a leader (at least in my opinion) in working with labor.  It took years, it took strikes, it took walking off jobs, it took picket lines and pressure - and we have the breaks mentioned above.  

In economic theory, we talk about land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Labor is one of the aspects of making money.  Abuse of labor is ‘evil’ (my term).  We’ve had slaves, we’ve had children working, we’ve had underpaid people.  Over the years, labor has fought for minimum wage laws - protection for workers (workman’s compensation), safety on the job, health insurance, retirement, etc.  

(Unfortunately, an alternative view is that with labor costs so high, many manufacturers have shifted jobs overseas - particularly southeast Asia/China.   I’m not sure if that is just ‘greed’ on the manufacturer’s part (sell the item for the same price - but make it so much cheaper) or wise management.  A couple of weeks ago, I reflected on an article that suggested that China has become the world power these days (“The Unraveling of America” - https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/covid-19-end-of-american-era-wade-davis-1038206/).  But, then I reflected on the United States - the good side of the United States (that sometimes has been forgotten - with such things as labor laws - innocent until proven guilty, fair treatment of all citizens (hopefully - ALL), life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) - and am reflecting that we do need to accent our core values of being humane people in a humane governing setup!!)

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH IS ALSO NATIONAL BEER LOVERS DAY

I used to think I knew beer - Budweiser, Miller, Coors, and the regional brands - Hamms (“the beer refreshing”); Schlitz; Falstaff, Lone Star; Leinenkugel, and off-brands - but now I don’t know beer.  There are so many microbreweries - with all kinds of beer 

Some common types of beers:

Pale Lager and Pilsner

Brown Ale

Porter

Wheat Beer

Dark Lager

Pale Ale

Stout

Wild and Sour Ale

German Bock

India Pale Ale (IPA)

Belgium Style Ale

(from: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/27/different-types-of-beers.html)

Let alone flavored beer - Shiner Beer in Texas has these flavors (and maybe more): Cherry, Grapefruit, Lime, Lemon, Mango.  

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International Sudoku Day - Sudoku is a logic game with nine squares that can hold the numbers 1 through 9 - so September (the ninth month) 9th is the ideal day to honor this activity

I can do some sudoku puzzles - and sometimes I am more successful at advanced puzzles rather than beginning ones

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And, a fairly new day - Patriot Day

This day commemorates the attacks on September 11, 2001. 

I was teaching in Connecticut - and some of my students had family members killed in the attacks (including one student - where LOVE WINS!!!)

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Let us not forget: Make your bed day!!

The link reminds us that we spend about ⅓ of our life in bed!!!  So, make your bed today (and every day!!!)

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Trivia:  (From https://www.scientificanimations.com/)

A friend sent me some trivia - so let me share with you:

A person can "survive" living on a diet of nothing but potatoes and butter.

This is true - you will miss some necessary ingredients, but you can survive!!!

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Research has shown that beer, white wine, and red wine may all help reduce a person's risk for kidney stones when consumed at a moderate rate.

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An octopus has three hearts, nine brains, and blue blood. Two hearts pump blood to the gills, while a third circulates it to the rest of the body.

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Human cells make up only 43% of the body's total cell count. The rest are microscopic colonists. (that is bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea) with the greatest concentration of this microscopic life is in the dark murky depths of our oxygen-deprived bowels.

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Hugging someone you love for 20 seconds a day is the key to alleviating stress and beating burnout.

A lingering embrace releases the bonding hormone oxytocin, which can lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and improve your mood.

(Hmmm - COVID is stealing my hugging time!!!) 

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The number 1 cause of blindness in the United States is not eye disease - it is diabetes!!

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The Surface Area of a human lung is equal to a tennis court

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That your brain uses about 20% of the blood and oxygen in your body

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How about some fill-in-the-blank statements:

1. A ___________ gathers no moss
This has nothing to do with Mick Jagger

2. A watched _____ never boils
This has nothing to do with the smoked version

3. People who live in _____ houses shouldn’t throw stones
I don’t think anybody in houses should throw stones

4. ________ of all trades, master of none

5. Necessity is the _________________
And, not the rock band

6. A stitch in ________ saves ________ 

7. Don’t cross the _____________’til you come to it

8. Every _______has his day

9. The ___________ wheel gets the grease

10. ______________ is the better part of valor 

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PHOBIAS:

Do you have phobias?  Here are some strange ones:

(From: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/phobias/related/weird-phobias/)

Arachibutyrophobia (Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth)

I don’t remember having this.  I do LOVE peanut butter.  

I do remember the first time I met a person who had the peanut/peanut butter allergy.  I was sure they were bluffing (or … “pulling my leg”).  But it is real!!  I have read recently of research into solving this issue.  

Nomophobia (Fear of being without your mobile phone)

Now, I know of people with this phobia.  This can come from a cell phone addiction.  I don’t think I am addicted to my phone, but … I might be on the way.

This is related to FOMO - the Fear of Missing Out.  When people used to go out to eat (do you remember those times), it seems like they sit down and out pops their phone.  Somebody might have texted me.

Xanthophobia (Fear of the color yellow)

How about this one - the fear of the color yellow.  This can be quite an issue - with avoiding school buses, yellow flowers, and anything yellow!!  

Plutophobia (Fear of money)

The link says this about Plutophobia: “ People with plutophobia may fear becoming wealthy themselves or have a fear of wealthy people. They generally dread money itself and having to deal with money.  

People with this fear may potentially sabotage their careers to prevent them from making more money or becoming wealthy. The fear of becoming wealthy may stem from a fear of the responsibilities or pressures associated with it or the fear of getting robbed.  (I wonder if this was named after the planet - then the non-planet - then the micro-planet of Pluto?)

(To my friends, if you have this phobia, I will be glad to help you.  Just give your money to me!!!) 

Ablutophobia (Fear of bathing)

How about that?  I think some kids have it, but generally outgrow it.  Maybe that is what COVID is - as ablutophobia can lead to social distancing!!!!

Globophobia (Fear of balloons)
I think this is also a children’s phobia.  My guess is that someplace a balloon popped and the sound scared the child.  

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (Fear of long words)

I don’t think I know of anybody that is scared of long words.  Do you know somebody?

I was trying to pronounce this - Hippopotamus equipped all phobia???

(And, the last one for today)

Ergophobia (Fear of work)

I don’t know if the people I’m thinking of really have ergophobia - or that they just don’t like to work.  

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And, answers to the fill-in-the-blanks

1. A Rolling Stone  gathers no moss
2. A watched pot never boils
3. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
4. Jack of all trades, master of none
5. Necessity is the Mother of Invention
6. A stitch in time saves nine
7. Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it
(I have a new one:  Don’t play bridge until the pandemic is over and social gatherings are allowed)
8. Every dog has his day
9. The squeaky wheel gets the grease
10. Discretion is the better part of valor 

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Have an awesome Labor Day weekend!!!  

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen