Sunday Funday, March 27, 2022

                                                                  SUNDAY FUNDAY

MARCH 27, 2022

WARM-UP!!

We are getting to the end of March.  Has spring come in your area?  

In Central Texas, spring (at least to me) is when bluebonnets come out.  Bluebonnets are primarily wildflowers - so you will see them around in the medians and ditches along the roads.  There has been an effort to NOT mow the grass in an area of bluebonnets until they have finished blooming and gone to seed.

I do remember the various flowering shrubs, bushes, and trees from my many years in the north.  Crabapple trees have lovely blossoms (the fruit isn’t very good - although it is edible).  Daffodils are pretty, tulips have been bred to have all kinds of colors.  And, I love the fragrant lilac flowers!!  After a time of barrenness, spring does brighten our spirits.!!

I am looking out my window and see a tree with a delicate green.  While it seems that most trees have a similar green in mid-summer, at this time of year the greens do vary.

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NATIONAL DAYS:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japanese-cherry-trees-planted-along-the-potomac

On March 27, 1912, the first Cherry Trees were planted along the Potomac River.  Definitely a beautiful sight!!!

Have you been to Washington D.C. to see the cherry trees?  Even New Haven had beautiful cherry trees.  There was a block of trees near “Little Italy” that was so pretty.

NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY - March 28, 2022 - National Today

Okay - chocolate shavings accompanied with maraschino cherries and white cream - WHY NOT!!!  

Okay - where is the Black Forest?  

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY - March 29, 2022 - National Today

For my friends who went to Vietnam, we salute you today (and always!!). 

TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK DAY - March 30, 2022 - National Today

We have some fantastic parks in my area - and great trails!!!  I remember my last Quinnipiac faculty office on the slopes of Sleeping Giant State Park.  In the late afternoon, I could slip out the back door of that office and hike on the Giant.  (I was a “Giant Master” - having done all the trails multiple times - I miss that!!!)

https://nationaltoday.com/transgender-day-visibility/ - March 31, 2022

It seems like we (all people) have trouble with differences - from basic gender (women had to work hard to be allowed to vote), skin color (we fought a Civil War over slavery and skin color), to religious beliefs, to sexual orientation, and now to gender transitioning.  There have been transgender people killed.  There are attempts to make “us” second-class citizens.  I have been told (by well-meaning Christian people), that I am going to hell!!!

Let’s learn to let LOVE WIN!!

APRIL 1ST, ACADEMIC APPAREL DAY:

Okay, this isn’t on the National Today calendar yet.  On April 1st, I wore my academic apparel (cap and gown) around campus.  Yes, it is also April Fools Day, but I thought this was a good day to celebrate professors by wearing academic apparel.

I’ve done April Fools Day jokes frequently - so watch out.  (While it wasn’t April 1st, I had put a cassette tape player in the ceiling of a classroom with about 10 blank minutes that suddenly played Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner at full blast and rigged it to go in the middle of a friend’s class. It didn’t take him long to figure out who did it.)

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY - April 2, 2022 - National Today

I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER and butter and sometimes with jelly, preserves, jam, or honey.  As I write this, I ran out of peanut butter yesterday, and got a large jar last night!!!  I prefer crunchy over creamy, but went with creamy this time)

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IDIOMS:

Do you know these and what they mean?

Do you use some?  I remember “that’s cooking with gas”, or “that’s better than sliced bread.”

A blessing in disguise

A dime a dozen

Beat around the bush

Better late than never

Bite the bullet

Give someone the benefit of the doubt

Go back to the drawing board

Hit the sack

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

A penny saved is a penny earned

Costs an arm and a leg

Don't give up your day job

A stitch in time saves nine

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Go on a wild goose chase

Ignorance is bliss

Spill the beans

The best thing since sliced bread

Stop on a dime

Cooking with gas

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LOGIC PROBLEM

You have two ropes that have been soaked in tar.  Each rope will take exactly one hour to burn, although there might be spots that burn quickly, and other areas that burn slower.  How might you measure 45 minutes?  (Answer at bottom)

WRAP-UP

Today is the last Sunday in March and the Fourth Sunday of Lent.  We are moving into April.  The year is rapidly moving on!!!

College basketball is heading to the Final Four.  College Hockey is also moving to the Frozen Four.  

Let LOVE WIN!!!

Karen White

March 23, 2022

Burning Ropes

Light one rope on both ends.  It will take half an hour to burn completely. Meanwhile, light just one end of the second rope.  When the first rope is done it will be half an hour, and then light the second end of the second rope.  When it is finished it will be 45 minutes!!!