Curio Cabinet / Daily Curio
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FREESports Daily CurioFree1 CQ
Here’s the rein-ing king of strange winter sports. If you’re going to be in Colorado this winter, check out one of the skijoring events taking place throughout the mountainous state. Skijoring (also spelled ski joring, meaning “ski driving”) originated in Scandinavia and is a sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse or a dog. Developed by the Sami people who originally used reindeer to provide propulsion, it is now a beloved tradition in the US as well—at least in parts of Colorado and Montana, where it was introduced by Norwegian immigrants.
Nowadays, skiers are more often pulled by a pack of dogs or a horse that they control themselves, or by a horse with a rider. The annual skijoring event in Leadville, Colorado, even has competitors flying through the air as they are pulled over ramps that are set up on the streets downtown. But the old ways are still practiced in other places. In parts of Europe where the sport remains popular, reindeer are often still used. While the first skijoring event in Colorado already took place between January 8 and 9 in Ridgway, there are still four more chances to witness the oddball sport through March as part of winter festivities in Pagosa Springs, Meeker, Silverton and Leadville. Grab some skis and giddy-up![Image description: A man riding horseback pulls a skier over a snowy slope in the middle of a town street at a 2009 Skijoring event in Leadville, Colorado.] Credit & copyright: Kaila Angello, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
Here’s the rein-ing king of strange winter sports. If you’re going to be in Colorado this winter, check out one of the skijoring events taking place throughout the mountainous state. Skijoring (also spelled ski joring, meaning “ski driving”) originated in Scandinavia and is a sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse or a dog. Developed by the Sami people who originally used reindeer to provide propulsion, it is now a beloved tradition in the US as well—at least in parts of Colorado and Montana, where it was introduced by Norwegian immigrants.
Nowadays, skiers are more often pulled by a pack of dogs or a horse that they control themselves, or by a horse with a rider. The annual skijoring event in Leadville, Colorado, even has competitors flying through the air as they are pulled over ramps that are set up on the streets downtown. But the old ways are still practiced in other places. In parts of Europe where the sport remains popular, reindeer are often still used. While the first skijoring event in Colorado already took place between January 8 and 9 in Ridgway, there are still four more chances to witness the oddball sport through March as part of winter festivities in Pagosa Springs, Meeker, Silverton and Leadville. Grab some skis and giddy-up![Image description: A man riding horseback pulls a skier over a snowy slope in the middle of a town street at a 2009 Skijoring event in Leadville, Colorado.] Credit & copyright: Kaila Angello, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
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FREENutrition Daily CurioFree1 CQ
It's Flashback Friday! In this time of new year’s resolutions, enjoy these curios focused on health and nutrition.
The United Nations World Food Programme estimates Covid-19 will double the number of people suffering from food insecurity. Their surveys determined that, "55 countries and territories that are home to 135 million acutely food-insecure people in need of urgent humanitarian food and nutrition assistance are the most vulnerable to the consequences of this pandemic as they have very limited or no capacity to cope with either the health or socioeconomic aspects of the shock." Food scientists like Cedric Habiyaremye have been searching for creative solutions to the global food crisis. After much research Habiyaremye landed on quinoa. Yes, that grain, seemingly ubiquitous in every health store and restaurant in the 2010s. Pronounced KEEN-wa, it was originally cultivated in the Lake Titicaca basin between 5.2 and 7 thousand years ago to feed livestock. Revered as a superfood—quinoa is gluten free, contains all the essential amino acids, and various vitamins and minerals. Technically a seed, it grows on a flowering plant in the Amaranth family. The crop is remarkably hardy and adaptable. Not only can it withstand a range of temperatures (from -4 to 38 degrees Celsius) and humidity levels, but is also water efficient and drought resistant. No wonder it was considered sacred by the Incas. They called it chisaya mama or "mother of all grains." Even the emperor sowed the plant. Today, the main producers of quinoa are Bolivia, Peru, and the United States. Habiyaremye and a research team at Washington State University are working to add the African nation of Rwanda to that list.
As a child, Habiyaremye was a refugee displaced by the Rwandan Civil War (1990-1994). Not only did the war result in
the genocide of between 500,000 and 1 million Tutsis and Hutus, it also left Rwanda in complete disarray. Two decades later, over 35% of Rwandan children suffer from malnourishment. Even though more than 70% of Rwandans work in agriculture, they still struggle to feed themselves. One of their main crops is beans, which, although edible at every stage of development, require crop rotation. Farmers can't keep growing beans in the same field year after year. Searching for an alternative, Habiyaremye and his research team settled upon quinoa. They tested 20 varieties in 3 different ecological zones (Rwanda has mountain rainforests, savannah woodlands, wetlands, and aquatic forests). Eventually, they piloted the Quinoa Model Farmers Program, which now includes over 500 farmers, including Habiyaremye's mother. They hope the crop, along with others like millet, sorghum, barley, and oats, will provide a sustainable food source for locals. Looks like quinoa is the real nutritional mother lode after all.
Image credit & copyright: Jai79, PixabayIt's Flashback Friday! In this time of new year’s resolutions, enjoy these curios focused on health and nutrition.
The United Nations World Food Programme estimates Covid-19 will double the number of people suffering from food insecurity. Their surveys determined that, "55 countries and territories that are home to 135 million acutely food-insecure people in need of urgent humanitarian food and nutrition assistance are the most vulnerable to the consequences of this pandemic as they have very limited or no capacity to cope with either the health or socioeconomic aspects of the shock." Food scientists like Cedric Habiyaremye have been searching for creative solutions to the global food crisis. After much research Habiyaremye landed on quinoa. Yes, that grain, seemingly ubiquitous in every health store and restaurant in the 2010s. Pronounced KEEN-wa, it was originally cultivated in the Lake Titicaca basin between 5.2 and 7 thousand years ago to feed livestock. Revered as a superfood—quinoa is gluten free, contains all the essential amino acids, and various vitamins and minerals. Technically a seed, it grows on a flowering plant in the Amaranth family. The crop is remarkably hardy and adaptable. Not only can it withstand a range of temperatures (from -4 to 38 degrees Celsius) and humidity levels, but is also water efficient and drought resistant. No wonder it was considered sacred by the Incas. They called it chisaya mama or "mother of all grains." Even the emperor sowed the plant. Today, the main producers of quinoa are Bolivia, Peru, and the United States. Habiyaremye and a research team at Washington State University are working to add the African nation of Rwanda to that list.
As a child, Habiyaremye was a refugee displaced by the Rwandan Civil War (1990-1994). Not only did the war result in
the genocide of between 500,000 and 1 million Tutsis and Hutus, it also left Rwanda in complete disarray. Two decades later, over 35% of Rwandan children suffer from malnourishment. Even though more than 70% of Rwandans work in agriculture, they still struggle to feed themselves. One of their main crops is beans, which, although edible at every stage of development, require crop rotation. Farmers can't keep growing beans in the same field year after year. Searching for an alternative, Habiyaremye and his research team settled upon quinoa. They tested 20 varieties in 3 different ecological zones (Rwanda has mountain rainforests, savannah woodlands, wetlands, and aquatic forests). Eventually, they piloted the Quinoa Model Farmers Program, which now includes over 500 farmers, including Habiyaremye's mother. They hope the crop, along with others like millet, sorghum, barley, and oats, will provide a sustainable food source for locals. Looks like quinoa is the real nutritional mother lode after all.
Image credit & copyright: Jai79, Pixabay -
FREEVegetarian Cooking Daily Curio #2373Free1 CQ
We've written before about lab grown chicken meat, but this new dish is a different beast (or rather plant) altogether. On January 5, KFC announced the nation-wide launch of Beyond Fried Chicken, a plant-based menu item developed in partnership with Beyond Meat. As the name suggests, the new offering is meant to taste and feel just like chicken. Although the individual pieces look like oversized chicken nuggets, which are usually made from ground up meat, KFC has described the texture as firmer and more like whole muscle meat, such as chicken breast.
According to KFC’s press release, the company began testing its product by offering it in Atlanta back in August, 2019. The test run was successful, with stores selling out within hours, leading the company to expand the experiment to include Nashville and Charlotte while improving the recipe. Now, Beyond Fried Chicken will be available in KFC’s 4,000 or so locations in the U.S., the largest poultry meat-substitute roll-out ever by a fast-food chain. In a press release, KFC President Kevin Hochman said, “The mission from day one was simple—make the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken from plants. And now over two years later we can say, ‘mission accomplished.’”
Ethan Brown, CEO and founder of Beyond Meat, also chimed in, saying, “We couldn’t be prouder to partner with KFC to offer a best-in-class product that not only delivers the delicious experience consumers expect from this iconic chain, but also provides the added benefits of plant-based meat. We are truly thrilled to make it available to consumers nationwide.” Currently, a 12-piece order costs $6.99, but it comes with some caveats. A disclaimer on the press release shows that the faux-chicken dish is “Not prepared in vegan/vegetarian manner.” So, while it may not yet be suitable for strict vegans and vegetarians, it might be good enough for those who are looking to reduce their consumption of real meat, whether they are motivated by environmental factors or animal rights. Winner, winner, not-so-chicken dinner.
[Image description: The outside of a KFC restaurant.] Credit & copyright: Phillip Pessar, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for sizeWe've written before about lab grown chicken meat, but this new dish is a different beast (or rather plant) altogether. On January 5, KFC announced the nation-wide launch of Beyond Fried Chicken, a plant-based menu item developed in partnership with Beyond Meat. As the name suggests, the new offering is meant to taste and feel just like chicken. Although the individual pieces look like oversized chicken nuggets, which are usually made from ground up meat, KFC has described the texture as firmer and more like whole muscle meat, such as chicken breast.
According to KFC’s press release, the company began testing its product by offering it in Atlanta back in August, 2019. The test run was successful, with stores selling out within hours, leading the company to expand the experiment to include Nashville and Charlotte while improving the recipe. Now, Beyond Fried Chicken will be available in KFC’s 4,000 or so locations in the U.S., the largest poultry meat-substitute roll-out ever by a fast-food chain. In a press release, KFC President Kevin Hochman said, “The mission from day one was simple—make the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken from plants. And now over two years later we can say, ‘mission accomplished.’”
Ethan Brown, CEO and founder of Beyond Meat, also chimed in, saying, “We couldn’t be prouder to partner with KFC to offer a best-in-class product that not only delivers the delicious experience consumers expect from this iconic chain, but also provides the added benefits of plant-based meat. We are truly thrilled to make it available to consumers nationwide.” Currently, a 12-piece order costs $6.99, but it comes with some caveats. A disclaimer on the press release shows that the faux-chicken dish is “Not prepared in vegan/vegetarian manner.” So, while it may not yet be suitable for strict vegans and vegetarians, it might be good enough for those who are looking to reduce their consumption of real meat, whether they are motivated by environmental factors or animal rights. Winner, winner, not-so-chicken dinner.
[Image description: The outside of a KFC restaurant.] Credit & copyright: Phillip Pessar, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size -
FREERelationships Daily Curio #2372Free1 CQ
Winter is bringing snow, ice and hail Marys. On January 4, a 27-hour traffic jam on I-95 in Virginia that left motorists stranded in freezing conditions finally came to an end. After a winter storm dumped ice and snow on the roads, a series of accidents involving multiple jackknifed semis on the interstate left officials scrambling to clear the way. Stranded motorists, many of them commuters who thought they were in for a routine drive to work, faced not only freezing temperatures but over a day without food. However, one couple decided to try their luck by calling the customer service number they saw on the back of a baking company’s truck nearby.
By that point, Casey Holihan and John Noe had not eaten anything for over 30 hours, so it’s no wonder they went for it. Casey later posted on Facebook, “We didn’t think it would actually work, but less then 20 minutes later we got an incredible surprise. We received a personal call from the owner of the company, Chuck, who contacted the driver.” Chuck Paterakis, CEO of H&S Bakery, personally called the driver of the truck and instructed him to give away all the bread. For the next hour, the couple and the truck driver, Ron Hill, walked from car to car to hand out around 300 packages of bread.
Holihan told the local NBC affiliate WBAL, "We just kept giving it out until we couldn’t walk anymore because it was so freezing. It felt incredible just hearing people say thank you and hearing people just so relieved to finally have food in their car, food in their system and in their kids’ system. It was a really incredible feeling." I-95 wouldn’t be declared reopened until later that night, but at least some people got to have bread with their jam.
[Image description: Truck driver Ron Hill opens a Schmidt Baking Company truck during the I-95 traffic jam in Virginia.] Credit & copyright: Casey Holihan Noe/FacebookWinter is bringing snow, ice and hail Marys. On January 4, a 27-hour traffic jam on I-95 in Virginia that left motorists stranded in freezing conditions finally came to an end. After a winter storm dumped ice and snow on the roads, a series of accidents involving multiple jackknifed semis on the interstate left officials scrambling to clear the way. Stranded motorists, many of them commuters who thought they were in for a routine drive to work, faced not only freezing temperatures but over a day without food. However, one couple decided to try their luck by calling the customer service number they saw on the back of a baking company’s truck nearby.
By that point, Casey Holihan and John Noe had not eaten anything for over 30 hours, so it’s no wonder they went for it. Casey later posted on Facebook, “We didn’t think it would actually work, but less then 20 minutes later we got an incredible surprise. We received a personal call from the owner of the company, Chuck, who contacted the driver.” Chuck Paterakis, CEO of H&S Bakery, personally called the driver of the truck and instructed him to give away all the bread. For the next hour, the couple and the truck driver, Ron Hill, walked from car to car to hand out around 300 packages of bread.
Holihan told the local NBC affiliate WBAL, "We just kept giving it out until we couldn’t walk anymore because it was so freezing. It felt incredible just hearing people say thank you and hearing people just so relieved to finally have food in their car, food in their system and in their kids’ system. It was a really incredible feeling." I-95 wouldn’t be declared reopened until later that night, but at least some people got to have bread with their jam.
[Image description: Truck driver Ron Hill opens a Schmidt Baking Company truck during the I-95 traffic jam in Virginia.] Credit & copyright: Casey Holihan Noe/Facebook -
FREEHumanities Daily Curio #2371Free1 CQ
This gives new meaning to flying solo. On this day in 1935, American aviator Amelia Earhart took off on the first successful solo-flight from Hawaii to California. Although Earhart made the historic journey over the Pacific on her own, there were weeks of preparations beforehand on land and sea. The adventure started on December 22, when Earhart, husband George Putnam, technical adviser Paul Mantz, and mechanic Ernie Tissot embarked on a 5-day ship voyage from Los Angeles to Honolulu, with the plane securely tied down on the tennis deck. Halfway through the voyage, Earhart and her team started up the engine to keep it in good condition.
According to an article Earnhart herself wrote for National Geographic, she and her team spent another two weeks in Honolulu making the final preparations. This included testing the engine’s characteristics at different altitudes given the extra load of fuel it was carrying. However, Earhart also stepped away from going over the mechanical details of the plane, stating, “I believe it is better for the flyer's peace of mind to back away from the project in hand, occasionally, and get perspective.” Indeed, the condition of the plane, while paramount, was overshadowed by concerns about the weather. Assisting in this matter was Lieutenant E. W. Stephens of the US Navy and aerological officer at Pearl Harbor who created a “hypothetical weather map” that would cover Earhart’s flight path.
Earhart took off on the afternoon of January 11 from Wheeler Field on the island of Oahu, which was muddy from rain. Despite some concerns over the runway’s conditions, she was able to take flight with no issues, and after an 18-hour journey, she landed in Oakland, CA, to a runway filled with a crowd of cheering admirers. Aside from occasionally adjusting her instruments, making radio contact with ships, and a meal of tomato juice, hard-boiled egg and some hot chocolate, there wasn’t much she had to do except stay on course. The historic flight still had its moments, though. In her article, Earhart mentions, “The night I found over the Pacific was a night of stars. They seemed to rise from the sea and hang outside my cockpit window, near enough to touch, until hours later they slipped away into the dawn.” No doubt the brightest star in the sky that night was in the cockpit!
[Image description: Amelia Earhart smiles as she stands under the nose of her plane. ] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons, Public DomainThis gives new meaning to flying solo. On this day in 1935, American aviator Amelia Earhart took off on the first successful solo-flight from Hawaii to California. Although Earhart made the historic journey over the Pacific on her own, there were weeks of preparations beforehand on land and sea. The adventure started on December 22, when Earhart, husband George Putnam, technical adviser Paul Mantz, and mechanic Ernie Tissot embarked on a 5-day ship voyage from Los Angeles to Honolulu, with the plane securely tied down on the tennis deck. Halfway through the voyage, Earhart and her team started up the engine to keep it in good condition.
According to an article Earnhart herself wrote for National Geographic, she and her team spent another two weeks in Honolulu making the final preparations. This included testing the engine’s characteristics at different altitudes given the extra load of fuel it was carrying. However, Earhart also stepped away from going over the mechanical details of the plane, stating, “I believe it is better for the flyer's peace of mind to back away from the project in hand, occasionally, and get perspective.” Indeed, the condition of the plane, while paramount, was overshadowed by concerns about the weather. Assisting in this matter was Lieutenant E. W. Stephens of the US Navy and aerological officer at Pearl Harbor who created a “hypothetical weather map” that would cover Earhart’s flight path.
Earhart took off on the afternoon of January 11 from Wheeler Field on the island of Oahu, which was muddy from rain. Despite some concerns over the runway’s conditions, she was able to take flight with no issues, and after an 18-hour journey, she landed in Oakland, CA, to a runway filled with a crowd of cheering admirers. Aside from occasionally adjusting her instruments, making radio contact with ships, and a meal of tomato juice, hard-boiled egg and some hot chocolate, there wasn’t much she had to do except stay on course. The historic flight still had its moments, though. In her article, Earhart mentions, “The night I found over the Pacific was a night of stars. They seemed to rise from the sea and hang outside my cockpit window, near enough to touch, until hours later they slipped away into the dawn.” No doubt the brightest star in the sky that night was in the cockpit!
[Image description: Amelia Earhart smiles as she stands under the nose of her plane. ] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain -
FREEWorld History Daily Curio #2370Free1 CQ
Caesar wasn’t the type to just get his feet wet and leave it at that. We've written about Julius Caesar before, but how exactly did he become a dictator? The first step was made on this day in 49 BCE, when he crossed the Rubicon. Crossing this one stream was such a monumentally important act that we still use “crossing the Rubicon” today, as a phrase to describe someone doing something irreversible. By the time of the famed crossing, tensions were brewing between Caesar and the Roman Senate. Caesar had bought his way into a consulship and then was made governor of Cisalpine Gaul for the following 10 years. This granted him legal immunity, per Roman law, and protected him from being sued for his growing debts, which funded his legions. In fact, legion salaries were paid by their generals, meaning that troops were often more loyal to their leader than to Rome itself.
At the end of his governorship, Caesar demanded that the Senate elect him once more as consul, albeit without him being present, so he would not have to enter Rome as a private citizen and face legal action. The Senate instead offered to grant him another term as governor. Dissatisfied with the offer, Caesar decided to march his army into Rome itself. The first step in doing this was crossing the Rubicon, a stream that marked the northern frontier of the Roman Republic. According to Roman historian Suetonius, before he made the crossing, “Caesar cried out, 'Let us go where the omens of the Gods and the crimes of our enemies summon us! THE DIE IS NOW CAST!'”
Crossing his legions across the border was considered an act of war, but as his political enemies had already fled the city, Caesar was able to enter Rome without much resistance. However, he had indeed gone past the point of no return and led Rome into civil war. By 46 BCE, Caesar would emerge victorious and be granted a dictatorship, a 10-year term during which he would have absolute power. Ostensibly, it was for the protection of Rome against its enemies. In reality, it was a stepping stone to him declaring himself the first Emperor of Rome just two years later. Of course, that didn’t end so well for him. Maybe he should have thought twice before casting that die.
[Image description: An illustration titled On the shores of Great Seas by illustrator E. M. Synge, depicting Julius Caesar pausing on the banks of the Rubicon.] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons, Public DomainCaesar wasn’t the type to just get his feet wet and leave it at that. We've written about Julius Caesar before, but how exactly did he become a dictator? The first step was made on this day in 49 BCE, when he crossed the Rubicon. Crossing this one stream was such a monumentally important act that we still use “crossing the Rubicon” today, as a phrase to describe someone doing something irreversible. By the time of the famed crossing, tensions were brewing between Caesar and the Roman Senate. Caesar had bought his way into a consulship and then was made governor of Cisalpine Gaul for the following 10 years. This granted him legal immunity, per Roman law, and protected him from being sued for his growing debts, which funded his legions. In fact, legion salaries were paid by their generals, meaning that troops were often more loyal to their leader than to Rome itself.
At the end of his governorship, Caesar demanded that the Senate elect him once more as consul, albeit without him being present, so he would not have to enter Rome as a private citizen and face legal action. The Senate instead offered to grant him another term as governor. Dissatisfied with the offer, Caesar decided to march his army into Rome itself. The first step in doing this was crossing the Rubicon, a stream that marked the northern frontier of the Roman Republic. According to Roman historian Suetonius, before he made the crossing, “Caesar cried out, 'Let us go where the omens of the Gods and the crimes of our enemies summon us! THE DIE IS NOW CAST!'”
Crossing his legions across the border was considered an act of war, but as his political enemies had already fled the city, Caesar was able to enter Rome without much resistance. However, he had indeed gone past the point of no return and led Rome into civil war. By 46 BCE, Caesar would emerge victorious and be granted a dictatorship, a 10-year term during which he would have absolute power. Ostensibly, it was for the protection of Rome against its enemies. In reality, it was a stepping stone to him declaring himself the first Emperor of Rome just two years later. Of course, that didn’t end so well for him. Maybe he should have thought twice before casting that die.
[Image description: An illustration titled On the shores of Great Seas by illustrator E. M. Synge, depicting Julius Caesar pausing on the banks of the Rubicon.] Credit & copyright: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain -
FREESports Daily CurioFree1 CQ
They say you should shoot for the stars, and this athlete’s weapon of choice was a bow. Born this day in 1930, Doreen Wilbur was a record-shattering Olympic archer from Iowa. While most Olympians start practicing their respective sports in their youth, Wilbur didn’t take up archery until 1957, when she was approaching her thirties. The story goes that one day, her husband, Paul “Skeeter” Wilbur, received a bow and arrow set as payment for an auto repair bill.
After trying them out, Doreen found that she was a natural at the sport, and went on to dominate state and national tournaments, earning medals left and right. In 1972, she represented the U.S. at the Summer Olympics in Munich, bringing home the gold at age 42. Aside from her prodigious archery skills, she was also known to be a generous and compassionate competitor, often carrying extra strings and other supplies for other archers who might need them. By the time she retired, she had set 18 records at the national and international level, all without ever receiving professional instruction or coaching.. Today, a bronze statue of her stands in Jefferson, Iowa. It’s one of the few bronzes she ever got![Image description: A close-up photo of an arrow stuck in a bullseye.] Credit & copyright: kisistvan77, Pixabay
They say you should shoot for the stars, and this athlete’s weapon of choice was a bow. Born this day in 1930, Doreen Wilbur was a record-shattering Olympic archer from Iowa. While most Olympians start practicing their respective sports in their youth, Wilbur didn’t take up archery until 1957, when she was approaching her thirties. The story goes that one day, her husband, Paul “Skeeter” Wilbur, received a bow and arrow set as payment for an auto repair bill.
After trying them out, Doreen found that she was a natural at the sport, and went on to dominate state and national tournaments, earning medals left and right. In 1972, she represented the U.S. at the Summer Olympics in Munich, bringing home the gold at age 42. Aside from her prodigious archery skills, she was also known to be a generous and compassionate competitor, often carrying extra strings and other supplies for other archers who might need them. By the time she retired, she had set 18 records at the national and international level, all without ever receiving professional instruction or coaching.. Today, a bronze statue of her stands in Jefferson, Iowa. It’s one of the few bronzes she ever got![Image description: A close-up photo of an arrow stuck in a bullseye.] Credit & copyright: kisistvan77, Pixabay
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FREESports Daily CurioFree1 CQ
It's Flashback Friday! In honor of Harlem Globetrotters’ Day, enjoy these sports-centric curios.
In 2010, the longest tennis match in history came to a close. As epic as it was, it didn't take place in the finals. Or even mid-tournament. It was a showdown between the American John Isner and the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut… in the first round of Wimbledon's Men's Singles championship. As far as world rankings went, Isner was 19 and Mahut way down at 148. Nevertheless, both gave it their all. For those of us who don't keep up with tennis—myself included—important Grand Slam matches like those at Wimbledon are best of five sets. Everything was progressing smoothly when Isner and Mahut began their faceoff on June 22, 2010. The initial four sets were wrapped up the first day, with Isner and Mahut winning two each. Only, they played so long that it got dark. The match had to resume the following day. On the 23rd, Isner failed to seal four match points. A stalemate ensued, and after a grueling day of back and forths, it grew dark yet again and the match had to resume on a third day. The call was made in spite of the crowds chanting, "We want more, we want more!" The night before the 24th, Isner guzzled a recovery shake, immersed himself in an ice bath, and enjoyed McDonald's courtesy of American tennis player Andy Roddick. He said he could have eaten a dozen Big Macs. Mahut, meanwhile, also took a cold bath and had a massage. The third day began. Isner, the greater talent, struggled to seal the deal. His mental fortitude seemed to be cracking as his body was giving out. Mahut, the more relentless, was still diving for shots even as his legs were failing. Finally, Isner managed with a backhand to convert his only match point of the day, and the fifth and final of the showdown. The final score was 70–68, Isner. All in all, Isner and Mahut had vied against one another for 11 hours and five minutes of play, spread across three days. And even though they would never be legendary Federers or Djokovics, they cemented their place in the annals of tennis history. For us, it was a match made in heaven. For Isner and Mahut? Well, you get the picture...
Image credit & copyright: Voo de Mar, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
It's Flashback Friday! In honor of Harlem Globetrotters’ Day, enjoy these sports-centric curios.
In 2010, the longest tennis match in history came to a close. As epic as it was, it didn't take place in the finals. Or even mid-tournament. It was a showdown between the American John Isner and the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut… in the first round of Wimbledon's Men's Singles championship. As far as world rankings went, Isner was 19 and Mahut way down at 148. Nevertheless, both gave it their all. For those of us who don't keep up with tennis—myself included—important Grand Slam matches like those at Wimbledon are best of five sets. Everything was progressing smoothly when Isner and Mahut began their faceoff on June 22, 2010. The initial four sets were wrapped up the first day, with Isner and Mahut winning two each. Only, they played so long that it got dark. The match had to resume the following day. On the 23rd, Isner failed to seal four match points. A stalemate ensued, and after a grueling day of back and forths, it grew dark yet again and the match had to resume on a third day. The call was made in spite of the crowds chanting, "We want more, we want more!" The night before the 24th, Isner guzzled a recovery shake, immersed himself in an ice bath, and enjoyed McDonald's courtesy of American tennis player Andy Roddick. He said he could have eaten a dozen Big Macs. Mahut, meanwhile, also took a cold bath and had a massage. The third day began. Isner, the greater talent, struggled to seal the deal. His mental fortitude seemed to be cracking as his body was giving out. Mahut, the more relentless, was still diving for shots even as his legs were failing. Finally, Isner managed with a backhand to convert his only match point of the day, and the fifth and final of the showdown. The final score was 70–68, Isner. All in all, Isner and Mahut had vied against one another for 11 hours and five minutes of play, spread across three days. And even though they would never be legendary Federers or Djokovics, they cemented their place in the annals of tennis history. For us, it was a match made in heaven. For Isner and Mahut? Well, you get the picture...
Image credit & copyright: Voo de Mar, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
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FREEBiology Daily Curio #2369Free1 CQ
What a magical (and mythical) way to end the year. Just as 2021 was coming to a close, the Bronx Zoo welcomed 6 Komodo dragon hatchlings, the first in the zoo’s 122-year history. The zoo, which is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), published a news release that detailed the arduous journey of the Herpetology Department. Komodos are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, since they are not very social and can be very aggressive, even to each other. To ensure their safety, the staff had to monitor the breeding pair during their courtship and mating, which can turn violent if the pair don’t get along.
After the female laid a clutch back in April, the eggs then had to be incubated for another 7 months or so. In the news release, Don Boyer, Curator of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo, said, “This is an important achievement for zoo staff and a significant milestone for the Bronx Zoo. Komodo dragons are one of the planet’s most fascinating species and these hatchlings represent a hopeful future for the species. They will be wonderful ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help us raise awareness about conservation needs.”
The hatching of the baby dragons is more than for drawing admiring crowds to the zoo’s Komodo exhibit, which opened in 2014. It’s actually a significant step toward preserving the species and its genetic diversity. As the largest lizard species, fully grown Komodo dragons can weigh hundreds of pounds and measure 10 feet in length. Yet, despite their immense size and fearsome reputation, the creatures are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That means every single Komodo dragon that hatches counts, and the Bronx Zoo’s hatchlings are destined to be sent to other zoos to act as ambassadors for the species.
Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to introduce these captive-bred lizards into the wild, because the major contributing factor to the decline of their wild population is habitat destruction and human encroachment, leaving hardly any real estate for the 2,500 Komodos left in the wild as it is. Fortunately, the Bronx Zoo isn’t the only place where new dragons are being hatched. In fact, in October, the San Antonio Zoo welcomed 10 hatchlings from a clutch of 22 eggs. Good thing these zoos aren’t putting all their dragon eggs in one basket.
[Image description: A young komodo dragon with yellow-and-gray skin.] Credit & copyright: Neil, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for sizeWhat a magical (and mythical) way to end the year. Just as 2021 was coming to a close, the Bronx Zoo welcomed 6 Komodo dragon hatchlings, the first in the zoo’s 122-year history. The zoo, which is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), published a news release that detailed the arduous journey of the Herpetology Department. Komodos are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, since they are not very social and can be very aggressive, even to each other. To ensure their safety, the staff had to monitor the breeding pair during their courtship and mating, which can turn violent if the pair don’t get along.
After the female laid a clutch back in April, the eggs then had to be incubated for another 7 months or so. In the news release, Don Boyer, Curator of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo, said, “This is an important achievement for zoo staff and a significant milestone for the Bronx Zoo. Komodo dragons are one of the planet’s most fascinating species and these hatchlings represent a hopeful future for the species. They will be wonderful ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help us raise awareness about conservation needs.”
The hatching of the baby dragons is more than for drawing admiring crowds to the zoo’s Komodo exhibit, which opened in 2014. It’s actually a significant step toward preserving the species and its genetic diversity. As the largest lizard species, fully grown Komodo dragons can weigh hundreds of pounds and measure 10 feet in length. Yet, despite their immense size and fearsome reputation, the creatures are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That means every single Komodo dragon that hatches counts, and the Bronx Zoo’s hatchlings are destined to be sent to other zoos to act as ambassadors for the species.
Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to introduce these captive-bred lizards into the wild, because the major contributing factor to the decline of their wild population is habitat destruction and human encroachment, leaving hardly any real estate for the 2,500 Komodos left in the wild as it is. Fortunately, the Bronx Zoo isn’t the only place where new dragons are being hatched. In fact, in October, the San Antonio Zoo welcomed 10 hatchlings from a clutch of 22 eggs. Good thing these zoos aren’t putting all their dragon eggs in one basket.
[Image description: A young komodo dragon with yellow-and-gray skin.] Credit & copyright: Neil, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size -
FREEScience Daily Curio #2368Free1 CQ
Here’s to a job well done! Abandoned oil wells pose a hazard few know about, but there are some very dedicated people, like Curtis Shuck of the Well Done Foundation, who are capping wells and making sure their damage to the environment is contained. Shuck is a 30-year veteran of the oil industry, but for years even he didn’t know about the problem of “orphan” wells. After oil companies extract what they can, the wells they built to tap into the deposits are left behind. Massive amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas, leak from the wells.
The first time that Shuck discovered this problem, he was speaking to a farmer who had surface rights to his land, but not mineral rights. That allowed someone else to come onto his land and drill for oil, leaving him with methane and abandoned drilling equipment littering his property. In an interview with the BBC, Shuck expressed his surprise, saying, “When I saw the condition that was left behind by the industry I was absolutely horrified.” This revelation led him to create the Well Done Foundation (WDF), a non-profit that caps abandoned wells.
In a process that takes months to a year, the WDF seals up the wells at a cost of up to $30,000 each. It’s a slow, laborious process, but with the EPA estimates showing 2.5 million unsecured oil wells spread throughout 31 states, it’s a necessary one. Combined, the derelict wells produce 7 million tons of methane a year, adding the potent greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Currently, the WDF relies on private donations to fund their endeavors and have managed to close up 14 wells, throughout Louisiana, Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Shuck hopes to expand the operation and is looking into plugging wells in West Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and California in the near future. Here’s hoping Shuck and his team can put a lid on this environmental menace.
[Image description: An oil pump in a desert area.] Credit & copyright: jp26jp, PixabayHere’s to a job well done! Abandoned oil wells pose a hazard few know about, but there are some very dedicated people, like Curtis Shuck of the Well Done Foundation, who are capping wells and making sure their damage to the environment is contained. Shuck is a 30-year veteran of the oil industry, but for years even he didn’t know about the problem of “orphan” wells. After oil companies extract what they can, the wells they built to tap into the deposits are left behind. Massive amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas, leak from the wells.
The first time that Shuck discovered this problem, he was speaking to a farmer who had surface rights to his land, but not mineral rights. That allowed someone else to come onto his land and drill for oil, leaving him with methane and abandoned drilling equipment littering his property. In an interview with the BBC, Shuck expressed his surprise, saying, “When I saw the condition that was left behind by the industry I was absolutely horrified.” This revelation led him to create the Well Done Foundation (WDF), a non-profit that caps abandoned wells.
In a process that takes months to a year, the WDF seals up the wells at a cost of up to $30,000 each. It’s a slow, laborious process, but with the EPA estimates showing 2.5 million unsecured oil wells spread throughout 31 states, it’s a necessary one. Combined, the derelict wells produce 7 million tons of methane a year, adding the potent greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Currently, the WDF relies on private donations to fund their endeavors and have managed to close up 14 wells, throughout Louisiana, Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Shuck hopes to expand the operation and is looking into plugging wells in West Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and California in the near future. Here’s hoping Shuck and his team can put a lid on this environmental menace.
[Image description: An oil pump in a desert area.] Credit & copyright: jp26jp, Pixabay -
FREEActing Daily Curio #2367Free1 CQ
For fans of this golden girl, 2021 ended on a bitter note. Legendary actress and beloved pop culture icon Betty White passed away on December 31, at the age of 99. Her career spanned over 70 years and earned her a unique, cross-generational fanbase. With her timeless warmth and comedic nature, White had a knack for keeping herself relevant, even in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Born January 17, 1922, White’s first aspiration was to be a forest ranger, due to her love of wildlife. Since women weren’t allowed to be rangers, at the time, she turned to acting and modeling. In a twist that modern fans would likely find unbelievable, White was rejected from several movie studios for not being photogenic. Undeterred, she pursued a career in radio, working her way up until she began making appearances on television shows. In the 1950s, White took over her own variety show, renamed it The Betty White Show, co-founded a production company and starred in her own sitcom. In 1951, White earned her first Emmy nomination for her work in the sitcom Life With Elizabeth, whose fans loved her portrayal of the somewhat scatterbrained titular character. Even as a young up-and-comer, White became known for following her conscience. Her variety show was cancelled after she refused to fire a Black performer, tap-dancer Arthur Duncam, to appease viewers in the Jim-crow-era South.
But White’s career couldn’t be stopped. In 1955, she was named the honorary Mayor of Hollywood for her work in sitcoms and on game shows. In the 1960s and 1970s, she acted in several successful shows, including the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Today, she is best remembered for her role as the sweet-but-absentminded Rose Nylund on the hit NBC show The Golden Girls, which aired from 1985 to 1992. After going viral for her performance in a 2010 Snickers Superbowl commercial, White became popular amongst a whole new generation of viewers. Despite being in her 80s, White went on to appear in yet another show, Hot in Cleveland, which made full use of her sassy-old-lady persona. After White’s recent passing, her agent and longtime friend, Jeff Witjas, told People Magazine that White felt her fans’ love for the entirety of her life. “Even when she wasn't working, I said, ‘Betty, millions of people out there are still asking for you. You're getting your fan letters, I'm getting offers for you,’” he said. Talk about a long, storied career!
[Image description: Betty White wearing a blue dress and silver jewelry at the 1988 Emmy Awards.] Credit & copyright: Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for sizeFor fans of this golden girl, 2021 ended on a bitter note. Legendary actress and beloved pop culture icon Betty White passed away on December 31, at the age of 99. Her career spanned over 70 years and earned her a unique, cross-generational fanbase. With her timeless warmth and comedic nature, White had a knack for keeping herself relevant, even in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Born January 17, 1922, White’s first aspiration was to be a forest ranger, due to her love of wildlife. Since women weren’t allowed to be rangers, at the time, she turned to acting and modeling. In a twist that modern fans would likely find unbelievable, White was rejected from several movie studios for not being photogenic. Undeterred, she pursued a career in radio, working her way up until she began making appearances on television shows. In the 1950s, White took over her own variety show, renamed it The Betty White Show, co-founded a production company and starred in her own sitcom. In 1951, White earned her first Emmy nomination for her work in the sitcom Life With Elizabeth, whose fans loved her portrayal of the somewhat scatterbrained titular character. Even as a young up-and-comer, White became known for following her conscience. Her variety show was cancelled after she refused to fire a Black performer, tap-dancer Arthur Duncam, to appease viewers in the Jim-crow-era South.
But White’s career couldn’t be stopped. In 1955, she was named the honorary Mayor of Hollywood for her work in sitcoms and on game shows. In the 1960s and 1970s, she acted in several successful shows, including the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Today, she is best remembered for her role as the sweet-but-absentminded Rose Nylund on the hit NBC show The Golden Girls, which aired from 1985 to 1992. After going viral for her performance in a 2010 Snickers Superbowl commercial, White became popular amongst a whole new generation of viewers. Despite being in her 80s, White went on to appear in yet another show, Hot in Cleveland, which made full use of her sassy-old-lady persona. After White’s recent passing, her agent and longtime friend, Jeff Witjas, told People Magazine that White felt her fans’ love for the entirety of her life. “Even when she wasn't working, I said, ‘Betty, millions of people out there are still asking for you. You're getting your fan letters, I'm getting offers for you,’” he said. Talk about a long, storied career!
[Image description: Betty White wearing a blue dress and silver jewelry at the 1988 Emmy Awards.] Credit & copyright: Alan Light, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size -
FREEMind + Body Daily Curio #2366Free1 CQ
The White House is addressing some water damage. Recently, the Biden administration announced a plan to replace all lead pipes that service U.S. homes as concerns grow over their effect on water quality and public health. Per the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), for a plumbing system to be considered lead free, the lead content must be less than “a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.” Of those components, the largest source of lead contamination is usually the service line that provides water to entire houses.
According to a White House press release regarding the plan, up to 10 million households are serviced by lead pipes, but the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit environmental organization, estimates it may be high as 12.8 million. That’s not even counting the 400,000 schools and child care facilities that the White House estimates are affected. In all, the NRDC claims around 22 million people might be drinking contaminated water. While lead pipes don’t always mean there is lead in the water, it does mean that families relying on leaded lines are sitting on a time bomb of sorts. Natural mineral build-up is usually enough to keep lead from contaminating the water that flows through it, but changes in the condition of the water, such as increased acidity or lower mineral content, can remove the protective layers that keep lead contained.
That’s what happened in Flint, Michigan, leading to lead levels so high that residents began to rely on bottled drinking water. Of course, that’s not to say that water quality has to get as bad as it did in Flint to present a threat. In a statement to the press, EPA administrator Michael S. Regan said, “The science on lead is settled—there is no safe level of exposure and it is time to remove this risk to support thriving people and vibrant communities.” However, there has been some criticism directed at the bipartisan plan, with the NRDC expressing concerns over its lack of clear timelines and stricter enforcement requirements. For now, the EPA will be allowed to allocate $3 billion toward lead service line replacements in 2022. Here’s hoping the plan doesn’t go down like a lead balloon.
[Image description: Water runs from a kitchen faucet.] Credit & copyright: kaboompics, PixabayThe White House is addressing some water damage. Recently, the Biden administration announced a plan to replace all lead pipes that service U.S. homes as concerns grow over their effect on water quality and public health. Per the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), for a plumbing system to be considered lead free, the lead content must be less than “a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.” Of those components, the largest source of lead contamination is usually the service line that provides water to entire houses.
According to a White House press release regarding the plan, up to 10 million households are serviced by lead pipes, but the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit environmental organization, estimates it may be high as 12.8 million. That’s not even counting the 400,000 schools and child care facilities that the White House estimates are affected. In all, the NRDC claims around 22 million people might be drinking contaminated water. While lead pipes don’t always mean there is lead in the water, it does mean that families relying on leaded lines are sitting on a time bomb of sorts. Natural mineral build-up is usually enough to keep lead from contaminating the water that flows through it, but changes in the condition of the water, such as increased acidity or lower mineral content, can remove the protective layers that keep lead contained.
That’s what happened in Flint, Michigan, leading to lead levels so high that residents began to rely on bottled drinking water. Of course, that’s not to say that water quality has to get as bad as it did in Flint to present a threat. In a statement to the press, EPA administrator Michael S. Regan said, “The science on lead is settled—there is no safe level of exposure and it is time to remove this risk to support thriving people and vibrant communities.” However, there has been some criticism directed at the bipartisan plan, with the NRDC expressing concerns over its lack of clear timelines and stricter enforcement requirements. For now, the EPA will be allowed to allocate $3 billion toward lead service line replacements in 2022. Here’s hoping the plan doesn’t go down like a lead balloon.
[Image description: Water runs from a kitchen faucet.] Credit & copyright: kaboompics, Pixabay -
FREEBasketball Daily CurioFree1 CQ
This probably isn’t what people mean when they talk about packing the court. On December 27, Greg Monroe broke an unusual record by becoming the 541st player to play in the NBA this season. Monroe signed to a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the day before going on to contribute 11 points and 9 rebounds in 25 minutes for a 108-103 win against the Boston Celtics. Such short-term contracts have become common in the face of player shortages due to COVID-19, and they’re also the reason for the record-breaking number of individual players that have taken the court this year. Although he hasn’t been with the team for long, Monroe is a consummate pro. He told the press, "I woke up at about 4 a.m. First flight was canceled. I left D.C. about 7 a.m. roughly, had to connect in Chicago, got here around 11, had COVID testing, got a chance to rest, came to the gym around 4.'' That might seem like a hectic schedule, but Monroe is used to moving between teams. Since 2010, the 31-year old center has played with seven teams in the NBA, including his current stint in Minnesota, and played in Europe before coming back to the U.S. to join the Capital City Go-Go in the G League. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch seemed happy with the player’s performance, saying, "He's so experienced. He gives us a different look, some legit size and beef. His rebounding was great. Again, you can just throw it to him and things kind of calm down.'' Maybe it’s time for him to join the pack for good.
[Image description: Gren Monroe, wearing Detroit Pistons gear, cheers during player introductions in 2013.] Credit & copyright: chiuchiu11, Steffaville, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
This probably isn’t what people mean when they talk about packing the court. On December 27, Greg Monroe broke an unusual record by becoming the 541st player to play in the NBA this season. Monroe signed to a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the day before going on to contribute 11 points and 9 rebounds in 25 minutes for a 108-103 win against the Boston Celtics. Such short-term contracts have become common in the face of player shortages due to COVID-19, and they’re also the reason for the record-breaking number of individual players that have taken the court this year. Although he hasn’t been with the team for long, Monroe is a consummate pro. He told the press, "I woke up at about 4 a.m. First flight was canceled. I left D.C. about 7 a.m. roughly, had to connect in Chicago, got here around 11, had COVID testing, got a chance to rest, came to the gym around 4.'' That might seem like a hectic schedule, but Monroe is used to moving between teams. Since 2010, the 31-year old center has played with seven teams in the NBA, including his current stint in Minnesota, and played in Europe before coming back to the U.S. to join the Capital City Go-Go in the G League. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch seemed happy with the player’s performance, saying, "He's so experienced. He gives us a different look, some legit size and beef. His rebounding was great. Again, you can just throw it to him and things kind of calm down.'' Maybe it’s time for him to join the pack for good.
[Image description: Gren Monroe, wearing Detroit Pistons gear, cheers during player introductions in 2013.] Credit & copyright: chiuchiu11, Steffaville, Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size.
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FREEWorld History Daily CurioFree1 CQ
It's Flashback Friday AND New Year’s Eve! While looking into the future, enjoy these curios featuring images and stories from New Years past.
Now's the time of year when many people are saying to themselves "new year, new me." About 40% of the country makes New Year's resolutions each January. While making big self-improvement goals might seem like contemporary new age-y woo-woo stuff, the tradition of New Year's resolutions is quite an old and storied one. Over 4,000 years ago, ancient Babylonians held the Akita festival at the start of the new year in Nissannu (early spring). During the 12-day celebration of the god Marduk and the barley sowing season there were ceremonies to crown or reaffirm kings. People of various classes would also make promises to the gods to pay all debts. Some 2,000 years later, in 46 B.C.E., Roman "dictator for life" Julius Caesar reformed the calendar year making Ianuarius or January 1st the beginning of the new year. The Julian calendar took the name of its first month from the two-faced god Janus, who symbolically looked into the past and future. Romans would make sacrifices to Janus and make plans for the upcoming year while the nights were still long and the weather unfavorable to farmers. Centuries later, in 14th century France, Jacques de Longuyon composed Les voeux du paon or The Vows of the Peacock. The chanson de geste or "song of heroic deeds," was an epic poem about Charlemagne. Longuyon's version includes the story of knights affirming their chivalric oaths around the end of the Christmas season.
While nobility seemed to bestow on others the calendar traditions of New Year's, the juiciest resolution lists come from well-regarded writers. In 1699, the satirist Jonathan Swift wrote 17 aspirations, which included "not to marry a young woman," "not to neglect decency, or cleanliness, for fear of falling into nastiness," and "not to be fond of children, or let them come near me hardly." In 1942, folk singer Woody Guthrie penned a charming list of New Year's resolutions which included "Wash teeth, if any," "read lots good books," and "help win war—beat fascism." In 1972, Susan Sontag wrote "Kindness, kindness, kindness…. I want to make a New Year's prayer, not a resolution. I'm praying for courage." While experts advise practical and realistic goal-setting in order to keep New Year's resolutions—e.g. "go on a walk four times a week for 30 minutes each time" rather than simply "exercise"—we've still got a soft spot for Sontag's idealistic resolution. May we all have heaps of kindness and courage to share with others in 2021.
Image credit & copyright: eliza28diamonds, PixabayIt's Flashback Friday AND New Year’s Eve! While looking into the future, enjoy these curios featuring images and stories from New Years past.
Now's the time of year when many people are saying to themselves "new year, new me." About 40% of the country makes New Year's resolutions each January. While making big self-improvement goals might seem like contemporary new age-y woo-woo stuff, the tradition of New Year's resolutions is quite an old and storied one. Over 4,000 years ago, ancient Babylonians held the Akita festival at the start of the new year in Nissannu (early spring). During the 12-day celebration of the god Marduk and the barley sowing season there were ceremonies to crown or reaffirm kings. People of various classes would also make promises to the gods to pay all debts. Some 2,000 years later, in 46 B.C.E., Roman "dictator for life" Julius Caesar reformed the calendar year making Ianuarius or January 1st the beginning of the new year. The Julian calendar took the name of its first month from the two-faced god Janus, who symbolically looked into the past and future. Romans would make sacrifices to Janus and make plans for the upcoming year while the nights were still long and the weather unfavorable to farmers. Centuries later, in 14th century France, Jacques de Longuyon composed Les voeux du paon or The Vows of the Peacock. The chanson de geste or "song of heroic deeds," was an epic poem about Charlemagne. Longuyon's version includes the story of knights affirming their chivalric oaths around the end of the Christmas season.
While nobility seemed to bestow on others the calendar traditions of New Year's, the juiciest resolution lists come from well-regarded writers. In 1699, the satirist Jonathan Swift wrote 17 aspirations, which included "not to marry a young woman," "not to neglect decency, or cleanliness, for fear of falling into nastiness," and "not to be fond of children, or let them come near me hardly." In 1942, folk singer Woody Guthrie penned a charming list of New Year's resolutions which included "Wash teeth, if any," "read lots good books," and "help win war—beat fascism." In 1972, Susan Sontag wrote "Kindness, kindness, kindness…. I want to make a New Year's prayer, not a resolution. I'm praying for courage." While experts advise practical and realistic goal-setting in order to keep New Year's resolutions—e.g. "go on a walk four times a week for 30 minutes each time" rather than simply "exercise"—we've still got a soft spot for Sontag's idealistic resolution. May we all have heaps of kindness and courage to share with others in 2021.
Image credit & copyright: eliza28diamonds, Pixabay -
FREEAstronomy Daily Curio #2365Free1 CQ
This watery discovery is pure gold. On December 12, The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that there may be a large deposit of water under the Martian equivalent of the Grand Canyon. Although the Red Planet is extremely dry with scant amounts of water compared to Earth, it is believed that earlier in its life, Mars was covered in oceans. Few liquid traces of the oceans remain, but some water in the form of ice has previously been found around the poles, where it is colder. This latest discovery was made possible by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which was launched in 2016 as a joint venture between the ESA and Roscosmos. The satellite can detect water on the surface of Mars by looking for neutrons with an instrument called the Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector, or FREND.
In ESA’s press release regarding the discovery, Alexey Malakhov of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences said, "neutrons are produced when highly energetic particles known as 'galactic cosmic rays' strike Mars; drier soils emit more neutrons than wetter ones.” Using this observation method, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter found water up to 1 meter under the surface of Valles Marineris, a canyon system on Mars that dwarfs Earth’s Grand Canyon. What makes the discovery unusual is that the canyons are just south of the planet’s equator, where it should be too warm for water to still be present. Also, the satellite’s instruments show that there is a lot of water, with the deposits covering an area larger than the Netherlands at 15,800 square miles. And within that area, at least 40 percent of the surface material is water.
So much water so near the surface and so close to the equator means that there is some combination of conditions in Valles Marineris that can either preserve water or replenish it, which are both exciting possibilities. According to Colin Wilson, ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter project scientist, “This result really demonstrates the success of the joint ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars programme. Knowing more about how and where water exists on present-day Mars is essential to understand what happened to Mars’ once-abundant water, and helps our search for habitable environments, possible signs of past life, and organic materials from Mars’ earliest days.” Stop drilling, you’ve struck water!
[Image description: A digital illustration of the surface of Mars.] Credit & copyright: AlexAntropov86, PixabayThis watery discovery is pure gold. On December 12, The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that there may be a large deposit of water under the Martian equivalent of the Grand Canyon. Although the Red Planet is extremely dry with scant amounts of water compared to Earth, it is believed that earlier in its life, Mars was covered in oceans. Few liquid traces of the oceans remain, but some water in the form of ice has previously been found around the poles, where it is colder. This latest discovery was made possible by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which was launched in 2016 as a joint venture between the ESA and Roscosmos. The satellite can detect water on the surface of Mars by looking for neutrons with an instrument called the Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector, or FREND.
In ESA’s press release regarding the discovery, Alexey Malakhov of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences said, "neutrons are produced when highly energetic particles known as 'galactic cosmic rays' strike Mars; drier soils emit more neutrons than wetter ones.” Using this observation method, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter found water up to 1 meter under the surface of Valles Marineris, a canyon system on Mars that dwarfs Earth’s Grand Canyon. What makes the discovery unusual is that the canyons are just south of the planet’s equator, where it should be too warm for water to still be present. Also, the satellite’s instruments show that there is a lot of water, with the deposits covering an area larger than the Netherlands at 15,800 square miles. And within that area, at least 40 percent of the surface material is water.
So much water so near the surface and so close to the equator means that there is some combination of conditions in Valles Marineris that can either preserve water or replenish it, which are both exciting possibilities. According to Colin Wilson, ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter project scientist, “This result really demonstrates the success of the joint ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars programme. Knowing more about how and where water exists on present-day Mars is essential to understand what happened to Mars’ once-abundant water, and helps our search for habitable environments, possible signs of past life, and organic materials from Mars’ earliest days.” Stop drilling, you’ve struck water!
[Image description: A digital illustration of the surface of Mars.] Credit & copyright: AlexAntropov86, Pixabay -
FREEWorld History Daily Curio #2364Free1 CQ
He may be gone, but his steadfast compassion won’t soon be forgotten. Anti-apartheid activist and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu passed away on December 26 at the age of 90. Even before the end of apartheid, a legal system of racial segregation in South Africa, Tutu made history by becoming the first black Anglican bishop of Johannesburg and then the first Archbishop of Cape Town. He was often referred to as the moral conscience of South Africa, and was known for fostering peace and reconciliation during and after the end of the apartheid era. In 1984, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize "for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa." When Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994, Tutu was appointed the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was responsible for investigating and uncovering apartheid-related human rights abuses that had taken place.
Tutu was also a vocal supporter of LGBT rights—a position that garnered him much criticism from other religious leaders and the general South African population. At the launch of a UN-backed campaign to promote gay rights in 2013, he said, “I would not worship a God who is homophobic. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven...I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level." In 2015, he gave his blessing at the wedding of his daughter, Mpho Tutu, to a woman. Mpho Tutu, who was herself a priest in the South African Anglican Church, had her license as a priest revoked by the South African diocese after her marriage, but her father continued to publicly support her. Regardless of the cause he was advocating for, Tutu was renowned for his ability to quote scripture and for his open displays of emotion, often weeping when speaking of atrocities that he had witnessed. Although he claimed to retire from public life in 2010, he remained outspoken against corruption and prejudice in his remaining years. His life will surely serve as a reminder of the difference that one voice of reason can make, in the face of prejudice.
[Image description: Desmond Tutu wears pink and orange robes while speaking at an event in 2007.] Credit & copyright: Elke Wetzig (Elya), Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for sizeHe may be gone, but his steadfast compassion won’t soon be forgotten. Anti-apartheid activist and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu passed away on December 26 at the age of 90. Even before the end of apartheid, a legal system of racial segregation in South Africa, Tutu made history by becoming the first black Anglican bishop of Johannesburg and then the first Archbishop of Cape Town. He was often referred to as the moral conscience of South Africa, and was known for fostering peace and reconciliation during and after the end of the apartheid era. In 1984, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize "for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa." When Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994, Tutu was appointed the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was responsible for investigating and uncovering apartheid-related human rights abuses that had taken place.
Tutu was also a vocal supporter of LGBT rights—a position that garnered him much criticism from other religious leaders and the general South African population. At the launch of a UN-backed campaign to promote gay rights in 2013, he said, “I would not worship a God who is homophobic. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven...I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level." In 2015, he gave his blessing at the wedding of his daughter, Mpho Tutu, to a woman. Mpho Tutu, who was herself a priest in the South African Anglican Church, had her license as a priest revoked by the South African diocese after her marriage, but her father continued to publicly support her. Regardless of the cause he was advocating for, Tutu was renowned for his ability to quote scripture and for his open displays of emotion, often weeping when speaking of atrocities that he had witnessed. Although he claimed to retire from public life in 2010, he remained outspoken against corruption and prejudice in his remaining years. His life will surely serve as a reminder of the difference that one voice of reason can make, in the face of prejudice.
[Image description: Desmond Tutu wears pink and orange robes while speaking at an event in 2007.] Credit & copyright: Elke Wetzig (Elya), Wikimedia Commons, image cropped for size -
FREEUS History Daily Curio #2363Free1 CQ
Which pledge do you pledge? On this day in 1945, Congress officially sanctioned the Pledge of Allegiance, making it the official pledge for the U.S. flag. Although others had written similar salutes in the past, it was Francis Bellamy’s that first gained traction. While working for the family magazine Youth’s Companion, Bellamy, a Christian Socialist minister, was tasked to come up with a flag salute to coincide with the upcoming World’s Columbian Exposition. The owner of the magazine, James Upham, hoped to increase patriotic sentiment by introducing the pledge to public schools.
However, the pledge that was composed is not what is officially recognized today, as it went through several changes. Bellamy’s original composition, published in September, 1892 read, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." By 1923, “my Flag” was changed to “the Flag,” and the pledge specifically mentioned that the flag it referred to was that of the United States of America. The word “to” had also been added before “the Republic” for better cadence. The pledge was first added to the U.S. Flag Code in 1942 as part of the official customs related to saluting and displaying the flag, but it was on December 28, 1945 when the Pledge of Allegiance received recognition as the official pledge.
The purpose of granting legal recognition to the pledge was to bolster patriotic sentiment, largely driven by World War II. But it was in 1954, during the Cold War, when the most controversial change to the pledge was made. At President Eisenhower’s suggestion, the phrase “under God” was added, as he and others felt that Christianity was in direct opposition to the communist ideology of the Soviet Union. The pledge had already seen its share of controversy when public schools in the past threatened expulsion to students who refused to recite it, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to be unconstitutional 1943. No matter how one feels about the pledge’s exact wording, most American adults are probably thankful that they no longer have to recite it every day at 7 a.m.
[Image description: A close-up photo of the American flag] Credit & copyright: TechPhotoGal, PixabayWhich pledge do you pledge? On this day in 1945, Congress officially sanctioned the Pledge of Allegiance, making it the official pledge for the U.S. flag. Although others had written similar salutes in the past, it was Francis Bellamy’s that first gained traction. While working for the family magazine Youth’s Companion, Bellamy, a Christian Socialist minister, was tasked to come up with a flag salute to coincide with the upcoming World’s Columbian Exposition. The owner of the magazine, James Upham, hoped to increase patriotic sentiment by introducing the pledge to public schools.
However, the pledge that was composed is not what is officially recognized today, as it went through several changes. Bellamy’s original composition, published in September, 1892 read, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." By 1923, “my Flag” was changed to “the Flag,” and the pledge specifically mentioned that the flag it referred to was that of the United States of America. The word “to” had also been added before “the Republic” for better cadence. The pledge was first added to the U.S. Flag Code in 1942 as part of the official customs related to saluting and displaying the flag, but it was on December 28, 1945 when the Pledge of Allegiance received recognition as the official pledge.
The purpose of granting legal recognition to the pledge was to bolster patriotic sentiment, largely driven by World War II. But it was in 1954, during the Cold War, when the most controversial change to the pledge was made. At President Eisenhower’s suggestion, the phrase “under God” was added, as he and others felt that Christianity was in direct opposition to the communist ideology of the Soviet Union. The pledge had already seen its share of controversy when public schools in the past threatened expulsion to students who refused to recite it, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to be unconstitutional 1943. No matter how one feels about the pledge’s exact wording, most American adults are probably thankful that they no longer have to recite it every day at 7 a.m.
[Image description: A close-up photo of the American flag] Credit & copyright: TechPhotoGal, Pixabay -
FREEScience Daily Curio #2362Free1 CQ
A baby dinosaur has found new life as a paleontological marvel. Once lost in storage, an impeccably detailed fossil of a dinosaur egg containing an embryo was recently rediscovered in China. Named after the museum where it resides, Baby Yingliang is a species of oviraptorosaur—a group of feathered, beaked, egg-eating theropods that lived during the Cretaceous Period. The egg, which is estimated to be over 66 million years old, measures 6.7 inches, but the dinosaur inside would have been 10.6 inches from head to tail had it hatched. Fossils of baby dinosaurs are extremely rare due to their smaller, fragile bones that are less likely to be preserved. However, it is presumed that Baby Yingliang was buried by a mudslide, which encased its egg and protected it from scavengers that might have consumed and dispersed its remains.
The fossil’s discovery has garnered international attention, and its easy to understand why. Its rarity provides a seldom-seen glimpse at a complete skeletal structure of a young oviraptorosaur. It also shows the creature in a “tucking” position, the same position that modern birds assume before they are about to hatch. Fion Waisum Ma, a researcher at the University of Birmingham and the lead author of the study that announced the discovery of the fossil, said in a statement to AFP news agency, “This indicates that such behaviour in modern birds first evolved and originated among their dinosaur ancestors.” Ma also noted that this is the first time the posture was observed in a non-avian dinosaur.
Strangely enough, the remarkable fossil was lost for a long while. The fossilized egg was actually discovered in 2000, but was left forgotten in the museum’s basement for about a decade. It wasn’t until renovations forced museum staff to move and sort through boxes of fossils that it was found again, and it wasn’t until 2015 that the egg was finally analyzed to reveal its contents. Most of the embryo is still covered by rock, and researchers are planning on using some state-of-the-art archeological techniques to reveal the rest of the fossil. Imagine waiting 66 million years to come out of your shell.
[Image description: A view of the fossilized dinosaur embryo, “Baby Yingliang.”] Credit & copyright: Lida Xing, handout photographA baby dinosaur has found new life as a paleontological marvel. Once lost in storage, an impeccably detailed fossil of a dinosaur egg containing an embryo was recently rediscovered in China. Named after the museum where it resides, Baby Yingliang is a species of oviraptorosaur—a group of feathered, beaked, egg-eating theropods that lived during the Cretaceous Period. The egg, which is estimated to be over 66 million years old, measures 6.7 inches, but the dinosaur inside would have been 10.6 inches from head to tail had it hatched. Fossils of baby dinosaurs are extremely rare due to their smaller, fragile bones that are less likely to be preserved. However, it is presumed that Baby Yingliang was buried by a mudslide, which encased its egg and protected it from scavengers that might have consumed and dispersed its remains.
The fossil’s discovery has garnered international attention, and its easy to understand why. Its rarity provides a seldom-seen glimpse at a complete skeletal structure of a young oviraptorosaur. It also shows the creature in a “tucking” position, the same position that modern birds assume before they are about to hatch. Fion Waisum Ma, a researcher at the University of Birmingham and the lead author of the study that announced the discovery of the fossil, said in a statement to AFP news agency, “This indicates that such behaviour in modern birds first evolved and originated among their dinosaur ancestors.” Ma also noted that this is the first time the posture was observed in a non-avian dinosaur.
Strangely enough, the remarkable fossil was lost for a long while. The fossilized egg was actually discovered in 2000, but was left forgotten in the museum’s basement for about a decade. It wasn’t until renovations forced museum staff to move and sort through boxes of fossils that it was found again, and it wasn’t until 2015 that the egg was finally analyzed to reveal its contents. Most of the embryo is still covered by rock, and researchers are planning on using some state-of-the-art archeological techniques to reveal the rest of the fossil. Imagine waiting 66 million years to come out of your shell.
[Image description: A view of the fossilized dinosaur embryo, “Baby Yingliang.”] Credit & copyright: Lida Xing, handout photograph -
FREESports Daily CurioFree1 CQ
You can leave the horses behind for this sleigh ride. On Christmas Day, 1930, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run opened in Lake Placid, New York. Bobsled, or bobsleigh, is one of the most popular team winter sports, and the Mt. Van Hoevenberg facility was built for the 1932 Winter Olympic Games. According to the National Park Service, the course was designed by Stanislaus Sentzytsky, who made sure the course was, “longer, steeper, and featured a more pronounced drop in curves than European runs, which allowed for steadier driving and faster speeds than those obtained on prior bobsled events.”
Although the sport of bobsledding was largely unknown in the U.S. at the time, it exploded in popularity after the American team won 2 golds and 1 silver during the 1932 Games. The track has since been modernized and plays host to other events like the luge and skeleton racing, in addition to bobsledding. However, it is still only one of two locations in the US where athletes can practice and compete in the sport, the other being the Utah Olympic Park Track in Park City. That’s a long way to drag your toboggan.[Image description: An aerial shot of the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run in Lake Placid, New York, surrounded by trees.] Credit & copyright: Ermentrude, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
You can leave the horses behind for this sleigh ride. On Christmas Day, 1930, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run opened in Lake Placid, New York. Bobsled, or bobsleigh, is one of the most popular team winter sports, and the Mt. Van Hoevenberg facility was built for the 1932 Winter Olympic Games. According to the National Park Service, the course was designed by Stanislaus Sentzytsky, who made sure the course was, “longer, steeper, and featured a more pronounced drop in curves than European runs, which allowed for steadier driving and faster speeds than those obtained on prior bobsled events.”
Although the sport of bobsledding was largely unknown in the U.S. at the time, it exploded in popularity after the American team won 2 golds and 1 silver during the 1932 Games. The track has since been modernized and plays host to other events like the luge and skeleton racing, in addition to bobsledding. However, it is still only one of two locations in the US where athletes can practice and compete in the sport, the other being the Utah Olympic Park Track in Park City. That’s a long way to drag your toboggan.[Image description: An aerial shot of the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run in Lake Placid, New York, surrounded by trees.] Credit & copyright: Ermentrude, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
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FREEUS History Daily CurioFree1 CQ
It's Flashback Friday! On this Christmas Eve, enjoy these curios about one of the world’s most observed winter holidays.
Here's hoping the food is as nice as the décor. The tradition of the First Lady decorating the White House in a grandiose fashion at Christmas only dates to the turn of the 20th century. To outsiders, this tradition might seem a bit, well, weird. After all, the United States is a secular country, and the White House is the official workplace for our President. On the other hand, the White House is also the residence of the First family who are afforded the freedom to celebrate their faith as they choose. In case you're wondering, the White House does recognize other religious holidays. President Jimmy Carter first held a menorah lighting ceremony in 1979 for Hanukkah, and President George W. Bush held the first Hanukkah party in 2001. Kwanzaa, however, typically merits a brief presidential statement.
Only about half of our Presidents have decorated the White House for Christmas. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison brought in the first Christmas tree. This tradition continued through the early 1900s when Christmas remained a traditional and modest family affair. Not all Presidents even had a Christmas tree, like Teddy Roosevelt. During the winter of 1929, President Hoover and First Lady Lou Hoover revealed the first Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments. (The evening's festivities ended when a fire broke out in the West Wing.) It wasn't until 1958, however, when the First Lady officially decorated the White House for the holidays. That year, Mamie Eisenhower hosted a festive lunch for the staff members' wives in the State Dining Room. In 1961, First Lady Jackie Kennedy selected a theme for the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room. Her refined "Nutcracker Suite" tree set the precedent for Lady Bird Johnson's "Early American Christmas," Betty Ford's "An Old-Fashioned Christmas," Barbara Bush's "Children's Literacy," Hilary Clinton's "Santa's Workshop," and Michelle Obama's "Simple Gifts" motifs. This year, the theme is "America the Beautiful," a surprisingly conventional choice for the First Lady who embraced dystopian and existential designs in years past.
Image credit & copyright: This photograph is of the Eisenhower family enjoying Christmas dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in 1960. Seated at the table are President Dwight D. Eisenhower, First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower, their son John S. D. Eisenhower, and several grandchildren. US Navy, courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration, Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, KansasIt's Flashback Friday! On this Christmas Eve, enjoy these curios about one of the world’s most observed winter holidays.
Here's hoping the food is as nice as the décor. The tradition of the First Lady decorating the White House in a grandiose fashion at Christmas only dates to the turn of the 20th century. To outsiders, this tradition might seem a bit, well, weird. After all, the United States is a secular country, and the White House is the official workplace for our President. On the other hand, the White House is also the residence of the First family who are afforded the freedom to celebrate their faith as they choose. In case you're wondering, the White House does recognize other religious holidays. President Jimmy Carter first held a menorah lighting ceremony in 1979 for Hanukkah, and President George W. Bush held the first Hanukkah party in 2001. Kwanzaa, however, typically merits a brief presidential statement.
Only about half of our Presidents have decorated the White House for Christmas. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison brought in the first Christmas tree. This tradition continued through the early 1900s when Christmas remained a traditional and modest family affair. Not all Presidents even had a Christmas tree, like Teddy Roosevelt. During the winter of 1929, President Hoover and First Lady Lou Hoover revealed the first Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments. (The evening's festivities ended when a fire broke out in the West Wing.) It wasn't until 1958, however, when the First Lady officially decorated the White House for the holidays. That year, Mamie Eisenhower hosted a festive lunch for the staff members' wives in the State Dining Room. In 1961, First Lady Jackie Kennedy selected a theme for the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room. Her refined "Nutcracker Suite" tree set the precedent for Lady Bird Johnson's "Early American Christmas," Betty Ford's "An Old-Fashioned Christmas," Barbara Bush's "Children's Literacy," Hilary Clinton's "Santa's Workshop," and Michelle Obama's "Simple Gifts" motifs. This year, the theme is "America the Beautiful," a surprisingly conventional choice for the First Lady who embraced dystopian and existential designs in years past.
Image credit & copyright: This photograph is of the Eisenhower family enjoying Christmas dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in 1960. Seated at the table are President Dwight D. Eisenhower, First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower, their son John S. D. Eisenhower, and several grandchildren. US Navy, courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration, Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas