LEAP YEAR FUN

  

Just cut your apple up into quarters and remove the core. Cut three grapes in half and slice two triangle toess in 4 of the halves. You can use a little cream cheese to stick the arms to the frog and then add his hands and feet. For the eyes, take a couple of small marshmallows {or you could do a blob of cream cheese} and add a chocolate chip to the middle.

IS IT A GHOST or YOUR HOUSE SETTLING??

• Be pragmatic: Rule out the normal before considering the paranormal. Often, the noises you hear and the things you see can be explained. The creaks on the stairs were the sounds of the house settling; the voices were the wind whistling past a curtain. Get to know your house. What are its quirks? Some things - those creaks for example - can easily be fixed (rub baby powder into creaking wood floors to stop the noise).
• Don't be afraid: Think Sixth Sense. Chances are this spirit doesn't know it is dead and may need help in completing a task so that it can move on.
• Do your research: Talk to your neighbors, comb Google, sift through the archives at your local library and find out the stories of your home and who lived there. Even if it's not a ghost, you'll learn a lot about the history of your home and how life has changed since it was built. We have a weird door in the back of one of kitchen cabinets. Turns out it was where the milkman delivered fresh milk.
• Make contact: Talk to it. It's not here to scare you. Find out what it wants and give it firm boundaries about what you want. Like any guest it needs to know your home's rules.
• Remove the ghost: Often, once it has wrapped up what it stuck around for, your ghost will go away. If not, you may have to call in an expert or, if it's particularly stubborn, you may have to share your space with it. When we move into a new home we give it a good sageing, clean it from top to bottom and open the windows to air it out and we repeat this whenever we have a dramatic change in our life in order to clear our home of bad or unpleasant memories.

Of course, you might think about keeping something under the bed in case your bump in the night turns out not to be a ghost.
Does your house or your neighborhood come with a ghost story? Share it with us in the comments!

LEAP DAY 2012

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

“Leap Day” is February 29, which is an extra day added during a Leap Year, making the year 366 days long – and not 365 days as in a ususal year. This occurs about every 4 years in our modern Gregorian calendar.

Ever since Leap Years were first introduced over 2000 years ago with the transition from the Roman calendar to the Julian calendar, Leap Day has been associated with age-old Leap Day traditions and folklore and even a few new traditions.

Women propose to their men

According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every 4 years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar.

In some places, Leap Day has been known as “Bachelors’ Day” for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman's proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition.

World Record of Leap Day Babies

People born on February 29 are all invited to join The Honor society of Leap Year Day Babies.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, there are world record holders both of a family producing three consecutive generations born on February 29 and of the number of children born on February 29 in the same family.

Bad luck

In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day, just like Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. In Greece it’s said to be unlucky for couples to marry during a Leap Year, and especially on Leap Day.

St Oswald’s Day

Leap Day is also St Oswald’s Day, named after an archbishop of York who died on February 29, 992. The memorial is celebrated on February 29 during Leap Years and on February 28 during common years.

 

Disney Celebrates Leap Day (info courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)

 While guests are celebrating One More Disney Day at Magic Kingdom Park here in Florida and Disneyland park in California, some of  Walt Disney World Resort guests will be leaping, hopping and jumping at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during a Leap Day event aimed at helping guests learn more about frogs, toads and other amphibians. During their visit to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, children and families can make toad abodes (special homes for frogs and toads) for their backyards, try leaping like a frog, listen to frog calls, examine amphibian adaptations, and meet some cool amphibians and their keepers on the Conservation Station stage.

Guests also can learn about the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, which we are raising at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and releasing in their native habitat to re-populate the species in an area where these toads once thrived but are now considered extinct.

Did you know that, according to some estimates, as many as one-third of the known amphibian species are threatened by extinction because of loss of habitat, climate change, pollution and disease? The good news is that every one of us can help amphibians leap ahead of extinction. Here’s how:

• Invite a bug-zapping amphibian into your backyard by placing an overturned pot (toad abode) as a home
• Use fewer chemical pesticides on your lawn to keep amphibians healthy
• Build a pond, plant native shrubs, and leave leaf litter and logs in your yard to create a habitat for frogs
• Plan a family outing to a local pond to hear different species of frogs sing their love songs to one another
• Find natural alternatives to household chemicals so these toxins don’t end up in amphibian habitats
• Take part in a local pond or stream clean-up to ensure that native amphibians will have a clean home
• Find books on frogs to discover why they sing loudly, hear well and stay up late

Beyond their beautiful chorus, frogs also provide a free pest-control service. Frogs eat billions of harmful insects annually, including mosquitoes and their larvae. Frogs also provide valuable scientific and medical benefits to humans. The skin of amphibians contains substances that can protect them from some microbes and viruses, which can offer possible medical cures for a variety of human diseases, including AIDS.

So how will you celebrate Leap Day 2012?

MUSIC HISTORY FEBRUARY 26

1955 - Billboard reported that the 45rpm single format was   outselling the 78s for the first time.
1965 - Jimmy Page released   his first solo single, "She Just Satisfies."
1966 - The Rolling   Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" was released.
1970 - The Beatles   album "Beatles Again" was released in the U.S. It contained the song "Hey   Jude."
1975 - Harry Chapin's revue "The Night That Made America   Famous" opened on Broadway.
1977 - The Eagles' "Hotel California" was   released.
1978 - Vladimir Horowitz marked the 50th anniversary of his   U.S. debut with a performance at the White House.
1985 - Chuck   Berry received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy.
1987 - Capitol Records   released the first 4 Beatles albums on CD.
1990 - Cornell Gunter of   the Coasters was murdered in Las Vegas at the age of 53.
1991 -   "Rockline on MTV" premiered.
1995 - Jimmy Page and Robert Plant began   a world tour to support their reunion album "No Quarter."
1998 - Tommy   Lee of Motley Crue was formally charged with abusing his wife Pamela Anderson   Lee, and one of their sons, Dylan.

2002 - Alanis Morissette's   third album "Under Rug Swept" was released.
2008 - Apple   announced that the iTunes Store had surpassed Best Buy to become the second   largest music seller in the U.S. The number one seller at the time was   Wal-Mart.
2008 - In North Korea, the New York Philharmonic performed a   concert for the nation's elite.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY 25

Actress Diane Baker is 74.
Singer-guitarist Mike Peters of The Alarm is 53.
Actress Veronica Webb is 47.
Actress Tea Leoni is 46.
Comedian Carrot Top is 45.
Actor Sean Astin is 41.
Comedian Chelsea Handler is 37.
Actress Rashida Jones ("The Office") is 36.
Actors James and Oliver Phelps ("Harry Potter") are 26.

WHAT MATTERS...

Barbara Ward-Finneran

The calm amidst the chaos.

Looking beyond imperfections.  

Memories that you can't forget.

Smiling at a stranger. 

Believing love always multiplies and never divides.

Enjoying the life you have right now.

Knowing the little things are often the BIG things.

Keeping the promises that you make to yourself!

KING ARTHUR AND THE WITCH

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question?...What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table. Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life. Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night? Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments? What would YOU do? What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you read any further! OKAY? Made your choice?    Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life Now....what is the moral to this story? The moral is..... If you don't let a woman have her own way.... Things are going to get ugly

---

40 DAYS

40 is a significant number in Jewish-Christian scripture:

In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain.

The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God.

Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai.

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.

Most Christians regard Jesus' time in the wilderness as the key event for the duration of Lent.

Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. Lent is observed in spring, when the days begin to get longer.

Purple is the symbolic colour used in some churches throughout Lent, for drapes and altar frontals.

Purple is used for two reasons: firstly because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, and secondly because purple is the colour associated with royalty, and celebrates Christ's resurrection and sovereignty.

THE PERFECT ROLE MODEL....

The story behind this photo.... I was on the field with my son and our Scout Pack at the time. We were holding the Flags for the National Anthem. It was literally 2 minutes before game time. I had shorts on. I made eye contact with Gary Carter, lifted up my shorts and showed him my huge Mets logo on my prosthetic leg. Gary was amazed. He made the whole team look at it then he came over to shake my hand. It was a great moment for me. I was 16 when the Mets won in 86. Carter was the perfect role model for a teen. I feel like I lost a part of my youth with the news of his passing. As a cancer survivor I know what this poor man had to go through. Its such a horrible thing to go through... only to end up losing the battle. No matter what sport... all professional athletes should handle themselves, & us, with as much class as Gary Carter did.

Is It The End Of The World As We Know It?

TONY WALKER
Whenever the topic of the end of the world comes up, most people expect some kind of major explosion or tidal wave or some kind of mass destruction.
Most people think the world will never end. I am one of those people.... I think.
Has the world ended & we just don't realize it?
Think about it....
Autism & other mental disabilities are on the rise.
The economy is continuing going to shit.
Medical/insurance are on the rise.
People have to get second jobs just to afford their gas!
Today's society is nothing but negative. Endless finger pointing & hatred. No one has morals.
Too many people will do anything to get on TV. Pride is completely thrown out the window.
No one wants to work hard or earn their keep. They just wanna complain because someone else got something they want.
There is no originality on TV. Where are the geniuses? Where are the Cosby's? The Seinfeld's? The Brady's even!!!
There is no originality in music. Where are the geniuses? Where are the Won't Get Fooled Again's? The I Saw Her Standing There's? How many songs from the past 10 years will be classics like the ones we heard growing up?
There is no originality in movies. Remember when Michael Keaton's Batman came out? That was an event! Star Wars was an event! When was the last time we had a movie that big???
Even fashion... one subject I know NOTHING about.... you look at photos of the 80's & you know the photo was taken during that era. Same goes for any era before the 90's. Any photo taken from 1995 to today has no characteristics that identifies a certain era.
I could go on & on.
So maybe the world has ended.
Do you feel fine?
Or am I just sounding like a crotchety old man????