CLASSIC BOARD GAMES (PART 3)

Here's some fun for the day…...

TRIVIA:
Who wielded a sword called Excalibur?


BRAIN RIDDLE:
What is greater than God, more evil than the devil?  The poor have it, the rich need it and if you eat it you'll die.

JOKE:
Q:  Where do animals go when their tails fall off?
A:  The retail store.


COMIC FUN:

TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:
Do we want quick, easy answers…or do we want God's will for our lives?  If we could see the big picture, we'd want the latter

CLASSIC BOARD GAMES (PART 3)

It's time to take another look at some classic board games.  Some of these games are still around and still played today.



1.  CONCENTRATION

I always liked this game.  It is kind of two games in one.    It's a memory game that you pick different cards to get matches.    As  you get more of the cards off the board, more of a rebus puzzle hidden behind the cards is revealed.   A rebus puzzle uses pictures and words to represent a phrase.   This puzzle part was my favorite part of the game.   I would sometimes get the board and just look at the puzzles trying to figure them out and not even play the card part of the game.     This board game became a popular TV game show broadcast off and on from 1958 - 1991.

2.  TWISTER

Twister is played on a large plastic mat that is spread on the floor. The mat has four rows of large colored circles on it with a different color in each row: red, yellow, blue and green. A spinner is attached to a square board and is used to determine where the player has to put their hand or foot. The spinner is divided into four labeled sections: right foot left foot, right hand and left hand. Each of those four sections is divided into the four colors (red, yellow, blue and green). After spinning, the combination is called (for example: "right hand yellow") and players must move their matching hand or foot to a circle of the correct color.   If you fall to the ground or your elbow or knee touch the ground you are out.

I was always good at this game growing up because I was limber and flexible, however, I wasn't a touchy/feely person that liked people invading my body space, so that part of the game was a challenge.

3.  MONOPOLY

Nothing says rainy day fun quite like a game that's about paying taxes, going to jail and mortgaging property.   Gee, maybe I should invent a Health Insurance game for some really rip roaring fun.  Har har.    

My bother and I played this game all the time growing up and I always lost.   Later in life my husband and I would play it…..and I always lost.   I'm too much of a play it safe kind of chick.   To win at this game you've got to take risks  (and not mind a 7 hour game)   I used to get really tore up as a kid when I got the "Go To Jail" card.   A few years ago I started playing Monopoly on my iPhone.  I do better on that one.  This is most likely due to the fact that I'm playing it on the 'easy' version.  

One of my favorite Carole Burnett skits is when the Mama, Ed and Eunice characters play Monopoly.   Eunice finally gets Board Walk and Park Place and then Ed and Mama want to quit the game.   

4.  HANDS DOWN

This may not be as well known a game, but it was one of my favorites growing up.   Here's how the game plays.   You get cards and try to make a pair.   When you get a pair you slam your hand on your color 'hand' and yell "HANDS DOWN".   Then everyone else slams theirs.   The person who hits last loses that round and the person that won takes a card from them.   You can also to fake out HANDS DOWNS.   My brother did this all the time and I always fell for it.   He would fake like he was going to hit it, but not really touch it.  Anyone that hits or touches the hands during a fake HANDS DOWN has to give a card to the faker.

5.   VOICE OF THE MUMMY

I always include a somewhat spooky or macabre game in my list because I really loved those.   I was possibly one of the few people playing them.   One of the very cool things about this game is that it 'talked' to you.   This was a pretty swanky deal back in the early 1970's.  

There was a tiny record player inside the sarcophagus.  It would give random messages throughout the game.   For it's day, it was a pretty hi-tech game and I just thought it was so cool.  The object of the game was to make your way through the passages of the mummy's tomb, collecting precious gems as you go, to reach the sarcophagus and retrieve the Great Jewel and return to your starting point to win. But along with the Great Jewel there was also the cursed Cobra headpiece. You did not want to finish with the Cobra or you would be penalized.    The messages from the 'mummy' would be helpful at first, then halfway through the game you would flip the record inside and they would be messages that impeded your way to the end.  

There's another walk down memory lane.  I don't play board games anymore, but growing up they were a large part of my play time and entertainment.  It seems like apps on phones and iPads have replaced board games.   This is sad, because it was so much fun to sit around with family and friends and play games.   Too many people have their noses stuck in their phones these days…..including me.  

Until next time…...

============

TRIVIA ANSWER:

King Arthur

BRAIN RIDDLE ANSWER:

Nothing

TIPS THAT HELP WITH WORRYING

Here's some fun for the day…...


TRIVIA:
What city is graced with Michelangelo's statue of David?

BRAIN TEASER:
What year comes next in this sequence:
1971, 1979, 1987, 1993, 1997, 1999…..

JOKE:
Q:  At what time of day was Adam created?
A:  A little before Eve.


COMIC FUN:

QUOTE:  
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength."
(Corrie Ten Bloom)


TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:
God has a purpose and a plan through every situation.

TIPS THAT HELP WITH WORRYING

Worry.   I'd say we all worry at some point in our lives.  I know I can be a worrier at times.  It seems I like smaller things worry more than big things.   The big things are so out of my realm to take care of, that it seems easier to hand those over to God and have Him handle it.  However, I really need to hand over all worries to God….big or small.   

One of the things that has helped me over the years are specific Scripture verses about  worrying.   It seems that worry started creeping in on me around my teen years.   One of the things I started back then, and still do today, is that I turn to several of my favorite 'worry verses'.   They seem to help me and remind me that God is in control.    I thought I'd share these verses today.   


First…..my favorite verse of the Bible.   

Philippians 4: 6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Here's my next favorite:

Matthew 6: 25-27  

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?


I love this verse, these words spoken by Jesus.  It's so helpful for me.  I love the last part "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life"    Here's the footnote from my Bible that goes with these verses.

There are many ill effects with worry.  1.  Damages your health  2. disrupts your productivity
3. negatively affects the way you treat others.  4.  reduces your ability to trust God.
There is a difference between worry and genuine concern.  Worry immobilizes.  Concern moves you into action.


Jesus' words on worry similar to above are also mentioned in Luke.

Luke 12: 22-26

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

Here's the footnote that goes with this verse:

Worry is pointless because it can't fill any of our needs; worry is foolish because the Creator of the Universe loves us and knows what we need.  He promises to meet all our real needs but not necessarily all our desires.

Here's another favorite:

Matthew 6:34

So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today.

The King James version of the last part of this verse is 'sufficient unto the day if the evil thereof'  

Here's the footnote that goes with this verse.  Good stuff:

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.  Worriers are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God.   They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God.  Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.


This next verse was also on my 'worry readings' list.   It doesn't speak specifically to worry, but it always helps and I find if comforting

James 1: 2 - 4

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.


Those are my favorite worry verses.  

This chart is also in my Bible:


SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY

1.  The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life
2.  Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today
3.  Worrying is more harmful than helpful
4.  God does not ignore those who depend on Him.
5.  Worrying shows lack of faith in and understanding of God.
6.  Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.
7.  Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

I'd like to think I'll never worry again, but I know that's not the case.   However, I'm thankful and blessed for a God who takes care of me and is there for me, I just need to remember to 'let go and Let God'.    I look at these verses all the time, so now that I have them in one place in this post, I'm sure I'll be referring back to it a lot over time and I'll continue to remind myself of the following:

Turn your worries into prayers.   Want to worry less?  Then pray more.

Until next time…….

============

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Florence, Italy

BRAIN TEASER ANSWER:

2003  ( they are prime number years)

FINISH THE PHRASE QUIZ

Here's some fun for the day…..

TRIVIA:
Which U.S. state is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" state?

BRAIN RIDDLE:
I was framed and didn't commit a crime, yet the person who framed me committed no crime.  How is this possible?

JOKE:  
Q:  What did the hot dog say when he crossed the finish line?
A:  "I'm the wiener!"




COMIC FUN:

TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:
When things happen that knock the breath out of you, use that as a signal to check if you are building your life on rock or sand?

FINISH THE PHRASE QUIZ

Can you finish the second part of these well known sayings?

1.  The early bird…….

2.  A penny saved is…..

3.  A bird in the hand is worth…..

4.  A fool and his money are…..

5.  A house divided against itself…..

6.  A picture is worth…..

7.  Ask a silly question and …..

8.  The darkest hour is…..

9.  The pen is mightier….

10.  There's no such thing as...

Our sweet Maddie posing for the camera (& adding space between the answers)

PHRASE ANSWERS:
1.  The worm
2.  is a penny earned
3.  two in the bush
4.  soon parted
5.  cannot stand
6.  a thousand words
7.  you get a silly answer
8.  just before the dawn
9.  than the sword
10.  bad publicity

That's all for this quiz, but there's lots of sayings so I'll have a part 2 in the future

==============


TRIVIA ANSWER:

Virginia

BRAIN RIDDLE: 

I am a picture and I was put in a picture frame

Until next time…...

HAND ME THAT WHATCHAMACALLIT…DOOHICKEY….THINGABOB…..

Here's some fun for the day……..
TRIVIA:
Who was pictured on the first U.S. adhesive 5 cent stamp? 10 cent stamp?

BRAIN RIDDLE:
I am pronounced with only one letter but written with three letters.  Two different letters are used to write me.  My color varies from black, blue, green, brown, grey etc..  What am I?

JOKE:
Q:  Why did the tomato blush?
A:  It saw the salad dressing. 


QUESTION TO PONDER:
If an orange is an orange, why isn't a lime a green or a lemon a yellow?


COMIC FUN:

TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:

The only way trial, loss, frustration, illness, or heartache can win in our lives is if we fail to cherish Jesus through it.

PASS ME THAT DOOHICKEY…THINGAMABOB

A lifelong friend of mine (Hi Wendy!) recently sent me a text mentioning how she loved the word Doohickey and suggested it as a tidbit for my blog.   There's lots of words that many of use like this when we know what it is we want but have a brain freeze on the specific word.   Here's a look at just a few of these type of words and how we use them.

1.  DOOHICKEY

** Definition: The name of an object (or person) you either can't remember or never knew the name in the first place.

Here it is used in a sentence:

"Hey honey, there's ice on my windshield.  Can you hand me the doohickey?" 



2.  WHATCHAMACALLIT

**Same use as Doohickey

"Hey honey, there's ice on my windshield.  Can you hand me the whatchamacallit?  It's right next to the doohickey"




3.  THINGAMABOB

**Same use as Doohickey & Whatchamacallit

"Hey honey, there's ice on my windshield.  Can you hand me the Thingamabob.  It's under the Whatchamacallit that's next to the doohickey."


4.  THINGAMAJIG

**Same use as Doohickey, Whatchamacallit & Thingamabob.   Often used interchangeably with Thingamabob.

"Hey honey, there's ice on my windshield.  Can you hand me that Thingamajig, you know, it's the Thingamabob.  It's under the Whatchamacallit that's next to the doohickey.



5.  DOODAD

**More specific term.  It's an item you can't think of the name of, but it is generally smaller than a doohickey, whatchamacallit, thingamabob, thingamajig.

"Hey honey, while you're getting the the thingamabob that's under the whatchamacallit next to the doohickey, will you also bring that little doodad?  

6.  GIZMO

**A little more technical term.   It's an item you can't think of the name of, but it's usually mechanical or electronic device

"Hey honey, while you're bringing me the doodad & the thingamabob that's under the whatchamacallit next to the doohickey, watch out for that gizmo.  It breaks easily. 


7.  KNICKKNACK

**This is a small decorative object

"Hey honey, what do you mean you can't find the doodad & thingamabob that's under the whatchamacallit next to the doodad?   It's probably because you've got too many knickknacks everywhere.  Remember, watch out for the gizmo near the thingamajig."


8.  WHATNOT

Growing up, my family used this interchangeably with Knickknacks.   I've still got some of the whatnots that I grew up with.    This term can also be used in a way to include various objects you don't feel like listing.

For example:

"Hey honey, maybe the whatchamacallit & doodad aren't under the doohickey next to the thingamajig near the gizmo.   Move your knickknacks & whatnots near the drawer that has the pens, paper clips & whatnot and check there."


HONORABLE MENTION:


9.   WHOZITS & WHATZITS

I wasn't familiar with these 2 terms growing up, but later in life,  Ariel from "The Little Mermaid"  uses them in her song 'Part of That World"    

"…..I've got gadgets & gizmos aplenty.   I've got whozits & whatzits galore…..you want thingamabobs…..I've got 20….."



Well, I'd type more, but I need to go look for the doohickey under the whatchamacallit near the thingamajig close to the doodad that sits next to the gizmo under the whatnots & knickknacks.   Now…just where did I leave those whozits & whatzits?

Have a great day!

================


TRIVIA ANSWER:
Benjamin Franklin; George Washington

BRAIN RIDDLE ANSWER:
eye

Until next time…….

5 INTERESTING TIDBITS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

Here's some fun for the day…..

TRIVIA:
What is Europe's longest river?

BRAIN RIDDLE:
The capital of Turkey is a long word.  Can you spell it?

JOKE:
Q:  What washes up on tiny beaches?
A:  Microwaves

COMIC FUN:

TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:
Making sense of God's call is not a prerequisite for following it.  His word & His promises are enough.

5 TIDBITS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

1.  Adding 1 tsp of baking soda to water for easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs.

I read this about a month ago and recently gave it a whirl.   It really works!   Usually when I peel an egg the shell comes off in 50,000 sections and my egg looks like the moon.   Now it's slick as a whistle.

**here's another tip for hard-boiled eggs.   This will give you that nice yellow look and not the ugly green business.

put your egg in the water before it boils.   Once the water reaches a rapid boil, set the timer for 3 minutes.    Then remove the pan from the heat, cover and wait about 8 minutes and you have a perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg



2.  Why is Rx the abbreviation for pharmacy?

I wondered this recently when passing a pharmacy.   So I looked it up.  Here's what I found.

Rx is an abbreviation for the Latin word "recipere" or "recipe," which means "Take, thou." In the days before manufactured drugs, apothecaries (who were also doctors) would write out a formula for medications. They would mix up and compound ingredients to make drugs or remedies. Not until the 19th century was the distinction between the apothecary/pharmacist as a compounder of medicines and the physician as a therapist generally accepted. According to the Pharmaceutical Handbook, the Latin abbreviation Rx is completed by some statement such as "fiat mistura," which means "let a mixture be made," sometimes abbreviated to f. m. or ft. mist. or fait mist.). Pharmacists required a knowledge of compounding until recently. In 1920, 80% of prescriptions were compounds mixed in the shop. In the 1940s the number of prescriptions requiring compounding had declined to 26%, and then to 1% or less in 1971.

3.  Who coined the phrases "The customer is always right' & "only ____ more shopping days until Christmas"

Harry Selfridge is the answer.  If you are a Masterpiece Classic watcher then you have heard of him from the show Mr. Selfridge (which I really like)  Harry Selfridge got his start at a young age at Marshall Field's department store and eventually moved to London to open his own department store called "Selfridges".    

I was watching this show for awhile before realizing it was based on a real person.  I got to googling cast members, as I often do, which led me to seeing he was a real person with a very interesting story.   I've always loved big department stores too.   Goes back to my fond memories of a child of shopping at Pogue's in Cincinnati, Ohio.   Look up Harry Selfridge's bio.   It is very interesting.

4.  When did the automatic car wash begin?

As I've mentioned before, I'm always pondering things.   I was recently going through the automatic car wash at Shell gas station and asked myself this question.   As a kid, I always thought the automatic car wash was the coolest thing.   I loved riding through it and watching the car go through it by looking through a glass window.  Looked it up…..and found out 1930 was the first one.  There ya' go.

5.  What's the difference between perfume, eau de Parfum, eau de Toilette & eau de Cologne

I've listed them in the order of strongest to weakest as far as purity, concentration and lasting scent.   Perfume is the most expensive and lasts the longest.   It took me awhile to go with the more expensive perfume/eau de Parfum, but eventually I did.   What's the point of spending money of something that lasts on you for about 30 minutes.   It's extra, but if you don't want to spray yourself all the time, it's worth it.  

=================

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Volga

BRAIN RIDDLE ANSWER:

I T

Until next time…….

THE 411 ON SNEEZES & HOW TO STOP THEM

Here's some fun for the day…..

TRIVIA: 
What do you need two of to play 'Double Dutch'?

BRAIN RIDDLE:
You walk onto a bridge and see a boat full of people and yet there's not a single person on board.   How is this possible?


JOKE:
Q:  Why don't the animals in the forest play Poker anymore?
A:  There's just to many Cheetahs.


COMIC FUN

TRICIA'S TWEET OF THE DAY:
We should fear displeasing God more than we fear society's rejection.

THE 411 ON SNEEZES

I have a tendency to wonder about random things.  Once that curiosity kicks in I have to look it up and learn about it.   I've done that since I was a kid.  Back then I'd grab an encyclopedia.  These days I google the topic and see what I can find.    Just in case you've ever wondered basic info about sneezes….today is your lucky day.   Here you go….




1.  WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SNEEZE?

A sneeze is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa.  The powerful nature of a sneeze is attributed to its involvement of numerous organs of the upper body – it is a reflexive response involving the face, throat, and chest muscles. 

Tricks to stopping a sneeze:

a.  Hold your breath while counting to 10

b.  gently pinch the bridge of your nose for a few seconds

c.  tap dance to a Broadway song while eating a twinkie with your left hand while wearing gloves.   (ok, just kidding there, but give it whirl)

d.  My trick:  I pretend I see a cat and watch it walk around the room etc.   (no joke) It seems to help me.  I think it's a focus issue.

e.  Pinch your upper lip

f.  press your tongue hard behind your 2 front teeth where they meet your gum.

g.  tickle the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

h.  Use your nails and pinch the flap of your skin between your thumb and forefinger.

i.  Grab the spot between your eyebrows.  ( this is a pressure point that works for headaches too)

j.  wiggle your earlobe gently

On a personal note, I find it pretty cool that it is virtually impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

2.  SNEEZES START IN YOUR NERVES

It's a nerve transmission that tells your brain something in your nose needs to come out.

3.  SNEEZING KEEPS YOUR BODY SAFE

Sneezing protects the body from viruses and bacteria

4.  SNEEZES ARE QUICK

Sneezes travel at about 100mph 

5.  SNEEZES SEND CLOSE TO 100,000 GERMS INTO THE AIR

Yuck.  Please cover your mouth & nose when you sneeze

6.  YOU DON'T SNEEZE IN YOUR SLEEP

7.  SUNSHINE MAY MAKE YOU SNEEZE

1 out of every 3 people sneezes when exposed to bright light

(Now I'm stuck singing John Denver's  "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy" with changing the 'happy' with snee---eezze"

8. GESUNDHEIT 

This is commonly spoken after a sneeze and means 'Be Healthy' or "Good Health!" in German.

Wishing someone good health after a sneeze dates back to thousands of years ago.  The Romans would say "Jupiter preserve you".    The phrase "God bless you" is attributed to Pope Gregory the Great who uttered it in the 6th century during the bubonic plague epidemic.   Sneezing was seen as a sign of the plague.  

Sneezes seem to get special treatment (people don't say 'God bless you' after a cough very often) because there was a school of thought that sneezes precede illness.


In honor of sneezes…….I extend to you a "God bless you"

==========

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Jump ropes

BRAIN RIDDLE:

They're all married.

Until next time…...