Friday, July 24, 2020

Venerable ePistle


Famous First Words: This is the place... --Brigham Young as the pioneers entered Emigration Canyon
Jovial Tell An Old Joke Day! This is literally one of the oldest jokes in the book or the papyrus scroll in this case. It goes: How do you entertain a bored pharaoh? You sail a boatload of young women dressed only in fishing nets down the Nile and urge the pharaoh to go catch a fish. / A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts has just been discovered in Egypt. Archaeologists believe it may be “Pharaoh Roche”.
..........I've got nothing to say but it's okay.........Beatles …..Good Morning, Good Morning
You must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way...to get in the way. --John Lewis / People do not choose rebellion, it is forced upon them. Revolution is always an act of self-defense. --CT Vivian
It is a warm (81°F) Friday morning. There is no breeze to blow the edge off heat or humidity (79%). The humidity covers the sky with thin clouds that do not block the sun nor hint of rain; they merely hide the blue. Foliage is fully into its summer excess with green everywhere, high and low, north and south. The birds do not care about the weather, they sing and discuss and conference without compliment or complaint. It makes a pleasant background to the sound of car motors and distant dogs barking. Puck stayed inside to sleep. My kitchen smells of brewing coffee. The aroma keeps me company as I add sweetener and cream to my cup. It follows me through the hall to my room where I sit now in front of my computer sipping hot ambition and writing to you.
Hope your weekend has old jokes and new experiences, ePistliers
First Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Why should we go to school if you won't listen to the educated. --Submitted by amb of ??
Found in the world's oldest "joke book," called "Philogelos" (or "Laughter-Lover"), written by Greeks Hierocles and Philagrius in the 4th century. Asked by the court barber how he wanted his hair cut, the king replied: "In silence". / What did the Ancient Greeks wear on their feet? Tennis Zeus.
..........Little darlin' the smiles returning to the faces.........Beatles …..Here Comes The Sun
Trivia Questions: It is Pioneer Day in Utah, the day the Mormons arrived and settled in.
^ Utah is home to one of the heaviest organisms on earth. Any idea what it is?
^^ What makes Utah's snow “the greatest snow on earth”?
^^^ Where is the Golden Spike and when was it placed there?
^^^^ What do you know about Utah's Biggest man made pits?
^^^^^ How many of the 5 National Parks in Utah can you name?
Big Hello: Sälam – Amharic (Ethiopia & Eritrea) https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm
Second Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: I got my friend a telepathic abacus. It's the thought that counts. --Submitted by fnog
Fake Library Statistic of the Week: 56% of librarians don't really mind that their coworker is giving them the silent treatment. https://www.facebook.com/FakeLibStats/?fref=ts
Ancient Rome, between 63 BC to 14 AD: The Emperor Augustus was touring the Empire, when he noticed a man in the crowd who bore a striking resemblance to himself. "Intrigued he asked: 'Was your mother at one time in service at the Palace?' "'No, your Highness,' he replied, 'but my father was.' / I got a “C” on my Roman Numerals test. Perfect Score.
..........Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.........Beatles …..Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Moonbeam: Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage. . --Ambrose Bierce
Naturally Occurring Mandala of the Week: Sego Lily – State flower of Utah

Next Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: The fact is, the peck of pickled peppers you, Peter Piper, picked was on private property. Allitigation --Submitted by msh of bc
Week of the Week: Everybody Deserves A Massage Week (19-25) –You need not worry, the Tiger Balm the masseuse uses has no tiger residue in it at all. The Baby Powder, on the other hand, is 90% babies. / My masseuse calls herself the Muscle Whisperer.
From Sumeria in 1200 BC: Three ox drivers from Adab were thirsty: one owned the ox, the other owned the cow, and the other owned the wagon's load. "The owner of the ox refused to get water because he feared his ox would be eaten by a lion; the owner of the cow refused because he thought his cow might wander off into the desert; the owner of the wagon refused because he feared his load would be stolen. So they all went. In their absence the ox made love to the cow which gave birth to a calf which ate the wagon's load. Problem: Who owns the calf? / Noah used Floodlights on the ark.
..........Yellow lorry slow, nowhere to go.........Beatles …..You Never Give Me Your Money
^ The Trembling Giant, or Pando, in the Fishlake National Forest, is made up of 47,000 genetically identical trees that share a single root system. In addition to being notably massive, it’s also among the oldest organisms on earth—it's been alive for more than 80,000 years. Pictures
Almanac: It is Friday, July 24, 2020. The moon will be first quarter on Monday and is in Virgo. It is Pioneer Day (Utah), Cousins Day, National Drive-Thru Day, National Tequila Day, and Tell an Old Joke Day. In Denmark they celebrate Midsummer Day. In Ecuador and Venezuela it is Bolivar Day (1783). Spain hosts the Valencia Fair featuring Battle of the Flowers.
Among those born on this day were Simon Bolivar (1783), Alexandre Dumas, pere (1802), Ambrose Bierce (1842), Robert Graves (1895), Amelia Earhart (1898), Zelda Fitzgerald (1900), Kenneth B. Clark (1914), Bob Eberly (1916), John D. MacDonald (1916), Bella Abzug (1920), William D. Ruckelshaus (1932), Ruth Buzzi (1936), Chris Sarandon (1942), and Lynda Carter (1951).
On July twenty-fourth Edmund Halley entered Queen's College, Oxford (1673), the French first settled in "Detroit" (1701), the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake City (1847), the rotary printing press was patented (1847), Tennessee was readmitted to the Union (1866), US troops were first used against strikers (1877), Hoover proclaimed the Kellogg-Briand Pact which renounced war (1929), Nixon & Khrushchev held the Kitchen Debate (1959), Apollo 11 returned to earth (1969), Nixon's tapes were liberated by the Supreme Court (1974), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band the movie debuted (1978), George Brett's hit was disallowed because of pine tar (1983), and MS Magazine returned (1990).
Night Sky, 7/24: The Sagittarius Teapot is in the south these evenings; find it right of Jupiter and Saturn. With the advance of summer, the Teapot is starting to tilt and pour from its spout to the right. The Teapot will tilt farther and farther for the rest of the summer — or for much of the night if you stay out late. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/
Max Picture of the Week: Max and Ollie holding hands

This Week: Saturday, July 25 – Hire A Veteran Day & Red Shoe Day & National Body Painting Day
Sunday, July 26 – Aunties Day & National Parents Day & One Voice Day
Night Sky, 7/26: The tail of Scorpius is low in the south soon after dark, lower right of the Teapot by hardly a fist at arm's length. How low this whole scene is depends on how far north or south you live: the farther south, the higher. Look for the two stars especially close together in the tail. These are Lambda and fainter Upsilon Scorpii, known as the Cat's Eyes; the cat is tilting his head and winking.
Monday, July 27 – Love Is Kind Day & Take Your Houseplant For a Walk Day
Tuesday, July 28 – National Water Park Day & Parents' Day
Night Sky, 7/28: Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers peak tonight. The most active hours just prior to dawn will have slight interference from moonlight but one can overcome this simply facing in a direction where the moon is not visible within your field of view.
Wednesday, July 29 – International Tiger Day & National Lipstick Day
Night Sky, 7/29: Jupiter and Saturn are at opposition this month. So they rise around sunset, loom low in the southeast in twilight, and climb higher as the evening grows late. Jupiter is brightest; Saturn is 7° to its lower left. Farther to Jupiter's right, look for the Sagittarius Teapot.
Thursday, July 30 – Cheesecake Day & Friendship Day & Paperback Book Day
Ancient Chinese Humor: A magistrate asked his court clerk how he got the scratches on his face. The embarrassed clerk said, “Last night, I was walking in the yard, taking in the cool night air, when a grape trellis fell on me and scratched my face.” The magistrate declared, “Only a wife could do this. Have her brought here this instant.” But the magistrate’s own wife had been hiding in the next room, and hearing this she stormed into the court. The terrified magistrate shouted, “Court’s in recess! Clear the court! My own trellis is coming down!” / What's purple and 5000 miles long? The grape wall of China.
..........I'll never do you no harm.........Beatles ….Oh, Darling
^^ Utah snow is supposedly lighter and drier than what’s found in other states, which lends itself well to deep-powder skiing. Research has shown that while Utah’s dry, fluffy snow may not be unique to the state, the high amount of snowfall that hits its top ski resorts has helped to boost its reputation.
'Nother Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: Just been on a diabetes awareness website and it asked me if I accept cookies. Is that a trick question? --Submitted by fnog
Moonbeam: Pray: To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy. --Ambrose Bierce
Late Night Snacks of the Week: It’s not surprising that Arizona would drag its feet on mandating masks. After all, in 1992, it became one of the last states to make Martin Luther King Day an official holiday, nine years after the US government. I know that seems racist, but you’ve gotta remember: it’s a dry hate. --Samatha Bee / Finally, the White House announced this week that Trump will resume his daily coronavirus briefings. Oh man, I hate it when a show comes back after a long break and I can’t remember any of the plot lines. --Seth Meyers / Children younger than 10 spread the virus with about half the frequency of adults, but kids aged 10-19 spread it at the same rate, which is “really not good. I don’t think any of this should be surprising to anyone. Like, I’m not a scientist, but of course teenagers can spread coronavirus everywhere. Just look at how they spread rumors. --Trevor Noah / Oregon’s governor, Kate Brown, said: “We cannot have secret police abducting people in unmarked vehicles. I can’t believe I have to say that to the president of the United States.” Really? You can’t believe that? Because it’s just one of a long list of things you shouldn’t have to say to the president of the United States, like: ‘Frederick Douglass is dead,’ ‘Don’t inject bleach,’ and, ‘You can’t date your daughter.’ --Stephen Colbert
Not So Late Night Snacks of the Week: The Times reports that studying chlamydia in koalas could help find a vaccine for humans. Scientists say chlamydia is common among koalas due to their genetic makeup and slutty personalities. The article contains the sentences, "oysters get herpes, rabbits get syphilis" and "dolphins get genital warts" and the phrase, "chlamydia connects us all..." --Peter Sagal Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me 7/18/20
Some of us gave a little blood for the right to participate in the democratic process. --John Lewis / Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you...You are made by the struggles you choose. -- CT Vivian
Around 1400: A Friar, who was but moderately considerate, was preaching to the people at Tivoli, and thundering against adultery, which he depicted in colors of the deepest dye. “It is such a horrible sin,” said he, “that I had rather undo ten virgins than one married woman!” Many, among the congregation, would have shared his preference. / In the Middle Ages people celebrated the end of the plague with orgies. Does anyone know if there are already plans?
..........Get a dose of her in jackboots and kilt........Beatles …..Polythene Pam
^^^ In 1869, the nation’s first transcontinental railroad was completed in Promontory, Utah. Construction on the project began in Sacramento to the west and in Omaha to the east and took seven years to build.
Worthless Fact of the Week: The Kellogg–Briand Pact aka Pact of Paris, officially General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy is a 1928 international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve "disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them". Secretary of State Frank B Kellogg signed for the United States
Wicked Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: I think we need to stop calling it “working from home” and start calling it “living at work”. --Submitted by inrith ~~Otherwise known as The Housewife's Lament
Weird Word of the Week: Ephebicide – a word to capture the character of the first world war. - wanton mass slaughter of the young by the old. http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-eph1.htm
Wacky Uses for Common Products: Keep passports waterproof. Store your passport in a Ziploc Storage Bag. http://www.wackyuses.com/wacky/ziploc.html
Ante-penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: 2020 is God punishing humanity for making the Cats movie.
1870: While passing a house on the road, two Virginia salesmen spotted a "very peculiar chimney, unfinished, and it attracting their attention, they asked a flaxen-haired urchin standing near the house if it 'drawed well' whereupon the aforementioned urchin gave them the stinging retort: 'Yes, it draws all the attention of all the d***** fools that pass this road / Why is England the wettest country? Because the queen has reigned there for years!
...........Me hiding me head in the sand.........Beatles …..Getting Better
^^^^ About a 30 minute drive from Salt Lake City, the Bingham Canyon mine has produced 18.1 million tons of copper since Kennecott Copper began digging there a century ago. The mine reaches a quarter of a mile into the earth, making it deep enough to fit two Willis Buildings stacked on top of one another and still have room left at the top. The pit’s massive size makes it easily visible to astronauts as they pass over the state. And because Kennecott digs approximately 250,000 tons of rock from the pit every day, tourists can see the hole grow bigger with every visit (the mine is currently closed to visitors due to movement detected on its northeast wall).
Penultimate Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: 2/3 of Trump's wives were immigrants...proving once again we need immigrants to do jobs most Americans wouldn't do. --Sign at a protest --Submitted by sw of ks
Science Fiction Joke of the Week: A young man is reported to have approached the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (one of the great musical prodigies of all time), and asked, "Herr Mozart, I have the ambition to write symphonies and perhaps you can advise me how to get started." Mozart said, "The best advice I can give you is to wait until you are older and more experienced, and try your hand at less ambitionous pieces to begin with." The young man looked astonished. "But, Herr Mozart, you yourself wrote symphonies when you were considerably younger than I." "Ah," said Mozart, "but I did so without asking advice." --Isaac Asimov
Actual Science Joke of the Week: John Oliver: You've stated that you believe that there could be an infinite number of parallel universes. Does that mean there is a universe out there where I am smarter than you? Stephen Hawking: Yes, and also a universe where you're funny.
Mild Mannered Curse of the Week: May your article load that extra little bit as you're about to click a link so you click an ad instead.
Suffrage Jokes (c. 1915): Why we Oppose Votes for Men: 1) Because man's place is in the army 2) Because no really manly man wants to settle any questions otherwise than by fighting about it... / What's the biggest drawback to voting by mail? Postage from Russian will cost a fortune.
..........You'll never know what hit you.........Beatles …..I Want You
^^^^^ Utah parks include Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion.
Month of the Week: July is Doghouse Repairs Month --Though we never saw the inside of Snoopy's doghouse in the comic strip, it was revealed over the years that it held a lot of personal possessions, including records, books, an original Vincent van Gogh painting, and a pool table. In the 1981 animated special It’s Magic, Charlie Brown, the interior of his doghouse was shown for the first time and indeed featured a van Gogh painting—as well as an alchemy lab.
Final Funniest Thing I Read of the Week: I'm sorry for the coin shortage, I started a swear jar. --Submitted by #RHOZ
Today's Peace of History, July 24, 1983: Canadians and Americans spanned the international border at Thousand Islands Bridge, linking New York and Ontario, to protest nuclear weapons and border harassment of peace activists.
1920s:A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin. / Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that someone might be looking. --H.L. Mecken / What's the difference between the 1920s and the 2020s? In 2020 the depression starts off the decade.
..........What can I do, what can I be........Beatles …..Got To Get You Into My Life
Masthead of the Week: Friday ePistle July 24, 2020, Venerable ePistle . Online at: http://fridayepistle.blogspot.com/ Love, Laughs, and Longevity Exclusive editor: Christine Smith. 2511 Morningside Dr. Lawrence, KS 66047
Moonbeam: Corporation: An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. --Ambrose Bierce
Cost of War:
As of 7/23/20 Military Costs of War since 2001: $3,046,668,755,203.
As of 7/16/20 Military Costs of War since 2001: $3,044,683,086,631.
As of 7/23/20 Homeland Security Costs since 2001: $979,862,323,658.
As of 7/16/20 Homeland Security Costs since 2001: $978,512,822,347.
As of 7/23/20 Interest on War Debt since 2001: $781,483,882,863.
As of 7/16/20 Interest on War Debt since 2001: $779,787,636,032.
As of 7/23/20 Veterans Care since 2001: $333,246,322,720.
As of 7/16/20 Veterans Care since 2001: $332,860,839,411.
As of 7/23/20 Total Cost of Wars since 2001: $5,141,261,913,336.
As of 7/16/20 Total Cost of Wars since 2001: $5,135,845,080,405.
If someone had told me in 1963 that one day I would be in Congress, I would have said, “You're crazy. You don't know what you're talking about.” --John Lewis / We all dreamed of it. We sat in church and talked about it. We made songs about it. We talked about a new world coming. We talked about all of that, right? Now that it’s here, we’ve got to make it real.
Famous Last Words: Damn it! How will I ever get out of this Labyrinth? --Simon Bolivar
..........It's wonderful to be here; it's certainly a thrill.........Beatles …..Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ~~All of today's song are from the Beatles Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack.
The very first joke at which my brother Gary Bill laughed out loud: A drunk jumped out of a fourth floor window and died. The police asked his friend who was also drunk what happened. The man explained that his friend said he was just going to fly around the block and would be right back. The police asked the man why he didn't try to stop his friend. He answered, “I thought he could do it.” ~~In all fairness Gary was about 3 years old and was likely laughing because everyone else was laughing. Nevertheless, it is his oldest joke.
May Peace bear your burden
And Joy lighten your load
prairie mama
christine


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