Art by Hart

Mother Nature wondered what weather joke she might play next

Pip's dream was especially vivid

Little Miss Chickadee thought the birdwatchers were adorable

Minna had stories about everyone — and some were true

Even Humphrey, a Vermonter, had never slid on so much sleet before

Real life was starting to look like science fiction

Art and photos by Jane Hart

Special Observances, November 13 – 19, 2023

November 13: Odd Socks Day

Odd Socks Day is held on the 1st day of the 3rd week in November: November 13, this year. The day encourages everyone to wear the most outlandish socks they can imagine to show off their unique personality and style. It’s a fun and lighthearted event that celebrates differences. But, it has a deeper meaning, as well. The day is meant to remind us to think about our words before we say them and their effects on others.

 Odd Sock Day first began in 2017, in the United Kingdom, as a way to deter bullying in schools. Students have been bullied for wearing something out of the ordinary ever since schools were created. The Anti-Bullying Alliance created the day to remind people that it’s good to stand out in a crowd. Expressing oneself without fear of judgment reaffirms the idea that being who you are is more than enough. If we can appreciate someone else’s odd socks, we can also appreciate each individual’s differences. So, change out of ordinary black or white socks and opt for something, well, a little bit weirder. Wearing odd socks can be a great way for people to underline their unique style — and it works very well as a conversation starter. Win win.

Though not well-known, socks have been around since the Stone Age. Cavemen were actually the first people to wear socks after a wave of surprising ingenuity. They wrapped animal skin around their feet and tied them around their ankles for warmth. Although they looked much different than the versions worn today, these archaic socks were the prototypes of the future. Romans modernized the sock during the 8th century BC. The poet Hesiod wrote about them in his piece Works and Days, where he makes reference to “piloi,” socks made of matted animal fur. Worn under sandals, this revolutionized the cavemen model. Today, such a fashion statement would be looked aghast at, but back then it was modern. Later, Romans started wrapping their feet in strips of leather or woven fabric. In a 2nd century AD sock breakthrough, Romans sewed fabrics together for a more fitted and comfortable feel.

The Middle Ages: another major sock advancement. Trousers were lengthened and socks became tighter, with more colorful fabric. Elastic bands weren’t around yet, so garters were used to keep them up. Sock options multiplied. Then, in Scotland, during the 15th century, argyle socks were created.

Embrace your socks — odd or not — if not for love, then for money. It’s been estimated that lost socks cost a family of four nearly $300 a year.

November 14: National Pickle Day

National Pickle Day was created to celebrate the pickle — tart, sweet, even spicy — as one of the world’s favorite fermented foods (say that 3 times fast). Pickles are popular across the US, with more than 250 million consumed by the end of this year. No matter the type — dill, gherkin, cornichon, brined, kosher dill, Polish, Hungarian, lime, bread-and-butter, Swedish, Danish, there’s even a Kool-Aid pickle (ick) — we eat them all day long.

The term pickle comes from the Dutch word “pekel,” meaning “brine.” In the US, the word pickle typically refers to a pickled cucumber. However, just about any fruit or vegetable can be pickled. The process typically starts with a blanching process, depending on the fruit or vegetable. Next, the product is packed into jars with seasonings that give the pickles their flavor. A pickle’s tartness or sweetness comes from the brine. A basic brine includes vinegar and water. Sugar, in varying amounts, adjusts the level of sweetness in the brine.

Pickling has existed for thousands of years. The process ensured a degree of preservation otherwise impossible in pre-modern conditions. It was essential as a mobile supply of provisions for travelers, as well as a dependable source of nutrition for those living through barren winters.

Pickles’ popularity dates back to 2030 BC. At the time, traders imported cucumbers from India to the Tigris Valley. There, people first preserved and ate cucumbers as pickles. Cleopatra attributed her good looks to her diet of pickles. Julius Caesar craved the benefits of pickles. He so believed they lent physical and spiritual strength, he gave them to his troops.

Popular in the Old World (i.e., Europe), pickles first made their appearance in the New World (eg, North America) in 1492, provided by guess who. Yes, it was old Christopher Columbus. Pickles were included in sailors’ rations on his expeditions as a way to prevent the onset of scurvy. By the mid-17th century, cucumbers bought from Dutch settlers farming in the NY area were pickled and distributed throughout the region, paving the way for our state to be the perfect site for the introduction of the Kosher dill pickle. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Eastern European Jews immigrated to the US in great numbers and settled in the NYC area. They brought with them the unique methods that produce kosher dill pickles.

In the US, we consume a phenomenal 5,200,000 pounds annually (about 9 pounds per American). Yes, they’re high in sodium, but they’re also a good source of vitamin K. Eaten in moderation, they make a great snack. While on the subject of pickle snacks, food vendors sometimes serve pickles on a stick at fairs or carnivals. They are known, rather obviously, as “stick pickles.” A rising trend in the US is — wait for it: deep-fried pickles. The pickle is wrapped in dough or dipped in breading and deep-fried. No, we’re not kidding.

National Pickle Day traces its roots to International Pickle Week, which was started by the National Pickle Packers Association in 1949. Who else?

November 15: National Raisin Bran Cereal Day

It’s National Raisin Bran Cereal Day, celebrating one of the country’s favorite cereals. It’s allso a day for understanding US copyright law.

Raisin bran cereals (note the lack of capitals for most of that) are made from toasted wheat flakes with raisins added. No surprise there. Raisin brans have been a staple in many American breakfasts for generations as a healthy — while remaining tasty — breakfast choice.  Healthy because it is high in fiber; however, the added sugar make it unhealthy. Yin and yang.

Bran is the outer covering of the wheat kernel; it is commonly used in cereals. Raisins are sweet, dried grapes, that became popular after a heat wave dried up a large portion of California’s grape harvest in September of 1873. A San Francisco grocer started marketing them as “Peruvian Delicacies.”

In 1925, Skinner Manufacturing Company, the largest producer of macaroni in the US at the time, introduced the first raisin bran brand to hit the market: “Skinner’s Raisin-BRAN.” Bran flakes had, since 1915, already been in existence, but Skinner was the first company to add raisins to the mix. They also trademarked the name “Raisin-BRAN” a year after introducing the cereal in the market. And that paid off. The cereal caught on and gained in popularity. And here’s where copyright comes into play. For 17 years, the Omaha-based company held the sole ownership of the name “Raisin-BRAN.” Then, in 1942, Kellogg’s and Post started to sell their own versions of the cereal, and Skinner fought back, filing a cease-and-desist to keep its monopoly on the raisin bran product. Skinner claimed trademark infringement and unfair competition from the other 2 cereal giants.

In 1944, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit came down on the side of Skinner’s competitors. It ruled that a name that described the ingredients of an item cannot be trademarked. The court claimed there was nothing revolutionary about the mixture of raisins and cereal flakes. Since that decision, brands such as Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, General Mills’ Total Raisin Bran, and Post Cereals' Post Raisin Bran have made up a large share of the market. Skinner is now part of Winland Foods, Inc., providing the company’s pasta and rice brands. No Raisin-BRAN.

November 16: National Button Day

National Button Day celebrates the function of buttons and the hobby of button collection.

Founded in 1938, the National Button Society recognized button collecting as an organized hobby. Both novice and advanced button collectors (yes, there are gradations) celebrate the enjoyment of collecting on this day.

Ancient humans formed buttons from natural and readily available substances such as stone, shell, bone, clay, or wood. The oldest known button — dating to 5000 BC — was made from a curved shell and found in the Indus River Valley. The first buttons were used for ornamentation and seals, and have been found in the Indus River Valley (c. 2800 – 2600 BC), China (c. 2000 – 1500 BC), and ancient Rome. The Roman Empire produced some of the first buttonholes (and buttonholes can also be found on footwear from the Middle Ages). In the 5th century AD, buttons were used by the Byzantine Empire to fasten cuffs and were also used to fasten tunics necks in Egypt at the same time. But buttons as we know them (along with associated buttonholes) didn’t come about until the 13th century. They first appeared in Germany. From there, their modern use began to spread. By the 14th century, buttons were in wide use all throughout Europe.

Today buttons are most often constructed out of hard plastic, metals, seashells, or wood. Beyond the factory walls — where they are made in huge quantities — buttons have been created in small quantities by artisans, artists, and craftspeople out of raw materials or found objects, such as fossils, or from a combination of both.

Remember your grandmother or your mother snipping the buttons off shirts headed for the rag basket? Those buttons were often collected in jars or tins. Maybe you even played games with them or strung them for ornaments and crafts. The buttons were fun to stack into piles, sort by color or size, or scatter and slide across the floor or table making up different games each time. A button jar can morph into a great craft project, extra game tokens, or fashion embellishment. Sure, we have zippers and Velcro now, but buttons are just more fun, interesting, and whimsical.

Button collecting, which is most popular in the US, varies from people having buttons in a container for future use, to casual collecting, to competitive collecting. The National Button Society was founded in 1938. Hobbies magazine had organized a hobby show in Chicago in 1938, and button collectors participated in the show. Later that year they formed the Society, and held their own button show the following year. They also established National Button Day, which celebrates the function of buttons and the hobby of button collection.

Many state and local button clubs were formed in the decades after 1938. They also put on button shows. Today the National Button Society has over 3,000 members in four continents. The Society focuses on educational research and exhibitions, the publication of materials about buttons, and the preservation of the importance of buttons.

November 17: National Farm Joke Day

Welcome to National Farm Joke Day, a day dedicated to all things funny and farm-related. From silly jokes to hilarious anecdotes, this day is all about spreading laughter and brightening up the farming community. Farming can be hard work, and what better way to take a break than by sharing a good laugh?

Over the years, the internet has played a significant role in promoting and celebrating National Farm Joke Day. It has become a virtual gathering place for farmers and agriculture enthusiasts to share their favorite jokes and connect with others in the farming community. Want a sample? Just go to Youtube.com and put “National Farm Joke Day” in the search bar. We’re not saying the comedy is, uhm, professional (most are just groaners), but the farmers are obviously really enjoying themselves. Here’s a taste:

  • What kind of vest should you wear in the fall? . . . A har-vest! (Fall Jokes)

  • Happy Labor Day! Oh wait… we live on a farm. Never mind! (Labor Day Jokes)

  • I turned to farming, but I wasn’t outstanding in my field. (Labor Day Jokes)

  • My friend got fired from his cow milking job because of his erratic behavior. He was a danger to himself and udders. (Milk Jokes & Cow Jokes)

  • There was a farmer who grew watermelons. He was doing pretty well, but he was disturbed by some local kids who would sneak into his watermelon patch at night and eat his watermelons. After some careful thought, he came up with a clever idea that he thought would scare the kids away for sure. He made up a sign and posted it in the field. The next day, the kids show up and they saw the sign which read, “Warning! One of the watermelons in this field has been injected with cyanide.” The kids ran off, made up their own sign and posted it next to the farmer’s sign. When the farmer returned, he surveyed the field. He noticed that no watermelons are missing, but the sign next to his read, “Now there are two!” (Watermelon Jokes)

  • In a farmers market, Farmer A sells pumpkins, Farmer B sells strawberries, what does Farmer C sell? . . . Medicine. (Doctor Jokes & Pumpkin Jokes)

  • How can you farm during the winter? . . . Use a snow plow.

  • If you crossed a zucchini with our first president, what would you get? . . . George Squashington.

  • What is a farmer’s favorite college football team? . . . The Nebraska Cornhuskers! (College Football Jokes & Nebraska Jokes)

  • What did the corn farmer say to his therapist? . . . An ear full. (Psychology Jokes & Farming Jokes)

  • Why don’t cows have any money? . . . Because farmers milk them dry. (Milk Jokes & Cow Jokes)

  • What did the farmer give his wife for Valentine’s Day? . . . Hogs and kisses. (Funny Valentine’s Day Jokes)

  • Why did the poultry farmer become a school teacher? . . . So he could grade his eggs. (Egg Jokes / Farming Jokes / Jokes for Teachers)

  • Why can’t tomatoes win races against lettuce at the Summer Games? . . . The lettuce are always a head, and the tomatoes are always trying to ketchup! (Lettuce Jokes & Summer Olympic Jokes)

  • What do you call a potato that has turned to the Dark side? . . . Vader Tots. (May the 4th Be with You Jokes)

  • What do you get when a bunch of sheep stand in a circle? . . . Shepard’s pi. (Pi Day Jokes for Teachers)

November 18: William Tell Day

The French are cultured. The Italians, passionate. The British, stiff upper-lipped. But how much do we ever think about the Swiss? Well, here’s something to think about. The Swiss folk hero William Tell is not believed to have been real, but the story of his courage in the face of power gave it importance in Swiss folklore. His national identity goes unquestioned. Tell is found in works of art and statues, and sites throughout Switzerland claim various associations with him. And his story has become a symbol of political and individual freedom. He is a father figure of the Swiss people. Even without ever really taking a breath.

William Tell Day honors Tell’s courage, skill, and determination and inspires people to stand up for their rights and values. According to legend, Tell was a 14th century farmer and famous hunter from the municipality of Bürglen, in Switzerland. One day he came with his son through the market square at Altdorf. Bailiff Gessler, an agent of the Habsburg duke in Austria, had put a Habsurg hat on a pole there and announced that everyone passing by had to uncover their heads. After Tell refused to do so, Gessler ordered an apple to be placed on Tell’s son’s head and said that if Tell didn’t shoot it off at a distance of 120 paces, he and his son would be put to death. Tell shot the apple and his son was saved. Afterward, Gessler asked him, “Your life is now safe, but kindly tell me why I saw you putting a second arrow inside your jacket?” William Tell answered: “If my first arrow had killed my son, I would have shot the second at you, and I would not have missed. Gessler then ordered Tell to be bound and carried to Lake Lucerne, put on a boat, and sent to a dungeon. On the way, a strong wind swept up. Tell was the only one with the strength to bring the boat to shore. When he made it there, he jumped off and kicked the boat back to sea.

Tell traveled to the site of the dungeon and hid behind a tree, waiting for Gessler to arrive. When Gessler appeared, Tell shot him with the second arrow. Later, he met with 3 other men who Gessler or other Habsburgs had wronged. They took an oath: “To assist each other with aid and every counsel and every favor, with person and goods, with might and main, against one and all, who may inflict on them any violence, molestation or injury, or may plot any evil against their persons or goods.” After they took their oath, bonfires were lit on the top of mountaintops to signal the start of a war of national liberation.

November 18 was the date that William Tell’s act of defiance set off a chain of events that led to national liberation for the Swiss people. That’s why William Tell Day takes place today.

November 19: National Play Monopoly Day

The game of Monopoly was invented 121 years ago — or, anyway, its prototype was. In 1902, Elizabeth Magie designed a board game called “The Landlord’s Game.” She designed the game as a protest against the big monopolists of the time, such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Magie created 2 sets of rules for her game: an anti-monopolist set in which all were rewarded when wealth was created, and a monopolist set in which the goal was to create monopolies and crush opponents. Her dualistic approach was a teaching tool meant to demonstrate that the first set of rules was morally superior. That game led to Monopoly, which, since its release by Parker Brothers in 1935, has been played by an estimated 500 million people. National Play Monopoly Day recognizes Monopoly as a favorite pastime of millions of Americans, as well as one of the most popular worldwide.

National Play Monopoly Day was created in dedication to this board game which brings joy to many families and friends. The object of the game is to collect as many properties as you can to create a monopoly. When players land on your property, you get to collect rent. The more properties you own, the more money you make, too. But watch out! Taxes and other fees are involved, as well. To win the game, you need to bankrupt your opponents and be the last landowner standing.

When Parker Brothers released the game, it had only 2 versions: regular and deluxe. In 1991, when Hasbro took over Parker Brothers, they developed a slew of new versions of the game — over 300 — including (but not limited to) those based on sports teams, bands and performers, individual TV/movie programs/ franchises and actors; books, travel, cars, anniversaries of great events, companies and products, or hobbies such as fishing. There’s also a digital edition and one where the winner is the first person to lose all their money. In 2003, Hasbro organized a championship tournament of Monopoly on a chartered train going from Chicago to Atlantic City.

But Monopoly has also gone beyond fun and games. During World War II, the British Secret Service asked the British publisher and manufacturer of Monopoly, Jack Waddington Ltd, to create a special edition of Monopoly for the prisoners of war held in Nazi Germany. The service hid objects like maps, money, and compasses in the game, to help them escape. The British Secret Service formed fake charity organizations to send this version of Monopoly to the POWs. And look what happened in WWII . . . just sayin’.

A VITAL REMINDER ON COVID: 'TIS THE SEASON!

It’s that time again: colder weather and happy get-togethers throw us together indoors. It’s fun. It’s comfortable. It is also the perfect atmosphere for COVID spread. At Kendal, we care deeply about our friends and neighbors. We want to keep them healthy. We want to keep them safe. One of the best ways to do this is to follow Kendal COVID Protocols. Following, are those protocols:  

IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED:

  • DAY 0: The date of your exposure is considered “Day 0.”

  • Day 0 – 10: You MUST wear a mask in public (outside of your apartment). Masks should fit well over nose and mouth and can ONLY be discontinued on Day 11

  • Maintain 3 to 6 feet from others while in public areas, out of consideration for others.

  • You MAY NOT dine-in at the Bistro or Formal Dining Room.

  • You MAY get food via take-out and then return to your apartment. YOU SHOULD NOT EAT WITH OTHERS WHO ARE NOT IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS UNTIL DAY 11.

  • CDC recommends testing on Day 6 after the exposure if you are asymptomatic. If symptoms appear, test IMMEDIATELY. If the initial test is negative, but symptoms persist, repeat the test. The Resident Care Center can provide guidance based on your own experience.

  • It is RECOMMENDED that you do NOT participate in group activities, but if you need to or choose to, you MUST wear a mask during Days 1 – 10.

IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL:

Sadly, many independent residents are not recognizing possible COVID signs and symptoms. Every community member must be mindful of personal responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe.

COVID symptoms have become much less severe and obvious.

Individuals who have a history of allergies and asthma and those who experience cold-like symptoms should be aware that these might, in fact, be indicative of COVID.

Do not make assumptions about the cause of symptoms!

The safest route is to test, minimize social interactions (do not participate in activities or gatherings), and wear a well-fitting mask (covering nose and mouth) when you must be out. Testing does not always yield an immediate positive result. If you are awaiting COVID testing or results, isolate until you have the results. Lingering symptoms warrant follow-up testing.

IF YOU ARE COVID-19 POSITIVE:

Follow the written isolation and masking instructions provided by the Resident Care Center. Protocols are:

  • DAY 0: The date of your exposure is considered “Day 0.”

  • DAYS 0 – 5: Isolate/quarantine in your apartment. Do not leave for any reason.

  • DAYS 6 – 10: You may leave your apartment, but you MUST wear a mask in public (outside of your apartment). Masks should be well-fitting over nose and mouth and can ONLY be discontinued on Day 11. Take-out dining only. DO NOT dine in the Bistro or Formal Dining Room until the 11th day after you test positive. DO NOT dine with anyone outside your immediate household until the 11th day after you test positive.

If you have any questions regarding these protocols, call the Resident Care Center.

A Music Lesson . . .

Musical Terms

Alleregretto: When you’re 16 measures into the piece and suddenly realize you set a too-fast tempo

Angus Dei: To play with a divinely beefy tone

A Patella: Accompanied by knee-slapping

Apologgimatura: A composition that you regret playing

Approximento: A musical entrance that is somewhere in the vicinity of the correct pitch

Dill Piccolini: An exceedingly small wind instrument that plays only sour notes

Fermantra: A note held over and over and over and over and . . .

Fiddler Crabs: Grumpy string players

Flute Flies: Those tiny insects that bother musicians in outdoor gigs

Frugalhorn: A sensible and inexpensive brass instrument

Gaul Blatter: A French horn player

Gregorian Champ: The title bestowed upon the monk who can hold a note the longest

Placebo Domingo: A faux tenor

Spritzicato: An indication to string instruments to produce a bright and bubbly

Tempo Tantrum: What an elementary school orchestra is having when it’s not following the conductor

Contributed by Margaret Ann Roth

My Word!

Last week, we provided the winning submissions of The Washington Post’s annual neologism contest. Along with the neologism contest, the paper also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. The winners are:

Bozone (noun): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future


Cashtration (noun): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

Sarchasm (noun): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

Inoculatte (verb): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Osteopornosis (noun): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

Karmageddon (noun): It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

Glibido (verb): All talk and no action.

Arachnoleptic fit (noun): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

Caterpallor (noun): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature:

Ignoranus (noun): A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

Contributed by Barbara Bruno

Art by Hart

Nobody knew better than Reeve how hard it was to find quality daycare for a shy, sensitive sea cucumber

Cora was quite critical of Alexander's friends

Galapagos tortoise rides are the new must-have for chi-chi birthday parties

Living next to a pet sanctuary was new for the Boyles

This was the weekend the Claytons' social calendar was always full

Art and photos by Jane Hart

Special Observances, November 6 – 12, 2023

NOVEMBER 6: NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY

National Saxophone Day is on the birthday of Antoine-Joseph (known as Adolphe) Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, November 6, 1814. Sax invented the saxophone in 1841 and patented it in 1846. Born in Dinant, now known as Belgium, he is also famously known for several near-death experiences as a child, including but not limited to falling down 3 flights of stairs; a gunpowder explosion; and swallowing pins in watered-down sulphuric acid, thinking it was milk. Happily, he survived to invent the saxophone, which became a great modern contribution to the music world. Before coming up with the saxophone, he also created various brass instruments that bore his name, including the saxtuba, saxotromba, and the saxhorn. Those instruments didn’t catch on and quickly faded into non-existence. But the saxophone lives on today.

This soulful instrument has a rich history and musical range. It is loved for what it brings to both jazz and classical music. It has two unique features: it is the only instrument to be created by one person and it is the only brass instrument in the woodwind family.

Sax constructed saxophones in several sizes in the early 1840s. On June 28, 1846, he received a 15-year patent for the instrument. His dream for the saxophone was for it to perform low to high ranges in an orchestra. His patent encompassed 14 different versions of the fundamental design, split into 2 categories of 7 instruments each, and ranging from sopranino to contrabass. When the patent expired in 1866, Millereau Co. created and patented a version of the saxophone with a forked F sharp key and Goumas patented one with the clarinet-inspired Boehm fingering system. Later, in 1881, Sax extended his original patent and made some adjustments to expand the instrument’s octave range. Today, only 4 of the 14 saxophones created by its inventor are used: the soprano, the alto, the tenor, and the baritone. 

Over the years, many great saxophone masters have graced the world with their music, including: Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, John Coltrane Charlie “Bird” Parker, Kenny G., and Jimmy Dorsey.

NOVEMBER 7: INTERNATIONAL MERLOT DAY

International Merlot Day celebrates one of the world’s most popular red wines.

The word “merlot” is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French word for blackbird, which probably refers to the color of the grape the wine comes from. It was first produced in Bordeaux, France. Indeed, more hectares in Bordeaux are devoted to growing Merlot than any other grape. In Italy, Merlot is the 5th most planted grape. France and Italy are not the only sources of Merlot. The grape is the 2nd most widely planted grape in Israel. Besides Bordeaux, Italy, and Israel, other Merlot-producing regions include: the US (California and Washington), Chile, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Greece, and Mexico

Wine experts describe the flavor of Merlot as a dark-fruit flavor. Think black cherry, blackberry, plum, and raspberry. These fruity flavors are layered with herbal tones as well as undertones of vanilla and mocha. However, it is a dry wine, so dry that some consider it bitter. The bitter taste comes from the skin of the grapes. Never had Merlot? Besides celebrating this deep red wine, International Merlot Day is a day to encourage those who’ve never tried it, to do just that.

NOVEMBER 8: ABET AND AID PUNSTERS DAY

Abet and Aid Punsters Day is all about loosening up and laughing with each other. It is a celebration with the simple aim of sharing puns and punny jokes. Punsters hope that everyone will join in the celebrations and forget their worries for a day. Don’t roll your eyes! Just join in the laughter — and come up with your own bad puns. The worse they are, the better they are (we’re looking at you, Art Brady!).  

According to literaryterms.com, a pun is “a joke based on the interplay of homophones — words with the same pronunciation but different meanings. It can also play with words that sound similar, but not exactly the same. The joke’s humor (if any) comes from the confusion of the two meanings.” Puns, also known as paronomasia, intentionally use homophonic, homographic, metonymic, or figurative language. An example: The tallest building in town is the library — it has thousands of stories. The meaning of a pun may be specific to a particular language or culture.

Puns have a long history in human writing. They originated in ancient Egypt, where the Egyptians used them to develop myths and interpret dreams. In Shen Dao, China, they used puns for communicating royal decrees. In ancient Mesopotamia, around 2500 BC, punning was used by scribes to represent words in cuneiform. Even the Hebrew Bible contains puns. The Roman playwright Plautus was famous for his puns and word games. The Mayans also used puns in their hieroglyphic writing and their modern languages.

There’s no real proof of how Abet and Aid Punsters Day came about, however enthusiasts believe that the day may have originated in the 1970s. Whatever the date of its inception, Abet and Aid punsters day is a day to make bad puns, and to encourage others to do the same.

NOVEMBER 9: NATIONAL CHAOS NEVER DIES DAY

On Chaos Never Dies Day, go a little crazy finding ways to embrace the chaos of the world. Chaos can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a schedule-packed day navigating a large and bustling city. For others, it’s weekly family dinners. For Kendal, it’s knowing full well that the pilates class is in conflict with the book group — for which you have prepared a succinct insight — which is squeezed tightly against the call from a granddaughter who wants to tell you about her new puppy, but still you think you can make it before catching the afternoon van to Stop & Shop because you’re having drinks with the friends you’ve invited to the FDR and need those nice, crunchy crackers, and squeezing in a fast trot to the liquor store for wine before the bus leaves — and, besides, you wanted to visit a friend in Clearwater. Whatever your specific chaos, the key to enjoying life is embracing the confusion and facing it head-on. That’s where Chaos Never Dies Day comes in — it’s completely dedicated to enjoying the chaos in the world around us!

Chaos is a state of disorder or confusion. It appears in every facet of the human experience — and has done so since before the term even came about. In Greek mythology, Khaos is one of the primordial gods born before the universe itself. So, basically, chaos, and all its confusion and disorder, predates the universe, making it an integral part of life.

While the specific origins of Chaos Never Dies Day are unknown, what is known is that chaos is an inevitable part of life. Even as people propagate the idea of slowing down, taking a break, and taking some time for yourself, these won’t stop the inevitable chaos in your life. “Relaxation” products — that came about when the self-help movement recognized there was money in them thar exhausted human beings — help take a load off, but that doesn’t mean the chaos stops once that luxuriating soak in the tub is achieved. There’s no real way to escape the day-to-day crazy; better to stop trying to run from it and, instead, find ways to temper chaos and make it fun.

National Chaos Never Dies Day is a day of realization and coming to terms with the reality that chaos never dies. The day is intended as a day to help us deal with the chaos. A day to let a sense of calm wash over us despite it all. A day to live our lives as well as we can, even though we know there will always be things we can't change. Chaos never dies, we will not let it get us down. As soon as we accept that life is chaotic, the less we let it rule over us. Take a deep breath and say, “OK, things can get a bit nuts, but that’s OK.” And note: there’s always International Moment of Frustration Scream Day on October 12. Perhaps make that a monthly “celebration”?

NOVEMBER 10: AREA CODE DAY

“Operator. Can I help you.” Thus began the wonderful world of telephony, lo, these many, many, many decades ago. In the beginning of the world with telephones, things were easy. You didn’t even call a number, you just spoke to your operator and asked them to connect you with someone in town. Need the doctor? Not only could you ask to be connected, but might inquire which one she’d suggest.

Eventually, the phone system expanded beyond local networks and started connecting towns, counties, states, and nations. The first step was putting in a number system so that each person could dial another directly. Ah, problem: not enough numbers. Enter the Area Code.

Area Code Day celebrates the solution that has become a part of our everyday existence. First devised in the 1940s in the AT&T and Bell laboratories, the idea was slowly but surely expanded on and developed until it went into effect in 1947 named the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and covering 25 different regions, including North America and the Caribbean. It solved the issue of not enough phone numbers for both the USA and Canada and beyond. AT&T went on managing the NANP, finally discontinuing it after the administration was handed over to the American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) service, led by the Federal Communications Commission in the US.

Through NANP, states and provinces were assigned single codes, all of which had a 0 in the middle. Some creative ideas were implemented to help make dialing easier, including how numbers were distributed. Areas with larger populations were assigned area codes with lower numbers at the beginning and end. Why? In those days of rotary dialing, it was decided that people in denser populated areas should be able to dial faster. How to do that? Use numbers closer to zero so they had a shorter pull time.

Over time, as the number of households with telephones grew and the possibility of calling beyond one’s own country expanded, the concept of using area codes also grew — and modified. Most countries in the NANP are divided into numbering plan service areas. The number prefix that each area has is called the “numbering plan area code.” “Area code,” for short. Initially the first number of the three-digit code could be 2 through 9, the second digit had to be a 0 or 1, and the third digit could be any number. But no code was to end in 0 — until the toll-free code 800 was introduced.

As population continued to expand — and, with it, the number of telephones — so did area codes, which needed to be broadened to meet greater demand. In 1995, the center digit, which up to that point could only be 0 or 1, was expanded to be any number but 9. Next step: “national access codes” (also known as “country codes”), making calling abroad easier. Area codes are often preceded by the national access code, which is 1 in the US, and 0 in many other countries.

NOVEMBER 11: ORIGAMI DAY

On National Origami Day, sit down and find your zen by practicing this ancient art. Originally called “orikata,” meaning “folded shapes,” the word transitioned to origami in 1880. Origami originated in Japan as early as 105 AD. The earliest set of written origami instructions didn’t come out until 1764. Folding images from paper became a vital skill for aristocrats and high-ranking Japanese soldiers. Because paper was very expensive, only those in the upper class practiced origami. By using such a valuable material as mere decoration, wealthy families could demonstrate their access to such luxuries. As time marched on and, Japan’s industrial revolution began during the late 19th century’s Meiji period, paper prices decreased and origami spread throughout Japanese society. Origami became a regular feature of familial ceremonies such as weddings and birthdays. Today, anyone with access to paper and a flat surface is welcome to give it a go.

International interest in origami was spurred by Akira Yoshizawa, who was a grandmaster origamist. He developed current standards for origami practices and, in doing so, served as a cultural ambassador of Japan. Yoshizawa designed countless origami patterns, and became known as the “Father of modern origami.”

With origami, a square piece of paper is folded into a 3-dimensional shape or image. Only one tool: the paper itself. (Note: origami’s modern cousin, kirigami, allows the use of scissors and glue.) It can feel much like a logic problem or a brainteaser. How to get the most realistic result by simply manipulating folds, tucks, and turns. Most common is the use of standard 6-inch square paper to make origami. The most popular things to make include the fortune teller, crane, lotus flower, jumping frog, butterfly, swan, hat, and heart. Besides providing an outlet for creativity, there are other benefits of origami: it encourages relaxation (see above: National Chaos Never Dies Day), strengthens eye-hand coordination, and develops fine-motor skills. Additionally, origami enhances math skills and supports mental concentration.

New Yorker Lillian Oppenheimer, who was born 1898, introduced origami to the US and Great Britain, founding organizations in each country so fellow paper-folding lovers could gather and share their art. Today, her organization — OrigamiUSA — is alive and well in America. Each year, they hold a 2-week convention where origamists from across the US come together to accomplish massive artistic feats using only paper.

NOVEMBER 12: INTERNATIONAL TONGUE TWISTER DAY

International Tongue Twister Day is celebrated every second Sunday in November, this year on November 12. According to the dictionary, a tongue twister is “a sequence of words or sounds, typically of an alliterative kind, that are difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly, as, for example, tie twine to three tree twigs.”

Tongue twisters have technically been around since the 19th century when John Harris published Peter Piper’s Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation, which included a twisty tongue tango for every letter of the alphabet. The book was published to help children learn fundamentals of speech mechanics. However, in addition, old Peter Piper garnered quite a lot of attention and inspired a lot of lore. It turns out Peter Piper was based on French horticulturalist Pierre Poivre, whose last name actually means “pepper” in French. Pierre was said to be exploring the viability of growing American spices in the French Mediterranean.

Researchers at MIT have identified the most difficult tongue twister (researchers at MIT must have a lot of time on their hands). It has nothing to do with Peter Piper Picking Pickled Peppers, she who sells seashells by the seashore, or even the Q&A about “how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” The most difficult tongue twister is the announcement that “The sixth sick sheikh’s sixth sheep’s sick.” Guinness World Records featured it as the most difficult tongue twister in the English language in 1974, the last year they tracked tongue twisters.

Tongue twisters offer benefits outside of just being fun. Among them are:

  • They strengthen the muscles used for speech, leading to clearer pronunciation and speech patterns.

  • They highlight which sounds are difficult for you to say so that you can work on those sounds.

  • They are a great warmup exercise before giving a speech, teaching a class, or doing a presentation.

To practice tongue twisters, try some with just a few words. The key: practicing saying the same phrase a certain number of times. Repeat “six sticky skeletons” 3 times in a row. Or “she sees cheese” 5 times.

Want some fun tongue twisters? Read on:

  • She sees cheese.

  • Chop shops stock chops.

  • If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose?

  • Seventy-seven benevolent elephants

  • A loyal warrior will rarely worry why we rule.

  • There was a minimum of cinnamon in the aluminum pan.

  • How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?

  • A pessimistic pest exists amidst us.

In and Around Kendal

An Unwelcome New Resident

Photo by Edward Kasinec

It’s a Puzzle-ment

Many Kendalites are also Puzzlers. Recently, those in Robert Fulton and in Clermont have sent in impressive results from hours of observation, analyzing, fitting (and not a wee bit of colorful language).

Robert Fulton: a 3,000 Piece Beauty

Photo by Caroline Persell

Clermont: 1,000 Pieces of Determination

Photo by Cynthia Ferguson

A Fall Day’s Walk through Rockwood Park

Photos by Peter Sibley

My Word!

WASHINGTON POST NEOLOGISM CONTEST
The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its annual neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

1. Coffee (noun), the person upon whom one coughs.


2. Flabbergasted (adjective), appalled over how much weight you have gained.


3. Abdicate (verb), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.


4. Esplanade (verb), to attempt an explanation while drunk.


5. Willy-nilly (adjective), impotent.


6. Negligent (adjective), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.


7. Lymph (verb), to walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle (noun), olive-flavoured mouthwash.


9. Flatulence (noun), emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.


10. Balderdash (noun), a rapidly receding hairline.


11. Testicle (noun), a humorous question on an exam.


12. Rectitude (noun), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.


13. Pokemon (noun), a Rastafarian proctologist.


14. Oyster (noun), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.


15. Frisbeetarianism (noun, back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.


16. Circumvent (noun), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Contributed by Barbara Bruno

Happy Halloween!

Sleepy Hollow is Halloween country writ large. As soon as the calendar flips over to October 1, large groups of tourists arrive for guided tours of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetary. The Blaze (of pumpkin and pumpkin-like sculptures) starts early and stays into November. Neighborhoods and shops start decorating for the big day. And it all culminates (as it did this past weekend) in block parties and the grand parade down Main Street.

If you’re not a fan of the concept or practice of the Halloween celebration, zoom-scroll down past this section. If you are, however, a Halloween junkie (or even someone with a vague appreciation) this section is for you.

The Blaze: Pumpkins Abound — Here Are But a Couple

Photos by Harry Bloomfeld

The New York Botanical Gardens Catches Halloween Fever

Photos by Gerry Mahoney

Witches Festival on the Hudson, October 22

It was a dark and stormy day . . . and, suddenly, witches on the Hudson!

Photos by Mimi Abramovitz

Decorations: Uptown, Downtown, All across the Town!

In the ‘Hood . . .

Just goes to prove the old adage: Don’t drink and fly . . .

Photos by Mimi Abramovitz

On the Town . . .

Beware the passing cars, as well

Inside the stores, too — this one in Town

Young Halloween Artists Were Offered Opportunities on Shop Windows (again, just a few)

And Then the Event Everyone’s Been Waiting For: The Halloween Parade

He who leads it all off . . . the Headless Horseman rides again

© Kendal on Hudson Residents Association 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 all rights reserved.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.