★~♥~♥~★~ El Morno! ♥~★~★~♥ ~
July 3rd, 2013

★~  Today’s Quote: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Zig Zigler

★~ Dog Days of Summer: Jul 3- August 11

[youtube]http://youtu.be/pkPNa4DBFHI[/youtube]

The official “dog days” of summer begin on July 3 and end on August 11. So how did this time frame earn its canine nickname? It turns out the phrase has nothing to do with the poor pooches who are forever seeking shade in the July heat, and everything to do with the nighttime sky.

Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky. The ancient Greeks noticed that in the summer months, Sirius rose and set with the Sun, and they theorized that it was the bright, glowing Dog Star that was adding extra heat to the Earth in July and August.

★~ Stay Out of the Sun Day:

Along with the stifling heat, July also brings a scorching sun. The Mayo Clinic reports “melanoma rates among young women are eight-times higher than they were 40 years ago.” Stay Out of the Sun Day is a reminder to keep safe by protecting ourselves from the sun’s rays. You should stay out of direct sunlight whenever possible and when it isn’t, be sure to protect yourself with quality sunscreen.

★~ Compliment your Mirror Day:

Stand in front of your mirror, with your eyes closed. Put a smile on your face…a BIG smile. Now, open your eyes. Isn’t the picture of the person in your mirror absolutely stunning?!?

★~ Eat Beans Day!

Vegans, Vegetarians, Flexitarians, and fans of legumes, today we celebrate “Eat Beans Day,” in your honor! Pass the Bacon and Bean, please.

Did you know . . .

* The use of legumes as a basic dietary staple can be traced back more than 20,000 years.

* Ten thousand-year-old lentil remains have been uncovered on the banks of the Euphrates River.

* Chickpeas have been found in Bronze Age deposits in Jericho and Babylon.

Spicy Crock Pot Pinto Bean Chili
Ground Beef and Garbanzo Bean Casserole

★~ Today in History: 

♥~ 1775 – George Washington took command of the Continental Army of the colonies

♥~ 1819 –  The first bank in the U.S. opened in New York City. Business was brisk with $2,807 deposited in The Bank for Savings. In today’s dollars that deposit was about $66,048.14.

♥~ 1863 – Four score and eight years later, the Battle of Gettysburg ended on July 3rd, with the Army of the Potomac defeating Confederate forces under Gen. Robert E. Lee.

♥~ 1890 – Idaho, joined the union and became our 43rd United State.   The official state bird is the mountain bluebird; the state flower is the syringa … or lilac, to the non-botanists among us.

♥~ 1922 – Readers were introduced to Fruit Garden and Home magazine. In two years, the publication would be renamed Better Homes and Gardens.

♥~ 1953 – Harry Belafonte was shown with actress Janet Leigh and film star Tony Curtis on the cover of Ebony magazine. It was the first time a black person and two Caucasians were seen together on a U.S. magazine cover.

♥~ 1971 –  American singer, songwriter and poet, Jim Morrison of The Doors was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, France, the cause of death was given as a heart attack. He co-wrote some of the group’s biggest hits, including ‘Light My Fire’, ‘Love Me Two Times’, and ‘Love Her Madly.’ On the 25th anniversary of his death an estimated 15,000 fans gathered at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France to pay their respects.

★~ Born Today: 

♥~ 1883 – Franz Kafka a German-language writer of novels and short stories, regarded by critics as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. Google celebrates Kafka 130 birthday with a doodle.

♥~ 1878 – George M. Cohan wrote about being “born on the Fourth of July” in the song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” But official records show that he was born on July 3rd, 1878.

♥~ 1914 – Don Haggerty actor: Sands of Iwo Jim, The Asphalt Jungle, Angels in the Outfield, The Narrow Margin, Legend of the Wild, The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler, Hell Is for Heroes, Fight for the Title, Mobs, Inc., Naked Alibi; died Aug 19, 1988

♥~ 1962 – Tom Cruise (Thomas Cruise Mapother IV),Mission: Impossible series, A Few Good Men, The Firm, Days of Thunder, Born on the Fourth of July, Cocktail, Top Gun, Rain Man, The Color of Money, Taps, Interview with a Vampire, Jerry Maguire, Eyes Wide Shut, Mission: Impossible II, Collateral, War of the Worlds.

★~ Good to Know: Sleepy Animals 

Awww. I just thought this was so darn cute!

[youtube]http://youtu.be/K4T1OCC_qhs[/youtube]

#

Barking tail wagging busy at camp today…So I will see you alligators later! I want to tell you ALL about my first ride in the Beetle!

Good  Wednesday one and all!

Odd Loves Company!