All Activity

Fact of the Day - SWITCHING EVERY 6 MONTHS Did you know... Pheasant Island is an uninhabited landmass located on the Bidasoa river separating France and Spain. Those two countries split control of the 1.69-acre island, with stewardship alternating every six months: Pheasant Island falls under Spanish rule from February 1 through July 31 and French control from August 1 through January 31 each year. This makes the island the world’s smallest “condominium” — a term that denotes any territory governed by multiple sovereign entities without being divided into separate national zones. It’s also the only condominium where control alternates rather than being shared simultaneously. This unusual agreement dates back to the mid-17th century. In 1648, the island served as a neutral site for France and Spain to discuss peace in the wake of the Thirty Years’ War. More than a decade later, Louis XIV of France and Philip IV of Spain returned to sign the Treaty of the Pyrenees, which formally ended the Franco-Spanish War. In 1660, Pheasant Island was the site of a ceremony wherein Philip’s daughter, Maria Theresa, crossed the island from Spain into France before marrying Louis XIV to symbolize becoming part of the French royal family. Those events helped establish Pheasant Island as a symbol of peace, and it was decided that the countries would jointly administer it as a gesture of goodwill; this arrangement was formalized as part of the 1856 Treaty of Bayonne. Today, access to the island is largely forbidden, though ceremonies are held biannually to hand over control. Thus far, the island has exchanged hands between France and Spain more than 700 times. The president of France also serves as co-prince of Andorra. In addition to their duties governing France, the incumbent French president serves as co-prince of an entirely different country: Andorra, a microstate nestled between France and Spain. The princely position is shared with the Bishop of Urgell (Urgell is a county located in the Catalonia region of Spain), thus making Andorra the world’s only co-principality. This odd arrangement can be traced back to a treaty signed in 1278, though the role was redefined in 1993, when Andorra unveiled a new national constitution. Today, the co-prince role is largely ceremonial, but either prince can technically enact or veto legislation if they wish. This unique diarchic position has been held by French President Emmanuel Macron since 2017 and Bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat since 2025. Source: A tiny European island changes its nationality every six months.

What's the Word: ARRAS pronunciation: [AR-əs] Part of speech: noun Origin: Late Middle English, unknown Meaning: 1. A rich tapestry, typically hung on the walls of a room or used to conceal an alcove. 2. A town in northeastern France; population 43,663 (2006). In medieval times it was a center for the manufacture of tapestries. Examples: "The castle is rumored to conceal secret passageways behind colorful arras." "While no longer known for tapestries, Arras is still a lovely town to visit in France." About Arras This term came from the French town Arras, which was known for specializing in creating tapestries. Over time, the word came to refer to the tapestries themselves. Did you Know? In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the character Polonius conceals himself behind a tapestry, specifically an arras, to listen in on Hamlet and the Queen’s conversation. In more modern times, the cartoon cast of “Scooby Doo” often conceals themselves behind an arras — usually with humorous results, like leaving legs and feet visible.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/544610/Battlestar_Galactica_Deadlock/ Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is currently free on Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1025440/Fantasy_General_II/ Fantasy General II is currently free on Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1368870/Field_of_Glory_II_Medieval/ Field of Glory II: Medieval is currently free on Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2921380/Caribbean_Crashers/ Caribbean Crashers is currently free on Steam.

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment2-creed-valley Figment 2: Creed Valley is currently free on Epic Games Store for PC. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/sky-racket-4cf23a Sky Racket is currently free on Epic Games Store. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment2-creed-valley-android-e5f2c9 https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment2-creed-valley-ios-db9160 Figment 2: Creed Valley is currently free on Epic Games Store for Android and iOS devices. https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n2f2l7s6fqr Jigsaw Wild: Animal Edition is currently free on Microsoft Store.

Fact of the Day - NICKNAME Did you know.... Because medieval folks loved to rhyme. Margaret has plenty of nicknames that make sense: Marge, Maggie, Margo. And then there’s Peggy, which looks like a better fit for Paige or even Penelope. But upon closer investigation, what seems unconventional actually exemplifies a classic nicknaming convention. Why Is Peggy Short for Margaret? In the Middle Ages and beyond, people created new pet names by rhyming existing ones. Many are still in our regular rotation, like Bill (from Will/William), Bob (from Rob/Robert), and Dick (from Rick/Richard). Others haven’t survived. In The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, Elizabeth Gidley Withycombe points out that rhyming nicknames starting with H have especially lacked staying power (she doesn’t hypothesize why). Examples include Hob for Robert, Hick and Hitch for Richard, and even Hibb for Isabel (rhymed from Ib). When the rhyme is based on a nickname that was already substantially altered from the full name, it’s not always obvious how it came to be. The connection can be even cloudier if the original nickname is no longer very common—or it’s now more heavily associated with a different name. That’s the case with Peggy: Margaret begot Meg and Mog, which became Peg(gy) and Pog(gy). These days, since Meg is often short for Megan, we don’t recognize it as the bridge between Margaret and Peggy. But Megan originated as the Welsh version of Margaret. Why Is Polly a Nickname for Mary? A similar thing happened with Polly. Molly began as a nickname for Mary, and people rhymed it to get Polly. Since Molly is now a full name in its own right, we forget that it once bridged Mary and Polly—making Polly seem much more random than it is. (How it became the go-to name for parrots is a whole other story.) Why Is Daisy a Nickname for Margaret? Peggy isn’t the only seemingly random sobriquet for Margaret. There’s also Daisy, which, like Peggy, turns out to have a pretty simple explanation: Marguerite is French for “daisy.” French parents have been naming their daughters Marguerite since the days of Old French; it has roots in a Greek word for “pearl” (which may have a Persian origin). Why Did People Make Up So Many Nicknames? Why this historical obsession with not using your full name? Some scholars have brought up the age-old belief that knowing someone’s true name grants you power over them (think Rumpelstiltskin). That’s all well and good as long as your intentions are pure, but witches, demons, and other evil forces might exploit the knowledge for nefarious purposes; ergo, people may have felt safer going by something else. But it’s hard to believe that a sorcerer couldn’t guess Margaret from Maggie. In all likelihood, these kinds of rhymes and riffs were often just a practicality. During the late medieval period, as surnames gained popularity and European communities became more closely knit, variation in first names shrank dramatically. With only so many monikers in circulation—and with such a big focus on passing names down—your baby Robert wouldn’t be the only Robert around. If one already answered to “Rob” and another to “Bob,” you might start calling yours “Hob” for clarity’s sake. The trend continued long after that era. Take Little Women’s multiple Margarets: Matriarch Margaret March is known as Marmee; eldest daughter Margaret is Meg; and Meg’s daughter is called “Daisy,” as Amy March explains, “so as not to have two Megs.” (Never mind that some characters call Meg March “Daisy” earlier in the story.) Even now, when offbeat names are more common, we still rely on nicknames to differentiate us. Maybe your class had a Katherine, a Katie, a Kate, and a Kat. Maybe you’re a James Jr. who goes by Jimmy. Thankfully, we’ve at least retired the more dreadful medieval offerings: Some Margarets answered to “Maggot.” Source: The Reason Why ‘Peggy’ Is Short for ‘Margaret’

What's the Word: LABELLUM pronunciation: [lə-BEL-əm] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, early 19th century Meaning: 1. (Botany) A central petal at the base of an orchid flower, typically larger than the other petals and of a different shape. 2. (Entomology) Each of a pair of lobes at the tip of the proboscis in some insects. Examples: "Houseflies have a fused proboscis with a _______ at the end." "The labellum on certain species of orchids mimic female wasps, encouraging male wasps to visit." About Labellum Labellum originated in 19th century Latin, and is thought to be a diminutive of the word “labrum” (lip). Did you Know? Butterflies, mosquitoes, and houseflies — what do all these insects have in common? Their mouths, for one thing. Many insects with a proboscis (a long syringe-like tube extended to feed from a source) have a specialized labellum, or pair of lobes, at the base, which they use to drink with.

Fact of the Day - PATENT LEATHER Did you know... It seems fitting that the method of waterproofing leather emerged in rainy England. Before the creation of synthetic plastics, patent leather was made by glazing animal hides with layers of resin-based varnish. The coating protected items like boots and carriage parts from wear and tear—and looked luxurious while doing so. But who invented the process? And does that person actually hold a patent for it? An Old-Timey Recipe for Patent Leather An 1857 issue of Scientific American explained the two-part process of making patent leather in olden times. First, manufacturers concocted an oil with which to prepare the hides for the varnish. It called for boiling five gallons of linseed oil with “four pounds and a few ounces” each of white lead and litharge, a form of lead oxide, until it reached the “consistence of a syrup.” The mixture was then blended with ochre or chalk and rubbed into the animal hide until the leather was sufficiently oiled to prevent the varnish from being absorbed into the material. Next, workers applied five or six coats of the oil mix blended with ivory black, a powdered pigment then made from charred ivory elephant tusks. The result was leather dyed black and ready for the varnish application. Finally, more of the same oil mix was combined with turpentine, copal varnish (made from tree resin), and another pigment for tinted color and applied to the leather, resulting in super-shiny and durable material. Patent leather was commonly used to make aprons and and fittings for carriages and in shoes and boots, though the latter were not without problems. Scientific American blamed the incredible amount of lead used in the manufacturing process for the “prevalence of tender feet, corns, and bunions among those who are in the habit of wearing boots and shoes of this material … persons who so indulge look shiny about the feet at the expense of their health.” Who Holds the Patent for Patent Leather? This concept of coating animal hide with varnish goes back centuries. The earliest published mention of “patent leather” appeared in a collection of British excise statutes in 1797, but other publications of the time describe similar materials or processes. A 1793 issue of The Bee, or Literary Weekly Intelligencer cited a Birmingham man who invented a process for making leather waterproof, and if it became soiled, “require[d] only to be wiped with a spunge [sic] to restore it to its original lustre.” In 1799, an almanac credited the London-based leather-seller Edmund Prior for patenting a “method of painting and colouring all kinds of leather.” The person most often associated with bringing these inventions to America is Seth Boyden. The New Jersey-based engineer developed a way to apply lacquer to leather based on the descriptions of the British processes in 1819, and then set up a factory in Newark to mass-produce patent leather. Boyden didn’t limit himself to such materials, though; he also invented malleable cast iron, built steam locomotives, joined the California Gold Rush but failed to find gold, and even developed hybrid strawberries that won awards at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Ironically, Boyden never patented any of these inventions, even his successful manufacture of patent leather. The only patent he ever held was one for a hat-forming machine unrelated to his leather-lacquering innovation. Source: What Exactly Is Patent Leather—And Is It Actually Patented?

What's the Word: ORNITHOPTER pronunciation: [awr-nə-THOP-tər] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 20th century Meaning: 1. A machine designed to achieve flight by means of flapping wings. Examples: "The historian assured me that several models of ornithopters were flown short distances in the 19th century." "The flight museum had a display of pre-Wright brothers flying machines, including an actual French ornithopter." About Ornithopter “Ornithopter” is based on the French “ornithoptère.” That word was coined by joining the ancient Greek “ὄρνιθ-“ (“órnith-,” meaning “bird”) and “πτερόν” (“pterón,” meaning “wing”). Did you Know? Today, flight powered by the gliding wings of airplanes or the propellers of helicopters is a reality, but in years past, many people believed the best way to take to the sky would be to mimic a bird. Formed out of the Greek words for “bird” and “wing,” “ornithopter” referred to a type of flying machine that takes flight by flapping wings. The first workable ornithopters were developed in 19th-century France, with a gunpowder-powered model successfully flying 80 meters. Though long eclipsed by airplanes, ornithopters continue to draw fans, many of whom fly radio-controlled ornithopters. These hobby ornithopters strike a markedly antique profile in the sky in contrast to modern drones.

Fact of the Day - SEAGULL SCREECHING Did you know... Anyone who’s ever had a french fry stolen at the beach can personally relate to humans’ contentious relationship with seagulls. Gulls are scavengers, and yet despite their peskiness, there’s something endearing about them too. It’s in this spirit that Belgium launched a new tradition in honor of the birds: a seagull screeching contest. To impress the panel of five judges, entrants must perform their best impression of the seabirds by not only imitating their distinctive vocalization but also dressing up accordingly. Each judge can award as many as 20 points — 15 for screeching and five for behavior — for a maximum of 100 per contestant. The contest is divided into three categories: one for adults, one for juniors 16 and under, and one for “colonies” (groups). The event was created by educator and comedian Claude Willaert, who wanted not only to ease what he described to The New York Times as the “friction” between gulls and humans in Belgium, but also to “make seagulls sexy again” because they “really deserve to have a positive image.” To get a sense of what it takes to win, look no further than Anna Brynald, who won the adult category in 2025, apparently impressing judges with her white-and-yellow face paint, white feather boa, and winglike cape. Belgium once went 652 days without a government. No one ever said federal constitutional monarchies are easy, especially when they’re divided among three levels: the federal government, three language-based communities (French, Flemish, and German), and three regions (Flanders, Brussels-Capital, and Wallonia). With that in mind, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Belgium once went 652 days without a fully functioning government — a record that surpassed the previous mark also set by the northwestern European country. This administrative gap began in December 2018, when the existing federal government collapsed and was replaced by an interim government that was meant to last until May of the following year. (The regional and communal governments were unaffected.) Because the situation took longer to resolve than expected, the interim government remained in place until October 2020. Alexander De Croo became the country’s prime minister, a position he held until February 2025. Source: Belgium has an annual seagull screeching contest.

What's the Word: FAUBOURG pronunciation: [FOH-boorg] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 15th century Meaning: 1. (Usually in place names) A suburb, especially one in Paris. Examples: "The faubourgs of Paris were absorbed into the metropolis after the city walls expanded outward." "Much like Paris, Montreal contains many faubourgs that used to be considered distant suburbs, until the city grew to encompass them." About Faubourg “Faubourg” is a loanword from French. It was formed in Old French by combining “fors,” meaning “outside,” with “bourg,” meaning “town.” Did you Know? “Faubourg” is much older than the English word “suburb,” but the ideas are similar. With the Latin roots “forīs,” meaning “out of,” and “burgum,” meaning “town” or “fortress,” “faubourg” traditionally referred to a community or neighborhood located outside the gate or walls of a fortified city. The rise of the term “faubourg” occurred in Paris during the 16th century, at a time when that city was fortified by a wall. The original Parisian faubourgs were architecturally distinct urban areas that bore little resemblance to modern European and North American suburbs. After the demolition of the Parisian city wall in 1701, and the expansion of city borders in 1860, most Parisian faubourgs became a part of the city proper, and today, “faubourg” is a term to describe a longtime residential neighborhood.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3740920/Orbit_Maze/ Orbit Maze is turning into a paid game in 30 days. https://freebies.indiegala.com/hotel-greenwood Hotel Greenwood is currently free on IndieGala.

Fact of the Day - SALTY OCEANS Did you know... Some parts of the ocean are saltier than a bucket of boardwalk fries—but why? Anyone who's been knocked over by a wave at the beach knows that the ocean tastes like salt. This is true whether you swallow a mouthful of seawater off the coast of Queensland or the Jersey Shore. The ocean’s salinity is one of the defining features separating it from freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers. But what is it exactly that makes the ocean saltier than a bucket of boardwalk fries? What Is Salt, Exactly? Let’s start with what salt is and where it comes from. Chemically speaking, a salt is a compound composed of two groups of oppositely charged ions. When an atom contains more protons than electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion. Atoms with more electrons than protons are negative ions, or anions. Atoms with opposite charges attract one another to form chemical compounds. The chemical composition of table salt is sodium chloride, with sodium being the positive ion and chloride being the negative one. Sodium and chloride also make up most salt in the ocean, but they're not the only minerals contributing to the sea’s salinity. “Salt in the ocean isn’t just sodium and chloride—it's a mixture of a bunch of ions like magnesium and calcium as well, most of which start out as rocks on land,” Dr. Morgan Raven, an organic geochemist and geobiologist and associate professor of Earth science at the University of California Santa Barbara, tells Mental Floss. Sources of the Oceans’ Salt Most of the ocean’s salt comes from rocks. The dissolved carbon dioxide in rainwater makes it slightly acidic, and when rain falls, it erodes rocks on land. Minerals from these rocks leach into rivers and streams, which then carry the salts into the ocean. About 85 percent of the ocean’s ions are sodium and chloride, while magnesium and sulfate make up around 10 percent. Not all salt that ends up in the ocean stays there. Salt is a life-sustaining substance, and a lot of the ocean’s salt is consumed by animals. But thanks to a steady supply of runoff from the surface, salinity levels are able to remain fairly constant. The ocean can count on one more source for its salt content: hydrothermal fluids. Deep-sea vents are heated by magma from beneath the Earth’s crust, and they get hot enough to cause chemical reactions between seawater and minerals from the surrounding rocks. Underwater volcanoes are another example of hot rocks and water adding more salt to the sea. Saltwater vs. Freshwater Every part of the ocean is salty, but just how salty varies depending on where in the world you are. “One of the reasons that oceanographers love to use salinity to study the ocean is that there are only a few ways that it can change, and they all happen at either the ocean surface or the sea floor,” Raven says. “For example, surface water in the Mediterranean Sea is saltier than the equatorial Pacific because enhanced evaporation in a dry climate concentrates salt, while rain at the equator dilutes salt.” Salinity isn’t inherent to seawater. It’s the result of a steady give-and-take of ions entering and leaving the ocean. This same process occurs in other bodies of water, but the ion intake isn’t always high enough to make the water truly salty. That’s why the rivers and streams that deliver salt to the ocean are still considered freshwater: Dilution from the rain tends to offset whatever ions they carry. The ocean, meanwhile, acts as the dumping ground for the world’s salt, and no amount of dilution can change that. Source: Why Are Oceans Salty?

What's the Word: HECTARE pronunciation: [HEK-tair] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 19th century Meaning: 1. A metric unit of square measure, equal to 100 ares (which equals 2.471 acres or 10,000 square meters). Examples: "A hectare is equivalent to two U.S. football fields aligned vertically." "Along with the house, Megan inherited an operating 3-hectare beet farm." About Hectar “Hectare” is a loanword from French, where it was created by merging the ancient Greek “ἑκατόν” (“hekatón,” meaning “hundred”) with “are,” from the Latin for “piece of level ground” (“area”). In English, “are” is a historical unit of measure equivalent to 100 square meters. Did you Know? A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters or 2.471 acres, but that’s not an easy measurement to visualize. Here's a better way to understand it: An American football field is roughly half a hectare, so a hectare is like two football fields side by side, with no room in the middle for fans, concessions, or sidelines. Bringing the stadium into the equation changes things. While its football field is only half a hectare, Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan (nicknamed “The Big House”) occupies more than 5 hectares in total.

I like the mindset

Fact of the day - SWIMMING IN LAKES Did you know... Swimming in lakes (or any wild water) has its risks. When in doubt, check local advisories and trust your senses. And if the water looks or smells off, you might have better luck sticking to land. For many, a trip to the lake with family or friends is a summer highlight. There’s nothing quite like soaking up the sun and then taking a dip in the lake to cool off. But sometimes the water can look a bit … intimidating. Maybe the water’s a bit murky, you see some fish swimming around, or you feel something tickling at your ankle. Or maybe you’ve read one too many stories about the brain-eating amoeba. It can make you wonder: Is a quick dip in the lake actually all that safe? The answer is, well, sometimes. Here’s what to know before you wade in, and how to swim safely when you do. Why Is It Risky to Swim in Natural Bodies of Water? Any natural body of water—whether that be a lake, river, or even an ocean—comes with its risks. This is primarily because they aren’t disinfected like swimming pools. That means they can harbor bacteria, parasites, viruses, and creepy crawlies of all types. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the biggest concerns is fecal contamination. Germs from animal waste and untreated sewage can enter swimming areas through drains or pipes. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to serious illnesses if swallowed or introduced through open cuts. Lakes specifically tend to hold onto pollutants longer than rivers or oceans because they’re relatively still. There’s no tide to flush the bacteria away, which means any contamination lingers. How Rare Is the Brain Eating Amoeba? Lakes specifically tend to hold onto pollutants longer than rivers or oceans because they’re relatively still. There’s no tide to flush the bacteria away, which means any contamination lingers. How Rare Is the Brain Eating Amoeba? Naegleria fowleri—a.k.a. the “brain-eating amoeba”—can be found in freshwater bodies of water and soil all over the Earth. The amoeba can cause a fatal infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) if it enters a person’s brain. It’s a very rare condition—according to the CDC, there were 164 known cases of people in the United States contracting PAM between 1962 to 2023. Warning Signs to Watch For Before diving into the lake with your buddies, do a quick safety check: Is the water cloudy, discolored, or smelly? That could signal bacterial overgrowth or problematic algae. Have there been recent storms? Try to avoid swimming within 24–48 hours of heavy rainfall. Are there visible pipes nearby? Pipes emptying into a waterway could be draining pollutants. Do you have an open wound, a healing piercing, or tattoo? Germs in the water can enter your body through broken skin. Is there an advisory posted? Many swimming areas monitor water quality and will post notices if bacteria levels are unsafe. If any of the above apply, it’s probably best to stay on land and admire the water from a distance. How to Swim Safely in Wild Water If you go through that list and things seem to check out, there are still extra precautions you can take to have the cleanest, safest experience possible. Don’t swallow the water—no matter how clear it may look. Avoid stirring up sand and sediment, and try to keep your head above water. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from getting cut on rocks or other debris. Check yourself for any cuts, scrapes, or other wounds before entering the water. Once you’re done swimming, plan to rinse yourself off with clean water (a quick shower would work, but so would spraying yourself with a hose). You should also follow basic water safety advice: Never swim alone, and make sure any children are closely supervised. Pay attention to any warning or safety signs. Avoid entering the water while drunk or under the influence of drugs. Never swim during a thunderstorm. When in doubt, wear a life vest or simply stick to safely dipping your toes in from the shore. Source: Is It Actually Safe to Swim in Lakes?

What's the Word: EIRENICON pronunciation: [ai-REN-ih-kahn] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, 17th century Meaning: 1. A proposal to resolve disputes and reconcile differences in order to advance peace, strengthen or establish unity, or foster solidarity. Examples: "My mother eased the standoff between my sisters by making an eirenicon for everyone to wait an hour before coming back to the dinner table to resolve their differences with cooler heads." "The local offices used to compete for bonuses until the manager offered an eirenicon to combine goals, resulting in better performance from everyone." About Eirenicon “Eirenicon” comes from the ancient Greek “eirēnikón,” suggesting “to create peace.” Did you Know? An eirenicon is a proposal to resolve and reconcile problems in order to achieve peace, unity, and solidarity. The key to finding such harmony is in working out how disputing parties might coexist peacefully. An obvious example of a real-world eirenicon would be powerful world leaders coming together to negotiate a peace treaty. However, the term “eirenicon” can be applied in negotiations across all manner of disputes, from workplace dramas to sibling squabbles. They all deserve a peaceful resolution.

Fact of the Day - PEPSI Did you know.... For the most part, the world’s largest navies are held by the nations you’d expect, with the United States, China, and Russia all at the top of the list. For a brief time in 1989, however, the sixth-largest naval fleet was controlled not by a country but by a company: Pepsi. This wasn’t because the soft drink manufacturer was bent on global domination — rather, it had to do with its unique status as the first American product to be manufactured and sold in the Soviet Union, starting in 1972. Because the ruble had no value outside the USSR and couldn’t be exchanged for other currencies, however, a barter system was instituted whereby PepsiCo instead received Stolichnaya vodka, which it then sold in the U.S. and other markets. This mutually beneficial arrangement came to an end in 1989, when Pepsi received a much different form of payment: millions of dollars’ worth of warships (17 submarines, a frigate, a cruiser, and a destroyer). Though the company quickly sold the vessels — all of which were either decommissioned or in disrepair — to a Norwegian shipbreaker for scrap metal without ever actually taking possession of the ships, Pepsi technically owned a larger naval fleet than the likes of Spain and Australia for a very brief moment in time. Pepsi’s special relationship with the Soviet Union dissolved along with the USSR itself in 1991. No one knows what the 7 in 7UP means. 7UP got off to a rough start for two reasons: The first is that it was first introduced just two weeks before the 1929 stock market crash, a hurdle it clearly overcame in time. The other is what’s reported to have been its original name: “Seven-Up Lithiated Lemon Soda.” Part of that ungainly — and possibly mythical — moniker was owed to the fact that it contained the mood-stabilizing substance lithium citrate, which allowed it to be marketed as a means of lifting one’s spirits and even curing hangovers. The name is said to have been shortened to “7 Up Lithiated Soda” before becoming simply “7UP” in 1936, and lithium was removed from the recipe in 1948 due to safety concerns. The name’s meaning and origins are still debated nearly a century later, with several theories having been proposed (and usually shot down) in the interim: that it originally contained seven ingredients, that it was sold in 7-ounce cans, and that “Seven Up” has seven letters. As no official explanation has ever been given, the mystery lives on. Source: Pepsi once technically had the world’s sixth-largest naval fleet.

What's the Word: CATASTASIS pronunciation: [kə-TAS-tə-sis] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. The third part of an ancient Greek drama, in which the action is heightened for the catastrophe. Examples: "The relationships between the characters in the play grew more complex as it reached its catastasis." "Antoine announced, as though it was the catastasis of a Greek drama, that he planned to abstain from carbs for the entire month." About Catastasis “Catastasis” is taken from the ancient Greek “katástasis,” meaning “settling” or “appointment.” Did you Know? “Catastasis” can mean two things: In modern rhetoric, it refers to the part of a speech that lays out the subject and core argument. But in ancient Greek theater traditions, the term referred to the point in a drama when the action moved toward the catastrophe, the dramatic event through which the plot would resolve. In a play, the catastasis occurs toward the end, while in a speech it occurs first. In both cases, however, the catastasis determines the resolution.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/582660/Black_Desert/ Black Desert is currently free on Steam. https://store.onstove.com/en/games/3694 Primal Slideee Deluxe is currently free on Stove. https://freebies.indiegala.com/the-deed The Deed is currently free on IndieGala.

Fact of the Day - ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM Did you know.... Many brands have laid claim to the origin of Rocky Road, but a Kansan cookbook might disprove them all. Along with mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, and cookies and cream (and perpetual stalwarts chocolate and vanilla), Rocky Road is one of America’s favorite ice cream flavors. The fun, decadent dessert combines chocolate ice cream with marshmallows and nuts (usually almonds) to create a delightful, frozen masterpiece. Although it’s clear that Rocky Road is a popular flavor, exactly who invented it depends on who you ask. A Nutty Idea In 1906, a man named William Dreyer came to the U.S. from Germany. After a time in New York, he moved to California to learn the art of making ice cream, and in 1921, he opened an ice cream shop in Visalia, California. By 1929, he had teamed up with Joseph Edy, a candy maker, to start an ice cream and candy company in Oakland, California. Dreyer reportedly used his wife’s sewing scissors to cut up pieces of marshmallow and walnuts, then added them to chocolate ice cream. Dreyer and Edy supposedly replaced the walnuts with almonds and dubbed the flavor Rocky Road, alluding to the October 1929 stock market crash’s tumultuous effect on the economy. Edy and Dreyer parted ways in 1947; the company was named after Dreyer. But as they started expanding across the country, they ran into difficulties with the east coast brand Breyers. After some legal wrangling, it was agreed that Dreyer's would enter these new markets under the Edy’s name. They have the same flavors, packaging, and brand identity, but Dreyer’s is mostly sold in the western United States while Edy’s is sold in the midwest and east. Who Really Invented Rocky Road Ice Cream? The story doesn’t stop with Edy’s and Dreyer’s, though. Another Oakland ice cream shop claims to be the inventor of Rocky Road. In 1894, Eldridge Seth Fenton founded Fentons Creamery, and according to Fentons, Eldridge Seth’s grandson, Melvin Fenton, is responsible for creating Rocky Road [PDF], as well as Swiss Milk Chocolate and Toasted Almond. Fentons Creamery is still around today; in addition to ice cream, it serves burgers, hot dogs, and salads. To further complicate matters, multiple sources claim that George Farren, a candy maker working at Fentons, is the true inventor of Rocky Road. Farren was friends with Dreyer and Edy, and that story goes that he blended a chocolate candy bar made with walnuts and marshmallows into ice cream, creating a Rocky Road flavor. Dreyer liked Farren’s idea and allegedly stole it, replacing the walnuts with almonds. However, the first known recipe for Rocky Road originated not in California, but in Kansas. Several editions of Rigby’s Reliable Candy Teacher were published by W. O. and Fred Rigby beginning in 1909. For the 13th edition, copyrighted in 1920, they included a recipe for “Rocky Road,” which is a little weirder than today’s version, but very similar in key details: “Place a dish of chocolate ice cream in a sundae cup and over it pour a ladle of honey creme whip. Mix a few broken almond macaroons in with the whip and scatter whole pecans and walnuts lightly over sides. Top with a cherry.” If the 1920 copyright date is correct, that would leave Dreyer’s claim in tatters, as Dreyer had yet to even open his first ice creamery, much less partner with Edy. It would also damage Farren’s claim to ownership, because by 1920 the concoction had to be known enough to appear in a book from the midwest—and as such Dreyer and Edy wouldn’t have needed to steal it directly from him. As for Fentons’ claim, they’re vague as to when their invention occurred, and again, the Kansas connection is an odd one. But no matter who invented Rocky Road, one thing’s for sure: You can’t go wrong with the timeless, utterly delicious flavor. Source: The Conflicting Stories Behind The Invention of Rocky Road Ice Cream

What's the Word: CONCORD pronunciation: [kahNG-kord] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 14th century Meaning: 1. Agreement or harmony between people or groups. 2. A chord that is pleasing or satisfactory in itself. Examples: "The two sides of the case reached a concord in mediation." "Jerry played a variety of concords on his Gibson guitar." About Concord This is a Middle English word from the Old French “concorde.” That stems from the Latin “concordia,” from “concors,” meaning “of one mind.” “Con-“ means “together,” and “cord-“ comes from the Latin “cor,” meaning “heart.” Did you Know? Another use for “concord” is via the Concord grape, a dessert grape developed in Concord, Massachusetts. It’s a versatile grape used for wine, juice, table grapes, jelly, and more.

Don't know ya but sure Ive missed you. Can't have enough friends.

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/backpack-hero-449c5e Backpack Hero is currently free on Epic Games Store. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment Figment is currently free on Epic Games Store. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment-android-38e58f https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/figment-ios-982b04 Figment is currently free on Epic Games Store for Android and iOS devices.

Fact of the Day - HAWAIIAN ALPHABET Did you know.... Less is more in the Hawaiian alphabet, which consists of just 13 letters: A, E, I, O, U, H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the ‘okina, which represents the glottal stop consonant — a sound produced by the abrupt obstruction of airflow in the vocal tract. Known as ka pīʻāpā Hawaiʻi in Hawaiian, the alphabet traditionally lists the five vowels first and also includes the kahakō, a bar above vowels that indicates an elongated vowel sound. When British explorer James Cook made the first known European expedition to the Hawaiian islands in 1778, he spelled the islands’ name as both “Owhyhee” and “Owhyee.” Hawaiian was purely an oral language at the time; its written form wasn’t formalized until American missionary Elisha Loomis printed a primer titled simply “The Alphabet” in 1822. This written alphabet initially consisted of 21 letters before being standardized in 1826, although four of the original letters (F, G, S, and Y) were included only for the purpose of spelling foreign words. Other letters — B, R, T, and V — were excised because they were considered interchangeable with existing letters. By 1834, Hawaii's literacy rate was estimated to be between 90% and 95%, one of the highest in the world at the time. But the Hawaiian language declined in usage after 1896, when Act 57 of the Laws of the Republic of Hawaii made English the “medium and basis of instruction” for all schools, after which schoolchildren were sometimes even punished for speaking Hawaiian. The language has seen a resurgence since the 1970s, with several groups working toward preserving it. Hawaii was an independent kingdom for nearly a century. Six years after George Washington became the first president of the United States, another ruler came into power on the other side of the Pacific: Kamehameha I, who established the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1795 by conquering the islands of Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Lāna‘i. Kauaʻi and Niʻihau joined willingly 15 years later, making every inhabited island part of the kingdom. The House of Kamehameha reigned until 1874, when the House of Kalākaua came into power. The kingdom was overthrown in 1893 by the United States, which the U.S. officially acknowledged a century later with 1993’s Apology Resolution. The joint resolution acknowledged that “the Indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national lands to the United States.” The Hawaiian sovereignty movement continues to this day. Source: The Hawaiian alphabet has only 13 letters.

What's the Word: PHLEGMATIC pronunciation: [fleg-MAD-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, 14th century Meaning: 1. Having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition. Examples: "Patrick’s phlegmatic temperament means he doesn’t anger easily." "Some people mask their emotions with a phlegmatic exterior." About Phlegmatic This word originates from the Old French “fleumatique,” which derives from the Greek “phlegmatikos,” meaning “inflammation.” Did you Know? The phrase “stiff upper lip” is British, but the phlegmatic philosophy is actually rooted in ancient Greece. The Spartans developed a strict culture of discipline that sparked inspiration for the English public school system.