Become A Follower

Hi Puzzlers,

We finally like the look and feel of our blog and want to make it known to all of you.

To kick off our new blog we would like all of our puzzle people (that's you) to sign up as a follower. Once you do you'll be automatically entered into our monthly drawing to win a free puzzle.

So enjoy what we've done so far and please share your puzzling adventures and photos with us.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Gary Patterson

Hi Puzzlers,
Today we would like you meet artist Gary Patterson. Gary’s work is instantly recognizable and captures the humor of his many subjects, be it Cats or Dogs. My dog Mario could have been the muse for Gary’s Dogs Puzzle. Yes, that’s Mario jumping into the dishwasher and licking the dishes!

“Gary Patterson is one of America's best-loved artists, and his
work is enjoyed and collected throughout the world.

Born and raised in California, Gary submerged himself in the
world of art as a child. He was influenced by his father's
artistic ability and was encouraged by his family to formally
pursue his artistic ability.

Gary attended UCLA and the Art Center College of Design for
a short time, but soon ran out of money and went out on his
own - learning by his own mistakes. He went on to gain
recognition in many fields of art, and finally decided to
specialize in humor because it made people smile. During his
career, Gary has achieved numerous prestigious awards
including acceptance to the Los Angeles Museum of Art.
Today, millions of people own or recognize the distinctive
characters of his illustrations and the intimacy of his unique
humor.

With the input of his family, friends and fans around the
world, Gary is able to create art that touches people's
hearts, and brings smiles to their faces.”

Gary’s work certainly makes me smile.

Happy Puzzling!

I Love Lucy

Hi Puzzlers,
Last night I stayed up late because of the heat wave that has hit the northeast-it was just too hot to sleep. As I flicked through the channels looking for something to watch I found re-runs of the I Love Lucy show. I still laugh when I see all of Lucy’s wacky antics. She was a truly amazing actress/comedienne.

Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown NY on August 6, 1911. Her father died of typhoid fever when she was three. After his death, Lucy’s mother DeDe moved the family to Celeron NY to be with her parents. Lucy’s grandfather, Fred Hunt, enjoyed the theater. “He frequently took the family to vaudeville shows and encouraged young Lucy to take part in both her own and school plays.”

At 15, with her mother’s approval, Lucy left traditional high school and enrolled in John Murray Anderson’s Drama School. Some have suggested that the enrollment in the drama school was to prevent Lucy from dating a gangster’s son named Johnny DeVita. Lucy only attend a few weeks when the drama coaches sent her home, saying she had no talent and would be better off finding a different career. These comments sent Lucy out on a mission to prove them wrong.

In 1929 while living in New York City, Lucy, also known as Diane Belmont, began a thriving career as a fashion model. Her best-known campaign was that of the Chesterfield Cigarette Girl in 1933 which gained her national exposure. After being spotted by a talent agent on the streets of New York, Lucy moved to Hollywood and was hired as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures. “The actresses of that time were the glamorous types and were not agreeable to taking a pie in the face or doing physical stunts. Lucy was not afraid to do either. Lucy herself once said, I’m not funny, what I am, is brave. How right she was.” Lucille became "Queen of the B's"

In 1940, while performing in the musical “Too Many Girls”, Lucy met popular Cuban band leader Desi Arnaz. They fell in love and married within the year. With their work keeping them apart, Lucy and Desi came up with a plan to save their marriage and keep them working together. They pitched their idea to CBS, about the unlikely marriage of a wild redhead to a Cuban band leader. CBS thought the American public would not accept that kind of couple and declined their offer.

Not wanting to take no for an answer, they formed their own production company, “Desilu”, and began filming the pilot episode of “I Love Lucy.” It premiered in October of 1951, and instantly became the most popular television show in America. “CBS picked it up before the show's thirty minute episode was over.”

And, as they say, the rest is history! What a great lady!

Happy Puzzling!

Historic Washington, DC

Hi Puzzlers,
We have heard so many stories about our puzzlers using the resort, states and historic puzzles to plan their vacations we thought you would like to hear about our very own Jill’s trip to Washington, DC.

Jill and her daughter headed out to Washington, DC with our puzzle in hand. Jill reports that the puzzle was extremely handy for mapping out their route of must-sees. “We were able to tell from looking at the puzzle what sites we could walk to and which would require public transportation.” WOW! We thought our puzzles were just fun and educational but it appears the people at Rand McNally may have some added competition!

Among Jill’s list of must-sees was Union Station. Union Station opened on October 27, 1907 and is thought to be one of the best examples of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. During this time period train travel was the primary mode of transportation, even for the President. Construction of a Presidential Suite began in the early 1900s and in 1909 President Taft had the honor of being the first President to use the suite. Through the years many kings and queens were officially welcomed here. Among the many were King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain, King Albert I of Belgium, King Prajadipok of Siam, Queen Marie of Rumania, and King Haasan II of Morocco. Jill says to take an official tour of the city; she took a trolley tour, “It is a must if you haven’t been there before”.

The Lincoln Memorial was the first stop on her tour and she was quite impressed with the memorial beginning “larger than life”. Pictures cannot prepare you for how you will feel standing next to this enormous memorial. Next was the Arlington Cemetery, which leaves one feeling awed, looking at how large it is. A whole day was spent in the Museum of American History, which was highlighted by seeing all the first ladies inaugural gowns. At the Museum of Natural History she got to see the Hope Diamond! Yes it was HUGE! “But I found the other jewels to be more appealing because of the different colors and stones and they were just as large.”

Jill says she would definitely go back, and that one-week was not enough time to see everything!

Jill also recommends dining at the Old Ebbitt Grill .

Thanks for sharing, Jill!

Happy Puzzling!

Bowling

Hi Puzzlers,
I am happy to report to you that my Nanny’s bowling league took first place this season! Nanny and the gang are in their mid-to-late 70’s so I feel this is inspiring news. In the early 80s I played as a spare on a team but never fully caught the bowling bug, though millions of people worldwide over the last 5000 years have. Bowling has become a great American pastime. It is a sport of the people and of kings.

Bowling is one of the oldest sports in history. Ancient artifacts, similar to items used in today’s bowling, were unearthed from an Egyptian tomb dating back to 5200 BC. “Ancient Polynesians rolled stones at objects from a distance of 60 feet - the same distance as from foul line to headpin.” Some claim bowling originated in Germany around 300 AD and was used as a religious ceremony for determining the absence of sin. German monks introduced the “game” to the masses and it flourished as a “customary test of faith.”

By the 14th century, bowling, in its many forms, had become so popular it began to interfere with the national archery defense practices in England, causing King Richard II and King Richard III to ban the game from 1327-1399. “During the regime of King Henry VIII, the game gained popularity and was played as a symbol of nobility and social status.”

“In 1841, Connecticut banned ‘bowling at the game of ninepins’ because of widespread gambling. Other states followed suit. It is popularly believed that today's game of tenpins was devised to circumvent the laws against the game of ninepins. Bowling has been banned throughout the world for the "evil it leashes on society."

Over 100 million people in more than 90 countries play the game, making it one of the most popular and universally loved sports in the world.

Happy Puzzling!

Happy Father's day

Hi Puzzlers,

Father’s Day is Sunday June 20th and we would like to wish all the Dad puzzlers a Happy Father’s Day!

Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea of having children honor their father’s after attending a church service honoring Mother’s Day in 1909. Sonora’s father raised her and her five siblings after her mother died during childbirth. She wanted a holiday that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone and did so with loving compassion.

“So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day.”

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

Author is unknown

Happy Father’s Day!

Artist Robert Duncan

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you to meet our newest artist Robert Duncan. That's him in the front row with his wife Linda and their family.

Robert Duncan was born in Utah and began painting at age eleven. He spent summers as a boy on his grandparents' ranch in Wyoming where his grandmother gave him his first set of oil paints. It was there that he grew to love the country, the open spaces, and the rural lifestyle. Robert has painted professionally for about 25 years. He studied at the University of Utah and worked as a commercial artist before his full-time dedication to the fine art of the American West. Robert was elected into the Cowboy Artists of America at a young age and won two silver medals in their annual exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum - a dream come true. Robert, his wife Linda, their six children, and a lively assortment of farm animals live in the little town of Midway in Northern Utah.

I decided years ago to paint the things that I cared most about. That decision has brought me a lot of joy and satisfaction and I'm especially grateful that my family has been such an important part of all of this."

"I grew up in the suburbs, but every chance I got, I would sneak out to nearby fields to watch the birds or play in the creek, and the summers I spent on my granddad's ranch really taught me how much we all need Nature in our lives. But change is all around us. The family farm is disappearing at an alarming rate. Development and sprawl cover fertile fields by the minute. I want my grandchildren to be able to walk through a field and hear a meadowlark call. We don't all have to live on a farm, but to pass by and see the cows grazing or just to know that there are wild places being kept wild makes our lives better. In a way, my paintings are a call to think about the things that have touched our lives and hope that we might all be willing to do our part to save these things for future generations."

Happy Puzzling!

Hot Air Balloons

Hi Puzzlers,

June 11-13th there will be a hot air balloon festival here in North Conway NH and I’m so excited to go and see them. I have always been mesmerized by their colorful, grand stature. What’s truly amazing to me is the fact that they can fly with just hot air.

British balloonist Julian Nott speculated that the Nazca culture of Peru could have used hot air balloons some 1500 to 2000 years ago to help design the famous Nazca ground figures and lines. Using the materials that were available at that time, balloonists determined it would have been possible for a hot air balloon to fly.

The first officially documented hot air balloon flight took place on September 19, 1783. The balloon was made by the French brothers, Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier, in the town of Alchemy located in southern France. The hot air balloon was fueled by burning straw, wool and dried horse manure and on board were a rooster, a duck and a sheep. After experimenting for a while Jacques took the first tethered ride on October 15, 1783.

With the approval of King Louis XVI, the first passengers/pilots of a free flight in a hot air balloon were Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurnet. Originally, King Louis wanted “condemned criminals” to take the first flight but Francois and Pilatre where finally granted the honor on November 21, 1783.

The balloon ascended 500 feet and then landed in a vineyard a few miles away. Upon landing, the “local farmers raced towards it with pitchforks, ready to attack this strange object from the sky. To prevent the farmers from destroying the balloon, Pilatre and Francois offered them a bottle of champagne, as thanks for allowing them to land in their field. Today, in memory of that first courageous flight, champagne (or an Australian sparkling wine) is often drunk after a hot air balloon ride.”

So cheers to the hot air balloon festival and puzzling!

Cape Cod

Hi Puzzlers,

I am just getting back from one of my favorite places on the planet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I just love it! There is so much to do! If you like shopping and antiquing they have it. If you are a foodie like me, they have a huge variety of restaurants to choose from. I just found this incredible Italian restaurant called Gerardi’s Cafe and let me say it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had! Yummy- just typing this has my tummy growling for more.

Cape Cod also has many outdoor activities available to visitors. There’s fishing, boating trips, kayaking and canoeing, both in the ocean and on several of the fresh water kettle ponds which can be found all around the Cape. If you love to camp my recommendation would be the Nickerson State Park campground as it is near the bike trails.

Biking is my favorite thing to do on the Cape. Yes, I’m a biker but not the motorized kind, though a ride along 6A on a motorcycle is highly recommended, I pedal my bike along the glorious trails of the Cape. “The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills, and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists. The trail has a wide unpaved shoulder on one side to accommodate horseback riding, walkers, and runners.” Of course I over indulged and my legs are still a little sore, but it was well worth it!

I had to remove the poster and puzzle of Cape Cod I had in my office as I kept getting distracted. Oh was that the sound of the ocean or the ring of a bicycle bell? This puzzle is a wonderful keepsake or tour guide for this awesome vacation destination.

Happy Puzzling!

Space Shuttle

Hi Puzzlers,

We have a great new puzzle by Mark Karvon titled “Space Shuttle” and I have to say it is one of my favorites. As a kid growing up I was a big Star Trek fan and I still am. Once a trekkie always a trekkie! I spent many nights watching Captain Kirk, Spock and the crew, explore the universe. I was fully immersed in the scenes, imagining I was on the other planets investigating aliens as a member of the crew. I continued my space odyssey with the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine (DS9) and Voyager, which finally had a woman captain, Captain Kathryn Janeway! Shows like this really do take you away from it all!

I feel fortunate that space travel began during my lifetime. NASA and its scientists have definitely begun to “boldly go where no other has gone before” and have allowed us to learn so much about space. Just think- we thought Pluto was a planet all this time and it is actual a dwarf planet! And, just recently, what about that rogue satellite-Galaxy 15, which lost contact with ground control after a solar flare probably fried its brain. Not to worry- it is on a course to interfere with satellites that transmit to Luxemburg. Sorry Luxemburg - no TV for a few nights!

Luckily for us, astronauts on the Space Shuttle perform several different types of jobs in space. Their duties include work for the military, private and business sectors, as well as building, maintaining and repairing of the International Space Station (ISS). We may need to add chasing rogue satellites to this list soon.

“The launching, repairing and maintenance duties for objects like the Hubble Telescope, as well as military and commercial satellites, are carried out as needed.” Only trained astronauts are able to leave the shuttle and perform space walks. Without question, the riskiest and most specialized job that an astronaut can do in space is space walking, otherwise known as EVA or Extra Vehicular Activity.”

I would have liked to say that I am adventurous enough to have been one of the first astronauts but, truth be told, I’m not. I am so grateful to all the brave souls that have been the first to boldly go where no human has gone before and I feel privileged to watch all of their triumphs.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Fred Swan

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you to meet artist Fred Swan. Fred lives in Vermont and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He is a self-taught artist who works exclusively with acrylic paints. For over 30 years Fred has been developing his own unique style, all while teaching high school mathematics. Since retiring from teaching in 2000, Fred paints full time in his studio in Vermont.

Due to the length of time necessary to complete each piece (500 hours on average), he is often unable to fill the demand for his work. . Each image is richly rural, a way of life experienced by few but fondly remembered by many. These qualities have earned Swan a lofty reputation as one of our nation’s finest landscape artists. Fred's paintings are highly commercial and have been adapted for calendars and jigsaw puzzles and are sold as prints.

"Fred Swan's paintings are found in many public and private collections including those of Johnson & Johnson, Malcolm Forbes, and the Vermont Council on the Arts. He is a winner of the 1979 Saturday Evening Post Cover Contest, and his work has been featured in many national publications, including Yankee Magazine and Vermont life.”

Thanks Fred - your beautiful paintings make great puzzles!

Happy Puzzling!

P.S. Sorry puzzlers, we had technical difficulties with Fred's image and we will post it as it becomes available.

Celebrate Arbor Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Arbor day is the day that is dedicated to the planting and care of trees and here in New Hampshire we celebrate it on April 30th.

People are encouraged to go out and plant a tree, be it in your own yard or in a community spot. You should remember to ask the community before planting. Homeowners, this is a good time to check existing trees for insect infestations and broken branches and, of course, to plant a new tree.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician, thought Nebraska would benefit from the planting of trees. Trees, he felt, would add to the landscape and economy.

“He set an example himself planting orchards, shade trees and windbreakers on his own farm and urged his neighbors to follow suit. Nebraska’s first Arbor Day was an amazing success with more than one million trees being planted.”

“Windbreaks reduce heating and cooling cost to homes, and add value. They provide a barrier from sound and sight, smell, protect livestock, they look good and provide wildlife habitat for birds and little furry critters.”

Presently all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates vary according to local climates. I am also happy to report Arbor Day is now celebrated in other countries, with some adopting variations on the theme such as “Greening Week” of Japan.”

"Other holidays repose upon the past - Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

J. Sterling Morton

Happy Puzzling!

Firefighters Part II

Hi Puzzlers,

In today’s Part II post we will look at the history of female fire fighters. I feel it is always important to inspire our girls to believe they can do and be anything they want. Nothing, to me, says it better than showing ladies from our historic past. They made things happen at a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable, when they couldn’t vote or own their own property. Talk about overcoming adversity!

An African-American slave named Molly Williams was the first recorded female firefighter in US history. She worked on the Oceanus Engine Company # 11, where she became known as Volunteer # 11 and was said to be, “as good as a fire laddie as many of the boys.” Her bravery was especially noted during the blizzard of 1818. “Male firefighters were scarce, but Williams took her place with the men on the dragropes and pulled the pumper to the fire in the deep snow.”

Marina Betts, a resident of Pittsburgh in 1820, served as a volunteer firefighter. She claims she never missed a fire in the ten years she was a firefighter. Paul Ditzel stated: “Betts became famous for dumping buckets of water over male bystanders who refused to help fight fires.”

In 1851 Lillie Hitchcock began working on the Knickbocker Engine No. 5. Her journey began as she watched two other fire engine companies pass the understaffed men of the Knickbocker Engine, while enroute to a fire. As the other firefighters passed the Knickbocker they yelled out humiliating remarks. “Fifteen year old Lillie saw their plight and dashed to the vacant spot on the rope. Pulling with all her might she shouted to bystanders, "Come on, you men! Everybody pull and we’ll beat em!”

Can you imagine doing that at fifteen in the 1850’s?

A special note of thanks to all our firefighters.

Happy Puzzling!

Firefighters

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s blog is about Firefighters. I have always been curious about the fire fighting profession. I wonder if it was always volunteers trying to keep their communities safe? When did it become a paid profession? What about women firefighters? I have so many questions, in fact, that I am going to have to make it a two part series. In this post we will look at the early days of volunteer fire fighting.

Volunteers have and continue to be the backbone of all firefighting. The Union Fire Company established by Benjamin Franklin, in 1736, was the first volunteer fire department. Unlike other “Fire Clubs” of its day, which only protected property of its members, the Union Fire Company served everyone in the neighborhood. This became the role model for subsequent fire companies that sprang up all over Philadelphia. Each Fire Company of this time had to pay for all their equipment; luckily, wealthy volunteers donated the funds to keep the fire companies running.

Prior to this type of organization, “private fire brigades would compete with one another to be the first to respond to a fire because insurance companies paid brigades to save buildings. Even after the formation of paid fire companies in the United States, there were disagreements and often fights over territory.”

“New York City companies were famous for sending runners out to fires with a large barrel to cover the hydrant closest to the fire in advance of the engines. Often fights would break out between the runners and even the responding fire companies for the right to fight the fire and receive the insurance money that would be paid to the company that fought it.” I wonder how many buildings burned to the ground before the fight was settled? Yikes!

Here is a list of some famous volunteer firefighters: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton.

Happy Puzzling!

Baseball Parks

Hi Puzzlers,

It’s official baseball season and many of you may be cheering or jeering. I personally am in between. I am not a die-hard fan but I know a few of the players, watch the World Series and enjoy a day at the park.

The day at the park is definitely my favorite. The closest official ballpark to New Hampshire is Fenway Park, which is home to the Red Sox and the Green Monster, or “Monsta” as they say in Boston. Fenway is also the oldest ballpark in the country! It opened in 1912 on the same day the Titanic sank!

I can remember my first time at the park and how fun it was strolling down Yawkey Way. During the games half the street is closed off to traffic and lots of vendors line up selling all kinds of goodies. It’s like a giant street party with music playing, food everywhere and thousands of happy people enjoying the day.

I have yet to go to the new Yankee Stadium in New York. My husband has been a Yankees fan all his life and you can well imagine the taunting he gets from every one in our family for being a traitor. Yes, they are all Red Sox fans. But I so enjoy the parks I can’t wait to go and check this one out. The new stadium was opened on April 16, 2009 boasting new wider seats and more legroom. Most seats even have cup holders.

Next on the hit list would have to be the second oldest ball park in the country, Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, which opened in 1914. It went under several different names until 1927 when it was renamed after the Cubs owner William Wrigley Jr., owner and founder of Wrigley Chewing Gum Company. Hmm… Baseball and chewing gum- did that get started here?

Those are my top three - enjoy the season!

Happy Puzzling!

Moose

Hi Puzzlers,

It’s that time of year again here in New England when the moose begin to come out. Growing up in the Great North Woods area, or “Moose Country” as the locals like to say, has given me many opportunities to see moose. They are magnificent creatures.

Moose are the tallest mammal in North America measuring 6-7 feet from shoulder to feet! Female moose can weigh 800 to 1,300 pounds with males weighing 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. All moose have a bell sway, which is a flap of skin beneath their throats. It looks like a Goatee to me. The adult male or Bull Moose has antlers that stretch out to 4-5 feet. If you are ever lucky enough to find one of these antlers in the woods they make great serving trays/platters. Very rustic!

To maintain its body weight the adult moose must consume over 9,700 calories a day. All moose are herbivores and enjoy dining on twigs, leaves and the buds of hard and soft wood trees and shrubs. Moose also like to feed on aquatic plants like water lilies. So if you ever drive by a pond and see a moose in it, don’t be surprised when it sticks its head under the water to find a yummy snack. They can also completely submerge themselves under the water for as long as 30 seconds and can swim as fast as six miles an hour.

Moose have terrible eyesight but their excellent hearing and sense of smell guide them through the forest each day where they can travel up to ten miles a day. They are most active at dusk and dawn, so be careful driving. Remember moose mate in the fall and males can become aggressive. Should you see one, stay in your car and let him pass. Moose can run as fast as 35 miles an hour and trot at 20 miles an hour!

If you are planning a visit to the Great North Woods I would highly recommend booking a Moose Tour!

Happy Puzzling!

Artist Mort Künstler

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you to meet artist Mort Künstler. “He's the premier historical artist in America - and now he focuses mainly on the American Civil War.

When Mort Künstler began his current emphasis on Civil War art in the early 1980s, he had already accomplished more than what a half-dozen artists could hope to accomplish in a collective lifetime. From portraits of prehistoric American life to the odyssey of the space shuttle, Mort Künstler had painted America's story - and was already renowned as "the premier historical artist in America.

When he placed his focus on Civil War art, Mr. Künstler quickly established himself as the country's most-collected Civil War artist, and earned unprecedented acclaim within the genre of Civil War art.

"Mort Künstler is the foremost Civil War artist of our time -- if not of all time," says Dr. James I. Robertson Jr., the dean of Civil War historians and the author of the celebrated biography, Stonewall Jackson. "To study his paintings," says Robertson, "is to simply see history alive." Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James McPherson concurs. "Of all the artists working in the Civil War field," he observes, "none captures the human element, the aura of leadership, the sense of being there and sharing in the drama, quite like Mort Künstler. He has that enviable talent of being able to re-create history on canvas and to translate events into art."

Click hear to read more about Mort.

Happy Puzzling!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! As a special treat I would like to share some highlights from my interview with an “Irish Girl”. She wishes to remain anonymous but I thought you would still like to hear what she had to say about this famous holiday.

First I was told that St. Patrick’s Day is actually a religious holiday in Ireland and St. Patrick is the patron saint for Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain and at the age of 16 he was kidnapped by Irish bandits who took him back to Ireland as a slave.

He later escaped by boarding a ship that was going back to Britain. Once home he studied to become a priest an in 432, Patrick, now a bishop, went back to Ireland to save the pagan Irish.

One of his favorite teaching tools was the shamrock. He used the shamrock and it’s three leaves to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity (the father, son and Holy Spirit). St. Patrick died on March 18, 461 AD after teaching for almost 30 years.

St. Patrick’s Day is said to be a one-day break from Lent, allowing the consumption of alcohol. Well, now we know how drinking got into the celebration!

My Irish girl also told me that the official color of Saint Patrick was blue, not green. She learned this when she met Lord Mayor Briscoe of Dublin when she was younger and inquired why he was dressed in blue.

Globally, St. Patrick’s Day is now more of a celebration of Irish culture than a religious holiday. Many cities around the world celebrate with parades and festivities. The first Irish parade was held in Boston MA in 1737, by the Irish Society of Boston. Ireland’s own first parade wasn’t until 1931 in Dublin.

Yes, you know I had to ask, being a foodie and all, about the traditional dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage. My Irish girl said the Irish would more likely be eating boiled bacon and cabbage. Irish bacon is more like Canadian bacon. The Irish call our American bacon “streaky bacon.”

Well she was right the Irish used to eat what was called a ham (Gammon) or bacon joint, which was served with cabbage and potatoes. Cows at the time were used for milk and only royalty was feed beef. Irish immigrating to America began eating corned beef because it was affordable and considered a poor mans food. Yummy! I'm lovin' this poor man food. It is one of my favorite meals!

“Beannactai Na Feile Padraig!”
Translation: “Blessing on the feast of St. Patrick!”

Happy Puzzling!

Need to Know Everything

Hi Puzzlers,

It still amazes me how educational puzzles are. I always relate a puzzle with fun, relaxation and bonding time with my daughter. The educational aspect of puzzling rarely enters my mind except when I am asked a question such as, “What are the State Bird and Flower of Hawaii?” Yeah, I know-a strange question from a 13 year old, but Hawaii is her “have to go” spot. And, showing her friends her Mom does NOT know everything is fun for a 13 year old!

Now, I could have looked it up instantly on the Internet but remembered I had the State Bird & Flowers puzzle in the trunk of my car. I always keep a few puzzles in my trunk, along with catalogs, for people I meet who don’t know about our puzzles.

I ran out to the car, got the puzzle and came back in announcing loudly “The state bird of Hawaii is the Hawaiian Goose and the state flower is the Yellow Hibiscus. See-I do KNOW EVERYTHING!” Much laughter ensued and we all began looking at the puzzle. The girls then proceeded to quiz each other to see who could remember the most. All I could remember was that New Hampshire’s State flower is the Lilac.

Soon popcorn was popping, ice teas were in hand and the puzzle pieces were being sorted. Each girl picked a state and tried to find the pieces for that state. Once they got it done they loudly announced in a mimicking voice, “The state bird for Montana is the Western Meadowlark and the state flower is the Bitterroot! See I KNOW EVERYTHING!” It always got a laugh.

Ahh! What a fun educational night!

Happy Puzzling!

P.S. Now I make sure I have puzzles like Trees of North America or State Flags & Capitols on hand just in case I need to know EVERYTHING!

2010 Winter Olympics

Hi Puzzlers,

WOW! The Olympic games sure had a lot of action-packed drama. I love seeing all the athletes compete and also enjoyed watching the cameras as they panned the crowds for the athletes’ parents. I could feel the pride of those parents as they watch their child, and in a few cases children, compete - sharing the triumphs and defeats. Yes, I did get quite emotional a few times especially during figure skater Joannie Rochette’s performance. What strength!

Legends state it was Hercules who started the Olympic Games. The Games were played every four years for approximately 1200 years until Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the pagan Games in 393 AD.

Approximately1500 years later on November 25, 1892 a Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin pitched his idea to bring back the Olympic Games at a meeting of the Union des Sports Athletiques in Paris; his “the cause of Peace will have a new and strong ally” speech did not inspire people to action. Two years later Pierre, being well connected and persistent, organized a meeting that brought together 79 delegates from nine countries. The auditorium they met in, was decorated to suit the Olympic theme and this time Pierre des Coubertins revival cry was heard.

He then was elected to “construct an international committee to organize the Games. This committee became the International Olympic Committee - Demetrious Vikelas from Greece was elected to be the first president and Athens was chosen as the location for the revival of the Olympic Games!”

In 1908 Coubertin created the Olympic Creed, which states, “ The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

Well said!

Happy Puzzling!