2012 Year Of The Dragon

Hi Puzzlers,

The New Year is right around the corner! 2012 is the year of the Dragon. The Chinese dedicate each year to a specific animal. The group of twelve animals includes the Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram. It is thought that each animal bestows certain characteristics onto people born in their year. The dragon year officially begins, according to the Chinese calendar, on January 23rd. The 2012 dragon will be a Black Dragon or Male Water Dragon.

The experts use a system called the Stem-Branch System to determine the years attributes. This system/calendar counts the days, months and years and works in conjunction with the Five Element theory. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element has a color associated with it and a male or female energy. The system is a tad bit complicated but very interesting.

Water is said to have a calming influence on the Dragon’s fiery nature. Therefore Water Dragons are more receptive and open to other people’s opinions. This means that even the most powerful will listen to others, and will try to see from their point of view, thus forging better alliances and decision making.

A Dragon year is a year marked by intensity, unpredictability, excitement and exhilaration. People respond to the Dragon spirit with vitality, energy and unbridled enthusiasm. But one must use prudence and resist the urge to throw all caution to the wind and take an unnecessary risk - or, this urge may have you starring in your own real life drama.

Those born under the Dragon sign are passionate, brave, self-assured, innovative, enterprising, conceited, and quick-tempered. Dragons are generous and blessed with good fortune. They are smart, and have a wonderful sense of humor. Dragons are free spirits, restrictions quell their creative spark. So, they must be free and uninhibited. Dragons are extroverted bundles of energy, colorful, flamboyant gifted and irrepressible - everything a Dragon does is on a grand scale. Remember, this behavior is natural and not meant for show. You can always count on a dragon for help. Dragons can be solitary people at heart. Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people.

Famous Dragon People include: Calista Flockhart, Colin Farrell, Courtney Cox, Courtney Love, Dinah Shore, Isabella Rossellini, Julia Ormond, Juliette Binoche, Reese Witherspoon, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bullock, and Wynonna Judd.

Happy New Year and Happy Puzzling!

Presents for Your Stress FREE Holiday

Hi Puzzlers,

Christmas is only four days away! Yikers!!! If you are like me you’ll be stressed out right to the last minute. So dear puzzlers, I’m giving you the best holiday presents ever; quick tips to reduce stress. I’m not talking about taking a nice long bubble bath or a half hour yoga class. No siree! I am giving you real quick tips. Stuff that will get you relaxed before you walk into the house or holiday party. Tips that get you primed to enjoy all the festivities.

Present #1: The gift of breath. When people get stressed they tend to take short shallow breaths. When you take a long conscious breath it tells your brain you want to relax and unwind. You begin this technique by taking a long slow breath from the belly, not the chest and then exhale just as slowly. Repeat this for a few minutes and you will feel more relaxed.

Present #2: The gift of massage. As we all know when we get stressed we tense our muscles, this includes the muscles on our head. So, a few minutes before you head off to the office party give yourself a mini scalp message. If you don’t want to mess up your hair run a pencil/pen through your hair slowly and feel the stress slowly evaporating away.

Present #3: The gift of progressive muscle relaxation. This great technique can be utilized anywhere. The process begins by tensing, then relaxing your entire body. (Try to keep your mind completely focused on the tensing and relaxing while you do this). Next, tense and relax only the top of your head. Continue tensing and relaxing (one at a time) the neck, shoulders, arms, hips, legs and feet. I taught my teen-aged daughter this technique when she was young and she still uses it and teaches it to her friends.

Present #4: The gift of scent. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to induce relaxation and no scent is more relaxing than lavender. Keep dried lavender in a sachet in your car, desk draw, and purse, anywhere. Then when you need to feel relaxed take it out and let the sniffing begin. Dried lavender not your style? Why not try dabbing a little lavender oil on your wrist and take a whiff every now and then. This wonder scent is very affordable and can be found in many forms. Just chose which is best for you.

Happy Holidays!

A Christmas Poem

Hi Puzzlers,

Today we have a very special treat for you, a Christmas poem by King Kramer. It was composed by Alicia, one of his favorite elves. Enjoy!

By Kramer, with apologies to Clement Moore

It’s a White Mountain Christmas
And all through the warehouse
Felines are stirring
But not that old mouse.

My friends have gathered
From all over the East
For our yearly celebration
Of a roasted mouse feast.

Packages have been flying
Out of the door,
Bound for Christmas gifts
From shore to shore.

People will “ooh” and people will “ah”
When they open a puzzle sent from Grandpa.
Is it Divas, or Cheers, or perhaps Candy Wrappers?
Or Lewis & Clark, those historic mappers?

The White Mountain crew
Have worked hard for the cause,
While I’ve lounged around,
Grooming my paws.

Now the warehouse is quiet,
Except for MY crew –
Lew Johnson’s cats, Patterson’s too,
All gathered round for a big whoop-de-do.

We'll have Bar-B-Que, Fair Foods,
Maybe Spring Chicken,
Catfish with Olio --
That's so finger-lickin'

Washed down with Tea Time
A little Wine Country, too.
And when Comedy arrives
This will be a real zoo.

But I'm taking a moment
To thank one and all
Of our puzzling friends --
Who have decked our halls.

I heard FedEx exclaim
As they drove out of sight
Merry Christmas to All
And to all good night.

Happy Puzzling!

Eco-Friendly Present Wrapping Ideas

Hi Puzzlers,

I’m still on my wrapping paper jig. If your living room floor looks anything like mine at Christmas time it will be filled with crumpled paper and bows. According to the EPA the 25 percent hike in curbside trash between Thanksgiving and Christmas comes from wrapping paper! Yikes!!! And burning the paper in the fireplace is even worse as many foils and inks contain chemicals that are toxic when burned. Fear not! Listed below are several eco-friendly ideas.

Traditional Eco-Wraps: Use your old newspapers, magazine pages, wall paper (peel it off your wall if you have to) and greeting cards. Or try children’s drawings, coloring book pages or subway and topographical maps. Just layer them to add a creative textured look that doesn’t say cheap!

Give me shine: Why not use recycled aluminum foil or an empty potato-chip bag to dress up your gifts. Just take a peek inside a potato-chip bag; it is shiny white or silver inside! All you have to do is cut the edges with scissors then wash it with soap and water, and let it air dry. Next wrap the present and add some colorful twine or ribbon. Instant eco-bling!!!

It is not just a box: This is one of my favorites, just use a lovely container. Give that gardener in your family a bucket or watering can filled with gardening supplies. The next Iron Chef would love a mixing bowl or stockpot filled with their favorite spices and cookbooks. The container options are endless and they are part of the gift! It is a win-win in my book.

That’s a wrap: Why not try the ancient Japanese art of gift wrapping called furoshiki. Furoshiki uses scarves, towels, fabric scraps, blankets, any cloth will work. The cloth is then folded and tied to beautifully conceal the present. Click here for a few furoshiki tying techniques. The Hon-Tsutsumi will work great for wrapping two puzzles.

And that’s a wrap!

Happy Puzzling!

Wrapping Paper A Holiday Must

Hi Puzzlers,

Let the countdown begin! There are 25 days left till Christmas! Or, it might be 24 days if you celebrate the big day on Christmas Eve. In any case, how many of you have thought about wrapping your presents? Have you already purchased your paper or thought of a way to, “hide”…oh...I mean, showcase your present? It may seem like a trivial item, but, wrapping paper may be the most important thing you buy for the holiday season. Has wrapping paper ever saved you?

It is a sad, but true fact, that at some point during your lifetime you will need to purchase a present at the last minute. You know the present; the one you hoped would stay wrapped until you left. It is that last second present you had to buy for Aunt Ethel who just decide to join you for tonight’s Christmas gathering. Yeah, it’s starting to come back to you isn’t it. You remember running to the only store still open, 7-Eleven, and purchasing the dreaded fruit cake or whatever that was. You remember driving home like a mad hatter, dashing to the box of wrapping paper and creating a masterpiece of deception! “Oh my, this present is so beautiful, the paper, the bows and ribbons; simply stunning! I just can’t open it now!”

Diversion tactic number 2: The Yankee Swap. The invitation said up to twenty dollars, but your budget says up to seven dollars and twenty-eight cents. What are you going to do? You deploy the “Aunt Ethel.” Wrap your present in the finest most enticing paper you have. Ooh! Look at that gorgeous foil paper, and that satin ribbon makes it look extravagant! At the party that gorgeous presents gets picked first. Great!!! As all the other presents get unwrapped everyone has conveniently forgotten all about the chinchy can of mixed-nuts. Don’t you just love wrapping paper?

Our next tip is for the re-gifters. When resorting to the fine art of re-gifting it is imperative to not, I repeat NOT, make the present look enticing. You will want to use that cheap, almost see through paper you bought on clearance that looked like a good deal. Then, take a used bow, YES USED, and attach it to the center with tape, and make sure the tape shows. Next, have your youngest child, (if you don’t have one borrow a neighbors) address a sticky label. Allow the child to place it anywhere on the present they want. This way if the re-gift gets noticed, you can blame it on the kids or in some cases the neighbor’s kids. Viola! Re-gifted like a pro.

Puzzlers as you can see by these examples, wrapping papers are a must for all your holiday festivities.

Happy Puzzling!

Internet Shopping Safety Tips

Hi Puzzlers,

Black Friday is upon us! Let the shopping begin! Below is a list of our annual internet shopping safety-tips. Please take a look at them to refresh your memory. Your safety is important to us.

Trust your instincts - If you have a funny feeling about the site check it out before placing the order. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam.

Find out what other shoppers say. Several sites like Epinions.com or BizRate have customer evaluations which can help you determine a company's legitimacy.

Protect your PC - Make sure your personal computer has recent updates installed for Spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spy software, and a secure firewall.

Trusted Websites - Shoppers should know whom they are dealing with. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number. Anyone can set up an online store under any name. Do not respond to the pop-up asking for personal or financial information. Real companies would not ask for this type of information via emails and pop-ups (phising). Check for security seals, such as the tiny padlock icon and the http (URL) has an “s” in it. The https:// stands for secure.

Keep your Web browser updated - “Internet Explorer 9 provides another layer of protection with Web sites that use Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. The address bar turns green and has both https and the closed padlock. An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensure that communication with a Web site is secure, but it also includes information about the legitimacy of the Web site, which has been confirmed by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate.”

Don’t shop using Wi-Fi - When using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or restaurant, you are making yourself vulnerable to identity theft. Your iPhone, Blackberry, Smartphone and laptop can easily be hacked on a free or paid public Wi-Fi spot.

Pay by credit or charge card - By using a credit or charge card you are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This law gives you the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the credit card company investigates your claims. Never use your debit card, as you have no rights protecting you from fraud or theft. Try to use just one credit card for all your purchases; this will make it easier to spot fraudulent charges.

Insure the safe delivery of your item - If you’re concerned about the safety of your package if there’s no one home to receive it, request it be sent with a signature required. Or, it may be safer to have the package delivered to your office.

Refund Policies and Delivery Dates -Make sure you know if you can return the item for a full refund and who pays the shipping for the return. Is the refund for a store credit or cash refund? Know when you should expect delivery of your item.

Print & Save - Keep documentation of your order. If confirmation was sent by email, keep the email and save any and all correspondence with the retailer.

Happy Puzzling!

Divas

Hi Puzzlers,

I have been noticing the term Diva everywhere. Sometimes the term is used as a good reference and increasingly it is not. To be truthful the negative references got my feministic side going. Why, oh why, does a woman always seem to have a name associated with a behavior? Do we call tantrum throwing men Divo’s? I didn’t even have to make that word up! Divo, in Italian, is the male version of diva. It refers to prominent male tenors. Oh, wait! I have inspired myself! Divo’s can be the title of our next all male entertainer puzzle!!! Ah, venting. It gets the creativity going! Now back to our topic…

A diva by today’s definition is a famous female singer and or actress. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna". Prima donna is also Italian for “first lady” or a leading lady that gets all the best parts.

The earliest references of divas were found in popular English literature dating back before 1505. During the 1880s most of the popular operatic prima donnas would have been considered divas. These women clearly had some serious singing skills and talent to be held in such high regard. Some of the most famous operatic divas include: Maria Callas, Nellie Melba, Renee Fleming, Leotyne Price, and Joan Sutherland. It amazes me to think the term diva originated in opera. Most people today would not even think to consider an opera star a diva.

As time passed the term began to include other musical genres. A diva receives admiration not only for their talent but for their performances, looks, style and grace. Diva experts say, “Some people associate large amounts of artistic talent with short tempers and difficult personalities, and this probably explains why the word “diva” is used to describe women who are difficult to deal with. Many actual divas are in fact known for their gentle, generous, courteous personalities, as these women are far too busy with their professional careers to be petty or hard to handle.”

And so, as my Mother always says, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Or, was that stick and stones may break my bones…?

Happy Puzzling!

Sunday Comics

Hi Puzzlers,

Don’t you just love Sundays? It is a day when you can lounge around in your pajamas, have a second cup of coffee and leisurely read the Sunday paper. Ah! It's like a little piece of paradise. The first thing I do is pull out all the coupons then I head to the comic page(s). I like starting my Sunday on a happy note not stressed out by the happenings of the world. And, it appears people have been doing this very same thing since the inception of the comic strip.

The first American comic strip was created at the end of the nineteenth century as a way to increase sales of the Sunday paper. In 1895, staff illustrator Richard Felton Outcault created a one panel cartoon called "Down Hogan's Alley" for the newspaper called "The World".

The cartoon featured a buck-toothed, big-eared, bald boy dressed in an oversized frock usually worn by peasants. Within weeks of his first appearance the color yellow would be added to his smock and the character would soon be known as the “Yellow Kid”.

Journal America also had a one panel cartoon created by James Swinnerton called the "Little Bears". This panel would soon add kids and tigers to the strip. The strip would eventually morph into the extremely popular “Mr. Jack”, which featured a philandering tiger bachelor.

The first multi-panel comic strip appeared on December 12, 1897, it was created by Journal American’s Rudolph Dirk. The "Katzenjammer Kids" were the first comics to use a “word balloon” to indicate the speaker. “The Katzenjammers combined both the aspect of internal dialogue and panelized continuity, and in the process designed and solidified the form of the modern visual narrative strip.”

An astounding 150 comic strips were in syndication by the early 1900s. Comic strips of this time consisted only of single episode-humorous strips, no political satire or storyline. It would take almost thirty years before comics strips would make references and build a story lines based on the previous day’s strip.

It's so amazing to think about how a simple thing like a word balloon can add so much life and personality to a drawing that it becomes your Sunday morning coffee friend. You know the one you have to check in with once a week to see what they are up to.

Happy Puzzling!

The Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi Puzzlers,

Today I would like to tell you about America’s oldest continuously published annual, The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Now, I’m not what you would call an “Almanacian”, okay I made that word up, but what I meant to say is I am not well versed on almanacs, other than knowing it is a book that can predict the weather months in advance. And, I do confess to once using it for planning an outdoor event under a tent that had to have great weather. It worked for me! The weather was perfect as predicted.

The first issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 under the watchful eye of its editor, Robert B. Thomas. It became an instant success, out selling several other almanacs published that same year. By the second year, The Old Farmer’s Almanac circulation had tripled from 3,000 to 9,000.

“An almanac, by definition, records and predicts astronomical events (the rising and setting of the Sun, for instance), tides, weather, and other phenomena with respect to time. So what made The Old Farmer's Almanac different from the others? Since his format wasn't novel, we can only surmise that Thomas's astronomical and weather predictions were more accurate, the advice more useful, and the features more entertaining.”

Thomas would predict the weather with an astounding 80% accuracy. He devised a secret formula made from observations of natural cycles. His secret formula is still used today and is safely stored in a protective black tin box in Dublin, New Hampshire, home of the Almanac’s offices.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac was so revered and trusted that it was once used by a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln to clear a man of murder. The witness claimed to have seen the man by moon light, but according to the almanac there was no moon that night.

The almanac almost became the laughing stock of the community in 1816. The months of January and February were inadvertently transposed with the months of July and August, thus calling for SNOW that summer. When the error was discovered Thomas scrambled to destroy all copies of the almanac but could not. Little did Thomas know that the super-colossal eruption of Mount Tambora on the island of Sumbawa Indonesia in April of 1815 would cause temperatures globally to drop 3-4 degrees. This decrease in temperature would make the year of 1816 a year without a summer. And, it did snow in July and August saving the reputation of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. WOW! Divine intervention at its best!

Happy Puzzling!

Nostalgic Ads

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our new 2012 catalog? It is filled with all our latest and greatest puzzles including over SIXTY new titles! Yes, that little factoid impresses me too. We want to keep you puzzling and that is why we are committed to finding the best images out there. As I was thumbing through the catalog, as I often do, I noticed a trend beginning; several of our current and yet to be released puzzles were about nostalgic advertising.

Just look at the Candy Wrappers or Cheers puzzles, both are filled with our favorite brand labels. Some of which are so recognizable that if the text were removed you would still be able to identify the product. Here is a quick test: What is the chocolate covered peanut butter cups called? What beer prominently features a famous American patriot who was also a brewer? If you guessed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Sam Adams you are correct. Next in our wonderful line is the Yankee Magazine puzzle and our vintage collage of WWII posters puzzle complete with our favorite riveter “Rosie.” I’m hooked! I love them all!

And that my fellow puzzler is just what the advertisers wanted me to do. Find their product, idea or service and buy it!

Advertising dates back to antiquity. Ancient Egyptians used papyrus to make wall posters and flyers, while the ancient Greeks and Romans posted papyruses of Lost and Found advertisements. “Commercial messages and political campaign displays have been found in the ruins of Pompeii and ancient Arabia.”

During the Middle Ages most of the general population could not read, thus signs would have images associated with the service or craft instead of being written. Take for instance a cobbler, his sign would be a boot; the tailor would have a suit; and the blacksmith a horse shoe. To assist people in locating the whereabouts of the fruit and vegetable carts, propitiators would use street callers, AKA town criers, to advertise their location in the city square. This still happens today at stadiums and ballparks around the globe. Hot dogs! Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs here!

By the 17th century the need for education and reading became more apparent and advancements in printing allowed advertisers to produce the first handbills. “However, false advertising and so-called "quack" advertisements became a problem, which ushered in the regulation of advertising content."

“In June 1836, French newspaper La Presse was the first to include paid advertising in its pages, allowing it to lower its price, extend its readership and increase its profitability and the formula was soon copied by all titles."

The intentional side effect of all this advertising is the nostalgia associated with old ads and the products, ideas or service. Just one look at an ad that ran when I was a kid brings me back to my childhood and memories of that time. Ah, memories and puzzling, can it get any better?

Happy Puzzling!

Halloween Part II

Hi Puzzlers,

Today we will take a look at some of the most popular superstitions and traditions associated with Halloween. I was shocked and amazed to see how many there are. It turns out that many of our common everyday "superstitions" are directly related to our ancestors and what they believed happened on Halloween.

The “Trick or Treat” saying originated in Celtic times. During this time it was common belief that mischievous fairies would dress as beggars and go door-to-door asking for food. If one was kind and generous the fairies would bestow fine rewards, but if one was stingy and refused, then the fairies would subject them to all sorts of pranks and acts of trickery.

The much loved Jack - O’-Lantern began as part of the Samhain celebration. Families would bring home hot embers from the communal fires in hollowed out turnips. Too funny, Jack-O’ Lanterns began as Turnip- O’-Lanterns! Marc, who works in our warehouse, shared with me the Irish tale of “Stingy Jack”. He told me his Gram would tell him the tale every Halloween. How cool is that! Your Gram telling you old Irish tales and folklore every year, PRICELESS!

Stingy Jack, a cheapskate as the name implies, liked to play tricks on everyone, including the Devil. One day Jack tricks Satan into climbing up an apple tree and then cuts crosses around the trunk to trap him. Jack then forces the Devil to promise to never take his soul. Once Satan agrees Jack removes the crosses from the tree and frees him. When Jack finally dies he is refused entrance in to Heaven because he has led a miserable and worthless life on earth. With nowhere else to go Jack heads down to Hell, but, in keeping with their agreement the Devil also refuses him entrance. “As Jack left the gates of Hell the devil threw him a hot ember to light the way in the dark. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed-out turnip and wandered off into the world.”

Next, it is on to the mystery of the BLACK CAT!!! During the Middle Ages when witch hysteria struck Europe, dread of cats, especially black cats rose. It was common belief that a black cat was a WITCH! Witches were thought to have transformed themselves into cats so they could prowl the city streets undetected. So if on crosses your path you are in for some bad luck.

Puzzlers, I don’t know about you but I’m getting the salt shaker out and throwing a pinch of salt over my left shoulder. One can never be too safe!

Happy Puzzling!

Halloween

Hi Puzzlers,

It is getting closer to one of my favorite holidays, Halloween. My front porch and yard have been decorated with all the traditional autumn favorites, as well as with, cute versions of spooky creatures like witches, ghosts, spiders and a stuffed Dracula. He looks like the Count from Sesame Street, very cute and friendly. With all my electronic decorations I need my own small power plant to keep them running. This fun holiday has been celebrated for centuries and has a rich history.

It is believed that the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, enunciated “sow-in” is where Halloween originated. This three-day festival, which was held annually, began on October 31st. It marked the end of the harvest and ushered in the beginning of winter. It was commonly believed that during this magical time, ghost, fairies, demons and the spirits of the dead were free to mingle with the living and travel into the under world.

Druid Priests would meet on hilltops and light fires into which they offered sacrifices of animals and crops to appease the gods. In the morning the priest would take a hot ember to each family who would then start a new cooking fire. These embers/fires kept the home warm and evil spirits out.

Villagers also lit bonfires and sacrificed animals, fruits and vegetables, to honor the dead and to assist them with their travel to the underworld. The fires also served to keep the spirits away from the living. “Many people would parade in costumes made from the skins and heads of animals representing various gods of nature.”

Some speculate that All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday normally celebrated on May 13th, was moved by Pope Gregory III to November 1st in 835A.D, as an attempt to take over the pagan holiday. Traditional animal costumes used to chase spirits away were banished and villagers were encouraged to honor deceased saints by dressing up as them. So this is how costumes became a part of Halloween, one mystery solved!

In our next blog we will look at all the superstitions and traditions associated with Halloween.

Happy Puzzling!

Oktoberfest Cheers!

Hi Puzzlers,

It’s October! This month associated is with the world’s most famous beer bash, Oktoberfest! The beer festival is held annually in Munich, Bavaria and Germany. It runs from late September to the first weekend in October and is one of the most famous events in Germany. It is also the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending each year. Today Oktoberfest isn’t just for Germans; it is celebrated in different towns and cities across the globe.

Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig held the first festival in Munich. The festival was actually a celebration of Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. The prince wanted the citizen of Munich to attend the festivities and help celebrate his marriage. WOW! This guy would have surely gotten my vote. The celebration was held on the fields in front of the city gate. After the first celebration the fields were renamed Theresienwiese ("Theresa's meadow") in honor of the Crown Princess. Today the locals have further abbreviated the name to "Wies'n".

Prince Ludwig an avid historian, modeled the reception after the ancient Olympic Games. Sporting events of all kinds took place throughout the day and a horse race in the presence of the royal family marked the finale. The horse race soon became the most popular event and in 1811 the first Agricultural Show was added as a way to improve Bavarian agriculture. Sadly, horse racing ended in 1960.

The first carousel and swings were set up in 1818, and in 1881 the city council approved the sale of beer and and the first grilled chicken stand. These small beer stands allowed visitors to quench their thirst and quickly became very popular. With the backing of breweries, landlords set up the first beer tents and halls in 1896.

“Since 1850, the statue of Bavaria has watched the Oktoberfest. This worldly Bavarian patron was first sketched by Leo von Klenze in a classic style and Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler romanticised and "Germanised" the draft. The statue was constructed by Johann Baptist Stiglmaier and Ferdinand von Miller.”

So what does one wear to the world’s biggest party? Well anything goes, but if you want to attend with local flair, guys are going to need to sport a pair of Lederhosen leather shorts and the gals needs to wear the traditional Dirndl dress. Drindles ,when worn properly let others know the wearer’s availability. A bow on the right above the apron means she is taken if it is on the left she is available. Ahh! Courtship made easy! Love it!

Oktoberfest celebrated its 200th birthday in 2010! This event is certainly on my bucket list how about you?

Happy Puzzling!

Quilting

Hi Puzzlers,

Does your family have a quilt that has been past down from generation to generation? My family has one that was made by my great-great-grandmother. It is made from square patches of brightly colored corduroy and has a solid blue backing. I have never weighed the quilt but it feels like it weighs 20 plus pounds. I can picture my great-great-grandmother sitting by the fire in her cabin quilting away. For many Americans this is the image that comes to mind when we think about quilting.

Unfortunately this image is a myth. Most colonial woman were so busy with sewing, spinning, food preservation, cooking, cleaning and caring for their large families they didn’t have time to quilt. Besides even the image of quilting by a fire is wrong. Fine quilting requires adequate lighting; colonial cabins were very dimly lit. There is however an exception, woman of wealthy families who could afford household help, would often have free time to work on decorative quilting. Very few examples of the average colonial quilt have survived. Those that have are generally fine quilts that were used by wealthy families for special occasions.

The most common colonial bed coverings were bed rugs and blankets. Bed rugs could be manufactured or handmade and coarse manufactured blankets were very affordable. Yes, that little factoid surprised me too! Early colonists were so frugal that there were very few “scraps” of fabric left to be used for quilting. It wouldn’t be until the 1840s, when the textile industries had grown enough, that fabric would be readily available.

The quilting by the fire myth got reinforcement in the 1920s and 1930s with the revival of interest in everything colonial. “Manufacturers and magazines took advantage of this fad by promoting as "Colonial Quilts" quilts that were actually made in the mid nineteenth-century.”

Wow! Another great fanciful image shot down. Oh well, I still love the fact that my great-great-grandmother made the quilt!

Happy Puzzling!

Flags of the World

Hi Puzzlers,

As I made my way to work today I kept noticing flags. Flags at the post office, flags flying high on the school flagpole, our company's “open” flag hanging in front of our store entrance. Once inside the office building I made my way to my desk only to find our Flags of the World puzzle had been left there. I began to wonder what was in my morning coffee? Why all the flags? Are the powers that be inspiring me to do a post on flags? All this nudging has certainly peaked my flag interest. How about you?

For over 4000 years people from all corners of the globe have been using flags. They are even study scientifically. Vexillology is the scientific term; it comes from the Latin word vexilloid which means, “guide”. Ancient vexilloid were made of wood or metal polls with carvings on top. Two thousand years later people started adding fabric and decorative metal to the tops. These ancient vexilloids closely resemble the flags of today.

Flags are generally used to give others information. Medieval Knights dressed head to toe in armor would use flags to identify themselves; this enabled fellow soldiers to see if they were friend or foe on the battlefield. Every country in the world has a flag and as the governments change so do the flags.

Designing a flag is no easy task. The message and information has to be understood without using many pictures or any words. Each flag color has a special meaning: Red - danger, revolution, bloodshed of war, courage, power: White - peace, surrender, truce: Orange - courage, sacrifice: Green - safety, land, youth, hope: Yellow - caution, gold: Black - mourning, death.

Also, there are five basic principles of flag design: 1) Keep it simple - so simple that it can be drawn from memory: 2) Meaningful Symbolism - colors, images, or patterns need to relate to flags symbology: 3) Basic Colors - Limit the number on the flag to three contrasting colors: 4) No Lettering or Seals: 5) Be Distinctive.

“Today the American flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.”

I think what I have learned most in my quick study of Vexillology is to make every little thing I do or say count and mean something…just like a flag.

Happy Puzzling!

Apple Picking

Hi Puzzlers,

Today the ladies at the office and me were chatting about the up coming apple picking season. We were discussing all the yummy things we would make and how “nothing” taste better then an apple picked fresh from the tree. Jill even showed me some pictures of her apple trees. The first ones we looked at were of trees covered in blossoms. If you have never seen apple trees in blossom click here, they are stunningly beautiful and fragrant. Next we viewed the pictures of the trees with apples on them. It must be my New England up bringing, but to me, few trees compare in beauty to this tree, with its vibrant red apples ready for the picking.

The apple tree is thought to be one of the first trees to have been cultivated. They have been around some 4,000 plus years, and are now available in thousands; yes you read right, thousands of varieties. In the US alone there are approximately 7,000 varieties. This delicious fruits came to the United States in 1620 with the pilgrims. The US began exporting apples in 1741 from Long Island, New York to the West Indies.

American legend Johnny Appleseed, AKA John Chapman, was born in 1741 in Leominster, Massachusetts. He is said to have planted more than 10,000 square miles of orchards from Pennsylvania to Fort Wayne, Indiana, while barefoot and sporting a saucepan for a hat. He died in 1845 at the age of 71.

Apples store well and have many uses. Common apple products for the early settlers were apple cider, butter and the ever-popular apple pie. In 1824, Aemilius Simmons brought the apple seed to Fort Vancouver, Washington. The state of Washington is now the top-producing apple state in the entire country.

I can wait to go apple picking. I just love orchards with all the apple and peach trees. Some even have giant corn mazes and country stores loaded with homemade apple jellies, butter, fresh baked pies and all your favorite fall puzzles.

Happy Puzzling!

Country Music

Hi Puzzlers,

Recently I was out with friends and in typical fashion a lively debate began about American music. I said there was only one music style to have come out of America and that was Jazz, all other forms had been imported with the early settlers. Well, let me tell you, that statement got the Blackberrys and the Googling going. Finally the truth was to be told… I WAS WRONG! Yes you read it right! I made a mistake…a blunder…a goof. The research queen had fallen face-first off her pedestal. The fact is, Country Music also started in the USA. So in a humbling attempt to regain my top research queen status I present to you, my fellow puzzlers and friends, a blog post on the History of Country Music.

The early settlers of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North America, like most immigrants, could only bring with them their most valued possessions and for many this was an instrument. For the Scottish and Irish it was the fiddle, which could sound sad and melancolic or bright and cheerful. For German immigrants it was the dulcimer, the Italians brought the mandolin, the Spanish brought the guitar, and the West Africans brought the banjo . This fact surprised me a little. I was always under the impression that the banjo had a Southern American origin not an African one. Lesson learned…research the facts before you speak!!!

The intermingling of musicians from different ethnic groups thus produced a unique musical sound. These early 20th century Applachian string bands usually consisted of the fiddle, guitar, and banjo. These ethnic groups migrated to Texas and brought their music with them. Today this type of hillbilly music is commonly referred to as old-time music.

In the1920s radio stations began playing music by local performers from Atlanta and Fort Worth. Barn-dance programs also became popular among radio stations of this time. The radio stations quickly realized this type of music fit the lifestyle of the country's agricultural employees. One of the most significant occurrence in Country Music happened in 1925 when WSM-AMs radio aired the Grand Ole Opry.

As the singing cowboys and cowgirls gained popularity in 1930s-1940s for their Hollywood films so too did their music. Some western music bands infused Jazz into their sound and it would soon be known as Western swing within the dance halls. In 1935 Bob Wills added drums to his band’s instrument line up and in 1938 added the electric guitar. The integration of these two types of music became know as Country & Western music and as they say, the rest is history.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist Linda Picken

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you to meet artist Linda Picken. Linda joined our puzzle family earlier this year and we are proud to present to you four great new puzzles.

Linda Picken lives in America's Ozarks where she revels in the country life surrounded by a menagerie of dogs, cats, horses, ducks, Canada Geese, and an assortment of other birds and wildlife. Her love of animals is evident in her paintings of dogs, horses, and wildlife, which reveal the joy, humor and majesty of the animal kingdom.

Linda has been painting professionally for over 30 years and travels to art shows around the country to license her paintings on a wide variety of products including collector plate series for Hamilton, Lenox, and 52 plates with Bradford Exchange.

Linda studied at the Des Moines Art Center, majoring in Art at Drake University, and then very ably developed her own style of wildlife and animal portraiture. She is an award-winning artist, named an Honorary Trustee of Ducks Unlimited and recipient of its first Silver Palette and Chisel award.

Her paintings have graced dozens of magazine and catalog covers such as Cabela's, Nite Lite, Quail Unlimited and Fur Fish and Game. Many of her paintings have been selected by US Air Force Association, Ducks Unlimited and Quail Unlimited to be used as limited edition prints to raise money for those conservation organizations.

Welcome to the family Linda!

Happy Puzzling!

Lose Your Marbles

Hi Puzzlers,

We just released a new puzzle by Carole Gordon titled Lose Your Marbles and I just love it! It gives me yet another reason to take a stroll down memory lane, not to mention, I use marbles in as many decorative elements as I can, so it is a winner in my book!

Marbles have been traced as far back as prehistoric times. Can’t you just picture cave people lounging around the cave playing with marbles made of natural clay. Too funny! Ancient marbles made from clay and china have been found in ancient Aztec pyramids, Egyptian tombs--even King Tut’s, and on Native American burial grounds. But, alas, kids who played marble games were thought to be delinquents, and playing with marbles became a frowned upon activity much like bowling in its day. Just think famous marble players; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and even Abraham Lincoln would have been considered delinquents.

In the 1600s,Germany began using water-powered stone mills to produce polished marbles made from limestone, agate and brass. These mills could produce 800 marbles an hour, which was, quite a feat for the time, hence Germany became the capital of marble manufacturing for several centuries.

A German glass factory employee invented the marble scissor in 1848 and revolutionized the glass marble industry. By 1890 Germany had invented the first marble-making machine, which the USA would put into use later that same year. Today marbles are made from all sorts of materials, but the glass ones are still the most popular.

Marble playing could be very intense for kids. Just one look at the famous painting “Marbles Champ” by Norman Rockwell says it all. Just look at the expression on the boy’s face as the determined girl takes her turn on the marble game called “keeps”.

The greatest marble moment happened in 1960 when astronaut Neil Armstrong described what the Earth looked like from his space window; he said it looked like a big blue marble.

Happy Puzzling!

Plastics and Paper

Hi Puzzlers,

Today I would like to share with you what I just learned concerning plastics. My lesson on plastics began last week when I went out to buy a few groceries. As I made my way to the checkout counter the clerk asked if I wanted paper or plastic? Wouldn’t you know it I left my reusable bags in the car. I quickly said, “plastic”. (Yes, I always recycle. I’m the nutty person you see on the beach chasing after the plastic bag that’s flying all over the place.) Once home I started to unpack my groceries with the help of my sister-in-law, Mary Beth. MB as we call her, is an environmental activist who stays up-to-date on all news regarding the environment.

She asked me why I hadn’t used my own bags. I said, I had forgotten them in the car…again. She makes her best MB disapproval face and says, “I bet you didn’t know plastics can only be recycled a few times and then they go to the landfills or float out to the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch, paper is a better choice.” No, I didn’t know that I said and what is a Great Pacific Garbage Patch? She runs out to her car and gets me some information on plastics and the great patch. (Now I know why I fit so well into my husband’s family, we all keep everything in the car.)

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch stretches across hundreds of miles in the North Pacific, technically it links the Eastern Garbage Patch with the Western Garbage Patch. “Unlike most other trash, plastic is not biodegradable — i.e., the microbes that break down other substances don't recognize plastic as food, leaving it to float there forever. Sunlight does eventually "photodegrade" the bonds in plastic polymers, reducing it to smaller and smaller pieces, but that just makes matters worse. The plastic still never goes away; it just becomes microscopic and may be eaten by tiny marine organisms, entering the food chain.” Eventually this food chain makes its way to us…feel like fish tonight? Yuck!

Paper on the other hand breaks down into organic matter after many, many years. This fact alone, for me, makes paper the better choice when you’ve forgotten your own reusable bag. The Greenfeet blog has a great post on Paper vs. Plastic click here to read it.

Happy Puzzling!