Here’s a Few Fun Facts surrounding our Winter Solstice
Did you know ……
In Latin, ‘solstice’ translates into ‘sol’ meaning the sun, and ‘sistere’ meaning to stand still.
“For only one brief astronomical moment in time, the sun stands completely still.”*
*In reality, the sun never stands still. If it did, from our perspective, that would mean the earth suddenly stopped orbiting and rotating. Not desirable!
Did you know ……
The winter solstice is often called midwinter, the longest night, or the shortest day. It refers to a moment in time in which the period of daylight is at its shortest. In the Northern Hemisphere, this always happens between December 20 and 23. On this day, the 23.5 degree tilt of the earth’s axis of rotation engulfs the North Pole in continuous darkness or twilight.
Did you know ……
Yule is an ancient pagan season rooted in Norse, Germanic, and Celtic traditions, originally celebrated around the winter solstice. It honored the rebirth of the sun, the endurance of life during deep winter, and the protective power of fire and community. Yule symbolically bridged darkness and the gradual return of light. Today’s modern holiday customs, such as candles, feasting, evergreen decorations, and gatherings, have been influenced by those Pagan rituals of the past. And today, the blending of Yule’s myth and cultural memory appeals to those seeking grounding rituals, nature-based practices, and a deeper connection to seasonal cycles.
For more fun facts about Winter Solstice, check out these past posts shared on December 21, 2022 and 2024.
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Thanks to all for following my creative adventures over the past year(s). Your thoughtful comments and likes are truly appreciated. I’m looking forward to another full year of learning and sharing information about our fascinating natural world. As always, thanks for coming along!
Wishing everyone all the best this winter season and brilliant sunshiny days in the coming year.
Go ahead and ‘Zip,’ ‘Lace,’ or ‘Snap,’ but don’t forget to ‘Button,’ for today we celebrate National Button Day! And not just Button, the noun ….. that often round, oval, and curiously odd-shaped fastener useful for bravely closing shirts and blouses, trousers, and shorts, skirts, jackets …… but Button-ing, the verb …. the ubiquitous and organized hobby of button collecting officially recognized by the National Button Society. Don’t you think it’s about time to Honor the Button!?
Throughout history, buttons have been mostly functional – used to fasten pieces of cloth together. But their intentional use as decoration is well documented.
The oldest known button was found in the Indus Valley, a region of modern Pakistan. Estimated to be around 5,000 years old, it was made from a curved shell and has a flat face that fits into a loop. This unbelievably old button is believed to have been used solely as decoration. (Wonder who the button artist was?)
Ancient Romans, who lived from the 8th century B.C.E. To the 5th century C.E., also made and used buttons. Because they wore loose-fitting garments made of heavy material, their buttons were thick and made of horn, wood, and bronze.
But the button didn’t serve as a functional fastener until the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries C.E), when buttons were used for more fitted clothing for men and women.
Button makers didn’t become popular until the 1600s. During that time, buttons could only be afforded by wealthy men and women, becoming a symbol of prosperity and prestige.
In the 1890s, in response to the fast-growing ready-to-wear industry, freshwater pearl button manufacturing exploded. In factories from Wisconsin to Iowa to Arkansas, workers used tubular saws to cut round blanks from mussel and clam shells, which were ground to standard thickness, then faced, drilled, and polished.
But it wasn’t until the 1920s, that button prices became more affordable and could be worn by everyone. This was primarily because buttons were made of inexpensive synthetic materials and could be made in larger sizes, in a rainbow of colors. Becoming increasingly common, ready-to-wear fashions began featuring buttons that were not only functional but decorative.
Today, buttons can be simple disks with two to four holes, and are made of metals, plastics, resins, and acrylics. But button makers still create more elaborate designs. If you can imagine it, there’s probably a button like it. From animals and food to iconic buildings and famous people, button makers make them. They’re colorful and fun and designed to be decorative. While the fun ones may be less practical, they’re still made to function.
What Makes a Button?
Over the millennia, people have made buttons from a variety of materials. In ancient times, buttons were formed from natural and readily available substances such as stone, shell, bone, clay, or wood. Some rare antique buttons (those more than 100 years old) made of early plastics like celluloid or Bakelite are highly collectible, as are those made from bone, stone or wood, glass or metal, and shells such as mother of pearl or tortoiseshell. (Note: if your grandma left you her button jar, look for buttons made from just about anything but modern plastic ….. they may be considered collectibles and might demand a hefty price! (Do I see an Antiques Roadshow in your future?)In more modern times, metals, plastics, resins, and acrylics have been used.
The Art of Buttoning
Did your grandma or mom snip the buttons off clothes headed for the rag bag? So many buttons collected in jars or tins. One day I discovered a decorative fruitcake tin high on a closet shelf. Afraid a waxed paper-wrapped brick of cake might still be ‘mulling’ inside, I held my breath and took a look. Instead of a dense cake, the tin was heavy with the weight of hundreds of colorful orphaned buttons! Running my hand through the collection, it was easy to imagine I’d stumbled upon a treasure chest of gold as the buttons fell between my fingers back into the tin! That ‘treasure’ continued to feed my imagination for years. They became great substitutes for missing Jax pieces; strung together, buttons made draped garlands, tree ornaments, a bracelet and necklace; even a stuffed bear who was ‘blind’ in one eye, regained his ‘sight’ after receiving a button transplant.
Today, the National Button Society (NBS), with a membership of over 3,000, reports there are thousands of button collectors in the United States (are you one of them?). Also, more than 70% of states have their own button societies (now that’s just ‘cute as a button’), and countless smaller, local clubs exist across the country.
Did You Know ………
As of May of 2001, Guinness World Records certified that Dalton Stevens, from South Carolina, had the largest collection of buttons in the world. With a total of 439,900 unique buttons, he was also known as the “Button King.” His collection is housed in a museum in Bishopville, South Carolina, and features numerous objects covered with his unique buttons, including a car, an outhouse, and a coffin.
Another large button collection can be experienced at the The Waterbury Button Museum, located on the top floor of the Mattatuk Museum in Waterbury, CT. This collection of over 20,000 buttons was donated by the Waterbury Companies in December 1999, and includes buttons from around the world. From mass-produced military buttons to handmade fashion buttons, the display includes buttons made from glass, bone, jade, porcelain, plastic, and metal. The buttons represent the history of Waterbury, which became synonymous with button manufacturing, particularly for military uniforms, since 1812.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BUTTON DAY
Do you have a fun button collection? Are you a member of a local button group? Have you joined The Official Button Lovers Group on Facebook? If you’re intrigued by buttons after reading this post, or want to be, here’s some ideas to pique your curiosity and cultivate a budding love of buttons:
Start a button collection
Make a button necklace or bracelet
Design a craft using buttons
Make an ornament using buttons
Play a game with buttons, like Tic Tac Toe or Checkers
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Did you ever imagine you would be thinking twice (or more times) about buttons today? I certainly didn’t! So why not come along with me and jump on that button-covered Band Wagon to celebrate and pay homage to the hard-working button, the “fossil of the sartorial world.”
But more than anything, have a fun National Button Day, because as J.D. Barber once said, “Trying to make the presidency work these days is like trying to sew buttons on a custard pie.”
As always, thanks for clicking on your email button today, and stopping by!
Today’s the Day! Embrace your Inner Nerd, and set her free.
Back in the 1950s, the term “Nerd” was frequently heard to describe someone in a negative sense: “He’s not attractive;” “She’s awkward at socializing;” “What dorky glasses he’s wearing;” “She’s so shy.” Before that time, “Geek” was the popular word in play. However, many of today’s Nerds and Geeks have proudly broken free of those decades-old definitions by tossing them aside and rewriting dictionaries.
Where do you fit?
While the terms “Nerd” and “Geek” are often used interchangeably, some dictionaries are splitters. You can find Nerds described as people typically associated with intellectual pursuits and academic achievement, often focusing on mastering skills and knowledge, where Geeks are known for their intense enthusiasm of specific hobbies or interests, particularly in areas like technology, science fiction, or gaming.
Not to nit-pick an officially-designated celebration, it appears National Find Your Inner Nerd Day has merged Nerd with Geek, matching a 2024 dictionary definition….. and I paraphrase: “Nerd” is someone who’s extremely enthusiastic and wise about a subject or something they’re passionate about, and who excitedly and obsessively talks about it while paying extraordinary attention to details.
Are you an Inner Nerd?
Deep down inside do you identify with parts or even all of those words and phrases that attempt to describe a Nerdy you? You do? Awesome! Still not sure (or “On the Fence” and)/or not willing to admit to your Inner Nerdiness? Being someone who’s a self-identified Nerd, having recognized and accepted my quirkiness for decades, let me help!
You might be an Inner Nerd if:
-you’re an academic, a book-worm, into classic movies, or a Trekkie;
-you knit holiday clothes every year for your dog, all your friend’s dogs, the neighbor’s dogs, and the humane society;
-you collect Pez dispensers, antique buttons, bars of soap, or banana labels;
-you collect Adventure Labs, GeoArt, EarthCaches, TravelBugs, and Geocoins;
-your house is full of stuffed toys from around the world; you ask friends to bring you a skein of yarn every time they travel somewhere new; the closet in your craft room holds more bolts of fabric than Hancock’s of Paducah, because you ‘never know;’
-you’re passionate about learning as much as you can about anything new and then sharing everything with everyone you meet;
-you’re obsessed about your daily creative practice in the fine arts (drawing, painting, music, song, dancing, acting), or creative writing (poetry, prose, essays, short stories), or in the culinary arts;
-you have a rock from every state in the U.S., a pressed leaf from every deciduous tree in your county, a photo of front doors from all your neighbors’ homes, and neighboring neighbors’ homes;
-you’re obsessed about scrapbooking, making botanical inks, filling journal after journal with nature sketches, storytelling, song writing;
-your collection of art supplies rivals Jerry’s Artarama; your own more ukuleles than Jake Shimabukuro;
-and on and on and on!
Being a Nerd is about embracing what you love and sharing all of your nerdy habits, collections, hobbies, and passions. Being a Nerd is about wanting to inspire others to embrace their inner nerdiness, too! Isn’t it time to show the world how amazing your differences are? Isn’t it time to embrace your quirkiness and share what you love?
And if you need more convincing, have no fear! Nerds are some of the coolest people in the world, if not the world’s most creative and successful. They’re always up for learning new things and love to share what they have learned with others. National Find Your Inner Nerd Day gives permission for everyone to explore their inner nerd, because everyone has a little inner nerdiness inside ready to be set free! Nerds aren’t weird, Nerds are wonderfully unique! So let’s celebrate our quirky nature and love ourselves for who we really are.
Let’s Celebrate Our Inner Nerd
If you’re a collector of things, take the day to share your treasures with other people. Give them a glimpse inside your mind and share your enthusiasm about your collection.
Join a local club that offers similar interests to yours. Book clubs, art clubs, bird watching clubs, nature clubs, car clubs, astronomy clubs, cooking clubs , and stamp collecting clubs can always be found. The best way to meet people like you is to find people like you.
Attend a convention, such as Comicon, Star Trek, Anime, QuiltCon, National Narrow Gauge, and Association of Speciality Cut Flowers, and see how fun and enthusiastic Nerds really are! Start by searching in your local area to find something that interests you.
And lastly ……. Are you a self proclaimed Inner Nerd? Are you ready to finally submit to your Inner Nerdiness? What are you obsessed about; passionate about? Do you have an insatiable curiosity about one thing; lots of things? Are you a collector (of what); a dedicated and driven learner? Please share your uniqueness with family, friends, and me! Oh how I’d love to know!
I hope this post was fun! As always, thanks for dropping by!
P.S. I’ve been a self-proclaimed Inner Nerd for most of my life (and that’s a lot of years!). It’s been an ever changing, non-stop circular journey of obsessions and passions involving art, music, science and nature. Right now I’m passionate about nature journaling on a daily basis, and the joy of non-stop learning and sharing the limitless diversity of our natural world. Oh, and I’m crazy about my daily connections with art, Flambé, and storytelling through Zentangle.
Sunflowers!🌻 Absolutely the happiest flower on Earth. Wouldn’t you agree?
Sunflowers, a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity, represent happiness, friendship, and intelligence. Much like the sun, sunflowers reflect vibrancy and an energy of life. While National Sunflower Day is the official day to celebrate these beautiful flowers, why not declare the entire growing season reason a-plenty to radiate your inner sunshine and mirror the smiling faces of every sunflower encountered!
Then and Now
Did you know sunflowers have been around since about 1000 BCE? In the U.S. indigenous peoples used sunflowers as a valuable food source, for oil, paint, and textiles, and during ceremonies. Some archaeologists even believe sunflowers may have been cultivated before corn. Today, sunflowers are still used for food (seeds, salad mixes) and beverages (tea), cooking oil, in beauty and skin care treatments, for medicinal purposes, and for hobbies and crafts.
Annual Sunflower over 6 feet tall!
The sunflower crop
The U.S. is a mass producer of sunflowers, particularly in the plains states, and is a major crop in both North Dakota and South Dakota. The average cultivated sunflower plant is five to six feet tall, and the central face of disc flowers can grow bigger than a human head. As the weight of the sunflower head becomes heavy, it begins to fall forward causing the petals to fall off. Shortly after the harvest begins. On average, one sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds per head. In 2022, North Dakota produced 762 billion pounds of sunflower seeds!
The Happiest and the most Intelligent flower
Have you ever noticed sunflowers track the sun, from sunrise to sunset? It’s true! Sunflowers follow the sun’s movements throughout the day. You may notice that before sunrise, a sunflower is in sort of a sleeping position with its head slightly down. As the sun comes over the horizon, the flower awakens and slowly lifts its face to ‘look’ directly at the rising sun. As the day progresses and we observe the sun moving from east to west, so too does the sunflower by turning its face in sync with the sun’s apparent movements until sunset.1 When the sun sets in the evening, sunflowers nod off to sleep, but not before untwisting themselves and slowly return to face the east. Ingenious!
This charmer is called Cowpen Daisy
1 However, on very hot days, sunflowers tend to avoid looking directly at the sun to keep from overheating. And I’ve noticed on cloudy days, sunflowers may appear confused about the sun’s location, seeming to make their best guess on which way to face.
A season of yellows and oranges
Although you can find flowers in the Aster (sunflower) family in the Spring, August is the peak growing and blooming season for these cheerful plants. Brilliant displays of yellow flowers welcoming the morning sun can be found wherever sunflowers grow. Witnessing fields of sunflowers is guaranteed to lift your spirits as you oooooh and aaaaaaaah at their breathtaking beauty.
A trio of cowpen daisies
Ideas to celebrate a day, week, month or year of sunflowers
Spend a day with a wild sunflower and watch its face track the sun.
Take a drive to view fields of sunflowers to see their true beauty in mass.
Give a bouquet of sunflowers to a friend to brighten their day.
Add sunflower petals and seeds to your salad.
Create a painting of your favorite sunflower and frame it to enjoy year-round.
Try your hand at a Zentangled sunflower bouquet ….. there are as many pattern possibilities as there are blooming sunflowers!
Plan a road trip to North Dakota in August and coordinate places to stop to visit sunflower fields and get updates from local farmers who cultivate sunflowers.
A collection of cowpen daisies in my backyard.
If you missed celebrating this year’s National Sunflower Day, no worries! Every time you come across any sunflower, of any size, anywhere, pause and hold a personal celebration in honor of its splendiferous magnificence!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Sunflower photos were taken in our backyard ….. all volunteers too!
Today, Flambé was craving a generous dollop of whimsy and an extreme sugar rush to feed her ever insatiable sweet tooth. Today, she insisted on choosing the National celebratory day that would simultaneously satisfy both her exorbitant desires. Today, Kat took a calculated leap, gracefully “sticking” her landing on one of those oversized spirals of sweet colors-on-a-stick. Today, Flambé picked National Lollipop Day!
While Kat is frantically licking her paws to break free of that giant Lollipop, my task was to learn stuff about those ultra-sweet confections.
Pixabay photo
Lollipops have been around for how long? Apparently no one is really sure how old the ‘lollipop’ is, but it’s likely this treat on a stick has been around for centuries. There’s even speculation that during prehistoric times, a form of ‘lollipop’ may have preserved nuts and berries in honey. Then as sugar became commonplace, lollys “popped” up as a popular treat in 16th century Europe. In the 17th century, the English enjoyed boiled sugar candy treats on sticks, which made the candies easier to eat. And in the mid-19th century (1860s), confectionaries and medicine shops in the U.S sold ‘lollipops’ in various forms.
The Name Lollipop ….. may have been used for centuries. A word sounding much like ‘lollipop’ was heard in Europe as early as the 4th century. Nomadic Roma people (also called Gypsies) migrating throughout Europe, had a tradition of selling candy apples on a stick. Red apple in the Romani language is loli phaba. In the late 18th century (1796), English lexicographer1 Francis Grose recorded the term ‘lollipop’ that was likely derived by combining the words ‘lolly’ (which means tongue) and ‘pop’ (which means slap, describing the slapping or popping sound one made when sucking on hard candy). But it wasn’t until 1908, when Mr. George Smith, an American candy store owner and inventor from New Haven, Connecticut, developed a machine that could produce large quantities of hard candies mounted on sticks. Thinking about what to call those popular treats, he finally decided on Lollipop, the name of his favorite racehorse “Lolly Pops.” Smith trademarked the lollipop name in 1931.
Pixabay photo
Today, the modern Lollipop comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors (usually brightly colored), and flavors (usually fruit flavored). Some have fillings, like bubblegum, soft candy (think Tootsie Pops), soft chocolate, jawbreakers, and fizzy candy. Some are even medicinal (where medicines for weight loss and cancer treatments are added to the candy). And then there’s the novelty lollipops! Some contain unusual items like a mealworm larvae, scorpion, cricket, or ants, suspended in the clear-as-glass candy, so you can see the bugs while sucking on the lollipop! Some novelty lollipops have non-edible centers, like a flashing light, a small toy, or even a motorized device attached to the stick that makes the candy spin around in your mouth!
Pixabay photo
Lollipop Pop Culture – By now you’re probably humming one of Shirley Temple’s favorite tunes, “On the Good Ship Lollipop.” Maybe you’re thinking about “The Lollipop Guild” gleefully welcoming Dorothy to the Land of Oz. Did you ever (or maybe you still do) count the number of licks it takes to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop? I always questioned whether Kojak (you know, the TV series from the 70s) actually became more of a tough guy while sucking a lollipop. Hmmmmm?
Celebrate National Lollipop Day – The phrase of the day must be Lollipop Fun! You’re never too old to enjoy a brightly-colored, spirally-twisted lollipop. Buy a bagful of Tootsie Pops or Dum-Dums and share them with your family, friends, and neighbors. Visit a local candy-making factory and watch how they make these sweet treats on a stick. Try out one of the unique novelty lollipops, if you dare. Write a short story or a poem about lollipops and illustrate it in a kaleidoscope of colors. To me, lollipops remind me of riding a carousel pony, possibly named “Lolly Pops,” while at the carnival.
Pixabay photo
Now that Flambé has freed her paws from that giant spiral-shaped lollipop, she’s busy licking her way to the soft tuna center. That should keep her out of mischief for the rest of the day! Meanwhile, please let us know what your Lollipop Fun plans are for the day. Maybe share your favorite lollipop shape, color, and flavor guaranteed to put a big smile on your face!
Pixabay photo
As always, thanks for stopping by!
1 A lexicographer is a person who compiles dictionaries. You know …. of ‘Webster’s Dictionary’ fame, Noah Webster (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843) was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and author. He has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education”.
Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862), believed a life of simplicity could lead to greater happiness and a deeper connection with ourselves and the surrounding world. An American naturalist, essayist, author, poet and philosopher, Thoreau advocated a life free of unnecessary complexities; free of details. He declared “our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify!”
And Thoreau wasn’t just talking about material possessions. He also promoted reducing mental clutter, focusing on what truly matters, and living in harmony with nature. Thoreau so strongly advocated for Simplicity, he chose to live several years in a cabin he built in the woods at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. Writing about the experience in his well known book “Walden,” was a reflection of his dedication to live simply and be self-sufficient while being surrounded by nature.
Thoreau’s famous quote, “Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity!” sums up his philosophy perfectly.
Today is a celebration of Thoreau’s philosophical approach to a life well lived.
Instead of spending hours drawing and coloring complex, ultra-detailed Zentangle art, I chose eight botanical patterns to recreate as stand-alone illustrations. Because of my insatiable need for details, this was challenging. But it was also very satisfying!
How might you choose to Simplify your life, if even for a day?
I’ll never forget my first taste of catfish! Just the memory of that meal makes my mouth water. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!
When I was about 9 yrs old, my aunt and uncle invited the family for a visit to their home in Nashville. My jolly Aunt Sis, always the organizer, planned an entire week of non-stop fun and sightseeing that included a firefly safari, touring a life-sized Parthenon replica, exploring Civil War battlegrounds, front row seats at the Grand Ole Opry, and an overnight camping trip into the Great Smoky Mountains. I especially remember the drive into the mountains. The narrow road, which seemed to twist and turn for hours, was flanked on each side by an impenetrable forest of hardwood trees, the view broken only by roadside cafes spaced 2-5 miles apart. These cafes, with their hand-painted signs, all advertised the same daily lunch special —- 2 fresh caught catfish fillets/breaded with cornmeal and deep fried/served with a pile of hot hushpuppies and slaw/$1.75 to-go. “Could we stop, could we? Please, please, pleeeeaaaassssseee!” Knowing the sight of these cafes would be too hard to resist, Aunt Sis had already planned to stop for lunch at a very special one; Cataloochee Creek Catfish Cafe. She said they always fried up and served the freshest catfish and hushpuppies in all of the Great Smoky Mountains. Two hairpin curves later we had arrived. Oh what an aroma!
Needless to say, my clever Aunt Sis was right! That catfish was (and still is) the best ever! Whether the little one-room Cataloochee Creek Catfish Cafe is still in business, and whatever species of catfish they served up that day may forever be a mystery. But I’ll always have a fond place in my heart (and stomach) for catfish…………. So ……………
when discovering June 25th is a designated National Day in honor of the catfish, I took notice (and so did Flambé – either hoping for a new friend or a take-away meal!). About time I learned a little something about catfish. And of course I wanted to share.
Why the name “Catfish?”
In addition to not being remotely related to any fish species, it’s well known that most cats are not big fans of water. So how did the catfish get its name? The most likely origin of the name “catfish” comes from the 1610s when mariners referred to the Atlantic wolf-fish as a “catfish” due to its ferocity. But later the name was given to a freshwater fish found in North America’s river systems. This odd looking fish had barbels protruding from its jaw and chin that resembled cat whiskers. Also when this fish was removed from the water, it made a purring sound. It may be one or both of these cat-like similarities that led to the common name “catfish.” ….. Oh, and about those barbels that grow out of the jaw and chin of most all catfish species. They function as sensory organs; used for tasting and feeling their environment.
How do you enjoy your catfish?
In 1986, catfish made up the third-highest volume of finned fish consumed in the U.S., with the most commonly eaten species being the channel catfish and blue catfish. Today, catfish is still a popular dish; one that can be prepared in many different ways, including baking, deep frying, sautéing, and stewing.
Traditionally, the fish was coated in cornmeal and fried. Many still enjoy catfish fillets prepared this way, or prefer baking or frying fillets or even the entire fish. If you fry the entire fish, do you also savor the crunch of the crispy tail? Spices complement catfish, and it’s also yummy served with a little lemon and butter. No matter what method you prefer, this tender whitefish always separates easily from the bones.
There are 38 known species of catfish in the U.S., and 22 are found in Tennessee. But the most commonly caught in the state are the flathead, the channel, and the blue catfish. The flathead is reported to be the tastiest of all. Perhaps the catfish I loved so much as a kid were from the flathead? To this day, my memory has me convinced those fried morsels from yesteryear remain the tastiest I’ve ever enjoyed. (Until further research unveils what hushpuppy ‘species’ were the perfect melt-in-your-mouth side-kick to those delicious cornmeal-breaded flathead bits, I remain clueless ….. but insatiably curious).
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CATFISH DAY
While baking and frying catfish may be the most popular ways to enjoy this flavorful fish, they’re not the only way. How about some catfish pasta dishes or catfish soup? If you’ve never tasted catfish before, #NationalCatfishDay encourages you to explore catfish dishes bursting with flavor.
Until next time …… add a little catfish to your menu!
As always thanks for stopping by!
And now, for your entertainment and enlightenment, why not take a few minutes to read these
Fun to Fascinating Catfish Facts
Catfish are found on every continent except Antarctica, with the highest abundance in tropical waters of Asia, Africa, and South America.
New species of catfish are regularly being discovered, and by 2030 the number of identified species may reach 5,000.
Catfish exhibit a wide range of sizes, from the tiny candiru (1/2” long) to the giant Mekong catfish, which can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 600 pounds. The largest catfish caught on record was 646 pounds and 9 feet long.
Catfish typically live between 15 and 20 years, but some can live up to 60 years.
Around 1,600 species of catfish may be venomous. Their venom glands are associated with the bony spines in front of their dorsal and pectoral fins. Used in defense against other fish, venom is released if a spine punctures another organism. If a person is punctured by a venomous spine it can cause severe pain and swelling; the wound may become infected. However, a few catfish species – the striped eel catfish and the Asian stinging catfish – have a venom so strong it can lead to hospitalization or even death for humans.
Most catfish are nocturnal.
Electric catfish can discharge up to 350 volts and seem to be immune to high shocks themselves.
Catfish are sometimes known as “swimming tongues,” because their bodies are covered in about 100,000 tastebuds that detect chemicals present in the water.
Catfish can produce and detect sounds using the Weberian apparatus, a structure connecting their swim bladder to their inner ear. The hearing of some catfish species is so good that it can be used as a form of echolocation in dark, murky waters.
Some species have flexible teeth that bend as the fish scrape algae and other food particles from rocks, preventing wear and tear.
Unlike many fish, catfish typically lack scales; they have smooth, naked skin.
Some catfish including the Mekong catfish have been known to fast.
Large catfish usually migrate huge distances and create ecological links between parts of a river miles apart. Catfish native to the Amazon River make some of the longest migrations of any freshwater species: covering up to 5,000 miles when swimming back to their birthplace. Large catfish usually migrate huge distances and create ecological links between parts of a river miles apart.
The Asian walking catfish, an air breathing species, sometimes resembles a dark, bloated slug and can survive for 18 hours, moving up to 3/4 miles on land to travel between water bodies. Much like slugs, they are often seen after periods of rain or flooding, their long and sweeping barbels helping them navigate the land.
In 2021 scientists coined a new term – “reffling” – after studying the movement of the armored suckermouth catfish which uses its mouth, tail and a “grasping” pelvic fin to haul itself across dry ground.They can survive 30 hours out of water, provided a layer of mucus keeps them moist.
Similarly, some catfish have a climbing style known as “inching”, where they alternate between using suction from their mouths and their pelvic disc to shuffle up vertical cave walls.
The Mekong catfish is one of the world’s most endangered fish species. It’s population is estimated to have decreased by 90% in the last decade.
Large catfish are especially at risk of endangerment due to habitat loss, the building of dams, river pollution and hunting. Losing them would be a huge loss for species diversity, and would also threaten the ecosystems they live in.
While some catfish species are at risk, others have become invasive. Invasive species often disturb the food webs and biodiversity of an ecosystem because the native wildlife is not adapted to their presence. The blue catfish was introduced to the Chesapeake Bay for recreational fishing, but have since become an invasive. Like most catfish, blue catfish are generalists and opportunistic feeders, having created a predator-prey imbalance in Chesapeake.
The Asian walking catfish (mentioned above), has become highly invasive in Florida. Its ability to breath air and “walk” on land has greatly accelerated its invasive nature.
There are between 34 and 44 families of catfish and at least 3,400 different species, depending on taxonomic classification.
Always landing on the 2nd Saturday in June, the annual dragonfly celebration pays tribute to this fascinatingly unique and beautiful insect that’s been flying over our planet for nearly 300 million years. Wow!
There’s no mistaking the fossil record. Dragonflies have populated the airspace for nearly 300 million years, some with 3-foot wingspans. Paleontologists say they may have had 6-8 foot wingspans, making them the size of a bald eagle!
As scary as that may have looked to their prey, the 2-5 inch wingspans of modern dragonflies, combined with their body makeup, make these animals some of the most accurate and ravenous hunters known today.
It’s a warm summer day and the air above the wetlands is full of countless insects such as mosquitoes, true flies, mayflies, and midges. Perched motionless on a tall reed is a metallic colored dragonfly, and she’s hungry. To feed an insatiable appetite, she’s always on the hunt for her next meal. To satisfy her hunger, she has evolved into one of the most skilled predators in animal kingdom.
A Green Darner Dragonfly hangs onto a blade of marsh grass
But are dragonflies really that good? And if so, why?
Consider the proverbial ‘King of the Jungle;’ lions are frequent hunters, but might be successful only 20% of the time. Birds of prey, like owls, falcons and hawks, average a 25% success rate. But dragonflies catch their prey 95% of the time! Now I’d call that amazing. Dragonflies owe their survival to two key characteristics:
Eyes – in addition to three simple eyes, dragonflies (and bees) have two large compound eyes; the largest of any insect. With 30,000 facets per eye, both compound eyes together cover most of their head. This multifaceted eye makes a dragonfly acutely sensitive to movement. Because each of the 30,000 facets face a different direction, dragonflies have almost a 360 degree field of vision. This means they can see you from behind as they wing on by. ……. And speaking of wings! ………
Wings – When compared to all other insects, dragonflies are the most skilled, agile, and the fastest fliers of all insect species. With muscles attached directly to their wings, they not only can fly at speeds up to 35 mph, but are able to maneuver like a helicopter. They can fly straight up or down, forward or backward, side-to-side, upside down, and can even hover and pivot in place while keeping perfectly level. To understand how dragonflies achieve backward flight, high speed cameras revealed they angle their bodies vertically, at a 90-degree angle to the horizon. They’re also capable of independently moving and twisting each of their four wings to improve flight control.
Look! A Mosquito Hawk!
It’s been reported that one adult dragonfly can capture and eat from 30 to 100 mosquitos a day, earning them the name ‘’Mosquito Hawk.” Considered such prevalent mosquito predators when they are adults, a dragonfly nymph feasts on mosquito larvae too, devouring as many as 40 a day!
A variegated meadowhawk
And How About these Dragonfly Fun Facts!
A dragonfly is classified as an Odonata, which is the family of flying insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies. Odonata means “toothed one” in Greek. However, dragonflies don’t have teeth. The name refers to its serrated mandible, which comes in handy for holding and crushing prey.
There are around 5,000 species of dragonflies around the world.
Dragonflies can live for years underwater as predatory larvae (aka nymphs). At the end of its larval stage, the nymph crawls out of the water, its exoskeleton cracks open releasing its abdomen (which had been packed in like a telescope), then out come its four wings and its entire body dries and hardens over the next several hours.
Most adult dragonflies live for only a few weeks, but some do live up to a year.
Dragonflies can live in the winter but are normally small and stumpy in size.
Dragonflies use both their feet and mandibles to catch their food.
When dragonflies mate, the pair first forms a flying, loop-like structure known as a mating wheel or mating circle. Then the male grasps the female’s neck with claspers on his abdomen to transfer his sperm. Sometimes, he will continue to guard the female from other males until she lays eggs in the water. If a female doesn’t consent to mating, she might play dead. Or, she might wrestle away her suitor by twisting, shaking, flying backward or clinging to a reed to prevent takeoff. In some cases, the female might even take control of the flight, then dunk the male into a body of water, buying herself time to flee.
Mysterious swarming behavior – sometimes 100’s of dragonflies of different species will gather in swarms, possibly to locate new and/or better habitat, for feeding, or migration. Not much is known about this short-lived behavior, but it is being studied by members of the Dragonfly Swarm Project. You can read more about the Swarm Project here: https://thedragonflywoman.com/dsp/ And you can report seeing a swarm through this website: https://thedragonflywoman.com/dsp/report/
The Scarlet Dwarf is the smallest known dragonfly. Less than two centimeters long, it’s only 0.59 inches long (15 millimeters), and has a wingspan of about 0.79 inches (20 millimeters). These dragonflies are native to Southeast Asia, as well as China and Japan.
Many species of dragonflies migrate annually. To track them, scientists attach tiny transmitters to their wings with a combination of eyelash adhesive and superglue. One of their findings revealed the two inch dragonfly called the globe skimmer has the longest migration of any insect — flying up to 11,000 miles across multiple generations between India and Africa. Aided by winds, the globe skimmers cross the Indian Ocean stopping at islands along the way. They have even been spotted at altitudes of around 20,000 feet in the Himalayas.
Of the 445 kinds of dragonflies in North America, only 9 of these species (or 2%) migrate regularly. One of these species is called the green darner which migrates in swarms. They complete a multi-generational migration from Canada and the northern U.S. to the Gulf Coast and Mexico in late summer and fall, and then return again in the spring. By tracking the migration, it was found their journey covered over 800 miles one way. To accomplish this feat, they travel only every third day, averaging 7.5 miles per day.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (2021) found that 16 percent of the 6,016 species of dragonflies and damselflies that were studied are at risk of extinction as they lose the freshwater breeding grounds needed to maintain their populations. Clearing of forests in South and Southeast Asia as well as in Central and South America has driven habitat loss for the insects, and in North America and Europe, dragonflies are most threatened by pesticides and climate change.
Mosaic darner
The Good Luck Insect
Not surprisingly, the dragonfly has symbolic meaning in almost every part of the world. Many cultures believe this insect symbolizes good luck. Because dragonflies have such short lifespans, they also represent new beginnings and change, especially for strength, growth, courage, and happiness. A few ancient cultures say dreaming about a dragonfly indicates you are in a powerful transition in your life.
Here’s a Few of those Symbolic Dragonfly Beliefs. Do you know of more?
Native Americans believe a dragonfly symbolizes life transformations.
South American cultures believe the dragonfly symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and many artists include the dragonfly in their work.
European cultures see the dragonfly as a symbol of change and adaptability, and are included in many of their folklore stories and beliefs.
Asian cultures believe the dragonfly represents good luck, prosperity and new beginnings.
South Africans believe dragonflies are a sign of spirits and bring good luck. Africans also hold dragonflies in high regard because they are water gods who bring rain.
A South Dakota dragonfly resting on a milkweed
How Will you Celebrate National Dragonfly Day? Here’s a few ideas:
Learn about the species of dragonflies near you.
Visit your local wetland habitats to observe dragonflies, as nymphs and as adults.
When you travel in the summer, search out new-to-you species of dragonflies and record your observations.
Learn about the symbolism of dragonflies in your own culture.
Sketch or paint a dragonfly in its habitat.
Photograph a dragonfly and share on social media using #NationalDragonflyDay.
It was great fun and so eye-opening to learn about this species. A few months ago I watched a nature program about dragonflies and how they fly like stunt pilots. It was fascinating, and gave me a whole new appreciation of these insects. Can you imagine living in the dragonfly’s world 300 million years ago? Wonder if they could also fly like a helicopter?
Please share your dragonfly stories. Have you ever tried to catch a dragonfly? Have you seen one flying upside down or hover? What colors of dragonflies have you seen? Let me know if you enjoyed this post about dragonflies, and give it a Like!
And many thanks to Lynn Mead for sharing her Tree of Life Labyrinth pattern. Super fun to give a whirl! The easy to follow directions can be found on tanglepatterns.com posted 08/14/2021
Today, May 16th, just so happens to be National Love a Tree Day! It’s the official day to celebrate all of life’s joys brought to us by the trees we share this planet with. Whether you love reading in the shade or taking a bite out of a fresh fruit pie, National Love a Tree Day encourages y’all to get outside and enjoy a tree.
A Changing Landscape
We all know many tree species live many many years; some live to be several thousand years old. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 766 million acres of forest land exists in the United States today, a number that’s held steady since 2012. But the nature of our forests has changed over the last 400 years, due to changes in management practices and demand. Population growth, rural and urban development, along with a variety of land uses (like conversion of forests to agriculture use) resulted in a steady decline of forested acres between 1630 and 1910; a decline from 1,023 million acres to 753 million acres or 46% to 34% of the total land area in the U.S. Since that time until the present, where people choose to live and how the land is used has been constantly changing. While some urban forests increase, other areas see a decline. Tree planting programs improve landscapes but human activities and population growth continue to impact these ecosystems.
We All Benefit from Trees
Trees provide more than just beautiful landscapes and a shady canopy on a sunny day. They play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate as well as give us oxygen. Large quantities of carbon are stored in their tissues as trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They provide habitat and structure for strong ecosystems.
How to Observe National Love a Tree Day
This is a good day to plant a new tree native to your area, or spend some time enjoying the beauty of the trees, Take time to learn how to care for the trees you have, too, whether you live in the mountains or the desert. Write down all the reasons trees are important to you. If you have a favorite tree, or a tree you’re not familiar with, begin a little research project about that (or those) species, and journal about your findings.
Put down that can of chips or box of square crackers and show your love for one of the most versatile snacks ever …… the Pretzel! Whether you like the snap of crispy twists or prefer them soft and chewy, grab your favorite and join the National Pretzel Day celebration today, April 26th.
Pretzel historians offer a few origin stories, but usually share the most likely and often told legend from the Roman Empire. Apparently in 610 A.D., an Italian monk wanted a way to reward his child students for memorizing their prayers. Instead of baking loaves of morning bread, the Monk twisted thin strips of the dough into symmetrical loops by intertwining or knotting the two ends before folding them back on each other (today’s familiar “pretzel loop”). The shape he made was said to resemble a child with his arms crossed in prayer. The Monk called his invention ‘pretiola’ meaning ‘little rewards’.
From then on, these soft ‘little rewards’ became popular in Austrian bakeries and in all of Germany, and so on throughout the world.
Not being satisfied with baking only soft pretzels, in 1850, Julius Sturgis bought a hard pretzel recipe from a local tramp (wonder why a tramp would have such a recipe? Thoughts?). After baking and baking, and perfecting the recipe, it was clear to Julius the hard pretzel was a success. The pretzel’s popularity quickly spread, inspiring many other bakers in central Pennsylvania to make their own versions of the hard pretzel. But the original ‘Sturgis’ hard pretzel was a keeper. In 1861, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, located in Lititz, Pennsylvania in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, became the first commercial pretzel bakery in America.
Naturally, die-hard fans of the warm/soft pretzel weren’t won over by the overwhelming appeal of the hard/crispy version. With the soft pretzel market still alive and growing, by the 20th century soft pretzels became very popular not only in Philadelphia, but in Chicago and New York as well.
The Pretzel of Today
How many shapes and flavors of pretzels can you think of? Here’s my lists …….
Hard pretzel shapes: traditional loop, thick and thin; stick shapes, both thin and in thick rods; twisted, clockwise and counterclockwise; round rings with and without knots; thick stumpy bite-sized nuggets, filled and unfilled; chip shaped and waffle shaped.
Hard pretzel flavors: salted, cinnamon sugar, peanut butter, peanut butter and jelly, honey mustard, cheese, honey wheat, honey butter, ranch, ranch and jalapeño, garlic, sea salt caramel, sour cream and onion, and buffalo wing.
And for soft pretzels …… it’s all about the dipping sauces and coatings: Of course there’s yellow mustard, garlic mustard, melty cheese, melty beer cheese. But there’s also chocolate dipped, aioli, truffle hot sauce, buffalo ranch, cinnamon sugar, and marinara.
Can you add more?
Pretzel Fun Factz!
Pennsylvania is the center of American pretzel production for both hard and soft pretzels, producing 80% of the nation’s pretzels.
Today, the average Philadelphian consumes about twelve times as many pretzels as the national average.
Philadelphia opened a privately run “Pretzel Museum” in 1993.
The annual United States pretzel industry is worth over $550 million.
The average American consumes about 1.5 pounds of pretzels per year.
How will you celebrate National Pretzel Day 2025? Here’s a few ideas …..
Enjoy a bag of your favorite hard pretzels, and gift one to a friend.
Visit your local bakery or even the mall to sample their selection of warm soft pretzels.
Try a game of “Toss the Ring” with ring-shaped pretzels.
Go on a pretzel scavenger hunt.
Host a pretzel and beer party for your neighborhood.
Bake a batch of soft pretzels for the party and have everyone bring their favorite dipping sauce.
And now ………
Curiously, Flambé has been following my post with fascination. Always hungry, could it be she’s developing pretzel cravings? What baker, in their right mind, would ever scent a batch with eau de fish? If a pretzel maker thought mackerel flavored twists would ever be popular, they might just be crazy (or not?). Becoming more famished by the minute, Kat insisted on explaining her ‘irrational’ excitement in a “Blitz” poem (a style created by Robert Keim.1). She felt this poem style not only suited all the twists and turns found in a properly-constructed pretzel loop, it best expressed the twisting and turning pathway her mind took to explain herself and help us “get it!” What do you think?
1 Shout out to Michele Lee, My Inspired Life blog post dated 04/05/2025, for sharing her amazing Blitz poem and providing the rules to create one too. Thanks Michele!
As always. Thanks for stopping by!
Here are the guidelines for the Blitz poem, created by Robert Keim:
Line 1 should be one short phrase or image (like “build a boat”)
Line 2 should be another short phrase or image using the same first word as the first word in Line 1 (something like “build a house”)
Lines 3 and 4 should be short phrases or images using the last word of Line 2 as their first words (so Line 3 might be “house for sale” and Line 4 might be “house for rent”)
Lines 5 and 6 should be short phrases or images using the last word of Line 4 as their first words, and so on until you’ve made it through 48 lines
Line 49 should be the last word of Line 48
Line 50 should be the last word of Line 47
The title of the poem should be three words long and follow this format: (first word of Line 3) (preposition or conjunction) (first word of line 47)
a curious nature 