Wild Thing

today’s holiday: Doleing Day

Doleing Day

It was customary at one time in England on St. Thomas‘s Day for the poorer inhabitants of the parish to call on their wealthier neighbors and receive a gift or “dole” of food or money. In return, they would give their benefactors a sprig of holly or mistletoe. The custom of “going a-gooding,” as it was called, gave rise to the name Gooding Day in parts of Sussex; in other areas, it was referred to as Mumping (Begging) Day, since those who had to beg were said to be “on the mump.” Children would often spend St. Thomas’s Day begging for apples. More… Discuss

quotation: The wise through excess of wisdom is made a fool. Ralph Waldo Emerson

The wise through excess of wisdom is made a fool.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Discuss

today’s birthday: Frank Zappa (1940)

Frank Zappa (1940)

Zappa was a prolific and highly distinctive guitarist, composer, and songwriter. His career spanned more than 30 years and encompassed a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, and classical. He released the groundbreaking double album Freak Out! with the Mothers of Invention in 1966. With its raw sound, sophisticated arrangements, and lyrics praising nonconformity, the album immediately established Zappa as a radical new voice in rock music. What unusual names did he give his children? More… Discuss

this day in history: First Manned Voyage to a Celestial Body Launched (1968)

 

First Manned Voyage to a Celestial Body Launched (1968)

Also the first manned launch of a Saturn V rocket, Apollo 8 was the first manned voyage to a celestial body—the Moon. It took about three days for the craft to enter lunar orbit, whereupon it proceeded to orbit the Moon 10 times in 20 hours. The three crew members were the first humans to see the far side of the Moon—an important precursor to the historic lunar landing that would occur less than a year later. In a Christmas Eve live TV broadcast from space, the crew read from what book? More… Discuss

 

The Affair of the Tichborne Claimant

The Affair of the Tichborne Claimant

When a young Sir Roger Tichborne, the Tichborne family heir, was lost at sea, his mother began a desperate search for the son she believed was still alive. In 1865, about a decade after her son disappeared, Lady Tichborne received a letter regarding Arthur Orton, an Australian butcher fitting Sir Roger’s description. She soon accepted Orton as her eldest son. After her death, Orton testified in an inheritance trial, but lost. He was then arrested and convicted of perjury. What was his sentence? More… Discuss

word: incognizant

incognizant

Definition:	(adjective) Lacking knowledge or awareness.
Synonyms:	unaware
Usage:	He was incognizant of the new political situation and needed his brother to brief him on the details. Discuss.

Magnesium Could Help Prevent Deadly Pancreatic Cancer

https://www.yahoo.com/health/magnesium-could-help-prevent-deadly-1326250083590198.html
Magnesium Could Help Prevent Deadly Pancreatic Cancer

A Mockingbird

A Rose

Fenomenul straniu din Sarmizegetusa Regia, înaintea solstiţiului de iarnă. Cum se înfăţişează capitala Regatului Dac

http://m.adevarul.ro/locale/hunedoara/fenomenul-straniu-sarmizegetusa-regia-solstitiului-iarna-infatiseaza-capitala-regatului-dac-1_5678354337115986c6adaf67/index.html

“Back to argument” with Horia-Roman Patapievici. Guest – Neagu Djuvara

https://www.privesc.eu/arhiva/60507/-inapoi-la-argument–cu-Horia-Roman-Patapievici–Invitat—Neagu-Djuvara

Recovery plan lies dormant as Elysian Park’s exotic trees die off – LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-elysian-park-dieoff-20151221-story.html

Queen Maria of Romania

New Drug Is First to Treat Progressive Multiple Sclerosis – Scientific American

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-drug-is-first-to-treat-progressive-multiple-sclerosis/

Today’s Duck

Omul de Zapadă Neagră

Alcatraz

6 Americans killed in Afghanistan suicide attack

http://news.yahoo.com/6-americans-killed-afghanistan-suicide-attack-174508464–abc-news-topstories.html
6 Americans killed in Afghanistan suicide attack

Stradă din Vitré, Gheorghe Petraşcu

UK to deploy more armed forces to Nigeria to advise on Boko Haram

UK to deploy more armed forces to Nigeria to advise on Boko Haram

http://gu.com/p/4f9je?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_WordPress

After the San Bernardino shootings, voices rise on both sides of the refugee debate – LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sb-refugees-out-20151220-story.html

The Beatles in San Francisco, 1965

CRISPR-Cas 9: What you need to know – LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-crispr-cas-9-20151218-story.html

Watch “Stefan Hrusca – Tu Ardeal” on YouTube

Watch “Transfagarsan cu bicicleta prin muntii Fagaras – Adi Neamtu – Jiana 2011” on YouTube

Techirghiol, Francisc ŞIRATO

Bucureşti-Bucharest, Romania