Life...A Changing Kaleidoscope

January 31, 2023

February 2023 Issue

“Away in a meadow all covered with snow The little old groundhog looks for his shadow The clouds in the sky determine our fate If winter will leave us all early or late.” - Don Halley

While Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his burrow to predict if we’re heading toward the last stretch of winter, Phil has been correct only about 40% of the time.Q. What’s the city with the most diversity in terms of language?Q. How many hearts does an octopus have?SEE ANSWERS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Hello,It’s a new year and notice, we have a “new look.” Hanna, my gal Friday, turns ideas into visual reality.Our new tag line — “A Changing Kaleidoscope” seems to go well with LIFE. One could say that life is like a kaleidoscope, changing constantly with each little turn becoming another surprising vision. Because February gets such a dull rap, let’s not overlook all the good things about this short bridge month to spring.

Two great Presidents, George and Abe were February babies. Valentine’s Day — according to Catholic Church history there were three St. Valentines. Two were beheaded by Claudius 11 of Rome and the third one imprisoned. Not exactly a romantic start. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated because it was believed birds mated during this season. In the early 1700’s, Americans exchanged hand-made cards of hearts, flowers, lace, and ribbons during this month of romance. Just when you thought I would run out of February trivia, how about Shrove Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. This is “stuff yourself” day – known by many names in different countries. Pancake day, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnival, Fasching – the idea being to get rid of excess and indulge in one more party before the start of 40 days of Lent. A Christian time of reflection and “doing without” for those who observe. So, there you have it. Dull February isn’t so dull after all.See you in March!

A kaleidoscope constantly generates changing patters from small pieces of glass or the small objects it contains creating magical images which changes with every turn. What is a kaleidoscope? Is it just a fanciful toy or is it more?

Wilfried Wende/fotoblend

While most birds do not mate for life, there are a few species of birds that meet, court and form bonds that result in many offspring, year after year, until one of the pair dies. For nearly all swans, geese, ducks, cranes, storks and a few others, long-term monogamy is the preferred relationship.

Pastels: It's a Cat Thing

By: T. J. Banks

Rudyard Kipling got it wrong: cats do not walk by themselves, and all places are not alike to them. Nor are all people. Cats are capable of forming incredibly strong attachments. An elderly Siamese, who had belonged to a confirmed bachelor for many years, found himself at a feline retirement community when his owner died: the grieving cat only really perked up when the male volunteers gave him some one-on-one time. An abandoned black Persian kept escaping from her rescuers and returning to her old home, looking for her faithless human.

“It’s not that cats care less about the people who love them,” wrote Dr. Louis J. Camuti, New York City’s famous cat vet; “they just care differently."

Cat questions? Email us and we'll do our best to answer: [email protected]

SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS

February 10: Watch Venus and Jupiter get closer and closer together. Venus is always the brightest of the pair.
February 21: Look lowish in the west-southwest for a vertical line composed of the night’s three brightest objects — Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent Moon below both planets.
February 22: The crescent Moon will now be close to Jupiter, and Venus below them.
February 27: A double-treat. The Moon meets Mars again. In the west-southwest, Venus and Jupiter, the two most dazzling starlike objects, begin a three-day conjunction.

Ylanite Koppens

Ingredients

2–3 varieties of fun candy (M&Ms, conversation hearts, starburst, gummies etc.)
2–3 varieties of chocolate candy (Truffles, chocolate hearts, Hershey’s kisses, etc.)
2 varieties of fresh favorite fruit
2–3 varieties of cookies or other baked treats

Instructions

Choose a board of any shape or size.
Arrange different size bowls or contains on the board — fill with candy and fruit.
Fill the holes using any leftover candy and chocolate.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Recipe

It’s almost here, the day of hearts and flowers or something special which says, “I love you.” There are the thoughtful gifts, which bring that big smile or hug, but they take a little time and thought. Then there are the ho-hum gifts. Which are you giving?

Simply Exceptional Amish-Made Quality Products

Valentine Cats & Hearts Catnip Mat

Refillable catnip pads with crinkle (a plastic that makes noise in cat and baby toys)

CRAZY LOVE: Cats Book

We love our cats: that's a given. But do our cats love us, really love us? And how would we know? Here, in photos and clever prose, a dozen cats express their love for their owners in sometimes offbeat, sometimes touching, and sometimes crazy, ways.

Beautiful Linens and More!

A Valentine's Day Gift for Your Favorite Veteran

A: New York City A: Three

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