posted July 11, 2011 01:01 AM            

Here are five things to know about the clerihew, thanks to Wikipedia:

1. A clerihew is a whimsical, four-line biographical poem invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley. One of his best known is this from 1905:

Sir Christopher Wren
Said, "I am going to dine with some men.
If anyone calls
Say I am designing St. Paul's."

2. It is biographical and usually whimsical, showing the subject from an unusual point of view and it pokes fun at mostly famous people.

3. It has four lines of irregular length and meter (for comic effect).

4. The rhyme structure is AABB. The subject matter and wording are often humorously contrived in order to achieve a rhyme.

5. The first line contains, and may consist solely of, the subject's name.

Here are a couple of clerihews I found online (not mine) in honor of the day:

From Edmund Clerihew Bentley:
"Edward the Confessor
Slept under the dresser.
When that began to pall,
He slept in the hall.

The art of Biography
Is different from Geography.
Geography is about maps,
But Biography is about chaps."

Written by Edward Oz:
"Samuel Backman
Took on Superman.
It was a long night.
He forgot his Kryptonite.

posted July 14, 2011 08:47 PM            

Anyone know what the significance is?

posted July 14, 2011 09:02 PM            

Ooh, ooh, so who celebrated this day in the truest sense - c'mon, be honest!!

I must confess.. I was so excited, I started off the day spending some time in the raw

posted July 14, 2011 09:17 PM            

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about..

Aren't they adorable?:

"Please don't eat me.." *batting long lashes*

posted July 24, 2011 12:01 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
OMG, how does one petition to get a day? Are any days open?

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posted July 24, 2011 12:21 PM            

Does anybody like tapioca pudding? I mean really like it? Cause I don't know.. it looks nice and all, I'm just not sure how great it'd actually taste. Been awhile since I had some, and I can't remember loving it..

Hope you celebrated RESPECT CANADA DAY, a day to honor our awesome neighbors to the North..

posted July 24, 2011 12:35 PM            

Can you juggle fruit?

How about chainsaws? Some people do..

posted July 24, 2011 12:44 PM            

Wow, look at that bowl, will ya? SO easy on the eyes!!

I loooove peaches!

"I could eat a peach for hours"

Who can tell me where that line is from?

posted July 24, 2011 12:54 PM            

"Flitch Day recognizes the custom of awarding a "flitch" of bacon (the side cut of the pig) to married couples who make it through their first year and a day with no regrets. This tradition started in 15th century England and is still carried on in some towns today."

posted July 24, 2011 12:57 PM            

Awww.. poor ugly trucks..

posted July 24, 2011 01:02 PM            

This picture is from the celebration in LIncolnshire, England:

posted July 24, 2011 01:29 PM            

"Ratcatcher's Day commemorates the Pied Piper of Hamlin, the most infamous of Ratcatchers.

One of the most well known German folklore is the story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. The town of Hamlin, Germany was infested by rats. The mayor promised to handsomely pay the Pied Piper, if he rid the town of rats. The Pied Piper played his flute. Lured by the magical music, all of the rats left town, and followed him. He played his music all the way down to the river. He waded into the river. The rats followed him and drowned. The mayor refused to pay him. So, one night when the townspeople were asleep, the Pied Piper played his music again. This time, the children of the town followed him all the way into a cave. Some versions for the legend vary here. In one version, the Pied Piper kept them there until he was paid by the town for his services. In most versions, the children were never to be seen again.

How many Rats were lured to the River? Estimates are upwards of a million! If you see a Ratcatcher today, wish him/her Happy Ratcatcher's Day!

The Origin of Ratcatcher's Day:
According to the legend, the Pied Piper rid the town of Hamelin, Germany of rats on or around June 26, 1284. After the town mayor refused to make payment as promised, the Pied Piper returned to lure the children to a cave. In some versions of the legend, this occurred the next night. In others, he returned several weeks later. We speculate that "several weeks later" was July 22nd."

posted July 24, 2011 01:37 PM            

July 23rd was National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. Methinks it's no coincidence there are so many ice cream days in July..

I came across this the other day on one of the funniest websites I've seen (www.happyplace.com), and laughed until I cried:

posted July 24, 2011 01:47 PM            

Wikipedia says this about her:
"Amelia Mary Earhart; born July 24, 1897; missing July 2, 1937, declared legally dead January 5, 1939) was a noted American aviation pioneer and author.

Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Earhart joined the faculty of the world-famous Purdue University aviation department in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help inspire others with her love for aviation. She was also a member of the National Woman's Party, and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.

During an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937 in a Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra, Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. Fascination with her life, career and disappearance continues to this day."

posted July 26, 2011 12:21 AM            

"Today is Thread the Needle Day. You can be certain that today is going to be a great day...... if you sew.

Thread the Needle Day certainly is a day for those who sew. It also has a second meaning. The term "thread the needle", is also a saying. It means to either walk a fine and difficult line between two things or issues, or to do something difficult. For example, suppose two of your friends are on opposite sides of an issue. You may have to "thread the needle" on that issue, as you attempt to retain both of them as your friend.

The creator of Thread the Needle Day did not document this day. So, until we find him or her, you can celebrate today by either sewing or threading the needle on issues."

posted July 26, 2011 12:33 AM            

Let's see who else remembers this quote, and can tell me what movie it is from.. Bonus points for naming the speaker!

"My right hand's so tired I can barely thread a needle!"