Roc Banter

Why is 2 the only prime number? What makes 2 special?

2025-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

From the time we learn about prime numbers, we quickly notice that 2 is the only even prime number. All other prime numbers are odd. So why is 2 so special?

The “specialness” of 2 arises less from the number itself, and more from the limitations of our English language. We have the word even, which means divisible by 2 and we have the word odd which means not divisible by 2. Half of whole numbers are even and the other half odd. Or to put that mathematically, 1/2 of whole numbers are even and 1/2 are odd. Generalizing one step further, which may seem unnecessary at the moment, but the reason for which will become apparent as we continue, (2-1)/2 numbers are odd.

But we lack words for divisible by 3 and not divisible by 3. So let’s create these words now. Let’s define “theven” as divisible by 3 and “thodd” as not divisible by 3. We can see that 1/3 of numbers are theven and (3-1)/3 or 2/3 of numbers are thodd. Now we can note that 3 is the first and only prime number that is theven. Any number greater than 3 that is theven is not prime because it would be divisible by 3. Or, to put it another way, prime numbers greater than 3 must be thodd. Combined with our prior rule about odd numbers, we can say that prime numbers greater than 3 must be both odd and thodd.

Turning now to 4, 4 is even… so it is not prime.

5 is the next number that is both odd and thodd so it is our next prime. Let’s create the words “feven” and “fodd” for divisible by 5 and not divisible by 5. We can see that 1/5 of numbers are feven and (5-1)/5 or 4/5 of numbers are fodd and only fodd numbers above 5 can be prime. Combining all the rules together, numbers above 5 must be odd, thodd and fodd to be prime.

6 is both even and theven … so definitely not prime.

7 is the next number that is odd, thodd and fodd so it is the next prime. We get the new words “seeven” and “seodd”. Numbers above seven must be odd, thodd, fodd, and seodd to be prime.

8 is even… 9 is theven… 10 is both even and feven… None of these are therefore prime.

11 is the first number that is odd, thodd, fodd, and seodd so it become our next prime and we get the words “eleeven” and “eleodd”…

We can continue along this path forever. Perhaps our new terms theven and thodd might have some utility in the English language. I could say that my two friends and I only buy pizzas that are cut into a theven number of slices like 6 or 12 so we each fairly get an equal number of slices. If we buy a pizza cut into a thodd number of slices like 8, we are not able to distribute the slices fairly. But, it seems that seeven, seodd, eleeven and eleodd and further of these new word creations would have diminishing utility in every day life.

Now let’s return to the questions of why is 2 the only even prime number and what makes 2 special? Well, 2 is special because of the limitations of our current vocabulary. By now adding these new words to our vocabulary, we can see that “2 is the only even prime number”, “3 is the only theven prime number”, “5 is the only feven prime number”, “7 is the only seeven prime number”, "11 is the only eleeven prime number", and so on.

Now, all the prime numbers are special in their own terms…

Pet Years to Human Years

2021-08-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Pet	Pet:Human Year
Dogs	7 years
Cats	4 years
Gold Fish	8 years
Rabbits	8 years
Gunea Pigs	10 years
Iguanas	6 years

Meatball Poker - Draw Odds

2021-02-03T11:13:00.000-08:00

Playing Meatball Poker obviously gives very different starting hands over regular Texas Hold 'em. Since every player is dealt 3 cards and needs to discard one faceup meatball, clearly players are going to be starting with more pairs and flush draws than in a 2 card deal. With better hands, many players will be less likely to fold pre-flop as well. So what are the odds of drawing the various hands?

Hand	Meatball (3 cards)	Hold 'em (2 cards)
Any Pair	17.18%	5.88%
Pair J or better	5.29%	1.81%
Specific Pair(i.e. AK)	0.453%	1.32%
Any Suited	60.24%	23.53%
Suited J or better	5.29%	1.81%

There are also some interesting draws that occur only in Meatball Such as a three of a kind draw or three suited cards. In these cases, you'll need to turn over one of your cards as your meatball diminishing your odds of making hands post flop.

Another situation that arises in Meatball are draws such as a pair and an ace. In these cases, you may choose to flip your ace as the meatball signaling your hand strength to the other players. The odds for these situations is shown here:

Hand	Meatball (3 cards)
3 of a kind	0.24%
Specific 3 of a kind (i.e. AAA)	0.02%
AAK(or KKA, QQA, etc...)	0.11%

Meatball Poker

2021-01-01T17:53:00.003-08:00

Meatball Poker is a poker variant based off Texas Hold 'em, designed for smaller groups of players with increased frequency of exciting hands. It uses all the same rules, but with one big difference. Each player is dealt 3 cards and must decide to keep 2 and to discard one card (the "meatball") face up for the other players to see. After that the game proceeds exactly like hold 'em with blinds, betting, the flop, and so on...

Why Meatball?

If you've played a lot of Texas Hold 'em, you'll know that you can play for many hands, over many hours, with little action. And too often, when you finally do get a good hand and lucky flop, the other players either muck their cards or you end up on the receiving end of a cooler. Long time players will tell you, it's all part of the game. But who has time for that? More over, if you only have 3 or 4 players, it's often not even worth it to start up a game of hold 'em.

Meatball was created to make the game fun again, when you don't want to wait all night or for a large group of friends to show up. It's great for casual games down in the basement with a group of friends. And it's easy to bring new players up to speed if they've played any poker before.

The Rules

If you know how to play Texas Hold 'em, Meatball will be easy to learn. Specifically, the game begins much the same way, with a dealer at the button position, the player to the left obligated to bet the small blind, and the next player to the left obligated to bet the big blind (typically twice the small blind). For a three player game, those would be the only positions. The positions rotate clockwise each hand.

The dealer will shuffle, present the deck for the cut, and then deal 3 cards face down to each player. The big and small blinds are paid. At this point, each player must choose one of their cards, (known as the meatball), to be discarded. This card is moved, still face down, toward the center of the table (typically across the betting line), but still in a position clearly in front of each player. When all players have chosen which of their three cards they will discard, the dealer will announce the flip at which point all players flip their discarded card to now be face up. This could, for example, be announced as '"flip" or "balls up". Each player retains two hidden (face down) hole cards.

The flipped cards (the meatballs) are dead cards, and can not be used in forming a hand. But they represent an important part of the game and must remain face up in front the player who discarded them for the remainder of the game. They give important information about not only what cards may be remaining in play, but also about the potential strength of the hand of their owners. Even players who wish to fold pre-flop must choose a meatball to be displayed face up. Players new to meatball may mistaken choose to fold or muck all 3 cards. The dealer should return the cards to the player as no cards may be folded until after the flip is complete and turn play begins.

The new dynamics of having face up meatballs will be discussed in some detail, but at this point, play continues using traditional hold 'em rules. Betting begins to the left of the big blind, then the flop, another round of betting, the turn card, betting, the river card, and a final round of betting. A burn card should be discarded each time before dealing the flop, the turn and the river. The community cards shared by all players consist of those dealt in the flop, turn, and river. Flipped meatlball cards, are not community cards and can not be used in forming hands. Players may check, raise, call, or fold. Any player who folds, must leave their flipped 'meatball' card in place until the conclusion of the hand. The winner is the player with the best hand per normal poker hand values using the best combination from their two remaining hole cards and the five community cards from the flop, turn, and river.

The Dynamics of Meatball

The presence of the flipped meatballs change the dynamics of the game in three important ways. First, each player gains a little insight into the other players potential hands. For example, if a player chose to discard an 8 of spades as their meatball, you might deduct that it is most likely that player's remaining cards are 9's or higher. However, the player may have chosen to hold on to a pair, like a pair of 7's or may have a suited Ace-6 of hearts or perhaps a suited 2-3 hoping for a flush or straight draw. It can be much more informative if the player discards a higher card, for example a king. Is that player holding onto pair of aces (the nuts)? or perhaps a suited A-K? Being dealt 3 high cards (like A-A-K) is a mixed blessing in meatball since one of those cards will need to be publicly discarded. This is certainly a rare occurrence, but adds to the interesting dynamic of the game.

The second way the game dynamics are changed, is that the frequency of better hands is significantly increased around the table. Players of Texas hold 'em will need to adjust their thinking of the likelyhood that another player will be holding an A or a K, for example. [A detailed analysis of the probability of drawing various hands will be presented in a future post]. For this reason, you'll see big hands more frequently through the night or with small groups of players.

The third important dynamic is in calculating the probability of drawing any of your out cards. 'Outs' are cards that you need to complete your hand. For example if you are holding two suited heart cards in your hand, and two more hearts come up in the flop you might be hoping for a fifth heart at the turn to make a flush. In hold 'em, you have 9 'outs' (13 hearts total - 4 known heart cards). You also know that there are 47 unknown cards at this point (52 - 2 hole cards - 3 flop cards), so the odds of drawing a heart at the turn are 9 / 47 or about 19%. Many hold 'em player use the 'rule of 2' where you multiply the number of 'out' cards by 2% to calculate your odds and decide if a call or a raise makes sense in terms of value. The rule of 2 is conservative, assuming there are about 50 unknown cards remaining (1/50 = 2%), although it gets a little better at the flop (2.13%), turn (2.17%), and river (2.22%).

In meatball, however, the meatball cards are added to the number of known cards. So, using the prior example, if you have two hearts and two more show up at the flop, but you are playing against 5 players, there are now only 42 unknown cards (52 - 2 hole cards - 3 flop cards, - 5 meatballs). So the odds of getting an out cards are 2.38% (1/42). However, if 2 of the discarded are also heart cards, then your total number of outs goes down from 9 to 7, so your odds of drawing that flush on the turn are now 7/42 only 16.7%.

The point here is that you have a lot more information to take into account when making your betting decisions. Maybe you held a pair of 9's as your hole cards, but on the flip you see the other two 9's discarded as meatballs. Your odds of drawing that 3 of a kind set just went to zero and a fold is probably your best move pre-flop. On the other hand, maybe you're sitting on a pair of J's and there are no J's among the meatballs, your odds of flopping a set are now pretty good since there are only 45 unknown cards left. You'll need to temper that enthusiasm knowing that pre-flop the other players would have been likely to hold onto a J and discard a lower card if given the chance.

That's it. Give it a try. Be prepared for more big hands. More coolers. More excitement and a faster tempo. Balls up...

Plain Text List of National Parks

2020-06-23T17:37:00.001-07:00

I put this plain text list of National Parks together for easy copy and pasting into other documents. Enjoy.

(Without state name)

Acadia National Park

Arches National Park

Badlands National Park

Big Bend National Park

Biscayne National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Congaree National Park

Crater Lake National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve

Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

Glacier National Park

Glacier Bay National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Great Basin National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park andPreserve

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Haleakala National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hot Springs National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kings Canyon National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park

Lake Clark National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

National Park of American Samoa

North Cascades National Park

Olympic National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Redwood National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Saguaro National Park

Sequoia National Park

Shenandoah National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Virgin Islands National Park

Voyageurs National Park

White Sands National Park

Wind Cave National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Yellowstone National Park,

Yosemite National Park

Zion National Park

(With State Names)

Acadia National Park (Maine)

Arches National Park (Utah)

Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Biscayne National Park (Florida)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)

Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)

Channel Islands National Park (California)

Congaree National Park (South Carolina)

Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)

Death Valley National Park (California)

Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)

Everglades National Park (Florida)

Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska)

Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)

Glacier National Park (Montana)

Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

Great Basin National Park (Nevada)

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Colorado)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina)

Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)

Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)

Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)

Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)

Joshua Tree National Park (California)

Katmai National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)

Kings Canyon National Park (California)

Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska)

Lake Clark National Park (Alaska)

Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)

Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)

Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)

Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)

National Park of American Samoa (American Samoa)

North Cascades National Park (Washington)

Olympic National Park (Washington)

Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)

Pinnacles National Park (California)

Redwood National Park (California)

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Saguaro National Park (Arizona)

Sequoia National Park (California)

Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)

Virgin Islands National Park (US Virgin Islands)

Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)

White Sands National Park (New Mexico)

Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Yellowstone National Park, (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

Yosemite National Park (California)

Zion National Park (Utah)

You'll Blow Your Eyes Up, Kid 1821

2016-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

You'll Blow Your Eyes Up, Kid

Santa has been around for a long time and there isn't much he hasn't seen before. Way back in 1821, according to Children's Friend III, Santeclaus already had his Christmas Eve gig down; a reindeer-pulled sleigh, parking on roof tops and going down chimneys, sneaking presents into stockings... He also had a carefully selected list of approved presents. Wooden guns were a popular choice, but he was certain to avoid toys which might cause self-inflicted harm to children.

Where e'er I found good girls or boys,
That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
I left an apple, or a tart,
Or wooden gun, or painted cart;

To some I gave a pretty doll,
To some a peg-top, or a ball;
No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.

Perhaps 120 years later, he had relaxed those safety standards just a little bit when in 1940, despite his initial reluctance in the department store ("You'll shoot your eye out, kid"), he gave Ralphie Parker a Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle:

You've got to give Santa some credit for looking out for the parents too. Ol' Santeclause avoided any annoying gifts that produced loud noises, going educational whenever he could:

No drums to stun their Mother's ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
With knowledge of each various kind.

The naughty and nice list was also well established in 1821. The list of infringements which got you on the naughty list would have knocked young Ralphie out of contention for getting his Red Ryder thanks to his potty mouth:

But where I found the children naughty,
In manners rude, in temper haughty,
Thanklefs to parents, lairs, swearers,
Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,

Ohhh fudge. And it wasn't lumps of coal Santa was giving out back then either:

I left a long, black, birchen rod,
Such as the dread command of God
Directs a parent's hand to use
When virtue's path his sons refuse.

Well, there's always next Christmas.

(1821) "The Children's friend. Number III. : A New-Year's present, to the little ones from five to twelve." click here to read the full story.
(1983) A Christmas Story

1821 - Santeclaus - Childrens' Friend

2016-01-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Children's friend. Number III. : A New-Year's present, to the little ones from five to twelve.

(1821)

Old Santeclause with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night,
O'er chimney tops,and tracks of snow,
to bring his yearly gifts to you.

The steady friend of virtuous youth,
The friend of duty, and of truth,
Each Christmas eve he joys to come
Where love and peace have made their home.

Through many houses he has been,
And various beds and stockings seen;
Some, white as snow, and neatly mended,
Others, that seem'd for pigs intended.

Where e'er I found good girls or boys,
That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
I left an apple, or a tart,
Or wooden gun, or painted cart ;

To some I gave a pretty doll,
To some a peg-top, or a ball;
No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.

No drums to stun their Mother's ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
With knowledge of each various kind.

But where I found the children naughty,
In manners rude, in temper haughty,
Thanklefs to parents, lairs, swearers,
Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,

I left a long, black, birchen rod,
Such as the dread command of God
Directs a parent's hand to use
When virtue's path his sons refuse.

Source: Doolittle, I. (1821). The Children's friend. Number III. : A New-Year's present, to the little ones from five to twelve. Part III. : Containing eight coloured engravings. Price 25 cents: plain, 18 3/4 cents. Published by William B. Gilley, no. 92 Broadway. Link: Yale, Beinecke Library

Santa Claus in the early 19th century

2015-12-31T15:51:00.003-08:00

A list of references from the 19th century to Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriskringle, and Father Christmas.

"observed throughout his dominions nor was the day of St Nicholas suffered to pass by without making presents hanging the stocking in the chimney and complying with all its other ceremonies"

Source: (1809) Irving, Washington. A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, pp 252

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"And the sage Oloffe dreamed a dream - and lo, the good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same waggon wherin he brings his yearly presents to children ;"

Source: (1821) Irving, Washington. A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, A New Edition, pp 77-8
note: Possibly also in a 1812 edition?

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Now commences the infantile revelry,
Happy urchins the story believe,
That Santaclaus,* since ages of chivalry,
Visits the nursery on holiday eve.
Socks intended for gifts are suspended,
And mystic rites blended, the fancy to cheer,
While sweet snap-dragon exhausts the full flagon,
Each Merry Christmas and Happy New-Year.
... * contracted from St. Nicholas

Source: (1819) The Ladies' Literary Cabinet, Volume 1, pp 54. "The Nativity", Woodworth, S.

-----

Source: Doolittle, I. (1821). The Children's friend. Number III. : A New-Year's present, to the little ones from five to twelve. Part III. : Containing eight coloured engravings. Price 25 cents: plain, 18 3/4 cents. pp 1. Published by William B. Gilley, no. 92 Broadway. Link: Yale, Beinecke Library

-----

A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS.
BY CLEMENT C. MOORE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ;
'The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there ;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads ;
And mamma in her 'kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap -
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter ;
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
'Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name ;
"Now, Dasher ! now, Dancer ! now, Prancer ! now, Vixen !
On ! Comet, on ! Cupid, on! Donder and Blixen -
'To the top of the porch ! to the top of the wall !
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all !"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys - and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
'The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot ;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he look'd like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry !
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry ;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
'The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook, when he laugh'd like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump l a right jolly old elf ;
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings ; then turned with a jirk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle ;
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Source: (1837) The New-York Book of Poetry, pp217-9
Also: (1826) "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas or Santa Claus", Casket - Vol I, pg 46 (no author)
Also: (1836) "Christmas Times", Rural Repository, Vol 12, pp 128 (attributed to 'Anon'). Also includes a notation to St. Nicholas - "*Santa Claus"
Original: 1823 Troy Sentinel

-----

Father Christmas do not go
Will you leave your children so
Could we tempt you but to stay
How we'd sport the time away

Mirth in one continued round
Should fall giddy to the ground
Gaiety for ever dance
Light heel'd frolic ever prance

Well it must not always last
Thanks we give for what is past
Thanks for pleasures that remain
Then return to school again

Doubly welcome doubly dear
Christmas and the young New Year
Spread the banquet raise the song
And the happy time prolong

Source: (1827) Christmas and the new year, a masque [in verse, by E. Lees]

-----

The long wished for thrice repeated warning tap on the door sill is now given, and, without pause or invitation, the latch is raised, and in stalks Old Father Christmas. His garments are of an olden fashion; his white, glossy, and flowing hair is encircled by a coronal, the stout knight Holly is entwined about and wedded unto the meek and tender Lady Misletoe, glistening with pearls like a young lovesick bride; his cheeks are blue and frost bitten, but his eye is gladsome; and although he leans upon a staff it is plain that his strong hands lack no such aid. On his back he bears a rosy, laughing child, who peeps up with a precocious snow drop on his brow, from among the hoar tresses of Father Christmas, which cover his young body as a mantle. Hear the ancient worthy's blunt exordium.

'Here come I, Old Father Christmas, welcome or welcome not;
Why should Old Father Christmas ever be forgot?
He brings you mirth kind wishes lusty cheer.
And at his back a fair young budding year;
Brief guest am I but ere I go,
Younkers come forth, and lip your loves, Beneath my crown of misletoe.

Source: (1827) The Portfolio of Entertaining & Instructive Varieties in History, Literature, Fine Arts, Etc. ..., Volume 2

-----

Here might be seen a careful dame, tucking up her fardingales or wrapping beneath her cloak sundry cribbed cookies destined for the Children, who, as she remarked, poor things, were at borne, no doubt, looking for Sante claus and they ought not to be neglected ;

Source: (1827) The Buccaneers: A Romance of Our Own Country, in Its Ancient Day

-----

Source: (c. 1837) Painting by Robert Walker Weir, see Smithsonian Magazine link
also referenced here: (1837) The New York Review, Vol. 1, pg. 445
also referenced here: (1838) Parley's Magazine, vol. 6, pp 375

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Saint Basil is to the children of Greece what Sante Claus is to the American. The only difference is, that the former does not descend chimneys, but opens purses on a new year's day.

Source: (1844) An Essay on the Ancient and Modern Greek Languages

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Mrs. Mason did her best to entertain them, and succeeded very well. She read some pleasant extracts from Irving's Sketch-book and Bracebridge Hall, about Christmas times in England, and that pretty piece by good Dr. Clement More, "The Visit of St Nicholas." The effect of this last was most potent. I believe both of the young gentlemen realized in their dreams the graphic description of the, poet and that

"Visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."

Edward was anxious to sit up until the party returned, that he might hear Lucy's account of what they had seen. Bed-time however came, and at Mrs. Mason's suggestion, they both retired, and carefully arranged their stockings on a chair for the convenience of Santa Claus.

I shall not attempt to describe the joy which pervaded the house on the morning of Christmas. Suffice it to say, Kriskringle was extremely liberal of his favours, and had forgotten nobody.

Source: (1854) Norton, John Nicholas. The Boy who was Trained Up to be a Clergyman. pp 31

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KRISKRINGLE
(Written for a little girl to speak in one of the Public Schools, in Philadelphia, 1880. The whole School sang the Chorus on the blackboard.)

YOU'VE heard of Kriskringle, who goes roaming around,
He's sought for by thousands, but never is found ;
But how to describe what never was seen,
A creature so rare, yet a human being !
But mediums who hold converse with the dead,
Know where Kriskringle's spirit has fled.
They say he dwells in the regions above.
A happy old man - his heart filled with love -
And once in the year he comes to the earth,
To cause both rejoicing and gladness and mirth.
He's a friend to the children, who gladly obey
Their parents and teachers from day to day ;
And he loves the rich as well as the poor,
And sends them fine presents from door to door ;
He loves the green bushes all cover'd with snow,
And nothing can please like the mistletoe bough.
They say that his face can do nothing but smile.
So lavish his gifts, with pile upon pile !
I think we children should sing him a song,
To encourage his heart and help him along.
He's the king of all givers, living to give ;
May his riches increase, and long may he live !

CHORUS - All hail to Kriskringle !
May he ever live single !
A happy old bachelor he ;
A friend at all times,
When the Christmas chimes
Make our hearts both happy and free.

So all hail! all hail!
May gladness prevail !
For Kriskringle's the man for me ;
His face is so fine,
Just like unto mine,
I think we shall ever agree.

Kriskringle has come,
Both silent and dumb,
And left me a blessing behind ;
So secret his ways
He never betrays ;-
The gifts I am certain to find.

All glory to Kris,
Who brings us such bliss !
I should like to tell him my mind ;
He need not refrain
His coming again,
Till Christmas leaves the year behind.

So welcome, old friend,
You know I intend
To marry no other but ye ;
'Tis gifts win the heart,
At least so in part,
I'll marry if you'll marry me.

Source: (1885) Suttill, Matthew. The Works of the Poet Coachman, pp46-7

US Patent 6469 - Abraham Lincoln

2015-02-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

Letters Patent No. 6,469, dated May 22, 1849; application filed March 10, 1849.

"To all whom it may concern:
Be it know that I, Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, in the County of Sangamon, in the State of Illinois, have invented a new and improved manner of combining adjustable buoyant air chambers with a steamboat or other vessel for the purpose of enabling their draught water to be readily lessened to enable them to pass over bars, or through shallow water, without discharging their cargoes;..."

Survey: Which is the Real Cranberry?

2014-11-25T18:46:00.001-08:00

Cranberries are a staple of Thanksgiving Dinner. But which is the proper way to serve and consume this quintessential side dish; canned or fresh? Are 'real' cranberries only cooked and served straight from the produce isle or is it not 'real' cranberry unless in the form of a can-shaped log carved into perfect circular slices?

Take the survey:

Which is the proper way to serve Cranberries at Thanksgiving?

Cranberry Trivia

The high nutrient and anti-oxidant content of cranberries has many producers marketing them as 'super fruits'. They also help prevent Urinary Tract Infections. Bonus.
Cranberries are native to North America. The Pilgrims called them 'Craneberries'. Whalers used to take them to sea to prevent scurvy.
The Irish band The Cranberries were originally called Cranberry Saw Us, a pun on Cranberry Sauce.
Canned cranberry sauce will last for 1-2 years if unopened. So if you don't get through all of your cranberry logs this Thanksgiving, save 'em for next year's feast...

The Greatest Pet Patents Ever

2014-11-21T20:32:00.004-08:00

Searching for the perfect Christmas gift for your pet? Check out these two patented inventions.

Does your pet always seem to wake up too early, or want to go out in the middle of the night? Maybe you two aren't on the same schedule because his time is faster than human time. Well its a good thing that US Patent 5023850 has the answer:

"... clock, watch, and the like for keeping time at an animal's rate, defined in terms of a multiple of human rate by dividing the average lifetime of a particular animal into the average lifetime of a human being. The multiple for dogs is seven..."

Or if finding ways to pass the time or getting some exercise is more of the issue, try US Patent 6701872:

"An apparatus for exercising a curious animal such as a housecat comprises a laser pointer mounted on a shaft driven by a geared motor mounted on a pedestal ... the laser pointer may be mounted on the head of an oscillatory air circulation fan..."

Wondering why you didn't think of these?