National Waffle Day Fivesome, August 24, 2018

National Waffle Day

“The first United States patent for a waffle iron was issued to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York on August 24, 1869. 

In honor of this anniversary, National Waffle Day is observed each year on August 24th.

‘We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work, it doesn’t matter. But work is third.’ ~ Amy Poehler

Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough that is cooked between two plates that are patterned to give a characteristic size, shape and surface impression.  Waffles come in many forms.  Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.  

Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century.  An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife.  According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began: 

Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease. 

•  1911 – First electric waffle iron introduced by General Electric.
• 1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
• 1964 – Belgian Waffles debut at New York’s World’s Fair.”

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous, national treasure,  Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, breezy, short grass syrupy fast
3. Course: #4
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: In a display of bare-chested, laser-guided, Cherry Pie fueled brilliance, Sticky, much like sea lions at Cascade Locks, went on a killing spree. He quickly and decisively sent all opponents to the sidelines for the dominating victory.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Surferino (again) missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving him a nudge shot for the victory.
8. SOD: (Sequence of the Day) Sticky’s killing spree.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Cherry Pie for all. A special 1960’s music playlist took the assembled boomers down a potholed memory lane. Finally, a definitive ruling regarding an object ball’s being sent through the wicket striking the stake. Upon such occurrence, at the player’s next turn, if not roqueted by any other player in the interim, the ball may be placed a mallet head from the stake for play as usual. Thanks to the law firm of Drinken, Stinken and Nodd for the precise explanatory language.

National Aviation Day Fivesome, August 19, 2018

NATIONAL AVIATION DAY

National Aviation Day is observed each year on August 19th.  This day is dedicated by Presidential Proclamation to those who helped pioneer aviation in the United States.

Two American inventors and aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers are credited with inventing and building the world’s first successful airplane and making the first controlled powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on December 17, 1903.

HISTORY

Established in 1939 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this holiday was issued a presidential proclamation designating the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday to be National Aviation Day.  Born August 19, 1871, Orville Wright was still alive when the proclamation was issued and went on to live for nine more years until his death in 1948.

Proclamation USC 36:I:A:1:118 allows the sitting United States President to proclaim August 19 as National Aviation Day each year.  If desired, the President’s proclamation may direct all federal buildings and installations to fly the U.S. flag on that day and may encourage citizens to observe the day with activities that promote interest in aviation.

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Hazy, dry, breezy, short grass
3. Course: Traditional
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Lefty won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Surferino missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving him a nudge shot for the victory.
8. SOD: Every player managed to overshoot the Crocosmia bed to reach the upper lawn. Usually, the flower bed swallows balls and kills momentum. Not today!
9. Misc: Prefunq = big fun for those who dared. Today’s curated soundtrack included music based on the Marx Brothers, including Slim Harpo for example. Nice job Mr. Wicket.

No secret. Today at 3......

Left Handers Day Event, August 13, 2018

LEFT-HANDERS DAY Event

"Left-Hander’s Day is observed annually on August 13th.  In a right-handed dominated world, left-handed individuals claim August 13th as their own.

Approximately 10% of the population is a southpaw.  Scientists don’t know why a person will be left-handed, but it’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is. Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. Left-handedness was considered evil and parents feared their communities would shun their children. While we accept left-handedness more readily than days gone by, its occurrence hasn’t increased.  

Sometimes, a lefty will seek to blend in because they will stand out soon enough. Their unique quality makes them feel awkward, bump elbows or seem like a klutz. However, in a world designed for the right-handed, those who are other dominant have adapted quite well. For example, eight United States presidents were left-handed, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Would the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa stand the test of time if Michaelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci had been right-handed? 

Left-hander’s Day recognizes the uncommon individual who throws, catches, writes and uses a fork with their left-hand. They view the world just a little differently. At a restaurant, they seek out the seat that will place their dominant elbow on the outside of the booth. Right-handed athletes groan a bit when the southpaw shows up as an opponent on the roster. They present a challenge right-handers aren’t always sure how to handle due to lack of practice. Lefties square off against righties all the time."

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, tall grass
3. Course: #6
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Lefty won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Sticky missed a kill shot on Lefty and his ball went through a wicket causing his untimely death. Lefty won. 
8. SOD: SOY: SOD: Shot of the day and shot of the year and shot of the decade. After striking Sticky's ball for a roquet, Lefty attempted to send Sticky's ball beyond the nearby wicket. Lefty placed his foot on his ball and hit it. All that was missing was Sticky's ball. In effect, Lefty hit an air ball. Although Lefty does have big feet, the fact that Sticky's ball was not present to be struck should have been apparent. Must have been the prefunq. Sticky fell to the ground, laughing and waiving his legs like n overturned beetle. The rest of us guffawed. Despite the gaffe, Lefty went  through wicket with his second shot, charging to the lead and ultimate victory. So funny.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Lefty’s usual. Gummy drop for Sticky and Surferino. After suffering a bee sting, Surferino was not able to locate M. Avenatti to pursue a claim.