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Turn that RIVER GREEN...
This
tradition has been going on for as long as I can remember. I have
never gone to see it in person but you see it on TV every year. The dye
only lasts about 5 hours so you have to be there on time to see it and
catch the parade. You may also remember that in 2016, the City dyed the
river BLUE after the Cubs won the world series. To my knowledge, that
is the only other color that has been tried (and it was in no way as
visible as the St. Patrick's Day green).
This month is supposed
to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. However, it has been
pretty mild so I am not sure it's very "lion-esque". The one thing I
can tell you is that if you don't like the weather in Chicago, wait a
minute and it will change. On March 21st we celebrate the beginning of
spring and the vernal equinox. The word equinox means "equal night"
which captures the fact that we have 12 hours of light and darkness on
this day. Don't get too comfortable...we still have plenty of blah
ahead of us.
This
month also is traditionally the time when we have spring break.
Whether having a 'staycation' or travelling, spring break gives us a
little time with the family to relax, reset and get ready for the final
stretch of the school year. Have a great time!
Every
major city in the world has a parade to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
The first parade honoring the feast of St. Patrick took place in New
York City, not Dublin in 1762. Take a look at some video of the 2017
parade here.
And now for a new picture above- Can you
guess where it is by looking "through the keyhole"? "This
spectacular coastal causeway has a unique polygonal landscape feature.
This 4th greatest natural wonder of the region features a giant's boot,
a wishing chair and an 'organ' that looks straight out of minecraft.
This country is also home to wool sweaters, hand made crystal and lots
of room temperature beer." Can you guess the location?
Correct answers will be given recognition but half the fun is trying to figure
it out. The correct answer will be revealed in the subsequent
issue. Good luck and have fun.
If you like this newsletter, forward it to someone else or sign them up HERE.
As always, send any items you think are newsworthy, interesting or just plain
odd to news@turnkey.pro
Valletta, Malta - Keyhole Answer
"You don't have to be a maltese falcon to know where these famous
enclosed balconies are found. This place was where parts of Game of
Thrones and Gladiator were filmed. The old, historic structures make it ideal
for Roman Empire settings."
Last month, Russell Racean won the location by guessing correctly. His answer - "
The picture
is from the island country of Malta, possibly city of Valletta.". Great job!
Malta
is an archipelago (that's a mouthful). It is comprised of seven tiny
islets. Malta and Gozo are regularly inhabited, while the third
biggest, Comino, features just one luxury vacation resort. The
remaining four are uninhabited. Malta is one of the most isolated spots
on the Mediterranean, but there is evidence to suggest that
civilizations have been living in Malta since 5000 BC.
Pictured
above are the famous Maltese balconies. These balconies are a mystery
as no one really knows why they became more of a norm than an oddity.
The country actually has a program that gives financial incentive to
keep the wooden structures maintained and structurally integral. That's
why each is painted a vibrant color.
Following
150 years as a British Colony, Malta gained its independence in 1964
and became a republic in 1974 and part of the European Union in 2004.
Malta
sits south of Sicily and northeast of Tunisia. It is one of Europe's
smallest countries. Calypso cave is fabled to have been the cave Homer
mentions in the Odyssey. The official languages are English and Maltese
(which sounds Arabic). People drive on the left on these islands and
the Blue Lagoon is the biggest attraction.
Due to its unspoiled nature, quiet coastline, ancient artefacts and
relative obscurity, Malta has been used as a film-location shoot for
many huge Hollywood productions, from ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Troy’ to ‘Captain
Philips’ and TV’s Game of Thrones.
And the biggest surprise of all – Valletta was the first ever planned
city in Europe. The city was sketched out back in 1565 during the Order
of St. John of Jerusalem.
Completed in just 15 years, it also holds a record as one of the
quickest scaled cities in the world, and looks absolutely beautiful at
sunset.
And no. I have never been there...yet.
Fishing in a puddle
It was raining hard and a big puddle had formed in front of an Irish pub.
A man sat beside the puddle holding a stick with a string on the
end and jiggled it up and down in the water. A curious gentleman asked
what he was doing.
"Fishing," replied the man.
"Poor fool," thought the gentleman. So he invited the man to have a drink in the pub.
Feeling he should start some conversation while they were sipping their
whisky, the gentleman asked, "And how many have you caught?"
"You're the eighth."
Gotta love State Workers
A
State truck went out with five men. At the repair site they found that
they only had two shovels so they called the boss and asked him to send
out three more shovels. The boss said that they were out of shovels and
that they would have to lean on each other instead.
Święconka - Easter is coming...my annual post.
Święconka is the name for the traditional Polish Easter Basket.
When
I was a kid, we used to go to our local parish (St. Francis of Assisi)
on the west side of Chicago every Holy Saturday. It was a Polish
neighborhood and everyone came to get their baskets blessed. This is
what we would place in our basket and what it symbolized (very cool):
Maslo (Butter) - This dairy product is often
shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. This reminds us of
the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things.
Babka (Easter Bread) - A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life.
Chrzan (Horseradish) - Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds.
Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) - Indicates new life and Christ's Resurrection from the tomb.
Kielbasa (Sausage) - A sausage product, symbolic of God's favor and generosity.
Szynka (Ham) - Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Some prefer
lamb or veal. The lamb also reminds Christians that the Risen Christ is
the "Lamb of God."
Slonina (Smoked Bacon) - A symbol of the overabundance of God's mercy and generosity.
Sol (Salt) - A necessary element in our physical life. Symbolic
of prosperity and justice and to remind us that people are the flavor of
the earth.
Ser (Cheese) - Symbolic of the moderation Christians should have at all times.
Candle - Represents Christ as the Light of the World.
Colorful Ribbons and Sprigs of Greenery - are attached to the basket as signs of joy and new life in the season of spring and in celebration of the Resurrection.
Linen Cover - drawn over the top of the basket which is ready for
the priest's visit to the home or the trip to church where it is joined
with the baskets of others to await the blessing. The food is then set
aside and enjoyed on Easter Sunday.
"Mad Dog" Mattis REAL Quote of the month
“Powerpoint makes us STUPID.”
Things that should be in use all over...
A mute button on your microwave for late night snacking
Curling
I
know a lot of people were tired of watching all of the curling during
the Olympics. I personally LOVED it. The US Men won GOLD which has
never been done before. The final against Sweden was unbelievable and
they had to win 6 in a row in order to win gold. Way to go guys...
SpaceX Heavy Boosters Return to LAND (video)
5 Days in MEXICO in 5 Minutes
Mexico
has gotten a pretty bad rap in the media of late. That is not the case
for all parts of any country. Take 5 minutes to watch the video and
see what this vlogger thinks about MEXICO.
VIDEO HERE
You Guys Silly? I'm still gonna send it!
Larry Enticer is a sensation in Minnesota and on YouTube. People also purchase t-shirts rooting for this daredevil... Watch here (video)
Base Jumping INTO a PLANE (video)
Someone made a HEARSE out of a TESLA
Chinese Glass Bridge (video)
Watch THIS. Funny but terrifying. Those pranksters are mean.
KLM's Lost and Found Dog Employee
Hop in my TIME MACHINE...
Dittos...Loved the smell.
Banana Cream Pie Day is March 2nd
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) graham cracker pie crust (pre-made)
2 ripe bananas
1 3/4 c cold milk
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant banana pudding mix
1/2 c frozen whipped topping, thawed (cool whip)
Directions
1) Slice 1 1/2 of the bananas and arrange in bottom of pie shell.
2) Pour cold milk into a medium bowl. Add pudding mix. With an electric mixer beat on lowest speed for 2 minutes.
3) Gently fold in 1/2 cup of the whipped topping; mix until well blended. Pour into pie shell.
4) Place in freezer and freeze at least 2 hours before serving.
Allow to thaw slightly before cutting slices.
Garnish with slices of the remaining banana and whipped topping or canned whipped cream if desired.
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