Another weekend is upon us, and you puzzle fans know what that means!
LOONEY LYRICS
Although the line is actually something else, what famous song contains the verse that sounds like "Whee! I'm on my way!" ?
TRIVIA TIME
In 1858, what did Hyman Lipman do that we still use today?
We'll reveal all next weekend, but for now, let's peek into THE ANSWERS BOX for the results of July 3's Puzzle Corner.
FAMOUS FIRSTS
"It was an odd-looking vine." is the first line from Wizard's First Rule, the opening book in The Sword of Truth saga by Terry Goodkind.
THE LETTER SHUFFLE
From the letters in the word INDEPENDENCE, you can spell: Cede, Deed, Deep, Deepen, Den, Depend, Die, Din, Dine, End, In, Inn, Need, Needed, Nine, Nip, Pen, Pin, (and) Pine.
Other words besides the 19 above might be possible.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
THE POETRY CORNER: JULY 6, 2010
Sadly, it's been quite a while since we've had any poetry to post, especially any from such a talented writer, but now our dry spell is over as The Free Choice E-zine is proud to present
"Just Old Folks" by Nancy A. Hansen
Will you recall for me
Who I was long ago
What surprises life once held?
For I have forgotten again
No matter how many times
The story is told
It is always as new now
As it was back then
When I first lived it…
As their shaking hands reach out
Their hearts are in their eyes
Some have forgotten speech
Or even how to cry
Some can’t walk anymore
Some don’t remember a thing
No name or place
Not much at all
It would seem, nothing
Of who and what they were
Survived the journey
From youth to here
Who they loved and what they did
For all those lost years
Now gone…
When we were just kids
Oblivious to the idea
That this is life’s reward
At the end of days
To lose the self
In an endless maze
Of clinical sameness
We forgot to tell anyone
Who were all the names and faces
In the decaying photo albums
And of the fun we had then
The faith that sustained us
Now all is lost…
So as I walk by
I smile and pat a graying head here
A thin and bony shoulder there
Any small kindness bestowed
To those in walkers and wheelchairs
Comes back one-hundred-fold
In a toothless smile or three
Where some see just old folks
Sitting in the halls
I look around
And I see us all…
I see you and me
"Just Old Folks" by Nancy A. Hansen
Will you recall for me
Who I was long ago
What surprises life once held?
For I have forgotten again
No matter how many times
The story is told
It is always as new now
As it was back then
When I first lived it…
As their shaking hands reach out
Their hearts are in their eyes
Some have forgotten speech
Or even how to cry
Some can’t walk anymore
Some don’t remember a thing
No name or place
Not much at all
It would seem, nothing
Of who and what they were
Survived the journey
From youth to here
Who they loved and what they did
For all those lost years
Now gone…
When we were just kids
Oblivious to the idea
That this is life’s reward
At the end of days
To lose the self
In an endless maze
Of clinical sameness
We forgot to tell anyone
Who were all the names and faces
In the decaying photo albums
And of the fun we had then
The faith that sustained us
Now all is lost…
So as I walk by
I smile and pat a graying head here
A thin and bony shoulder there
Any small kindness bestowed
To those in walkers and wheelchairs
Comes back one-hundred-fold
In a toothless smile or three
Where some see just old folks
Sitting in the halls
I look around
And I see us all…
I see you and me
Sunday, July 4, 2010
JULY 4, 2010
An editorial.
There is a lot that has been, and can be said about this date.
For those living in the United States of America, it is a moment to pause and remember our forefathers, who one day decided that they no longer wanted to oppressed by another and sought out their freedom.
America is not the only country that has been in this situation. There are many places around the world now whose citizens were not as free then.
Enjoy those freedoms! The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is inalienable to ALL, regardless of where you live.
THE SUNDAY FUNNIES: JULY 4, 2010
Hello Everyone. Your humble Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior here. Both Ms. Waxy Dragon and Autumn the Puppy have the weekend off.
It is the Fourth of July here in America, a subject I discuss in more detail within the post above this one. Suffice to say that there is a lot of aspects to this holiday covered throughout not only the comics within your local newspaper, but elsewhere today.
Google has an interactive logo today to not only celebrate the Fourth, but also to commemorate the life of comedic inventor Rube Goldberg, who was born upon this date in 1883.
Both a cartoonist and a degreed engineer, Goldberg became famous for creating complex machines do perform simplistic tasks that became known as Rube Goldberg machines.
Like in the example image above, the Rube Goldberg device pictured contains 13 steps just to operate a napkin without the diner using their own hands.
And that's one of the smaller ones!
Besides the aforementioned Google logo, if you've every played the board game Mousetrap, or been a fan of any of the inventions within the various Wallace and Gromit features, those are examples of a Goldberg machine.
Just another slice of Americana to share with our world wide audience this weekend.
(Image copyrighted by the Rube Goldberg Estate and found on the Internet.)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2010
And now, the latest from the Gulf of Mexico:
*Hurricane Alex made landfall in Tamarslipas, Mexico with the last tally indicating twenty-three dead.
*Alex's presence in the Gulf of Mexico forced the suspension of efforts to cap and clean up the oil spill. Relief crews are starting up operations again now.
*The prototype giant oil skimmer "A Whale" is moored off the coast of Mississippi, awaiting word for when it can begin contributing to clean up efforts.
*Meanwhile, British Petroleum is now being sued by animal welfare groups for the oil spill's damage to the native sea turtle and other animals affected by the situation.
ELSEWHERE...
*President Barack Obama has set aside $2 billion for increasing the country's use of solar power wherever possible and looks forward to the new jobs this industry will generate.
*Senator Robert Byrd, Democratic representative of West Virgina, passed away Monday at the age of 92.
*After being relieved of his command in Afghanistan, General Stanley A. McChrystal has announced his retirement.
*Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton plans to wed her fiance Marc Mezvinsky July 31.
IN SPORTS...
*The World Cut Futboll (soccer) Tournament has entered the Quarter Finals.
*The Tour De France bicycle race begins in Europe.
*Serena Williams swept Vera Zvonareva to win the Woman's Singles Division of the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Championship.
For more news at any time, just scroll down to the IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen.
*Hurricane Alex made landfall in Tamarslipas, Mexico with the last tally indicating twenty-three dead.
*Alex's presence in the Gulf of Mexico forced the suspension of efforts to cap and clean up the oil spill. Relief crews are starting up operations again now.
*The prototype giant oil skimmer "A Whale" is moored off the coast of Mississippi, awaiting word for when it can begin contributing to clean up efforts.
*Meanwhile, British Petroleum is now being sued by animal welfare groups for the oil spill's damage to the native sea turtle and other animals affected by the situation.
ELSEWHERE...
*President Barack Obama has set aside $2 billion for increasing the country's use of solar power wherever possible and looks forward to the new jobs this industry will generate.
*Senator Robert Byrd, Democratic representative of West Virgina, passed away Monday at the age of 92.
*After being relieved of his command in Afghanistan, General Stanley A. McChrystal has announced his retirement.
*Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton plans to wed her fiance Marc Mezvinsky July 31.
IN SPORTS...
*The World Cut Futboll (soccer) Tournament has entered the Quarter Finals.
*The Tour De France bicycle race begins in Europe.
*Serena Williams swept Vera Zvonareva to win the Woman's Singles Division of the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Championship.
For more news at any time, just scroll down to the IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen.
THE PUZZLE CORNER: JULY 3, 2010
It's a holiday weekend in the United States of America as we celebrate our Independence as a free country, but hopefully our minds are not on vacation as we ponder these conundrums.
FAMOUS FIRSTS
The following is the first line from a well known book. Do you know what it is?
"It was an odd-looking vine."
THE LETTER SHUFFLE
Since we in America are celebrating it this weekend, how many words can you make out of the letters in INDEPENDENCE?
We'll have the results next weekend.
But for now, let's kick back and enjoy the season as we peek into THE ANSWERS BOX and reveal the results of our SUMMER SONG QUIZ from the June 26 Puzzle Corner, and each title DOES have the word Summer in it.
01. The air is so heavy and dry>"Cruel Summer", Bananarama, 1984
02. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind>"Summer Breeze", Seals and Croft, 1972
03. Back of my neck's getting burnt and pretty>"Summer In The City", The Lovin' Spoonful, 1966
04. My time of year>"Summer", War, 1976
05. I'm gonnna raise a fuss...>"Summertime Blues", Eddie Cochran, 1958
06. Bob-bop-a-bop-bop when I want to...>"Hot Fun In The Summertime", Sly and the Family Stone, 1969
07. When the weather's fine...>"In The Summer Time", Mongo Jerry, 1970
08. We went strolling, drank lemonade>"Summer Nights", from the Grease soundtrack
09. Dust off the sun and the moon and sing a song of cheer>"Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer", Nat King Cole, 1963
10. It's the simple things in life>"All Summer Long", Kid Rock, 2008
11. Strolling through the shady lanes...>"In The Good Ol' Summertime", title song of 1949 MGM movie
12. The more things change, the more they stay the same>"Summertime", Kenny Chesney, 2007
13. Those were the best days of my life.>"Summer of '69", Bryan Adams, 1985.
Enjoy the summer!
FAMOUS FIRSTS
The following is the first line from a well known book. Do you know what it is?
"It was an odd-looking vine."
THE LETTER SHUFFLE
Since we in America are celebrating it this weekend, how many words can you make out of the letters in INDEPENDENCE?
We'll have the results next weekend.
But for now, let's kick back and enjoy the season as we peek into THE ANSWERS BOX and reveal the results of our SUMMER SONG QUIZ from the June 26 Puzzle Corner, and each title DOES have the word Summer in it.
01. The air is so heavy and dry>"Cruel Summer", Bananarama, 1984
02. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind>"Summer Breeze", Seals and Croft, 1972
03. Back of my neck's getting burnt and pretty>"Summer In The City", The Lovin' Spoonful, 1966
04. My time of year>"Summer", War, 1976
05. I'm gonnna raise a fuss...>"Summertime Blues", Eddie Cochran, 1958
06. Bob-bop-a-bop-bop when I want to...>"Hot Fun In The Summertime", Sly and the Family Stone, 1969
07. When the weather's fine...>"In The Summer Time", Mongo Jerry, 1970
08. We went strolling, drank lemonade>"Summer Nights", from the Grease soundtrack
09. Dust off the sun and the moon and sing a song of cheer>"Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer", Nat King Cole, 1963
10. It's the simple things in life>"All Summer Long", Kid Rock, 2008
11. Strolling through the shady lanes...>"In The Good Ol' Summertime", title song of 1949 MGM movie
12. The more things change, the more they stay the same>"Summertime", Kenny Chesney, 2007
13. Those were the best days of my life.>"Summer of '69", Bryan Adams, 1985.
Enjoy the summer!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
HURRICANE ALEX
Hopefully everyone has done this by now, but
FOR THOSE ALONG THE TEXAS/MEXICO GULF SIDE OF THE COUNTRY:
HURRICANE ALEX IS BEARING DOWN UPON THE TEXAS/MEXICO GULF AREA!
ALTHOUGH THE EXACT POINT OF LANDFALL IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WITHIN THAT REGION BY NOW SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS!
Alex, of course, is also making a mess of the ongoing oil spill clean up efforts in Gulf.
More on this story as it develops.
FOR THOSE ALONG THE TEXAS/MEXICO GULF SIDE OF THE COUNTRY:
HURRICANE ALEX IS BEARING DOWN UPON THE TEXAS/MEXICO GULF AREA!
ALTHOUGH THE EXACT POINT OF LANDFALL IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WITHIN THAT REGION BY NOW SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS!
Alex, of course, is also making a mess of the ongoing oil spill clean up efforts in Gulf.
More on this story as it develops.
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