Fun Friday Fact - hope you respond weekly to give us all a smile

[Heather Shay]

• Early golf balls: Early golf balls were made from leather and feathers. 
   
• Ice hockey pucks: Early ice hockey pucks were made from frozen cow dung. 
   
• Olympic gold medals: In the early days of the Olympics, winners received laurel wreaths instead of gold medals. 
   
• Wrestling: Wrestling is considered the oldest sport, with drawings and carvings of wrestlers found in caves in southern Europe that are estimated to be 15,000–20,000 years old. 

[Heather Shay]

1. Your brain is constantly eating itself. This process is called phagocytosis, where cells envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. Don’t worry! Phagocytosis isn't harmful, but actually helps preserve your grey matter.

[Vidanjali]

Just now, Heather Shay said:

Your brain is constantly eating itself.

 

Indeed, the whole body is constantly eating itself! I just commented on your question about pessimism/optimism. This is fun fact illustrates just how subtle our concept of reality is. Nothing in the material universe is stable, even for a moment. Therefore, anything that can be claimed to be "reality" is relative. The mind takes in data provided by the senses and, based on accumulated data, the brain formulates a scene of "reality" sufficient for us to operate within. But what we see, hear, etc. is a result of interpolation, extrapolation, removal of static, etc. Each mind is conditioned in its own individual way. So each being experiences a different reality at every moment. But rather than this being a frightening concept, understanding this deeply, we can learn to move about in the world with greater freedom, without clinging so much to what we grasp as "reality". And further, we can enjoy exploring what Real Existence means - that stable undercurrent of all relative realities.

[Heather Shay]

oops - forgot to post yesterdat so I'll use a Saturday fact:

 

According to Vettius Valens, Saturn's planet controlled the first hour of Saturday. 

[Heather Shay]

1. There’s 100+ different human emotions we know about.

[Heather Shay]

• Honey never spoils: Honey can last indefinitely if stored correctly. 

[Jani]

February 7 is "e" day.  The letter "e" is a mathematical constant for 2.7182818.  It is also the most common letter in the English language.  

[Heather Shay]

• Australia is wider than the moon

  Australia is almost 4,000 km wide from east to west, while the moon is 3,400 km in diameter. 

[kat2]

Just now, Heather Shay said:

Australia is wider than the moon

Which raises the following possibilities:- Trump might be making a buy out? or Australians are going to be deported to the moon

following Trumps announcement of a fifty ninth state

[Ivy]

Just now, kat2 said:

Which raises the following possibilities

Perhaps he could declare the Moon a new US state?

They're already talking about planting the flag on Mars.

[kat2]

Just now, Ivy said:

Perhaps he could declare the Moon a new US state?

They're already talking about planting the flag on Mars.

dam that man has no shame, I thought Mars was owned by the Klingons?  from the record star trekking across the universe ?

 

[Heather Shay]

1. When two lovers gaze into each others eyes their heart rates synchronize. 

2. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Syracuse found that falling in love has similar effects on the body as taking cocaine. 

3. Looking at a picture of your loved one can relieve pain. So you might want to place a picture of your other half on top of that cabinet that you always stub your toe on.

4. Heartbreak is real! Studies show that intense emotional stress from break-ups, divorce or losing a loved one releases chemicals that weaken your heart. This is known as Broken Heart Syndrome and when it manifests as chests pains and shortness of breath it is often misdiagnosed as a heart attack. 

5. Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach while falling for someone? This is caused by adrenaline and is the same feeling you might get when you are nervous for other reasons, such as before taking a test.

6. Eye contact is all well and good but be careful, gazing into the eyes of a stranger can make you fall in love with them. Now we know why people speak of 'making eyes' at each other, it turns out 'love at first sight' isn't just a cliché.

7. We find people with a different type of immune system to ours more attractive. Romance isn't dead. 

8. Danger can play a role in making people fall for each other. Research has shown that if a man meets a woman while in a dangerous situation or vice versa, they are more likey to fall in love than if they meet in a mundane setting. So a Valentine's card from my driving instructor seems likely.

9. It’s all about chemistry. People choose partners whose chemical makeup compliments their own. So someone with high levels of estrogen is likely to fall for someone with high levels of testosterone.

10. Love long and prosper -  according to doctors, spending time with people who love you reduces the risk of an early death by 50%. 

[kat2]

Just now, Heather Shay said:

Looking at a picture of your loved one can relieve pain. So you might want to place a picture of your other half on top of that cabinet that you always stub your toe on.

That sounds like a good idea so that i can blame him for putting it there

[kat2]

Just now, Heather Shay said:

Love long and prosper

Thats not quiet right, its from Star Trek, live long and prosper was a term used by spock

 

[Heather Shay]

• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
• It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
• The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is believed to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

[Heather Shay]

. There’s a Polish village where flowers are painted on everything

https://media.restless.co.uk/uploads/2022/05/theres-a-tiny-polish-village-where-everything-is-painted-with-pictures-of-flowers.jpg

Many years ago in Zalipie, a small Polish village, someone painted a flower on a ceiling to cover up a soot stain above a stove. Soot stains were common as the ventilation of the houses was poor, so the idea of painting flowers to cover up these marks began to catch on.

Before long, the houses, churches, bridges, and barns in the village were all covered in flowers and, in the spring of 1948, they began to hold a Painted Cottage Competition (also known as Malowana Chata). Initially, the purpose of this competition was to help Poland psychologically recover from the tragic events of World War II.

Today, Zalipie is a unique and vibrant village, with stunning displays of painted flowers everywhere you look. A trip here would certainly be unforgettable!

[Jani]

That's so nice!

[Ivy]

Just now, Heather Shay said:

idea of painting flowers to cover up these marks began to catch on.

I can dig it.  We have painted bandaids and such on cars to cover up dings and the like.  I'm a fan.  And I love the colorful folk art in the "old countries".  In this culture we are too prone to bland.

[Heather Shay]

Oooooops - forgot yesterday

 

One long-term study found that, at least in the Colorado Rocky Mountain region, spring begins, on average, about three weeks earlier than it did in the 1970s.

[Davie]

On 2/28/2025 at 11:34 AM, Heather Shay said:

• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
• It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
• The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is believed to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

Best Tongue Twister? Try this one: "Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a sieve full of un-sifted thistles, thrust three thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb. Now If Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a thimble of unsifted thistles, thrusts three thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb, how many thistles could thou thrust through the thick of thy thumb, in sifting a sieve full of un-sifted thistles? Success to the successful thistle sifter! 

[Heather Shay]

 March was once considered the first month of the year

Welcome to the third month of the year—or if you were born before 150 B.C., the first! According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was 10 months long, beginning in March and ending in December. It may sound crazy, but you can still see traces of this old system in our modern calendar: Because December was the 10th month, it was named for the number 10 in Latin (decem), just like September was named for seven (septem). January and February were the exceptions: They were just two nameless months called “winter,” proving that winter is literally so awful, it doesn’t even deserve a spot on the calendar.

[Heather Shay]

1) The amount of carbon in the human body is enough to fill about 9,000 lead pencils; 2) The human body has less muscles in it than a caterpillar; 3) Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks!

[Heather Shay]

• No number before 1,000 contains the letter A.

[Heather Shay]

• Emotions influence thoughts:

  Our thoughts shape our emotions, and conversely, our emotions influence our thoughts and behaviors. 

   

• Emotions motivate future behaviors:

  Emotions like happiness, satisfaction, and pride motivate us to pursue goals and achieve success, while strong negative emotions can lead to avoiding certain actions or situations. 

   

• Emotions are beneficial:

  While negative emotions can be unpleasant, they serve important functions, like alerting us to danger or helping us identify problems. 

   

• Emotions are contagious:

  We can unconsciously absorb the emotions of those around us, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. 

   

• Emotions are like waves:

  Emotions are not fixed; they rise and fall in intensity, like waves, and eventually dissipate. 

   

• Emotional awareness is the first step:

  Recognizing and understanding our emotions is crucial for managing them effectively.

   

• Colors influence emotions:

  Colors can evoke specific emotions; for example, warm colors can stimulate excitement, while cool colors can promote calmness. 

• Emotions are neutral:

  While we often categorize emotions as positive or negative, many emotions can be neutral, like surprise or awe. 

   
• Emotions have physical effects:

  Emotions trigger physical responses like a racing heart, sweaty palms, or tense muscles. 

   

[Heather Shay]

Fascinating Facts About Skin 

 

• Sensory Organ: Skin is a sensory organ, containing nerve endings that detect touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. 
   

• Melanin Production: Skin produces melanin, the pigment that gives it color. 
   

• Unique to Each Person: No two people have exactly the same skin, due to variations in melanin production, thickness, and other factors. 
   

• Shedding Dead Cells: We shed about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. 
   

• Home to Microorganisms: Skin is home to a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, which play a role in maintaining its health. 
   

• Aging Process: Skin is the first organ to show signs of aging, as collagen and elastin production decline over time. 
   

• Protects Bones and Muscles: Skin provides a protective layer over bones and muscles. 
   

• Multi-layered Structure: Skin consists of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. 
   

• Thinnest and Thickest Skin: The thinnest skin is found on the eyelids, while the thickest is on the soles of the feet. 
   

• Constantly Growing: Skin continues to grow throughout life, even after adulthood. 
   

• Importance of Sun Protection: Skin is vulnerable to sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer and premature aging 

• Largest Organ: Skin is the largest organ in the human body, covering an area of approximately 1.8 square meters (19 square feet). 
   
• Constant Renewal: Skin is constantly regenerating, with new cells replacing old ones every 28 days. This process slows down with age. 
   
• Waterproof Barrier: Skin acts as a waterproof barrier, protecting the body from moisture loss and external elements. 
   
• Temperature Regulation: Skin helps regulate body temperature by sweating and dilating blood vessels when it's hot, and constricting blood vessels when it's cold.