February 3 -4, 2001 - All the Rest

ALL THE REST – February 3 & 4

The Blizzard is here. Quotations, facts and words will all pertain to snow over the next week or so!

Today's Quotations — SNOW

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Come now, and let us reason together . . . though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

— Isaiah, 1:17 – 18

Not snow, no, nor rain, nor heat, nor night keeps them from accomplishing their appointed courses with all speed.

— Herodotus The Histories of Herodotus, bk. VIII, ch. 98

As I in hoary winter night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised was I with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near
A pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear.

— Robert Southwell The Burning Bab

But pleasures are like poppies spread —
You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river —
A moment white — then melts forever .

— Robert Burns "Tam o' Shanter"

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today's Word – OFF-PISTE

OFF-PISTE adjective Existing or taking place on snow that has not been compacted into tracks: off-piste skiing.

Definitions from American Heritage Dictionary

Today's Fact

Snowflakes

How full of the creative genius is the air in which these are
generated! I should hardly admire them more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat.
Henry David Thoreau

The Blizzard (two weeks of Daily Miscellany SNOW facts)
- Day 7 -

Snowflakes 7 - Shovel That Snow

There On the previous 'snow fact.' The water content of snow was discussed. One advantage of the water content of snow is the obvious agricultural use. If a blanket of the soggy, heavy white stuff covers your drive you may begin to see some of the disadvantages of the water content. When all those tiny snowflakes group together on your driveway, they are quite heavy.

In a Michigan study, 10 healthy men aged 22 to 35 were asked to shovel heavy, wet snow under medical supervision. Each load they picked up weighed about 16 lb. and each man lifted about 12 loads a minute, or 2,000 lb. in 10 minutes - the equivalent of a small sports car.

Removal of that heavy white stuff by shoveling is not to be taken lightly. The impact on your back and your heart can be very serious. If one has a history of heart problems permission from a doctor should proceed shoveling. If you have angina and you take nitroglycerin for relief, be sure to keep it close at hand in case you run into problems during the activity.

If you don't have heart problems, but you are generally inactive, treat shoveling snow like any other rigorous physical exercise. Dress warmly. Wear layered clothing. It's better to wear a heavy sweater with a light jacket. Bulky coats can put a strain on your shoulders. Corrine Hodgson, an epidemiologist and manager of science communications for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, says that many people don't bundle up because they assume they will warm up once they start to shovel. Warmth is very important because cold air constricts the blood vessels and puts a lot of strain on the cardiovascular system. Corrine Hodgson also says to take frequent breaks so that you can stop and catch your breath.

Your heart isn't the only part of your body you need to protect while you shovel. Your back needs some attention, too. Dr. Glenn Engel, a Toronto chiropractor who has practiced for 30 years, gives these tips to help you avoid unnecessary back strain.

If you have a history of low back pain, it's wise to consider hiring someone to shovel your snow for you. Also consider buying a snow blower.

If you must shovel the snow yourself, try to condition your back with stretch-strengthening
exercises long before winter arrives.

Before you start shoveling, take the time to do some back stretches. Again, your back care
provider can help you with these.

Don't let the snow accumulate. It's better to shovel three or four separate times than to clear your whole driveway at once.

Scoop up half shovelfuls. Don't try to be a hero by piling your shovel too high. Try to push the snow instead of lifting it.

... Monday a brief look at snow related terms.

Some great Snow Crystal Micrographs, like the picture above, are found at this outstanding site!

Sources Include: The Handy Weather Answer Book - Walter A. Lyons -Visible Ink Press

Today's SMILE

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."

Joseph Addison

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)



The young man was enjoying the concert until his not very
          bright date tapped him on the shoulder. "What's he
          playing?" she whispered. "Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat," he
          answered. The woman continued to stare in bewilderment. He
          finally realized her confusion and answered, "A piano.".

From: zphhumor

Two men went into a diner and sat down at the counter. They ordered two sodas, took sandwiches out of their packs and started to eat them. The owner saw what was going on and approached the men. "You can't eat your own sandwiches in here," he complained. The two men stopped, looked at each other, and then swapped their sandwiches.

From: zphhumor

A computer programmer and an engineer were sitting next to each other on an airplane. The programmer leans over to the engineer and asks if he wants to play a fun game. The
engineer just wants to sleep, so he politely declines, turns away and tries to sleep. The programmer persists and explains that it is a really easy game. He says, "I ask a question and if you don't know the answer, you pay me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I don't know the answer, I'll pay you $5." Again, the engineer politely declines and tried to sleep.

The programmer, now somewhat agitated, says, "Okay, if you don't know the answer, you pay me $5, and if I don't know the answer, I pay you $50!"

Now, that got the engineer's attention, so he agrees to the game.

The programmer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the earth to the moon?" The engineer doesn't say a word, but reaches for his wallet instead and hands the programmer $5.

Now it is the engineer's turn. He asks the programmer, "What goes up a hill with three legs and comes down on four?" The programmer looks at him with a puzzled expression, takes out his notebook computer, looks through all his references, and after about half an hour, wakes the engineer and hands the engineer $50. The engineer politely takes the $50, turns away, and tries to return to sleep.

The programmer, a little miffed, asks, "Well, what's the answer to the question?" Without a word, the engineer reaches into his wallet and hands the programmer $5.

From: zphhumor

Judge: Is there any reason you could not serve as a juror in this case?

Juror: I don't want to be away from my job that long.

Judge: Can't they do without you at work?

Juror: Yes, but I don't want them to know it.

From: zphhumor

Hubby : You always carry my photo in your handbag to the office. Why?

Wife : When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears.

Hubby : You see, how miraculous and powerful I am for you?

Wife : Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, '"What other problem can there be greater than this one ?"

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the Etch-A-Sketch Help Desk:

Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen. What do I do:
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q. How do I turn my Etch-A-Sketch off?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: What's the shortcut for Undo?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I create a New Document window?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I set the background and foreground to the same color?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What is the proper procedure for rebooting my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I delete a document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I save my Etch-A-Sketch document?
A: Don't shake it

TRUE FACT ...

Humans begin laughing at two to three months of age. Six year olds laugh about 300 times per day, while adults laugh from 15 to 100 times per day.

SOURCE: NYT, Dr. William F. Fry, Stanford University

Middle age is when it takes longer to rest than to get tired.

Daily Miscellany Comics

Have A Great Day

Phillip Bower

Soul Food February 3 & 4

Today in History February 3
Today in History February 4

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Copyright Information: Phillip Bower is not the author of the humor, and does not claim to own any copyright privileges to the jokes. Sources of jokes are listed when known. Birthday's and Happenings for the date, and quotations are public knowledge and collected from numerous sources. Quotations are public knowledge and sources are listed when known. Weekendspirations are written by Tim Knappenberger who has copyright privileges. Cathy Vinson authors Whispers from the Wilderness and owns copyright privileges. Weekendspirations and Whispers from the Wilderness are used with permission by the respective authors. Other devotions are written by Phillip Bower unless otherwise stated. In all cases credit is given when known. The Daily Miscellany is nonprofit. Submissions by readers is welcome.