Shoot the Breeze
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Oldest Organism: The world’s oldest known tree is a bristlecone pine located in the Inyo National Forest between California’s Sierra Nevada range and the Nevada border. It is nicknamed “Methuselah” after the oldest man in the Bible. [Read an article about it, here]
Coldest Desert: The largest desert in the world is the Antarctic Polar Desert, which covers an area of about 5.4 million square miles. Despite this fact, the Arctic Polar Desert is home to a diverse number of animals such as the Arctic Fox, Arctic Wolf, Polar Bear, Caribou, Snowy Owl, and Moose, among others. Some of these animals migrate between the Arctic Tundra, which contains more vegetation, and the Arctic Desert while others are permanent residents of the desert. [Read an article about it, here]
Rubber Duckies: In 1992, containers with almost 30,000 rubber duckies, the bath toys that kids love, fell off a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean. The currents took them around the world, helping scientists learn about ocean movements and waves. [Read an article about it, here]
Back in Time
April Birthday — The famous fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was born in Odense, Denmark. He created 168 fairy tales for children including the classics: The Princess and the Pea, The Snow Queen, and The Nightingale.
April 4, 1887 — The first woman mayor was elected in the United States. as Susanna M. Salter became mayor of Argonia, Kansas.
April 22, 1864 — “In God We Trust” was included on all newly minted U.S. coins by an Act of Congress.
April 30, 1789 — George Washington became the first United States President after he was administered the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets in New York City.
Memorable Quotes
“Easy is not an option…No days off…Never quit…Be fearless. Talent you have naturally…skill is only developed by hours and hours of work.”
— Usain Bolt, Olympic gold medalist.
“How much you truly ‘believe’ in something can be manifested only through what you are willing to risk for it.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of “Skin in the Game.”
“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”
— Jordan B. Peterson, author of “12 Rules for Life.”
Trivia
- What is the largest country in the world in terms of land area?
- The Great Wall of China is visible from space. True or False? [You can read more belief in this article, here]
- Which planet in our solar system is known as the “Red Planet”?
- What is the name of the longest river in the world?
- Which year did the first iPhone launch?
(Bottom of this post has the answers)
Celestial Watch
Sponsored by: Maps of Business
April 6 – Full Moon – The Moon will be fully illuminated as it is located on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. It was traditionally known by early Native American tribes as the Pink Moon. It is named after the appearance of wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers.
April 11 – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation – Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky as it reaches its greatest eastern elongation of 19.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view the planet. Look for it in the western sky just after sunset.
April 20 – New Moon – The Moon will not be visible in the night sky as it will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters due to the absence of moonlight.
April 20 – Hybrid Solar Eclipse – A hybrid solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is almost too close to the Earth to completely block the Sun. This eclipse will appear as a total eclipse to some parts of the world and will appear annular to others. It will be visible across parts of western Australia and southern Indonesia, with a partial eclipse visible throughout most of Indonesia and Australia.
April 22, 23 – Lyrids Meteor Shower – The Lyrids is an average shower, producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is caused by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25 and peaks on the night of April 22-23. Meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight, with meteors radiating from the constellation Lyra.
Kicks & Giggles
- Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!
- What has a heart that doesn’t beat? (Answer: An artichoke)
- What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it? (Answer: Silence)
- Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole-in-one!
Bible Verse
“I have set the LORD always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” — Psalm 16:8
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
Answers to Trivia
- Russia
- False
- Mars
- the Nile
- 2007
Read last month’s edition, here [March 2023 Edition]
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