Shoot the Breeze
Sponsored by: Maps of Faith
Eternal Youth: Have you ever wondered if honey can go bad? Well, think again! Archaeologists have discovered pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible. Honey’s long shelf life is due to its low water content and acidic pH, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria and spoilage. So, dip your spoon without hesitation and savor the sweet taste of eternity! [Read an article about it, here]
Don’t Judge by Size: Think big things come in small packages? Meet the bumblebee bat, also known as Kitti’s hog-nosed bat. Weighing in at just two grams, this tiny creature holds the record for being the world’s smallest mammal. It’s so petite that it could easily perch on the tip of your thumb. [Read an article about it, here]
Honey, We Shrunk the Kids! Ever felt a strong connection to bananas? Well, there might be a reason! Humans and bananas share an astonishing 50% of their DNA. We don’t look or taste alike given our genetic similarity. But the next time you enjoy a banana, remember that you’re basically eating a distant relative! Or not…[Read an article about it, here]
Back in Time
August 3, 1492 – Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three ships, Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Seeking a westerly route to the Far East, he instead landed on October 12th in the Bahamas, thinking it was an outlying Japanese island.
August 5, 1861 – President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the first Federal income tax, a 3 percent tax on incomes over $800, as an emergency wartime measure during the Civil War. However, the tax was never actually put into effect.
Birthday – Jazz trumpet player Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known as “Satchmo,” he appeared in many films and is best known for his renditions of It’s a Wonderful World and Hello, Dolly.
Memorable Quotes
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
Trivia
- The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. [True or False]
- What is the brightest star in the night sky?
- What is the official language of Brazil?
- What is the unit of measurement for the electric current?
- Which economic system is characterized by private ownership of resources and the pursuit of individual profit?
(Bottom of this post has the answers)
Celestial Watch
August 1 – Full Moon, Supermoon – The Moon will be fully illuminated as seen from Earth and known as the Sturgeon Moon, Green Corn Moon, or Grain Moon. This is also the second of four supermoons for 2023, appearing slightly larger and brighter than usual.
August 10 – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation – The planet Mercury reaches its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky, at 27.4 degrees from the Sun.
August 12,13 – Perseids Meteor Shower – The annual Perseids Meteor Shower will produce up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak, radiating from the constellation Perseus. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
August 16 – New Moon – The Moon will not be visible in the night sky, making it the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters.
August 27 – Saturn at Opposition – The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and visible all night long, making it the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons.
August 31 – Full Moon, Supermoon, Blue Moon – The Moon will be fully illuminated and appear slightly larger and brighter than usual, being the third of four supermoons for 2023. This is also a Blue Moon, as it is the second full moon in the same month.
Kicks & Giggles
- What has keys but can’t open locks? (Answer: a piano)
- “I’ll be there with bells on.” – This phrase means that someone will attend an event or meeting and is looking forward to it.
- How do you organize a space party? You just “planet”!
- The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I? (Answer: footsteps)
Bible Verse
““The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His Hands” — Psalm 19:1
In the Know
- David’s Cupboard Food Pantry: August 8th, 5:30-7:30pm and August 26th, 9:00-11:00am. Address: 315 S. Main Street; Archie, MO.
- Community Dinner: Every Wednesday night from 5:30-6:30pm at Adrian United Methodist Church. – 202 E. Main St.; Adrian, MO.
- Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend is August 4th-5th.
- Missouri State Fair runs August 10th-20th, all day. 2503 W. 16th St., Sedalia Missouri 65301
Trivia Answers
- True
- Sirius
- Portuguese
- Ampere (A)
- Capitalism