That Creepy Feeling!

Hi, All Readers, and Happy October!

This month, culminating in Halloween, seems perfect for discussing creepy feelings! One, in particular . . .

Have you ever experienced deja vu? That’s French for “already seen”–a perhaps paranormal sensation that you’ve experienced the same exact situation before, even though that’s impossible? If you have, you’re in good company. Two-thirds of us have had this weird experience!

The Conversation, a nonprofit organization working for the public good through fact- and research-based journalism, published its “Curious Kids” segment on October 3, 2022, about deja vu. Kids and adults can write in questions for experts to answer. This time, a ten-year-old from India asked why people experience that “been there; done that” feeling.

Anne Cleary, professor of cognitive psychology at Colorado State University, answered the question. She has completed a thorough review of others’ findings from over 100 years and is currently doing her own scientific study about deja vu.

Would you like to read more about the history of deja vu and what Cleary has discovered? If yes, please click HERE.

So, get a clue, readers. Have you experienced deja vu? I know I have–many times! May all your “been there; done thats” be pleasant!

 

Love Match

Hello, Kids, Readers, and Tennis Fans,

I am saddened by the news that my favorite tennis player Roger Federer is retiring from competitive tennis tomorrow, September 23, following his last match in the Laver Cup, which is happening in London this weekend.

Roger started his professional career in 1998 at the age of 17 and will leave as a 41-year-old role model for young and old alike. He’s won 103 ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) singles titles, an Olympic gold medal in doubles, logged 11,000 career aces, achieved 1,251 singles match wins, and more. 

He and tennis will remain a “love match” in my opinion–love here meaning a mutual compatibility between the man and his sport.

Even more than his balletic moves on any court, impossible shots that he made look easy, twenty major singles titles (Grand Slams–eight at Wimbledon alone), and phenomenal 310 weeks ( a record 237 consecutive weeks) as the World’s No. 1 tennis player, I was always mesmerized by Roger’s consistently great sportsmanship, kindness and positivity, and charitable giving that mostly benefited kids’ educations and living situations in Europe and Africa. For me, he was and will remain a class act first and an unequaled champion a very close second. 

Last week when Roger announced on social media that he would be retiring–but not leaving tennis entirely, he said this about his fans: “The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills in my life. Without you, those successes would’ve felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy.”

Thank you, Roger Federer, for so many years of tennis elegance and your eloquence on behalf of the sport. It was an honor to behold your style and virtuosity. I will miss you. Personally, tennis won’t be the same without you.

Want to read more about Roger’s announcement in his own words in an NBC news story? Please click HERE.  And click HERE if you’d like to read other tennis greats’ glowing tributes to Roger.

So, get a clue, Readers. Tennis is the love of Roger’s life. He says he’ll never leave it. We will see him play again, but on his own terms. Perhaps like me, you will be watching for those magical golden opportunities.

“The Cowboy and Queen Elizabeth”

Dear Readers, Horse Lovers, and/or Admirers of the late Queen Elizabeth II,

Here is a heartwarming story from the New York Times by Jenny Gross, dated September 12, 2022, that I thought might be as interesting to you as it was to me.

Mr. Monty Roberts, an eighty-seven-year-old legendary horse trainer from California, has special reasons to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II this week.

They shared a three-decades-long friendship.

In April of 1989, Queen Elizabeth invited Mr. Roberts to England’s Windsor Castle to discuss his intriguing method of training horses. There, she witnessed his gentle techniques in which the horse is taught to see the rider as a member of the herd, rather than as a master.

During that visit, Roberts demonstrated his techniques for the queen using twenty-three of the royal family’s horses. That started the long friendship that sometimes meant taking a phone call from the queen in the middle of the night! Thereafter, he visited England six to seven times each year to assist the queen.

Her Majesty encouraged Mr. Roberts to write a book about his method. He did, and The Man Who Listens to Horses became a NYT bestseller!

In 2011, the queen designated Roberts an honorary member of the Royal Victorian Order for his service to the royal family, the queen, and the racing establishment.

From his 100-acre horse ranch in Solvang, California, Roberts reflected this week on how horses brought the queen a sense of calm and escape. While riding horses, she could briefly become a horsewoman instead of a queen.

He will be one of 2,000 friends and dignitaries at her funeral on September 19.

So, get a clue, Readers. Could your passion make a great book that might benefit others? I hope you will be inspired to write as was Mr. Roberts. RIP, Queen Elizabeth.

Where Does Your Birthday Rank?

Dear Kids and All Readers,

I think it’s safe to say that all kids love birthdays. I mean, cake and presents! What’s not to like? My attitude is that birthdays are important because they beat the alternative, so light those candles and enjoy that cake.

Did you know that certain birthdates occur much more frequently than others?

Tomorrow is September 9. It is the #1 most popular birthday in the United States! In fact nine out of the top ten most frequently occurring birthdays are in September. The only one that isn’t is July 7.

You’re probably wondering which day of the year has the least births? It’s December 25, closely followed by January 1. Babies are least likely to be born on holidays, including Halloween and the week of Thanksgiving. And few are born on the 13th of the month! (Superstitions?)

The most common birth month is August; the least common is February.

And which day of the week has the most births? That would be Tuesday!

Want to find out where YOUR BIRTHDAY ranks on the popularity list? Click HERE to find out, or go to zippia.com/advice/most-least-common-birthdays/.

The above birthday information was gathered by researchers from aggregated data of the CDC and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, and the Social Security Administration on the number of births on each day of the year from 1994-2014.

So, get a clue, readers. No matter how popular your birthday is or isn’t, don’t forget to have a great time and eat cake! Those are requirements on your special day.

Crew Helps Crue

Dear Readers and Rock Music Lovers,

I just wanted to share something fun with you today–one of those happenstances that I couldn’t have foreseen when I set off for the grocery store last Saturday morning.

One of our San Diego stadiums hosted a huge rock/punk/heavy and glam metal music concert on Sunday, August 28th. It featured the quadruple billing of Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on one of the last stops of their 2022 tour.

Imagine my surprise when a stadium crew showed up at my store to do some grocery shopping for the four groups! The guys stopped in “for a few things” for the bands and after buzzing around with multiple carts, they left hours later with so many boxes that they couldn’t take everything in one trip. The crew planned to come back for Joan Jett’s later.

So, get a clue, Readers. You never know when something newsworthy might happen. Keep your ears and eyes open! 

 

 

 

Bloats and Crashes

Dear Kids and Animal Lovers,

Recently, on one of my morning walks, I saw a murder of crows in a tall, otherwise barren eucalyptus tree. The fifty plus large black birds were waiting for . . . um, coffee?

Huh? A murder of crows? What’s that?

That’s the collective name for a group of crows–one of my favorite birds and terms. Seeing those crows inspired me to seek out other animal group names to share with you. This is a great way to build your vocabulary. I found the perfect online site at https://owlcation.com/stem/collective-names-for-groups-of-animals. Click HERE to see if your favorite animal is listed or to learn something new.

At the site, the group nouns are categorized under “Mammals,” “Birds,” “Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish,” “Insects, Arachnids, and Other Animals,” and “People.”

Here are a few more of my favorites: a bloat of hippos, a crash of rhinos, a cauldron of bats, a parliament of owls, and an embarrassment of pandas!

So, how did these collective nouns originate? According to owlcation.com, the names date back to 1486 England when a nun named Juiliana Barnes aka Berners published them in The Book of Saint Albans. Then, the names were used as hawking, hunting, and heraldic terms, but they have become part of everyday English speech. Many, however, are considered archaic.

So, get a clue, Readers. Which collective names are your favorites? You might raise eyebrows if you use some of them today. But take a risk! Help build vocabulary. You won’t crash.