Have you ever wondered where terms like graveyard shift, saved by the bell, and dead ringer came from? Well it goes like this.
Back in the day, when they started running out of places to bury people, they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to the “bonehouse” and reuse the grave (the bonehouse is where they stacked all of the bones).
When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins was found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive.
So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.
Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night “graveyard shift” to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be “saved by the bell” or was considered a “dead ringer.”
Credit: Our Lady of Victories R.C. Church, Harrington Park, New Jersey
Have you ever wondered what gives us our fall colors? It’s not so much the Autumn cold as it is the light, or rather the lack of light that Autumn brings.
As the days get shorter, starting around the autumnal equinox, there is less light, heat and water for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis utilizes chlorophyll as it provides energy for the tree. With less hours of sunlight, the chlorophyll content of the leaves decreases and the green color no longer hides the yellows, oranges and reds that are also in the leaves, so we see bright autumn colors before the leaves fall.
Trees with a northern exposure often will change color and lose their leaves earlier than the same types of trees that are nearby but getting more hours of sunlight.
Trees respond to the duration of daylight, and will start to lose leaves when the days are shorter even if temperatures have not yet fallen. Different species respond to slightly different lengths of days.
A tree living under a street light will have its cycle disturbed by the light.
Q: Why do flies land on me more often than the other people that are around me?
A: Flies hover and land on a person because they sense the heat and the odors that may indicate the likelihood of something potentially nourishing and tasty for them to eat.
The bacteria that grows on our skin is directly proportionate to a fly’s interest in us. CO2 is produced, again, proportionately as it relates to the amount of bacteria found on our skin.
Higher amounts of bacteria produces higher amounts of CO2 and thus indicates that a higher likelihood of spoilage may be present for the fly to snack on.
Showering often and good personal oral hygiene are usually two of the most important things needed in order to prevent flies from landing on you.
World Kindness Day is to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness for good which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender and location.
World Kindness Day video celebration Seattle, Washington 2012:
World Kindness Day is an international observance on November 13th.
It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations’ kindness NGOs. It is observed in many countries, including Canada, Australia, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Singapore observed the day for the first time in 2009. Italy and India also observed the day.
Schools across the globe are now celebrating World Kindness Day and work with local NGOs such as the Be Kind People Project and Life Vest Inside In the USA.
In 2012 in Australia, Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, hosted an event for the first time at Government House to celebrate World Kindness Day and accepted a Cool To Be Kind Award from year 3rd and 4th grade students.
Australian Councils representing over 1.3 million residents have also signed Declarations of Support for World Kindness Australia placing World Kindness Day on the Council Calendar of Events.
World Kindness Day serves as an important reminder of the power of kindness in fostering community spirit and improving mental well-being. By participating in this global observance, individuals can contribute to a culture of compassion and generosity that transcends borders and differences.
Ideas for Impactful Actions:
Engage in small, spontaneous acts that can brighten someone’s day. This could include leaving a positive note for a stranger, buying coffee for the person behind you in line, or helping an elderly neighbor with groceries.
Find local charities or organizations that resonate with your values and offer your time. Volunteering at food banks, shelters, or community clean-up events can create a tangible difference in your community.
Initiate or participate in events that promote kindness, such as community clean-ups, kindness fairs, or workshops focused on empathy and compassion. These gatherings can foster connections and inspire collective action.
Use social media platforms to share uplifting stories, inspirational quotes, or engage in conversations that promote kindness. Utilizing hashtags like #WorldKindnessDay can help amplify your message and connect with a larger audience.
Remember that kindness begins with yourself. Engage in self-care activities that nurture your well-being, which can enhance your capacity to be kind to others.
Tapio Hakanen (born 1977), better known by his stage name DJ Orkidea (predominantly shortened to Orkidea), is a Finnish electronic music artist.
He has made remixes for big trance labels like Anjunabeats or Hooj Choons and for artists like Tiësto, Tilt, and Way Out West.
Discography & Achievements
Studio albums include “Music Speaks in Thousand Languages” (2005), “Metaverse” (2008), “20” (2011), and “Harmonia” (2015).
Notable singles: “Unity,” “Beautiful,” “YearZero” (with Andy Moor), and “Slowmotion” (with Solarstone).
His remix work covers artists like Tiësto (“Flight 643”), Way Out West (“Killa”), and Hans Zimmer (“Time” from Inception).
Orkidea’s catalogue includes chart-topping tracks on Beatport, iTunes, and the Finnish singles chart, and he has received millions of online plays.
Awards and Recognition
He has been voted the most popular DJ in Scandinavia twice and won the Finnish Club Awards as “Best DJ” five times.
Orkidea made it into the DJ Mag Top 200 and Tranceaddict Top 100 lists and remains a respected creative force in Solarstone’s Pure Trance movement.
Orkidea continues to influence the electronic music scene through production, performance, and leadership within the Finnish and international music communities.
