How much money did Scrooge give the boy in the street for bringing the turkey?

English: 2 shillings 1949 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Based on the research of this earlier blog post, the 2 shillings the boy was paid would be worth about £7.60 GBP or $11.70.  Pretty good pay for 5 minutes of work.

One Shilling GBP in 1850 had the purchasing power of about £3.80 GBP today, or $5.85.(from this site)  

How much money did Bob Cratchit make?

Bob Cratchit made 15 shillings a week.

That would be in today's money  $93.66 a week, or $2.34 an hour at 40 hours a week.

http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/pics/ones2.html

What was a shilling worth at the time of Scrooge?

This web site, All about money | A Christmas Carol: The Scrooge Diaries , says:

"Half-a-crown – 12.5 cents
Shilling – 5 cents
Sixpence – 2.5 cents
Penny – Approximately half a cent
Farthing – Approximately one-tenth of a cent

So when the story mentions Bob’s salary of 15 shillings a week, you can easily see, even at that time, how measly it was. Mrs. Cratchit must have seriously splurged to buy those ribbons on her dress for sixpence. When A Christmas Carol was first published, it sold for 5 shillings a copy, cheaper than many books of the period, but still quite a luxury."

Reproduced from a c.1870s photographer frontispiece to Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Christmas Carol was published on 17 December 1843. 

One Shilling GBP in 1850 had the purchasing power of about £3.80 GBP today, or $5.85.(from this site)  

So, 15 shillings would be £3.80 x 15 = £57 a week, or $89.07. (from this site)

So he would make about $89 a week and $4628 a year, assuming he works every week of the year, which considering Scrooge won't easily let him off for Christmas he probably does work that much.  I doubt very many families could support so many children on that amount. If he worked a 40 hour work week, that would be $2.23 an hour.

Happy numbers, Recreational Mathematics and Dr. Who

Last night we watched Dr. Who.  "In the 2007 Doctor Who episode "42", a sequence of happy primes (313, 331, 367, 379) is used as a code for unlocking a sealed door on a spaceship about to collide with a star. When the Doctor learns that nobody on the spaceship besides himself has heard of happy numbers, he asks, "Don't they teach recreational mathematics anymore?""   (Happy number - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I learned about happy prime numbers.   Dr. Who said, "Any number that reduces to one when you take the sum of the square of its digits and continue iterating it until it yields 1 is a happy number, any number that doesn't, isn't. A happy prime is both happy and prime."

What?!

The Wikipedia article sited above clarified with some examples:

For example, 19 is happy, as the associated sequence is:
1² + 9² = 82
8² + 2² = 68
6² + 8² = 100
1² + 0² + 0² = 1.
The 143 happy numbers up to 1,000 are:
1, 7, 10, 13, 19, 23, 28, 31, 32, 44, 49, 68, 70, 79, 82, 86, 91, 94, 97, 100, 103, 109, 129, 130, 133, 139, 167, 176, 188, 190, 192, 193, 203, 208, 219, 226, 230, 236, 239, 262, 263, 280, 291, 293, 301, 302, 310, 313, 319, 320, 326, 329, 331, 338, 356, 362, 365, 367, 368, 376, 379, 383, 386, 391, 392, 397, 404, 409, 440, 446, 464, 469, 478, 487, 490, 496, 536, 556, 563, 565, 566, 608, 617, 622, 623, 632, 635, 637, 638, 644, 649, 653, 655, 656, 665, 671, 673, 680, 683, 694, 700, 709, 716, 736, 739, 748, 761, 763, 784, 790, 793, 802, 806, 818, 820, 833, 836, 847, 860, 863, 874, 881, 888, 899, 901, 904, 907, 910, 912, 913, 921, 923, 931, 932, 937, 940, 946, 964, 970, 973, 989, 998, 1000 (sequence A007770 in OEIS).

Very cool!  

Dalley Cousins

I made a map of where all my Dalley cousins live right now. :)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 3 The Last Straw

I read the book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 3 The Last Straw.  I thought it was very negative and the main character, Greg, lives his life as a victim.  It is interesting and entertaining but I don't feel that it is good to show children how to live as a victim.

The character often tries to fix his problems, but usually they are solved not by his abilities but by accident. I won't recommend this book to others.

practical paleo: Primal Fudge

practical paleo: Primal Fudge

Shocking Connection: 97% of all Terminal Cancer Patients Previously Had This Dental Procedure...

Shocking Connection: 97% of all Terminal Cancer Patients Previously Had This Dental Procedure... | Humans Are Free

I read this article about root canals.  They cause a problem because below the root are tiny tubes that run for a mile (if laid out) where bacteria and problems can breed. If you take out the center of the tooth and cap it off it creates a breeding ground for problems. They said that no other body part is left in the body when dead, why leave a dead tooth?  They recommend pulling the tooth and scraping the area out that has the tubules too. I  am glad I have not had a root canal!

If the Prohibition ended in 1933, why does Andy Griffith go to break up a still?

"The Andy Griffith Show" The Haunted House (TV Episode 1963) - IMDb



I found this comment and learned the answer.

A word or two for those not from the United States, the South or just too dang-gone young to know. Back during the time of this show, huge portions of the Southern United States (including most of North Carolina--where the show is set) were officially 'dry'--meaning that ANY sale or use of alcohol was prohibited--well after the national experiment with Prohibition ended in 1933. Other municipalities allowed only lower alcohol consumption and sales--such as lower alcohol beers.

My son asked for a list of things to remind him what to write home about on his mission.

Here is a list I made.

Things to Write Home About

Ø  Investigators / Less Actives

Ø  Service Projects

Ø  Miracle of the Week

Ø  What are you working on?

Ø  What is your schedule?  Has it changed?

Ø  Tell about the culture,  Tell about the people,  Economic situation, Values,  What they do for fun, What their daily life is like

Ø  Tell about the city

Ø  What most encouraged you in your work?

Ø  What did you most enjoy about your work?

Ø  Describe an experience you had on the mission field that impacted the way you work.

Ø  Tell me about your study time.

Ø  What did you appreciate most about the culture you are living in?

Ø  Friendships, companions, members, people…

Ø  How were church services different or alike?

Ø  Were there times that you could specifically focus on children's needs?

o   Tell something about them.

Ø  What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country and mission and people?

Ø  Do you need any books, supplies, and materials?

Ø  What was the greatest spiritual need you noticed in your ministry? Physical need?

Ø  How did you adapt to being in a different culture?

Ø  What has been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began your mission?

Ø  What is/was a typical day like for you? Your companion?

Ø  Tell me about your local ward.

Ø  Who provides your care? Food, laundry, etc.

Ø  Please tell me of someone whose life was impacted with the gospel and the change you saw in his life.

Ø  Tell me about the missionaries you serve/served with.  What are their ministries and how are they doing? Are they encouraged/discouraged?

Ø  What are some ministry needs and opportunities that need filling on your team?

Ø  How is your support?  How can I help you while you are there?

Ø  What was your biggest surprise about the country? The people? Yourself?

Ø  What could the church/friends/others do to help encourage you?

Ø  What was really important to you in your time there that you want us to know?

Ø  What did you learn from the indigenous Christians ....especially in the area of faith, contentment, and materialism?

Ø  What did God show you about being a servant?

Doug Nichols: Questions to Ask a Missionary

Doug Nichols: Questions to Ask a Missionary

Letters? Clippings? Candy? What to Send to a Missionary - New Era June 1973 - new-era

Letters? Clippings? Candy? What to Send to a Missionary - New Era June 1973 - new-era

What is the insect Calponia harrisonfordi?

penultimate male Calponia harrisonfordi (F Caponiidae) (Photo credit: M Hedin)

calponia harrisonfori - Google Search

Calponia harrisonfordi

Calponia harrisonfordi is a species of spider discovered in 1993 by the arachnologist Norman I. Platnick, and named after the film actor Harrison Ford to thank him for narrating a documentary for the Natural History Museum in London. Wikipedia

Scientific name: Calponia harrisonfordi

Rank: Species

Higher classification: Calponia

Stargazing Events Not To Miss In 2014

Stargazing Events Not To Miss In 2014

What is a Supermoon?

English: The "Supermoon" of March 19, 2011 (right), compared to a rather "average" moon of December 20, 2010 (left): note the size difference. Images by Marco Langbroek, the Netherlands, using a Canon EOS 450D + Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar MC 180mm lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is when the moon is really close to the earth and is either a New Moon or a Full Moon.

There will be 5 super moons in 2014.

"Richard Nolle, is credited with coining up with the term supermoon. He defines them as:
. . . a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth." ('Supermoon' kicks of 2014 | WCNC.com Charlotte)

How did 100 Grand candy bar get it's name?

English: A 100 Grand candy bar, broken in half. A milk chocolate bar with crisped rice and caramel. Each standard-sized package has two bars inside. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The candy bar was created in 1966, and named after a series of successful game shows.

100 Grand Bar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Family Stories That Bind Us — This Life - NYTimes.com

The Family Stories That Bind Us — This Life - NYTimes.com

The best parts:This study reached an overwhelming conclusion: The more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem and the more successfully they believed their families functioned.

The bottom line: if you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family’s positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones. That act alone may increase the odds that your family will thrive for many generations to come.

Timer Tips and Tricks! from Flylady

English: A mechanical kitchen timer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 A timer can also keep us from crashing and burning! Set your timer to keep you from hyper-focusing so that you won’t wear yourself out. 

---------------------

One of my favorite uses of the timer is to take care of my hotspots! Just 2 minutes doing a hot spot fire drill and your house will look clean. It is our hotspots that make our house messy. I didn’t say you had to do all the hotspots in 2 minutes. Just attack one and put out the fire. You know where your favorite hotspots are: Kitchen counter, coffee table, end table, treadmill or a rocking chair. I just told you where my hotspots used to be and some that are a constant battle to put out the blaze. This is why I do it twice a day.

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Timer game - Crisis Cleaning

Spend 15 minutes in my Kitchen, 15 minutes in the Living Room and 15 minutes in the main bathroom. Then I spend 15 minutes resting. Yes this is the most important 15 minutes of the hour. It helps me take a break and decide what needs doing next.

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Timer Game -  “Reverse Scavenger Hunt”.

In this game you set a timer for 15 minutes. You pick up one thing that does not belong in the room where you start. As fast as you can go put it where it belongs. While you are putting that item away grab another item what doesn’t belong right there. Take it where it belongs. Do it as many times as you can for 15 minutes. Then stop for 15 minutes. Do it all over again. You are going to be so surprised at what gets put away!

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Did you ever have a room that was so messy that you could not stand to be in the room? I did and this is the game I came up with to tackle this room. It is called “5 minute room rescue”. I would go into the room and grab a box. Since I would get overwhelmed in that room I would take the box and go to a clear place in the house and sort the box into a Give Away, Put Away and Throw away bags. All I had to do was 5 minutes. I did this every day with one rule that nothing could go back into that room. It was so good to get rid of all that clutter! Now I have a guest room and I have had the pleasure of several house guest this year.

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Focus in two places but not at the same time. I spend 15 minutes decluttering or gardening or cleaning; then I spend 15 minutes working on an essay. I don’t forget to take a break at the top of every hour for 15 minute to play. I can get so much done when I focus like this.

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Timer Game -  “15 Minute Day”. 

When it goes off I get up from my computer and go and do one thing. Then I sit down and go back to what I am working on. This gives me a little break and I get to stretch my legs. It also helps me to write better when I don’t allow my mind to be free for a few minutes.

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I use my timer to help me drink my water every single day! I set my timer for 15 minutes. Every 15 minutes I take a drink. On the days when I use my timer, I get a big blue star on my calendar for drinking all my water!

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Use your timer to keep you from procrastinating. Time yourself on those things that you hate to do: Fold clothes, empty the dishwasher and make your bed! They don’t take 15 minutes! Prove it to yourself. Make friends with your timer. Get creative! Your timer is going to be your friend this year! All you have to do is set it!

You can do anything for 15 minutes!

FlyLady

What are the rules to Blind man's buff ?

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes - Blind Man's Buff -
WGA10006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I thought this game was Blind Man's Bluff, but that is a linguistic slip. Buff means to gently push or tag. This game is like tag but IT is blindfolded.
Versions:

• Player taged becomes it
• Player tagged is out, continue until everyone is out
• Player tagged must be identified by IT by feeling their face. If IT is correct the tagged person is IT
• IT stands inside circle of players holding hands

Blind man's buff - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geography

I was surprised at the distance one elder that is serving a mission in Santiago, Dominican Republic needs to travel to get home!   Santiago to JFK to Las Vegas to Honolulu to Kiribati. 

Evolution of Wheat - Selective Breeding Crops

Wheat was wild at first.  People picked the best grains and planted them.  Now we have bread wheat and some people have problems eating wheat.

Up until the seventeenth century, the varieties of wheat grown globally were the same that had been grown for centuries.  People began to tire of the wheat, and began to carefully select the biggest and best grains at harvest to seed for the next crops.  Eventually, the new varieties of wheat were spread to other regions from immigrants and exporting, and those which grew well were continually grown.  Nowadays, wheat has the ability to survive in harsh climates, thus increasing yield. (Evolution of Wheat - Selective Breeding Crops)

The Forgotten Giant Arrows that Guide you Across America | Messy Nessy Chic Messy Nessy Chic

The Forgotten Giant Arrows that Guide you Across America | Messy Nessy Chic Messy Nessy Chic

A model of one of the arrows and beacons at the IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Socity) Nationals contest in Loveland, CO, which you a pretty good idea of the layout.Photo via here.

These giant arrows are across America to guide the air mail planes of the 1930s before radio became popular.

View Larger Map 
 Zoom in to see an arrow near Hurricane, UT.  There is a geocache near this arrow called  LH means East & D means SW  
it was Created by:  kisferfi

Here’s a link to a website listing the original locations of Eastern and Western beacons.  I never knew these airway beacons existed.

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We just watched

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story on Netflix
It was inspiring and wonderfully done.  We were curious about the real Ben Carson.

Ben Carson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ben Carson

Doctor

Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., is a retired American neurosurgeon. He is credited with pioneering work on the successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the head. Wikipedia

Born: September 18, 1951 (age 62), Detroit, MI

Spouse: Candy Carson (m. 1975)

Parents: Sonya Carson

Movies: Stuck on You

Books: America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great

Children: Rhoeyce Carson, B.J. 'Ben Jr.' Carson, Murray Carson

Cuba Gooding, Jr.This is the actor that played Ben Carson in the movie.

What are Fingertip Bandages? - YouTube

What are Fingertip Bandages? - YouTube

Oh!  That's how you put it on!

How to Eat a Pomegranate

in 1492 , christopher columbus song