My funny valentine,
Sweet, comic valentine,
You make me smile with my heart.
Your looks are laughable,
Un-photographable,
Yet, you’re my favorite work of art.
My funny Valentine – Chet Baker – Lyric Video by Giuseppe Vergara, on Youtube
My funny valentine, Sweet, comic valentine, You make me smile with my heart. Your looks are laughable, Un-photographable, Yet, you’re my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek? Is your mouth a little weak? When you open it to speak, are you smart?
But don’t change a hair for me, Not if you care for me; Stay little valentine, stay. Each day is valentine’s day.
Frank Sinatra, My Funny Valentine Lyrics by Rodgers Richard and Hart Lorenz
February 10th is National Umbrella Day. It is not known how this came to be but umbrella-history-wise, its use dates back to ancient times. From the sun-protecting parasol to the ridiculed Hanway, modern brollies are being developed to provide better sun-rain protection and wind resistance.
February 10th is National Umbrella Day. It is not known how this came to be, but whether it’s sunny or rainy on that day, open your umbrellas to use or shake the dust off.
🌧
Wow. California is being rained a lot since 2018. Thank goodness, Mother Earth is doing her balancing act – reducing the drought condition that plagued us here. Hopefully, you’re getting (or will get) your fair share of that nature’s magic.✨
So this morning, February 9th, I woke up with yet another drizzle and I’m just glad it’s a Saturday… By the time I’m finishing this write-up though, the sun is coming out beautifully. It’s perfect for a party we’re going to attend this afternoon. Rain or shine 🌦, however, we’re going to bring our brollies . . . well, not just to celebrate a birthday, but also pre-umbrella day! Haha.
But first, some facts and a little history for ya…
The ancient parasol
The umbrella has been used around 4 B.C., not for the rain, but for the sun. It was originally called parasol – that is, para (protecting against) + sol (sun). ☀️
Mostly women of the ancient worlds – Rome, Greece, Egypt, India and the Middle East – had used sunshades 😎 made of feathers, leaves and even leather. But some royalties, clergies and dignitaries had also been depicted on ancient drawings using parasols. It was as if carrying one was an honor. (1)
From umbra to Hanway
Umbrella came from the Latin word, umbra, which means shade or shadow. As mentioned, it was primarily used as sun protection but later on, as some history shows, the Chinese 👲🏻 made their yúsăn or săn useful during the rain by reinforcing it with wax and lacquer.
What started as a woman’s accessory was passed on to men when a Persian traveler and writer named Jonas Hanway publicly carried this once-for-a-lady-only contraption in England. He popularized it for men use. Thus, English gentleman often referred to their umbrellas ☂️ as “Hanway”. (2)
Umbrella today
What Makes the Perfect Umbrella? by GeoBeats News, on YouTube
There are many attempts to improve this age-old hand-held device for many reasons. Standard umbrellas can poke someone in the eye, provide inadequate protection only and be wet-messy when folded. 🌂
Umbrella inventors created modern-looking parasols that are even more functional. There are rain-shields ☔️ with extended water-splash-resistant canopy on one side, rain-shaders sans the poking, aero-dynamic versions that resist wind 💨 up to 70 miles per hour and inside-out umbrellas that also will literally prevent the wind from tipping umbrellas inside out…
Still, the development of a better umbrella continues…
A little monk boy walking away as he carries a red umbrella that matches his red robe
🎼 You turn me off at the push of a button – And you pretend that I don’t mean nothing – I’m not a saint; that’s easy to tell – But guess what, honey? You ain’t no angel – You like to scream; use words as a weapon – Well, go ahead take your best shot, woman – I wanna leave you – it’s easy to see;
But guess what, honey? It’s not that easy. 🎵
Bullet For My Valentine – Bittersweet Memories by Bullet For My Valentine, on YouTube
You turn me off at the push of a button, And you pretend that I don’t mean nothing. I’m not a saint; that’s easy to tell; But guess what, honey? You ain’t no angel.
You like to scream; use words as a weapon; Well, go ahead take your best shot, woman. I wanna leave you – it’s easy to see; But guess what, honey? It’s not that easy.
I wanna run and escape from your prison; But when I leave, I feel something is missing. I’m not afraid; that’s easy to tell; This can’t be heaven; It feels like I’m in hell.
You’re like a drug that I can’t stop taking; I want more and I can’t stop craving. I still want you; it’s easy to see; But guess what, honey? You’re not that good for me.
We get so complicated (complicated); This finger’s for our memories.
So rip my pictures from your wall; Tear them down and burn them all. Light the fire and walk away; There’s nothing left to say, so…
Take the ashes from the floor; Bury them to just make sure That nothing more is left of me – Just bittersweet memories.
Just bittersweet memories…
There’s nothing left to say. There’s nothing left to say.
Bullet For My Valentine, Bittersweet Memories Lyrics by Don Gilmore, Jason James, Michael Paget, Michael Thomas & Matthew Tuck
Hazelnuts are nutritious nuts used to make oil, praline, chocolate truffles and Nutella. Also known as cobnuts or filberts, these edibles have also been studied for their effect on memory. Iranians are said to use hazelnuts on their traditional remedy for Alzheimer’s disease.
The hazelnut, also known as cobnut or filbert, is an edible nut used to make oil, praline and chocolate truffles. It is also the ingredient for Nutella.
Hazelnuts, of the Corylus Avellana species, are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamin E, thiamin, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. They also have B vitamins, vitamin K, calcium, zinc and potassium; as well as fats – monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated. (1)
Cobnuts
A cobnut is a type of hazelnut that is larger and has a distinct flavor. It is traditionally grown in Kent (thus, called Kentish cobnuts) but now, there are other commercial orchards within United Kingdom. (2)
Filberts
Hazelnuts are ready for harvesting around August 20th, which happens to be the feast day of France’s St. Philbert. Thus, Catholic European hazelnut eaters, began calling those nuts as filberts. However, some historians believe that filbert came from vollbart, the German word for full beard, that which resembles a hazelnut husked shell. Typically though, filbert refers to commercially cultivated crops of hazelnuts. (3)
Hazelnuts and memory
Hazelnuts have been studied for their effect on memory as Iranians traditionally use it to remedy Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The results showed memory improvement on hazelnut-fed lab rats, as well as reduced anxiety in their behavior. Overall findings suggest that hazelnut dietary supplements could treat AD and improve healthy aging. (4)
February 5th is World Nutella Day that was founded in 2007 by Sara Rosso, an American blogger and a Nutella fan.
February 5th is World Nutella Day as founded in 2007 by Sara Rosso, an American blogger and a Nutella fan.
Nutella Stories: Sara Rosso by Nutella, on YouTube
Ferrero’s Original Giandujot
Nutella is a chocolate spread that contains palm oil, sugar, milk powder, cocoa solids and hazelnuts. It was created by Pietro Ferrero, an Italian pastry maker, in response to cocoa shortage after World War Two. He called it Giandujot – named after a famous local carnival character at the time. It was Pietro’s son, Michele, who renamed it to Nutella® after improving his father’s original recipe.
Nutella – I dig my spoon in and eat it straight out of the jar. I can easily go through one a week.
Malin Akerman
Mother and children enjoying pancakes with Nutella for World Nutella Day
Good-busy is a positive way of expressing, “I’m busy.” It shows that you like what you’re doing and the time you’re spending is well worth it. It also sorta gives you energy and, overall, adds up to your value. This is my point of view.
It’s just Wednesday and halfway through the 2nd week of January. Did you really get enough of that holiday? Why do I sense that you’re fast-forwarding your way though Friday afternoon? . . . Oh, that was me thinking out loud. Haha…
Let’s get good-busy! I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
I was on my desk silently working when I overheard our former CEO said to someone that “I’m busy, good busy”. I thought he just partnered those two words up and it kinda sounded cool. From then on, I would use it to describe my #workstatus.
Colleague: “How are you, LL?” Me: “I’m good-busy . . . and you?..”
If you think otherwise, then you probably don’t like your current state. Maybe you need to pack your things and go. I know #youdeservebetter.
If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.
Unknown quote I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
Last Thursday, I went to Walgreens to pick up my prescription. The lady pharmacist checked my data and said, “Come back in 10 minutes. I won’t be able to page you. I’m busy.” I looked at my phone to set up my alarm as I silently stepped away. I thought it was rude . . . but, ugh, who cares? . . . When I came back, she had just clocked out but said it’s ready for me. She was nice . . . but just frankly busy earlier so #noworries.
Good busy, a positive expression
I think using good-busy is a positive way of expressing, “I’m busy.” It shows that you like what you’re doing and the time you’re spending is well worth it. It also sorta gives you energy and, overall, adds up to your #value.
But how can you *literally* say that? It’s gonna sound very unusual if that pharmacist say, “Come back in 10. I’m good-busy.” Well… Who knows? Kids keep reinventing catch phrases anyway. #meme
Let’s get good-busy.
lancelonie quote I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
Starting your morning right may set the tone of your day. From putting your bed in order to prepping yourself up, it’s like you already put your day in order, too. Here are five more ways to a daily feel-good vibe…
A happy new year vibe starts by getting into a good morning habit. Below are merely reminders to make your 2019 a whole lot better.
😉
Today, December 31st, is the last day of the year. Goodbye, 2018 👋. I would say, “What a journey! I hope it’s been wonderful for you.”
Tonight, New Year’s Eve, be prepared for the beginning of a new dawn as it unfolds into a new day. You will be writing your personal journey books 📚 once again…
How should you start a chapter?
How about if we write together?
Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
Brad Paisley
✨
So, let me tell you my plan and maybe you can join me… I will begin the upcoming day with an inspiring thought 💭 and do my best to keep it going. I will creatively write my first page – 1 of 365 – in such a way that moves and relates to someone. It would be nice to touch many and one of them could be . . . you 👈🏼. So for you (or us), I will fill these pages with awesome ideas so no worries would ever come into our senses. Sounds good? I would also love to hear your thoughts.
“I will creatively write my first page – 1 of 365 – in such a way that moves and relates to someone. It would be nice to touch many and one of them could be . . . you.”
lancelonie quote
In doing the above, it would be great to have a nice routine in the morning. Don’t you think 🤔 starting our day bright and early will create a good vibe? If you think so, then let’s remember these:
7 ways to start your day right
Wake up early. This means going to bed early the night before just so you get enough sleep 😴 and get fully energized the next morning. This also means there will never be a morning rush moment. Getting up early allows you to move calmly or leisurely at home and on your way to whatever destination.
Make your bed. Because you beat the alarm clock ⏰, you may still have time to tidy up your bed before heading out the door. It sure feels good to leave your bedroom seeing all sheets and pillows in order . . . like you have already put your day in order, too.
Dress up and groom. Now, there is definitely enough time to make yourself look neat and polished. Putting yourself together well, even if there is no meeting nor special event, adds up to the feel-good vibe. You not only dress to impress others; but most importantly, yourself. So, ready for another selfie? 😍
Eat breakfast. Your breakfast should not be just cereal as it may be sugary. Opt for fresh fruits 🍎🍌 , lean meat and whole grains. This important meal of the day should not be skipped as studies show a good breakfast links to good health. Good health equals good life!
Drink water. You have slept for hours and it is about time to hydrate when you wake up. That just makes sense. Drink it warm to flush out build-up toxins. Better yet, squeeze in lemon 🍋 as sourness, in lieu of caffein, sure wakes up the senses.
Read something positive. Reading words of wisdom, positive quotes or anything that may spark ⚡️ inspiration first thing in the morning is healthy. This may also set the tone for your entire day. Check out Aristotle’s quote below…
Smile. Even if you are just smiling at yourself in the mirror or a selfie camera, good. This is a positive attitude that reflects outwardly and infects anyone in your path. How about updating your social media profiles with new pearly-white portraits? 😁
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle
✨
I hope the above ideas 💡 are not those would-be-neglected-soon new year’s resolution. These are rather simple suggestions that will definitely improve the quality of your life this coming year.
Of course, after new year’s eve, you may be recovering from the stroke-of-midnight celebration. If still sleepy 💤, that is totally fine. You still have the day after January 1st and the next and then the next . . . to finally commit to your daily habit.
If you can beat drowsiness because you are so compelled to start your new year’s day as planned, great! But definitely not to the expense of risk-driving please. Stay at home or on bed because it is an official holiday anyway. If you really need to go places 🚙 in the morning, get Lyft, Uber or a friend.
✨
So, reiterating… Today is the last day of the year. Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow is New Year’s Day – the start of something better.
![Brief history of umbrellas from parasol to Hanway and today [video]](https://lancelonie.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/0b04fb96-818a-4b73-af59-4fc448f33c07.png?w=1200)
I call her Mnimi 