Let me guess. The old guy on the right wants to harvest the unicorn for its magical properties…
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Can’t honestly remember since I watched it so long ago. In mind my it’s filed in that subset of “dark” children’s movies although maybe not quite as traumatising as Watership Down 
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Good morning! 
It is Saturday, 10 April 2021
(W14/D100/265 rem) DAY 100
Today is: 
International Safety Pin Day 
For me the safety pin is about rebellion, and I’m punk in the soul. – Donatella Versace
International Safety Pin Day is always observed on 10 April to mark the date on which inventor Walter Hunt patented the safety pin.
The ubiquitous safety pin is also known by other names: baby pin, nappy pin, loincloth pin, diaper pin.
The patent was not an entirely new invention. Archaeological finds of ancient Greek and Roman sites have found similar items made from bone, ivory, silver, gold, or brass.
Walter Hunt’s “dress pin” was designed to spring open and had a clasp covering the point to prevent the injuries that straight pins caused. For this reason, it became known as the safety pin.
Hunt was a prolific inventor. Among his other inventions included many practical designs such as a forerunner of the Winchester repeating rifle, a successful flax spinner, knife sharpener, and a hard-coal-burning stove.
Not unlike other inventors, Hunt received patents for improvements to existing devices as well. For example, he mad various improvements on bullet and casing designs and improved fountain pen. The perpetual tinkerer’s lists of patents goes on – a rope making machine, a machine that made nails, an attachment to boats that allowed them to break through the ice and so many more!
International Safety Pin Day is April 10, because, on that date in1849, Walter Hunt received a patent for his invention of the safety pin. Legend says he invented it in about three hours after he was pressured to repay a $15.00 debt or about $400 in today’s dollars. He patented it and sold the patent for $154 and paid off his debt.
You can read more about the Walter Hunt in the book Necessity’s Child: The Story of Walter Hunt, America’s Forgotten Inventor.
Keep it together, and have a brilliant Saturday! 
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It is Sunday, 11 April 2021
(W14/D101/264 rem)
Today is: Barbershop Quartet Day
Barbershop quartets have been around for decades, so why not celebrate them? Barbershop Quartet Day aims to show appreciation for the art of harmonized singing, their history and seeks to keep the long-standing tradition alive for generations to come.
Barbershop Quartet Day was created so that the birth of the organized barbershop movement can be commemorated. This is when 26 men gathered together for a songfest by the invitation of O.C. Cash, “Third Assistant Temporary Vice Chairman” and Rupert Hall, the “Royal Keeper of the Minor Keys.”
This gathering took place on the 11th of April in 1938, and it was then followed by subsequent gatherings. This resulted in what is known as the Barbershop Harmony Society today. At the time, though, it was known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.
They describe this form of music as “Songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies, whose tones clearly define a tonal center and imply major and minor chords and barbershop (dominant and secondary dominant) seventh chords that resolve primarily around the circle of fifths, while making frequent use of other resolutions.”
If you have ever experienced a Barbershop quarter before, you will know that they can have an amazing effect on us, transporting us back to a time in our lives that was simpler and easier! Not only are they incredibly talented, but their personalities shine through as well. For those who have never experienced this type of music before, a barbershop quartet is basically a type of unaccompanied vocal music or a cappella. The songs that they perform feature melodies that are easily singable and have lyrics that are easy-to-understand.
You don’t need to be a man to get involved in a barbershop quartet, though! There are many women across the country that take part in four-part harmonies.
One of the most famous organizations is the Sweet Adelines, but there are several other. They bring women of all ages together. They sing fun tunes and deliver beautiful performances. Both male and female quartets also enter competitions, both locally and nationally, and so this is something you may want to research more about online to get a feel of what barbershop quartets are really like.
Barbershop quartets have been around since the 1800s, forming from a mixture of both African American and Caucasian influences. African Americans during this time would harmonize recreationally. according to their long-standing traditions. These sounds would become part of what most people would consider the barbershop style.
Caucasian ministries would them mimic the sound and eventually brought it to the recording studio. Because of the popularity of the hybrid sound produced, these ministries were credited for the music at the time sealing in the stereotype. Although it has its roots in African American culture, the barbershop sound came to be known as a favorite genre of entertainment.
While their popularity began to fade during the 1920s, the Society of Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing founded Barbershop Quartet Day to help preserve this art.
Have a pitch perfect, harmonious Sunday!
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It is Monday, 12 April 2021
(W15/D102/263 rem)
Today is: Liquorice Day
For those who fancy something a little bit sweet but also unique, why not chew on some liquorice in honour and celebration of Liquorice Day?
Liquorice is extracted from the liquorice plant and can be used for making candy, to flavour a drink (liquorice tea is a popular example), and it also has some special medicinal purposes.
Ancient Egyptians would use liquorice as a healing pharmaceutical. In fact, a great deal of it was found in the tomb of King Tut and hieroglyphics have been found that show it was enjoyed as a drink. Further along the line, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte were both recorded as using liquorice for its health benefits.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that records indicate liquorice was first made into candy in Holland. From there, sailors eventually shared this treat with people from other countries in Europe and, eventually, all over the world. Now, this type of candy is produced not only in Europe but also in Australia and the Americas.
Created by Licorice International in 2004, Liquorice Day celebrates the rich history and unique flavor of liquorice. Although black liquorice is the original, liquorice also comes in many flavors and colors other than black. So for those who don’t really prefer the special taste of black liquorice, it wouldn’t be a crime to celebrate the day with a different flavour!
For this day, consider doing a little research to find out more about the history and health benefits of this important plant and its uses. Start with these interesting facts:
- Liquorice is a shrub (actually it’s a weed!) and the root is what is used to make the teas and candies.
- Liquorice extracts may actually help to slow the effects of aging on the brain due to a compound called carbenoxolone.
- Aniseed is often used as a substitute for the liquorice flavor. It is similar in flavour but does not have the same health benefits.
So what’s your verdict on liquorice? Yay or Nay? And if it’s Yay, what’s your liquorice of choice?
Have a super sweet Monday!
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I really dislike liquorice allsorts.
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My dad loves allsorts. I’ll have to let him know today’s his day 
Speaking of allsorts, here’s a pic of what was once known as the most embarrassing moment in BBC history
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Yeah not really a fan of liquorice
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Whoa that looks almost… disturbing. What’s that from?
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Don’t get me wrong, I love eating liquorice, just not with all the candy attached to it.
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It’s from season 25 of the classic Dr Who series. The episode was called The Happiness Patrol. It was actually a pretty cool story concept despite the wackiness, but their attempts to have a set look like it’s out in the streets failed, as you can plainly see it is in a studio. And of course, there’s the monstrosity in the pic I posted.
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I enjoy liquorice, the salty/bitter/sweet combo is great!
Definitely do not like the red “not liquorice” - bleh 
I think that I over indulged in it as a kid one time and since then have been put off.
My Dad, coming from Dutch heritage enjoys Dubbelzout liquorice - that’s salted liquorice. That stuff is intense
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Yea Zout Drop is way to hectic!
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Kid Redd is going to be starting a part-time sales gig at the store/stall thing for a Danish artisanal boutique liquorice maker in the fancy mall hereabouts, so has all their marketing material laying about.
Here’s one that I’m sure some MEWbs will enjoy:
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That sounds amazing! 
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I like liquorice enough that this looks really good. I thought the containers were hair products at first, though…
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LOL! That’s probably down to my phone camera happy snap of the brochure. Probably should have grabbed the image from their site. It is very stylishly packaged stuff all round though.
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It is Tuesday, 13 April 2021
(W15/D103/262 rem)
Today is: Scrabble Day
Scrabble Day is observed annually on April 13th. Being that over 150 million copies of Scrabble have been sold across the globe, it is a game that truly deserves to be recognized! Make sure you honor this beloved game by playing some Scrabble on April 13th!
April 13th specifically was chosen in honor of Scrabble’s inventor, Alfred Mosher Butts. Butts was born on April 13th, 1899.
If you have never played Scrabble before, where have you been all of this time? Scrabble Day was created to coincide with the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts; the man who invented this iconic board game. Scrabble is played all over the world. In fact, Scrabble has moved through many generations, and while the board game version is still very popular, we can also play the game on our smartphones as well. As this is one of the world’s most iconic board games, it is only right that we have a day to celebrate it!
It began with the Great Depression of 1929, which left many people out work and starving for food.
One of those people decided to try and not make life so depressing by inventing a game. Alfred Mosher Butts, an out of work architect, decided to create a game that people could enjoy during their free time.
As an avid fan of games himself, he combined the elements of anagrams and the classic crossword puzzle to create a score wording game. This game was called LEXIKO, it would later change its name to Criss Cross Words.
However, many game manufacturers didn’t agree with the idea he had and rejected his game. It wasn’t until he met James Brunot that the concept was reshaped in rules and design that Scrabble was born.
The game gained trademark in 1948, and then after, the game went down in history as America’s most popular board game. At one point, the game event became a TV show. In 1984, the show Scrabble aired on NBC national television with host Chuck Woolery.
Today, the Scrabble dictionary continues to add words to its definition each year. People continue to play it in their own homes as a fun way to pass the time. Celebrated yearly on Butts birthday, Scrabble Day celebrates the history of this game by encouraging everyone to play it.
So, whether it’s on a traditional board with classic hard plastic letter tiles, or on a magnetic travel board, or even on your mobile with an app (try the official Scrabble Go! app, or the global multiplayer Words With Friends) get your wordsmithing hats on and aim for those Triple Word Point squares with some solid wordplay.
Have a tantalizingly (26 points) terrific (13 points) Tuesday!
Ramadan Mubarak to all those who observe the holy month.
Yes, today is also the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam.
Ramadan 2021 will begin in the evening of Tuesday, 13 April and ends in the evening of Wednesday, 12 May. It is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The daily fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset.
Wishing you all the blessing of the holy month - Ramadan Kareem
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