ODDS, ENDS & INSPIRATION

z Science fiction author Philip K. Dick once said: “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”

z When Hernan Cortes reached the New World in the 1600s, he found the Aztecs drinking hot chocolate at their banquets.

z The World Health Organisation does not include cockroaches on its list of insects hazardous to human health.

z Characters in old American Western movies were often afraid of rattlesnakes? Those are certainly dangerous creatures, but keep in mind that the venom of a black widow spider is 15 times deadlier than that of the rattler – and the spider doesn’t provide an early-warning alarm like the rattler does.

z The name for that lovely lavender stone, amethyst, is derived from the Greek term for “not drunk”.

z You probably knew that cats were revered in ancient Egypt, but did you know that when a domestic cat died, the family went into mourning? Yep. People would shave their eyebrows to demonstrate their grief over the passing of their beloved pet.

z In 2015, 42 per cent of Australians ate potato chips every week, making them our favourite snack.

z Singer and songwriter Roger Miller, best known for his hit song “King of the Road”, had a passion for music early, even though his family was poor. When he was in grade school, he spent his weekends picking cotton so he could save up enough money to buy a guitar. After eighth grade he quit school and went to work herding cattle and riding in rodeos.

NOW HERE’S A TIP

z Apply a strong magnet to the side of small basket to mount it on your fridge. It can hold a whiteboard pen and an eraser or even bottles of spices.

z Thanks to the Lyme Disease Association for setting us straight on home remedies for tick removal. Soap doesn’t work; neither does petroleum jelly or a lit match. According to Australia’s Dept of Health, if you suffer from allergic reactions to ticks, only attempt to remove a tick whilst at a medical facility. In non-allergic individuals, remove a tick with fine tipped forceps (so that you don’t squeeze its body), grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upwards with steady pressure and avoid jerking or twisting the tick. If you have difficulty removing the tick or suffer any symptoms after removal, seek medical attention urgently. Go to www.health.gov. au and search for “tick bites” for full details. z Here’s a tip when spray painting an item: Be sure you are spraying before and after the edges. Press down on the spray trigger so that the paint is coming out before you apply it with a back and forth motion. This will ensure that you have even coverage. z “WD-40 works really well at removing adhesive labels. I bought a few bottles of wine and the bottle shape was decorative. I wanted to use it, but not with the label on it. I tried soaking the bottle, and scrubbing, but it was still a mess. I even tried alcohol, but nothing! I sprayed it with WD-40, let it sit about five minutes, and it rubbed right off like magic.” – Y.L.