ODDS, ENDS & INSPIRATION

z Comedian and film star Groucho Marx once said: “There’s one way to find out if a man is honest – ask him. If he says ‘Yes’, you know he is a crook.” z You might be surprised to learn that, in addition to his holiday duties, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, coopers, sailors, fishermen, merchants, broadcasters, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, brewers, pharmacists, archers, pawnbrokers, Aberdeen, Galway, Russia, Greece, Hellenic Navy, Liverpool, the Italian town of Bari, the city of Siggiewi in Malta, Moscow, Amsterdam and the Lorraine region of France. z The next time you’ve enjoyed a happy hour out with friends, you might want to consider the virtually unknown adjective “gambrinous”, which means “to be content and happy due to a stomach full of beer.”

z A pregnant goldfish is known as a “twit”.

z Sometimes looking at local ordinances can make you wonder what inspired lawmakers to pass such laws. For instance, in Florida it’s illegal to wear nothing but liquid latex while in a public place.

z Ever wonder how the statuette taken home by winners of the Academy Awards got its nickname? Evidently, in 1931 a secretary at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences saw the statuette for the first time and exclaimed, “Why, he reminds me of my Uncle Oscar!” The comment struck the fancy of a reporter who was present, and he put it in a story about the awards, and the name stuck.

NOW HERE’S A TIP

z Putting up new calendars? Before you toss your old one, be sure to look through it for important anniversaries, and cut out and save any pictures or art that might be reusable for craft projects. z Wrapping up your decorations is a snap with a visit to the recycling bin: egg cartons for ornaments, paper towel cores to wrap lights around, and newspaper for tinsel or lengths of fake boughs. z “Is your showerhead spraying in all directions? There may be a build-up of mineral deposits blocking some of the holes. Here’s a good way to get that cleaned out, and it’s no scrub, mostly. Fill a plastic baggie halfway with a vinegar and water solution. Lift it up and put the showerhead into the vinegar. Then secure the bag over the pipe tightly using tape or a hair elastic. Let it sit while you’re at work. Then remove and run the shower normally.” – contributed by R.E.

z Do you use the clutter basket trick? As you clean your home, or just when tidying, carry a basket from room to room. Items that belong in another room go in the basket to be delivered to the right room along the way.

z “Make your own coffee creamer with this easy recipe: Combine 1 can of sweetened condensed milk with 2 cups of whole milk and 1/3 to 1/2 cup flavouring syrup, available in the coffee aisle of your grocery store. Add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract for additional flavour.” – W.B.

z Use dry flour or cornstarch on a microfibre cloth for stubborn grease on stainless steel. It absorbs and buffs.