ODDS, ENDS & INSPIRATION

z It was US national basketball commentator and coach Al Mcguire who made the following sage observation: “The world is run by C students.”

z There were no armadillos in Texas until the 1840s.

z Many people think that adding cream to coffee makes it colder, but that’s only partially correct. As it turns out, after cooling the coffee a little bit, the cream forms a layer of fat molecules across the surface, insulating the coffee and keeping it warmer longer.

z Those who study such things say that only about half the Frenchspeaking people in the world actually live in France.

z On average, twins arrive 24 days earlier than babies from single births. z It’s been claimed that it was customary in Austria at one time for women to wear small dogs draped about their shoulders for warmth.

z You might be surprised to learn that the hula hoop was banned in some Indonesian cities. Why, you might ask? According to officials, the toy “awakens sensuality”.

z In China, it is traditional for men do the knitting.

z According to anthropologists, if you’d never worn shoes, there would be a larger gap between your big toe and the rest of your toes.

z After the American Civil War, Varina Davis – widow of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy – and Julia Grant – widow of Ulysses S. Grant, famed Union general and later president of the United States – ended up living near each other. According to historians, they became very close friends.

NOW HERE’S A TIP

z You can rewrap a scratching post with sisal rope fairly easily. The rope usually costs only a couple of dollars, and you can use a drop of hot glue to get started and another at the end. Your cat (and your couch) will thank you. z “I’ve been trying to make better choices about the packaging on items I purchase, and I’ve stopped using plastic wrap and bags for the most part. But there are some items that wax paper or parchment bags can’t handle. But I found a solution: beeswax wrap. It works just like cling wrap, and you can wash it easily. It’s pretty cool and reusable over and over.” – K.G. z Add a few tablespoons of milk to water that you use to cook cauliflower. It will help it retain its whiteness.

z Remove a lettuce core with this swift trick: Set the head of lettuce core side down on a hard surface. Bring the lettuce up and then down swiftly, crushing the core. Turn it over and the core should be easy to remove. Slice as needed.

z “I use the wide rubber band from a head of broccoli to keep my dusting cloth attached to my bottle of furniture polish. I have a microfiber cloth that I use several times before washing. I tuck it under the band, and the two items stay together under the sink.” – B.

z “Someone brought a bag of temporary tattoos to a birthday party and the kids (and some of the adults, if I’m being honest) went overboard. We used baby oil to get the residue off the next day. It came off without a fight, thank goodness.” – J.J.