STRANGE BUT TRUE

• It was British writer and humorist Jerome K. Jerome who made the following sage observation: “It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen.”

• Europe is the only continent without a desert. Even icy Antarctica has deserts — including the world’s largest cold desert.

• Modern dietary trends notwithstanding, raw vegetables have not always enjoyed the healthsome reputation they now have. In medieval times, in fact, veggies would always be cooked; raw ones were considered to be bad for the humors.

• Have you ever heard of an “adhocracy”? If you’re like many frustrated workers these days, you may be employed by one. An adhocracy is an organization characterized by lack of planning, responding to problems as they emerge rather than anticipating and avoiding them.

• In La Paz, Bolivia, you can find one of the most unusual prisons in the world. At San Pedro Prison, inmates have to purchase their cells. Those who are well off financially can buy private cells with bathrooms, television and kitchens. Those who are less lucky must share tiny rooms.

• You might be surprised to learn that the world’s most-translated author, by far, is Agatha Christie. Jules Verne ranks second, followed closely by William Shakespeare. It’s interesting to note that three of the top 10 — Enid Blyton, Hans Christian Anderson and Jacob Grimm — wrote works for children.

Thought for the Day:

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.” — Terry Pratchett