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Volume 2 Issue 24
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TIDBITS® ENJOYS
IRONY
by Janet Spencer The definition of ‘irony’ is “incongruity between what is expected to be and what actually is, or a situation or result showing such incongruity.” Come along with Tidbits as we laugh at a few choice examples of irony at work in the world! IRONY AT WORK IN THE WORLD • In 1966 Harry Guyton, who worked for the prosecutor’s office in San Francisco, put his name on a waiting list to get a reserved parking space in a city-owned garage downtown. Nineteen years later he was notified that the parking space was his… …after he had been retired for two years. • City public information director Randy Myer of Lexington, KY, paid $400 for steelbelted tires guaranteed to be bulletproof, bombproof, and spikeproof. He got a flat tire… …when he rolled over a ballpoint pen. • When Frank Taylor, age 86, was arrested in Hollywood on charges of malicious mischief, he used his free phone call… …to contact the Los Angeles airport and make a bomb threat. • In Cedar Lake, Indiana, a large watchdog quietly observed two people robbing his master’s store. He then proceeded… …to bite the cop who came to investigate.
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IRONY (cont’d)
• Three men were hanged in 1911 for the murder of Sir Edmund Berry. They were hanged in London at Greenberry Hill. The names of the three men were… …Green, Berry, and Hill. • In the 1950s the BBC had a new building erected next to the old building with connecting halls between. The Music Department worried about the problems of transporting grand pianos between the buildings, so they asked carpenters to build a mock-up of a piano to see if it would fit through the hallways and doors. The model piano was constructed in the workshop… …and then found to be too large to pass through the shop doors. • NASA was preparing to launch a rocket in order to study lightning. As the rocket rested in its launcher prior to take-off… …it was hit by lightning, triggering a false take-off and ruining the mission. • Doctors in Los Angeles went on strike in 1976 to protest malpractice insurance rates. During the strike… …the death rate dropped 18 percent. • New York City spent $54,000 in 1981 on an exhibit designed to lure foreign manufacturers to set up shop in the city. The display, called “Make it In New York”… …was manufactured in New Jersey. • There are lots of towns in America with the word “Beach” in their names: Miami Beach, Long Beach etc. But the only town in America that is named simply “Beach” is in… …land-locked North Dakota. • Lucille Ball was once dismissed from a drama class because the instructor thought… …she was too shy.
June Is Adopt a Cat Month DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’ll never forget the first cat I ever brought home. “Two Socks” was a shelter cat who had been adopted by a college friend. For reasons I won’t go into, my friend was unable to keep him and figured this out about two weeks after adopting him from the local shelter. He was about a year old then, very shy and skittish, but also super curious about everything. My friend asked if I’d like to keep Two Socks, and even though I had never owned a cat before and I would have to dredge up a pet fee to keep him in my apartment, I said yes. I didn’t regret it one bit. Two Socks had personality to spare. Over time he was joined by two more cats, “Chewy” and “Belle,” but he ruled the apartment despite his shy nature. Two Socks lived to be about 14 and eventually passed away after a long illness. You never forget your first pet. I only regret that I didn’t get to keep pets when I was younger, but I’m making up for it now thanks to that little black-and-white cat. -Kathy in Des Moines, Iowa
DEAR KATHY: Pets really can change our lives for the better, can’t they? Your story is apropos, considering that June is Adopt a Cat Month. Readers, if you’ve been thinking about adding a new member to your family, consider visiting your local shelter or learning more about what it takes to adopt a cat, with tips and information, at www. petfinder.com/cats. Readers, send in your memories of the day your cat joined the family by emailing ask@ pawscorner.com.
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Family and friends rally around as you confront an unexpected challenge. Some plans will have to be changed until all the fuss and fluster settle down. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your creative gifts find new outlets for expression this week. Someone (a Libra, perhaps) has ideas that you might find surprisingly appealing. Pay attention. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You’ll soon be able to restart those delayed travel plans. A financial matter you thought was closed could suddenly reopen. Be prepared to take swift, decisive action. CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) A romantic relationship takes an unexpected turn. You might be confused about how to react. It’s best not to be rushed into a decision that you’re not ready to make. LEO ( July 23 to August 22) Don’t let your pride stand in the way of resolving an emotionally painful situation. This is a good time to deal with it and let the healing finally begin. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A workplace problem that you’ve been handling so well suddenly spins out of control. Don’t panic. You can rely on your good sense to help you restore order. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Wearing rose-colored glasses won’t solve a thorny personal situation. You need to take a hard look at what’s happening and then act according to the facts. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Weigh all your options carefully before making any decisions you’ve been putting off. Then go ahead and plan a weekend of family fun. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) While personal and financial situations continue to improve, some setbacks might occur. But they’re only temporary, so hang in there. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Family matters dominate the week. Health problems raise concern, but soon prove to be less serious than you had feared. Things start easing up by the weekend. AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) Most situations are calmer now, both at home and on the job. But there’s still a chance that a co-worker will set off another round of unpleasantness. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) There’s no need to fish for compliments from an admirer who can’t say enough nice things about you. The upcoming holiday bodes well for family gatherings. BORN THIS WEEK: You love to compete, both on a personal and a sporting level, and you hate to settle for anything less than excellence.
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1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Honduras? 2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which one of Christopher Columbus’ three ships was wrecked in the New World and didn’t return to Spain? 3. EXPLORERS: What was Christopher Columbus’ nationality? 4. MOVIES: What was the name of the character played by John Travolta in “Pulp Fiction”? 5. GAMES: What is the best hand in poker? 6. ANATOMY: What is the most common blood type in humans? 7. LANGUAGE: What characteristic makes the word “facetious” interesting? 8. LITERATURE: In which of Shakespeare’s plays does the ghost of Banquo appear? 9. RELIGION: What are the seven virtues as defined in early Christianity? 10. MUSIC: What instrument does the musician James Galway play?
1. Name the last majorleague player to hit .380 or better in a season. 2. Barry and Bobby Bonds were the first major-league father-son combination to each hit 300 home runs. Who was the second? 3. How many Super Bowls did Don Shula appear in as a head coach? 4. When was the last time before the 2015 NCAA Tournament that the Kansas and Wichita State men’s basketball teams played each other? 5. How many Stanley Cups did Al Arbour win as both a player and a head coach? 6. Entering 2016, Al Unser was the oldest winner of the Indy 500. How old was he? 7. Bjorn Borg won 11 Grand Slam singles titles, and they all were in two events. Which two?
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“Favorite Things” Place Mat for Dad
IRONY (cont’d)
• In 1964 a casting director was looking for a man to portray the president in a film called “The Best Man.” Someone suggested Ronald Reagan be offered the part, but the director said… …“Reagan doesn’t have the presidential look.”
• The manager of a movie theater in South Korea decided that the running time of “The Sound of Music” was too long. He cut it down… …by editing out all the songs.
With Father’s Day just around the corner, help young kids get started on a one-of-a-kind “Dad’s Favorite Things” place mat created just for him. While Dad is not around, get the kids talking about his favorite sports, leisure activities, music, foods, pets, clothes, etc. You might get them started by asking them to say aloud what immediately comes to mind when they think of what Dad really likes. It’s always fun to get their perspectives. Jot down their spontaneous comments and perceptions as reminders of things to look for when they search through magazines, cutting out images for the place mat. Then, gather craft supplies and a sheet of sturdy cardboard. We used one side of a large warehouse two-pack-style cereal box for a nice, large 10-inchby-13-inch place mat, which provided ample room for all of the cutouts.
• 5,000 copies of John Steinbeck’s book “The Wayward Bus” were in a truck traveling from the bindery when there was a traffic accident. The truck was wrecked and all 5,000 copies of the book burned in the resulting fire. The cause of the accident was…
Here’s what you’ll need: * 1 large, empty cereal box * Colorful adhesive-backed paper or nontoxic poster paints and brush * Markers (optional) * Favorite stickers and images cut out from magazines * White household glue or glue stick * Clear adhesive-backed paper (optional)
• Albert J . Lowry, author of “How To Become Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate” and other best-selling books on how to get rich…
Preparation: Have an adult cut out a rectangular place-mat shape from the cereal box. Flip it to work on the nonprinted surface of the box. Cut out alphabet letters to spell “Dad’s Favorite Things” and glue them in place. Or use a marker to write the words.
…a bus — a wayward bus — that had been traveling down the wrong side of the road.
…filed for bankruptcy under Chapter VII of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
• Horatio Alger, famous for his rags-to-riches stories… …died penniless.
• The address where Mrs. O’Leary’s cow presumably kicked over a lantern, starting the Chicago fire in 1871… …is now the address of the Chicago Fire Academy.
• The first time the Harlem Globetrotters ever actually played a game in Harlem was in 1968… …after they’d been in existence for over 40 years.
Decorating: Peel the backing off a piece of colored adhesivebacked paper cut to the size of the place mat and affix it to the cardboard, or paint the place-mat surface in one or more colors and let dry. Look through magazines together, and search for pictures of Dad’s favorite things. Cut out these images close to their edges for a “pop art”-style look. Arrange and glue onto the place mat. Stickers are fun to add, too. Finishing: If you wish, cover the entire place mat with clear adhesive-backed paper, and it’s ready to add to a Father’s Day table setting.
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For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233 IRONY (cont’d)
• In Nebraska, the state department paid a consultant $200/hour to the tune of nearly a quarter million bucks. His job was… …to find ways for the state to save money. • In the ancient Greek city of Amyclae, rulers were tired of the panic that ensued whenever the rumor was spread that the Spartan army was on the way to attack the city. To stop the panic, they decreed that anyone spreading such false rumors would be put to death. When the Spartan army really did appear… …everybody was too chicken to report it. The city was taken without a fight. • The American yew tree is a shrub used extensively in landscaping around Washington D.C. The botanical name of the bush is… …Taxus. • When Joyce Lott was arrested on drug charges and sent to prison in South Carolina, she was surprised to meet her long-lost sister, who was also in prison for drug charges. When the newspaper ran an article about the unlikely reunion, the sisters got a call… …from their long-lost half-brother. He was also doing time for drugs, larceny, and burglary. • Police arrested Dennis John Alson of Van Nuys, California on forgery charges. He paid his bail with a cashier’s check for $1,500… …which was a forgery. • After a series of burglaries, police in Pasco, Washington loaned the business a fancy $4,000 burglar alarm. Within a week… …it had been stolen by burglars. • In Wausau, Wisconsin in 1981, two women had a fender bender at the Fifth Street intersection. After the cops had wrapped up their paperwork, the two ladies drove off in opposite directions. A minute later… …their cars collided at an intersection a block away.
ion from a second orthopedic surgeon, had more X-rays taken and was given the same diagnosis. Is there anything more I can do to avoid having a knee replacement soon? -- C.W.
To Your Good Health By Keith Roach, M.D.
Is Knee Replacement Surgery the Only Option?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a female in my 60s, and for the past couple of months I have been having some discomfort and swelling in my right knee. I am slightly overweight and have osteoarthritis. I have no pain when walking, but when leaning over, I get a tight pain in the front of the leg, below the knee. I saw my orthopedic doctor, who told me that the cartilage is worn away, and said that I would need a knee replacement. I was given a cortisone shot, which helped the pain. Would losing weight help me avoid surgery? I take an anti-inflammatory and rubbed Bengay on the knee, which helped. I went for another opin-
ANSWER: Osteoarthritis of the knee can cause permanent loss of the cartilage. Once the cartilage is gone, the knee replacement is by far the best option to reduce pain and improve function. However, there are some things you can do to delay the need for surgery, as well as to feel better. Losing weight is important, if you are carrying more than you should. Your body weight is multiplied when you are going up and down stairs, so losing even a few pounds means much less pressure inside the knee. Anti-inflammatories and Tylenol reduce pain but don’t affect the progression of disease. Bengay, topical anti-inflammatories and capsaicin creams help some people. Steroid injections are a good option for some: Hyaluronic acid shots, such as Synvisc, help many as well. Exercise, however, definitely improves both pain and function. Walking a little bit farther each day means being able to walk still more without pain. A joint-replacement surgery shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Not everybody has a good outcome,
and an infection in an artificial joint can be devastating. However, it has been my experience that most people who have gotten a joint replacement wish they had done so sooner, so don’t suffer for too long if these treatments aren’t helping. The arthritis booklet discusses osteoarthritis, along with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 301W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: What do you know about Himalayan salt? Is it harmful to take every day? I am told that it can help lower blood pressure, because it has minerals and trace elements. -- M.S. ANSWER: Himalayan salt, though it has a pretty pink color and trace minerals, is still almost all table salt -- sodium chloride -- and salt raises blood pressure for most people. Keeping sodium intake down is likely to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. Generally, people with a healthy diet get all the trace minerals they need. Most studies on multivitamin and mineral supplements have shown no benefit.
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* It was award-winning Canadian novelist, poet and literary critic Margaret Atwood who made the following sage observation: “War is what happens when language fails.” * Many people don’t realize that the parachute was invented before the airplane. The first person to use a parachute and survive was Louis-Sebastien Lenormand, who jumped off the tower of the Montpelier Observatory in 1783.
Amazing Animals
SHARKS
• The word shark probably comes from the German word ‘schurke’ meaning villain or scoundrel. • Shark teeth are replaceable. Their jaws are lined with several rows of teeth ready to move forward as the front teeth fall out. A shark can use up to 20,000 teeth in a lifetime. Some shark mouths have 3,000 teeth in use at once. • Fossil shark teeth found near Chesapeake Bay were 5 inches long. The prehistoric shark they came from must have been large enough so that a person could have easily stood upright between its jaws. • The largest shark ever caught in modern times had teeth 3 inches (13 cm) long and was 30 feet (9 m) long. On the other hand, the midwater shark of the Gulf of Mexico is only 6 inches (15 cm) long when mature. • The skin of a shark is not covered with scales, but with dentricles, which are akin to tiny teeth. A shark can do much damage just by brushing against a human. Leather made from the skin of a tiger shark has up to 10 times the tensile strength of ox hide. • Two-thirds of the brains of some shark species are devoted to odor detection. • Sharks can detect one part of blood per ten billion parts of water - that means they could detect one drop of blood in a volume the size of an Olympic swimming pool. • Sharks will eat anything. Some of the odd things that have been found in their stomachs include: a roll of roofing paper, a telephone book, pots and pans, a drinkable bottle of wine, a keg of nails, a car license plate, and a yellow-billed cuckoo. • A 15-foot (4.5 m) white shark caught off Florida had in its stomach 2 brown sharks, each 6 feet (1.8 m) long.
* You’ve doubtless heard of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” -- or at least the famous line “Quoth the Raven, nevermore.” When the poem was published in 1845, it immediately became wildly popular, catapulting the previously obscure poet to national celebrity. Future president Abraham Lincoln liked it so much that he reportedly committed the
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lengthy verse to memory. Despite criticism from such literary lights as William Butler Yeats (who called the poem “insincere and vulgar ... its execution a rhythmical trick”) and Ralph Waldo Emerson (who said, “I see nothing in it”), the popularity of “The Raven” continued unabated, inspiring a plethora of parodies, including “The Gazelle,” “The Turkey” and “The Pole-Cat.” Popularity didn’t translate into financial success, however; Poe died in 1849, shortly after being found a penniless wanderer on the streets of Baltimore. His death has been blamed on consumption, alcohol poisoning or an opium overdose, but the true cause remains a mystery. * If you’re planning to take a cruise this summer, try to remember to use your right foot when you take your first step aboard; it’s considered bad luck to step aboard with your left foot. * You might be surprised to learn that in Russia, there are laws that prohibit the production, import or sale of lace panties.
A big concern, especially if you keep sunscreen to slather on grandchildren, is that the manufacturers don’t even have Sunscreen Protection to submit their product to the Food and Can be Guessing Game Drug Administration for analysis, and A blistering hot day that came out they don’t have to test the products unless of nowhere was a good reminder about there’s a reformulation. No matter which sunscreen we use, we stocking up on sunscreen for summer. Right on time, Consumer Reports has have to take some responsibility to use released information in their July 2016 it correctly. Put it on 15 to 30 minutes issue indicating that we need to beware: before going outside. Use enough. The SPF (sun protection factor) on the Reapply every two hours, or after getting label might not be what we actually get wet. Use sunscreen even on a cloudy day. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Don’t stay out when we use the sunscreen. Consumer Reports tested 60 sunscreens too long, even with sunscreen. To read the whole article, ask your -- stick, lotion and spray -- that were supposed to be rated at SPF 30 or higher. local library if you can access monthly Unfortunately, 43 percent of them turned magazines via a digital download feature. out not to have what was on the label. A Many libraries now have this, and you few even tested at less than 15, half of can even look at magazines right from what was promised. This problem isn’t your home computer. Most subscriptions, only for this year; Consumer Reports has however, seem to run a month behind found the same results over the past four what you’ll find on the newsstands. years.
Veteran Transitions Study Is EyeOpener The RAND Corporation has spent a decade researching concerns for veterans, especially when it comes to transitioning to civilian life. It has recently released a study with 10 areas of investigation, and some of the answers are eyeopening. Here are a few of the questions: How widespread is veteran unemployment? The answer depends on the age of the veteran. Older unemployed veterans are on par with civilians, but the younger ones, aged 18-24, have more hurdles to jump, at least for a short period after leaving the service. RAND points out that the media lumps everyone into a group and doesn’t account for demographics. Are tax credits for hiring veterans useful and costeffective? Bottom line: Yes. The credits cost $610 million but increased veterans’ income by $1 billion. It helps that the credit-eligibility rules have changed. It
used to be limited to disabled veterans who had to leave the military because of service-related disabilities, but credits now can be used for any disabled veteran who was recently discharged or unemployed for more than six months. Do service members and veterans earn less than civilians? Short answer: No. Veterans earn more than civilians, as do active duty when the benefits are added in. Further, if the veteran worked in communications, intelligence or health care, he or she will earn more as a civilian than other veterans will. How effective are support services for veterans’ transitions? Bottom line: It depends on the service. But no matter what support service is used, some employers still can’t figure out how to translate military jobs into their civilian equivalent. More questions in the study include: How widespread and costly are mental-health problems among service members and veterans? And is suicide a crisis in the military? To read the whole report, “10 Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans’ Transitions,” go online to www.rand.org.
Hummel Plate Q: I have a M.I. Hummel plate. It is “Hear Ye, Hear Ye,” which I received as a Christmas gift in about 1973. What is it worth? -- Tom, Nashville, Tennessee A: I found your plate referenced in “M.I. Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures and More” by Robert L. Miller and published by Portfolio Books. According to Miller, your plate was issued in 1972. Its original purchase price was $30, and it is currently valued in the $50 to
$75 range. Collector plates have become difficult to sell in recent years, so Miller’s estimate might be on the high side. Prices on eBay ranged from $20-$60. *** Q: I have a rather large comic-book collection. Even though I know which ones are valuable, I am having a difficult time grading them in a professional manner. Any suggestions? -- Robert, Nashville, Tennessee A: The Official Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide by Robert M. Overstreet and Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg is an excellent source that should be helpful. It has exhaustive descriptions of primary and split grades that make grading fast, easy and accurate. There are full-color photographs of major defects so you’ll know exactly what flaws to look for, and tips for evaluating comics, from the earliest publications to current ones. Although now out of print, this guide is available both new and used from a number of online sellers, including Abebooks.com, Amazon.com
and Barnesandnoble.com. *** Q: I am enclosing a drawing of a small porcelain horse that I have. It was made in occupied Japan, and I think it is probably worth a great deal of money. -- Dorothy, Pahokee, Florida A: I found a figurine similar to the one that you have referenced in Occupied Japan Collectibles: Identification and Value Guide, by Gene Florence. According to Florence, your small porcelain horse is worth about $15. *** Q: Where can I find out more about the possible value of a Hammacher Schlemmer workbench with wooden vice? -- Jo, via e-mail A: I suggest you contact the company at www.hammacher.com. Click on customer service/contact us. After filling out an online questionnaire, someone from the company will answer your question, if possible.
ATTACK FACTS • The chances of being attacked by a shark are about equal to being struck by lightning. About 20% of shark attack victims die. • Between 50 and 100 fatal shark attacks occur worldwide each year. In the U.S., the majority of attacks occur off Florida and California, because both sharks and people prefer warm water. • Half of attacks occur within 200 feet (61 m) of shore, and half of those happen in water that is shoulder deep. • Victims who are wading are more likely to die than submerged scuba divers, perhaps because
divers are better able to fight the attacker. • Scientists are unable to explain why men are 13 times more likely than women to be attacked. • Sharks seem to be attracted to bright, contrasting colors. Yellow is their favorite— a color commonly used in flotation devices, rescue equipment, and scuba gear. Black is the color that sharks are most likely to ignore. • When sharks choose a victim, they tend to concentrate only on that person, totally ignoring other people who are trying to help. • When under attack by a shark, the worst thing
to do is to thrash and flee. That’s what sharks expect. What sharks don’t expect— and don’t like— is prey that fights back. Swim directly at the shark, shout, wave your arms, blow scuba bubbles at it, and try to hit it on the snout, gills, or eyes. • Dolphins have been trained to protect divers from sharks. • Off Charleston, South Carolina, junk cars are sunk to form an artificial reef. One scuba diver was attacked by a shark while spearfishing, but escaped by shutting himself in the front seat of a Chevrolet.
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TERRIBLE TERMITES
• In South Carolina, a wedding party in a photographer’s studio was being photographed when the floor collapsed, dumping them into the basement. In Mississippi, the band playing in the bandstand during 4th of July festivities plunged through the floor. In Tennessee, pacifists staged a peace rally at the courthouse. American Legionaries held a counter-protest and paraded in military style up the courthouse steps, which collapsed beneath them. All of these incidents were caused by termites. • In 1951 a warehouse in Missouri was found to be termite infested. Just then one of the worst floods in the city’s history inundated the town. For a full week, the warehouse was submerged. When the flood receded, the owners of the warehouse figured that their termite problem was over. However, after the mud was shoveled out, the termites were found to be still alive and thriving. Termites do more damage in the U.S. than lightning, tornadoes, arson, and vandalism combined. • Termites were among the first insects to appear on earth, showing up well before the dinosaurs. They are found in every state except Alaska. Texas has more species of termites than any other state with 17. California is a close second, followed by Arizona and Florida. Areas of least infestation include Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas. Termites have been able to expand their range vastly due to the invention of central heating, which keeps them warm throughout the winter. Infestation is so heavy in Washington, D.C. that city codes prohibit the construction of wooden floors in city buildings. Termites were once found living on the 11th floor of a high-rise hotel in Silver Moon Beach, Florida. They got all the water they needed from a leaky icecube machine and an incontinent poodle. • All termites are deaf. However, they are extremely sensitive to vibrations, which is why they never live in railroad ties, bowling alleys, or factories with heavy machinery. • Termites devour not only all kinds of wood and wood products, but also wool, horns, ivory, rubber, plastic, and manure. They have
1. San Diego’s Tony Gwynn hit .394 in 1994. 2. Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder. 3. Six -- one with Baltimore (‘68 season) and five with Miami (1971, ‘72, ‘73, ‘82 and ‘84). 4. It was 1993. 5. Eight -- four as a player (1954, ‘61, ‘62, ‘64) and four as coach of the New York Islanders (198083). 6. He was 47 when he won his fourth Indy 500 in 1987. 7. He won six French Opens and five Wimbledons.
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been known to eat the corks right out of wine bottles. One kind of Panamanian termite can gnaw through lead sheathing on cables and even eats through concrete. Voracious Australian termites can reduce an abandoned ranch to dust in a matter of a few years. • Some termite colonies in Africa are estimated to be more than 80 years old and contain 3 million or more termites. All the termites in a colony are descended from the same set of parents. A queen termite is 2,400 times bigger than the worker termites. A queen can lay 84,000 eggs in a single day. • Over 50 species of birds eat termites. A flicker (a type of woodpecker) dissected by an ornithologist had 1,109 termites in its stomach. • Termites construct tunnels in all directions from their nest to avoid the sunlight. Some tunnels extend 100 yards (91 m) or more. Workmen once uncovered a system of tunnels 13 feet (4 m) below the surface of the earth. • Although no kind of North American termite makes its nest above ground, the practice is common in tropical termites. Cement-like termite columns may rise 30 feet (9 m) high. Composed of earth, saliva, and excrement, the material is extremely tough. When crushed and rolled, it forms marvelous tennis courts, roads, pottery, and bricks. One large mound yielded enough material to make almost half a million bricks. On a golf course in Africa, golfers tee off from the flat top of a 15-foot (4.5 m) termite mound while 100 other mounds on the course provide the hazards.
Answers 1. Tegucigalpa 2. Santa Maria 3. Italian 4. Vincent Vega 5. Royal flush 6. Type O positive 7. It contains all five vowels in the correct order. 8. “Macbeth” 9. Faith, hope, charity, courage, prudence, justice and temperance 10. Flute