Ever Wonder How States Got Their Names?

Alabama: Land of vegetarians?
The state of Alabama is named after the river which European explorers named after a local Native American tribe, according to the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Historians believe the tribe's name is a portmanteau combining Alba (vegetation) and Amo (gatherer), which makes sense since Native Americans cleared a lot of the land in the state to grow vegetables. While the origin is debatable, here is a fun fact about Alabama: It’s the only state whose official drink is an alcoholic beverage.

Alaska: A great land
The Russians sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. The name is sometimes loosely translated from the Aleut word “Alyeska” meaning “great land,” which is understandable because the state is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. These days, Alaska’s willing to pay you $1,000 to move—and stay—there.

Arizona: A little spring or a big oak?
Historians disagree over how Arizona got its name: One theory is that the name is derived from Papago tribal words meaning “place of the young spring.” Another theory is that the name derives from a Spanish word meaning “good oak tree.” The office of the governor notes that the written history of Arizona began in Spanish (when exploration parties ventured northward from Mexico).

Arkansas: South wind
The state of Arkansas was named after a Native American tribe the Akana. “Arkansas” means “south wind” (i.e., “downstream”)—the tribe lived downstream from the major Algonquin tribe in the area. It stuck, at least in theory, although the spelling and pronunciation varied until well into the 19th century when the state passed a law declaring the spelling to be “Arkansas” but the pronunciation to be AR-can-saw. Contrary to Internet folklore, there is no penalty or other legal liability for misspelling or mispronouncing the state’s name, but there are some weird things that are actually banned in the United States.

California: Not an island
The name comes from the Spanish legend of Queen Califia, ruler of an island called “California” (yes, the early explorers thought they were on an island). When Cortéz landed on Baja California, he believed he had found the island of Queen Califia, populated only by women who used gold to make tools and weapons. He wasn’t far wrong when, three centuries later, gold was discovered in California.

Colorado: The red river
Colorado means “the color red,” and Spanish explorers named the muddy red river they found Rio Colorado. Congress chose the name for the territory in 1861.

Connecticut: Not because of the Constitution
The founding fathers began drafting the U.S. Constitution in the state, but that has nothing to do with the name. By the 1600s, what is now the Connecticut River was already known by a derivation of the Native American word, quinnehtukqut, which means “long tidal river.” Did you know that one of Connecticut’s nicknames is the Nutmeg State?

Delaware: The first state
Delaware got its name way back in 1610 when explorer Samuel Argall, sailing from Virginia, saw what Cape Henlopen is now and called it “Cape De La Warr” in tribute to the first governor of Virginia, Thomas West, who was also the 3rd Baron De La Warr. Here are more history lessons your teacher lied to you about.

Florida: Feast of the flowers
Juan Ponce de Leon was the first to call the state Florida when he landed in the northeastern part in April 1513. The name comes from the celebration, Pascua Florida (Feast of the Flowers). He never found that “fountain of youth” he was looking for, but some still believe it could be somewhere in Florida. Test the rest of your history knowledge with these history questions everyone always gets wrong.

Georgia: For the other King George
Georgia was named by the Royal Charter in 1732 after England’s King George II. King George II demanded that the thirteenth colony (which later became the state of Georgia) be named after him.

Hawaii: Small but fierce
When Captain James Cook discovered the islands that are now Hawaii in 1778, he wanted the islands to be called the Sandwich Islands, after the Earl of Sandwich. But Hawaiian King Kamehameha I wasn’t buying into the anglicized naming; he united the islands under his rule by 1819 as the Kingdom of Hawaii. Like many state names, the etymology of Hawaii is subject to debate. Some say believe it means “homeland.” Others say it means “small and raging.” Others say it comes from the traditional settler of the islands, Hawai’i Lōa.

Idaho: Ida-hoax
While it may sound like a Native American-derived name, Idaho may be entirely made up. A mining lobbyist claimed it was an Indian word that meant “gem of the mountains,” and hoped to name the territory that included Colorado accordingly. When Congress caught onto the fact that Idaho wasn’t actually an Indian word at all, they went with Colorado. That left “Idaho” free for the taking—and now it had a reputation. And in 1863, Congress dubbed the state territory Idaho.

Illinois: The French pronunciation
If you were to pronounce “Illinois” using French pronunciation rules, it would sound something like Ill-in-WAH. That’s the key to understanding why Illinois is spelled that way—despite being pronounced Ill-in-OY. When French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle discovered the land, he called it by the name of the Native American tribe in the area: the Illiniwek. He spelled it “Illinois,” as the French would. That’s the name Congress chose in 1818, but with a pronunciation that was decidedly not French. As for why Chicago is known as the “Windy City,” let’s just say the French weren’t clever enough to come up with that nickname.

Indiana: An identity crisis
No one would blame Indiana for having an identity crisis back in its early days. First, it was ruled by the French. When the English took over from the French, the territory became a county of Virginia before being separated into the Northwest Territory. By the early 19th century, Indiana had its own geographical boundaries and a name (named after the “Indians” from whom the land was acquired)—which it shared with Michigan until 1805 and Illinois until 1809.

Iowa: The beautiful land
Iowa takes its name from the tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area (the Ayuxwa, or the English spelling: Ioways). The name is believed to mean, “one who puts to sleep.” Iowa‘s first recorded use was by Lieutenant Albert M. Lea, who had ventured across it on a mission in 1835 (when it was still part of the Wisconsin Territory) and later wrote about it in a book he published in 1836.

Kansas: A south wind blows
Kansas takes its name from the Kansa tribe that lived in the area; the name loosely translates to “people of the South Wind.” The first recorded use of the name was by French explorers, who first explored the land in 1812. One explorer wrote the name Kansas on a map and after that, it just stuck. Think you know your geography? Test your memory with this geography quiz.

Kentucky: Plain prairie
Some experts believe the name comes from the Wyandot tribal name for “plain,” in reference to the central plains of the state. Other historians say it comes from the Iroquoian word meaning, “prairie.” Some say the name means “dark and bloody ground.” See if you can guess which American president was born in Kentucky.

Louisiana: Name fit for a French king
Dubbed in 1862 by the same French explorer who later named Illinois, Louisiana honors King Louis XIV of France. The land was claimed by France until 1803 when Thomas Jefferson purchased as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Believe it or not, the purchase was supposed to be memorialized on Mt. Rushmore.

Maine: The story we’re sticking with
The first record of Maine being called “Maine” was dated August 10, 1622, and comes from English Royal Navy veterans Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason. Historians believe they called the territory Maine to distinguish it from all the islands off the coast. Of course, the area was first discovered by the French. To settle the matter, the Maine legislature adopted a resolution in 2001 stating that “Maine” was named after the French province by the same name.

Maryland: Queen Mary
Maryland is named for a French-born queen of England: King Charles’ wife, Queen Henrietta Maria (a.k.a., Queen Mary). When King Charles gave Lord Baltimore a charter in 1632 to establish the new colony, he included the stipulation that it be named in his wife’s honor.

Massachusetts: Great hill
This New England state was named after the Massachusetts Indians who lived in the region, the name loosely translates to “at the great hill.” The name was first recorded in by Captain John Smith, who visited the area in 1614, in his book, A Description of New England. Smith also gave New England its name. When you’re in Massachusetts, don’t forget to check out the New England Trail, one of America’s most stunning hiking trails.

Michigan: Large water
The name comes from the Chippewa word “michigama” which means “great or large lake." European explorers named Lake Michigan after the tribe’s word in 1670. Later, the entire state took that name as well.

Minnesota: Clouds on the water?
Minnesota’s name comes from the Dakota tribe’s words for “water”—mni—and “clouds”—sota. But whether the water was cloudy, or whether the water was so clear it reflected the clouds in the sky is a mystery we may never solve.

Mississippi: Big river
The name comes from the river, which got its name from the Native American communities that used it for transportation and food. They called it misi sipi, which translates to “big water.” If you’re fond of state trivia, try this state nicknames quiz.

Missouri: Not so muddy after all
The Sioux tribe is the source for the name of Missouri, according to Missouri’s Secretary of State. The word has often been interpreted to mean “muddy water,” but according to the Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology, the name means “town of the large canoes.”

Montana: Mountainous
Montana is the fourth largest state by area (behind Alaska, Texas, and California) but it is also one of the country’s least densely populated states. Its name is derived from the Spanish word montana meaning “mountain,” even though Montana’s average elevation of 3,400 feet makes it the lowest of all the Rocky Mountain States. Don’t miss the U.S. trivia your teacher never told you about.

Nebraska: The broad river
The state name of Nebraska is derived from the Native American name for the Platte River, which runs through it (“Nebrathka” meaning “flat water”). The name was first used in writing in 1842 by John Charles Frémont, and it stuck.

Nevada: Snowy range
Nevada was named for the nearby mountain range—mostly in California—called the Sierra Nevadas. The name comes from the Spanish settlers who marveled at the snowy peaks (nevada translates to “snow-covered”). In 1859, Congress shortened the name of the territory (that became the state) to Nevada. Note: Nevadans prefer to pronounce the state’s name with the flat “a” like the one in “trap” even though the name’s derived from the Spanish, which means the “a” would sound like the one in “palm.” Here are the most difficult to pronounce towns in every state.

New Hampshire: Live free or die
Named by Captain John Mason after Hampshire County in England, the state was the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and the first state to have its own constitution. Its spirit of independence is epitomized in the state motto—” Live Free or Die.” It plays an important role in national elections, as it is the first state to hold national primaries, and its primary results are thought to influence those in the rest of the nation, giving rise to the saying “As New Hampshire goes, so goes the nation.”

New Jersey: Two namesakes in one
The name comes from the English Channel Island of Jersey in honor of Sir George Carteret (one of the two men to whom the land of New Jersey was originally given). And Sir Carteret? He’s the namesake of the township called Carteret—in New Jersey. Although the state is known for its industry, its “Garden State” nickname is well-deserved: New Jersey is a leading producer of cranberries, blueberries, and tomatoes.

New Mexico: An Aztec god
New Mexico was the name the Spanish used for lands north of the Rio Grande. Mexico refers to an Aztec god, Mextli. The name New Mexico was given to the land ceded to the United States by Mexico after the Mexican American War.

New York: The big orange?
In 1624, the Dutch arrived in the land that’s now New York and called it New Amsterdam (after Holland’s biggest city). By 1664, New Amsterdam fell into the hands of the British, who renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York. In 1673, the Dutch regained control of New York and rechristened it New Orange, its official name for about a year—at which point it was permanently ceded to the British under the Treaty of Westminster, and it went back to being New York.

North Carolina: Charles in charge
North and South Carolina were part of one colony until 1729 when the Province of Carolina was split. In 1629, King Charles I granted the territory to Sir Robert Heath; he named it Carolina. This word is derived from the name Carolus, translated as “Charles.” King Charles II, who granted another charter that expanded the province, also was honored by the name. Here are the geography mistakes we’re all guilty of making.

North Dakota: A name change?
The land that is now North Dakota was acquired from the French as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The “Dakota Territory” was formed in 1861 and included what is now North and South Dakota, as well as Montana and Wyoming. Dakota comes from a Sioux tribe from the region and translates to “friend.” In 1889, the Dakotas were admitted into the Union as states (Montana also became a state in 1889; Wyoming followed in 1890).

Ohio: Another great river
According to History.com, Ohio got its name from the Iroquois word, “O-Y-O,” which means “great river.” The nickname, the “Buckeye State,” refers to the local buckeye tree, whose fruit was believed by early native Americans to bear a striking resemblance to the eye of male deer.

Oklahoma: kind of like Indiana
“Okla humma” was a phrase in the Choctaw language that described the skin-color of Native Americans as a whole. Okla means “people” and humma means “red.” In 1890, two years after the area was opened to white settlers, the anglicized version of the name was approved for the territory.

Oregon: Big storm, big ears, or… oregano?
The first use of Oregon seems to date back to 1778 and refers to the local river—now called the Columbia. There are numerous theories as to the origins of the state’s name—not to mention how it’s pronounced: Ore-gun? Or the locals’ preferred three-syllable OR-a-gun? The naming theories include:

The name comes from the Quebecois word ouragn, which sounds close to the way Oregon residents pronounce their state’s name. It means “hurricane” and may refer to the weather conditions faced by Canadian fur trappers.
The name comes from the Spanish word oregano for the wild sage that’s indigenous (and grows like a weed) in parts of Oregon.

Pennsylvania: Bold Quaker
In 1681, England’s King Charles II (the same one who chartered Maryland in 1832), gave William Penn, a Quaker, the right to settle there. The King didn’t specify that the settlement should have any particular name, so Penn named it “Pennsylvania,” after his father, Admiral Sir William Penn. Or himself, depending on how you look at it.

Rhode Island: An island in a far-flung sea
The first mention of the name can be found in a letter from 1524 from the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano: He refers to an island near the mouth of Narragansett Bay that looks like the Isle of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. “Rhode Island” stuck as the informal name until it was adopted as the official colony name in 1663.

South Carolina: Golf galore
South Carolina has the same origin story as North Carolina, but its own unique topography and history. It’s home to more than 350 golf courses and had a relationship to the game of golf since as early as 1743 when the city of Charleston welcomed a shipment of golf balls and clubs from Scotland.

South Dakota: The original?
The origins of South Dakota’s name are the same as that of North Dakota. But just a year after the Louisiana Purchase, Fort Pierre was established by the Lewis and Clark expedition as South Dakota’s first permanent American settlement. Fun fact: South Dakota was admitted to the Union just moments before North Dakota, but that decision was entirely random. President Benjamin Harrison just shuffled the bills for both of the Dakotas and signed one at random.

Tennessee: The one with many spellings
Parts of Tennessee were almost included in a 14th colony that would have been known as “Transylvania.” Otherwise, details for the origin of “Tennessee” have been lost over time, but Spanish explorer Captain Juan Pardo was the first to record the name in 1567. As the story goes, he and his soldiers had encountered a native American village called “Tanasqui.” Many, many spellings were tried out, but the first record of one that stuck is in an official correspondence from the Governor of South Carolina in the 1750’s. Tennessee became a state in 1796. These are other states that were almost a part of the United States.

Texas: Hello friend
Texas comes from the word teysha meaning “hello friend” in the language of the Caddo tribe. Spanish explorers and settlers used this word in the 16th century to refer to the friendly tribes throughout Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The first recorded use predates 1689 when the area was referred to as “the great kingdom of Texas” by a Spanish explorer. Although the reference, itself, created a debate (about whether anyone should be calling the land a kingdom or calling it a word that’s merely a greeting), but it stuck.

Vermont: Green mountains
“Vermont” is a portmanteau of sorts from the French words for “green” and “mountain”—verd and mont. (Vermont is the Green Mountain State, after all.) The French explorer, Samuel de Champlain first recorded the name on a map in 1647. Thinking of where you want to retire? Don’t forget to check out Burlington, as well as these other amazing places to retire around the world.

Virginia: The first colony and the first one named for a woman
Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, also known as the Virgin Queen. It’s thought that Sir Walter Raleigh suggested the name to the Queen in 1584 when she gave Raleigh permission to colonize the land.

Utah: People of the mountains
Mountains, high plateaus, and deserts distinguish Utah’s topography. When Spanish settlers arrived in the area in the late 16th century, they noticed that some of the native tribes lived in the mountains, while some lived in the valleys. The Apache word, yuttahih refers to either “high places” or “people who live in high places.” It stuck with the settlers, who referred to the natives who lived in the mountains as the Ute people (the Utes are a native American tribe living primarily in Utah to this day) and the land as Utah.

Washington: This one’s easy
Yep: Both Washington State (and Washington D.C.) are named for the first president of the United States. Granted statehood in 1889, Washington is the only state named after a president. Now that you know he has a state named after him, here are more facts about George Washington your teachers never taught you in school.

West Virginia: Separated, but keeping the name
When West Virginia withdrew from Virginia in 1861 because it didn’t agree with Virginia’s seceding from the Union, it considered the names, “Kanawha,” “Vandalia,” “Augusta,” “Allegheny,” “New Virginia,” and “Western Virginia.” But despite their political disagreement with Virginia, residents in the western half of the state still retained a fondness for the name.

Wisconsin: The stream meandering through the red bluffs
Wisconsin was originally “Meskonsing,” which is the Native American name for the river (now called Wisconsin as well) that runs 430 miles through the state. The English eventually changed the spelling to “Wisconsin,” because that’s what the Indian word sounded like to them. “Recent scholarship has concluded that the word actually means, ‘this stream meanders through something red,'” according to WisconsinHistory.org and that the “something red” is Wisconsin’s sandstone bluffs (the Wisconsin Dells).

Wyoming: A state of indecision
Depending on who you talk to, the word Wyoming means either “large plains,” “mountains and valleys alternating,” “at the big river flat,” or “a large prairie place.” What is known for certain is that the name was proposed by Ohio Congressman James M. Ashley in 1865, although he later questioned his decision to support creating a congressional district out of the incredibly arid land. Wyoming became a territory in 1868 and a state in 1890. If you can’t get enough of state history, don’t miss these 50 facts about the 50 states.

 

 

Family Fun

Here is a great idea for a fun game night.  Do you know all the line from Sleepless in Seattle?  Have a soft spot for Titanic?  Show off your skills at a movie-themed quiz night!  It's a great way to get family and friends together for some friendly competition!  Here's how:

 

1.  Invite your friends and family - the ideal group is 6 to 10 so you can break into smaller groups.
2.  Serve movie style snacks like popcorn, peanuts, and candy - things you can eat without disturbing the game.
3.  Compile your questions. Do this the week before so you have plenty of time for brainstorming and printing out the questions.  Aim for a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions that encompass several genres - Westerns, Romance, Comedy, Animated, Classic, etc. to make things more interesting.  You can get ideas from websites like Sporcle.com and FunTrivia.com.  Divide the action into 4 or 5 10 question rounds so you will want 40-50 questions in total.
4.  Start playing!  Pass a basket around for everyone to put their phones in so they won't be tempted to cheat.  Either ring a bell or sound a buzzer to start the round.  Read the question out loud and allow each team to discuss their answer and raise a hand when they think they know.  The first correct answer gets a point.  If no one answers correctly within a minute, move to the next question.  Keep track of the score and the winning team should get a small prize like a box of microwave popcorn.

 

Have fun!

 

Help Baby to Fall Asleep

 

1. Create and Stick to a Routine

Many adults find routines boring, but babies find them comforting. When a baby participates in a consistent routine, it leaves little room for confusion that may lead to resistance to bedtime. Find a routine that works for you, such as mealtime, bath time, baby massage, reading a book and finally followed by bedtime. Your baby will know what to expect and feel safe in going to sleep.


2. Separate Mealtimes from Sleep

New mothers feel comfortable nursing or bottle feeding their newborns to sleep. Many times, this becomes what is called a “sleep crutch,” and results in the child only falling to asleep while eating. The older your child gets, the harder the habit can be to break (as I witnessed with my friend still having to nurse her 2-year-old to sleep- yikes!). Try as hard as you can to create a reasonable break in between the last feeding and bedtime. Even if it means simply stopping as their eyes flutter close, but they aren’t asleep yet, you are delineating between meal and sleep time.

3. Let Them Fall Asleep in Your Arms Holding Still

Another sleep crutch may be the need for constant rocking or swaying, and if you have a baby that loves being held you know what this is like. Instead of going through the motions (quite literally), start just holding your baby still until they fall asleep. This will simulate the same environment as laying alone and still in their crib. It also means that if they wake up in the middle of the night, they can self soothe themselves back to sleep without the need for a rocking session.

4. Put Them in Bed Awake

Most experts agree that teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own is best achieved through laying them down in the crib still awake. Awake does not necessarily mean wide awake- it could mean very drowsy and even with their eyes closed. The important thing is they are aware that they are alone in their crib (not in your arms) and associate it with going to sleep. If they wake up a few minutes later or even in the middle of the night, they will eventually come to know they don’t need mom or dad to help them fall back asleep.

5. Stick to One Method

There are so, so many sleep training methods out there and parents usually gravitate towards one they feel most comfortable. But when you’re a few days in and it doesn’t seem like it’s working, it’s easy to want to switch. Try your best to pick one method and stick to it. Switching from the no tears method to the cry it out method is going to be very confusing for your baby and may toss all your hard work out the window.

6. Don’t Give Up

We often think that getting a baby to sleep on their own is all up to the baby, but it’s just as hard, if not harder on mom and dad. It’s easy to feel guilty for letting your baby cry or fear they are scared or lonely. But don’t give up! This process does not usually happen overnight, but it’s only possible if you keep trying. Both you and your baby will be so happy you gave it a shot.

10 "Polite" Small-Talk Questions That Are Actually Rude

For some of us small talk can be tricky-and these questions aren't as innocent or as helpful as you may think. If you cringe at the idea of making small talk, take a look at these suggestions.

1.  "Hey, when are you two having kids?"  What you mean and what they hear are usually two separate things.  You might mean that you think they would make great parents and that you are excited for them to have a family someday, but they are hearing something that is a super-private and personal decision that you are not part of so why would you ask that?

Say this instead, "You two make such a great couple, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for you.

2.  "Where are you really from?" What you mean - I notice something different about you, and I'm curious about you.  What they hear - You look or sound different, so you must not belong here.

Say this instead, "It's so nice to meet you!  Tell me a little bit about yourself."

3.  "You're so smart and pretty-why don't you have a boyfriend?"    What you mean is I think your beautiful and smart - and a great catch.  What they hear is what's wrong with you?

Keep in mind and tell yourself that it's really none of your business.  Say instead, "You are so smart and beautiful, and I adore you!  What's new in your world?

4. "You look tired.  Are you okay?"  What you mean is I'm concerned about you, and I want you to know I care.  What they hear is something is clearly wrong with you, and everyone can see it.

Say this instead, " How are you doing today?  I just want you to know I'm thinking about you."

5.  "That looks like it hurt.  What happened?"  What you mean is that is a big scar it must have an interesting story, and I'd love to hear about it.  What they hear is that thing on your body is very noticeable and it freaks people out.

Say instead "That's a cool scar.  I'd love to hear the story sometime if you want to share.

6.  "What is there to worry about? Relax, it's going to be fine."  You mean - I don't want you to feel stressed!  I care about you, and I want to reassure you.  What they hear is - Your worries are silly, and I think you're being dramatic.

Say this instead, "Tell me what you're worried about.  I'd love to listen.

7. "Working hard or hardly working?  Ha Ha."  You mean to say I'm just trying to make small talk about work.  What they hear," I think you're lazy or not doing your job properly."

Instead say, "Want to hear a dumb joke?  What do you call someone with no body and no nose?  Nobody Knows!! 

8.  "You look great!  Have you lost weight?"  What you mean- you look fantastic, and I curious about what changed.  What they hear, you have to lose weight to look good.

Say this instead, "You look so happy!  What's new in your life these days?"

9.  "Glad you two are still together!  When are you going to put a ring on it?"  You mean - you're a cute couple and I'd love it if you got married.  What they hear- I'm judging you and your relationship.  It's the same as number 1 - a serious and personal question that's really none of your business.

Say this instead, "You two are such a great couple!  What adventures are you looking forward to?"

10.  "That's so sad-how did they die?"  You mean-I'm sorry to hear about the death of your loved one, and I'm curious about what happened.  What they hear - Please relive one of the most upsetting moments of your life to satisfy my curiosity.

Say this instead, "I'm heartbroken for you and your family.  How can I support you right now?"

 

 

Can sharks predict hurricanes?

How sharks behave before hurricanes may be able to teach humans lessons, according to researchers.

Research shows that some sharks move to deeper, safer waters far before humans predict severe hurricanes. Efforts have begun to tag sharks to collect data that traditional ocean equipment is unable to reach.
As Tropical Storm Idalia intensifies and prompts evacuation orders less than 48 hours before its arrival, could shark movement have provided earlier warning signs?

Here is what early research says about sharks' abilities to predict hurricanes:

Sharks sense dips in air pressure surrounding hurricanes. While those air pressure dips also accompany large thunderstorms, sharks seem to be able to sense the difference and stay put when it is just a minor storm.

Part of the key to their keen hurricane radar could be their ability to sense electrical fields from afar. Through a series of sensory pores in their snouts, sharks can sense extremely weak electric fields, including those in prey used to move muscles or make hearts beat.

Hurricane winds and waves also create electrical fields.

"This is an idea that's been out there for quite a while, using animals as oceanographers," said Michael Heithaus, a shark researcher and executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education at Florida International University.

Do sharks evacuate for a hurricane too?
Millions of years of evolution and experience with hurricanes have given different species of sharks' different survival tactics in the face of a major hurricane.

Research shows that some sharks move to deeper, safer waters far before humans predict severe hurricanes. Efforts have begun to tag sharks to collect data that traditional ocean equipment is unable to reach.

Smaller sharks escape hurricane turbulence in coastal waters for deeper, calmer waters. If they stay, they can get pushed onto land.
Larger sharks, such as tiger sharks, use the opportunity for a feeding frenzy, scavenging smaller, weaker and injured fish, birds and invertebrates that get battered by debris. Therefore, larger sharks might brave the storm and stay closer to shore.

How can sharks help humans forecast hurricanes?
Satellite tagging technology attached to sharks allows researchers to gather safer, cheaper and faster oceanographic data compared to underwater weather drones.

Advances in the technology have allowed for smaller animals, including sharks, to carry the sensors. That data can be fed directly into the pipeline along with traditional buoys and gliders.

Sharks can swim across strong currents. They also move in advance of the hurricane. Collecting data from their movements can give researchers more advance insight into a storm.

 

Did sharks predict Tropical Storm Idalia?
Maybe. But researchers don't have the tools in place to collect enough data yet.

The research efforts to date have only been used to tag approximately a dozen sharks, so no shark data has been able to reliably predict a hurricane yet. Also, because of the scale of sharks in the ocean compared to the precision needed to predict the movements ahead of a hurricane, predicting storms using sharks may not be feasible.

Still, researchers believe it could be a great addition to the suite of data tools forecasters use.

Easy Ways to Make Money

Face Painting: All the rage at kids' parties - and you can earn up to $100 for the first hour, and $40-$50 for each subsequent hour making little one's smile!  Here's how.

 

To get started buy a simple face painting kit at a party or crafts store. Then watch videos online that show techniques.  Check out sillyfarm.com or paintertainment.com for free how-tos.

 

Ways to get started:  Rent a booth at street fairs - pass out flyers and business cards.  Volunteer at charity events, offer your skills to a friend or family member having a party.  Don't forget to pass out flyers and post them at supermarkets, the library (ask for permission) and places where kids gather.

 

Safety first - Make sure the paint you use is FDA compliant. (Metallic craft glitters can scratch the cornea!)  and don't forget a good brush.

 

Life Coaching:  A life coach is someone who helps others find greater success.  They act as facilitators to help clients figure out what they want to attain and how to get it.   Here's how to get started:

 

Get the right credentials - You don't need a special degree to be a life coach, however there are accreditation programs that provide certificates and credibility. Check out coachingfederation.org to find a program.

 

Pick a niche.  Successful coaches specialize!  Specialties include everything from career coaching to body image coaching, even spiritual coaching.

 

Spread the word.  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs, and Websites are all great ways to get your messages out there.  Volunteer for speaking engagements or write a column for a local paper.

 

Become a Published Author.  The best part of self-publishing is that you get to write about whatever you want.  Right now, romance novels and guidebooks are the hottest sellers. Here's how to get started:

 

Upload your book for free. One place to check out is createspace.com.  Looking to publish an e-book?  Upload your book for free to Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. KDP.com

 

Generate Buzz.  Besides promoting your book on social media sites, contact bloggers in your specialty area and ask them to review your book.

 

Use Your Cellphone to get paid.  Here are some sites to checkout.

 

Nielsen Mobile Panel:  You qualify if you have an Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device. Visit MobilePanel.Nielsen.com for more information.

 

Mobile Xpression:  You qualify if you have an iPhone, iPad, or other mobile phone or tablet that is compatible with the company's software. Visit MobileXpression.com to find out more.

 

Media Insider:  You qualify if you have an Android device running Android version 4.0 or greater, Kindle Fire HD devices with built-in microphones, or IPhone5, iPad, iPad Mini, or iPad Touch running iOS version 5.0 or greater.  Visit MediaInsiders.com for more information.

 

Mystery Shopping Gigs:  Here are some sites to visit for more information:

 

 Try Second to None at secondtonone.com, Mystery Shopping Providers Association at MysteryShopping.org, Amusement Advantage.com, BareInternational.com, and BestMark.com

These relics have survived the march of time!

1.  The world's fair:  Once a huge deal, with attendance numbers exceeding a third of the population.  For the 1898 event Paris built the Eiffel Tower.  America answered in 1893 debuting the Ferris wheel, Ice cream cones, dishwashers, Ford Mustang, and the Space Needle. Even though the United States withdrew from the Paris based organizing body after a poorly attended fair in New Orleans in 1984, the fair is still very much alive.  The next one is this year from May 1 to October 31 in Milan, Italy and is expected to attract 29 million visitors.

2.  Telegrams:  Western Union sent the last telegram in 2006 but if you still want urgent news delivered to someone who isn't online, several companies have stepped in to fill the void. Sending a telegram isn't cheap at an average cost of $20.00 for a two-sentence message, Telegram.us and American Telegram are two companies who can still take care of it for you.

3.  Milkman:  In 1963 nearly 30 percent of American households had milk men.  By 2005 only 0.4 percent had milk delivered but the move toward more natural, local food has lured dozens of farms back into the old-time practice.  Some dairies even use glass bottles and employ drivers in white uniforms and caps, purely for nostalgic value.

4.  Tab Cola:  Tab was introduced in 1963, and the pink can was everywhere in the 60's and 70's before its sweetener, saccharin, came under fire as a possible carcinogen.  Tab is still available on Amazon and a few supermarkets and recent studies have thrown doubt on the health concerns.

5.  The Star Wars Set: Around 20 structures used to represent Luke Skywalker's home planet of Tatooine still stand in the Sahara Desert in Tunisia.  Unfortunately, a large sand dune, moving at a rate of two inches per day, is poised to swallow it whole within several years!

6.  Pagers:  Remember when almost everyone had moved onto cell phones?  Doctors kept their pagers.  In fact, the entire SMS cell phone systems could become inaccessible during a catastrophe and that is why many firefighters and EMT's also favor pagers.  Good to know!

Zodiac Signs Birthstones?

Why do zodiac signs have birthstones?
It might sound New Agey, but the origins of zodiac birthstones date all the way back to biblical times and the Book of Exodus (600 to 400 BC). The story details a high priest who wore a magnificent breastplate inlaid with 12 precious gemstones. These stones were said to give the wearer divine powers, and it became a tradition for people to wear the stones themselves. But that’s just one origin story. Many other cultures have their own practices and rituals surrounding zodiac birthstones as well. For example, Vedic astrologers in India have used them for thousands of years to align a person’s energy with their astrology birth chart, and ancient Hindu texts link certain stones with specific planets or days of the week.

Eventually, this practice evolved into what we know today as zodiac signs. And with the rise of commercial jewelry sales in the early 1900s, a list of birthstones based on every birth month was created and standardized in the United States by the Jewelers of America.

Why are zodiac birthstones different than traditional birthstones?
Birthstones are associated with your birth month, but because the zodiac signs don’t evenly split into all 12 months of the year, there’s some overlap. For example, while April’s birth stone is a diamond, not everyone born in that month has the same zodiac sign. Zodiac birthstones eliminate this problem by assigning a single gemstone to each zodiac sign. The focus of zodiac birthstones is also different, since these stones are geared toward your inherent astrological traits. Don’t feel connected to your zodiac birthstone? Don’t worry. Astrologers say you can try another that you feel more drawn to.

So, what can your zodiac birthstone reveal about you and do for you? Here’s which stones align with both the rarest zodiac sign, the most popular birthday month and everything in between—and what you need to know. Once you’re up to speed, check out what your birth month flowers mean too.

What is the rarest zodiac sign?
The 12 signs of the zodiac all come with a set of unique personality traits and are special in their own ways (they each even have a corresponding tarot card and connection to your health). But nothing is as special as being the rarest. What is the rarest zodiac sign, you ask?

It is none other than Aquarius, which includes people born between January 20 and February 18. “There are the least amount of births in January and February, making Aquarius the rarest zodiac sign,” says Lisa Stardust, a New York City–based astrologer and author of Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating This Cosmic Rite of Passage.

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