Did You Know...?

This week I've been perusing a book that Number One Son received for Christmas this year. It's a book called 1001 Cool Freaky Facts. This type of book is right up N1S's alley. He loves reading and memorizing facts. A few years ago he was into Presidential trivia. Did you know that George Washington died in 1799? Or was he born in 1799? Or maybe he had 99 kids. I can't remember which. I really need to listen to N1S more.

Then N1S switched to 'Crazy Laws' trivia for a while. That's when we heard all about some state that would throw you in jail if you told an Ole and Lena joke to a skunk on Sunday.

And almost since birth, N1S has been spitting up geysers of Star Wars minutiae.

So last week, I was sitting in the living room trying to find something on TV. Since NBC gave Conan the axe, I have been left with nothing to entertain me. So I picked up N1S's 'Freaky' book and idly paged through. As they say, 'The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree'. I got pulled in and trapped by this book. I could feel my brain growing stronger with each page. Did you know that diamonds are flammable? It's under fact #697. I also found out that Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. (#489) And Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.(#466) Butterflies taste with their feet (#96) and robots in Japan pay union dues.(#950)

My favorite section of the book was about words and languages. I learned that Zorro is Spanish for fox.(#814) and the dot over the letter 'i' is called the tittle. There are also no words in the English language that rhyme with the words 'month, silver, orange and purple'.(#802) And we all have Dr Suess to thank for inventing the word, 'nerd'.(#812)

So we now have two active information geysers in the house. When N1S takes a fact break for school or bedtime, I'm right there to take over for him, much to the enjoyment of Lady Di.

And speaking of Lady Di just reminded me that I haven't written my Valentine's Day poem to her yet.

Ode to Lady Di-2010

I practiced and practiced every month,
but won the lisp-contest only oneth.

The prize I received was a grill colored silver
So I threw on some steaks. What else is a grill fer?

I guess silver is better by far than orange
but Sweet Pea said my poem so far is bor-inge!

You need to spice it up now, add some Va-Voem!
So I copied a line from my Father-in-law's poem.

Roses are red, violets are purple
I love Lady Di more than maple syrple.

With my ode concluded. It is now time to go.
Just remember LD, you're still a 'Zorro'.


Happy Valentine's Day, Honey.

And remember, candles burn better when they are frozen(#121) and apples are members of the rose family.(#308) So don't tell Lady Di about my surprise romantic dinner outside in the snow with a lovely arrangement of a dozen apples. Yellow ones, of course. Her favorite.