Are You A Night Owl?
Night owls have a reputation for being lazy, but many of them might just have drastically different internal clocks than early birds and others.
Read moreApr 25
And Then We Have Albert Einstein!
From Duns to Einstein! It was pointed out in yesterday’s post that, in fact, the name “dunce” came from a very smart gentleman, John Duns Scotus, whereas in colloquial speech, that name brings to thought someone with nothing upstairs.
Now, let’s look at Albert Einstein who brings just the opposite to thought!
Read moreWhere Did it Come From?
Dunce was named for a very smart gentleman!
Although his name draws scant recognition from most today, John Duns Scotus was among the towering intellectual figures of medieval Europe.
Read moreDon’t Waste The Day
Because we don’t wish to waste this day, or any day for that matter, we encourage you to laugh everyday and as often as possible. To that end we offer this to bring a chuckle to you today…
Read moreSavvy Secrets – For The Garden
Now is the time of year when those who enjoy working in their gardens are planting new greenery and flowers and veggies to enjoy all summer long. We’ve got a simple Savvy Secret for you today to help keep your garden greener and more lush.
Read moreAhhh, Elephants!
There are few creatures more majestic than the elephant. The African savanna elephant, also known as the African bush elephant, is the largest living land mammal in the world, weighing between 4 and 7 tons each and measuring up to 13 feet high. The other two species aren’t exactly tiny, either; Agrican forest elephants and Asian elephants tend to be just a ton or so smaller.
Despite their mighty size, elephants are at risk — decades of poaching and ivory trading have taken a toll on their populations. But plenty of people have fallen in love with these highly social creatures and are working to save them.
Why are some elephants evolving at lightning speed? What itty-bitty creature absolutely terrifies them? Here are seven interesting facts about elephants you’ll never forget.
Read moreApr 16
A Great Place to Visit
Summer is coming and no doubt you are thinking about travel plans. We have noted that Portugal is a very popular country to visit and so thought you might be interested in this!
Read moreApr 15
Start The Week With Love!
If you were to ask a child from the era of Britpop and Brosnan’s Bond about romance, reigning top of their increasingly disenfranchised list would be Jack and Rose – the main characters from James Cameron’s 1997 re-telling of the Titanic disaster.
We won’t need to tell you about their story arc or downbeat yet highly romanticized ending; you’ll know it already. Their fate is now engrained into our cultural DNA, and in contrast to the humanitarian casualties of the onscreen suffering, the love between Jack (Leonard DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) has become the basis for an entire culture.
Read moreReally? Is This True?
What are the health benefits of having a close friend — like identical twins close — for your entire life?
Read moreApr 11
With The Wonder Of A Child
We have a very very dear friend who is struggling with that beast Alzheimers. He recently needed a trip to the ER and was there long hours, only leaving in the early hours of the morning. His wife relayed the following story as they drove home at sunrise.
Read moreWhat’s For Dinner? – Truffled Chicken Pasta
People seem to either be fans of foods flavored with truffles or not fans at all. Very few are neutral when it comes to this particular food item. If you fall into the “fan” category you will likely love this dish. If not, you can still give it a try and enjoy it anyway by simply omitting the truffle cheese and substituting good parmesan cheese instead.
Read moreToys, Toys, Toys
While most adults with jobs, kids, and other responsibilities have little time to play with toys, chances are these same busy folks can easily recall their favorite playthings from childhood. That’s because the best toys — whether a doll, sporting item, video game, or other novelty — pack a certain timeless appeal and leave lasting memories. But as much fun as these cherished items can be to play with, it’s also fun to learn about the unique ways they came into existence. Discover how breakthrough experiments, bold innovation, and even bizarre accidents created some enduringly popular classic toys.
Read moreApr 6
Party This Weekend?
King Charles II being presented with a much-coveted pineapple
If you’re planning to throw a party, you might need to rent extra tables or chairs, perhaps even a tent or a tux. But in the 1700s, party hosts and guests looking to make a statement were in the rental market for an entirely different accessory: pineapples.
Read moreSavvy Secrets – Gardening
If you enjoy gardening we have a simple and easy Savvy Secret for you today…
Did You Know?
The speed of a computer mouse is measured in “mickeys,” named after Mickey Mouse.
Read moreGreat Counsel!
Sometimes the hardest thing in life is letting go of what’s holding you back. It could be a painful situation you have to overcome, the loss of someone you love, the consequences of a poor choice, a deflating job, or even just a negative mindset you can’t shake. We can get stuck in a holding pattern where we focus on the things that we struggle with, and wind up in a cycle of stress, frustration, and sadness.
But there’s good news: once you let go of whatever hurt, anger, or regret you’re holding on to, you’re able to move forward freely. You have the ability to start out on a new path, unencumbered by the weight of what you’ve left behind. If you’re standing on the precipice of that new start, these 11 quotes will inspire you to let go, and move forward.
Read moreApr 1
Wise Words – Time To “Arch Hart”
Dr. Archibald Hart…aka Arch Hart… was on the faculty of the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Counseling at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California for over 40 years. For many of those years he not only taught but was the Dean of the the School of Psychology.
Read moreMar 29
Go With Joy!
As we enter this Easter weekend, go with joy knowing that He is actually risen.
Read moreMar 28
I Love Lucy!
As a child, Lucille Ball was reserved, but she knew she wanted to try her hand at show business. At age 14, she enrolled in Manhattan’s John Murray Anderson School for Dramatic Arts, where her classmates included some future leading ladies. “I was a tongue-tied teenager spellbound by the school’s star pupil, Bette Davis,” Ball once said. The school wasn’t so convinced of Ball’s own talents, though; teachers told her mother that Ball was “too shy” to ever be successful.
Read moreMar 28
Did You Know? -Maundy Thursday
Good Friday, we know. And Easter most certainly. But what is Maundy Thursday?
Read moreMar 27
Mar 25
Savvy Secret – Cut The Cake
It’s that time of year again when there are lots of celebrations…Easter, Mother’s Day, Graduations, Showers, Birthdays…the list goes on. And what is a celebration without cake?!!! So if you are having a crowd and only have one cake, we came across a genius way to cut your cake to serve a maximum number people. Watch this video we found on social media and be amazed!
Read moreMar 20
Savvy Secret- Heavy Cream
Sometimes in a pinch it is good to know that one thing can be substituted for another.
Whether it is a cleaning product, a food item for cooking, or a craft item, knowing that there is an option to substitute something you already have on hand can be a big help.
Mar 19
Under The Ground!
Early subway systems were hatched as a solution to the problem that sprang up when rapidly growing cities in the wake of the Industrial Revolution found themselves unable to expand where they needed it most — in their centers. Streets, built wide enough for modest horse and carriage traffic, were now jammed to a standstill by horse-drawn public buses and private carts, trolleys and streetcars, delivery carts, pedestrians, and eventually automobiles. So, tunnels were dug beneath the streets — and subways were born. Swipe your ticket in these 10 cities with the oldest subway systems around the world.
Read moreMar 18
The Words of Miles Davis
Musical virtuoso Miles Davis assembled some of history’s most venerable jazz ensembles. Unbeknownst to audiences, he could also mentor his fellow musicians midway through a world-famous trumpet solo.
Read moreMar 15
Why Green?
Sunday is March 17th…St. Patricks Day and people everywhere will be doning something green as they get dressed. It is commonly known that Ireland is referred to as The Emerald Isle. But there is more to the story of why we wear green on St. Patricks Day.
Read moreMar 14
The Stories Of The Irish
This Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day, and in celebration there will be a lot of green clothing worn and many pounds of corned beef and cabbage eaten. All of that is fun and yummy. But in case corned beef isn’t your favorite or, even if it is, we have another way for you to celebrate.
Read moreMar 13
A Midweek Giggle
For very many years Paul Newman was the heart throb of women everywhere. This story of a woman who randomly encounter the handsome actor might just give you a giggle today.
Read moreMar 12
In A Pickle
The pickle we refer to here is dill pickle dip! If you like dill pickles this may become your new favorite dip.
Read moreMar 8
For Those Theater Goers!
No matter if it’s a local stage show or a major Broadway production, these long-held theater traditions and superstitions are still going strong.
Read moreMar 7
True Words…Thursday Chuckle
The week is nearly over…we thought maybe a funny truth would bring some humor and a welcome chuckle to your day 🙂
Read moreMar 6
A Little Child Will Lead Them
If you are tempted to think that prayer is not effective or important this story may give you reason to rethink the power of prayer. This is a testimony written by a doctor who worked in Africa.
Read moreMar 5
And Leading Up To This Weekend…
It’s all about the movies!
Some of the most enduring scenes in cinematic history come from unscripted moments when directors or stars dared to veer off-book and go with the flow of spontaneity. Here are eight such moments that weren’t part of the original plan, but unquestionably turned into movie magic for appreciative audiences.
Read moreMar 4
A Reminder –
Well, here we are beginning a new week and we, your Two Chums, want to remind you of something very important!
Read moreMar 1
Dadgum That’s Good
Did you know that today, March 1, is national “Dadgum That’s Good” Day?
Read moreMar 1
The Always Regal Grace Kelly!
Meeting Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1955.
A name synonymous with all things bright and beautiful, let’s find out some more about this amazing lady.
Read moreFeb 29
Feb 28
A Pick Me Up
It’s Wednesday…mid week…hump day and some of us could use a “pick me up” to get our juices flowing again.
Read moreFeb 27
Animals Who Mate for Life!
We came across this dear article about the (many) animals who mate for life and thought we would share it with you. Yes, you guessed it, Interesting Facts shared this with us.
Animals are not normally known for exercising restraint when it comes to reproduction. But for all the attention paid to the promiscuity of busy breeders like dogs and jackrabbits, some critters display a different side of animal nature by mostly sticking with one partner. Scientists call these animals “socially monogamous” — a male “pair bonds” with a female to mate, raise young, and spend time together for the duration of their lives. (Occasionally, one may “cheat” with another mate but quickly return to their partner.) Here are 11 such creatures who know a thing or two about long-term relationships.
Read moreFeb 26
Oh Heavens!
Well, thank you to all of our patient chums!
Yes, we are coming up for air! You should have received a whole bunch of posts over the weekend as we finally figured out how to fix our technical problem! Onward we go, rejoicing, to be sure!
Do you know where the term SCUBA came from?
Read moreFeb 24
Temporary Interruption!
Please forgive our “temporary interruption”!
We shall return very shortly! Do not fear!
With much love,
Two Chums
Feb 20
Words Of Encouragement
If you’ve been our chum for a while you know that for a number of years now we have regularly brought you posts entitled “Words Of Wisdom”. Starting today we want to add a new category that we will bring from time to time called “Words of Encouragement”.
Read moreFeb 16
Drink It In…Hold Them Tight
By the time the weekend rolls around many parents are done in from all the demands and activities of a long, and sometimes hard, week. Mustering up more interest and attention for a child with seemingly boundless energy can be hard, but remember…
Read moreFeb 14
Feb 13
Feb 12
DARE TO SHARE! Dryer Sheets?!
Now, we found this on social media and dare to share because it sounds like it really could help!
Read moreFeb 9
Super Super Bowl Sandwich
This Super Bowl Sunday, everyone is looking for a good sandwich to celebrate with. It needs to be easy to prepare, with simple ingredients, and very yummy. We’ve got just the thing for you and your family or guests for your Super Bowl get together. A very juicy easy to prepare and tasty French Dip sandwich.
Read moreFeb 8
Savvy Secrets
The thoughts which you hold dear and wonderful “Savvy Secrets”, to be sure. Here are a few that we have found.
Read more
Feb 7
A Precious Story of Giving!
In the bustling streets of Paris in the year 1945, a French woman named Marie embarked on a journey that would soon become a story whispered among the locals. With her trusty baguette tucked under her arm and six bottles of wine clinking in her basket, Marie set out to navigate the post-war city.
Read moreFeb 6
Savvy Secret – Wobbly Tables
We’ve all had one…a table or chair that wobbles because one leg is shorter than the others. We stuff pieces of paper, matchbooks, or even magazines under the short leg in an effort to keep the piece of furniture stable. We’ve got a better solution.
Read moreFeb 5
Simply Stunning!
Just imagine the ability to render solid stone transparent. Giovanni Strazza possessed this incredibly rare artistic talent. His masterpiece, “The Veiled Virgin,” carved from flawless Carrara marble, stands as one of the most astounding achievements in the history of sculpture.
Read moreFeb 2
Did You Know? – Supper vs. Dinner
Some people call their evening meal dinner, while others refer to this meal as supper. It is often assumed that the difference is attributed to whether you are from the North or the South. But that in’t the whole story.
Read moreFeb 1
Did You Know? – Sour Milk Biscuits
Most of us have had the experience of having milk sit in the refrigerator only to realize when it’s poured on our cereal or in our coffee or tea it has turned “sour”. That’s when it gets dumped out. But it wasn’t always like that.
Read moreJan 31
Did You Know? – Natural Flavor
You may have seen on any number of food labels the term “natural flavor” in the list of ingredients But do you know what this term actually means? You might be surprised.
Read moreJan 30
Did You Know? – Red Solo Cups
People think they know what the lines on Solo cups are for. Do you?
Read moreJan 29
Did You Know? – Black Eyed Peas
We have recently come across a number of unique food, and food culture and tradition related questions we thought it would be interesting to answer. So each day this week we will answer a new one. Today is a question regarding the tradition of eating black eyed peas on New Years Day.
Read moreJan 26
Jan 25
“What is Truth?”
The famous question uttered by Pilate in the Bible that many years ago, continues to be asked today.
Read moreJan 24
Fortune Cookies!
In the United States, fortune cookies and their mysterious notes are a beloved part of paying the bill at Chinese restaurants. With hidden messages ranging from cryptic predictions to sage advice, these cookies have piqued our curiosity for decades.
But where do they come from?
Read moreJan 23
Did You Know? – Thank You
There is more than one way to send a note or email expressing thanks. Here are some alternative ways to say “thank you”.
Read moreJan 22
Well Done, Doris Day!
Actress, singer, and American sweetheart Doris Day was born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff in 1922 and discovered her love of singing early on. She started her career at the age of 18, crooning to keep America’s spirits up through World War II.
Read moreJan 19
Wise Words – Corrie ten Boom
We started off this week sharing some words of wisdom from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s finish this week with some wise words from one of our favorite very wise people…Corrie ten Boom
Read moreJan 18
A New Take On An Old Favorite
Your Two Chums absolutely LOVE egg salad! So when we came across this new version we had to give it a try.
Read moreJan 17
Jan 16
Savvy Secrets – Rosemary
We all know the benefits of using rosemary in our cooking. So many things taste delicious with the addition of a little rosemary. Today we have another use to share.
Read moreJan 15
Words Of Wisdom – Dr. King
Today, as a nation, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what we learned from him and are still learning from him about love and justice. Today also happens to be his actual birthday. Had he lived, Dr. King would be 95 years old today.
Jan 12
Tea, Anyone?
You don’t have to have traveled to England to know that the English love their “cuppa” or cup of tea! If tragedy strikes, you can hear someone say, “Time for a cup of tea!” If joy is in the air, the same words can be heard! If it is raining outside and a little dreary, absolutely THE SAME WORDS!
Tea, to the English, is the fix all of fixes!
And, of course, there is a tea time that is observed in most English households.
Read moreJan 11
Philosophy of Charles Schultz
Possibly the Most important thing you’ll read this Year…
The Charles Schulz Philosophy
Read moreJan 10
Yes, Honey!
Oh, these wonderful bees! We learned a lot by reading this and so wanted to share it with all of you.
Read moreJan 9
Mermaids or Manatees?
On January 9, 1493, (531 years ago to the day) explorer Christopher Cp;umbus, sailing near what is now the Dominican Republic, sees three “mermaids”—in reality manatees—and describes them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted.”
Read moreJan 8
Jan 5
Twelfth Night
For many Christians tonight marks the celebration of Twelfth Night, or the end of the Christmas Season.
Read moreJan 4
Did You Know?
The company now known as 7-Eleven has a history of being ahead of the curve.
Read moreJan 3
Some Time Together
We’re back! You may have noticed that your Two Chums have been MIA for a few days. There is a reason for that.
Read moreDec 28
Guinness Book of Records
Rolling into the very New Year, we thought you would enjoy reading this.
Read moreDec 27
A Pirate, You Say?
There are plenty of ships in the U.S. Navy (291 of them, to be precise), but only one has the curious distinction of flying the Jolly Roger — the ominous flag typically associated with pirates.
Read moreDec 26
The Day After
December 25th, the official day we celebrate Christmas has passed. But Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ is more than a day.
Read moreDec 20
A New Twist On Feliz Navidad
You probably already know the catchy classic Mexican Christmas song entitled Feliz Navidad. But we would bet you’ve never seen it danced to like this!
Read moreDec 19
JOY to the World!
As these precious days flow on, let’s be sure to remember why we celebrate Christmas and the true meaning.
Read moreDec 14
Customer Service Is Not Dead
At least it’s not dead at one popular fast food eatery. We came across an interesting article that explains the philosophy of customer service at Chick-fil-a. You might be surprised.
Read moreDec 13
Make Sure You Are On Full!
The Holidays can be a lot on everyone and sometimes it doesn’t take much to put us “over the edge”, so to speak. You are not alone – to be sure.
Here are some wonderful quotes to keep you on “full”!
Read moreDec 12
Making Your List and Checking It Twice!
Yes! Santa Claus IS coming to town but we are not talking about Santa’s list!
Read moreDec 11
A Lesson In Giving
Katherine Hepburn once told a story from her childhood that taught her a very valuable lesson about giving. During this holiday season, amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping, it would do us all well to remember the real joy of giving.
Read moreDec 8
Is Santa Real?
ATTENTION TO ALL PARENTS WHO NEED TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA 
Son: “Dad, I think I’m old enough now. Is there a Santa Claus?.”
Dad: “Ok, I agree that your old enough. But before I tell you, I have a question for you. You see, the “truth” is a dangerous gift. Once you know something, you can’t unknow it.
Once you know the truth about Santa Claus, you will never again understand and relate to him as you do now.
So my question is: Are you sure you want to know?”
Brief pause…
Son: “Yes, I want to know”
Dad: “Ok, I’ll tell you: Yes there is a Santa Claus”
Son: “Really?”
Read moreDec 7
A New Hannukah Potato
Tonight begins the 8 day Jewish Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah. One of the iconic dishes served during Hanukkah is latkes. If you are unfamiliar they are a sort of hash brown potato meets a potato pancake….yummy. or at least we think so but it turns out not everyone loves them…not even all Jews apparently. So these potato cakes are an alternative. And tasty one too!
Read moreDec 6
Well Done, Teach!
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Read moreDec 5
Can You Believe It?
Pigeons are wildly misunderstood birds, and they’ve only been considered a nuisance for the last century or so.
Read moreDec 4
Savvy Secrets – Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of those things we all “know” about but don’t really know about…or at least we don’t really know much, if anything, about it. It’s one of those ancient substances that has been used throughout the ages, that much we do know, but for what? We don’t have all the answers but today we can share a few modern reasons to keep some in your cupboard.
Read moreDec 1
Friday Funnies
Who doesn’t love a good riddle? Share these ones with you Littles, and Bigs, for that matter!
Read moreNov 30
A Thursday Giggle
We thought maybe you could use a story…an actual true story, that would at least put a smile on your face if not cause an actual chuckle on this last Thursday in November. And knowing that this is the busiest travel time of the year we found this particularly noteworthy.
Read moreNov 29
YAY, Sarah Bernhardt!
French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) had boundless zest for her craft. In 1905, when her traveling production of “La Tosca” stopped in Rio de Janeiro, the 61-year-old ensured a memorable finale by spontaneously leaping from a parapet.
Read moreNov 28
Nov 27
All I Want For Christmas
Four weeks from today will be Christmas morning. If you’re making your Christmas list for Santa we have an idea for you…
Read moreNov 22
Pumpkin Pie
While apple pie may have misappropriated origins (the first recipe appeared in England around 1381, not in the U.S.), pumpkin pie deserves more credit as a purely American dessert.
Read moreNov 21
Postpone Thanksgiving?!
In October, 1705, the Connecticut settlement of Colchester was facing an early winter. While New England was known for its cold snaps, this one was unusually premature and severe, with temperatures so low that nearby waterways froze. The timing was unfortunate!
Read moreNov 20
“An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving”
When it comes to holiday movies there are dozens, if not hundreds, to choose from that revolve around Christmas. This one, as the title implies, is about Thanksgiving.
Read moreNov 17
The Thanksgiving “Who”
As Thanksgiving approaches an important question arises. If I am giving thanks, to whom is that thanks directed?
Read moreNov 16
Savvy Secrets – Mashed Potatoes
As you are well aware, Thanksgiving is around the corner. Just one week from today we will be gathering around the table to enjoy an iconic American meal we share together to give thanks and show our gratitude of all the blessings the past year has brought our way. If you happen to be hosting, it is always nice to come across ways to simplify preparations without sacrificing the quality of the meal.
Read moreNov 15
From The Mouths of First Ladies!
The role of First Lady of the United States is unsalaried and carries no official duties, but that’s not to say that First Ladies wield no power.
Read moreNov 14
Find A Twin!
What are the health benefits of having a close friend — like identical twins close — for your entire life?
Read more
