Framed Nine-Patch

 

In 2014, Rémi Fromont and Cédric Trentesaux – architecture students – climbed into Notre Dame’s attic and measured every beam. Out of sight above the stone vaults stood a 13th-century timber frame so dense Parisians called it "la Forêt" (the Forest). Each of the 1,300 beams had been hand-hewn. The students documented each one. Five years later, fire broke out in the roof. Within hours, the 19th-century spire collapsed, and two-thirds of the medieval frame was gone. Thanks to the 2014 notes, France was able to rebuild the Forest exactly as it was. Oaks were selected from forests across the country. Many had been planted under Louis XIV to supply masts for the French navy. Carpenters shaped the beams by hand, with axes, just as medieval craftsmen had done 800 years ago. Rémi Fromont, now one of France's chief architects of historic monuments, led the work. By 2024, the frame was back in place, this time protected by an automatic misting system.

Thirteen Floating Pinwheels

 

In 1981, Disney was sued by the family of a young girl who they claimed had been intentionally “struck” by the arm of a Disneyland cast member dressed as Winnie the Pooh. The girl had suffered permanent brain damage, the family said, and they were seeking $100,000 in compensation. The incident had occurred in 1974, when the child was nine. Today, Pooh is usually portrayed by a small woman, with soft, functional arms to hug the kids lined up to meet the silly old bear. But in 1974, Disneyland’s Pooh was a man. The actor’s arms were trapped inside the costume. His hands could flap a bit, and his head fit inside a honey pot on Pooh’s head. The actor in question, Robert Hill, wore the costume in court to demonstrate his inability to strike anyone. According to court records, the whole affair was declared an accident. Today, that little girl would be in her early sixties.

Brown Butterfly

 

Parenthood isn’t for sissies, either:

“Adults are always asking children what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas.” – Paula Poundstone

“Be kind to your children. They’re the future of the world, and they’re the ones who’ll choose your nursing home.” – Dennis Miller

“When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them.” – Rodney Dangerfield

“If you are not yelling at your kids, you are not spending enough time with them.” – Reese Witherspoon

“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.”—Erma Bombeck

“Kids are expensive, I didn’t realize how broke I was until last year someone stole my identity and it ruined her life.”—Kate Davis

“I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I wanna move in with them.” —Phyllis Diller

Gold Star

 

Marriage isn’t for sissies:

“My advice to you is get married. If you find a good wife, you’ll be happy. If not, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates (He may or may not have said this. If he did, it was in Greek.)

“If you want to be sure that you never forget your wife’s birthday, just try forgetting it once.” – Aldo Cammarota

“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” – Will Ferrell

“Never criticize your spouse’s faults; if it weren’t for them, your mate might have found someone better than you.” – Jay Trachman

“Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.” – Phyllis Diller

“Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and give her a house.” – Rod Stewart

“Behind every great man is a woman . . . rolling her eyes.” – Jim Carrey, from Bruce Almighty

Eighteen Rail Fences

 

Tuna Salad in a Tomato

 

1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon

Fresh black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon chopped dill or parsley (They’re both great!)

2 5-ounce cans white albacore tuna in water drained (I found low-sodium and used that.)

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 tablespoons red onion minced (Any onion works, but red is sweeter and prettier.)

4 large ripe tomatoes

 

In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings until well combined. Add tuna, celery and red onions. Gently stir until combined. Turn tomatoes upside-down and cut 3/4 of the way towards the blossom end, twice. Separate the four quarters to make a tomato “blossom.” Scoop salad into blossom center and serve.

Twenty-Five Friendship Stars

 

“Ordinances and covenants are not big or small. Please let us never speak of a temple as big or small. Let us always only speak with love and gratitude for the House of the Lord. Wherever we live, let us be grateful for the gifts of eternity sacred temples bring. New converts sometimes testify family on the other side of the veil led missionaries to find and baptize family on this side so their family could be united. Some new converts feel alone. But you are part of Heavenly Father’s family. When you take family names to the temple, your eternal family extends on both sides of the veil. My father and mother joined our Church as the only members in their families. Today, family history and genealogy help connect many Gong and Char family generations. Whatever generation you are in the Church, in the chain of your eternal family, please be a strong link.” – Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Halloween Checkerboard

 

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M. Montgomery

"Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean I can't believe it!" – Jack Skellington, The Nightmare Before Christmas

"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." – Ariel, The Tempest

"Where there is no imagination, there is no horror." – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.' And then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.'" – Rita Rudner

"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage." – Aunt Frances, Practical Magic

"Every day is Halloween isn't it? For some of us." – Tim Burton

"We're all mad here." – The Cheshire Cat, Alice in Wonderland

“Magic is really very simple. All you've got to do is want something and then let yourself have it.” – Aggie Cromwell, Halloweentown