Grandma's Dishes

I met a dragon face to face the year when I was ten,

I took a trip to outer space, I braved a pirate's den,

I wrestled with a wicked troll, and fought a great white shark,

I trailed a rabbit down a hole, I hunted for a snark.

I stowed aboard a submarine, I opened magic doors,

I traveled in a time machine, and searched for dinosaurs,

I climbed atop a giant's head, I found a pot of gold,

I did all this in books I read when I was ten years old. 

– Jack Prelutsky

Thirteen Grandma's Stars

Researchers at the University of Freiburg—Medical Center and the Faculty of Biology at the University of Freiburg are studying the effects of fragrance on learning. They’ve conducted several experiments on students from two different sixth grade classes. All the children were taught the same English vocabulary words, and all were later given the same vocabulary tests. But some were exposed to the scent of roses as they studied, as they were tested, and even as they slept; others were not. The students who smelled roses – especially while they were sleeping – showed a marked improvement in memory. In case you needed a timely reminder, Valentine’s Day is a week from today. You have seven days to pick up a big bouquet or a single perfect bloom for the one you love. Who knows? It might make her (or him) smarter.

Five-Day Forecast

When Tinker Bell first appeared in J. M. Barrie’s play Peter Pan in 1904, she wasn’t portrayed by an actress. She was just a circle of light reflected from offstage that darted about the props and scenery. Her “voice” was the tinkling of little bells – some from a belled collar and some imported by the author from Switzerland. On stage, she’s still presented in much the same way. In 2015, as a member of the orchestra in Murray’s Peter Pan, I played her “voice” on a keyboard imitating a celesta. Tinker Bell wasn’t portrayed by an actress in Disney’s 1953 cartoon, either. But an actress DID play her in the 1924 silent film version. (If you’re interested, you can catch the whole thing on YouTube.) So, I guess the second time anyone played Tinker Bell was in 1961, when a former circus aerialist first “flew” over the Sleeping Beauty castle. Tiny Kline was 4’10” and 98 pounds. And 71 years old.

Twelve Coffin Stars

Whether they admit it or not, almost everyone has a favorite Disney character. Is yours on this list?

Pocahontas is the first (and only) Disney princess with a tattoo.

Minnie’s real name is Minerva. Mickey was almost called Mortimer, but Walt’s wife Lillian hated that name.

Elsa was originally the villain in Frozen. She was the title character in Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, who abducts and enslaves children.

Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, was hired to play the voice of Snow White’s Dopey. After hearing the first few recordings, Walt cut all of Dopey’s lines.

Sully from Pixar’s Monster’s Inc., has 2,320,413 individual hairs.

Ursula went through a lot of design changes before appearing in The Little Mermaid. At first, she was meant to resemble Joan Collins with tentacles.

The demigod Maui from Moana was originally bald, like actor Dwayne Johnson. Tahitian culture consultants pointed out that he’s usually depicted with hair.

Twelve Sawtooth Stars

Crudité is a five-dollar French word that just means “raw stuff.” I’m no authority on French pronunciation, but I’ve always said it as if it were spelled, “crew-dee-TAY.” This isn’t to be confused with a charcuterie, which (as I understand it) usually involves smoked meats and cheeses. Nor is it an antipasto tray, which might include all of the above, plus olives, pickles and even anchovies. To make a crudité tray, simply cover a broad board with parchment, add two or three different dips in bowls (like one made with dill and sour cream, one with a cream cheese base, and one hummus), then pile on the veg. Use as many different colors and shapes as possible, like green beans and sweet peppers, cauliflower and grape tomatoes, radishes and endive, zucchini and jicama, scallions and mushrooms, or broccoli and purple carrots. If any veggies are left over, you can cut them into smaller bits for vegetable soup the next day.

Nine Coffin Stars

“These are difficult times. The economy is struggling. There is conflict in the world. But the Almighty is keeping His promise that He will bless those who walk in faith and righteousness before Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the way of peace. To the extent we follow it and incorporate it in our lives, to this extent will we be blessed and prospered. What a wonderful thing it is to be involved in this glorious work. Let us rejoice in our great opportunity. Let us serve with gladness. May heaven’s richest blessings rest upon you, my beloved associates. May faith grow in your hearts. May there be love and peace in your homes. May there be food upon your tables and clothing on your backs. May the smiles of heaven warm your hearts and bring comfort in times of trial.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley

Four Sunbeam Blocks

I think we should all play tourist now and then, right where we live. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our "quick succession of busy nothings," and become blind to the awesome and unique around us. One way to fix this is to read some books on local history, then visit the places where that history happened with new eyes. Invite an out-of-town friend to come see the sights with you. My favorite spots include Capitol Hill, Temple Square, Thanksgiving Point, Wheeler Farm, Gardner Village, and Utah’s Natural History Museum. Attend a sporting event. Here, that could be basketball at the Vivint Arena, soccer at the Rio Tinto Center, hockey at the Maverick Center, baseball at the Smiths Ballpark, or football at the Rice-Eccles or LaVell Edwards stadiums. Leave your car in the garage and use the bus, a bike or your feet. Push yourself out of your comfort zone by trying restaurants you never visited before. You won’t regret it.