For all you spy wannabes the UK's very own GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) in charge of electronic and cyber intelligence is sending out their yearly greeting card that doubles as several difficult puzzles about solving cyphers and finding clues. This year's challenge features seven puzzles plus several hidden elements for those who want an extra test. If you would like to give it a try the card can be downloaded at the GCHQ website. Happy puzzling!
Generally Americans love Christmas though not equally among the fifty states and some of the ratings are surprising. For instance most people would associate Alaska with Christmas since they have a lot of snow but Alaska is dead last for Christmas spirit which brings us to which state is the most Christmassy? Utah grabs the # 1 spot. Now for map and some lists so you can see where your state stands in the grand Christmas scheme!
According to the findings, the top 10 states for Christmas-related searches are as follows:
Archeologists have discovered a limestone sarcophagus buried within St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Antalya, Turkey that they believe holds the remains of a Greek bishop behind the legend of Santa Claus. They are still in the process of examining the sarcophagus for any inscription that could verify its contents. Born sometime after 260 A.D. the patron saint of children and sailors was known for his kindness and generosity. Over time his image evolved into the image of Santa Claus. The name Santa Claus is from the Dutch nickname for St. Nicholas, Sinter Klaas. But wait, if he is dead and buried who the heck is the guy driving the sleigh?
Like most everything Christmas has some strange rules, in Knightstown, Indiana it is illegal to have a cross at the top of a Christmas tree in a public display. The reasoning behind the law is the cross isn't a Christmas symbol but is instead associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. In Nebraska a elementary school principal banned candy canes because the shape formed a J for Jesus, the red was for his blood and the white represented his resurrection. Hmm, I thought candy canes were shaped like shepherd's crook. Many states and cities have laws concerning how long Christmas lights can stay up after Christmas, complete with fines! Another way to say, "the holiday is over, take down the damn lights!"
I know the correct spelling of Aretha but since today's post is about wreaths it sounded like a fun title, okay, I'm easily amused. Those fun folks at LEGO have come out with a DIY holiday wreath that doesn't make a mess dropping its needles, of course it also doesn't smell like the real thing, but think of the hours of fun to be had building the nearly 1200 piece decoration. It also includes berries, orange slices and cinnamon sticks (plastic of course). One can be had by going to the LEGO website for $99.
Until recently experts believed the Germanic/Scandinavian tribes collectively known as barbarians mainly used only alcohol as their drug of choice but archeologists recovered over 200 small spoon like objects next to war related artifacts that led them to the conclusion the barbarians were using stimulants to fight the Roman Empire. Both Greek and Roman cultures were known to use opium and the best guesses for what the Germanic tribes were fortifying themselves with are: belladonna, various forms of fungi, poppy, hops, hemp, and henbane. The spoons they found were all similar in size which they think was to measure an amount that wouldn't cause an overdose during battle. Makes a person wonder if any of the warriors had to take a break for rehab.
Whether you're organized and have already made a gift list and checked it twice there's still time to add a few items for those hard to buy for folks. Today's suggestions will just be a sample of the offerings and it is likely more will follow in the coming days. Let's start with a few costumes in case they're needed for upcoming parties.
