Mullet Over
BY JAMES K. WHITE | MAY 2, 2012
I thought something was missing!
In the 1920s and 1930s, artist Norman Rockwell completed six paintings for the Coca Cola Company. The whereabouts of three of the paintings are unknown, but are generally thought to exist somewhere. Coke executives would very much like to possess the missing three and it is estimated that each of the artworks could fetch $500,000 to $1,000,000 if discovered and offered for sale.
Are you always on the alert for a bargain? A wealthy person in Florida had completed about half of a 90,000 sq. ft. home when he significantly slowed progress on the project (after spending some $50 million on the dream house/estate). So far, the construction has included 22 bathrooms, 10 kitchens and a bowling alley. I should also mention the 20 car garage (completely underground) and 2 movie theaters. Word on the street is that the owner might sell at a reduced price to the “proper” buyer.
I thought something was missing! A computer model of our solar system indicates that we lost a giant planet many years ago. An astro-scientist named Nesvorny has offered this explanation: “The gravitational effects of our largest planet seem to have been the cause of the missing planet’s disappearance. Jupiter so altered the unknown planet’s orbit that it broke loose from the gravitational hold of our sun and sped off to somewhere in space.”
Other scientists do confirm that there are millions of rogue planet-sized objects hurtling through space that are not part of any solar system.
Some botanists in Russia have reportedly regenerated a plant whose seeds were frozen and buried about 30,000 years ago. The narrow-leafed campion has been identified as “Silene stenophylla” and has produced several small flowers featuring five white petals.
From the “Lots of Ways to Make a Living” file, I submit a group from France who investigate the best ways to fully enjoy champagne. By employing microgas chromatography and infra-red imaging, it has been determined that the sipper enjoys more “bubbly action” and sharper “champagne fragrance” when the beverage is sipped from a moderately tall glass that has a narrow flute. I am so unsophisticated that I honestly had no idea that some glasses owned musical instruments.
California’s conspicuous HOLLYWOOD sign on the famous hillside weighs approximately 450,000 pounds. That is an average of 50,000 pounds per letter.
Well, keep a sharp lookout for Coca Cola paintings in your dwelling – and have a splendid week.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
The innocence of children
1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. – Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. – Kristen, age 10
2.WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10
3.HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. – Derrick, age 8
4.WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids. – Lori, age 8
5.WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. – Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. – Martin, age 10
6.WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich. – Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. – Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. – Howard, age 8
7.IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. – Anita, age 9
8.HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? – Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is........
9.HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. – Ricky, age 10
Puzzle Solutions
