125 Interesting Facts About Everything Part 4

Fact: Frankenstein’s Creature is a vegetarian

Both Victor Frankenstein and Creature are fictional characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In the classic novel, Creature says, “My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment.” This is one of the interesting facts you should definitely share with your vegetarian friends!

Fact: Medical errors are a top cause of death

According to a Johns Hopkins research team, 250,000 deaths in the United States are caused by medical error each year. This makes medical error the third leading cause of death in the country.

Fact: Sloths have more neck bones than giraffes

Despite the difference in neck length, there are more bones in the neck of a sloth than a giraffe. There are seven vertebrae in the neck of a giraffe, and in most mammals, but there are 10 in a sloth’s. While they’re on your mind, here are some adorable sloth pictures you totally need to see.

Fact: Bees can fly higher than Mount Everest

Bees can fly higher than 29,525 feet above sea level, according to National Geographic. That’s higher than Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.

Fact: Ancient Egyptians used dead mice to ease toothaches

In Ancient Egypt, people put a dead mouse in their mouth if they had a toothache, according to Nathan Belofsky’s book Strange Medicine: A Shocking History of Real Medical Practices Through the Ages. Mice were also used as a warts remedy in Elizabethan England.

Fact: Cap’n Crunch’s full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch

He’s also been called out for only having the bars of a Navy commander, but the so-called cap’n held his ground on Twitter, arguing that captaining the S.S. Guppy with his crew “makes an official Cap’n in any book!”

Fact: Paint used to be stored in pig bladders

The bladder would be sealed with a string and then pricked to get the paint out. This option wasn’t the best because it would often break open. American painter John G. Rand was the innovator who, in the 19th century, made paint tubes from tin and screw caps.

Fact: Humans have jumped farther than horses in the Olympics

The Olympic world record for the longest human long jump is greater than the world record for longest horse long jump. Mike Powell set the record in 1991 by jumping 8.95 meters, and the horse xtra Dry set the record in 1900 by jumping 6.10 meters.

Fact: The Terminator script was sold for $1

James Cameron is the award-winning director of movies like Titanic and Avatar. In order to get his big break with The Terminator, he sold the script for $1 and a promise that he’d direct it. Of course, this movie has some of the most famous movie quotes of all time in it.

Fact: Pigeon poop is the property of the British Crown

In the 18th century, pigeon poop was used to make gunpowder, so King George I confirmed the droppings to be the property of the Crown.

Fact: Onions were found in the eyes of an Egyptian mummy

Pharaoh Ramses IV of ancient Egypt had his eyes replaced with small onions when he was mummified. The rings and layers of onions were worshipped because people thought they represented eternal life. This aligns with the reason for mummification: to allow the pharaoh to live forever.

Fact: Abraham Lincoln was a bartender

You know that the 16th president of the United States fought for the freedom of slaves and the Union, but what you didn’t know is that he was a licensed bartender. Lincoln’s liquor license was discovered in 1930 and displayed in a Springfield liquor store. According to Wayne C. Temple, a Lincoln expert, Congress wanted to fire Ulysses S. Grant in 1863 because he drank a lot, and Lincoln’s response was to send Grant a supply of whiskey.

Fact: Beethoven never knew how to multiply or divide

The renowned pianist went to a Latin school called Tirocinium, where he was taught some math but never learned multiplication or division—only addition. Once, when he needed to multiply 62 by 50, he wrote 62 down a line 50 times and added it all up.

Fact: Japan released sushi-inspired Kit Kats

For a limited time in 2017, Tokyo’s Kit Kat Chocolatory shop made three types of the chocolate bar that were inspired by sushi but didn’t actually taste like raw fish. The tuna sushi was raspberry, the seaweed-wrapped one tasted like pumpkin pudding, and the sea urchin sushi was the flavor of Hokkaido melon with mascarpone cheese. All were made with puffed rice, white chocolate, and a bit of wasabi.

Fact: An espresso maker was sent into space in 2015

Coffee lovers will appreciate this interesting space fact: Samantha Cristoforetti was the first astronaut to get a warm and cozy piece of home sent to her while in orbit. The Italian Space Agency worked with Italian coffee manufacturer Lavazza to get the coffee capsules into space.

Fact: The word “aquarium” means “watering place for cattle” in Latin

Of course, today’s aquariums aren’t for cows. The first aquarium that looks like what you’d imagine was created in 1921 and opened in 1924 in England.

Fact: An employee at Pixar accidentally deleted a sequence of Toy Story 2 during production

Ed Catmull, the cofounder of Pixar, wrote in his book, Creativity Inc., that the year before the movie came out, someone entered the command ‘/bin/rm -r -f *’ on the drive where the files were saved, and scenes started deleting. It would have taken a year to recreate what was deleted, but luckily another employee had a backup of the entire film on her laptop at home.

Fact: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne started Apple Inc. on April Fools’ Day

The three technology innovators signed the documents to form the Apple Computer Company on April 1, 1976. But the company was not fully incorporated until January 3, 1977. Thirty years later, the company was renamed Apple Inc. and is no joke. In 2018, Apple became the country’s first trillion-dollar company.

Fact: The inventor of the tricycle personally delivered two to Queen Victoria

In 1881, Queen Victoria was on a tour on the Isle of Wight when her horse and carriage could not keep up with a woman riding a tricycle. Intrigued by the bike, the queen proceeded to order two. She also asked that the inventor, James Starley, arrive with the delivery. Though you might associate tricycles with toddlers, Queen Victoria made them cool among the elite at the time.

Fact: Your brain synapses shrink while you sleep

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Sleep and Consciousness studied mice to observe what happens to their brains while they sleep. Dr. Chiara Cirelli and Dr. Giulio Tononi found an 18 percent decrease in the size of synapses after a few hours of sleep. Don’t worry, though—this nighttime brain shrinkage actually helps your cognitive abilities.

Fact: A waffle iron inspired one of the first pairs of Nikes

Bill Bowerman was a track and field coach in the 1950s who didn’t like how running shoes were made. He first created the Cortez shoe but wanted a sneaker that was even lighter and could be worn on a variety of surfaces. During a waffle breakfast with his wife in 1970, he came up with the idea of using the waffle texture on the soles of running shoes. Waffle-soled shoes made their big debut in the 1972 U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Fact: Boars wash their food

National Geographic reported that at Basel Zoo in Switzerland, zookeepers watched adult and juvenile wild boars pick up sandy apples and bring them to a nearby creek in their environment to wash before eating. Though some items like sugar beets were eaten without the human-like behavior, the boars brought a whole dead chicken to the creek to wash before chowing down. One ecologist called this a “luxury behavior.”

Fact: Baseball umpires used to sit in rocking chairs

People have been playing baseball since the mid-19th century. In the early days, umpires would officiate the games while reclining in a rocking chair located 20 feet behind home plate. By 1878, the National League also declared that home teams must pay umpires $5 per game.

Fact: The first commercial passenger flight lasted only 23 minutes

In 1914, Abram Pheil paid $400 (which would be $8,500 today) for a 23-minute plane ride. The Florida flight flew between Saint Petersburg and Tampa, where only 21 miles of water separate the cities. Pheil, a former mayor of Saint Petersburg, and the pilot, Tony Jannus, were the only passengers. This momentous flight paved the way for air travel as we know it.

Fact: The world’s first novel ends mid-sentence

The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century, is considered the world’s first novel. After reading 54 intricately crafted chapters, the reader is stopped abruptly mid-sentence. One translator believes the work is complete as is, but another says we’re missing a few more pages of the story.

SOURCE: Reader’s Digest: Elizabeth Yuko

Weird Wednesdays: The George Stickney House

In Bull Valley, there exists one of the strangest homes in Illinois. It is located in rural McHenry County, Illinois, near Woodstock. The house I am talking about is the George Stickney House (also referred to as the Stickney Mansion).

You will notice right away something odd about this house: there are no sharp corners. The design of the home is Italianate. It is a beautiful home. Since 1979, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stickney was the first in the township when he arrived there in 1835. Stickney was a very prosperous farmer, and he acquired enough money to build the home of his dreams. The home was built in 1856.

Aside from being a farmer, Stickney was a Spiritualist. He performed séances that were attended by many, including the most elite in the area. This influenced the design of the home. As a Spiritualist, Stickney believes that spirits hid in the corners. So problem solved: he got rid of the corners.

According to Haunted Places.org

Because of George Stickney’s belief in spiritualism, he designed his house with no 90-degree angles inside so that no spirits would be caught in the corners. The Stickneys had 10 children, but only 3 lived to adulthood, and they are said to have regularly conducted seances on the 2nd floor to speak to their children. Currently the building houses the local police department, and many spooky events occur here. Tenants after the Stickneys, and later, police officers, have noted apparitions, moving objects, electrical phenomena, doors opening by themselves, and more. The Holcombville Cemetery where the Stickney children are buried lies nearby, and they are said to haunt the entire neighborhood along with the spirit of a passenger killed in the crash of American Airlines Flight 191.

(The Stickney House is now the Bull Valley Police Headquarters and Richard Vance is a Village Administrator and Police Officer.)

From thegeorgestickneyhousemariahruiz.blogspot.com:

The story on the house is that George and Sylvia Stickney had ten children, but only 3 survived to adulthood. George and Sylvia were Mediums, which means they could talk to the dead. They would hold seances to communicate to their children who passed away. They also allowed others to come into their house so that they also can talk to their loved ones. George and Sylvia wanted to build a house that would be easier to communicate with their children. The Stickney’s believed that 90-degree angles were bad for spirits because the spirits would get stuck in the corner and house the evil spirits. When building their mansion, they wanted everything to be rounded so that the spirits can move freely, even the ceiling is rounded. Rumor has it that a 90-degree angle in the house is were George Stickney died. Richard confirmed that wasn’t true.  The house was searched and documented and there was no 90-degree angles found at the time of George’s death. He also confirmed that George’s death was never documented, so no one knows how he died. 

I asked Richard Vance what type of experiences he had in the house. He told me some stories about what happened to him and other officers. He said the spirits like to move things around on his desk. They have made his stapler vibrate vigorously, they stood all of his pencils on their erasers and things have flown off of shelves. He even told me that he has seen a lot of different spirits and talked to them as well. The spirits like to move around chairs. There are specifically two chairs that are upstairs that move often. They like to move them close together or stack them on tables. Richard told me he has talked to spirits threw a voice box.  He didn’t get into details with what was said but he has communicated with them. Richard described how it feels when a spirit touches you. He said, “There body feels like a spiderweb meshed into human figure, a cold, electric shock when they touch you.” Richard says that the spirits touch him all the time. They touch him on his face, hands, and arms. One time he had his gun on his side and a spirit poked him underneath his gun. Throughout the interview, Richard Vance kept reminding me that the house isn’t bad. The Stickney’s were good people, they just wanted to talk to their dead children.

Sylvia Stickney is the most active spirit in the house. Everyone that works there has seen her and say she is very beautiful. Sylvia Stickney wears a white gown and she loves children.  Richard informed me about an experience a little boy had while visiting the Stickney house. The boy was very scared to go inside because of what he had heard about it. When asked if he was still scared later on, he replied, “No, the nice women told me that I shouldn’t be scared, so I’m not scared anymore!” When they asked the little boy to describe what the women looked like, he pointed to the picture of Sylvia Stickney.  

Richard Vance told me about the most active places and times of the house. The Stickney family is the most active spirits in the house besides the Indians. Richard believes that the Indians were on the property before the Stickney family built there home. He said that the spirits are more active from 5pm to 8pm and on the weekends. Richard said that the Stickney house still celebrates Mayday, which is the most active day out of the year. Mayday is a celebration on May 1st, which was a very big holiday in the 1800’s where everyone would celebrate with dancing and singing outside. The Stickney’s held tons of parties on Mayday. Whenever it rains, the house is more active as well. Richard confirmed what I read online that the second floor of the house and the staircase is the most active.

(You can read about Maria’s experience when she visited the second floor at the link posted above.)

SOURCES: ATLAS OBSCURA

                  HAUNTED PLACES.ORG

                  thegeorgestickneyhousemariahruiz.blogspot.com

The Master of Suspense

Today would have been Hitchcock’s birthday. He was born August 13, 1899 and died peacefully April 29, 1980.  This article from Mental Floss highlights fifteen interesting things about the Master of Suspense.

From Mental Floss:

The shower scene in Psycho. The biplane chase in North by Northwest. The gas station attack in The Birds. They’re some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in cinema history—and they came from the mind of one man: Alfred Hitchcock. The Master of Suspense, who went by the nickname “Hitch,” is also one of the most recognizable Hollywood icons, and his life was as fascinating as his films. Here are 15 things you might not have known about the legendary filmmaker, who was born in London on August 13, 1899.

1 Alfred Hitchcock was afraid of law enforcement … and breakfast.

Hitchcock’s mastery of thrillers may have earned him the nickname the “Master of Suspense,” but the plucky filmmaker had phobias of his own.

His lifelong fear of police stemmed from an incident in his childhood when his strict father, William, punished him by sending him to the local Leytonstone police station on the outskirts of his family’s home in east London. “I was just sent along with a note, I must have been four or five years of age, and the head of the police read it and then put me into the cell and said, ‘That’s what we do to naughty boys,’” Hitchcock later recalled of the experience.

Also, omelettes were decidedly not his favorite breakfast food. “I’m frightened of eggs, worse than frightened, they revolt me,” he once said in an interview. “That white round thing without any holes … Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid? Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting. I’ve never tasted it.”

2 Alfred Hitchcock began his work in silent films.

Known for the complex title sequences in his own films, Hitchcock began his career in cinema in the early 1920s, designing the art title cards featured in silent films. The gig was at an American company based in London called the Famous Players-Lasky Company (it would later become Paramount Pictures, which produced five Hitchcock-directed films). As Hitchcock later told French filmmaker François Truffaut in their infamous Hitchcock/Truffaut conversations, “It was while I was in this department, you see, that I got acquainted with the writers and was able to study the scripts. And, out of that, I learned the writing of scripts.” The experience also led Hitch to try his hand at actual filmmaking. “If an extra scene was wanted, I used to be sent out to shoot it,” he told Truffaut.

3 Alfred Hitchcock learned from another cinema master.

In 1924, Hitchcock and his wife Alma were sent to Germany by Gainsborough Pictures—the British production company where he was under contract—to work on two Anglo-German films called The Prude’s Fall and The Blackguard. While working in Neubabelsberg, Hitchcock was taken under the wing of expressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau, who created the chilling Dracula adaptation Nosferatu, and was shooting a silent film called The Last Laugh. “From Murnau,” Hitchcock later said, “I learned how to tell a story without words.”

4 Most of Alfred Hitchcock’s early films are lost, but a 1923 silent melodrama was discovered in New Zealand.

Only nine of Hitchcock’s earliest silent films still exist. The earliest surviving film he worked on, a 1923 melodrama titled The White Shadow—about twin sisters, one good, one evil—was thought lost until three of the film’s six reels were found sitting unmarked in the New Zealand Film Archive in 2011. The film reels were originally donated to the Archive in 1989 by the grandson of a Kiwi projectionist and collector. While the film was technically directed by leading 1920s filmmaker Graham Cutts, the 24-year-old Hitchcock served as the film’s screenwriter, assistant director, and art director.

5 Alfred Hitchcock brought sound to British movies.

The 1929 movie Blackmail, about a murder investigation headed up by the murderer’s fiance, was Hitchcock’s first hit film, and also the first “talkie” film released in Britain. (The first full-length talkie, The Jazz Singer, was released in the U.S. in 1927.) While Blackmail was originally conceived and created as a silent film, the final cut was dubbed with synchronized sound added in post-production using then-state of the art audio equipment imported from the U.S.

6 Alfred Hitchcock popped up on screen all the time.

The most constant image in Hitchcock’s films seem to be Hitchcock himself. The filmmaker perfected the art of the cameo, making blink-and-you’ll-miss-them appearances in 39 of his own films. His trickier appearances include the single-location film Lifeboat, where he appears in a weight-loss advertisement in a newspaper read by one of the film’s characters. The only film he actually speaks in is 1956’s The Wrong Man; his traditional cameo is replaced by a silhouetted narration in the introduction. That replaced a scrapped cameo of the director exiting a cab in the opening of the film.

7 Alfred Hitchcock was as successful in front of the camera on the small screen as he was behind the camera on the big screen.

By 1965, Hitchcock was a household name. That was the same year his long-running anthology TV series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents—which began in 1955 and was later renamed The Alfred Hitchcock Hour after episode lengths were stretched from 25- to 50-minute runtimes—came to an end. The series was known for its title sequence featuring a caricature of Hitchcock’s distinctive profile, which was replaced by Hitchcock himself in silhouette. But Hitchcock also appeared after the title sequence to introduce each new story. At least two versions of the opening were shot for every episode: An American opening specifically poked fun at the show’s network advertisers, while Hitchcock usually used the European opening to poke fun at American audiences in general.

7 Alfred Hitchcock literally wrote the encyclopedia entry on how to make movies.

The filmmaker would write (at least part of) the book on the medium that made him famous. Hitchcock personally contributed to writing a portion of the “Motion Pictures, Film Production” entry in the 14th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, giving typically cheeky first-hand insight into the fundamentals and technical aspects of filmmaking.

On the practice of moving the camera during a shot, Hitchcock wrote, “it is wrong to suppose, as is all too commonly the case, that the screen of the motion picture lies in the fact that the camera can roam abroad, can go out of the room, for example, to show a taxi arriving. This is not necessarily an advantage and it can so easily be merely dull.”

8. Alfred Hitchcock popularized the MacGuffin.

Even if you don’t know it by name, you know what it is. The MacGuffin is the so-called motivating element that drives a movie’s plot forward. Think: the eponymous statue in The Maltese Falcon, or the briefcase in Pulp Fiction, or the airplane engine plans in Hitch’s own The 39 Steps.

The term was coined by Angus MacPhail (note the prefix in his surname), Hitchcock’s screenwriting collaborator on films like Spellbound and The Man Who Knew Too Much. Even though such plot details were supposed to be important, Hitchcock didn’t seem to think they truly mattered. “The main thing I’ve learned over the years is that the MacGuffin is nothing. I’m convinced of this, but I find it very difficult to prove it to others,” Hitchcock told Truffaut in 1962, highlighting how the audience never finds out why the government secrets (a.k.a. the MacGuffin) in North by Northwest truly matter. “Here, you see,” Hitchcock said, “the MacGuffin has been boiled down to its purest expression: nothing at all!”

9 Alfred Hitchcock scrapped his own documentary about the Holocaust.

Hitch’s films flirted with mentioning the escalating tensions in Europe that would spark World War II, like in the shocking plane crash climax of 1940’s Foreign Correspondent. But the film Hitchcock collaborated on about the explicit horrors of the war would go unseen for decades.

Memory of the Camps, a 1945 documentary filmed by crews who accompanied the Allied armies that liberated those in the Nazi death camps at the end of the war, was stored in a vault in the Imperial War Museum in London until 1985. Originally commissioned by the British Ministry of Information and the American Office of War Information, Hitchcock served as a “treatment advisor” at the behest of his friend Sidney Bernstein, who is the credited director of the film. But the final film was scrapped because it was deemed counterproductive to German postwar reconstruction. The film was put eventually together as an episode of PBS’s FRONTLINE, and aired on May 7, 1985 to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the camps.

10 Alfred Hitchcock didn’t want you to see five of his famous films for decades.

Vertigo may have topped many best-of movie polls, but for over 20 years, between 1961 and 1983, it and four other Hitchcock classics were almost virtually impossible to see. It turns out it was Hitchcock’s fault that Vertigo, Rear Window, Rope, The Trouble with Harry, and The Man Who Knew Too Much were purposefully unavailable to the general public.

The filmmaker personally secured full ownership to the rights of the five films per a contingency clause in the multi-film deal he made with Paramount Pictures in 1953. Eight years after the release of each film, the rights reverted back to Hitchcock, which, in the years before Blu-ray and DVD, seemed like a financially savvy move on Paramount’s part. Three years after Hitch’s death in 1980, Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to all five classics, making them available once again.

11 Alfred Hitchcock didn’t want to work with Jimmy Stewart after Vertigo.

Everyman actor Jimmy Stewart worked with Hitchcock a number of times, including as the nosy, wheelchair-bound photographer in Rear Window, and as the dastardly murderer in the “one-take” film Rope. After Stewart appeared in Vertigo in 1958, the actor prepared to appear in Hitchcock’s follow-up a year later, North by Northwest. But Hitch had other plans.

The director felt that one of the main reasons Vertigo wasn’t more of a smash hit was because of its aging star, and vowed to never use Stewart in any film ever again. Hitch wanted actor Cary Grant instead, and, according to author Marc Eliot’s book, Jimmy Stewart: A Biography, “Hitchcock, as was his nature, did not tell Jimmy there was no way he was going to get North by Northwest.” But when Stewart grew tired of waiting, and took a part in the movie Bell Book and Candle instead, “Hitchcock used that as his excuse, allowing him to diplomatically avoid confronting Jimmy and maintaining their personal friendship, which both valued.”

12 Alfred Hitchcock personally funded Pyscho.

When Hitchcock approached Paramount Pictures—where he was under contract—to put up the money to make Psycho, the studio balked at the salacious story. So Hitchcock financed the movie himself, foregoing his normal salary in exchange for 60 percent ownership of the rights to the film; Paramount agreed to distribute the film. To cut costs even more, the filmmaker enlisted his relatively cheaper Alfred Hitchcock Presents TV crew and shot the film on less pricey black and white film. Hitch’s gamble worked: He reportedly personally earned $6 million from Psycho—about $50 million in today’s dollars.

13 Alfred Hitchcock wouldn’t allow theaters to let anyone—not even the Queen of England—in to see Psycho once it had started.

Psycho (1960) has one of the best twists in movie history—and Hitchcock went to great lengths to not only make sure audiences didn’t spoil that twist, but to make sure they enjoyed the entire movie before the twist. Hitchcock attempted to buy all copies of author Robert Bloch’s source novel to keep the twist under wraps in cities where the movie opened. The promotional rollout of the film was controlled by Hitchcock himself, and he barred stars Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins from doing interviews about the movie. He also demanded that theaters in New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia adhere to strict theatrical showtimes and not allow admittance after the movie had started.

Marketing materials for Psycho included lobby cards meant to be prominently displayed with the message, “We won’t allow you to cheat yourself. You must see PSYCHO from the very beginning. Therefore, do not expect to be admitted into the theatre after the start of each performance of the picture. We say no one—and we mean no one—not even the manager’s brother, the President of the United States, or the Queen of England (God bless her)!”

14 Alfred Hitchcock loved movies that were not “Hitchcockian.”

The filmmaker had a habit of screening films in his studio lot office every Wednesday, and his daughter Patricia revealed that one of his favorite films—and, in fact, the last movie he personally screened before his death—was the 1977 Burt Reynolds movie Smokey and the Bandit.

15 Alfred Hitchcock never won a competitive Oscar.

Hitchcock is in the bittersweet class of venerable filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin, Ingmar Bergman, and more who never received their industry’s highest honor as Best Director. Hitchcock did get Oscar nominations for directing Rebecca (which took home Best Picture), Lifeboat, Spellbound, Rear Window, and Psycho. But he personally went home empty-handed every time.

When the Academy finally honored him with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1967, his long-time-coming speech was only five words long: “Thank you, very much indeed.”

SOURCE: MENTAL FLOSS

Kansas State Flower: Sunflower

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a treasure of summertime. They typically begin blooming in the mid-summer and can persist into early fall. The flowers, which stretch around 3 to 6 inches across on average, have a broad central disk surrounded by short, yellow petals. Sunflowers grow on a hairy, sturdy, upright stem that can be several feet high. The stems can hold a single flower or be branched with multiple blooms. Rough, hairy, oval to triangular leaves grow along the stem. These flowers are annual, meaning they complete their growth cycle in one year. You should plant them in the spring after the garden soil has warmed to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sunflower Care

The only mandatory requirements for sunflowers are a sunny location and well-drained soil. Select an area sheltered from strong winds that might topple these tall plants if possible. It can be helpful to plant sunflowers in groups to support each other against wind and rain. Growers often have to stake their sunflowers, especially the tall varieties, to keep them growing upright. The plants can become very top-heavy when in bloom. Planting sunflowers along a fence is the easiest way to stake them. Bamboo stakes are also strong enough to keep them upright. Use care when inserting the stakes so you don’t damage the plant’s roots.

Sunflowers don’t like to compete with weeds, so keep the garden clean. Mulching around your sunflowers will help maintain soil moisture and weed suppression. Furthermore, wildlife is often attracted to sunflower seedlings. So it’s best to protect seedlings with row covers or screening, removing the cover once the plants are 1 to 2 feet tall.

Light

For the best flowering and sturdiest stems, plant your sunflowers in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Because they are heliotropic (their flower heads follow the sun), ample sun exposure will help sunflowers remain straight rather than bending toward the direction where the light is strongest.

Soil

Sunflowers will grow in almost any soil, including poor, dry soils. However, they thrive in well-drained soil that contains a good amount of organic matter.

Water

Although tolerant of dry conditions, watering sunflowers regularly promotes blooming, as flowering often reduces during periods of drought. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. If your sunflowers are drooping and the soil is dry, that’s often a sign they need more water.

Temperature and Humidity

Optimal temperatures for growing sunflowers are between 70 and 78 F. Still, they tolerate high heat as long as their moisture needs are met. Sunflowers can handle somewhat chilly but sunny environments. They also tolerate high humidity but must have well-draining soil and good air circulation to prevent root rot and other diseases. 

Types of Sunflowers

Helianthus annuus ‘Russian Giant’

Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’

Helianthus annuus ‘Giant Sungold’

Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Mix’

Helianthus annuus ‘Italian White’

SOURCE: THE SPRUCE

Iowa State Bird*: American Goldfinch

This handsome little finch, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington, is welcome and common at feeders, where it takes primarily sunflower and nyjer. Goldfinches often flock with Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Spring males are brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white. Females and all winter birds are more dull but identifiable by their conical bill; pointed, notched tail; wingbars; and lack of streaking. During molts they look bizarrely patchy.

Find This Bird

Goldfinches are usually easy to find throughout much of North America, except in deep forests. Their po-ta-to-chip flight call is draws attention to them in open country. They’re most abundant in areas with thistle plants, and near feeders.

Backyard Tips

To encourage goldfinches into your yard, plant native thistles and other composite plants, as well as native milkweed. Almost any kind of bird feeder may attract American Goldfinches, including hopper, platform, and hanging feeders, and these birds don’t mind feeders that sway in the wind. You’ll also find American Goldfinches are happy to feed on the ground below feeders, eating spilled seeds. They’re most attracted to sunflower seed and nyjer. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using Project FeederWatch’s

Cool Facts

American Goldfinches are unusual among goldfinches in molting their body feathers twice a year, once in late winter and again in late summer. The brightening yellow of male goldfinches each spring is one welcome mark of approaching warm months.

American Goldfinches breed later than most North American birds. They wait to nest until June or July when milkweed, thistle, and other plants have produced their fibrous seeds, which goldfinches incorporate into their nests and also feed their young.

Goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet and only inadvertently swallowing an occasional insect.

When Brown-headed Cowbirds lay eggs in an American Goldfinch nest, the cowbird egg may hatch but the nestling seldom survives longer than three days. The cowbird chick simply can’t survive on the all-seed diet that goldfinches feed their young.

Goldfinches move south in winter following a pattern that seems to coincide with regions where the minimum January temperature is no colder than 0 degrees Fahrenheit on average.

Paired-up goldfinches make virtually identical flight calls; goldfinches may be able to distinguish members of various pairs by these calls.

The oldest known American Goldfinch was 10 years 9 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during a banding operation in Maryland.

*Filly pointed out that birds are not mammals, so I’ve decided to list the birds as birds instead of mammals as the reference list I use, calls them.

What Shall We Make Today?

Today’s summer dessert is No-Bake Turtle Cheesecake.  (Disclaimer: the cheesecake is no bake; the brownie bottom is baked.)

No-Bake Brownie Bottom Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Brownie Layer

Box of your favorite brownie mix, plus ingredients needed per the box.

Jar of Caramel Sauce

Caramel Cheesecake

16 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup caramel sauce

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

4 oz cool whip

Toppings:

chopped pecans

caramel sauce

hot fudge sauce

Instructions:

Grease a 9″ spring form pan. Combine all brownie ingredients until smooth, pour into prepared pan and bake according to manufacturer’s instructions on box or recipe you are using.

Once brownie is done, remove outer ring of pan and allow brownie to cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and both sugars until smooth. Stir in the 3/4 cup of caramel sauce and spices until combined. Fold in cool whip and mix until everything is incorporated and distributed completely. Place the outer ring to the spring form pan back on. Top the baked brownie with the cheesecake mixture and spread into an even layer. Chill in refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Before serving, garnish cheesecake with (leftover) caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce and chopped pecans.

This No-Bake Caramel Turtle Cheesecake will stay creamy and fresh for up to 6 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

ENJOY!

Sea Sheep

I was browsing pictures and came across this adorable one of Sea Sheep.  This article in Animal Hype:Marine Life, written by Elise McDonald, details all sorts of interesting facts about this cute little slug.

From Animal Hype:

All of us terrestrial beings are surrounded by countless creatures who have unusual traits, but beyond our terrestrial world lies the world of the ocean, the marine ecosystem that hides many more extraordinary treasures. Although we’ve come quite far in exploring the aquatic world and the creatures that inhabit it, when we compare it with the vastness of the oceans, we realize that we have barely scratched the surface.

Have you ever heard of the certain sea animals who can perform photosynthesize like plants? The Sea Sheep is one such sea creature that we have very little knowledge about. Discovered not more than a few decades ago, these sea slugs are quite extraordinary for various reasons.

In this article, we will tell you fascinating and unusual facts about the Sea Sheep that will blow your mind. Sit tight.

First, let us take a quick look at the lineage and family background of the Sea Sheep:

Why is the Sea Sheep called “sheep”?

The Sea Sheep belongs to the category of sea slugs, which are invertebrate marine animals that somewhat resemble the terrestrial slugs that you might have seen somewhere. But can you find even one similarity between a slug and a sheep? Very unlikely. The very idea of a comparison between the two sounds incredulous. While sheep are four-legged, ruminant mammals that are reared for their wool, slugs are terrestrial mollusks who either lack a shell or have a very insignificant shell.

Why, then, are Sea Sheep, being basically a slug, called Sheep? While there is no straightforward answer to it, there are some resemblances between their appearances that might have inspired the name. Sea Sheep have a pair of antennae at either side of their head, which looks very much like the ears of the Sheep. Some people can also compare the hair-like structures grown on their bodies to the wool that grows on the Sheep. That is about all the similarities you can find between the two.

Breaking down the scientific name of the Sea Sheep

As you can see in the table given above, the scientific name of the Sea Sheep is “Costasiella Kuroshimae”. While the term “Costasiella” refers to the genus of the sacoglossan sea slugs to which the Sea Sheep belongs, what does the second part of their name signify?

“Kurashimae” comes from the name of the Japanese island named Kuroshima. Also known as the Kuro island, Kuroshima is one of the native places of the Sea Sheep.

Moreover, the island of Kuroshima might also have some relevance with the discovery of their species, which makes the name all the more significant.

What does sea sheep look like?

Not much is known about what the Sea Sheep looks like because they rarely appear on the surface of the sea or the ocean. However, from what we have gathered, we can provide you with a rough description. The Sea Sheep are among the smaller sea slugs that only grow to be 1-inch long. Due to their small size, it is very difficult to recognize them from a fair distance.

They have a small, creamish-white, gelatinous body that looks slightly translucent, with two beady, black eyes. It is difficult to make out their mouths, but they have a pair of antennae at each side of their head, which is quite prominent. Their body is covered with several pointy structures all over. These are similar to leaves, have a pinkish tip and green dots all over them.

Although most of their sightings have been of the green-colored Sea Sheep, it is said that there are other color variations present in the ocean as well.

The plant-like behavior of the Sea Sheep

While we agree that the Sea Sheep slightly resembles the terrestrial Sheep and are inhabitants of the oceans, how does their behavior match that of the plants?

What we’re going to talk about now is probably the most unusual trait that makes the Sea Sheep so significant. The Sea Sheep are often compared to plants because they have the ability to perform the process of photosynthesis. All of us familiar with photosynthesis, aren’t we? For a quick memory brush-up, photosynthesis is a process in which the sunlight is used to synthesize all the necessary nutrients from water and carbon dioxide. The process of photosynthesis is associated with plants. In this respect, the Sea Sheep are like plants: they can perform photosynthesis just like them.

The Sea Sheep are kleptoplastic

How many of you have heard of the process of Kleptoplasty before? Even if you haven’t, there is no reason to worry. We will explain it to you: kleptoplasty or kleptoplastidy is a process in which an organism feeds on small aquatic plants like the algae, but stores the plastids (chloroplasts) in its own body to use it to perform photosynthesis. The process of kleptoplasty explains how animals like the Sea Sheep are able to perform photosynthesis.

Sea Sheep is not the only marine creature capable of photosynthesis

Now that you have found about the Sea Sheep being kleptoplastic, you better not make the mistake of thinking that they are the only creatures who can perform photosynthesis. The phenomenon of kleptoplastidy can also be seen in other creatures such as the Sea Slug (Elysia chlorotica) and the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). The Pea Aphid (Acyrthospihon pisum) are amazing insects who can produce carotenoids on their own, which they later use in the process of photosynthesis.

The Sea Sheep closely resembles a house plant

If you go through the physical description of the Sea Sheep carefully, it is not difficult to understand how the Sea Sheep resembles a house plant. The growth of green, leaf-like structures all over the body of the Sea Sheep is probably the reason why it might look like a house plant to most people at first glance.

How does Sea Sheep eat?

The Sea Sheep, like the rest of the sea slug species, are pure herbivores. Their main diet is the algae (Vaucheria litorea). If they eat anything other than algae, we have no knowledge of it as of now. The more interesting part of their diet is how they eat algae. First, they puncture the cell walls of the algae, then hold it close to their mouth so that they can suck in all of its contents. Thereafter, instead of digesting all the contents directly, they simply retain the chloroplast from it and store it safely somewhere inside their body. Later, they take it out to use it to perform photosynthesis. This process is similar to the one that the Sea Slug (Elysia chlorotica) performs during feeding.

Although they live in the oceans, the Sea Sheep are solar-powered

Are you wondering what makes these marine slugs solar-powered? The answer to your question is kleptoplasty. The process of kleptoplasty, which makes them eligible to perform photosynthesis, is also the reason why they are known to be “solar-powered”, i.e., deriving energy from the sun.

In which regions are the Sea Sheep found?

The Sea Sheep was first discovered from the islands of Japan in the year 1993. Little else is known about their discovery. However, recently, some studies have shown that these kleptoplastic sea slugs aren’t limited to Japan. They have also been seen in Indonesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia, and Singapore. Since these sea slugs are still considered to be understudied, there is a possibility that they could frequent in other parts of the world, too.

How long does the Sea Sheep live?

Unfortunately, due to the lack of enough data, experts have still not been able to provide information about the lifespan of the Sea Sheep. However, the lifespans of the other sacoglossan sea slugs are an indication; you can expect these creatures to live between 2-3 years on average. Some experts claim that the Sea Sheep have a lifeline much longer than the rest of the sea slugs. However, due to a lack of evidence, their claim cannot be considered as a fact.

The sea sheep can sustain on solar energy for months

Since the Sea Sheep can perform photosynthesis, it is not surprising that they can survive on solar energy alone. However, not all the other sacoglossan sea slugs can go without any other food resource for as long as a couple of months. This feature of these creatures is, thus, quite remarkable.

Sea Sheep look even cuter in motion

Most of us have only seen the still pictures of the Sea Sheep, and wonder how these cute little creatures look in action.

Well, you needn’t worry about it. Experts who have spent time researching and observing the Sea Sheep claim that they look even cuter when they move around in the water, either to find more algae to feed on, or just for fun.

Source: Animal Hype; Elise McDonald

National Lighthouse Day

In honor of National Lighthouse Day, I thought it would be cool to showcase the 10 WEIRDEST lighthouses…LOL.  This article from Hub Pages lists the 10 weirdest lighthouses in the world.

1 Horse Lighthouses, Jeju City, South Korea

South Korea is known for its unique modern architecture and its amazing design ideas. The perfect example of these are the impressive lighthouses of Jeju City. Many of them have a gaudy red color and very unique modern designs, although the most interesting and well-loved ones by tourists and locals are the Iho Hang West and East Breakwater Lighthouses. These two are 39 ft (12 m) tall concrete towers, shaped like horses and colored red and white respectively, with lanterns on their heads. The lighthouses are accessible by a short walk on a pier near the beach and serve a perfect attraction for the visitors to Jeju.

2 Orthodox Church Lighthouse, Crimea, Ukraine

The St. Nicholas Church-Lighthouse in the village of Malorichenske in Crimea was built in 2007 and aside from its main function it serves as an Orthodox church, a sea victims memorial, and even as a museum to water accidents. This unique lighthouse is 197 feet (60 meters) tall and is richly decorated with the frescoes, mosaics and beautiful marine-themed architecture elements. The local story also says that the paralyzed man who decorated the Saint Nicolas icon that was to be put in the lighthouse had his hands miraculously healed, which he attributes to the blessing of St. Nicholas, which adds to the unique spirituality and the beautiful atmosphere of the place.

3 Pink Lighthouse, Florida, USA

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is a beautiful lighthouse located in Ponce de Leon Inlet in Florida. It is considered one of the tallest lighthouses in the USA, and the tallest lighthouse in Florida, and, among many other things, is known for its notable pink color. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is 207 ft (63m) tall, and has a long history of modernization and reconstructions. It started as a 19th century kerosene lamp lighthouse, to prevent shipwrecks in the area, and it was completely electrified in 1933. A museum was opened there in 1972 and later in 1998 the lighthouse was declared a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful, unique lighthouse is open to the public every day, and is available for climbing, attracting tourists and photographers from all around the world.

4 World’s Most Ancient Lighthouse, Spain

The Tower of Hercules is a lighthouse near Corunna in Spain. The date when it was built is unknown but according to historians and archeologists, it definitely existed by the 2nd century AD, making it the oldest functioning lighthouse in the world. The Tower of Hercules is 180ft (55 meters) tall, and was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. One more amazing thing about this lighthouse is that it was most likely built after the design of the well-known Lighthouse of Alexandria, making it possible to imagine what the legendary tower used to look like. The Tower of Hercules is surrounded by myths and legends, and despite going through big restorations in the 18th century, it still keeps the major parts of its original Ancient Roman architecture. The Latin inscription still exists, which says the name of the architect who built it and that the lighthouse was dedicated to the god of war, Mars.

5 Most Haunted Lighthouse, Florida, USA

The St. Augustine Light Station was built in 1824 and is known as the first lighthouse established in Florida. However, it is not the only thing that makes it a popular place for visit, as St. Augustine is widely famous for its regular ghost sightings and paranormal activity. It made the place known as one of the most haunted lighthouses in the world and attracted both paranormal investigators and simple tourists who wanted to have a paranormal experience of their own. People report different strange sightings connected to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, including strange noises and even video recordings of strange shadows and figures wandering around it and the surrounding buildings. Although the most popular stories are about the ghostly feminine figures which haunt the lighthouse and its territory. Local legends give many identities to the ghosts that haunt the grounds, from former keepers to buried pirates to the daughters of a man hired to renovate the lighthouse in the 1800s. St Augustine gladly provides night tours for everyone wishing to check if the legends are true, so if you are daring enough, you can easily visit this unique place.

6 The World’s Tallest Lighthouse, Saudi Arabia

The Jeddah Lighthouse in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia proudly claims the title of the world’s tallest lighthouse. This magnificent tower is 436 feet (133 m) tall and is naturally located in the city’s sea port. It was constructed in 1990 from concrete and steel and aside from being a popular photography spot due to its unique design, it serves a very important purpose, controlling the city’s port and harbor from above, impressing everyone who sees it from a distance or from a close view.

7 The Smallest Lighthouse in the World, Scotland

North Queensferry Lighthouse claims to be the smallest working lighthouse in the world. It was built on the pier of the village of the same name in 1812 by the famous Scottish Engineer, Robert Stevenson and still serves the local citizens very well today. This beautiful lighthouse is only 36.09 ft (11 m) high and was originally built for providing safe passage through the Firth of Forth, as the local ferries needed guidance. Later, when the ferry services stopped, it was abandoned, only to be restored by the government decades later in 2010. This day it is a fully working lighthouse, a popular place for visit, and one of the main attractions of the village. Visitors can even learn how to light the lighthouse and how its unique lighting system worked in the old days.

8 Nuclear Lighthouse, Russia

The lighthouse of Cape Aniva was originally built by a Japanese Engineer, Shinobu Miura, in 1939 and was considered a great achievement as it was located in a very remote and dangerous area of the Sea of Okhotsk. It became a part of the Soviet Union in 1945, still keeping its importance and serving the local ships lighting the way through the chaotic waters. The Aniva Cape Lighthouse is 131 ft (40m) tall and was originally designed to host seven floors of crew quarters and other rooms for the worker’s basic needs. Later, though, because of its location that made it difficult to access, the Soviet government decided to make it completely unmanned and automatic, which led to the idea of installing a nuclear power unit inside of the building. The idea wasn’t that unusual for the Soviet Union in that time period, as along with Aniva, several other lighthouses had those nuclear power sources specifically designed for them.
These days the lighthouse remains abandoned, its reconstruction delayed because of the risk of the radioactive pollution around the lighthouse territory, as its power source was removed and lays somewhere near the structure. Nevertheless, this strange lighthouse remains a rather popular urban exploring spot for people who can get there, intriguing people with its unique story and impressive look.

9 Black Lighthouse, Australia

The Queenscliff High Light stands in the historical area of Fort Queenscliff in the town of Queenscliff in Australia. It was built in 1862 to replace an even older lighthouse which used to stand there since 1843. Its design is not that different from the other lighthouse towers built in those times, except for one interesting detail: it is completely black. This tower is completely made of basalt, or bluestone as it is known to the Australians. Bluestone is very hard, very difficult to work with, and used to be a very popular building material in 1850s Australia. The unique color of the stone makes this lighthouse one of the only three black lighthouses in the world and the only one in the whole southern hemisphere. It is 59 ft (18 meters) tall, and is completely automatic now, with no men required to run it.

10 Europe’s Northernmost Lighthouse, Norway

The Slettnes Lighthouse near the village of Gamvik in Norway is considered the European mainland’s northernmost lighthouse. It is said it often marks the top of Europe along with the Fruholmen Lighthouse, the latter of which is technically more northern, but it located on an island instead of the mainland. This unique lighthouse was built in 1905 as a 128 ft (39 meters) iron tower and, despite being damaged during WWII and later restored, it still functions today, completely automatic since 2005.

SOURCE: HUB PAGES

I Love Lucy

In honor of Lucille Ball’s birthday (born August 6, 1911 and died April 26, 1989), I thought we’d look at some interesting facts about her show.

From Screen Rant:

There have been a lot of very important television shows since television was invented, and one of the most important and influential ones has been I Love Lucy. Even though it aired long ago, this series still has an impact on television these days.

The effects of it will probably be seen for many more years, since it was such a game-changer back then. For example, Lucille had a lot of power behind the scenes of the show. That was a groundbreaking thing since women didn’t typically have much control over television shows back then. Here are some other interesting facts about this series that fans probably didn’t already know.

Lucille Didn’t Like Desi Being On The Road

Part of the reason why audiences have been able to enjoy I Love Lucy for so long is because Lucille did not want her husband being on the road all the time. Fans might remember that Desi was part of a band in real life, and that meant that he was spending lots of time traveling, and Lucille was not a fan of that.  The actress wanted her husband to spend more time with her, so that is why she wanted him to play her husband on the series. It’s interesting to think about what the show might have looked like if she did not feel that way.

William Was Not The First Choice For Fred

William Frawley was not the first choice when it came to who was going to play Fred Mertz. Lucille actually wanted someone else to play the part, and that was Gale Gordon. Apparently, she loved the work the actor did on the radio show they starred in together, which was My Favorite Husband.  But that actor ended up asking for too much money, so he was not cast in the role. William heard that I Love Lucy was being created, so he gave Lucille a call to find out if there was a part for him. Some people who worked on the series were reluctant to hire him, but Desi believed he would be great for the role, so they met for lunch, and Desi offered him the role.

CBS Didn’t Want Desi To Play Ricky

It is hard to imagine what this show would have been like if any of the main characters had been played by different actors, but some of the creators of the show were originally not in favor of Desi being cast as Lucille’s husband, despite the fact that they were really together at the time. CBS really liked My Favorite Husband, and they wanted the man who played her husband on that show to play him on television as well.  But, Lucille would only take the role of Lucy if her actual husband was cast as Ricky. The creators didn’t think the audience was going to believe that they could ever be a couple, but history has proved them wrong.

A Dream Pushed Lucille To Take On This Role

Lucille was not sure about whether she should take on the role of Lucy Ricardo or not, but a dream is what convinced her to do it. The actress was very reluctant to join the cast of the show because she was unsure about how the transition from movies to television was going to affect her career, but then she had a dream that pushed her to do it.  In the dream, a deceased friend of hers talked to her. The friend was an actress named Carole Lombard, and if Lucille had not had that dream, television as we know it would certainly look a lot different than it does at the moment.

Vivian And William Did Not Get Along

Lots of shows have had some behind the scenes feuds between the cast members, and even I Love Lucy could not escape that since the people who played Fred and Ethel Mertz never really got along with one another. Part of the reason why they did not like one another is because William was so much older than Vivian (there was 22 years between them) and she did not think anyone would believe she was married to a man who was so much older than she was.  William didn’t have many nice things to say about her, either. He often referred to her as “that old sack of doorknobs.”

Lucille Was Not A Natural Redhead

Lucy Ricardo’s hair was one of her most famous and identifiable features, but the actress who played her was actually not a natural redhead. Another interesting fact is that her hairdresser did not just use any common hair dye to color her hair.  Someone brought the hairdresser a unique mixture that involved hair dye and henna, and that is what was used to create the iconic hair color that I Love Lucy fans are so familiar with. The distinct mixture was locked up in a safe spot when the hairdresser was not using it on the actress, since it was such an important part of her character.

Reruns Are A Thing Because Of This Show

Anyone who loves to watch reruns of their favorite shows are probably very thankful to those who created I Love Lucy. In real life, Lucille and Desi shared two children. Desi thought his wife could use a break from work when she had their second child, so that is when he came up with what audiences now know as a rerun.  The actor suggested that instead of filming new episodes for a bit, the studio could show some of the old episodes that had already proven to be really popular with the shows’ fanbase. This obviously worked out pretty well for them, since fans can still catch reruns of the series on television today.

It Was All Part Of The Script

Every line that was spoken when the show was being filmed was scripted out. That may seem pretty obvious, but there are actually lots of movies and television shows that feature some lines that the actors made up on the spot, since some unexpected things can happen on the set (there is a rumor that a certain scene in The Dark Knight is a perfect example of this).  But some people might be surprised to find out that none of the actors ever said anything that was not scripted when they were creating any of the episodes of I Love Lucy.

There Was One Thing That Only Lucy Was Allowed To Do

Lucy was the only character on the series who was allowed to make fun of Ricky’s accent. Those who have seen the series probably noticed that Ricky has a very thick accent, and they also probably noticed that the only person who ever made fun of him for it was Lucy.  When Lucy did it, the audiences seemed to think it was very funny. But when the series creators attempted to have the other characters do it, things were a bit different. The jokes were not very well-received, so the writers stopped allowing the other characters in the show to poke fun at his accent.

Nearly Everything Shut Down When New Episodes Aired

Lots of businesses closed up shop when new episodes of I Love Lucy aired. These days, there are multiple ways for people to catch episodes of their favorite television shows, even if they have already aired on television before, but things were not always like that.  Back when I Love Lucy was still being filmed, fans could only watch it when it aired live each week (except for when Desi invented the rerun), and that resulted in some businesses closing when they knew a new episode was going to air. Almost everyone loved this show, so it seems that the title was fairly appropriate.

SOURCE: SCREEN RANT