Thursday, January 21, 2016

Somewhere in the Midwest...

Here's another question I get asked frequently.

Q: What states do I consider to be in the Midwest?

A: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, these are the states in the Midwest.

I can also tell you that the cache is not hidden in 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas or Missouri.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Endings & Beginnings

As we begin another journey around the sun, I always take time to reflect. I think about all of the notable things that happened in the previous year and look forward to what the new year might bring. This year, I've been thinking a bit about our calendar and how we're inextricably tied to history whether we like it or not. 

January, named after the ancient Roman god Janus is the beginning of the new year. It's fitting because he was the god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings. He has a double-faced head - each looking in opposite directions as if looking to the past and the future.

That's all fine and dandy. Now here's something that most people will realize when they think about it, but probably have never thought about to begin with. Remember when you were in school and they taught you those prefixes (especially in geometry class)? 

When a woman gives birth to septuplets, how many kids did she have? 
How many sides does an octagon have? 
How many days in a row do you pray a novena? 
How many years are in a decade?

So now we have a problem. Actually, we have four of them.

September 
October 
November 
December

You're welcome.