Tag: religion

  • A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words — Answers

    Again some pictures and questions but with no theme this time.

    One

    Michelangelo’s Pietà.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Michelangelo’s Pietà a Carrara marble sculpture of Jesus and Mary at —— dating from 1498-99 is pictured…

    1. What is the location of Jesus and Mary in the sculpture ?
    2. In what building and city is the sculpture located?

    Answers

    1. Mount Golgotha (aka Calvary)
    2. Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

    Michelangelo’s Pietà, a Carrara marble sculpture of Jesus and Mary, is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture. Commissioned by a French cardinal, it is the only work Michelangelo ever signed and is housed in Saint Peter’s Basilica.


    Two

    Zorbing, Rotorua, New Zealand.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What is this recreation or sport?

    Answer: Zorbing aka globe-riding, sphereing or orbing.

    Zorbing, a recreational activity, involves rolling downhill inside a transparent plastic orb. It can be done on slopes, level surfaces, or even water, and there are harnessed and non-harnessed orbs available. The first zorbing site was established in Rotorua, New Zealand, by ZORB Ltd.


    Three

    Kindlifresserbrunnen.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Pictured is the Kindlifresserbrunnen

    1. In what city is this fountain found?
    2. What, in English, is its name?

    Answers

    1. (either) Fountain of the Eater of Little Children (or) Child-eater fountain
    2. Berne

    The Kindlifresserbrunnen, a 16th-century fountain in Bern, Switzerland, was created by Hans Gieng in 1545-1546. Its name, meaning ‘Fountain of the Eater of Little Children’, was first used in 1666.


    Four

    Flag of Cape Verde.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    This is the flag of an island country…

    1. What country is it?
    2. In what ocean is the country found?
    3. Is the country in the Northern or Southern hemisphere?

    Answers

    1. Cape Verde or Cabo Verde
    2. North Atlantic Ocean
    3. Northern Hemisphere

    Cape Verde, an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Its economy, lacking natural resources, is service-oriented, with a focus on tourism and foreign investment. The population, primarily of West African descent, is around 491,233.


    Five

    Zori.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What are these Japanese sandals called?

    Answer: Zori.

    Zori are Japanese sandals made from various materials, including rice straw and synthetic materials. They are easily slipped on and off, making them ideal for traditional Japanese clothing and casual wear.


  • A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

    Again some pictures and questions but with no theme this time.

    One

    Michelangelo’s Pietà.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Michelangelo’s Pietà a Carrara marble sculpture of Jesus and Mary at —— dating from 1498-99 is pictured…

    1. What is the location of Jesus and Mary in the sculpture ?
    2. In what building and city is the sculpture located?

    Two

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What is this recreation or sport?


    Three

    Kindlifresserbrunnen.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Pictured is the Kindlifresserbrunnen

    1. In what city is this fountain found?
    2. What, in English, is its name?

    Four

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    This is the flag of an island country…

    1. What country is it?
    2. In what ocean is the country found?
    3. Is the country in the Northern or Southern hemisphere?

    Five

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    What are these Japanese sandals called?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • All at Sea — Answers

    The questions are all related to today’s date, March 23rd.

    Ever Given in Suez Canal 2021.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The Suez Canal was blocked for six days in 2021, when a container ship ran aground, see picture above. What was the name of the container ship?

    Answer: Ever Given.

    The Ever Given, a 400-metre-long vessel, blocked the Suez Canal on 23 March, disrupting global trade. After six days, the ship was freed, and shipping resumed. The Egyptian government impounded the vessel, seeking compensation, and a settlement was reached in July.


    Two

    What animals were retired from the U.S. Army in 1957 when it was decided that they were obsolete? 

    Answer: Pigeons.

    During World War I, 10,000 messenger pigeon spots were filled, delivering messages where telegraph lines were vulnerable. Despite their service from the Spanish-American War to the Korean War, advances in communication technology made pigeons obsolete, leading to the end of pigeon service in 1956.


    Three

    In 1998, James Cameron’s Titanic won eleven Academy Awards. Which of these did it not win: 

    1. Best Actress
    2. Best Director
    3. Best Picture

    Answer: 1. Best Actress.

    James Cameron and Jon Landau Received the Oscar for the Best Picture, and Cameron was also the recipient for Best Director. Although nominated Kate Winslet did not win the Best Actress award which went to Helen Hunt for her role in As Good as it Gets.


    Four

    In 1956, the world’s first Islamic republic came into being. Currently the term is used in the names of three states: name those three countries? 

    Answer: Pakistan, Mauritania and Iran.

    The term is currently used in the official name of three states – Pakistan, Mauritania, and Iran. Pakistan first adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite having similar names, the countries differ greatly in their governments and laws.
    — Wikipedia (22/03/2026)


    Five

    In 1806, Lewis and Clark began their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Their return journey began from a position near to the mouth of what river?

    Answer: Columbia River.

    The Lewis and Clark Expedition, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark, explored the newly acquired western US territory after the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition, which began in 1804 and ended in 1806, traversed the continent, reaching the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River, where they built Fort Clatsop. The fort became their winter encampment prior to heading back to St. Louis. The original fort was replaced with a replica, and the area is now the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.


  • All at Sea

    These questions are all related to today’s date, March 23rd.

    Suez Canal 2021.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The Suez Canal was blocked for six days in 2021, when a container ship ran aground, see picture above. What was the name of the container ship?


    Two

    What animals were retired from the U.S. Army in 1957 when it was decided that they were obsolete? 


    Three

    In 1998, James Cameron’s Titanic won eleven Academy Awards. Which of these did it not win: 

    1. Best Actress
    2. Best Director
    3. Best Picture

    Four

    In 1956, the world’s first Islamic republic came into being. Currently the term is used in the names of three states: name those three countries?


    Five

    In 1806, Lewis and Clark began their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. Their return journey began from a position near to the mouth of what river?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer — Answers

    See question three. Loevestein Castle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today’s date, March 22nd.

    One

    Born in 1948, this composer wrote the music for a musical based on a 1939 T.S. Eliot poetry collection. Three questions…

    1. Who is the composer?
    2. What is the title of the musical? 
    3. What is the name of the poetry collection?

    Answers

    1. Andrew Lloyd Webber;
    2. Cats
    3. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

    Cats, a sung-through musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on T.S. Eliot’s poetry, tells the story of the Jellicle cats and their annual ‘Jellicle choice’. Premiering in 1981, it became a commercial success, running for decades in both the West End and Broadway, and sparking the mega-musical phenomenon.


    Two

    Canadian actor William Shatner, who was born on 22 March 1931, first appeared in the role of James T. Kirk in series 1 episode 1 of the original television series Star Trek in September 1966. What was the episode title?

    Answer: The Man Trap.

    William Shatner, born in 1931, is a Canadian actor renowned for his iconic role as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. He also starred in T.J. HookerRescue 911, and Boston Legal, earning two Emmy Awards for the latter. Beyond acting, Shatner has released several albums and made history in 2021 as the oldest person to fly in space.


    Three

    Hugo Grotius, a Dutch jurist, scholar and diplomat, is often called the ‘father of modern international law’. Today, he is best known for escaping imprisonment in Loevestein Castle, Netherlands, on this date in 1621. His wife devised the escape plan; what was it?

    Answer: Hidden in a wooden chest.

    On this day in 1621, Hugo Grotius was smuggled out of prison in a chest. Religious tensions were high in Holland and Grotius, who favoured tolerance, made many enemies. Arrested and sentenced to life in prison in 1618, his guards grew careless, neglecting to inspect the large book chest he often received. His wife then devised a plan to smuggle him out using the same chest. The plan was successful and the couple later reunited in Paris. Grotius is also remembered for his extensive legal writings which earned him the title ‘father of international law’.


    Four

    Born in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this actress won an Academy Award in 2006 for her role in Walk the Line. Who is she?

    Answer: Reese Witherspoon.

    Reese Witherspoon, born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is an acclaimed American actress and producer renowned for her roles in romantic comedies and films like Legally Blonde and Walk the Line — for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter. Witherspoon founded Hello Sunshine, a production company dedicated to female-led literary adaptations, and is actively involved in advocacy for children and women.


    Five

    Born in 1641 in Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium), this Flemish Baroque artist became a leading court painter in England. He is also known for having a beard named after him. Who is he? 

    Answer: Anthony van Dyck.

    Sir Anthony van Dyck, a Flemish Baroque artist, revolutionised court portraiture in England, notably painting Charles I. He was a prolific painter of portraits, religious and mythological subjects, and a fine draftsman and etcher. The Van Dyke beard is named after him.


    Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer

    Today’s post title is the names of two feline characters from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and the musical Cats.


  • Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer

    See question three. Loevestein Castle.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today’s date, March 22nd.

    One

    Born in 1948, this composer wrote the music for a musical based on a 1939 T.S. Eliot poetry collection. Three questions…

    1. Who is the composer?
    2. What is the title of the musical? 
    3. What is the name of the poetry collection?

    Two

    Canadian actor William Shatner, who was born on 22 March 1931, first appeared in the role of James T. Kirk in series 1 episode 1 of the original television series Star Trek in September 1966. What was the episode title?


    Three

    Hugo Grotius, a Dutch jurist, scholar and diplomat, is often called the ‘father of modern international law’. Today, he is best known for escaping imprisonment in Loevestein Castle, Netherlands, on this date in 1621. His wife devised the escape plan; what was it?


    Four

    Born in 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this actress won an Academy Award in 2006 for her role in Walk the Line. Who is she?


    Five

    Born in 1641 in Antwerp, Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium), this Flemish Baroque artist became a leading court painter in England. He is also known for having a beard named after him. Who is he? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Luna Links

    Some more random trivia for your enjoyment.

    Apollo Landing Sites.
    Image NASA.

    One

    What creature is missing from the title of this Nathaniel West novel: The Day of the ——?


    Two

    Also, the oldest, who was the fifth Apollo astronaut to walk on the Moon?


    Three

    200 million years ago all land on Earth was in one landmass, what name do scientists give to this super-continent?


    Four

    Who played Simon Templar in a 1997 film and what was the film?


    Five

    In Judaism hat is the only insect which is considered kosher?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Down the Rabbit Hole—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    All today’s questions relate to the date, March 12th.

    Down the Rabbit Hole.
    Image r/dalle2 on Reddit

    One

    On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web. 

    1. Who submitted the proposal?
    2. What is The European Organization for Nuclear Research more commonly known as?

    Answers.

    1. Tim Berners-Lee
    2. CERN
      Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 at CERN to facilitate information sharing among scientists. CERN released the web software into the public domain in 1993, enabling its widespread adoption. The acronym CERN relates to the original provisional council which was set up in 1952 — Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research).

    Two

    Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?

    Answer: 11th Century.

    Urban II, pope from 1088 to 1099, furthered ecclesiastical reforms, launched the Crusade movement, and strengthened the papacy’s political power.


    Three

    James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?

    Answers: James Taylor; Carole King.

    Fire and Rain by James Taylor, released in 1970, is about his friend’s suicide and his struggles with addiction and fame. You’ve Got a Friend is a 1971 song by Carole King, recorded for her album Tapestry. James Taylor’s version, featuring Joni Mitchell, reached number one in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.


    Four

    André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?

    Answer: Palace and Park of Versailles.

    The Palace and Park of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the residence and seat of power for the French monarchy from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The site, a masterpiece of French art and architecture, includes the Palace, Trianon châteaux, and gardens, all designed by renowned artists and architects. Despite the loss of its original function during the Revolution, the site’s integrity and authenticity have been preserved through conservation efforts and the reconstruction of interior spaces and furnishings.


    Five

    An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?

    Answer: Terry Pratchett.

    The Ankh-Morpork City Watch, founded in 1561 UC, evolved from a small, ineffective force to a modern, multi-ethnic police department. Under the leadership of Sam Vimes and Carrot Ironfoundersson, the Watch was revitalised, merging the Day Watch, Night Watch and Palace Guard. The Watch now serves as a powerful deterrent to crime, with a focus on public service and a strong presence in the city. Cheery, the first female dwarf in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, revolutionises dwarfish culture by openly identifying as female. Detritus, a troll, joined the Ankh-Morpork City Watch under Lord Vetinari’s hiring procedures. Despite being initially considered stupid, he became a natural sergeant, aided by a cooling helmet that improved his intelligence. He is known for his destructive crossbow, the Piecemaker, and his overprotective nature, earning him the respect of Commander Vimes.


    Down the Rabbit Hole

    In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland.  Today the phrase ‘down the rabbit hole’ is commonly used to describe endlessly clicking through online links or items.  As Collins Dictionary puts it, ‘The internet is a great research tool – but be warned you might end up down a rabbit hole.’


  • Down the Rabbit Hole

    All today’s questions relate to the date, March 12th.

    Down the Rabbit Hole.
    Image r/dalle2 on Reddit

    One

    On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web. 


    Two

    Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?


    Three

    James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?


    Four

    André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?


    Five

    An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    These are five questions which are related to today, February 5th.

    Section of the border between East and West Germany.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The term ‘Iron Curtain’ described the political and physical boundary dividing Europe from the end of World War II until the end of the Cold War. Who popularised its use in a speech at Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, on 5 March 1946?

    Answer: Winston Churchill.

    …an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe.
    — Winston Churchill, Former British prime minister, 5 March 1946, Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri

    The Iron Curtain was a political and physical boundary dividing Europe from 1945 to 1990/1991, symbolising the ideological divide between the Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc and the Western nations. Popularised by Winston Churchill in 1946, the term originally described physical barriers but later encompassed broader cultural and ideological differences. The Iron Curtain largely dissolved in 1989-90 with the fall of communism.


    Two

    A 31-year-old American country singer, who was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Virginia, died in a 1963 plane crash in Tennessee. She had enjoyed an eight-year recording career, which included two number ones as well as other major chart hits. By what name was she known professionally?

    Answer: Patsy Cline.

    Patsy Cline, born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American singer known for her crossover success from country to pop music. She achieved major hits like Walkin’ After Midnight and I Fall to Pieces, becoming a trailblazer for women in country music. Although, she died in a plane crash in 1963, her legacy endures through her influential music and posthumous recognition.

    Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray

    The post title, Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray, was the title of a Patsy Cline single from 1957.


    Three

    In 1616, 73 years after publication, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (De revolutionibus orbium coelestium) was added to the Index of Forbidden Books (Index Librorum Prohibitorum) by the Sacred Congregation of the Index. Which astronomer had written On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres?

    Answer: Nicolaus Copernicus

    Copernicus’s book placed the Sun rather than the Earth at the centre, meaning the Earth and other planets orbited the Sun. The Index Librorum Prohibitorum, active from 1560 to 1966, was a list of publications deemed heretical or immoral by the Catholic Church. It banned thousands of books, including works by theologians, astronomers, philosophers, and unapproved Bible editions, to protect church members from potentially disruptive ideas.


    Four

    In 1942 Japanese forces captured what is now Jakarta, Indonesia. At that time, what was the city called and of where was it the capital?

    Answers: Batavia; Dutch East Indies.

    Batavia, now known as Jakarta, was founded in 1619 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a strategic trading post in the Dutch colonial empire. It became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was pivotal for their trade routes, especially in spices and other commodities. Following Indonesia’s declaration of independence in 1945, Batavia was renamed Jakarta. The city evolved from a colonial outpost to a major urban centre reflecting Indonesia’s diversity and is a bustling metropolis and the capital of Indonesia. It is a hub for culture, economy, and politics in Southeast Asia.


    Five

    In 1496, England’s Henry VII issued letters patent authorising a navigator and his sons to explore unknown lands. This led to what is the earliest known exploration of the North American Atlantic coast since the Norse visits to Vinland in the eleventh century. Who was Henry VII’s explorer?

    Answer: John Cabot.

    John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer.  His 1497 voyage to North America, commissioned by Henry VII, King of England, is the earliest known European exploration of the region’s coast since the Norse visits to Vinland in the eleventh century.  To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Cabot’s expedition, both Canadian and British governments declared Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland, as his first landing site. However, alternative locations have also been suggested.