Paw Prints TidBits for April

Have you ever had to give a presentation in front of a large audience? Were you rattled by the audience's reactions to something you said? This month's anecdote relates John Erskine's view about audience reaction to his presentations. Perhaps it will help put you at ease. The sidebar contains some loony laws on the books in the U.S. Take care that you haven't already broken one of them! We also invite you to view a slideshow featuring the glorious California Poppy...one of my favorite California wild flowers.

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Anecdote of the Month

John Erskine (1879–1951)

John Erskine
A n e c d o t e . . .

Erskine was once asked if he found it disconcerting to see members of the audience looking at their watches during a long lecture.

"No," replied Erskine, "not until they start shaking them."


Read another anecdote about this U.S. educator and writer on our website.



B i o g r a p h i c a l . N o t e . . .

U.S. educator, writer, and musician, professor of English at Columbia University (1909-37). His works include The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent (1915) and The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1925). An accomplished composer and musician, Erskine served as the first president of the Juilliard School of Music from 1928 to 1937, was a director of the Metropolitan Opera Association, and wrote several books on music.



M o r e . I n f o r m a t i o n . . .

READ more about John Erskine and his influence on U.S. education.


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Watch Your Step

Loony Laws

Actual laws that have been enacted and put on the books in these United States.

In Wilbur, Washington, it is against the law to ride down the street on an ugly horse.

In Roderfield, West Virginia, only babies are allowed to ride in baby carriages.

In New York, it's against the law to do anything that's against the law.

In Arkansas, it is illegal to blindfold cows on public highways.

More..>

Glorious Poppy

Behold the glorious California Poppy.
Click to view The California poppy is native to grassy and open areas throughout California. Their color ranges from yellow to orange. The flowers are solitary on long stems. The poppy is drought-tolerant.
Poppies grow best in full sun. It was selected as the state flower in 1890. There is no law against picking poppies. April 6 of each year is designated California Poppy Day. Behold the glorious California Poppy.


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