Another day...another Dollar

Yes, the sand dollar is an animal!! Actually what you see washed ashore and lying on the beach is the exoskeleton of a sea urchin relative. Once exposed to air they die off and become stiffened. In water, alive, they are quite different looking. The star on the back side is often invisible and usually covered in dark purplish spines. See HERE. They use these spines to capture food by use of the spines directing the food to their mouth on the central, back side. Most times, in close-by shore waters where the sea is calm, the sand dollar urchin 'stands' upright...on its edge. In rough waters they burrow below the sand or lie flat. Scientists can age a sand dollar by counting the growth rings on the plates of the exoskeleton. Sand dollars usually live six to 10 years.

While we were walking around the Marine Science Institute a few weeks past, Bud spotted this perfect sand dollar exoskeleton on an ant hill!! Did I pick it up?! Nope, left it there. Didn't want any nasty fire ant bites.

Sand Dollar Exoskeleton

linking to:  Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

Think about this:

1. A penny saved is a government oversight.

2. The Roman Numerals for 40 is XL.

3. If you can smile when things go wrong, you already have someone to blame.

4. There's a lot to be thankful for. For instance: be thankful wrinkles don't hurt!!

5. Put these two together and what do you get? "The" and "IRS"....it's THEIRS.

6. You know when you're getting old when things either dry up or leak!!

linking to: Willy Nilly Friday 5
cartoon source: Google image search

I've found these in our Senior newspaper and on the 'net. There is no evidence or concrete truth to any...just a fun read:

1. Centuries ago, the floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor."

2. In the state of drug withdrawal the addict's blood is directed to the internal organs, leaving the skin white and with goose bumps. Hence, quitting "cold turkey".  [which makes me add:  and of course the term goosebumps is that flesh resembles goose skin]

3. In Old England, long ago, burial grounds were limited. Often coffins were dug up and the bones stored in a bone house. When reopening those coffins, 1 out of 25 were found to have scratch marks on the inside! Realizing some were being buried alive, they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin lid up to ground level and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit in the graveyard all night listening for the bell....Hence "the graveyard shift". AND someone could be "saved by the bell".

4. Bread was divided according to status. The workers would get the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family would get the middle and guests would get the top. Hence the "upper crust".