You Won't Believe This

Mankind shares 50 per cent of the same DNA as a banana, of which seven billion are consumed annually.

Principal Literary Characters

Can you supply the surnames to these principal literary characters?

What the eyes do not see

A number of years ago a lady visited an orphanage and asked the matron, ‘Is there a child here nobody has offered to adopt?’
The matron replied, ‘There is. She’s ten years old, not much to look at, and she has a hunchback.’ The lady said, ‘That’s the child I want!’
Thirty-five years later the director of the Orphanage Inspection Department in Iowa submitted the following report on a state-run facility: ‘This home is outstanding. It’s clean, the food’s good, the children are well-cared-for, and the atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The matron, Mercy Goodfaith, has a soul that oozes love; she has such beautiful eyes I forgot how homely her face was—or that she was a hunchback.’
Because a Good Samaritan had the courage to love and nurture a little girl others overlooked, Mercy Goodfaith went on to share that same love with hundreds of other orphans.
Billy Graham, an  American evangelical Christian evangelist, adds: ‘Those who have suffered the most are best able to comfort others … to empathize with [their] afflictions because of what they’ve experienced.' W4T edited

Caregiver

Last year my youngest daughter, Ellie, was studying health within her class at Woodstock Christian School. The initial topic she chose for her project was Abortion. Her form teacher did not believe she was of the age to undertake such an emotive subject. As her parent, and having talked with Ellie, I did not agree. However, we eventually decided to tackle Alzheimer's/dementia.
I had been a caregiver for my granddad who suffered from dementia. To supplement the project I wrote the following from the perspective of my granddad, based upon actual events.
My name is Frank. I am 84-years-old. A widower. My wife Nellie. short for Eleanor, had a severe stroke over seven years ago. She was hospitalised, and died shortly afterwards.
I live in Sowerby Bridge, but this two-up two-down house is becoming too much for me . I decide to sell. I move into Ladstone Towers. I live in a flat on the tenth floor.
I am struggling. I can't see very well, I have cataracts.
My grandson has arranged for me to move into sheltered accommodation in the town where he and his wife, Lesley, live. This is better. I can now spend time with my great grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah.
I am starting to forget things. It's more than, 'where did I put my key?' I don't know what day it is.
I can't look after my pension. I have signed my pension book so our Ian can collect it for me. Where is my pension book? I am sure I put it here, in this drawer! Oh yes, our Ian has it. But he shouldn't. He's stolen it. I am going to report him. I am trying to find my way to the Police Station, get lost and I am in the local court building.
I go to see our Ian. I sit at the kitchen table. I see my pension book. Our Ian explains to me that I have given him permission to collect the pension for me - I don't believe him. I grab the pension book and leave.
Our Ian and Lesley come to see me later. What are they doing in my fridge? They tell me that the food in the fridge is past its best before date. There is mould on the cheese. The milk is rancid.
My trousers smell, urine. I can't help it, I wet myself. Where is the toilet?
I am going with our Ian to see the doctor. I am told I have dementia. I can't answer questions asked by Doctor Robinson.
He admits me into hospital. I am confused. I do not know where I am a lot of the time. I open a door, I need the toilet, I need a wee. That wasn't the toilet I am told by a nurse. It was a wardrobe.
Our Ian comes to see me with Joshua and Sarah. He tells me Lesley has been killed. Something about cycling, but I'm not sure.
A man has come to see me. I am moving to a nursing home called Abbeymoor. I think that's where our Ian works.
I am settled. I like this place. Our Ian has bought me some clothes. These care assistants help me to dress, but I don't see our Ian.
Someone tells me he left, he's looking after two children. I didn't know he had children.
I am beginning to have headaches.
I have a stroke.
I am sleeping. I know there is someone by my bed, but I don't know who.
I open my eyes; I try to focus.
Then I close my eyes for the last time.

You Won't Believe This

Blowing out the candles on a birthday cake results in a 1400% increase in the number of bacteria on the surface of the cake.

Mouth watering!

Peter Pfeffer took part in a competition that won him £5. He named a Mars owned confectionery item that made his mouth water. Now known as Starburst (originally known as Opal Fruits).

Remember the '70s advert jingle ...

“Opal Fruits — Made to make your mouth water,

Fresh with the tang of citrus,

Four refreshing fruit flavours,Orange, lemon, strawberry, lime!

Juicy, chewy Opal Fruits .Made to make your mouth water.”

Solve the Catchphrase