Dear Readers,
Just imagine what a beautiful song it could make if everyone were to sing, perfectly together each day, a “Happy Birthday” song for around 20 million brothers and sisters around the world whose birthdays are on the day. That thought gives us a tiny foretaste of Heaven. If people can successfully plan and prepare lovely surprises for Gaute Erichsen (in Waterloo, Belgium) or Isabell Woods (in Arbroath, Scotland) or for my youngest sister–who are all among the many good people whose birthdays are coming this Sunday–then God will have something indescribably wonderful–way beyond our happiest dreams–ready for everyone who recognises Jesus’ way to His Home.
SUNDAY IS SPECIAL
Suppose that in 1 + I + LxOxVxE + YxOxU + SxO, each bold letter stands for exactly the same number. Which one particular number must every letter stand for, if
1 + I + LxOxVxE + YxOxU + SxO=2801, to celebrate this coming Sunday, 28/01 ?
BIRTHDAY JOKE!
Q: What’s the easiest way to remember your wife’s birthday?
A: Forget it once!
MARY’S PRAYER
In writing the words “Mary’s Prayer” here, I am of course thinking of the Hail Mary prayer:
Hail Mary, full of grace
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I am also thinking of the unforgettable song Mary’s Prayer by Gary Clark, Ged Grimes and Kit Clark, who were schoolmates of mine in Dundee, Scotland, back in the 1970s. Please enjoy listening to the super song via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaWood3JcvE 3mins 55sec.
Scotland’s Kit Clark, Gary Clark & Ged Grimes,
whose most famous song together is Mary’s Prayer.
THE TWIN BROTHERS PUZZLE
Kit and Gary have another brother, Scott Clark. I remember from my early school days that the age difference between the twins, Scott and Gary, is only 1/180 of a day. Without using a calculator, try to mentally figure out, in a quick and easy way, Scott and Gary’s age difference in minutes.
CHECKMATE TIME!
Yesterday, I had lots of fun playing chess together with an extraordinary 7-year-old chess & Math student of mine. She and I combined forces to take on her i-pad, set to its top level. The snapshots below will let you enjoy the whole game, in pictures. Our 9th move basically offered a pawn sacrifice, which was certainly very interesting and daring, even if it was perhaps not totally sound.
Our favourite moment was getting to play 19 Bxg6!. The key tactical point to appreciate then is that 19…fxg6 would lose to 20 Rxg6+ Kf7 21 Rf6+!!, in view of 21…Kxf6 22 Qg7+ Kf5 23 Qe5#, checkmate!
White: Mr. Mo & Young Student vs. Black: Student’s i-pad!
We couldn’t resist showing a few of our favourite moves twice!!
The final position in yesterday’s fun chess game: for my student, defeating her i-pad felt a wee bit like Christmas again!!
RESIST!
Rearrange the letters of RESIST to make another proper six-letter English word.
SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLES
SUNDAY IS SPECIAL
Suppose that in 1 + I + LxOxVxE + YxOxU + SxO, each bold letter stands for exactly the same number. Which one particular number must every letter stand for, if
1 + I + LxOxVxE + YxOxU + SxO=2801, to celebrate this coming Sunday, 28/01 ?
ANSWER: Each letter value must be 7, my youngest sister’s favourite number, and
1 + 7 + 7x7x7x7 + 7x7x7 + 7x7=2801, to celebrate this coming Sunday, 28/01, my youngest sister’s birthday.
THE TWIN BROTHERS PUZZLE
Kit and Gary have another brother, Scott Clark. I remember from my early school days that the age difference between the twins, Scott and Gary, is only 1/180 of a day. Without using a calculator, try to mentally figure out, in a quick and easy way, Scott and Gary’s age difference in minutes.
ANSWER: 1/180 is 1/3 of 1/60. Now, 1/60 of a day=1/60 of 24 hours, which simply gives 24 minutes. Then, 1/3 of 24 minutes=8 minutes, the age difference between twins Scott and Gary.
RESIST
RESIST can be rearranged to make SISTER!
P.S. The word TOGETHER can be split into TO GET HER, but my little sister will probably get me back with something sneaky, soon!!
Paul Motwani 