The threat of shoe kittens has been overtaken by an even greater calamity. Many countries are reporting swarms of wild Hat Cats within their borders. These fuzzy visitors nest in people's hats and hat boxes. They then proceed to purr and shed vigorously. Removing the feline fedora filchers is a tricky business as their adorableness causes victims to take photographs rather than eject the cat from the hat. Business leaders report an increase in lateness and hatlessness among their workers.

Source : Ghora, Anne. "Scat That Hat Cat!" Journal of Cats and Economics, August 2008.

The candy corn harvest takes place from late September into early October. Farmers bring this perennial Fall favorite to market after picking, husking, and shelling the hardy ears from the fields. The tender stalks are saved and used as winter food for chocolate Easter bunnies. Almost all of the candy corn crop is bagged and sold as a snack. In candy corn farm country though, some old timers still enjoy an ear of candy corn on the cob.

Source : Lenta, Paul. Candy Cornucopia, 1988.

As a child the Greek philosopher Euripidies was apprenticed to be a tailor. Born with the birth name Claudius, he received his more famous moniker after his incompetent handiwork ruined a dozen togas. His exasperated master bellowed for all to hear, "You rippa' these, you gonna pay for 'em"! With that incoherent exclamation, young Claudius gained a new name and lost an apprenticeship.

Source : Pliny the Middle Child. How Much Did That Grecian Urn?, 1888.

Obscure Blues Singers

• Deaf Lemon Watterson
• Big Mama Dave Harris
• Barrelhouse Sven
• Corrective Lenses Eddie
• New Hampshire Charlie Franklin
• Martha "Downwind" Duncan
• Sam & Ella - The Poison Twins
• Roy Lee "Clinical Depression" Blake
• 1000 Points of Light Annie

Source : Andjuan, Don. What's Your Name? : Is It Mary or Sue?, 1962.

Strange but true! The businessman who popularized the modern scarf was born without a neck. At the turn of the 20th century, Chester Draws featured fancy scarves at his popular Boston clothing store. His designs were an immediate hit and he created a fashion staple that has lasted until the present day. Mr. Draws was not immune to the irony of the situation and was often heard to comment, "I'm rich. I don't need a neck."

Source : Draws, Fanny. Stick Your Neck Out : the Life of Chester Draws, 1947.

Desperate environmentalists are taking radical steps to save the world's endangered species. Researchers at the Gitt Institute are attempting to communicate with some animals to warn them of the danger they are in and how to save themselves. They claim to have conveyed the message "People are made of delicious meat" to several threatened mammals. Tigers in particular seem to understand and have already eaten several of the Institute's researchers.

Source : Gall, Ben. "No Paper Tiger" National Nature News, 2008.

The tradition of sniffing the cork of a bottle of wine goes back to early 15th century Europe. The lack of food preservation meant that the meal was less than fresh. Diners would take the sweet-smelling corks from the wine bottles to plug their noses while they ate the spoiled food. As food quality improved, this action was transformed into merely sniffing the stopper to sample the aroma of the wine.

Source : Canter, Dee. Madeira, I Love You, 1964.