New activity: FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF DALLAS

Barbara: Laura’s schedule didn’t allow for this visit but luckily, I had 3 wonderful people who were game for a drive to the Federal Reserve Bank. My friend, Pam, already had been but she grabbed her hubby, Steve, and I grabbed A.D. and off we went.

The early bills looked quite a bit more lavish than those we have today.

I learned so much. I didn’t realize that originally “coins” were actually “paper coins” and they were nicknamed “shinplasters” since soldiers lined their worn out boots with the notes. Also, that in the 1800s states, railroads, stores – even the city I live in – were able to issue their own currency.

There were many more plus some interactive areas and I’m proud to say I was able to recognize 4 out of the 5 counterfeit bills. Definitely worth the visit.

LEARNING CENTER: FECES

Yes, I said feces. Get this: according  to the Encyclopedia Brittania, each year in April hundreds of people in the southern Indian village of Kairuppala, throw cow dung at each other in a celebration called the Pidakala War, which recalls a mythological marriage dispute between two deities. Can you imagine if that was a holiday here? What do you think it would be called?