December 2019:
So, the timing of the holidays got me thinking…
"2o2o Holiday Vision" …
Because Christmas Day and New Year's Day occur exactly one week apart, it makes sense that a New Year's that occurs right after Christmas should be on the same day of the week.
But in the year 2020, Christmas will be on a FRIDAY and New Year's Day on a WEDNESDAY. What?? Why?
BRAIN‐tertainer™ Tip: Some of you with 2020 vision will spot the reason right away. For those more nearsighted, the answer is below.
For everyone I wish a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year ‐ and that we all see a dynamic New Decade!
November 2019:
In November we give thanks for family, but sometimes holiday gatherings can be tricky. This one is just puzzling
"A FAMILY THANKSGIVING" …
Susan has invited her family for a Thanksgiving celebration. To make her holiday table extra festive, she wants to buy new plates ‐ one for each guest at her Thanksgiving Dinner.
Including herself, there will be a grandfather, a grandmother, two fathers, two mothers, four children, three grandchildren, one brother, two sisters, two sons, two daughters, one father-in-law, one mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law.
If she wants one new plate for each person, how many plates does Susan need to buy?
BRAIN‐tertainer™ Tip: When you pose this question at your family feast, look for relatively similar answers!
October 2019:
A "STATELY" TEASER …
Question: How do you know that it's Fall in Florida?
Answer: The license plate colors begin to change!
Yes, the "Season" is starting and Snowbirds are flocking to the Sunshine State once again, coming from all over the country to escape the cold weather up north. Which brings to mind the following
"STATELY" QUESTION
Which U.S. states have only four letters in their names?
BRAIN‐tertainer™ Tip: There may be more than you think at first ‐ and maybe even one less! Before you solve a problem, determine what question is really being asked.
September 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
Studies have shown that physical activity boosts mental ability, especially when you exercise before a learning activity.
So first make time for some physical exertion, then dive into this teaser to exercise your brain.
"UPS AND DOWNS"
Can you think of one three-letter word, one four‐letter word and one five‐letter word that read the same right‐side up AND upside down?
BRAIN‐tertainer™ Tip: You can easily check guesses by writing your answers then turning the page upside down.
August 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
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It's the end of summer ‐ our gardens are in full bloom and crops are bountiful, almost ripe and ready for harvest.
Sow, in the spirit of good growing, here is a
"CODE WORD teaser with a GARDENING THEME"
Directions: The numbers 1 ‐ 9 represent letters in this cryptic puzzle.
In each numerical code below, replace the numbers with the corresponding letters to decipher the word.
As additional numbers sprout, you'll be able to identify the new letters as you go along.
Can you unearth these items found in a garden after I plant the information that
1 2 3 = H O E
and
4 5 6 1 = P A T H -
Clue 1. ‐ 4 3 5 6 Spells:"______"
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Clue 2. ‐ 4 3 6 5 7 Spells:"_______"
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Clue 3. ‐ 5 4 4 7 3 Spells:"_______ "
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Clue 4. ‐ 4 5 6 8 1 Spells:"_______"
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Clue 5. ‐ 6 2 2 7 9 Spells:"_______ "
July 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
GET ON BASE and HAVE A BALL.
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With baseball season now in full swing, I asked Ryan, our family scholar/athlete and star lefty pitcher:
"Does it take longer to run from first base to second base, or from second base to third base?"
He answered, and in return he threw one back to me:
"Which takes longer ‐ running from home to first base or from home to third base?"
So I'm tossing them both out to you. See if you make the catch and score an answer to each question. I'll "bat" you can!
June 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
Here's a cute joke that uses clever word play for its punch.
The lines are where I've eliminated the key words, each of which relates in some way to the specific animal described, and to money in general.
Figure out the correct words and your effort will pay off, with full credit!
An Animal Tail Tale
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A duck, a deer and a skunk went out for dinner at a fancy restaurant. When it came time to pay, the skunk didn't have a _ _ _ _ _ and the deer didn't have __________. So they just put the meal on the duck's _ _ _ _ (she had an "eggs‐pence" account), and they lived happily ever after.
May 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
Having novel experiences and trying different activities can build your thinking skills and increase overall mental flexibility. Exercise your brain often with new learning and performance challenges that build cognitive "muscle." So … think about this one. ..
May I Have a Few Words With You?
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Using only the letters below, and using each letter only once, can you find one 3‐letter word and two 5‐letter words to describe what we do in "BRAIN‐tertainment" presentations and classes? Along with having "fun in mind," of course!
H A K E R D I N T N A L N
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
April 2019:
Here's Your Monthly Teaser …
Hope you don't feel foolish when you get the answer to this month's Trainer/Teaser because I know that you're no April Fool! But you may have to Hunt for the answer to this "Egg-cellent" Easter Trainer/Teaser. Just don't Passover the most important information..
The Holiday Picnic
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Clue: To celebrate the Spring holiday, a couple who has five daughters goes for a picnic on Easter Sunday.
Each daughter has four brothers.
Each brother has three children.
How many people in total were there at the holiday picnic?
March 2019:
Here's Your March Monthly Teaser …
This series of letters represents a familiar sequence in an unfamiliar way. How quickly can you determine what the letters stand for so you can complete the series? I won't spell it out for you, but solving this monthly teaser can be as simple as learning your A B C's.
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Clue 1. A A D F J J J __ __ __ __ __
What do the letters stand for?
________________________________________
February 2019:
"Get SHORT‐y" …
Here's a SHORT word game, appropriate for February, the shortest month. This type of puzzle activates the vocabulary and communication area of the brain and can prevent those "tip of the tongue" moments when you just can't think of a word. In short, all you have to do is complete the word or phrase which contains the word SHORT ‐ get it?
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Clue 1. Recent memory "SHORT____"
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Clue 2. Baseball position " SHORT_____"
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Clue 3. Not quite a novel " SHORT____ "
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Clue 4. Electrical fault " SHORT_____"
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Clue 5. Deficiency " SHORT____ "
January 2019:
"BRAINY NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS" …
Unscramble each of the clue words and write the answer in the grid. Copy the letters in the numbered boxes to the corresponding number boxes at the bottom of the page to reveal the secret message.
