The second Monday in January is said to be the most depressing day of the year. Festivities are over, people are back in work, budgets are tight and the weather is at its worst. So this CST activities page celebrates all things blue with optimism and fun in mind. Let's beat those blues and get ready for spring.
To begin with, ask members if they feel blue at this time of the year?
What do they do to cheer themselves up?
What ideas do members have for making things less depressing and more uplifting?
You could next use this mindfulness activity to get people in the optimistic zone ...
IDIOMS
Here are some well known phrases to complete together ...
Once in a blue MOON (rarely)
A bolt out of the BLUE (shocking)
The boys in BLUE (the police)
Until you’re blue in the FACE (say it again and again)
Blue BLOOD (royalty)
Black and BLUE (bruised)
Blue collar WORKER (office staff)
Have a blue FIT (be very upset)
And a couple of rhymes ...
Little Boy Blue come blow your horn,
The sheep’s in the meadow the cow’s in the corn.
But where’s the boy who looks after the sheep?
He’s under a haystack fast asleep.
Will you wake him? No, not I – for if I do, he’s sure to cry.
Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly
Lavender's green
When I am king, dilly, dilly
You shall be queen:
Who told you so, dilly, dilly
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly
That told me so.
Call up your men, dilly, dilly
Set them to work
Some to the plough, dilly, dilly
Some to the fork
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly
Some to cut corn
While you and I, dilly, dilly
Keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green, dilly, dilly
Lavender's blue
If you love me, dilly, dilly
I will love you
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly
And the lambs play
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly
Out of harm's way
I love to dance, dilly, dilly
I love to sing
When I am queen, dilly, dilly
You'll be my king:
Who told me so, dilly, dilly
Who told me so?
I told myself, dilly, dilly
I told me so
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Next there is a music and picture quiz to get people thinking and remembering. Only positive things though, right?
Round 1. Blue Flowers
Name the blue flowers ...
The essential oil of the first one can help with sleep?
The next is great with roast potatoes and lamb?
The stems of the next one make the spice saffron?
There was a childhood sweet named after this one?
The next one is the symbol for the 'Dementia Friends'?
Next we see carpets of these in woods in the spring?
This one is blue in acidic soil?
The next one grows in fields as a weed?
And last, this one also comes in a white variety?
Song break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyC-aoHSitA
Before listening, what are the four herbs in the song?
Round 2. Nature
Name the blue creatures ...
The first is the largest animal on planet earth?
The second used to peck at the milk bottles?
An Indian beer is named after the next one?
This is a proud bird?
This is a species of blow fly, which can spread disease?
This is a very dangerous jelly fish?
A pretty butterfly which can be found in most UK gardens?
This bird is associated with Christmas but has blue eggs?
Long John Silver had one of these birds. It's name was Captain Flint?
Song break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXds_mkyuXY
What shade of blue is in a rainbow?
Round 3. General Knowledge
Name this 'Blue Planet'?
Name this blue gemstone?
How many people in the UK have blue eyes, 32%, 22% or 12%?
Name this blue berry and which alcoholic spirit does it flavour?
Name this blue cheese?
Name the two navy blue properties on a standard 'Monopoly' board?
What four items should a bride wear on her wedding day?
What gender of baby traditionally wears blue clothes?
What type of wire is blue in a standard UK plug, live, earth or neutral?
Donald Campbell broke the land speed record on Pendine Sands in September 1924 in the 'Bluebird' for reaching what speed, 106mph, 126mph or 146mph?
'Mallard' set a new world steam locomotive record in July 1938 (which it still holds) for reaching a speed of 106mph, 116mph or 126mph?
Song break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qApsAPnoH7c
In which US state would you find 'The Blue Ridge Mountains'?
Round 4. Arts
Which two colours are mixed to make purple? Which two colours are mixed to make green?
Which artist painted 'The Blue Boy'?
Which artist painted the 'Girl In The Pearl Earring'?
Which artist had a 'Blue Period'?
Which artist painted more than 250 water lily paintings?
Who painted 'A Starry Night'?
Which mountain can be seen in the 1829 painting ( or print) 'The Great Wave Off Kanagawa' by Katsushika Hokusai?
Who composed 'The Beautiful Blue Danube'?
Who composed 'Rhapsody In Blue'?
Which country does 'Delftware' pottery come from?
Which (usually blue and white) porcelain is the most valuable in the world (this 'chicken cup' sold at auction in 2014 for $36m)?
Which religious icon is always depicted wearing blue robes?
Song break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd0APVnDIbE
What was his other 1972 hit single?
Round 5. Flags & Logos
Name the logo?
Name the logo?
Name the logo?
Name the flag?
Name the flag?
Name the flag?
Name the flag?
Name the flag?
Name the flag?
Name the football clubs?
Ask members to list as many shades of blue as they can ...
Round 6. TV & Movies
Which company had the slogan "Boom boom boom boom **** ****."?
Which children's TV show featured a character named 'Aqua Marina'?
Link to song (spoiler alert) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOYqoPkdc8
Name the character & the TV sitcom?
Name the children's TV show?
Name the children's TV show & the presenter and his dog?
Name the US cop show & what was his catchphrase?
Name the US TV sitcom & the character?
Name the TV show & the presenter?
Name the 1965 film and the actress who bathed in blue light to stay young?
Name the 1995 movie & the actor who played William Wallace?
Name the 1980 comedy movie & the two actors?
Name the highest grossing ever 1992 movie?
Round 7. Music
Which singer was the biopic 'Lady Sings The Blues' about & who starred in the 1972 movie?
Medley (spoiler alert) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxYs8f1mdpM
Complete these song titles ...
(You could use this round as a 'Name That Tune'.)
'********* Hill', Fats Domino
'********** Blues', Eddie Cochran
'Blue ****', The Marcels
'Blue ******', Bobby Winton
'**** **** Blue', Neil Diamond
'Blue ***** *****', Elvis Presley
'******* ** **** Jeans', Neil Diamond
'* ***** ****'* *** **** **** ** The Blues', Elton John
'**** Blue', Madonna
Which crooner was known as "Ol Blue Eyes'?
Which singer-songwriter released an album in 1971 entitled 'Blue'?
Who was lead singer with the 'Moody Blues'?
Singalongs
Lyric video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9axQVJF_FYs
Lyric video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWBwQGR73E
Lyric video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaaK5-WEzyk
The essential oil of the first one can help with sleep? LAVENDER
The next is great with roast potatoes and lamb? ROSEMARY
The stems of the next one make the spice saffron? CROCUS
There was a childhood sweet named after this one? (PALMA) VIOLETS
The next one is the symbol for the 'Dementia Friends'? FORGET ME NOT
Next we see carpets of these in woods in the spring? BLUEBELLS
This one is blue in acidic soil? HYDRANGEA
The next one grows in fields as a weed? CORNFLOWER
And last, this one also comes in a white variety? AGAPANTHUS
Before listening, what are the four herbs in the song? PARSLEY SAGE ROSEMARY & THYME
The first is the largest animal on planet earth? BLUE WHALE
The second used to peck at the milk bottles? BLUETIT
An Indian beer is named after the next one? KINGFISHER
This is a proud bird? PEACOCK
This is a species of blow fly, which can spread disease? BLUEBOTTLE
This is a very dangerous jelly fish? PORTUGUESE MAN O' WAR
A pretty butterfly which can be found in most UK gardens? COMMON BLUE
This bird is associated with Christmas but has blue eggs? ROBIN
Long John Silver had one of these birds. Its name was Captain Flint? MACAW
What shade of blue is in a rainbow? INDIGO
Name this 'Blue Planet'? NEPTUNE
Name this blue gemstone? SAPPHIRE
How many people in the UK have blue eyes, 32%, 22% or 12%? 32%
Name this blue berry and which alcoholic spirit does it flavour? JUNIPER
Name this blue cheese? STILTON
Name the two navy blue properties on a standard 'Monopoly' board? PARK LANE & MAYFAIR
What four items should a bride wear on her wedding day? SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED & SOMETHING BLUE
What gender of baby traditionally wears blue clothes? MALE
What type of wire is blue in a standard UK plug, live, earth or neutral? NEUTRAL
Donald Campbell broke the land speed record on Pendine Sands in September 1924 in the 'Bluebird' for reaching what speed, 106mph, 126mph or 146mph? 146MPH
'Mallard' set a new world steam locomotive record in July 1938 (which it still holds) for reaching a speed of 106mph, 116mph or 126mph? 126MPH
In which US state would you find 'The Blue Ridge Mountains'? VIRGINIA
Which two colours are mixed to make purple? BLUE & RED
Which two colours are mixed to make green? BLUE & YELLOW
Which artist painted 'The Blue Boy'? THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH
Which artist painted the 'Girl In The Pearl Earring'? JOHANNES VERMEER
Which artist had a 'Blue Period'? PABLO PICASSO
Which artist painted more than 250 water lily paintings? CLAUDE MONET
Who painted 'A Starry Night'? VINCENT VAN GOCH
Which mountain can be seen in the 1829 painting ( or print) 'The Great Wave Off Kanagawa' by Katsushika Hokusai? MOUNT FUJI
Who composed 'The Beautiful Blue Danube'? JOHANN STRAUSS
Who composed 'Rhapsody In Blue'? GEORGE GERSHWIN
Which country does 'Delftware' pottery come from? THE NETHERLANDS (DUTCH)
Which (usually blue and white) porcelain is the most valuable in the world (this 'chicken cup' sold at auction in 2014 for $36m)? MING
Which religious icon is always depicted wearing blue robes? MARY MOTHER OF JESUS
What was his other 1972 hit single? AMERICAN PIE
Name the logo? TWITTER
Name the logo? FACEBOOK
Name the logo? CONSERVATIVE PARTY
Name the flag? BLUE FLAG (BEACH)
Name the flag? EUROPEAN UNION
Name the flag? UNITED NATIONS
Name the flag? SCOTLAND
Name the flag? GREECE
Name the flag? FINLAND
Name the football clubs?
CHELSEA F.C.
ENGLAND
CARDIFF CITY F.C.
Which company had the slogan "Boom boom boom boom **** ****."? 'ESSO BLUE'
Which children's TV show featured a character named 'Aqua Marina'? 'THUNDERBIRDS'
Link to song (spoiler alert) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOYqoPkdc8
Name the character & the TV sitcom? HYACINTH BUCKET / 'KEEPING UP APPEARANCES'
Name the children's TV show? 'THE SMURFS'
Name the children's TV show & the presenter and his dog? 'BLUE PETER' / JOHN NOAKES & SHEP
Name the US cop show & what was his catchphrase? 'HILL STREET BLUES' / "BE CAREFUL OUT THERE"
Name the US TV sitcom & the character? 'THE SIMPSONS' / MARGE
Name the TV show & the presenter? 'BLUE PLANET' / DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
Name the 1965 film and the actress who bathed in blue light to stay young? 'SHE' / URSULA ANDRESS
Name the 1995 movie & the actor who played William Wallace? 'BRAVEHEART' / MEL GIBSON
Name the 1980 comedy movie & the two actors? 'THE BLUES BROTHERS' / JOHN BELUSHI & DAN ACKROYD
Name the highest grossing ever 1992 movie? 'AVATAR'
Which singer was the biopic 'Lady Sings The Blues' about & who starred in the 1972 movie?
BILLIE HOLIDAY / DIANA ROSS
'BLUEBERRY Hill', Fats Domino
'SUMMERTIME Blues', Eddie Cochran
'Blue MOON', The Marcels
'Blue VELVET', Bobby Winton
'SONG SUNG Blue', Neil Diamond
'Blue SUEDE SHOES', Elvis Presley
'FOREVER IN BLUE Jeans', Neil Diamond
'I GUESS THAT WHY THEY CALL IT The Blues', Elton John
'TRUE Blue', Madonna
Which crooner was known as "Ol Blue Eyes'? FRANK SINATRA
Which singer-songwriter released an album in 1971 entitled 'Blue'? JONI MITCHELL
Who was lead singer with the 'Moody Blues'? JUSTIN HAYWOOD
