Week 222  Day 186                                

 Weather Expectations  Flag Today  80°/56°    Wind17 mph Gusts 24 mph

Active Fire: A miles away Risk of fire: Extreme  

Nearest Lightning: 369 miles away Humidity:  %

Air Quality: Moderate Sunshine still smoky

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51°  9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

Bikini Day Link
Thong Day Link

Weekly Observances:

National Tom Sawyer Days: 1-5

National Independent Living Week: 1-7
National Unassisted Homebirth Week: 1-7

Roswell UFO Days: 2-4 Link

Fleet Week 2026 (New York): 3-8

Freedom Week: 4-10

National Marijuana Facts Week: 4-10

World Orienteering Championships: 4-12 Link

Tour de France: 4-26  Link

 Be Nice To New Jersey Week: 5-11 
National Therapeutic Recreation Week: 5-11  Link 

Monthly Observances:

International Women with Alopecia Month
International Zine Month
National Anti-Boredom Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month Link
National Baked Beans Month Link
National Black Family Month
National Blueberry Month
National Blood Type Awareness Month
National Child-Centered Divorce Month Link
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month Link

Fresh Quotation:

Strong people have a sense of self-worth and self-awareness; they don’t need the approval of others.

~Roy T. Bennett

Whenever one family has come to grief, a hundred families will send relief.

~Chinese Proverb

Today’s Reflection:

It’s a nice warm day. I slept well last night. I was up early…about 6am, with a list of things to do today. I changed the linens on my bed. It was much harder with the bed rail, but I finally got it done. Then I took out 2 bags of garage…one at a time, due to their weight and those pesky steps. Then I cut up two peppers and vacuumed sealed them for my daily salad. I had a nice talk with my brother. He was shopping at the slow market…think farmer’s market and having breakfast with a friend he ran into. Laura is on a business trip to Mexico City, so he has the hacienda to himself.

Last night I watched the PBS A Capitol Fourth special; it was outstanding as usual. Mount Vernon was a good choice for the fireworks in honor of our 250^th birthday.

NAU, our local university, just announced that they will have 250 less full-time employees in Aug. They expect there will be 3000 less students enrolling in the fall. Quite a blow.

Historical events

 

5 Jul

 

Good to know:

EXTRA 

Meaning additional or additionally, extra was borrowed into English from Latin in the 16th century. The slangier use of extra to describe something particularly good or impressive, however, first emerged back in 1917-although likely not as an extension of the older word, but as a shortening of extraordinary. 

Picture of the Day:

 

Today’s Trivia:

Kingfishers dive into the water to clean themselves and to eat. When hunting, they completely submerge themselves in the water, folding their wings back to create a V shape for better aerodynamics when they enter the water. They are even capable of diving straight through a thin layer of ice to catch a fish!

Today’s Birthdays:

Shohei Ohtani Baseball Player 32 years old

Birthplace Oshu, Japan

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Pauly D [Paul Michael DelVecchio Jr.] Baseball Player  46 years old

Birthplace Providence, RI

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Edie Falco TV Actress 63 years old

Birthplace New York City, NY

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Megan Rapinoe Soccer Player 41 years old

Birthplace Redding, CA

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Ji Chang-wook TV Actor 39 years old

Birthplace Anyang, South Korea

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That’s All for Now

4 Jul

 

Weather Expectations         Week 21  Day 185      

Flag Today  78°/52°                             Wind 13 mph Gusts 23 mph

Active Fire: 22 miles away Risk of fire: Extreme  

Nearest Lightning: 446 miles away Humidity:  9%

Air Quality: Moderate Sunshine Smoky

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51°  9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

Boom Box Parade Day
Fourth of July or Independence Day
Hop A Park Day (First Saturday)
International Day of Cooperatives
International Cherry Pit Spitting Day 
National BBQ  Ribs Day Link

National Corn Hole Day Link  
National Independent Beer Run Day Link 
National Play Outside Day Link 
Independence From Meat Day
International Hot Dog Eating Day
Indivisible Day
Lou Gehrig Day

Weekly Observances:

National Tom Sawyer Days: 1-5
National Independent Living Week: 1-7
National Unassisted Homebirth Week: 1-7
Roswell UFO Days: 2-4 Link
Fleet Week 2026 (New York): 3-8
Freedom Week: 4-10

National Marijuana Facts Week: 4-10
World Orienteering Championships: 4-12 Link
Tour de France: 4-26  Link

Monthly Observances:

Fireworks Safety Month
Fragile X Awareness Month Link
Fuel Safety Month  Link
Get Ready For Kindergarten Month
Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month Link
Herbal/Prescription Interaction Awareness Month
Independent Retailer Month Link
International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month
National Deli Sandwich Month
International Group B Strep Awareness Month Link

Fresh Quotation:

A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it

~Albert Einstein

Today’s Reflection:

I continue to improve. My sleep time is much better. I did a quick blood draw this morning and it was easy.

It is another day of heavy smoke here. These fires are causing havoc for many in the area.

I’m looking forward to a great 4^th. I put up some door decorations to show my patriotism. I don’t care if the HOA reports me. The family American Flag is also out.

I hope everyone enjoys our country’s birthday wherever you may be. 

Historical events

During this difficult time in America, remember what this country dreamed of becoming:

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

~preamble of the US Constitution

Keep that dream alive!

4 Jul

Good to know:

As they grow, tarantulas molt their exoskeleton. Until their new exoskeleton hardens — a process that takes several days — they are extremely vulnerable.

Picture of the Day:

 

Today’s Trivia:

 CRIB 

MTV's Cribs might have debuted in 2000, but William Shakespeare used crib to mean a dwelling in Henry IV: Part 2, written sometime in the 1590s. (Although admittedly the context suggests he likely meant the word to mean a fairly cramped and shabby hovel, not an MTV-style mansion.)  

Today’s Birthdays:

Post Malone Rapper 31 years old

Birthplace Syracuse, NY

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Malia Obama Family Member 28 years old

Birthplace Chicago, IL

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Calvin Coolidge  US President 1872+1933  @60

Birthplace  Plymouth Notch, VT

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Eva Marie Saint Movie Actress 102 years old

BirthplaceNewark, NJ

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That’s All for Now

3 Jul

 

Weather Expectations         Week 21  Day 184     Flag Today  74°/49° 

Wind 26 mph Gusts 16 mph

Active Fire: 22 miles away Risk of fire: Extreme  

Nearest Lightning: 436 miles away Humidity:  8%

Air Quality: Moderate Sunshine Breezy

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51°  9 days with rain

Today’s Observances:

American Sparkling Wine Day
Big Tech Day  Link 
Compliment Your Mirror Day
Drop A Rock Day Link  (aka Rock Painting)
International Plastic Bag Free Day
National Crown Day (aka Black Hair Independence Day)
National Deep Fried Clams Day Link 
Sparkling Wine Day
Stay Out Of The Sun Day; 3 Link
Superman Day Link 

Weekly Observances:

National Tom Sawyer Days: 1-5
National Independent Living Week: 1-7
National Unassisted Homebirth Week: 1-7
Roswell UFO Days: 2-4 Link
Fleet Week 2026 (New York): 3-8

Monthly Observances:

Air-Conditioning Appreciation Days (7/3 to 8/15)  Link
Alopecia Areata Month for Women
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month 
Bikini Month  Link
Bioterrorism/Disaster Education & Awareness Month
Cell Phone Courtesy Month 
Dog Days (7/3 to 8/11)   Link
Dry Eye Awareness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month Link 
Family Golf Month

Fresh Quotation:

Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.

~Ingrid Bergman 

Today’s Reflection:

Another day of healing. All good. I only woke up once during last night’s sleep. It was nice.

I had an appointment with my oncologist today. They got busy and forgot to call me that today’s appointment had been cancelled since I was in the hospital. I am going on Monday now. It’s OK.

I have not eaten cold cereal for breakfast for many years. When I was in the hospital and rehab, I had it every morning. It tasted good. On one of the Walmart deliveries, I got a pack of those individual cold cereals. I had one this morning at it tasted great. I’m not back to eating cold cereal at breakfast.

Living alone has its issues. One is having fresh salad fixings. They don’t last long in the fridge…especially lettuce. I had been buying the needed ingredients every three or four days. With Amazon Prime I found a hand-held vacuum sealer that is great. I bought a head of lettuce, a cucumber, and some fresh mushrooms. Using the new sealer, everything is still fresh and crispy 5 days later. I also bought some chicken breast, sealed them and no freezer burn. Outstanding find.

I have one living room large window, and nice windows in my old office and upstairs bedroom. I had bought and installed some venetian type blinds for the living room window and put curtains on the other ones. I have been looking for new blinds, and the prices are very high. The three windows with installation would be almost $1000. I’m still looking for a much cheaper way.

I’ve been thinking about how to celebrate our 250 birthday this weekend. Flag hasn’t had fireworks for decades, due to the dry forest. I’ve decided I will simply hang the family American Flag and watch patriotic parades on TV.

Historical events

July 3

 Good to know: Famous Native American Legends In History

The Great Peacemaker's Vision

Long before European settlers arrived, a spiritual leader emerged among the warring tribes of what is now New York state. The Great Peacemaker, alongside his spokesman Hiawatha, convinced five nations to bury their weapons beneath the Tree of Peace.

This legendary figure's teachings formed the foundation of the Iroquois Confederacy—one of history's oldest democracies. His message of unity resonated so deeply that former enemies became allies under a sophisticated governance system with checks and balances.

The Peacemaker's story reminds us that peace requires both vision and practical action. Many historians believe his democratic principles later influenced the framers of the United States Constitution.

Picture of the Day:

 

Today’s Trivia:

American Kestrels the smallest and most common falcon in the Americas, are very lightweight; in fact, they weigh just 3 – 6 ounces. That is roughly the weight of 34 pennies.

Today’s Birthdays:

Tom Cruise, 64 Movie Actor

Birthplace Syracuse, NY

Age 64 years old

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LaToya J. Jackson, 37 Reality Star

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Thomas Gibson, 64 TV Actor

BirthplaceCharleston, SC

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Franz Kafka @40, TB Novelist [1883-1924]

BirthplacePrague, Czech Republic

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Tommy Flanagan, 61 Movie Actor

Birthplace Glasgow, Scotland

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That’s All for Now

2 Jul

 

 

Weather Expectations         Week 27  Day 183      Flag Today  72°/47°                             Wind 15 mph Gusts 26 mph: blowing in some smoke for the fires

Active Fire: 21 miles away Risk of fire: ExtremeNearest Lightning: 386 miles away Humidity:  8%

Air Quality: Fair Moderate Sunshine Smoky

July Averages: Temps: 82°\51° 9 days with rain

Fresh Quotation:

All things are petty, easily changed, vanishing away

~Marcus Aurelius

 

Today’s Reflection:

I am sure happy to be doing this blog again. It’s been a minute since I last wrote.

Since getting home from rehab, I have learned that Amazon Prime and Walmart are great providers of ordering online and then delivering everything very quickly. I am still not able to carry stuff up the 2 steps to get to my front door. My landlord did install a hand rail who I can to the steps with little problems. The HOA has so many rules so it took some time, but now it is in and extremely useful.

I am still frustrated that our current government and the people of this great country are still so divided. During my rehab days, I saw that media is to blame for much of the division as they talk about the division, they offer no alternatives.

The West is on fire. Flagstaff has been filled with smoke from various fires for about 2 weeks. At 7000’ we don’t need to breathe smoke every day. It is hard for the elderly and those with lung issues. Hopefully the monsoon will help douse the fires and the wind will die down soon. 

Historical events

July 2 History 

Good to know:

DUDE 

No one is entirely sure where the word dude came from, but given that it first emerged in America as far back as 1883-and originally referred to a dandyish fop-it's not unconvincingly been suggested that it might be a shortening of Yankee Doodle. Another theory, though, claims it might be clipped from attitude, or else extended from duds, meaning clothing, which dates back to the 16th century.  

Today’s Birthdays:

Lindsay Lohan Movie Actress

BirthdayJuly 2, 1986 Birth SignCancer

BirthplaceThe Bronx, NY Age40 years old

Larry David TV Producer

BirthdayJuly 2, 1947 Birth SignCancer

BirthplaceBrooklyn, NY Age79years old

 

That’s All for Now

Update

 

 

A little history about my blogs

When I became a supervisor, I started doing a one page morning bulletin for the staff. It included the days events, procedures, and some interesting stuff for the staff. I did it on a computer and then printed copies for the staff to pick up when they signed in each day. Most staff appreciated the updates. Over the years it became available on the school website and saved many trees and ink.

When I retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs after 33 years, I missed doing the morning bulletin. Blogs were just getting started; I found a free one and continued posting my ideas about retirement.

At the end of May, I had a medical issue, my kidneys quit working and I ended up in the ER. The first question they asked me was if I wanted to be resuscitated if my heart stopped. Very scary for sure. For decades, I had told family members that I wanted to be cremated and not have a service. My ashes could be kept or sprinkled somewhere. When confronted with the possibility that I might die, I knew I was not ready and that I still had lots to do.

This was certainly a wake-up call. So, my newest blog is A New Chapter Begins.

I hope people enjoy it.

Modern medicine is unbelievable. To get my kidneys to work, they placed a port in my upper chest and gave me dialysis. Another scary word. They said that several treatments usually get the kidneys working again. The dialysis was done for three days, about 3 hours each time. It worked and my kidneys are now back to where I was before this episode.

After the kidneys started working, I was moved to a rehab center. That is where is spent 27- days. The rehab place was very nice. I had a private room, daily PT and OT, great staff, good food, and everyday I got stronger. On June 27 I was finally discharged. I am home now.

I am so thankful for my brother, Faith and Andy, and many others for their help during this crisis. Richard was in Chicago, after over a month in Spain when I called. He came to Flag right away. This was his first trip to Flagstaff. He didn’t say I liked to hoard stuff, but he and a friend from Denver brought in a crew of cleaners (walls, floors, carpet, and cabinets) and a crew of haulers to the house. They all did an amazing job. I feel like I’m in a brand-new place. I have been here 18 years and never had a deep cleaning…so it was long overdue.

Each day I am getting stronger. I have been living downstairs but go upstairs several time a day to search for stuff I need. I’ve found most everything. Richard may come back for a short visit to insure that this next chapter will be done right.

Thanks to everyone who called, visited me, and made nice comments on social media. It is all appreciated.

I will be posting again starting today.