1 Jun

 

Week 22  Day 153 Flag Today  77°/42° Wind 7 mph Gusts 11 mph Active Fire:  132 miles away Risk of fire: Extreme Nearest Lightning: 308 miles away Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Jun Averages: Temps: 80°\43° Moisture:  1 Day

Welcome June!

Monthly Observations

Adopt-A-Cat Month Link  Link Adopt A Shelter Cat Month African-American Music Appreciation Month Link Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month Link

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Awareness Month (APS) Link Audiobook Appreciation Month Beautiful in Your Skin Month Link Black Music  Appreciation Month

Weekly Observations

20-6/2   National Seat Belt Reinforcement Week Link 27-9/2  National Marina Days Link 28-6/3  Black Single Parents Week 28-6/4   Women's Golf Day Link

1-30  National Lemonade Days Link

Daily Observations

Baby Boomers Recognition Day CNN Day Curry Days Do-Dah Parade Day  (Kalamazoo, Mi) Drawing Day or Pencil Day   Global Day of Parents  Link Heimlich Maneuver Day International IGBO Day International Table Top Day  Link Link Meteorological Summer  (Temperature) National Black Bear Day  Link National Bubbly Day   Link  National Play Outside Day  Link  National Prairie Day National Trails Day

National Dare Day   Link   National Go Barefoot Day  Link Link Link National Nail polish Day   Link National Olive Day   Link National Pen Pal Day   Link National Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Day Oscar The Grouch Day  Link Say Something Nice Day  Link Stand For Children Day  Link Superman's Birthday   (Comic Book)  Turtle Races Day World Milk Day   Link World Narcissistic Abuse Day   Link World Reef Awareness Day  Link

Today’s Quote                                                        Today’s Meme

Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. --Warren Buffett

Today’s Thoughts

Another nice warm day. Can’t complain.

I am still in shock. The idea that a former President and current candidate for that office has been found guilty of 34 felony counts is hard to comprehend. Even with the appeal process, it is still hard to believe. For me, it is even more difficult to believe that Trump’s website brought in over $30 million for his campaign after the verdict was announced. I sure hope the United States remains peaceful for the remainder of the election process.

Yesterday’s verdict has many around the world wondering what is happening here inside the United States. I fear it will take decades to rebuild the trust in the US democracy to the other citizens of the world.

I did my weekly grocery shopping this morning. Fry’s wasn’t as crowded as I expected. I was able to get what I needed fairly quickly and check out. That’s my kind of the grocery shopping experience.

Indigenous People to Know

Maria Tallchief

Maria Tallchief moved to New York to achieve her dream of becoming a dancer at just 17 years old. However, many of the companies she approached turned her away because of her Osage Nation heritage. Her drive and determination against all odds, even refusing to change her last name, led her to become one of America's most revered ballerinas. Tallchief was the first American to perform at the Paris Opera Ballet, and she and her sister Marjorie went on to found the Chicago City Ballet.

Origin of common phrases

Hit the hay

In the 1800s, mattresses were often sacks filled with hay. Before going to bed, people would hit the hay to fluff up the filling and chase any bugs away. Today, to "hit the hay" means to go to bed.

Historic Events

1986 – Thomas Edison received his first patent (#90646). It was for an “electrographic vote recorder.”

1947 – The Doomsday Clock first appeared, on the cover of Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. It was initially set at 7 minutes until midnight.

1980 – The Cable News Network (CNN) began broadcasting

2009 – General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Birthdays

87 – Morgan Freeman, actor 51 – Heidi Klum, model 43 – Amy Shumer, comedian 43 – Brandi Carlile, country singer

@86 – Andy Griffith, actor (d.2012) @36 – Marliyn Monroe actor (d. 1962; OD)

 

…The End for today…

               

31 May

 

Week 22  Day 152 Flag Today  84°/41° Wind 4 mph Gusts 3 mph Active Fire:  236 miles away Risk of fire: Extreme Nearest Lightning: 436 miles away Air Quality: Moderate Sunshine May Averages: Temps: 68°\34° Moisture:  3 Days

Weekly Observations

20-6/2   National Seat Belt Reinforcement Week Link 25-31 Week of Solidarity With The People of Non-Self-Governing Territories

27-9/2  National Marina Days Link 28-6/3  Black Single Parents Week 28-6/4   Women's Golf Day Link

Daily Observations

Heat Awareness Day  Link   Macaroon Day National Smile Day   Link Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day   Link

Save Your Hearing Day  Link What You Think Upon Grows Day World No-Tobacco Day World Parrot Day

Today’s Quote                                                        Today’s Meme

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. --William Shakespeare

Today’s Thoughts

While I was having lunch with our retirement group, we didn’t know the verdict came in. It was a great lunch with great conversation.

Earlier I got a much needed summer haircut. While I do have a balding spot, the hair is still thick in most places. I am not complaining, but it is nice to lose a lot of the bulk.

It took 11 hours over 2 days. There were 34 felony counts. He was found guilty of all 34 counts. I am sure an appeal is already in the works. I hope our country survives. Sentencing will be July 11^th.

 

Indigenous People to Know

 

Charlie Parker

One of the most prolific jazz musicians of our time, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was a renowned saxophonist whose bebop style left a lasting effect on American culture. Born to a Black father and a Choctaw/Black mother, the Kansas City native would go on to collaborate with the likes of Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. The Grammy-award winner's influence on the jazz art form was undeniable, and in 2021, the American Jazz Museum committed to celebrating his legacy by raising funds for youth activities and enhanced programming. Parker's iconic works of art will be digitized and preserved by the museum for future generations.

 

Origin of common phrases

Ballpark figure

The phrase "ballpark figure" stems from commentators who guessed the size of country crowds by estimating the number of spectators. It's believed to have started with sizing up baseball fans.

 

Historic Events

·         1909 – The National Negro Committee, the forerunner to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), convened for the first time.

·         1911 – The RMS Titanic was launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

·         1971 – Observation of Memorial Day occurred on the last Monday in May for the first time. Previously, it was held on May 30.

·         2005 – Vanity Fair revealed that Mark Felt was Watergate’s “Deep Throat”.

Birthdays with some quotes

@85 – Don Ameche, American actor (d. 1993) 94 – Clint Eastwood, American actor and director @80 – Joe Namath, American football player “When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.” 64 – Chris Elliott, American comedic actor “People think that all cameramen do is point the camera at things, but it’s a heck of a lot more complicated than that.” 63 – Lea Thompson, American actress “Howard the Duck! That’s a really interesting movie. I appreciate my career because I’ve had a lot of very interesting ups and downs, and most people… That movie is such a famous flop. In a land of a lot of flops, it’s kind of awesome to be in a really famous flop. I mean, it’s kind of a poster child for flops. 59 – Brooke Shields, American model and actress “Have faith in your own thoughts.” 48 – Colin Farrell, Irish actor “I know what the important things are in life. I know that just because I pretend to be someone else for two hours on the silver screen doesn’t make me a better person than the next man. So, I mind all those things. Simple things.”

@95 – Norman Vincent Peale, American minister and author (d. 1993) “A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative; he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results from the worst conditions.” @72 – Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist, journalist (d. 1892; pneumonia) “Either define the moment or the moment will define you.” @70 – John Ringling, American entrepreneur, co-founder of Ringling Brothers Circus (d. 1936) @65 – Genghis Khan, Emperor (d. 1227; fall from horse)

 

…The End for today…

               

30 May

Week 22  Day 151 Flag Today  80°/42° Wind 7 mph Gusts 12 mph Active Fire:  282 miles away Risk of fire: Extreme Nearest Lightning: 328 miles away Air Quality: Moderate Sunshine Partly Cloudy   May Averages: Temps: 68°\34° Moisture:  3 Days

Weekly Observations

20-6/2   National Seat Belt Reinforcement Week Link 25-31 Week of Solidarity With The People of Non-Self-Governing Territories 27-9/2  National Marina Days Link

28-6/3  Black Single Parents Week 28-6/4   Women's Golf Day Link 28-30 Scripps Spelling Bee Finals

Daily Observations

Indianapolis 500 Anniversary Loomis Day Macaroon Day Memorial Day (Traditional) Mint Julep Day

My Bucket’s Got a Hole Day National Creativity Day   Link Link National Hamburger Day World MS Day (Multiple Sclerosis)  Link

Today’s Quote                                                        Today’s Meme

I don’t care that they stole my idea… I care that they don’t have any of their own. --Nikola Tesla

Today’s Thoughts

I saw my blood doctor today. For the first time in forever, my count was at high normal so no phlebotomy today. I will return in two months to see if it stays there.

I am using my fan during the day as temp. inside is at 80+. This sure seems very early for using it. I recall it usually isn’t necessary until July.

There were 3 small wildfires during the long weekend. All were contained quickly and no structures were harmed and there were no reported injuries. Our entire forest was put on high alert beginning yesterday. This sure sounds like this is going to be a very long fire season.

The jury now has time to deliberate. That is not stopping the 24/7 news from tons of guesswork on what the jury is doing. I’m sure both sides are preparing for the aftermath of the verdict, whenever it comes.

Indigenous People to Know

 

Allan Houser

Indigenous sculptor Allan Houser is considered to be among the most influential artists of the 20th century. His parents, members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe, were held as war prisoners for 20 years, and his family tree includes legendary Apache leader Geronimo, who was a first cousin to Houser's father. Houser's career began in 1939, when he was commissioned by the U.S. government to paint murals. He was one of the first Indigenous artists to receive the National Medal of Arts in 1992, and his statue, "Swift Messenger," sits in President Biden's Oval Office today.

 

Origin of common phrases

Bark up the wrong tree

To "bark up the wrong tree" comes from the early 1800s in America, when it was popular to hunt with packs of dogs. Today it means to have the wrong idea or ask the wrong person.

Historic Events

·         1842 – John Francis attempted to murder Queen Victoria as she drives down Constitution Hill in London.

·         1854 – The US territories of Kansas and Nebraska were established.

·         1911 – At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the first Indianapolis 500 ended with Ray Harroun in his Marmon Wasp.

·         1975 – European Space Agency was established.

Birthdays with some quotes

71 – Colm Meaney, Irish character actor “I usually read a script from an audience perspective first, and then look more closely at the character only.” 66 – Ted McGinley, American actor “The script comes first. If that isn’t good enough, you know it’s gonna be a long ride.” 62 – Kevin Eastman, American author, illustrator 60 – Wynonna Judd, American singer-songwriter “Sometimes all it takes is just a smile to change somebody’s weather.” 49 – CeeLo Green, American singer-songwriter

@81 – Howard Hawks, American director, producer, screenwriter (d. 1977) @81 – Mel Blanc, American voice actor (d. 1989) “Today was tomorrow yesterday so don’t inhale.” @67 – Hugh Griffith, Welsh character actor (d. 1980; long illness) @37 – Irving Thalberg, American screenwriter and producer (d. 1936; pneumonia) “If it isn’t for the writing, we’ve got nothing. Writers are the most important people in Hollywood. And we must never let them know it.”

 

…The End for today…