"No great scoundrel is ever uninteresting." ~Murray Kempton-American Journalist
~~~Free Ramblings
I survived the day. No pain, no problems with my nose. I took off the huge complete nose bandage, and found a very small incision with about four stitches on the side of my nose. There is a little swelling but not bad. I greased it up, and put on a small band aid. Life is good. I also heard from several others who have had similar incidents. Always a shock to be told, but modern medicine seems to be on top of it for me and for my friends.
I spent part of the day getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner. I am bringing two pies. One pumpkin, one blueberry. Neither is really a challenge since I use premade fresh pie crust. I’m not a good pastry guy, so this makes life much easier. We will be getting together just out of town, at a friend’s house. I’ve been going there since I retired, and it is always a good meal, good company, and a very good time. I did have to run and pick up some things, and thought that by doing it before noon would beat the crowds at the grocery store. Wrong. Both the Albertson’s and Safeway lots were full, as were most of the aisles. Luckily, they planned ahead and had plenty of cash registers open, so getting out was not as hard as getting in. I’m sure that those people who waited until later were greeted with long lines and long waits everywhere.
Alas, I remember not so many years ago when all the stores were closed on Thanksgiving. They also closed early on the day before Thanksgiving. Workers got to spend time with their families. I do wish we could return to those days of yesteryear. We have become so used to instant gratification, that the stores are only open because they have customers. Most stores have to pay their employees either time and a half, or even double time. Back in the day, it was triple time. This is good for the employees who work. Every bit of added money helps the pay check. However, who is paying for the convenience? All of us are paying. I know that no store owner is going to take a loss to be open. So, if no one goes to the stores on the Holiday, they won’t be open next year. Store employees will be able to spend time enjoying the day. So, I am starting my one man campaign by not going to any store tomorrow. Anything I forgot will just be missed. I can always buy it another time. Of course, I will be joining the madness Friday. I’m not going to be there in line at 3am or 4am. I don’t need anything that badly this year. I have been an early bird in years past, but not this year. Last year I was at the store by 7am and got a great tree and a wonderful fireplace. I really enjoyed the tree during the holidays, as I will again this year. The fireplace kept me toasty throughout the winter months and it has already been turned on a couple of cold evenings.
Flagstaff made it to 50° today and while there was a slight breeze, overall it was a good day to be outside. Tomorrow should be the same. Then, at least for now, they are predicting some snow over the weekend. It’s only a 30% chance, but that is enough to get our hopes up. Any precipitation will make the cold nights a little less bothersome.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
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~~~Random Facts
In 1933, Mickey Mouse, an animated cartoon character, received 800,000 fan letters.
Your nails grow faster in outer space
~~~Unusual News
DELTONA, Fla. - Authorities in Florida said they arrested a man whose whispered demands for money went unanswered at a Deltona store. Volusia County sheriff's deputies said Carlie McDuffie, 24, walked into a Family Dollar store and told an employee to hand over money from the register in a quiet voice that the clerk either didn't hear or didn't understand, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said the 34-year-old clerk asked McDuffie what he needed and the suspect repeated the demand in the same whispered tone. The clerk again asked what he needed, and McDuffie said "forget it" and left the store, Haught said.
The spokesman said the clerk soon realized what had happened and called 911. McDuffie was arrested less than 30 minutes later and charged with attempted robbery and resisting arrest without violence.
~~~Before They Were Famous
DENNIS RODMAN was a camp counselor for the Boys Club of Memphis.
Before finding fame, comedian RAY ROMANO had studied to become an accountant. In fact, he did work as a bank teller for a while.
DIANA ROSS revealed in an interview that when she was 14, Motown CEO Berry Gordy turned her away for being too young, so instead she worked as his secretary, mostly organizing his office.
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~~~November Month Long Observances
Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month ~ American Diabetes Month ~ American Indian Heritage Month ~ Lung Cancer Awareness Month ~ Military Family Appreciation Month ~ National Adoption Month ~ National Homeless Youth Awareness Month ~ National Inspirational Role Models Month ~ National Novel Writing Month ~ Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month ~ Transgender Awareness Month ~ Vegan Month
~~~Week of 24 November
Church / State Separation Week
~~~26 NOV Observances
330 days so far this year…35 days remain in 2009
Thanksgiving Day
Get Your Shopping List Ready Day
^Lebanon : Independence Day from France (1943)
^ Mongolia: Independence Day from China (1921)
~~~Births on this day
~ The ARTS
1905…Emlyn Williams Wales, actor/playwright (David Copperfield)
1912…(Arnold) Eric Sevareid Emmy Award-winning news correspondent
1922…Charles M Schulz cartoonist (Peanuts)
1933…Robert Goulet singer/actor
1938…Rich Little impressionist/actor
1938…Tina Turner [Anna Mae Bullock], singer (Proud Mary)
~ATHLETICS
1954…Bob Murray hockey: NHL: Chicago Blackhawks player, coach
~POLITICS/BUSINESS/EDUCATION
1792…Sarah Moore Grimk‚ American antislavery, women's rights advocate
1832…Mary Edwards Walker US, doctor/women's rights leader
1857…Ferdinand de Saussure linguist (Cours de Laguistique Generale)
~SCIENCE/RELIGION
1607…John Harvard clergyman/scholar, major benefactor to Harvard University (library & half his estate)
1894…Norbert Wiener US, mathematician/discovered cybernetics
~~~In Remembrance–
1639…John Spottiswoode, Scottish historian @ 74
1883…Sojourner Truth abolitionist, women's rights advocate @ 86
1939…James Naismith Basketball inventor @ 78
1986…Scatman Crothers actor @ 76
~~~Historical Events on this day
411…Maya King Siyaj Chan K'awill II (Stormy Sky) ascends the Tikal throne in Guatemala.
1778…Capt Cook discovers Sandwich Islands
1789…1st national thanksgiving
1825…1st college fraternity founded (Kappa Alpha (Union College, NY))
1865…Alice in Wonderland published
1922…The British archaeologist Lord Carnarvon and the American archaeologist Howard Carter enter King Tut's tomb for the first time
1941…President Franklin D Roosevelt signs a bill that establishes the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day
1942…"Casablanca," starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, has its world premiere at the Hollywood Theater in New York.
1942…President Roosevelt orders nationwide gasoline rationing to begin on December 1st, prior to this gas rationing only existed in a few US states.
1962…1st recording session under the name "Beatles"
2003…Concord makes it's last flight over Bristol, England on the way to it's final resting place at LHR - FILTON where it had made it's first flight on 20th April 1979
~ Holy Mackerel
1716…1st lion exhibited in America (Boston)
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New Puzzle: Blue by You
Complete the following expressions featuring the color 'blue'.
1. of noble birth
2. a valuable asset or high-priced stock
3. 1964 Elvis Presley single
4. of the working class
5. 1867 Strauss waltz
6. depression
7. Southern U.S. folk music genre
8. 1899 Stephen Crane short story
9. exasperated
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ANSWERS
1. of noble birth: blue blood
2. a valuable asset or high-priced stock: blue chip
3. 1964 Elvis Presley single: Blue Christmas
4. of the working class: blue collar
5. 1867 Strauss waltz: Blue Danube
6. depression: blue funk or blue devils (or blues)
7. Southern U.S. folk music genre: blue grass
8. 1899 Stephen Crane short story: "The Blue Hotel"
9. exasperated: blue in the face
