Feb 14

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Feb. 14, 2020 Week: 7  Day: 45

86004:   H 51° \ L 21° \ Average Sky Cover: 5%

Nearest lightning:  1689mi.; Nearest active fire:  781mi. 

Wind:   5mph\Gusts:  7mph  Visibility: 10 mi

Record High: 66°[2015]   Record Low: -15°[1949]

Feb. Averages: 47°\19° (5 days with moisture)

Today’s LOVE Quote

People are such great mysteries.

Just when we think we have understood them,

a wonderful new aspect shows in them.

Eucharista Ward

Random Tidbits

141 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting card giving occasion next to Christmas. Or you could try flowers. Over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.

According to the condom company Durex, condom sales are highest around Valentine's Day, which are 20-30 percent higher than usual.

Not surprisingly, more at-home pregnancy tests are sold in March than in any other month.

One legend of Valentine is he was a Roman priest who served during the third century. At this time, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage because he thought single men made better soldiers. Valentine was appalled by this and thought it would be best to keep performing marriages for young couples in love. When the emperor found out about what Valentine was doing behind his back, he had Valentine put to death. Not the greatest end to a story about love.

Observations This Week

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14 Link
Have A Heart for A Chained Dog Week: 7-14  Link
National Marriage Week: 7-14  Link  Link
Risk Awareness Week: 7-14
Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14
Children of Alcoholics Week: 9-15 Link 
International Flirting Week: 9-15 
Jell-O Week: 9-15 
Love a Mensch Week: 9-15
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week: 9-15
Freelance Writer Appreciation Week: 10-15
American Camp Week: 11-14 Link
American Association For The Advancement of Science Week: 13-16  Link
Date (Fruit) Week: 14-23
Great Backyard Bird Count: 14-17 Link
National Condom Week: 14-21 Link
National Nestbox Week: 14-21
NCCDP Alzheimer's & Dementia Staff Education Week: 14-21

Observations for Today

Ferris Wheel Day
Frederick Douglass Day  Link
International Book Giving Day Link
League of Women Voters Day
Library Lovers Day
National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day

National Have A Heart Day
National Organ Donor Day

National Women's Heart Day Link
No One Eats Alone Day  Link 
Pet Theft Awareness Day  Link
Quirky Alone Day Link
Race Relations Day
Singles Awareness Day or Singles Appreciation Day Link
Valentine's Day

(World) Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day Link
World Sound Healing Day Link

My Rambling Thoughts

Our retirement group met for Chinese Lunch. Good food, good conversation, good time.

The Dept. of Interior has disbanded a controversial council that promoted big game hunting. This came after a judge ruled that environmental groups could challenge the legitimacy of the council in court. Score one for the good guys.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of the page

I am a word of six; my first three letters refer to an automobile; my last three letters refer to a household animal; my first four letters are a fish; my whole is found in your room. What am I?

Historical Events

1803 Chief Justice John Marshall declares that any act

of U.S. Congress that conflicts with the Constitution is void

1849 - The first photograph of a US President, James Polk, was taken in Washington, DC.

1920 - The League of Women Voters formed in Chicago, IL.

1929 - Four men came in, dressed as police at Bugsy Moran's headquarters on North Clark Street in Chicago, killing seven of Bugs' men in what is called the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Moran was a rival of of Al Capone.

1930 - The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett was published.

1946 - The ENIAC Computer was introduced.

1971 Richard Nixon installs secret taping system in the White House

1989 Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini issues a fatwa calling for the death of Salman Rushdie and his publishers due to his novel "Satanic Verses". A bounty is also placed on his head.

2019 Egyptian parliament approves measures to enable President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to extend his rule till 2034

Birthdays Today

@80 - Jack Benny , (born Benjamin Kubelsky) American comedic actor (died in 1974)

@60 - John Barrymore, American actor (died in 1942; cirrhosis)

@53 - Vic Morrow, American actor (decapitated while filming)

78 - Donna Shalala, American politician

78 - Michael Bloomberg, American businessman and politician

69 - Terry Gross, American radio host

@37 - George Ferris, American engineer and inventor, created the Ferris Wheel (died in 1896; typhoid fever)

Puzzle Answer:

A carpet.