10 Dec

 

10 December 2022

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 50 Day 344 \ Ave. Sky Cover 5% \ Visibility 10 miles Flagstaff Today 46° \19° 
Wind 3mph \ Gusts 8mph  Air Quality: Fair \Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 132mi \ Nearest Lightning 1595mi
Dec Averages for Flagstaff: 43° \ 17° `
Sunshine

Today’s Quote

 

Weekly Observations

Clerc-Gallaudet Week: 3-10
National Hand Washing Awareness Week: 4-10 Link  
Recipe Greetings For The Holidays Week: 4-10 
Andisop (Meteorological Fiddling): 5-24   Link
Computer Science Education Week: 5-11 Link
Human Rights Week: 10-17

Daily Observations

Dewey Decimal System Day
Gingerbread Decorating Day
Gingerbread House Day
Human Rights Day Link
International Animal Rights Day Link
International Shareware Day
Jane Addams Day
National Lager Day
Nobel Prize Day

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

A nice winter day.

I had a nice lunch with friends. We met at a restaurant on the local campus. Great food and even better conversation. Good times roll.

So AZ Senator has now registered at an Independent. A political move since she was sure she would not get the Democratic nomination in 2024. This will just make headlines now and again if she runs in 2024. I had expected more from her.

I’m looking forward to  quiet weekend.

Favorite Memes

Did you Know? NEW!

James A. Garfield didn’t have the strangest presidential pet — that distinction probably belongs to either John Quincy Adams’ alligator (which he kept in a bathtub) or Martin Van Buren’s two tiger cubs — but his dog Veto might have had the cleverest name. Named after the presidential power to prevent a bill passed by Congress from becoming law, the black Newfoundland was described by the Lewiston Evening Journal as “a true protector” who once alerted his humans to a barn fire by barking, and who also once “held the reins of a valuable horse on a rampage in the barn” until help arrived to resolve the equine emergency.

 

Presidents without pets (Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk, Donald Trump) 

Slang Origins

1931: Doll

Meaning: an attractive woman; darling, sweetheart

One of many words referring to women that have sprung up over the years, “doll” has remained in our cultural vocabulary partly thanks to the Tony award-winning Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls,” which hit the stage in 1950. The musical is based on the stories of Damon Runyon, who was known for using regional slang in his writing. It was later adapted into a movie starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

Corny jokes NEW!

What do you call a pig that does karate?

A pork chop.

…

Why did the bike fall over?

It was two tired.

Historical Events

1768 – The first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica was published.

1884 – Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published.

1901 – The first Nobel Prizes were awarded. President Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt became the first person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Birthdays Today

@81 – Dorothy Lamour, American actress, and singer (d. 1996)
“Glamor is just sex that got civilized. A pretty girl, tastefully posed in a scant costume, is even a sort of cultural achievement.”– Dorothy Lamour
70 – Susan Dey, American actress
62 – Kenneth Branagh, Northern Ireland-born English actor-director, producer, screenwriter
“Friendship is one of the most tangible things in a world which offers fewer and fewer supports.”– Kenneth Branagh
@62 – Chet Huntley, American journalist (d. 1974; lung cancer)
61 – Nia Peeples, American singer
58 – Bobby Flay, American chef
“Don’t try to be the next Rachael Ray or Bobby Flay, we already have those people. We want someone who is going to make their own mark on Food Network.”– Bobby Flay
@55 – Emily Dickinson, American poet (d. s1886; Bright’s disease)
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.”– Emily Dickinson
54 – Michael Clarke Duncan, Actor
48 – Meg White, American drummer
“I met Drew Barrymore in New York and she said she liked the band. That was really cool. I grew up on her.”– Meg White
37 – Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman-Maday, Actor 

 

9 Dec

 

December 2022

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 50 Day 343 \ Ave. Sky Cover 5% \ Visibility 10 miles Flagstaff Today 35° \12° 
Wind 3mph \ Gusts 6mph  Air Quality: Fair \Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 132mi \ Nearest Lightning 1599mi
Dec Averages for Flagstaff: 43° \ 17° `
Crispy Cool

Today’s Quote

Weekly Observations

Clerc-Gallaudet Week: 3-10
National Hand Washing Awareness Week: 4-10 Link  
Recipe Greetings For The Holidays Week: 4-10 
Andisop (Meterological Fiddling): 5-24   Link
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week: 5-9 Link 
Computer Science Education Week: 5-11 Link
Human Rights Week: 10-17

Daily Observations

Christmas Card Day
Cremation Day
International Anti-corruption Day
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of The Victims of The Crime of Genocide and The Prevention of This Crime
International Day of Veterinary Medicine
National Pastry Day
Official Lost & Found Day  
Weary Willie Day  Link
World Techno Day

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

I had a 10am dental visit to fill a small cavity. The office called and said I could come in early…like 9:30. I was there at 9:30 and out by 10:15. Good visit.

I sounds like there will be uranium mining near Grand Canyon. A company is advertising for workers. It has been fought by several tribes and environmentalists for decades. The biggest fear now is that such mining will negatively impact the water used by the Havasupai tribe in the canyon. The fight is far from over.

Still no public announcement on who caused the NC electric outage. Most have power back, but many are still without power. Note to perpetrators: Your reasons won’t come out unless you are caught, or you release information about why you did it. Just saying.

I am happy to see that Britney Griner has been released and is on her way home. Still waiting for Whelan’s release. Hopefully that will happen too. The trade returned a wicked gun dealer whom I am sure will be in the news again back to Russia.

Favorite Memes

Little known Native American History

The origin of hockey Part 3

When your teacher taught you about the pilgrims of the Mayflower, you probably heard something about Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe who helped them survive. What many history books fail to say is that Squanto was equipped to help the pilgrims because he learned English after being kidnapped. Squanto was abducted by English explorer George Weymouth who took him to Britain as an exhibit for his financial backers. It was here he learned English. He was later returned to his homeland only to be abducted by Englishman Thomas Hunt, who sold him into slavery in Spain. He was eventually returned only to find his entire tribe had been killed by smallpox. It was only after this that he came into contact with the Mayflower passengers. 

Slang Origins

1930: Hooverville

Meaning: a town of temporary dwellings, especially those found during the Great Depression

After the stock market crash of 1929, the U.S. economy was in shambles and the following years saw millions losing their jobs and homes. This led to the development of shantytowns across the country. They were soon nicknamed "Hoovervilles" after then-President Herbert Hoover, as he and the Republican Party were blamed by some for the country's misfortune.

Historical Events

1960 – The first episode of Coronation Street, the world’s longest-running television soap opera, was broadcast in the United Kingdom.

1979 -The eradication of the smallpox virus was certified.

Birthdays Today

@103 – Kirk Douglas, American actor (d. 2020)
“Life is like a B-picture script.”– Kirk Douglas
@89 – Buck Henry, American actor, screenwriter (d. 2020)
88 – Judi Dench, English actress
@85 – Grace Hopper, American admiral, and computer scientist, designed COBOL (d. 1992)
@83 – Joseph Pilates, German-American fitness expert, developer of Pilates (d. 1967)
81 – Beau Bridges, American actor, director, producer
@81 – Tip O’Neill, 55th Speaker of the United States House (d. 1994)
80 – Dick Butkus, American football player, sportscaster, and actor
When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something– Dick Butkus
70 – Michael Dorn, American actor
69 – John Malkovich, American actor
@68 – Morton Downey Jr., singer-songwriter, actor, talk show host (d. 2001; cancer)
@68 – Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford), American actor (d. 1991; heart attack)
@65 – John Milton, English writer, and philosopher (d. 1674; gout)
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to my conscience, above all liberties.”– John Milton
65 – Donny Osmond, American singer, actor
“My father instilled in me the attitude of prevailing. If there’s a challenge, go for it. If there’s a wall to break down, break it down.”– Donny Osmond
60 – Felicity Huffman, American actress
56 – Kirsten Gillibrand, American politician
44 – Jesse Metcalfe, American actor
42 – Simon Helberg, American actor
27 – McKayla Maroney, American gymnast
“There’s a lot of stress out there, and to handle it, you just need to believe in yourself; always go back to the person that you know you are, and don’t let anybody tell you any different because everyone’s special and everyone’s awesome. Looking back isn’t going to help you.”– McKayla Maroney

 

8 Dec

 

8 December 2022

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 50 Day 342 \ Ave. Sky Cover 95% \ Visibility 10 miles Flagstaff Today 34° \22° 
Wind 3mph \ Gusts 8mph  Air Quality: Fair \Very Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 386mi \ Nearest Lightning 223mi
Dec Averages for Flagstaff: 43° \ 17° `
Snowing on and off

Today’s Quote

Weekly Observations

Clerc-Gallaudet Week: 3-10
National Hand Washing Awareness Week: 4-10 Link  
Recipe Greetings For The Holidays Week: 4-10 
Andisop (Meterological Fiddling): 5-24   Link
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week: 5-9 Link 
Computer Science Education Week: 5-11 Link

Daily Observations

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
AFL-CIO Day
Bodhi Day  Link [Traditional] 
National Brownie Day
National Day of Lard
National Christmas Tree Day
Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day
Toilet Paper Appreciation Day  Link  (Note: December 8, 1857 was when it was first sold in the US by Joseph C. Gayetty. The other observance is on August 26 when Scott first sold toilet paper on a roll on August 26, 1871 fourteen years later as Toilet Paper Day.)

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

The promised snow has arrived. So far none is sticking. I went out to get a much-needed haircut before any snow fell. As I was driving, there was a light rain, just enough to use the intermittent wipers on the slowest speed.

Georgia results are in. Warnock kept his seat. Walker gave a very good speech to concede. There is hope for our country.

A few months ago I had a minor bladder issue. Due to my age, I was referred to a urologist. I saw him but he only scheduled an appointment to look at the bladder and a CT scan. The scan showed nothing unusual. The real look was scheduled for next week. Today I got a call that the Dr. would not be available for my appointment, and I needed to reschedule. Their earliest opening was Valentines Day. Not happy about it, but my latest urine, last week, was just fine, according to the lab that analyzed it.

Favorite Memes

Little known Native American History

The origin of hockey part 2

It may be tempting to keep a cool artifact you find on federal or tribal land, but it might be against the law. The Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act recognizes that certain items belong to "lineal descendants, Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations." This protection applies to "human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony." These Native American artifacts have found their way into a museum—where they belong.

If you're a sports fan, chances are you've heard of Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was a member of the Sac and Fox nation and while you might know him for making Olympic history as the first Native American to win a gold medal (he actually won two, for the pentathlon and decathlon), you might be surprised to learn he also played professional football, baseball, and basketball. In college, he also played lacrosse and won a ballroom dancing championship. It's no wonder many consider Jim Thorpe to be the greatest athlete of all time. 

Slang Origins

1929: Nerts

Meaning: nonsense

Much like “horsefeathers” before it, “nerts” was something you shouted when something just wasn’t going right. It was used in place of “nuts,” presumably to avoid shocking or offending anyone nearby.

Historical Events

1886 – The American Federation of Labor was founded

1952 – On the CBS show I Love Lucy, a pregnancy was acknowledged in a TV show for the first time, with the announcement that ‘Me and my husband are about to have a blessed event.’

1980 – John Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman outside of his home in New York City.

1991 – The Soviet Union dissolved.

2013 – Metallica performed a show in Antarctica, making them the first band to perform on all seven continents.

Birthdays Today

@85 – William C. Durant, founder of General Motors and Chevrolet (d. 1947)
@83 – Maximilian Schell, Austrian-Swiss actor (d. 2014)
83 – Jerry Butler, American singer-songwriter
@72 – David Carradine, American actor (d. 2009; suicide)
@70 – Diego Rivera, Mexican painter, educator (d. 1957)
@69 – Gregg Allman, American singer-songwriter, guitarist (d. 2017, liver cancer)
69 – Kim Basinger, American actress
@66 – James Thurber, American humorist, and cartoonist (d. 1961; pneumonia)
“The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people — that is, people everywhere, not for the purpose of taking them apart, but simply revealing their true nature. “ “All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.” “Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.”– James Thurber
@64 – Lee J. Cobb, American actor (d. 1976; heart attack)
@64 – Sammy Davis, Jr., actor, singer, and dancer (d. 1990; throat cancer)
“You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.”– Sammy Davis, Jr.
61 – Ann Coulter, American author
@60 – Eli Whitney, engineer, inventor- Cotton Gin (d. 1825; prostate cancer)
“Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.”– Eli Whitney58 – Teri Hatcher, American actress
56 – Sinéad O’Connor, Irish singer-songwriter
@44 – Mary, Queen of Scots (d. 1587; executed)@43 – E.C. Segar, American cartoonist, creator of Popeye (d. 1938; liver disease)
40 – Nicki Minaj, Trinidadian-American rapper and actress
29 – AnnaSophia Robb, American actress
@27 – Jim Morrison, American singer-songwriter, #27club (d. 1971)
“A hero is someone who rebels or seems to rebel against the facts of existence and seems to conquer them. Obviously, that can only work at moments. It can’t be a lasting thing. That’s not saying that people shouldn’t keep trying to rebel against the facts of existence. Someday, who knows, we might conquer death, disease, and war.”– Jim Morrison