Fine Independence Day

I had a great 4th. Started early with the annual Flagstaff parade. Tuba used to have parades all the time. Flag has several each year. They are real small town parades…lots of politicians, armed forces, community organizations, and a bagpipe band—of course. This year’s parade, at least from my annual vantage point, had lots more spectators than normal. The parade was longer too, about 90 minutes. It was fun, and saw several people I know. I also got a nice sun burn. Typical 4th. A friend was born on the 4th, so we had a cookout and b-day party at her house. A good time had by all. Now it’s time for the PBS 4th. Flagstaff is having a 20 minute ground fireworks show. We are in the middle of a forest and aerial fireworks are just too dangerous at this time of year. They banned all public displays a few years ago, but somehow this one is OK. Whatever. My big screen will just have to do.

The monsoon dropped three separate cloudbursts today. One was very spectacular with lots of lightning and thunder. Knocked out the power for about a minute. But what a show. We got almost 1/2” of rain out of them. Flagstaff does provide a nice monsoon season for us retired people who don’t have to work, drive, or clean up after it hits.

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Random Fact
Girls have more taste buds than boys.
July is…

…Air Conditioning Appreciation Month…Blueberries Month…Cell Phone Courtesy Month…Family Reunion Month…Herbal/Prescription Awareness Month…Nat’l Doghouse Repair Month…Nat’l Grilling, Nat’l Hot Dog, Nat’l Horseradish, and Nat’l Ice Cream Month…Smart Irrigation Month…Social Wellness Month…Tour de France Month…Women’s Motorcycle Month…

Week of July 5
Be Nice to New Jersey Week
Sports cliché Week

July 4—186 days so far this year…179 days remain in 2009
*Venezuela: Independence Day [1811]
*Algeria: Independence Day [1962]


BIRTHS ON THIS DAY…

1781
Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore
1794
Sylvester Graham developed graham cracker
1801
David G Farragut Knoxville Tenn, naval hero
1810
Phineas Taylor Barnum Bethel Conn, circus promoter
1902
Henry Cabot Lodge (R) politician/ambassador
1904
Milburn Stone Bruton Ks, actor (Doc-Gunsmoke)
1929
Katherine Helmond Galveston Tx, actress
1951
Huey Lewis rocker
Rich (Richard Michael) ‘Goose’ Gossage baseball

IT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY…
1643
1st recorded tornado in US (Essex County, Massachusetts)
1687
Isaac Newton's PRINCIPIA published by Royal Society in England
1811
Venezuela, 1st South American country to gain independence from Spain
1830
France invades Algeria, begins a 40 year conquest
1865
William Booth founded Salvation Army in London
1871
Arrested for murdering the wagon drivers in the raid on May 18th, KiowasSatanta and Big Tree go on trial in Jacksboro, in north-central Texas, near Fort Richardson. They are found guilty after three days of testimony. Satanta tells the court, "If you let me go, I will withdrawn my warriors from Tehanna, but if you kill me, it will be a spark on the prairie. Make big fire-burn heap."
1946
The Bikini swimsuit ( a daring 2 piece swimming costume for ladies ) was introduced by French designer Louis Reard
1948
The British government adopts the National Health Service Act, which establishes a national system of publicly funded medical services.
1962
Algeria gains independence after 132 years of French rule
1971
The Voting Age in the United States is lowered to 18 yrs old when the 26th Amendment to the US constition is ratified
1973
Isle of Man begins issuing their own postage stamps
1975
Cape Verde Is gain independence after 500 years of Portuguese rule
1986
Nancy Reagan cuts red, white & blue ribbon; reopens Statue of Liberty
1996
The first cloning of an animal by scientists was revealed by the Roslin Institute in Scotland when DOLLY THE SHEEP was cloned

Word Puzzle from NPR Sunday Puzzler…1987

Every answer here is a two-word familiar phrase with the initials L-P
EX: Trap for catching lobster
Answers: Lobster Pot

1. What every car on the highway needs
2. A bullfrog sits on it
3. Upstate New York town famous for skiing and winter sports
4. Teacher of contracts or torts
5. Tories’ opponents in England
6. Nadir
7. Safety item on a boat
8. What a teacher prepares for each class
9. American coin since 1909
10. It’s recited in church
*Bonus: Computer product made by H-P
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Answers:
Yesterday’s answer: mumurous
1. License plate
2. Lily pad
3. Lake Placid
4. Law professor
5. Labour Party
6. Low point
7. Life preserver
8. Lesson Plan
9. Lincoln penny
10. Lord’s Prayer
*Bonus: laser printer
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