Aug 1

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Aug. 1, 2019 Week: 31 \ Day: 213

86004:   H 67° \ L 54° \ Average Sky Cover: 90% 

Nearest wildfire:  4mi. Nearest lightning:  74mi

Wind:   10mph\Gusts:  10mph

Visibility: 10 mi

Record High: 92°[1977]   Record Low: 42°[1915]

Aug Averages: 79°\50° (9 day with rain)

Today’s Quote

"I mean, just because you're a musician doesn't mean all your ideas are about music. So every once in a while I get an idea about plumbing, I get an idea about city government, and they come the way they come."

-Jerry Garcia

Random Tidbits

Several ancient cultures viewed the apple as a feminine symbol and found a resemblance between the two halves of a vertically cut apple to the female genital system. Alternatively, an apple cut horizontally resembled a pentagram, which was considered key in revealing knowledge of good and evil.

Ancient Egyptian priests would eat figs at the moment of their consecration ceremonies. The Indians consecrated the fig tree to Vishnu, and the fig free sheltered Romulus and Remus (the traditional founders of Rome) at their birth. The fig is also a fertility symbol and the Arab association with male genitals is so strong that the original word "fig" is considered improper.

Observances This Month

American Adventures Month
American Artists Appreciation Month Link
American Indian Heritage Month Link 
American History Essay Contest (8/1 - 12/15)
Arrr-gust: International Pirate Month  Link
Black Business Month
Boomers Making A Difference Month
Bystander Awareness Month
Children's Eye Health & Safety Month
Child Support Awareness Month Link
Children's Vision & Learning Month

Observances This Week

1-4

Lollapalooza Link 

1-7

International Clown Week Link
National Cleanse Your Skin Week  Link
National Minority Donor Awareness Week
Simplify Your Life Week
World Breastfeeding Week Link

1-9

International Mathematicians Week

Observances for Today

India Pale Ale Beer Day Link 
International Can-It-Forward Day  Link   
Lammas Day (Merry Loafmas)  Link
Lughnasa or Lughnasadh - 1 Link Link
National Mahjong Day  Link
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
National Girlfriends Day

National Mountain Climbing Day

National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

Respect For Parents
Rounds Resounding Day
Spider-Man Day 
Start Up Day Across America Link
US Air Force Day Link
World Lung Cancer Day
World Wide Web Day
World Scout Scarf Day

My Rambling Thoughts

I headed out early this morning for an easy blood draw. Found out that a butterfly needle works really well on my poor little vein.

We had light rain all night with strong wind.  This is the best rain we could get.  A slow steady rain puts out the fire, and much of the water soaks in, so it doesn’t flood. The part of Flag that might flood is huge. There are sandbags 5 high along property lines, other places have cement barrios that have been moved in, other areas have huge trench diggers making a path for the possible water, and many businesses have sandbags at their doors. Mary lives in that area. She said the guys came around with a huge packet of ‘flood prevention and action’. They said that if there is a cloudburst much of the area could get six feet of water with pine trees coming down the path of least resistance. Mary is higher up on a hill, so would probably just have no access to streets below her. She is stocked up on water, food, and said all portable electronics are being charged 24/7. Her biggest fear is losing electricity for an extended period.

I did watch some of the debate last night. Still not ready to support any one candidate, but sure did hear some great ideas. All will take time, but many would make our country stronger for the coming generations.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of this page

How many times does the long hand of the clock pass the short hand between midnight one day and midnight the following day? As both hands are together at the starting time of midnight this does not count as a pass.

Today’s Highlighted Historical Events

1774 - British scientist Joseph Priestley re-discovered oxygen (the gas), verifying the discovery of it by German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

1790 - The first U.S. Census, there were 3,929,326 people living here.

1794 - The Whiskey Rebellion Western. Pennsylvania farmers revolted, protesting the excise duty (tax) on stills and spirits distilled in the U.S.

1834 - Slavery was abolished in the British Empire with the Slavery Abolition Act.

1876 - Colorado became the 38th state.

1944 - Anne Frank made the last entry in her diary.

1946 - In Athens, Tennessee, battle-hardened WWII veterans won a shootout with highly corrupt police deputies who were manipulating ballots and illegally holding ex-GIs in the county jail.

1952 - The extinction of the San Benedicto Rock Wren, a previously unendangered species, can be traced almost to the minute on the morning of August 1st, when a volcanic eruption covered their entire island.

August 1, 19** Birthday (fictional) The Joker, DC Comics

1964 - #1 Hit August 1, 1964 - August 14, 1964: The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

1980 - Cinemax launched

1981 - MTV network debuted on cable television, actually playing music videos 24 hours a day. The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the first video shown, followed by Pat Benatar's "You Better Run".

1957 - The United States and Canada formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Due to a wrong phone number Sears ad misprint, a child called to check on where Santa was that evening (December 24), and NORAD has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve, since its inception.

1961- Six Flags Over Texas, he first park of the Six Flags chain opened in Arlington, Texas.

1966 - China's Cultural Revolution began, with purging (killing) the remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, and to re-impose Maoist thought as the dominant ideology within the Party. About 1.5 million people were 'purged'.

1980 - Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected President of Iceland, the world's first democratically elected female head of state.

1981 - #1 Hit August 1, 1981 - August 14, 1981: Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

1981 - MTV began began as a music video channel. All the trivia people will tell you that the first video was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles. "You Better Run" by Pat Benater was next; then "She Won't Dance With Me" by Rod Steward. "You Better You Bet" by The Who was fourth. You can really impress your friends by telling your friends that "Little Suzi's on the Up" by Ph. D. was the 5th video played on the network.

1984 - Lindow Man was found in a bog, at Lindow Moss, Cheshire, in northwest England.

Highlighted Birthdays Today

Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)
Herman Melville (1819 - 1891)
Pancho Villa (1877-1923) 
Tom Wilson (1931-2008)
Dom DeLuise (1936-2009)
Yves Saint-Laurent (1936-2008)
Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) 
Ashley Parker Angel (1981)
Coolio (1963)
Adam Duritz (1964)
Sam Mendes (1965)

Puzzle answer:

21.

Jul 31

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Jul. 30, 2019 Week: 31 \ Day: 212

86004:   H 82° \ L 57° \ Average Sky Cover: 85% 

Nearest wildfire:  4mi. Nearest lightning:  8.3mi

Wind:   21mph\Gusts:  33mph

Visibility: 10 mi

Record High: 91°[1977]   Record Low: 43°[1997]

Jul Averages: 82°\542° (8 day with rain)

Today’s Quote

All animals are equal,

but some animals are more equal than others.

George Orwell

Random Tidbits

The Romans created three categories of kissing: (1) Osculum, a kiss on the cheek, (2) Basium, a kiss on the lips, and (3) Savolium, a deep kiss.

The Kama (desire) Sutra (type of verse) lists over 30 types of kisses, such as "fighting of the tongue."

Scholars are unsure if kissing is a learned or instinctual behavior. In some cultures in Africa and Asia, kissing does not seem to be practiced.

Observances This Week

27-8/5
National Little League Baseball Week  Link

Observances for Today

National Avocado Day  Link
National Cotton Candy Day

National Mutt Day  Link   
National Raspberry Cake Day

Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day  Link 
World Ranger Day Link

My Rambling Thoughts

Getting ready for August. Time is sure flying by this summer. We had a nice rain storm with a little thunder today. Looks like more rain is going to come later this afternoon. Hopefully, there won’t be any major flooding in the burn area and below.

I’m cutting down on the Historical Events and Birthdays in the blog. I found a new website and will try it for a while. So, nothing posted today.

I made my weekly trek to Sam’s this morning. Got what I needed and got home just before the rain hit.

I have my Townhouse payment set up on auto pay for 12 months at a time. When I got back from Russia, I realized that it was time to set it up again. Accidently ended up paying two times in July. What should have been an easy fix on the bank’s website turned into a 45-minute thing with their tech support. Got it fixed. I hope. Called the owner and told him to cash the check he got and then he will get another check on Oct. 1. Crazy me. He is great and we talked about my recent trip and he is planning a month on the East Coast to visit friends and family. He said our conversation had him decide he better do it.

Tonight is another debate. Haven’t decided how much I will watch. There are so many good ideas, so many who want to be President, and only one of the twenty+ will make it to the general election. For some strange reason, I fear that each has a huge ego and if they make it to the next round, they aren’t going to add any of the ideas from those who don’t make it to their campaign. Yes, I’m a little cynical.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of this page

Why do black sheep eat less than white sheep?

Puzzle answer:

Because there are fewer black sheep in the world than white.

Jul 30

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Jul. 30, 2019 Week: 31 \ Day: 211

86004:   H 86° \ L 59° \ Average Sky Cover: 70% 

Nearest wildfire:  4mi. Nearest lightning:  141mi

Wind:   7mph\Gusts:  7mph

Visibility: 10 mi

Record High: 92°[1943]   Record Low: 40°[1913]

Jul Averages: 82°\542° (8 day with rain)

Today’s Quote

Only two things are infinite,

the universe and human stupidity,

and I'm not sure about the former.

Albert Einstein

Random Tidbits

6. The Colossus of Rhodes at the entrance of the harbor of Rhodes in Greece.

From its building to its destruction lies a time span of merely 56 years. Yet the colossus earned a place in the famous list of Wonders. "But even lying on the ground, it is a marvel", said Pliny the Elder. The Colossus of Rhodes was not only a gigantic statue. It was rather a symbol of unity of the people who inhabited that beautiful Mediterranean island -- Rhodes.

7. The Lighthouse of Alexandria in the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only one had a practical use in addition to its architectural elegance: The Lighthouse of Alexandria. For sailors, it ensured a safe return to the Great Harbor. For architects, it meant even more: it was the tallest building on Earth. And for scientists, it was the mysterious mirror that fascinated them most... The mirror which reflection could be seen more than 50 km (35 miles) off-shore.

Observances This Week

27-8/5
National Little League Baseball Week  Link

Observances for Today

Cheesecake Day Link
Father-in-Law Day
Friendship Day Link
Health Care Now!  Medicare's Birthday  Link
International Day of Friendship Link    
National Chicken and Waffles Day
National Support Public Education Day Link
National Whistleblowers Appreciation Day  Link
Paperback Book Day
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

My Rambling Thoughts

It’s Monday. Our fire is now 65% contained. Still early morning smoke. It’s only been a week + one day but seems like it’s been forever. Things look better every day, just a slow process.

I headed out around 8a to pick up some scripts and other necessities. Got what I needed and headed home. It looks like rain, so hoping it comes with no lightning.

I am happy that Congress is on a much needed 6-week break. They can now go home and listen to their voters. I can only hope that they do just that. This is also the time for the media to listen to the people. We will never come together as a country until both sides start listening to the voters.

I have started working on a little slide show of my trip on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Lots to do, but will be worth it when I finish it in a few days.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of this page

Use all letters of this sentence once each only to spell out three animals.

'TALL ELEPHANT OR APEMAN'

Note: Elephant is not one of the three.

Today’s Highlighted Historical Events

1700’s

1729 City of Baltimore founded

1800’s

1836 First English language newspaper published in Hawaii

1863 President Abraham Lincoln issues "eye-for-eye" order to shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot

1863 Indian Wars: Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone tribe signs the Treaty of Box Elder, promising to stop harassing the emigrant trails in southern Idaho and northern Utah

1900’s

1928 George Eastman shows first amateur color motion pictures to guests at his New York house including Thomas Edison

1935 1st Penguin book is published, starting the paperback revolution

1942 FDR signs bill creating women's Navy auxiliary agency (WAVES)

1945 After delivering the Atomic Bomb across the Pacific, the cruiser USS Indianapolis is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-58. 880 of the crew died, many after being attacked by sharks, the inspiration for the movie Jaws.

1956 US motto "In God We Trust" authorized

1965 LBJ signs Medicare bill, which goes into effect in 1966

1974 House Judiciary Committee votes on 3rd & last charge of "high crimes & misdemeanors" to impeach President Nixon in the Watergate cover-up

1975 US Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappears in suburban Detroit; Hoffa legally declared dead in 1982

2000’s

2013 Wikileaks discloser Bradley [later Chelsea] Manning convicted of 17 espionage charges

2017 China's President Xi Jinping heads 12,000 troop parade at Zhurihe training base, Inner Mongolia marking 90 years since founding of the People's Liberation Army

2017 Russian President Vladimir Putin announces American diplomats in Russia cut by 755 in response to American sanctions

2018 Official Malaysian investigation into the disappearance of Flight 370 is unable to determine what happened

Highlighted Birthdays Today

1818 Emily Brontë,

English novelist (Wuthering Heights), born in Thornton, West Yorkshire (d. 1848: @30: long illness)

1863 Henry Ford,

American industrialist and auto maker (Ford Model T), born in Dearborn Township, Michigan (d. 1947: @83)

1893 Fatima Jinnah,

Mother of Pakistan, sister and close adviser of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, born in Karachi, Bombay Presidency, British India (d. 1967: @73: heart failure)

1922 Henry W. Bloch,

American businessman (co-founder of H&R Block) and philanthropist, born in Kansas City, Missouri (d. 2019+: @96)

80’s

86- Edd "Kookie" Byrnes,

American actor (77 Sunset Strip, Jack the Ripper), born in Los Angeles, California

80- Peter Bogdanovich,

American director and producer (Last Picture Show), born in Kingston, New York

70’s

78- Paul Anka,

Canadian/American singer

72- Arnold Schwarzenegger,

Austrian-American body builder, actor (Terminator) and politician (38th Governor of California), born in Thal, Austria

60’s

63- Anita Hill,

American academic and attorney, accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, born in Lone Tree, Oklahoma

63- Delta Burke,

American actress (Suzanne-Designing Women), born in Orlando, Florida

50’s

58- Laurence Fishburne,

American actor (The Matrix, CSI, Apocalypse Now), born in Augusta, Georgia

56- Lisa Kudrow,

American actress (Phoebe Buffay on Friends), born in Los Angeles, California

55- Vivica A. Fox,

American actress (Kill Bill: Vol. 1), born in South Bend, Indiana

50- Simon Baker,

Australian actor

40’s

49- Christopher Nolan,

British/American director

48- Tom Green,

Canadian comedian and actor

45- Hilary Swank,

American actress (Boys Don't Cry, Million Dollar Baby), born in Lincoln, Nebraska

Highlighted Historical Obits Today

80’s

@89-2007 Ingmar Bergman,

Swedish stage and film director (Cries & Whispers)

@83-1898 Otto von Bismarck,

German "Iron" chancellor

@80-1998 Buffalo Bob Smith

[Robert Emil Schmidt],

American TV host (Howdy Doody)

70’s

@75-2007 Bill Walsh,

American football coach (San Fransisco 49ers), dies of leukemia

@73-1718 William Penn,

English Philosopher, Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania (No cross, no crown)

60’s

@67-2015 Lynn Anderson,

American country singer (I Never Promised you a Rose Garden), dies of a heart attack

30’s

@31-1918 Joyce Kilmer,

American poet, dies in WWII battle

20’s

@25-1989 Lane Frost,

American bull rider, dies from injuries sustained by being gored by a bull

Puzzle answer:

PANTHER, ANTELOPE, LLAMA