Oct 15

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Oct. 15, 2019 Week: 42  Day: 288

86004:   H 67° \ L 34° \ Average Sky Cover: 5% 

Nearest active fire:  87mi.  Nearest lightning:  997mi

Wind:   7mph\Gusts:  11mph  Visibility: 10 mi

Record High: 78°[1991]   Record Low: 19°[1966]

Oct. Averages: 63°\32° ( 4 days with moisture)

Today’s Quote

But he that dares not grasp the thorn

should never crave the rose.

Anne Bronte

Random Tidbits

Common Acronyms

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement – 40th Attempt. (That’s how long it took the manufacturers to figure out the recipe.)

CVS stands for Consumer Value Stores.

M&Ms stands for Mars & Murrie’s, the last names of the candy’s founders.

Observances This Week

10-17

Take Your Medicine Americans Week

12-20

Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week Link

12-18

World Rainforest Week

13-19

Bullying Bystanders Unite Week
Drink Local Wine Week  
Earth Science Week
National Chestnut Week
International Infection Prevention Week Link
Mediation Week Link  
National Food Bank Week
Teen Read Week
Veterinary Technicians Week Link

14-18

Choose To Be G.R.E.A.T. Week Link
National School Lunch Week
YWCA Week Without Violence Link

Observances for Today

Blind Americans Equality Day
Global Handwashing Day Link
International Day of Rural Women
I Love Lucy Day
National Aesthetician Day  Link
National Cake Decorating Day
National Cheese Curd Day Link
 National Grouch Day
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Link
National Mushroom Day

National Pharmacy Technician Day Link 
National Red Wine Day

National White Cane Safety Day Link
National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day  Link
Pay Back A Friend Day Link  
Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity Link  

White Cane Safety Day

My Rambling Thoughts

A Federal holiday so I’m enjoying my time at home. This is the one Federal holiday that I wish would change its name to something more accurate. However; being a Federal Holiday, I will honor the Congress. Basically everything is open in AZ that are not under Federal calendars, meaning schools are in session, state and county offices are open. Of course, all businesses are trying to make money. I’m staying home, thinking about my time working with Indigenous people.

Sickened to hear that a Senior Care Facility in Florida, with dementia and assisted care residents had 3 employees start a ‘fight club’. There is even video of two 70-year-old women with dementia being forced to fight. All three were fired and face charges. Seems like there needs to be more supervision of employees as well as supervision of residents.

The guide we had in Ethiopia sent a note that their President has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Nice.

Still very happy over the Bronco and Card wins yesterday. The Card game was good, the internet machine showed me scores of the Bronco blowout.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of this page

What is the answer to this math problem?:

8 ÷ 2 (2 + 2)

Historical Events

On October 15, 1964 Congress resolved that October 15 would be proclaimed White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon Johnson immediately made a proclamation sealing this as an official day to recognize the advancements and achievements of blind individuals. It is called White Cane Safety Day because the white cane is a recognizable symbol a blind person's independence.

1520 King Henry VIII of England orders bowling lanes at Whitehall

1582 - Pope Gregory XIII implemented the Gregorian calendar. In several countries October 4 of that year was followed directly by October 15.

1860 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln telling him to grow a beard

1878 - The Edison Electric Light Company began operations.

1924 US President Calvin Coolidge declares Statue of Liberty a national monument

1937 Ernest Hemingway novel "To Have & Have Not" published

1951 First synthesis of an oral contraceptive (norethindrone) by Carl Djerassi at Mexican drug company Syntex

1951 - I Love Lucy premiered on CBS. It was filmed on three cameras, a TV first.

1953 - Broadway Show - The Teahouse of the August Moon (Play) opened

1955 - #1 Hit: The Four Aces - Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

1966 - #1 Hit: Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There

1966 - The Black Panther Party was created by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.

1973 - Dr. Seuss on the Loose aired live on CBS.

1977 - #1 Hit: Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life

1987 - Bob Barker, host of The Price Is Right, stopped dying his hair. The audience gave him a standing ovation when he came onstage, white-haired.

1988 - #1 Hit: UB40 - Red Red Wine

1993 Nelson Mandela and South African President F. W. de Klerk awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

2000 - Curb Your Enthusiasm premiered on HBO

2001 - Smallville premiered on The WB

2003 China launches Shenzhou 5, its first manned space mission.

2017 500 wildfires occur in Portugal and Northern Spain fanned by winds from Hurricane Ophelia, killing at least 35

2018 American retailer Sears files for bankruptcy

Birthdays Today

Mario Puzo, author, screen writer

(d. 1999 @78; heart failure)

Penny Marshall, actor, director, producer

(d. 2018 @75 cardiovascular disease, Type I

diabetes)

Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher  

(d. 1900 @55; strokes)

Emeril Lagasse, celebrity chef (60)

Tanya Roberts

[Victoria Leigh Blum], actor, singer (64)

Eric Benét, R&B singer, actor (53)

Puzzle answer:

16 or 1, depending.

According to PEMDAS, parentheses come first: 8 ÷ 2 (4)

Then, even though multiplication is first in PEMDAS, you go left to right: 4 (4) = 16

If you got 1, you’re in good company. Most calculators get 16.

This is from Popular Mechanics and the debate continues online.