24 Mar

24 March 2023

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 12 Day 83 \ Ave. Sky Cover 40% \ Visibility 14 miles Flagstaff Today 51° \17°  Wind 4mph \ Gusts 5mph 
Air Quality: Fair \Very Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 251mi \ Nearest Lightning 715mi
Mar. Averages for Flagstaff: 51° \ 23° \6 Days of moisture
Sun, snow, sun, snow

Today’s Quote

Weekly Observations

22-4/8
Lent
19-4/16
National Cherry Blossom Festival Link  
19-25
19-25
American Chocolate Week Link
National Agriculture Week
National Animal Poison Prevention Week Link  Link
National Inhalant and Poisons Awareness Week  Link   Link
National Poison Prevention Week Link
National Protocol Officer's Week
World Folktales & Fables Week
20-26
Act Happy Week
International Teach Music Week
National Fix A Leak Week  Link
National Fragrance Week Link
Shakespeare Week Link
Wellderly Week
21-27
International Week of Solidarity with People's Struggling Against Racism & Discrimination
22-4/20
Ramadan
24-30
National Farm Workers Awareness Week Link

Daily Observations

Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
Cocktail Day
International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for Dignity of Victims 
Link
National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day 
Link
World Tuberculosis Day

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

Sunny, now snowing, now sunny…the weather just can’t decide what to do today. At 7am the sun was shining. By 8:30, it was snowing, by noon the sun is shining again. It’s crazy.

Gas prices are rising…AGAIN. Today I filled up at Sam’s and it was $3.58/gal. It is now a little over $1/gallon higher than it was when Biden took office.

That shooter at East High in Denver was found near his parked car, dead. Awaiting confirmation of his identity and how he died.

The Navajo Nation flags are at half-mast again. Former President Ben Shelly passed at 75 after a long illness. He was elected when the tribal council reorganized from 88 chapters to 24 regional council people.

In Paris, citizens are protesting the changes in the retirement age. As the 6th day of protest begins, crowds are getting larger and more physical with police. The government says it will not back down from the changes.  

The AZ School for the Deaf and Blind has been around since statehood in 1912. For some unknown reason a state senate committee has not held a hearing to renew the school’s funding. Deadlines are rapidly approaching and without a senate vote, the school that serves 2100 students will not receive needed funding and will probably have to close. Crazy!

Enjoy…

 

Facts…

T-shirts were originally marketed to unmarried men who didn't know how to sew buttons back on collared shirts by themselves. 

More Slang origins…

Hang loose

If you've opted to spend your day taking it easy and relaxing, then you are officially hanging loose.

Beauty in our 50 states…

25. Virginia

Heading into the top half of this list, things get really competitive.Though the beaches here might not be showing up in any Corona ads, the ones in the Hampton Roads are some of the nicest and widest on the Eastern Seaboard, and probably the least-appreciated scenery in the commonwealth. The rolling hills and wine country of Central Virginia are a big part of why they say “Virginia Is for Lovers.” And a trip down Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park might be the best leaf-peeping drive in America.

Historical Events

1765 – Great Britain passed the Quartering Act, which requires the Thirteen Colonies to house British troops.
3rd Amendment to the US Constitution, 1791: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
1924 – The 1921 Women’s Olympiad began in Monte Carlo, the first international women’s sporting event.
1989 – In Prince William Sound in Alaska, the Exxon Valdez spilled 240,000 barrels of crude oil after running aground.
March 24, 2005 – PlayStation Portable released, Video Game Console

Birthdays Today

@95 – Joseph Barbera, co-founded Hanna-Barbera (d. 2006)
84 – Bob Mackie, American fashion designer
@74 – Norman Fell, American actor (d. 1998; bone cancer)
72 – Tommy Hilfiger, American fashion designer, founded the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation
“There are many more important things in life than fashion. But fashion, to me, is part of pop culture. And I’m an art collector. I’m obsessed with art and pop culture. And I say that there is fame, fashion, art, music, and entertainment, including celebrity, that really moves the needle in society.”– Tommy Hilfiger
@70 – Ub Iwerks, animator, co-created Mickey Mouse (d. 1971; heart attack)
@68 – Louie Anderson, American actor, comedian (d. 2022; cancer)
“You have to not worry or doubt or punish yourself. All the worry, doubt, and punishment will not add one second to your life, you know?”– Louie Anderson
@52 – Harry Houdini, Hungarian-Jewish American magician and actor (d. 1926; appendicitis)
“Some say I do it this way, others say I do it that way, but I say I do it the other way.”– Harry Houdini
@50 – Steve McQueen, American actor (d. 1980; heart attack)
50 – Jim Parsons, American actor
49 – Alyson Hannigan, American actress
47 – Peyton Manning, American football player
“The attitude with which we approach the situation can determine our success or failure.”– Peyton Manning
46 – Jessica Chastain, American actress
44 – Lake Bell, Jewish-American actress
@25 – Clyde Barrow, American criminal (d. 1934; shot by cops)

 

  

23 Mar

 

March 2023

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 12 Day 82 \ Ave. Sky Cover 90% \ Visibility 14 miles Flagstaff Today 48° \19°  Wind 7mph \ Gusts 17mph 
Air Quality: moderate \Very Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 249mi \ Nearest Lightning 1362mi
Mar. Averages for Flagstaff: 51° \ 23° \6 Days of moisture
broken cloud with some light rain/snow

Today’s Quote

Weekly Observations

  22-4/8
  Lent
  19-4/16
  National Cherry Blossom Festival Link  
19-25
  American Chocolate Week Link
  National Agriculture Week
  National Animal Poison Prevention Week Link  Link
  National Inhalant and Poisons Awareness Week  Link   Link
  National Poison Prevention Week Link
  National Protocol Officer's Week
  World Folktales & Fables Week
20-26
  Act Happy Week
  International Teach Music Week
  National Fix A Leak Week  Link
  National Fragrance Week Link
  Shakespeare Week Link
  Wellderly Week
  21-27
  International Week of Solidarity with People's Struggling Against Racism &  Discrimination
  22-4/20
  Ramadan

Daily Observations

Atheist Day Link
Chip and Dip Day

Puppy Day
  National Puppy Day  
Link  Link
National Chia Day 
Link
National Tamale Day
Near Miss Day

OK Day 
Link
World Maths Day 
Link

World Meteorological Day

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

The weather can’t decide if it should rain or snow, so we are getting a little of both. Thankfully it is not piling up. However; a little farther south out of Sedona, they are having creek flooding and many neighborhoods are in ‘GO’ mode. They say the flooding should continue until tomorrow morning.

Leupp Public School, on the Navajo rez and part of the Flagstaff School District, had a broken waterline. Porta-potties and bottled water were brought in for students and staff, as the school remained open.  It is now in it’s second day of repair. Parents are asking why the school remained open and if that is policy for all schools in the district. I dealt with broken water lines twice while working on the rez. At Navajo Mountain we had to close the dorm school and take the kids home, then pay for employee lodging in Page for one night…45 miles away. Most just filled their bathtubs with water and dealt with it. At Kaibeto, an outside crew checking soil for contaminants hit a main water line. Our great Facility Crew had it fixed within two hours and school and employees remained safe.

Congratulations to Hosava Kretzmann (Hopi/Navajo) was told by a marathon official that he was the first American and sixth person to cross the finish line at the LA Marathon. He could hardly believe it. It was his first marathon run. He is in his early 20’s.

I was watching CNN when they broke into the broadcast with information on the East High School shooting in Denver. Two administrators were shot by a 17-year-old male student who remains armed and at large.

America responds with thoughts and prayers…again. My parents both graduated from East High back in 1939.

I took my taxes to the tax guy. He’s a little behind. He and his wife went to Vegas a few weeks ago, and upon return, he had a mild case of COVID. His quarantine has been up for a few days and he is glad to be back to work. I told him there was no rush.

Enjoy…

Facts…

Millions of years ago, Earth was covered with giant mushrooms instead of tall trees. 

More Slang origins…

Can you dig it?

Don't worry, nobody's asking you to grab a shovel and dig a hole. Digging something means you understand what's being said.

Beauty in our 50 states…

26. Nevada

Most people know Nevada as “Las Vegas plus the let's-floor-it portion of a road trip to California.” And, yes, the bulk of this state is so dusty and unremarkable that the military used to test nukes here without anyone really caring. But the highlights range from staggering to obscure. Red Rock Canyon, a mere Uber ride from the Vegas Strip, is a jaw-dropping haven of striated limestone and sandstone. The Ruby Valley is a foxy little patch of mountains that'll break up any trip across I-80. The swirling cream-and-crimson rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park look like Dr. Seuss drew them. And of course, there's Lake Tahoe and Death Valley National Park. The bulk of both technically being in California, but, hey, bright side, you made it.

Historical Events

1857 – Elisha Otis’s first elevator is installed at 488 Broadway New York City.
1868 – The University of California was founded in Oakland, California.
1919 – In Milan, Italy, Benito Mussolini founded his Fascist political movement.
1933 – The Reichstag passed the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany.

Birthdays Today

@88 – Roger Bannister, English runner and academic (d. 2018)
“Just because they say it’s impossible doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”– Roger Bannister
@78 – John Bartram, American botanist, explorer (d. 1777)
@75 – Ric Ocasek, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer (d. 2019)
@70ish – Joan Crawford, American film actress (d. 1977; heart attack)
“Be afraid of nothing.”– Joan Crawford
70 – Chaka Khan (Yvette Marie Stevens), singer
69 – Kenneth Cole, American fashion designer, founded Kenneth Cole Productions
“Success has less to do with what we can get ourselves to do and more to do with keeping ourselves from doing what we shouldn’t.”– Kenneth Cole
@65 – Wernher von Braun, German-American physicist, engineer (d. 1977; cancer)
“Science does not have a moral dimension. It is like a knife. If you give it to a surgeon or a murderer, each will use it differently.”– Wernher von Braun
65 – Amanda Plummer, American actress
49 – Randall Park, actor
47 – Michelle Monaghan, American actress
47 – Keri Russell, American actress
“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.”– Keri Russell
34 – Ayesha Curry, Canadian-American chef, author, television personality

 
 

22 Mar

 

22 March 2023

Daily Almanac for Flagstaff
Week 12 Day 81 \ Ave. Sky Cover 95% \ Visibility 1 mile Flagstaff Today 43° \22°  Wind 1mph \ Gusts 3mph 
Air Quality: Fair \Very Low Risk of fire \ Nearest active fire 249mi \ Nearest Lightning 410mi
Mar. Averages for Flagstaff: 51° \ 23° \6 Days of moisture
Snowing

Today’s Quote

Weekly Observations

     22-4/8
     Lent
     19-4/16
     National Cherry Blossom Festival Link  
    19-25
      American Chocolate Week Link
      National Agriculture Week
      National Animal Poison Prevention Week Link  Link
      National Inhalant and Poisons Awareness Week  Link   Link
      National Poison Prevention Week Link
       National Protocol Officer's Week
      World Folktales & Fables Week
      20-26
      Act Happy Week
       International Teach Music Week
       National Fix A Leak Week  Link
       National Fragrance Week Link
       Shakespeare Week Link
        Wellderly Week
      21-27
      International Week of Solidarity with People's Struggling Against

            Racism & Discrimination
      22-4/20
      Ramadan

Daily Observations

  39 And Holding Day  Link  

  American Diabetes Alert Day
As Young As You Feel Day
Bavarian Crepes Day

Goof Off Day
International Balloon Animal Day
International Day of The Seal
National Goof-off Day
Ramadan-4/20
Talk Like William Shatner Day
Tuskegee Airmen Day
World Day for Water
(aka World Water Day)  Link
World Day of Metta

My Sometimes-Long-Winded Thoughts

Hard to believe it is spring…very wet snow falling. Sidewalks and roads are slushy mess. It’s too warm for snow to stick right now.

Tomorrow, I take my tax stuff in. Hoping for the best.

Simon Atebe is always at the White House press conferences. He represents ‘Today’s News Africa’. He is Nigerian and claims to never be called on. First, the headquarters for his organization are in Washington DC. That seems a tad bit odd. Second, I worked with several Nigerians when I was in Tuba. While they did their work well, they always came off to others as ‘brusque’ during conversations or when doing presentations.  I think it is time for the press corps to learn a little about Nigerian social conventions.

Trump has been the only one claiming he will be arrested today. No one know where he got his information. Don’t panic, just let the system work.  

Enjoy…

Facts…

The world's largest wild camel population is in Australia, not in the Middle East or the Sahara Desert. 

More Slang origins…

What's your bag?

We're not talking about luggage. Your bag symbolizes your problems, the mysterious annoyance that's making you so obviously upset.

Beauty in our 50 states…

27. Arkansas

The southeast half of the state isn't much to behold unless you're into swamps, pastures, rice fields, and the same fungible pine forests you'll find in Mississippi and Georgia. Heading north, though, you find hills that conceal caves, creeks, and gullies, and which every so often will reveal a flat slab where you can slouch and soak in a sunset (or, perhaps, soak in a hot spring). The Buffalo River, the first designated national river in the country, remains one of the rare undammed American rivers of any consequence. And the Ouachita Mountains in the southwest amble endlessly, pocked with springs and towns just big enough to support a gas station where you can outfit yourself for a few days of floating or camping.

Historical Events

1622 – Jamestown massacre: Algonquian Indians killed 347 English settlers around Jamestown, Virginia, a third of the colony’s population.
1945 – The Arab League was founded in Cairo, Egypt.
1993 – Intel Corporation shipped the first Pentium chips

Birthdays Today

@97 – Karl Malden (Mladen George Sekulovich), American actor (d. 2009)
93 – Pat Robertson, minister, broadcaster, founded the Christian Broadcasting Network
92 – William Shatner, Canadian actor
“Why does the lizard stick his tongue out? The lizard sticks its tongue out because that’s the way its listening and looking and tasting its environment. It’s its means of appreciating what’s in front of it.”– William Shatner
@91 – Stephen Sondheim, American composer (d. 2021)
@84 – Marcel Marceau, French mime and actor (d. 2007)
”   “ – Marcel Marceau
@80 – Werner Klemperer, German-American actor (d. 2000)
@74 – Chico Marx, American actor, Marx Brother (d. 1961; arteriosclerosis)
“Right now I’d do anything for money. I’d kill somebody for money. I’d kill you for money. Ha haha. Ah, no. You’re my friend. I’d kill you for nothing.– Chico Marx, in The Cocoanuts
76 – James Patterson, American author
75 – Andrew Lloyd Webber, English composer
“Nobody seems to think it’s a good idea to mention mistakes, but I think it’s important to acknowledge the mistakes you’ve made in life because it’s really through those that you learn things. I’ve made hundreds.”– Andrew Lloyd Webber
66 – Stephanie Mills, American actress
64 – Matthew Modine, American actor
@61 – Ross Martin, American actor (d. 1981; cancer)
47 – Reese Witherspoon, American actress
“I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It’s just believing in yourself and your abilities. Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to be a little bit more ambitious? I think the world would change.”– Reese Witherspoon
40 – Constance Wu, actor
34 – Tyler Oakley, American internet celebrity

 
 

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Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
I retired in '06--at the ripe old age of 57. I enjoy blogging, photography, traveling, and living life to it's fullest.