May 22

FYI: Any Blue text is a link. Click to check it out!

May 22, 2020 Week: 20 Day: 143

86004: H 68° \ L 32° \ Average Sky Cover: 5%

Wind: 5mph\Gusts: 6mph Visibility: 10 mi

Nearest lightning: 734mi.; Nearest active fire: 212mi.

Extreme Risk of Fire

Record High: 85°[1984] Record Low: 21°[1972]

May Averages: 68°\34° (3 days with moisture)

Today’s Quote

"Spread love everywhere you go.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa

Random Tidbits

Franklin Roosevelt used the IRS to harass newspaper publishers who were opposed to his plans for the New Deal. The former president also used the IRS on political rivals and prominent Republicans, including an IRS audit of illegal campaign contributions made by a government contractor to congressman and future president Lyndon B. Johnson.

Have a smile

A friend sent these to me

"My copywriter discovered virtual backgrounds on Zoom for the first time and spent the entire meeting virtually touring all around the world without realizing all of us were crazily distracted by his 'trip.'"

Observations This Week

Ramadan: 23-5/23

Cannes Film Festival: 12-23 Cancelled due to COVID-19
National Safe Boating Week: 16-22 
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week: 17-23  Link
International Heritage Breeds Week: 17-23 Link  
National Eosinophil Awareness Week: 17-23  Link  
National Medical Transcription Week: 17-23  Link
International New Friends, Old Friends Week: 17-23
National Unicycle Week: 17-23
World Trade Week: 17-23 
National Bike to Work Week: 18-22 Link Moved to September 21-27 due to COVID-19
National Tire Safety Week:  18-24 Link  
Fleet Week (NY): 20-26
National Polka Weekend: 22-24 Cancelled due to COVID-19

Observations for Today

Buy a Musical Instrument Day

Canadian Immigrants Day
Don't Fry Day Link
Harvey Milk Day
International Day for Biological DiversityNational Cooler Day Link
National Craft Distillery Day Link
National Road Trip Day Link
National Title Track Day
National Maritime Day
National Wig Out DayNF2 Awareness Day Link
Sherlock Holmes Day Link
US Colored Troops DayNational Vanilla Pudding Day

World Goth Day Link
World Paloma Day Link

My Rambling Thoughts

Spring weather has returned and I was out for a nice walk.

NAU has announced big cuts due to an expected 25% decrease in enrollment this fall. The cuts will come to faculty and teaching staff. Interestingly, the University President blames the decrease on demographic changes, shifting attitudes about a college degree, declining number of high school grads and stated that COVID19 has only worsened the bad situation. There has also been a dramatic decrease in the number of foreign students coming to the US, and to NAU. It will be interesting to see if NAU now tries to build some cooperation with the city of Flagstaff.

While Trump warns against mail-in-voting, it should be noted that he voted by mail twice since becoming President, once in NY and once in FL. Hmmmm

While the Navajo Nation has been hit hard by COVID19, there has also been 1000 Navajo who have recovered. That is good news.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of the page

A group of campers have been on vacation so long, that they've forgotten the day of the week. The following conversation ensues.

Darryl: What's the day? I don't think it is Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Tracy: Well that doesn't narrow it down much. Yesterday was Sunday.

Melissa: Yesterday wasn't Sunday, tomorrow is Sunday.

Ben: The day after tomorrow is Saturday.

Adrienne: The day before yesterday was Thursday.

Susie: Tomorrow is Saturday.

David: I know that the day after tomorrow is not Friday.

If only one person's statement is true, what day of the week is it?

Historical Events

1455 - England's War of the Roses began when the Yorkists defeated King Henry VI's Lancastrian forces at St. Albans.

1849 - Abraham Lincoln was issued a patent (#6,469) for "buoying boats over shoals".

1906 - Orville and Wilbur Wright were granted a patent (#821,393) for their system of flight control.

1960 (Earthquake) Magnitude 9.5 in Chile killed 5,000 and left 2,000,000 homeless.

1961 1st revolving restaurant (Top Of The Needle in Seattle) opens

1964 LBJ presents "Great Society"

1977 Final European scheduled run of the Orient Express (after 94 years)

1990 North & South Yemen merge to form Republic of Yemen

1990 - Microsoft Windows 3.0 was released.

1992 - Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for the last time

2002 American civil rights movement: a jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank

Cherry of the 1963 murders of four girls in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church

2010 Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus' remains are reburied in Frombork Cathedral, Poland after a 200 year search for his tomb

2016 US President Barack Obama arrives in Vietman for a 3 day tour

2019 Washington State becomes the 1st US state to legalize composting human bodies

Birthdays Today

@93-Actor Christopher Lee (d. 2015)

86-Conductor Peter Nero

@82-Actor Laurence Olivier (d. 1989)

@71-Author Arthur Conan Doyle (d. 1930)

70-Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin

41-Actor Maggie Quigley

50-Model Naomi Campbell

Puzzle Answer:

It is Wednesday. If it was any other day of the week, more than one statement would be true. To solve the riddle, evaluate each person's statement and write down what day it could be according to the statement. David's statement indicates it could be any day of the week except for Wednesday. When you list the days that it could be according to everyone's statement, it turns out Wednesday is the day mentioned only one time. Darryl: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Tracy: Monday Melissa: Saturday Ben: Thursday Adrienne: Saturday Susie: Friday David: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday

May 21

FYI: Any Blue text is a link. Click to check it out!

May 21, 2020 Week: 20 Day: 142

86004: H 59° \ L 29° \ Average Sky Cover: 5%

Wind: 1mph\Gusts: 4mph Visibility: 10 mi

Nearest lightning: 183mi.; Nearest active fire: 346mi.

High Risk of Fire

Record High: 82°[2002] Record Low: 21°[1974]

May Averages: 68°\34° (3 days with moisture)

Today’s Quote

"Do not go where the path may lead,

go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Random Tidbits

What is the capital of Switzerland?

Since the United Nations' European headquarters are in Geneva, most people assume that it must be the capital of Switzerland. Or, they guess Zürich, the most populated city in the country.

But the honor instead belongs to the city of Bern. Bern is located on the Aare River. It's the fifth-largest city in the country and offers just as much beauty as the rest of Switzerland.

The quaint, European village-style buildings that most people think of when they dream of Switzerland can be found throughout Bern. Consider visiting in the winter, when Bern looks like a Christmas village in the North Pole itself.

Have a smile

A friend sent these to me

Question: What's the fastest liquid on earth?

Milk. It's pasteurized (Past Your Eyes) before you see it.

Observations This Week

Ramadan: 23-5/23

Cannes Film Festival: 12-23 Cancelled due to COVID-19
National Foul Ball Week: 16-21
National Safe Boating Week: 16-22 
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week: 17-23  Link
International Heritage Breeds Week: 17-23 Link  
National Eosinophil Awareness Week: 17-23  Link  
National Medical Transcription Week: 17-23  Link
International New Friends, Old Friends Week: 17-23
National Unicycle Week: 17-23
World Trade Week: 17-23 
National Bike to Work Week: 18-22 Link Moved to September 21-27 due to COVID-19
National Tire Safety Week:  18-24 Link  
Fleet Week (NY): 20-26

Observations for Today

American Red Cross Founder's DayEat More Fruits & Vegetables Day
EMSC (Emergency Medical Services) Day Link
End of the World or Rapture Party Day (Prediction) Link
I Need A Patch For That DayNational Memo Day

National Strawberries and Cream Day

National Waiters and Waitresses Day

Sister Maria Hummel Day
Stop The Bleed Day Link
Talk Like Yoda Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development

My Rambling Thoughts

All that wind yesterday brought in a much cooler day. Keep waiting for it to warm up so I can walk, but it ain't happening. For the past week + I've been in shorts and T-shirts. Today it's long pants and a long sleeved shirt. This too will pass.

Flagstaff had a ½ acre wildfire in town, pushed by our high winds yesterday. FFD had it quickly under control...thank goodness.

Latest news:

The trikini will be hot this season...it it a bikini with matching facial mask.

Mark your calendar: Octembuary 54 will be the last day you have to wear mask when you are out and about.

Weather plays havoc:

A dam failed and sent 9'of water into the Michigan town. Evacuations were made difficult due to the stay-at-home orders. Dthe midwestern US is expecting more flooding. So sad

Trump is ending the Emergency National Guard deployment on June 24. Sounds like good news, until we learn that June 24 is the 89^th day of the deployment. Turns out, on day 90 of an Emergency Deployment, National Guard troops become eligible for higher retirement benefits and education benefits. So sad, and so sleazy.

For the first time in over 40 years, the unveiling of the new Presidential Portrait is not on the White House Calendar of Events. Obama's portrait is ready, but the Trump administration has yet to set a date for it's unveiling. So petty.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of the page

There is an apple tree on a cliff.

If the wind is blowing 10mph East, where would the apple fall?

Historical Events

1863 - Organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan.

1955 - George B. Hansburg of Walker Valley, N.Y. was issued a patent (#2,793,036) for his invention of an improved pogo stick.

1975 - Carol Burnett was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1980 - President Jimmy Carter declared a state of emergency at Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York - a toxic dumping site for Hooker Chemicals and Plastics.

1992 - Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show for the last time.

1999- All My Children actress Susan Lucci finally received an Emmy award for her role as Erica Kane. She had been previously nominated a record 18 times with no win.

2005 - The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

2014 Russian President Putin signs agreements with China in Beijing in relation to trade and infrastructure

2017 Barnum & Bailey Circus performs for the last time at the Nassau Coliseum in NYC after 146 years

2018 US Justice Department says it is expanding its internal investigation into whether FBI infiltrated Donald Trump's 2016 campaign

2019 Protests across American cities defending abortion rights after several US states pass new abortion laws

Birthdays Today

@93-Actor Shalom Sam Jaffe (d. 1984)

@73-Actor Raymond Burr (d.1993; renal cancer)

68-Actor Mr T [Lawrence Tureaud]

63-Actor Judge Reinhold

61-Actor/Director Nick Cassavetes

@39-Musician Thomas Wright Fats Waller (d. 1943; pneumonia)

Puzzle Answer:

Down

May 20

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May 20, 2020 Week: 20 Day: 141

86004: H 70° \ L 30° \ Average Sky Cover: 5%

Wind: 15mph\Gusts: 40mph Visibility: 10 mi

Nearest lightning: 389mi.; Nearest active fire: 97mi.

Extreme Risk of Fire

Red Flag Warning

Record High: 84°[2008] Record Low: 18°[1899]

May Averages: 68°\34° (3 days with moisture)

Today’s Quote

"It is during our darkest moments

that we must focus to see the light."

-Aristotle

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too."

-Anne Frank

Random Tidbits

What is the capital of Brazil?

Many guess that Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Brazil. Those people, unfortunately, are incorrect. The capital is found about 720 miles to the southwest. Brasilia is the capital of the largest country in South America.

This city is home to almost 3 million residents and has a tropical savannah climate with high humidity. If you visit, you'll want to check out the Cathedral of Brasilia, a Roman Catholic cathedral that looks more like a state-of-the-art museum in New York City than any a place of worship. The Chapada dos Veadeiros is a renowned national park with numerous waterfalls and opportunities to see wildlife. You can also visit the Poço Azul, or "Blue Pool," a natural wonder formed from quartz that is a popular snorkeling location.

Have a smile

A friend sent these to me

My dog chases people on a bike a lot.

If this continues Ii'll have to take his bike away.

The official mascot of 2020 is the raccoon.

Washes hands incessantly

Always wears a mask

Observations This Week

Ramadan: 23-5/23

Cannes Film Festival: 12-23 Cancelled due to COVID-19
National Foul Ball Week: 16-21
National Safe Boating Week: 16-22 
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week: 17-23  Link
International Heritage Breeds Week: 17-23 Link  
National Eosinophil Awareness Week: 17-23  Link  
National Medical Transcription Week: 17-23  Link
International New Friends, Old Friends Week: 17-23
National Unicycle Week: 17-23
World Trade Week: 17-23 
National Bike to Work Week: 18-22 Link Moved to September 21-27 due to COVID-19
National Tire Safety Week:  18-24 Link  
Fleet Week (NY): 20-26

Observations for Today

Be a Millionaire Day

Eliza Doolittle Day
Emergency Medical Services for Children Day  Link 
Everybody Draw Mohammed Day Link
National Employee Health & Fitness Day Link
National Juice Slush Day Link
National Quiche Lorraine Day

National Rescue Dog Day  Link
Pick Strawberries Day

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day  
Weights & Measures DayWorld Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day Link
World Bee Day Link

My Rambling Thoughts

Wind is blowing. Wind is really blowing. I'm staying inside as 30-40mph wind is no time to be outside...for any reason. I haven't put out my deck furniture yet, thank goodness.

Remember 'checks and balances' from civics class...Thanks Ms. Ruth Steinmeyer for teaching me. Who allowed our current President to have this much power? Power to stop WHO funding on an thought he had? Power to fire 4 Inspector Generals in various positions with no repercussions until November elections. I know he has the power to fire those in his cabinet, but this has gone way too far.

I get that 'distraction' is the name of the game for the Trump Administration. I can still giggle when Eric Trump gives a speech about how this stay-at-home thing and masks are all a Democrat plot that will continue until Election Day, then will 'magically disappear'. He is one of the best stand up comedians in the entire administration.

Today’s Puzzle

Answer at the bottom of the page

A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?

Historical Events

1873 - Levi Strauss and Jacob W Davis patented (#139,121) copper-riveted jeans, designed to help prevent tears in the fabric.

1883 - Krakatoa began to erupt; the volcano exploding three months later, killing more than 36,000 people.

1899 - The American Physical Society was founded at Columbia University.

1901 - Claude Grivolas patented (French) a projector for three-dimensional (stereoscopic) movies viewed wearing spectacles with one red and one blue lens.

1916 - The Saturday Evening Post published its first cover with a Norman Rockwell painting - 'Boy with Baby Carriage'.

1927 - US aviator Charles A. Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, on the world's first solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean (New York to Paris.)

1949 - The Armed Forces Security Agency, the predecessor to the National Security Agency (NSA), was established.

1957 - Pilot Milton Torres was ordered to intercept a UFO over East Anglia, UK

1983 - First publication of the discovery of the HIV virus that causes AIDS in the journal Science by Luc Montagnier.

1993 - 80 million people watched the series finale of Cheers on NBC

1993 10m meteor comes within 150,000 km of Earth (1993KA)

1996 UN and Iraq agree to Resolution 986, which provides Iraq with the opportunity to sell $1 billion of oil for 90 days for a 180-day trial period; proceeds from the sale would be used for humanitarian purposes

1997 US President Clinton signs an executive order barring new US investment in Burma (also known as Myanmar), effective May 21 and renewable annually

2002 The independence of East Timor is recognized by Portugal, formally ending 23 years of Indonesian rule and 3 years of provisional UN administration (Portugal itself was the former colonizer of East Timor until 1976)

2013 Yahoo purchases Tumbler for $1.1 Billion

2013 The Church of Scotland votes to allow openly gay men and women to be ministers

2015 5 major world banks (JPMorgan, Barclays, Citigroup, RBS and UBS) fined US$5.7bn for manipulating currency markets - some of the largest ever fines

2017 US President Donald Trump begins his 1st foreign trip arriving in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2019 Google stops support for Huawei's Android system in an escalation of the tech war between US and China

Birthdays Today

@89-Actor James 'Jimmy' Stewart (d. 1997)

74-Entertainer Cher [Cherilyn Sarkisian]

@70-Singer Joe Cocker (d. 2014; lung cancer)

54-Actor Mindy Cohn [voice on Scooby-Doo:Velma]

52-Actor, producer Timothy Olyphant

@38-Singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (d. 1997; hyper-obese)

Puzzle Answer:

None. A pear tree does not bear plums.