7 Aug

 

Flagstaff Today A°: A° Week 32 Day 219 Wind 7 mph Gusts 16 mph Active Fire: 82 miles away Risk of Fire: Extreme Nearest lightning: 88 miles away Air Quality: Sunshine Aug. Averages: Temps: 79°\50° Moisture: 9 Day

Weekly Observations

International Clown Week: 1-7 Link National Cleanse Your Skin Week: 1-7  Link National Minority Donor Awareness Week: 1-7 Simplify Your Life Week: 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week: 1-7 Link Sturgis Rally: 1-10 Link  International Lace Week: 3-8  National Button Week: 3-9 Link  Nat’l Exercise W/Your Child Week: 3-9 Link  Single Working Women's Week: 3-9

Knights of Columbus Family Week:   3-9 National Farmers' Market Week:  3-9 Link  National Health Center Week: 3-9 Link  Internat’l Assistance Dog Week:  3-9 Link  Stop on Red Week:  3-9 Link  International Psychic Week:  4-8 Link  National Bargain Hunting Week: 4-10  Old Fiddler Days: 4-9 Link Rock for Life Week: 4-7 Link National Hobo Week: 7-9 Link

Daily Observations

India Pale Ale Beer Day Link   Lighthouse Day  Link Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day Link

Professional Speakers Day Purple Heart Day Raspberries & Cream Day U.S. Postal Inspection Service Day

Today’s Quotes                                                             

 

Today’s Memes

 

Thoughts for the day

My kidney doctor’s office called to cancel my quarterly appointment for tomorrow. The Dr. will not be in the office.

All is good here in Flag. Just need some moisture for the parched forest!

Myths from Medieval Times

Waste Did Not Go Straight Into The Street

The myth that Medieval people threw human waste into the street is so widespread that even some teachers repeat it. However, people did not actually do this. Although they did not know that exposure to waste caused disease, they knew that it smelled terrible and polluted the streets.

Medieval towns had strict rules about waste disposal. In 14th-century London, throwing anything out the window would result in a fine equivalent to $142 today. Houses had latrines or buckets that they emptied every day into a river.

Literary Legends…

Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop’s precise and evocative poetry immerses readers in landscapes both external and internal, blending geography with introspection. Her careful attention to detail and subtle emotional depth have set a high standard for poetic craft. Bishop’s influence continues to shape the work of contemporary poets, who admire her restraint and clarity. Her enduring legacy and artistry are celebrated by the Poetry Foundation.

Random Thoughts…

People in 2100 are going to look back at us like we look back at the people who we look at in the early 1900s.

James Madison was on the $5,000 bill.

Cheeto dust has an official name – “cheetle”.

The US Navy diving manual has detailed instructions for escaping a giant clam.

The seven spikes on Lady Liberty’s crown represent the seven continents.

Gatorade was named after the University of Florida’s college football team – the Gators.

Historic Events

Click here for 7 Aug history

Birthdays

83 – Garrison Keillor, American humorist, radio host 79 – B.J. Thomas, American singer 70 – Wayne Knight, American actor 65 – David Duchovny, American actor 59 – Jimmy Wales, American businessman, co-founder of Wikipedia 54 – Rachel York, American actress 47 – Samantha Ronson, English DJ 43 – Abbie Cornish, Australian actress

@88 – Stan Freberg, American puppeteer and voice actor (d. 2015) @85 – Billie Burke, American actress, and singer (d. 1970) @74 – Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, American author, activist (d. 1964)   @41 – Mata Hari, Dutch dancer, and spy (d. 1917; executed)

…The End for today…

           

6 Aug

 

Flagstaff Today 87°: 52° Week 32 Day 218 Wind 6 mph Gusts 9 mph Active Fire: 52 miles away Risk of Fire: Extreme Nearest lightning: 954 miles away Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Aug. Averages: Temps: 79°\50° Moisture: 9 Day

Weekly Observations

International Clown Week: 1-7 Link Nat’l Cleanse Your Skin Week: 1-7  Link Nat’l Minority Donor Awareness Week: 1-7 Simplify Your Life Week: 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week: 1-7 Link Sturgis Rally: 1-10 Link  International Lace Week: 3-8  National Button Week: 3-9 Link  Nat’l Exercise w/ Your Child Week: 3-9 Link  Single Working Women's Week: 3-9

Knights of Columbus Family Week:   3-9 National Farmers' Market Week:  3-9 Link  National Health Center Week: 3-9 Link  Internat’l Assistance Dog Week:  3-9 Link  Stop on Red Week:  3-9 Link  International Psychic Week:  4-8 Link  National Bargain Hunting Week: 4-10  Old Fiddler Days: 4-9 Link Rock for Life Week: 4-7 Link

Daily Observations

Fresh Breath Day Hiroshima Day National Fresh Breath (Halitosis)  Day National Root Beer Float Day  Link

National Social Engineering Day Link Root Beer Float Day Wiggle Your Toes Day

Today’s Quotes                                                             

Today’s Memes

 

Thoughts for the day

This morning, I swept off my deck to rid it of pinecones and pine needles. The deck looks much better now.

The Trump administration has tasked space program with putting a nuclear reactor on the moon. This has been discussed for decades but the US does not have the technology to do it. Years ago, the Soviets put a nuclear reactor in space. It stayed up for about 50 days, the burned up re-entering the earth’s atmosphere, leaving a trail of radioactive junk across Canada that took decades to clean up.

I’m keeping an eye on the Texas legislature. The Dems have left town to prevent a quorum to vote on the new Congressional districts.

oops...a reader of this blog, a BIA colleague discovered an error. The hottest chili is not the habanero. The current record holder, declared in 2023, is Pepper X, at more than 2.69 million SHU.

There have been a record breaking 396 earthquakes 5.0 or higher in the last 30 days. Most have been off the coast of Russia and have caused Tsunami waves around the area. Let’s hope this is not going to continue. The ring of fire has also opened up some new and some long dormant volcanoes.

After a conversation with a friend, I wanted to figure out how much the population Flagstaff has grown since I first came here in 1971. In 1971 there were 26,000 people here. As of Jan. 2025, the population is 76,000. There are times city council still believes we have the 1971 population. The growth has not been ideal.

Myths from Medieval Times

Medieval People Had Access To Clean Water

One of the most common historical myths is that Medieval water was too dirty to drink and that people only drank beer. On the contrary, historical evidence proves that most people drank water.

Water was free and clean, often gathered from rivers and wells. In 1236, construction of water pipes began in London, and soon everyone had access to it. However, since water is tasteless, many people preferred other drinks. Sometimes, Medieval people would flavor water with wine or honey, but religious clergy preferred to have water only.

Literary Legends…

Truman Capote

Truman Capote’s groundbreaking In Cold Blood pioneered the true crime genre, merging meticulous journalistic research with compelling literary style. Capote’s versatility as a writer spanned fiction, nonfiction, and short stories, showcasing his remarkable narrative talent. His innovative approach and captivating storytelling are highlighted by the New York Public Library, which explores the breadth and impact of his career.

Random Thoughts…

A group of Flies is called a Business or Swarm or Cloud.

The world record for the oldest cat ever is held by Creme Puff, who lived for 38 years. She lived from Aug 3rd, 1967 to Aug 6th, 2005.

Johnny Rotten – Real Name: John Lydon

Frank Zappa coined the term “Groupie”.

Raquel Welch – Real Name: Raquel Tejada

The phrase “…as American as apple pie” has only been around since the 1960s.

A group of Angels is called a Host.

Historic Events

Click here for 6 Aug history

Birthdays

60 – David Robinson, American basketball player 55 – M. Night Shyamalan, Indian-American director, screenwriter 53 – Geri Halliwell, English singer, dancer, actress 43 – Adrianne Curry, American model

@91 – Louella Parsons, American gossip columnist (d. 1972) @79 – Robert Mitchum, American actor (d. 1997; lung cancer) @77 – Lucille Ball, American comedic actress and television producer (d. 1989; aortic aneurysm) @73 – Norman Wexler, American screenwriter (d. 1999; heart attack) @73 – Alexander Fleming, Scottish biologist, pharmacologist, botanist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1955;heart attack)   @64 – Susie Taylor, American writer and first African-American Army nurse (d. 1912) @34 – Dutch Schultz (Arthur Simon Flegenheimer), American gangster (d. 1935; shot)

…The End for today…

           

5 Aug

 

Flagstaff Today 86°: 48° Week 32 Day 217 Wind 11 mph Gusts 20 mph Active Fire: 82 miles away Risk of Fire: Extreme Nearest lightning: 603 miles away Air Quality: Fair Sunshine Breezy Aug. Averages: Temps: 79°\50° Moisture: 9 Day

Monthly Observations

Romance Awareness Month Link Rye Month Link Tomboy Tools Month (Pink Tools)

What Will Be Your Legacy Month World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month  Link

Weekly Observations

International Clown Week: 1-7 Link National Cleanse Your Skin Week: 1-7  Link National Minority Donor Awareness Week: 1-7 Simplify Your Life Week: 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week: 1-7 Link Sturgis Rally: 1-10 Link  International Lace Week: 3-8  National Button Week: 3-9 Link  Nat’l Exercise With Your Child Week: 3-9 Link  Single Working Women's Week: 3-9

Knights of Columbus Family Week:   3-9 National Farmers' Market Week:  3-9 Link  National Health Center Week: 3-9 Link  International Assistance Dog Week:  3-9 Link  Stop on Red Week:  3-9 Link  International Psychic Week:  4-8 Link  National Bargain Hunting Week: 4-10  Old Fiddler Days: 4-9 Link Rock for Life Week: 4-7 Link

Daily Observations

Chile Pepper Day Dolly Parton Day  Link National Oyster Day  National Electric Traffic Light Day  Link

National Night Out Link   National Underwear Day Link Oyster Day Underwear Day Work Like a Dog Day

Today’s Quotes                                                             

Today’s Memes

 

Thoughts for the day

I started the new week with an oil change for my vehicle. I also needed a couple of filters. They said it would be 45 minutes, but it was less than 30 minutes. All good.

The weather is a bit windy today, hoping it beings back the monsoon.

The North Rim Dragon Bravo fire has already cost $34.4 million, and the cost continues to rise as the devastation continues.

Myths from Medieval Times

The Dark Ages Weren't So Dark

The long period in between Ancient Rome and the Renaissance, which included the medieval period, is often seen as an era that was bereft of culture. While there was some element of cultural decline, this doesn't tell the whole story.

Great works of literature from luminaries such as Chaucer were created during the medieval period, contributing to the rich storytelling tradition of the time. Meanwhile, artistic achievements combined with practical advancements to create intricate metalwork and Romanesque architecture.

Literary Legends…

Flannery O'Connor Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Flannery O'Connor’s Southern Gothic stories masterfully expose the grotesque, spiritual, and redemptive elements lurking within the everyday. Her sharp wit and distinctive voice have made works like A Good Man Is Hard to Find enduring classics in American literature. O'Connor’s profound influence on fiction is carefully preserved and celebrated by the Flannery O’Connor-Andalusia Foundation.

Random Thoughts…

Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine.

Notice the big letter on the face of the dollar bill? Each letter represents which Federal Reserve Bank printed it! “G” is for Chicago

Procrastination is a dish best served eventually.

The hottest chile in the world is the habanero.

Historic Events

Click here for 5 Aug history

Birthdays

78 – Rick Derringer, American singer-songwriter (Hang on Sloopy) 63 – Patrick Ewing, Jamaican-American basketball player 59 – James Gunn, American director, producer, screenwriter 36 – Jessica Nigri, American model and cosplayer

@85 – Reginald Owen, English-American actor, singer (d. 1972) @84 – Don Matheson, American actor (d. 2014) @84 – Conrad Aiken, American novelist, short story writer, critic, poet (d. 1973) @83 – John Saxon, American character actor (d. 2020) @82 – Neil Armstrong, American astronaut (d. 2012) @82 – Gertrude Rush, American lawyer, jurist (d. 1962) @79 – Loni Anderson, American actress (d. 2025) @67 – Bob Clark, American director, producer, screenwriter (d. 2007; car crash)

…The End for today…