Yep, it's that day again. Happy Birthday Mom! She's looking great, here's a recent picture of her. Perhaps "recent" is a relative term and she is certainly my closest relative! Actually a more recent and more fun picture of us together came a couple of years ago when I traveled to Florida to celebrate her … Continue reading Very Special Birthday Wishes to my Mother!
Month: August 2020
Footnotes #25 – the final one!
Today marks the one year anniversary of when I went into surgery to address Severe Septic Shock brought on when a wound on my broken ankle was infected with an antibiotic resistant pathogen. I would have two more surgeries in the next eight days as the surgeons struggled to keep me alive. Since I am … Continue reading Footnotes #25 – the final one!
Throwback Thursday #1
Many blogs use this topic and I am joining them. I promise you that I will not use it every Thursday, but from time to time as I find some old photos as I dig through things, I'll dump them here. These photos are from when I was in my 20's and doing magic shows … Continue reading Throwback Thursday #1
On This Date: Bad Times for Rome
In 79 C.E. the volcano Vesuvius blew its top and covered the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, capturing many of their citizens in flight and preserving details of Roman life indelibly for millennia. Excavations began in the 1800s and are continuing even now. Because contemporaneous accounts seldom dwell on everyday life we have leaned much … Continue reading On This Date: Bad Times for Rome
National Sponge Cake Day and a disappointment
Of course, I knew that the sponges used since antiquity were harvested from the sea and had unique properties to absorb and hold water, helping for millennia to clean up around the house. And, of course, I knew that when humans were able to create artificial sponges using polyester and polyurethane, cleaning duties became much … Continue reading National Sponge Cake Day and a disappointment
Mask Huffing
In New York City most people wear masks. Just yesterday I passed a New York street yelling match of one aggrieved non-mask wearer being heckled by others with covered mouths. His uncovered mouth was spewing very foul words and, who knows, maybe some virus to boot. The New York Times had a very interesting street … Continue reading Mask Huffing
On This Date – Artillery Added to Orchestras
Pyotr Tchaikovsky was a talented and innovative composer who looked at the orchestra talent list and said, and I quote, "Hmm, we have strings and woodwinds and brass and percussion. I will add artillery." And so cannons found their way onto stage when he premiered his 1812 Overture on August 20, 1882. It has long … Continue reading On This Date – Artillery Added to Orchestras
National Fajita Day and a Recipe to try at home!
We often imagine those sizzling fajita platters being carried through your favorite Mexican restaurant but with the limited dining options because of the pandemic, consider serving it at home with the recipe below. I recently tried it out myself and it went really well. ===============BEEF FAJITAS INGREDIENTS: MEAT and MARINADE 1/4 cup fresh lime juice4 … Continue reading National Fajita Day and a Recipe to try at home!
Good and Bad for the Reds so far…
My Cincinnati Reds aren't out of it yet. That's the good news. In this shortened season they are 9-11 and about a third of the way through. Translated to a regular season they would be about 24-30 at the end of May. They need to pick it up but just had the weekend games postponed … Continue reading Good and Bad for the Reds so far…
National Roller Coaster Day
We celebrate this national day because on this date in 1898 Edwin Prescott filed a patent for his new roller coaster ride. It is fortuitous that it coincides with Northern Hemisphere Summer when amusement parks welcome roller coaster enthusiasts. The ride quickly became a sensation but was necessarily constructed mostly of wood in the early … Continue reading National Roller Coaster Day
On This Day – Rock and Roll milestones
Quite a special day in the history of rock and roll as in 1965 the Beatles played before 60,000 people in Shea Stadium in New York City, essentially launching stadium style concerts. And on August 15, 1969 was the first day of the Woodstock Music Festival in Bethel, New York. While music festivals had been … Continue reading On This Day – Rock and Roll milestones
International Left Handers Day
Left Handers make up a relatively small percentage of people but they are always very happy to list famous and talented left handers for you. One of my favorite people is a left hander and I'm pretty sure she'll give me a big smile and a kiss for bringing this day to your attention. If … Continue reading International Left Handers Day
National Presidential Joke Day
Today's National Day is celebrated because of President Ronald Reagan's joke during a sound check (on August 11, 1984) when he said “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” Some were amused, others were outraged but sound check chatter … Continue reading National Presidential Joke Day
National Veep Day
We mark National Veep Day today as we observe the anniversary in 1974 when the last time a US Vice President got promoted because of Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution. Yes, when Gerald Ford took over after Richard Nixon resigned. It was the ninth time it has happened in our country, … Continue reading National Veep Day
National Frozen Custard Day
For those unaware, Frozen Custard is enhanced soft serve ice cream. By adding egg yolks to the recipe it becomes smoother, keeps colder, and for my money is far tastier. Today's national day comes with a dollop of an embarrassing story about me. I lived in Pittsburgh for just two years, but enjoyed it very … Continue reading National Frozen Custard Day
National Fresh Breath Day
Today's national day highlighting oral hygiene takes on an entirely different focus since we are all adorned with masks to battle the coronavirus. All of you are finally trapped into smelling the bad breath you formerly shared with all of us. Hopefully you will learn your lesson by the time we can ditch the masks … Continue reading National Fresh Breath Day
National Underwear Day
Let me say right away that I am in favor of underwear. You should also remember what your mother often told you. Always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident. This is because of triage (from the Latin for "look under the toga"). Emergency Room personnel will always confirm the cleanliness of … Continue reading National Underwear Day
International Peace Month
August is International Peace Month. I think we can all get behind this. I mean, who doesn't wish for World Peace? Or, however you spell it, I call for World Peas. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
National Farmer’s Market Week
The first full week of August is National Farmer's Market Week. If you have one in your area it is a good idea to shop there. The produce is locally produced, fresh, often organic and pesticide free. You are helping to support your local economy instead of big agribusiness and you reduce your carbon footprint … Continue reading National Farmer’s Market Week
National Sisters’ Day
Today is a special day for every sister. I can't directly understand the special bond that sisters have as I am not a sister. But I have a sister and she's pretty special. And the wonderful thing is that a sister's bond is forever. So if you are a sister, especially a sister with a … Continue reading National Sisters’ Day
International Clown Week
Today is the first day of International Clown Week. First, there were circus clowns, and then kiddie clowns, and then television kiddie clowns, and then fast food clowns, and then scary movie clowns, and then just weird clowns and eventually a whole posse of them. I don't know about you but I've been seeing more … Continue reading International Clown Week
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