On this day my father would have turned 86 and it would have been a fine party. Unfortunately he died three decades ago in 1993 and so went much too young. I do have two old photos of him taken the year before I was born that I had never before seen. Not sure what … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Dad, I miss you so much
On This Day
Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts…
April 24, 1184 B.C. is the traditional date assigned as the delivery of the Trojan Horse. Hopefully you know the traditional tale and learned all about this in either your history or literature classes or both. After a protracted and unsuccessful siege of the city of Troy, the Greeks attacking it seemed one morning to … Continue reading Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts…
A Tour of the “Ma” Barker House
Tucked away in a clearing of the forest at the Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area is a local Marion County gem that is hard to find and not very well known. It is known as the Bradford-Barker House and was the center of the longest shootout in FBI history. Want to know more? So … Continue reading A Tour of the “Ma” Barker House
A Triple Throwback Thursday salute to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Yes, I know it is Wednesday, give me a minute to explain One of my favorite performing venues in the world is the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. I was part of a terrific team of people who opened the theater thirty two years ago today (November 3, 1989). To celebrate that … Continue reading A Triple Throwback Thursday salute to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Seventy Years of Loving Lucy
On this date in 1951 CBS broadcasted the very first episode of "I Love Lucy" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. I can't claim to have been around to watch the premiere but I saw endless replays of the series and subsequent spin offs when I was growing up. As dated as some of the … Continue reading Seventy Years of Loving Lucy
A special happy birthday to Mom!
Today is my mother's birthday and I've celebrated it on previous years in this blog. Mom is notoriously camera shy so I used photos from her graduation and wedding when she was required to pose. Once I even used a photo where she was wearing a helmet on the back of my motorcycle. But for … Continue reading A special happy birthday to Mom!
Today is World UFO Day
Today is the anniversary of the famous/infamous Roswell Incident in 1947. If you are not aware of the Roswell Incident, good for you, and what rock have you been living under? You can find the story related everywhere online and started this small industry and tourism attraction. The US Air Force has been denying it … Continue reading Today is World UFO Day
Welcome to Juneteenth, the newest Federal Holiday!
Last year on this date I advocated turning this traditional holiday into a Federal Holiday and clearly Joe Biden was listening to me. Rather than printing the background information again this year you can go to it by clicking here. https://walterthinnes.blog/2020/06/19/happy-juneteenth-and-a-note-about-federal-holidays/ I'm very pleased that things have changed enough to make this happen and hope … Continue reading Welcome to Juneteenth, the newest Federal Holiday!
A Tribute to Dorothy Parker
Today, June 7, 2021, is the 54th anniversary of the death of one of my favorite authors, Dorothy Parker. Most people who know Dorothy Parker know her for her witty bon mots - you've probably heard her most famous - "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses." One even addressed her eventual demise. … Continue reading A Tribute to Dorothy Parker
Happy 100th Patience and Fortitude
One of my favorite buildings in New York is the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building which serves as the primary New York City Library Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street next to Bryant Park. I have spent many happy hours writing there in the astonishing Rose Reading Room. And every time I visit, Patience and … Continue reading Happy 100th Patience and Fortitude
Mom and Socks
In the US today it is Mother's Day (remember last week I reminded you to get your card in the mail and your gift ordered?). Hope you did and that all moms have a terrific day today. The exact date of Mother's Day shifts about the calendar as dictated by the Great Hallmark in the … Continue reading Mom and Socks
Beware the Ides of March
The story of the assassination of Julius Caesar is familiar worldwide as it has been featured in art and plays and popular culture in the ensuing two millennia since it happened. It is part of the collective history most of us know. But I have a question I have never seen answered. Roman historian Suetonius … Continue reading Beware the Ides of March
Merry Christmas 2020
Merry Christmas. May you and your family celebrate this very special day in the spirit of the season and not in gutter this year has become. May we find a better 2021. We need it more than ever. Merry Christmas. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Winter Solstice 2020
Our ancestors were not distracted by streaming services and smart phones. They were much more focused on natural phenomenons. They charted stars and measured closely the rising and setting sun. Before they understood the tilting of the earth on its axis they knew. The winter solstice was the longest night and shortest day of the … Continue reading Winter Solstice 2020
The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
2020 has been a pretty horrific year. Hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, cities and live audience events shut down and economic stresses not seen in decades. And yet, I have found one significant bright spot in this most difficult of times. SantaCon has been cancelled. If you are not aware, this misguided event is … Continue reading The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
I still miss John Lennon
Forty years ago today John Lennon was shot as he returned to his home at The Dakota building in Manhattan as he returned from a recording session. It is a loss I still feel strongly today. John's focus on peace, love and unity were cruelly taken away from the world. Today my playlist will be … Continue reading I still miss John Lennon
November 22, 1963
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy shocked the nation and quickly led to a conspiracy industry that still thrives today. To mark the occasion I have read three disparate books over the last few months and offer quick mini-reviews of each. Sinatra and the Jack Pack by Michael Sheridan is a breezy read of … Continue reading November 22, 1963
Friday the 13th 2020
Today is Friday, November 13, 2020. A Friday the 13th in 2020. I'm not superstitious. Nope, not me. After all, the 13th day of a month falling on a Friday is a statistically normal phenomenon. It happens two or three times each year. It is just a coincidence, not an omen. 2020 has already had … Continue reading Friday the 13th 2020
V O T E
Today, November 3, 2020, is Election Day. If you do not vote you are not permitted to complain about the results for the next four years. If I am not mistaken this is a federal law. Hopefully one day our government will treat this day with the respect it deserves and make it a federal … Continue reading V O T E
On this Date 1956: Pan Am Flight #6
My brain is full of useless information. Sometimes I find more utterly trivial stories to add to the pile. On October 16, 1956 there was an astounding water landing in the Pacific Ocean that made headlines because it was the first forced water ditching where all crew and passengers survived. It was Pan Am Flight … Continue reading On this Date 1956: Pan Am Flight #6
On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On October 14, 1935, a dedication ceremony was held for the brand new Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. It turns 85 years young today and looks amazing for its age! Nestled on a ridge between Inwood and Hudson Heights it has stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. It is home … Continue reading On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
In 1975, 45 years ago, NBC broadcast the first episode of what has become a comedy and music standard - Saturday Night Live. It has been good and it has been bad, it has never stopped experimenting. It has introduced legions of new comedians and showcased classic music groups. It has had iconic moments and … Continue reading On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
If he had not been taken from from us senselessly and far too early, John Lennon would today celebrate his 80th birthday. I would love to have heard his take on the last forty years and especially the last four years. When I was growing up we often classified ourselves as either Rolling Stones or … Continue reading John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
On This Day: Performer Birthday Bonanza
Sometimes the stars align for surprising coincidences. If you are an aspiring actor and you birthday is today, you are in good company. Take a quick look at the number of birthdays today: 1944 - Michael Douglas1951 - Mark Hamill1952 - Christopher Reeve1968 - Will Smith1969 - Catherine Zeta-Jones1983 - Donald Glover Happy Birthday to … Continue reading On This Day: Performer Birthday Bonanza
Autumnal Equinox 2020
This post is being uploaded at the exact moment of the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, Eastern coast of the United States: September 22, 2020 at 9:30 AM. At this moment the sun is directly over the equator. Day and night are the exact same length. Summer departs and fall begins. Life hangs perfectly … Continue reading Autumnal Equinox 2020
Walter Thinnes 
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