What Was That? !!!

   Search as long and hard as you can.
There's little chance you'll spot the
Honoree of today's holiday in the
cold waters of the Susquehanna river!
   Today is Manatee Appreciation
Day!
   Manatees are large marine mammals
that migrate coastal waters between
Florida and as far north as Virginia
each year. As far as I know they have
never swum up to Wilkes-Barre.
   We got a close up look a some of
them when we visited Florida last
year. In short, we had to migrate to
see them!
    There are only an estimated 3,200
of the animals left in the U.S. these
days. They've got no natural enemies,
but they've lost much of their habitat
to coastal development.
    Back in the days when sailors
actually used sails to cruise the seas
Manatees were sometimes thought
to be Mermaids!
    I found that a bit hard to understand
until I remembered that those old
sailors were often treated to rations
of Rum every day!
    No wonder so many spotted
Mermaids and Sea Monsters back
then!
    I'm not exactly sure how we're
suppose to celebrate Manatee
Appreciation Day. Perhaps we can
raise a glass of Rum to the creatures
and have a toast!
    Come to think of it, even if we're
not in Florida, with enough Rum we
should be able to see them anyway!
    Hope you see one (there or here)
and that all your NEWS is good!