Saturday, April 27, 2024

TIME FOR A RHYME!

    SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024

           TIME FOR A RHYME!

    This is "Poem In Your Pocket Day!"

April is National Poetry Month and each

year one day during the month is picked

as Poem In Your Pocket Day. It's a day

to encourage poetry reading and to share

pomes in person or on line. In honor of

the day I've decided to get serious and

share one of my pomes as part of my

Blog. I've written a number of poems.

Tow have been turned into songs and

I won a poetry contest aboard a train

in Canada a few years back. Today I'd

like to share a poem I call "The Stories

My Picture Tell." Here it is:

   The Stories My Pictures Tell

   I find myself looking at photos

   of times that I call "used-to-bes."

   They carry me back to days now long gone.

   And revive loving memories.

   Some that I see show small children.

   That now stand much tallen that I.

   Some are of family no longer around

   that may well bring a tear to my eye.

   All make a treasure more precious than gold. 

   But don't lock it away in some case!

   They're meant to be shared and meant to be seen

   So those memories cannot be erased.

    Take new ones whenever the chance comes along.

    So that someday when "this time" is old,

    Others may look at the memories you've shared,

    And learn from the stories you've told.   

    My photos will be here long after I'm gone.

    Please look at them once in awhile.  

    Remember the Love that went into each one.

    Then remember me too, with a smile!     


    If that's too calm for you keep in mind I'm

also the guy who wrote:  "Little Birdie in the

cage. How I wonder what your age.......is."

I call that blank verse. Enjoy Poem In Your

Pocket Day and may all your NEWS be good!

Thursday, April 25, 2024

TWIST AND SHAKE!

    TWIST AND SHAKE!

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024

        No! This is not a new dance!

It's April 26th and I had to make

a decision. You see I found two

unusual "holidays" listed for this date.

Rather than skipping one I found a way

to observe both. I'll give each one a

theme song! For the first I've selected

Chubby Checker's "The Ewist!" You

see it's National Pretzel Day amd who

hasen't enjoyed one of those double

twisted hard pretzels at one time or 

another. The first were baked right

here in Pennsylvania by Julius Sturgis!

We'll kick off our second holiday 

observation with Elvis's "All Shook Up."

April 26th is also "Richter Scale Day!"

It marks the birthday, in 1900, of Charles

Richter, the man wgo invented the scale

by which the strength of earthquakes

are measured! Which ever, if either,

you are observing, I hope you're well

and that all your NEWS is good!

 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

THEY'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER!

      THURSDAY, APRIL 25,2024

  THEY'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER!

  Yesterday I told you about the first

family to make a cross country car

trip from California to New York  It

was 1908 so there's a good chance

they had a license plate on their

Packard even if they were from

California. New York was the first

State to require license numbers on

cars. As a matter of fact it happened

on this very date in 1901! But while 

the State required license numbers, it 

did not provide the license plates! That

was up to the car owners! Some painted their

numbers on pieces of wood or even

on the side of their vehicle! Imagine

how that system would work in

Pennsylvania today where the State

allows motorists 280 choices for license

plate categories! It's also one of the

States that only requires a license plate

on the back bumper. Easier to spot a

get away car than one heading towards

you I suppose! At least we know license

plates serve a good purpose in Florida.

You can always tell when its Fall in the

Sunshine State!

The license plate colors change there

like the leaves do here! All the plates

from "up north" start showing up there!

Hope your registration is up to date

and that all your NEWS is good!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            


Tuesday, April 23, 2024

ROAD TRIP!!!

     WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024

                ROAD TRIP!       

   April 24th is a big day in automotive

history. On April 24th of 1908 Mr. and

Mrs. Jacob Murdock and their children

set out in Jacob's Packard in an attempt

to become the first family to travel across

the United States by car! Their trip began

in Los Angeles and their destination was

New York City. They made it! The trip

took a total of 32 days, 5 hours and 25

minutes! An amazing accomplishment.

But just imagine poor Jacob hearing

"Are we there yet?," for 32 days, 5 hours,

and 25 minutes!!! Hope your travels are

fun and that all your NEWS is good! 

Monday, April 22, 2024

JUST KEEPS ROLLING ALONG!

   TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024

BLOGGING ALONG TOGETHER!


       You need a license for
all kinds of things these days.
       I have a Driver's License,
a Fishing License and what you
might call an "Artistic License!"
       On April 22nd., 2011,
in a moment of insanity, I
decided to begin a Blog!
       I had officially
retired from the main stream
media. But I still had a desire
to write and had seen others
fulfill that ambition with a
blog. I wasn't sure if it would
be a weekly or a monthly
effort. But before I could give
it a second thought I was
authoring an essay every day!
     Most have been based on
personal events in my day to
day life. Some are prompted
by web sites where I have
found some very unusual
holidays that few people
know about.
     Occasionally over these
past 6 years I've repeated a
couple of my posts. That's
either because I find they are
well worth revisiting or
because my mind has gone
blank. Of course some would
say many of my original
writings suggest a blank mind
anyway!
      So here we are, 13 years
later with Blog number 4,865!
       I got another License on
April 22nd. But that one came
55 years ago!
     It was my Marriage License!
My wife (then my fiancĂ©e), her
mom and I, showed up at the Luzerne
County Courthouse with the
required fee to get our license.
We needed her mom too because,
back then, you had to have a
parent's signature if you were
under 21. That didn't effect me.
I didn't even get carded!
      Fortunately my mother-in-
law to be agreed to sign and we
got our license. 

      Hope neither has expired....and

that all your NEWS is good!



Sunday, April 21, 2024

PLAYING SAFE!

   MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024

         PLAYING SAFE!

  Today begins "National Playground

Safety Week." Kids still love playgrounds

and, fortunately, the newest ones all put

safety on top of their priority list! Most

equipment is produced with soft, but

solid, pieces with no sharp edges to be

found. If a child should happen to fall

they are likely to land on a soft surface

like cork or sawdust. "Back in the day"

our playgrounds were fun but, sometimes,

a bit dangerous. We not only had sharp

edges. They often included rust. And

when we fell, sometimes head first,

we handed hard. My wife says "That

explains  a lot!" Play safe everybody!

Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

STARTING EARLY!

   SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024

      STARTING EARLY!

  This is "Kindergarten Day!" April

21st was selected because it marks

the birthday of Friedrich Frobel, the

man who invented kindergarten in

Germany in 1837. These days mots

every child goes to kindergarten

and many attend preschool even

before that. But when I was growing

up my school district didn't offer

kindergarten until I was in second

of third grade. I'm sure there are

a lot of people, maybe you, who

missed it as well. That means we're

at least a year behind!! But here's

a thought. My daughter teachers 

kindergarten on line! Maybe we

could lobby for a post graduate

kindergarten class to bring us up

to date! What do you think? I'm in

.........if.......there's recess! Hope

you're well and that all your

NEWS is good!

 

Friday, April 19, 2024

POT LUCK!

      SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024

                POT LUCK!

    It's April 20th friends. And for many

in the counter culture world this has been

a "holiday" for years. 4/20 has become

known world wide as "Pot Smokers Day."

It's said to have begun at a high school in

California back in 1971 when a group of

pot smokers met at 4:20pm each day to

partake of their "weed." I remember

being in Hawaii on April 20th of 2015.

We went to a Pot Luck dinner on the

beach and ours was one of the only "pots"

that contained actual food. Most everyone

else was having marijuana for their dinner!

The growth of cannabis based products

has grown tremendously as they have

been accepted as medical applications

helping those with various ailments.

Hard to believe anything allegedly

helpful to someone can smell so darn

bad! Well whether you're a "pot head"

or not I hope you enjoy a beautiful

April day and that all your NEWS is

good.  

    


Thursday, April 18, 2024

AH, THE AROMA!

  FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2024

       AH, THE AROMA!

  Today my friends i "National

Garlic Day!" This vegetable, a member

of the onion family, is native to Asia

and has been around for at least 7,000

years. It's been used in cooking for

about that same amount of time,

Those who consume too much will

likely reflect its presence on their

breath for several feet and several

hours. Garlic is also know to have

medicinal qualities. Many people

use it to fight colds. It can lower

blood pressure and cholesterol!

I'm not especially fond of garlic

but I usually keep some around.

You see it's also said to keep

vampires away. That's probably

just an old wives tale but, hey,

why take a chance? Enjoy your

day and your garlic and may all

your NEWS be good! 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

IT'S A TOSS UP!

  


 THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
             IT'S A TOSS UP!

   So,as it turns out, April 18th., is
"International Jugglers Day!"
   It is a day, according to
holidayinsights.com. to celebrate
the skill of juggling, and those talented
people who can juggle many balls and
objects at a time. Common objects
include: balls, clubs, swords, plates,
rings, and flaming sticks.
    I have juggled schedules, and
paychecks over the years. But I
don't believe that qualifies me as
a juggler.
    My son can juggle.
    I've tried. But I can only handle
two softballs at a time and only if'
I don't toss them too high.
      The best jugglers can juggle up
to ten balls at a time!
       You might want to give it a try
in honor of the day. I would suggest,
however, sticking with rubber balls
as opposed to things like fire sticks,
knives, and chainsaws.
        I will watch Facebook for photos
of your success or notices of your
hospitalization.
        Hope all your NEWS is good!
      




   

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

MY PART OF THAT HERD!

 


    WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17TH., 2024
            MY PART OF THAT HERD!

   April 17th, for those who didn't already
know, is "Ford Mustang Day!"
    It's the date, back in 1964, when the
first Mustangs first showed up in Ford's
showrooms across the country.
    I had a Mustang in 1968. It was a red
two door hardtop.
    It wasn't exactly the car I was looking
for. I was trading in a used Chevy Impala
convertible with a Corvette engine and a
4-speed Hurst shifter. I probably would
have kept it but my wife-to-be was not
fond of the color. It was lavender.
    I wanted another convertible but I
couldn't afford it and the hardtop was
the next best option with windows that
opened the front and back to the fresh
air.
    It was a pretty good car. The only
problem I had was a break in the
driver's seat after awhile but a welder
fixed it good as new.
    I saw a new Mustang today, I heard
it too! It roared by me several times.
(I kept catching up with it at traffic
lights).
     The straight 6 in my 68 didn't make
that much noise. I'm pretty sure it didn't
burn as much gas either! It wasn't near
as fast as the new one although those
traffic lights seemed to even us out!
      There's another factor. My Mustang
cost about one tenth of what the new
ones are selling for!
       I still like Mustangs and I'd love
to have a new one if someone decides
to make it a gift. If someone does, I'm
ready to saddle up!
       Hope it's a convertible and that
all your NEWS is good!





Monday, April 15, 2024

IT ALL ADDS UPS!

   TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024

           IT ALL ADDS UP!

   Welcome to April 16th. An 

unofficial holiday called "National

Bean Counters Day!" It's the idea

of a professional accountant and it's

been around for just a few years,

 He believed that he and all his

associates, who have worked

days and days to meet the tax

deadline, deserved a day of

celebration. His logical choice

for that day was April 16th, the

day after Tax Deadline Day!  

I'm not much with figures so

I'll honor the profession by

opening a can of beans and

count them all. Hope you

appreciate their work, have 

your taxes filed, and that all

your NEWS is good! 

Sunday, April 14, 2024

WHAT DO YOU THINK!

 MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024

   WHAT DO YOU THINK?    

  It's April 15th friends! This is

"Take A Wild Guess Day!" It's a

day when you are encouraged to

trust your instincts! Go ahead.

Guess how many M&Ms are in

that jar. Predict the outcome of

a sporting event. It was a day

created by a professional

speaker, James Barber who though

we ought to enjoy a diversion on

Tax Filing Day. Of course when

it comes to your tax figures, taking

a wild guess could quickly turn

the day into "Take A Big Chance

Day!" Anyway trust your instincts

today. Or at least give it a try. Hope

it works out well and that all your

NEWS is good!

Saturday, April 13, 2024

REACH FOR THE SKY PARTNER!

        SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024

  REACH FOR THE SKY PARTNER!    

     

   Don't worry. This is not a hold

up. It is a recognition that April

14th is "National Reach As High

As You Can Day!" It is a day

in which we are all encouraged to

let our reach exceed our grasp!

It is a day to pursue your goals.

Perhaps it's something you wanted

to get done as soon as possible.

Or maybe it's a life long goal.

Reach for it today. The victory

is in trying! It's a great idea but

I made one mistake. I told my

wife about it and she handed me

a duster to reach the highest

corners of our walls. Now here

I stand...reaching high above my

head. Hope I get things as clean as

she wants and that all your NEWS

is good! 



Friday, April 12, 2024

A BIRTHDAY DECLARATION!

  SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2024

A BIRTHDAY DECLARATION!

     

     Today we celebrate a birthday! It's

Thomas Jefferson's birthday! He was

born on this day in 1743. Thomas

Jefferson was the third President of the

United States. But he's probably best

know and remembered as one of the

main authors of the Declaration of

Independence!As such he is considered

by many to be a true American Hero!

I wanted to show you a picture of

Thomas Jefferson in honor of his

birthday but it's on a two dollar bill

and my wife dosen't like me carrying

around that much money! Maybe

you can find a photo on line? Hope

you do and that all your NEWS is

good!

Thursday, April 11, 2024

OH DEAR ME!

     FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024

                  OH DEAR ME!

    This is April 12th which just happens

to be "D.E.A.R. Day!" Now it has 

nothing to do with your loved one or

those animals that often dash in front

of your car when you're driving through

wooded areas. I loved this day the

moment I learned about it! You see

the D.E.A.R. stands for "Drop Everything

And Read!" It's a day devoted to promoting

reading. I was just about to sweep the floor

and mop the kitchen when I heard about

this wonderful unofficial holiday. So I

dropped the mop and the broom and

picked up the closest comic book!

Enjoy your reading! Hope all your NEWS

is good!

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

AN OLD FAMILY "FRIEND."

    THURSDAY, APRL 11, 2024

  AN OLD FAMILY "FRIEND!"

   Today we're saluting an old

family friend that's probably been

at your house at one time or

another. Mr. Potato Head! Invented

by George Lerner was back in 1949.

Mr. Lerner came up with a set of

facial features designed to be inserted

into things like potatoes. But they were

originally also used in things like

carots or onions and the like. He

eventually sold his idea to a company

that was to become Hasbro and, in

1952, that company launched the first

television ad for a kid's toy...Mr. Potato

Head. That also became the first so 

called "Pester Ad", designed to get kids

to perter their parents to buy the toy. At

that point the facial parts were made to

be used on a potato or a Styrofoam base.

That became a problem because those

parts had to be sharp and regulators didn't

like the idea of sharp pieces being used

for kids. So the toy was redesigned with

the plastic base we see still today. Mr

Potato Head, a popular toy my wife

insists was named for me! Hope you're

still enjoying Mr. Potato Head and that

all your NEWS is good!  

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

MAKING A POINT TO PAY HIS DEBT!

      WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024

MAKING A POINT TO PAY HIS DEBT!         

    

   Today we salute one of the most

important inventions every created

for mankind! It was on this date in

1859 that Walter Hunt got a patent

for the Safety Pin! Walter owned a

friend $15 and decided the quickest

way to make some money was to invent

something. He quickly can up with the

idea for the safety pin. Then he sold the 

patent for $400, paid his friend the 15

bucks and pocked the rest. Of course he

lost out on all future revenues from the

safety pin. They used every day for pinning

cloth to cloth. name tags, and, in my case

to hold my trousers together when I pop

that center button! You get the point!

Use them carefully, that point can  be very

sharp! Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good!

The Day The Sun Went Dim!

 April 9, 2024

THE DAY THE SUN WENT DIM!

  My wife and I escorted 54 excited people to Glen's Falls New York Sunday tru Monday on a Travelworld adventure to see the solar eclipse! Our tour began in Saratoga Springs Sunday where we got a chance to walk around town then get a bite to eat. Later that day we checked into the historic Queensbury Hotel in Glen Falls which was built in 1926 and was renovated recently. Our evening diner included musical entertainment. We were even able to get our bus driver, Rondel, to help our entertainers with I guess what you'd call a clylypso!Monday afternoon saw us in a park along Lake George where we had a fantastic view of the eclipse from the comfort of our lawn chairs and wearing protective glasses provided by Travelworld. We saw 98 percent totality! Afterwards a tour around the beautiful lake area. If you missed it you'll have another chance if you can stick around till 2044! Hope you do and that a

 

Sunday, April 7, 2024

DRAW A BIRDIE!

 MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

      DRAW A BIRDIE!

       !

      Don't worry! This Blog

 does not involve sketching a golfer    /       

just under par. This unusual "holiday" is 

"Draw a picture of a bird day." It may sound

a bit crazy but consider the story that 

lead to this observation. In April of

1943 7-year-old Dorie Cooper visited

her uncle in a hospital where he was

recovering from a war wound. He was

feeling depressed but responded to

Dorie's request that he draw a picture

of a bird. When she saw his drawing

she said "this isn't very good but I'll

put it on my wall anyway." Her response

drew smiles from her uncle and other

wounded men in the ward. Each time

she returned everyone in the ward had

hand drawn pictures of birds to give to

her. Unfortunately, three years later,

the little girl was struck and killed by a

car. Since then April 8th, her birthday,

became "Draw a picture of a bird day."

So whatever your drawing skills, or

lack thereof, consider taking a moment

and drawing a picture of a bird today in an 

effort to bring a smile to someone's face.

Hope yours is better than mine and that

all your NEWS is good.     

Saturday, April 6, 2024

HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?

   SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2024

HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?

   It's April 7th which happens to be

"Metric System Day!" The metric

system is, of course, a standardized

digital system of measurements used

almost everywhere in the world.

Everywhere except the United States!

While it may come as surprise to some

of you Congress passed the "Metric

Conversion Act" in 1975. It was

legislation designed to get us, Americans,

to convert to the metric system. But the

legislation was not mandatory. So most

folks here in the U.S. decided a pound

in the hand was worth a kilogram in

Europe somewhere! Some products

include metric measurements on their

labels but U.S. measurements such

as pounds or inches are displayed

as well. There are still efforts being

made to force us to use the metric

system but, in my opinion, they

won't succeed. Not by a country

mile. Or Kilometer if you'd dather.

Hope you measure up and that all

your NEWS is good!

Friday, April 5, 2024

SOME PILLOW TALK!

    SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024

      SOME PILLOW TALK!

   It's April 6th my friends. The first

Saturday in April and that makes this

"International Pillow Fight Day!" It's

a fairly new "holiday" with it's official

beginning in 2018. It has been

described as a great way to relieve

the stress of life. There are some

rules and some recommendations.

Participants must use soft pillows

and those with feathers are

discouraged by some animal

rights organizations. I wasn't

going to even mention the day

until........my wife belted me

with one. Guess she's playing

this year! Guess I'd better duck!

Hope you're playing fair and

that all your NEWS is good!

Thursday, April 4, 2024

HOW TO GET THERE FROM HERE!

        FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024

HOW TO GET THERE FROM HERE.

  

   Most all of us have a Garmin or

similar electronic direction device

in our car these days.

       And a few of us have  heard
that little voice in our device tell us
to "Turn Right", or some similar
command, when there's no road or
street on our right onto which to turn!
They're not accurate all the time.
       But there is an option. And this
is the perfect day to discuss it. This
is "Read A Roadmap Day!"
       The paper Roadmap was once
our only way to navigate over
highways, back roads, and city
streets. Most of us picked up a fresh
edition every year either from our
local legislator, Triple A, or where
ever. Gas stations had them too. But
you had to buy them there.
        You usually keep them in your
glove compartment. If you can refold
them to get them back in there.
        We still carry a couple roadmaps
in our car. And we've used them from
time to time. Especially when our
GPS and common sense don't seem to
jive!
        And if we're still confused we
just follow the late Yogi Berra's advice.
"When you come to a fork in the road,
take it!"
        Hope you turn right (correctly
that is) and that all your NEWS is
good!


         





         

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

BREAKING NEWS!!!

   THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

         BREAKING NEWS!

     Today's unusual holiday might better

be suited for the 1st rather than the 4th
of April! That, after all, is April Fools
Day.
     But it's official! April 4th is "Hug
A Newsman Day."
     I don't ever remember hearing about
this when I was on the regular news beat.
     It's probably not a very popular
holiday. The days when Walter Cronkite
was the most trusted person in America
are long gone.
     Cries of media bias and "fake news"
are so common you'd think reporters
would want to remain anonymous.
      I probably would have enjoyed
celebrating this day when I was single.
On the other hand I'd have to wonder
how many "huggers" would now be
claiming harassment! Times have
changed!
       Perhaps, these days, a nice pat on
the back and a comment of "good job"
would be best for the newsman, or
woman you admire.
       Of course I'm still accepting
hugs from by biggest fan and most
loyal supporter. My wife!
        Hope all your NEWS is good!


     
   

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

CALLING OFF?

   WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024

            CALLING OFF?

     This is "Don't Go To Work...

Unless It's Fun Day!"
      Wouldn't it be nice to wake up
in the morning and decide whether
you will go to work? If it is going to
be fun at work, you get up and go.
Otherwise, you turn over and go back
to sleep.
      Holiday Insights.com which
compiles a list of strange holidays
was unable to find the creator of
this one. It's likely, however, it
was not originated by anyone in
management.
      Since I am technically "retired"
I'm not facing this decision today.
 So it's all up to your working
folks. If you have fun at work go
in. If you don't, stay home.
    One suggestion if you're not
going in. You may not want to
mention this "holiday" as your
reason for calling off. I'd suggest
a cough as you phone in "with a
cold!"
     Hope it works one way or the
other, and that all your NEWS is
good!

Monday, April 1, 2024

PB&J

    TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024

                   PB&J

    April 2nd is "National Peanut

Butter and Jelly Day!" So common

a combination you'd think they had

been around forever. But that's not

the case. In fact peanut butter didn't

really hit the nation's fancy until

the Chicago World's Fair of 1883.

It was a home economist from New

England, Julia Davis Chandler, who

first published a recipe for peanut

butter and jelly in a Boston Cooking

magazine. And that wasn't until 1901!

You have to wonder what was so

special about that recipe unless, perhaps,

she cautioned followers to put the

peanut butter down first!

Peanut butter and jelly came along

before pre-sliced bread hit the shelves.

That showed up in 1928! These days

you can even get peanut butter jars with

the jelly already inside! And, of course,

there are all kinds of peanut butter.

I was going to tell you the rumor

about "Chunky style" peanut butter

but my wife told me not to "Spread

it around! Enjoy your PB&J and I

hope all your NEWS is good!

   


Sunday, March 31, 2024

MY DAILY BLOG!

   MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024

       MY DAILY BLOG!

 Time for today's blog friends! It's the

start of a brand new month and I'd like

to say thank you to all of you to check

out my daily essay! Many check "Like"

on Facebook and some offer comments

as well. Today, praise from Caesar! Got

a note from my wife. It reads......."Just

wanted to tell you how proud I am of

your daily Blog. It's humor and wisdom

demonstrate how very talented and clever

you are. It's no wonder so many people

are impressed by your brilliant writings!

Your wife.

P.S. It's April Fools Day!

Thanks dear! Hope you're all enjoying

the day and that all your NEWS is

good! (No fooling!)


Saturday, March 30, 2024

AN EASTER STORY.

  SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2024

      AN EASTER STORY.

  Today is Easter. Probably one of

only two days throughout the year

when most churches are at near

capacity. The Covid epidemic

forced people away from church

and many have not returned. Most

churches now broadcast their

service on line in an effort to

reach people in their homes.

But you just can't beat a good,\in 

person, service to get people

involved. One of our former

pastors had a great way to

involve the congregation in our

worship service. We called it

his "Shoe Box Challenge."

Each week a different member

of the congregation would place

something in the shoebox. The

pastor would open it before his

sermon at which time he was

challenged to tie the object,

whatever it was, to the day's

sermon. It was a real challenge

on most Sundays but I must say

he usually came through with

flying colors. I had the shoebox

one Easter Sunday. Some people

were surprised when the pastor 

opened it. It was empty!

But......so was the tomb!

Happy Easter everyone. I hope all

your NEWS is good!       

Friday, March 29, 2024

AROUND THE WORLD -AT HOME!

    SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024

AROUND THE WORLD AT HOME1 

   It's March 30th friends. " National Virtual

Vacation Day! This is a day created in

2016 by Terrance Talks Travel. It's a day

to remind you don't have to wait for

retirement or your scheduled time off

to get the feel of a nice trip. No bags to

pack, no airline boardings to deal with.

You're only limited by your dreams.

There are several ways to take your

virtual vacation. You might go through

your albums from trips you've made

years ago and relive some of those

great memories. Or head to your laptop.

There are live cameras in vacation

hot spots all around the world, Pick

one and enjoy the live video from

places like Rome, the Matterhorn,

or whatever moves you. It's an easy

way to "get away" for a couple hours.

Or maybe you can checkout the

Travelworld web site and get an\

idea about future tours that are

coming up. Leona and I will be

escorting two trips to New Hampshire

this year and there's still space on

our busses. We'd love to have a

few of you BLOG readers join us.

Meanwhile enjoy your virtual

vacation day. Hope all your NEWS

is good! 

Thursday, March 28, 2024

NIAGARA, ON THE ROCKS!

       FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024

     NIAGARA, ON THE ROCKS! 

   This is a very big day at Niagara Falls.
   But it's no Honeymoon!
   March 29th is "Niagara Falls Runs Dry
Day!"
   Local residents, and tourists, will be
celebrating an event that took place on
March 29th of 1848!
   Ice blocked the river on that day and
literally shut off the falls!
   I saw the same thing! But it was in
1969! Yep! I saw Niagara Falls turned
off!
   My wife and I were on our Honeymoon
at the time and Niagara Falls was on our
list of places we wanted to see.
   Imagine our surprise when we got there
and found the falls, at least the American
falls, dry!
    It wasn't some David Copperfield trick
or the biggest plumbing problem you
ever saw. It was science.
    A team of engineers was conducting a
survey to determine how quickly the edge
of the falls was deteriorating. To do that
that had to stop the flow of water. So they
built a earth dam upstream and diverted
all of the river water over to the Canadian
falls.
    Any would be dare devil, thinking of
that old "over the falls barrel trick," probably
had second thoughts if he or she saw what's
really under those thousands of tons of
water that pour over the brink every second!
    People riding aboard the popular "Maid
of the Mist" got an up close view of boulders
as big as the iceberg that sank the Titanic!
    It was probably the biggest thing at the
Falls since 1953 when Marilyn Monroe
filmed a movie there!
    Of course the water is flowing again
these days. But the community, on both sides
of the border, is always looking for a reason
to celebrate. And you can be sure that none
of the pubs there will be "dry" today!
    Perhaps toss an ice cube into my wine
and raise a toast to the falls today!
    Hope you'll get there one of these days
and that all your NEWS is good!

             Niagara Falls 1969

 











 

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

LET'S TALK WEEDS!

   THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

        LET'S TALK WEEDS!

   It's March 28th. "Weed Appreciation

Day!" Now to fully appreciate your

weeds you've got to know what they

are. Actually ANY PLANT IS A WEED if it's

growing where you don't want them to

grow. So, any flower can be a weed!

The dandeline is a good example. It's

a plant used in salads and often turned

into wine. But find a collection of them

scattered throughout your back yard and

chances are you'll pull them out as weeds.

Of course there's another plant usually

just called "weed" that probably shouldn't

be growing in your back yard! Hope you're

appreciating your weeds, like dandelions,

and that all your NEWS is good! 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

LITTLE RED WAGON DAY!

  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024

    LITTLE RED WAGON DAY!

   The last Wednesday in March, and

that would be today, is observed

annually as "Little Red Wagon Day!"

The famous little red wagon, often a

"Radio Flyer" which encouraged kid's

imaginations! To them that wagon

could be a sports car, a jet place, or

even a Rocket ship! How to celebrate?

Well there's a docudrama called

The Little Red Wagon. You might

consider gathering round as a family

to watch that and have some pop

corn! Better yet, encourage the kids

to get out and play with their little

red wagon. You may even want to

take a turn yourself to relive some

childhood memories! Be careful if

you do! It's much harder to get in

and out of them these days! Have

fun and I hope all your NEWS is

good.

Monday, March 25, 2024

TAKE YOUR PICK!

   TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024

        TAKE YOUR PICK!

   I love telling my readers and

viewers about the many unofficial

and unusual "holidays" I find 

listed on various web sites

throughout the year. March itself

is filled with unusual holidays.

But here's one you should really

appreciate. Marc 26th is "Make

Your Own Holiday Day!"

That's right. This is a day for

you to come up with your own

holiday idea! I for one plan one

that calls for rest, relaxation and fun.

How about you? If you come up

with something neat let me know.

Maybe I'll share it with the rest

of this BLOG family! Hope you

create a great one and that all

your NEWS is good!  

Sunday, March 24, 2024

HIGH STAKES!

   MONDAY,MARCH 25, 2024

          HIGH STAKES!

     Seems there's one Pennsylvania

industry that's doing pretty darn well

in spite of the high gas prices!

It's the Gambling industry! In

2021 the state took in 4.73 Billion

dollars in gambling revenues. It's grown

since then! There's plenty of cars parked

at all of our area casinos and thousands

of lottery tickets are sold every single 

day for all of the many games played daily!

I mention this because March happens to be

"Problem Gambling Awareness Month!"

Most folks who gamble don't have a problem

with it except, perhaps, for losing money

they might better use somewhere else. But

others become obsessed and keep wagering

and waiting for that big jackpot that surely

will come along any time. It could happen.

But don't BET on it! The "House" most always

wins! Still, I hope your luck and all your NEWS

is good!


 KES!


Saturday, March 23, 2024

LOOKING FOR CHICKS!

     SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2024

      LOOKING FOR CHICKS!

   It's Spring everybody. I know it's

been pretty cold around these parts for

the past couple of days. But it's Spring!

That brings me back to my youth in

my home town of Hazleton when I

always searched for chicks around

this time of the year. You had to know

where to find them. But I knew just

the place to find some pretty ones

And I found them. Problem is, I

wasn't allowed to take one home.

Oh, I should probably mention I

was talking about the chicks, peeps

if you will, they gave away at a few

local gas stations around Easter every

year. You could get one with every

five dollars of gas you purchased. My

Dad said we need the gas but not the

chicks so it was a "no go" for me.

Years later I resumed my search for

"chicks" but not at the gas station.

I finally found a good one and now

she's my wife! Hope you got

your "chick" and that all your

NEWS is good! 

Friday, March 22, 2024

OK DAY!

   SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024

                  OK DAY!

   March 23rd is "OK Day" on our list of

unusual "holidays." We use the phrase

OK everyday probably without ever giving

it a thought. But think about it. Where did

the term "OK" come from? The most popular

story suggests that "OK" was born in a

Boston newsroom back in 1839 when a

group of editors were joking around about

abbreviations. One suggestion was that

the letters O and K be used as an

abbreviation for "All Correct." The idea

could have just faded away. But 1840

was an election year and the abbreviation

turned into a campaign slogan for

President Martin Van Buren who was

seeking reelection. Van Buren came

from the community of  Kinderhook,

New York. His supporters began to

call him "Old Kinderhook" and then

used the town's initials in a slogan,

calling out "OK is OK!" Ironically

everything was not OK for Old

Kinderhook as he lost the election

to William Henry Harrison! Well,

here's hoping everything is OK with 

you and that all your NEWS is good!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

NOTHING DOING!

   FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024

        NOTHING DOING!         

       

        I know I'm repeating myself or, rather, my

blog. But how could I not make sure you were
all aware of this important though unofficial
"holiday/" 
     Saint Patrick's Day and all of its related
parades and celebrations seem to get all the
attention during March.
      That's too bad because there are a lot of
other things well worth celebrating in this
month which heralds the arrival of Spring.
       Take today, for instance, This is
"National Goof Off Day!" It was created
by Monica Dufour of Davison Mi. and her
grandfather. He had a radio show and was
encouraging people to call in with ideas.
She disguised her voice and called with
a suggestion that there be a "Goof-Off Day."
A newspaper heard the call and printed a
story supporting the idea. So there you
have it!
    I've been rehearsing for this day for
many years! I think I've just about got it
down to a science.
        They did a survey a few years back
and found that most of those who
"celebrated" this unusual holiday did so
by playing video games.
       That seemed a bit strenuous for me.
       I elected to just sit around as much
as possible and do pretty much nothing!
       I would have no objections to
extending this observance to a week or
more. In fact "National Goof Off Month"
seems to offer a lot of potential to my
way of thinking.
      One small bit of advice. If you plan
to celebrate by taking the day off from
work you might be better off suggesting
you're ill rather than citing this holiday
as the reason. Some bosses don't observe
the day.
      Hope you'll mark it on your
calendar and that all your NEWS is good!




        




Wednesday, March 20, 2024

I ALMOST FORGOT!

  THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

      I ALMOST FORGOT!

  March 21st is "National Memory

Day." Our ability to remember things

is an important part of our human

existence. We evolve based on the

things we learn and remember. The

research world tells us too many

people are relying on technology,

such as smart phones, to remind us

of things that must or should be done.

It's suggested you write things down

as a means of helping your memory.

So lte's all celebrate! Teel your friends

so everyone of us can observe.....ah...

what did I say we were observing? Oh

yes. Memory Day. Hope you remember

to celebrate and that all yoru NEWS

is good.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

APPRECIATING AN AMPHIBIAN!

   WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024

   APPRECIATING AN AMPHIBIAN!

   Well it's come everybody. A day you

have waited for. Well, maybe not. March

20th is "World Frog Day!" The biological

name for the Frog order is Anura. They make

up 7486 of the 8478 known species of

amphibians on our planet! But the Frog's

habitat is shrinking around the world and

several species have been placed on the

endangered list! I spoke with my 8-year-

old grandson Anthony about this and asked

if he knew why that was a problem we

should be concerned about. He said "Yes.

If we don't do something about it those

frogs with croak! Enough said. Hope

you're frogs are well and all your NEWS

is good!   

Monday, March 18, 2024

WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING?

        TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024

     WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING?

   Don't feel down. I know St. Patrick's

Day is over and there's a lot of time from

now till the next official holiday. But

there's still plenty to celebrate and today,

March 19th, is a perfect example. Today

is National Sports Car Racing Day! It's

Certified Nurses Day! March 19th is

also National Corn Dog Day and 

National Backyard Day. You probably

never noticed that March 19th is

National Poultry Day in addition to

National Chocolate Carmel Day. And

if that's not enough to make you smile

this is also the day the Swallows return

to Capistrano! The Robins haven't

shown up here yet but there's still a

few hours till Spring begins so they're

bound to be around soon! Hope you're

celebrating something and that all your

NEWS is good!


 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

CHAPIN'S TRAGIC INSPIRATION!

      MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024

CHAPIN'S TRAGIC INSPIRATION!

    Today we remember an are tragedy that

led to a popular song! It was on this day in

1965 that driver Gene Sesky was driving

his loaded truck into Scranton. Family

members said the clutch gave out as Sesky

was headed down the steep Moosic Street

which prevented him from shifting into a

low gear. Sesky could have jumped but

didn't. Instead he yell to people and 

sounded the truck's air horn as he

tried to steer around traffic and people

in the area. It's estimated the truck

reached a speed of 100miles per hour

before it crashed at South Irving Avenue.

Sesky was killed instantly! Years later,

in 1974, singer Harry Chapin recounted

the crash in a song appropriately titled

"30,000 pounds of bananas!" That's

what Seky was hauling! He is remembered

as a hero for sticking with his runaway

truck in an attempt to save others. Hope

you remember and that all your NEWS

is good. 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

THAT "SINKING" FEELING!

    SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

    THAT "SINKING" FEELING!

    And I'll bet you thought all the excitement

centers on Saint Patrick's Day! Nope!
    As the title revels, this is "Fix A Leak
Week!" It "runs" through March 24th.
    According to the statistics household
leaks waste about a trillion gallons of
water across the United States annually!
    Of course you're encouraged to fix
them as soon as they happen rather than
just waiting for this week. This is just a
time to remind you to pay attention to
that drip in your house. (The water one!)
      If you haven't done it lately you should
check your faucets, shower heads, and
toilets to make sure they're not leaking.
      Should you find a leak you should
repair the problem or call someone who
knows ho to do it. In my house, for
instance, I'd call my wife!
       Leaky pipes aren't that terribly
difficult to find and repair. There are
other leaks, however, that are much
harder to handle. Most of those leaks
are found in government!
       Unlike water leaks, sometimes
governmental leaks can be good!
They can expose problems far worse
than broken pipes that need more than
a plumber's attention!

       I was all set with hammers, a
wrench, and pliers to stop the leak
in out kitchen sink when my wife came
in and simply turned off the water! 
I think she said something about there
still being "One big drip" in the room.
I don't like the way she looked at me
when she said that!!
       Hope we're all looking for and
fixing any problems related to leaks
this week and that all your NEWS
is good!

 

Friday, March 15, 2024

TIME TO GIVE YOU SOME LIP!

    SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

   TIME TO GIVE YOU SOME LIP!            

  Welcome to March 16th." Lip 

Appreciation Day!" Most people

don't give much thought to lips

except for the females who apply

lipstick for every occasion. But

lips are very important. They help

protect our teeth from the elements.

They're essential for eating and

drinking, and they help us present

a pleasant smile! I appreciate my

lips. I had cancer in the lower one

and had to have surgery. A skin graft

was taken from behind my ear to

complete the reconstruction. I guess

that's why I can hear myself whistle

much better now than before. Of course

I must admit I appreciate other lips,

my wife's, a lot more than my own!

Hope you appreciate yours and that

all your NEWS is good!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

THE IDES OF MARCH!

      FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024

           THE IDES OF MARCH

  "Beware the Ides of March!" That

warning came in a play about Roman

Emperor Julius Caesar written by

William Shakespeare. In real life

Caesar was assassinated on March

15th 44 BC.  But even before the

Roman Emperor was slain the day

was know as the date when one's

debts were to be paid. So you might

want to make good on all your

IOU's today and be sure you don't

have a "friend" named Brutus!

I hope all your luck, and NEWS,

is good today!   

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

ALONG CAME A SPIDER!

   THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2024

      ALONG CAME A SPIDER!

   This is one of those unusual "holidays"

I don't believe many of your will be

celebrating or observing. March 14th is

"Save A Spider Day!" I don't believe too

many of us are prone to saving spiders

or appreciating them in nay way! We

are told, however, that spiders do have

some redeeming qualities. Sime spider

venom is used to make new medicines.

And engineers study spider webs which,

ounce for ounce, is stronger than steel!

Our son found a spider, a rather large one,

in his bedroom the other day. Unfortunately

for that spider it was not "Save A Spider

Day" and it was not spared! Whatever

your view on spiders may happen to be

I hope you'll note the "holiday" and that

all your NEWS is good!.


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

LENDING A HAND!

        WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024

                    LENDING A HAND!

     It's March 13th which just happens to

be "Good Samaritan Day." It is a day when

we are encouraged to lend a hand and help

those who may need assistance, as in the

story of the good Samaritan from the Bible.

Of course being helpful can sometimes

lead to some strange situations. Like

that of the homeowner who was

awakened by a knock on his door one

very stormy night. He answered it only

to find an intoxicated man outside

who said he needed a push. The

homeowner shouted "No" and

slammed the door. But, once back

in his bedroom his wife reminded him

of the parable of the Good Samaritan.

The homeowner went back to the

door and yelled "Are you still there?

Do you still need a push?" "Yes," the\man

replied. "Where are you asked the

homeowner? " The reply........"I'm

over here on the swing!"

Hope you're helping others where

and whenever you can and that all

yoiur NEWS is good!  

.  

Monday, March 11, 2024

CANDLES ON THE COOKIES!

   TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025

 CANDLES ON THE COOKIES?

   Guess who's 112 years old today? It's

the Girl Scouts. Well, not the girls. It's
the Girl Scout Organization! I don't
believe any of the original members
are still around.
    Juliette Gordon Low started the first
 Girl Scout group in Savannah Georgia 
with 18 girls on March 12th., 1912.
That was a month before the Titanic
went down!
    Girl Scouting runs in our family
although I've never been one myself.
I was a Scout for awhile. A Cub
Scout.
      My wife was a Scout Leader
when my daughters were involved in
the program and both of our older
granddaughters were Girl Scouts
for a time. Our youngest granddaughter

was a girl scout and our daughter-in-law
helped with the meetings and activities
in her troop.
      These days there are Boy Scout
Troops that are enrolling girls. 
However you feel about that it
probably would have kept me in
Scouting a lot longer if they did
it when I was a Cub!
       Thankfully, one tradition
remains unchanged. The Girl
Scouts still sell cookies! 
       Hope you're ordering
some from your favorite
Girl Scout and that all your
NEWS is good.  

Sunday, March 10, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!

     MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024

     HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!

 It's March 11th everybody and that means    

   it's John Chapman's Birthday. He was born 
on this date in 1774.
     Mr. Chapman was an American pioneer
nurseryman who introduced apple trees
to large parts of Pennsylvania. But he didn't
stop there!
      His trees were distributed in Ohio,
Indiana,  Illinois, and northern counties
of West Virginia to name a few of the
others.
      Thanks to his efforts I've enjoyed
plenty of apples over the years and an
apple dumpling whenever I can find
one.
     Oh, by the way, you may remember
Mr Chapman by his other name.
Johnny Appleseed!
     Yep. It's a true story!
     Hope you'll have an apple in his
honor today and that all your NEWS
is good!
     

  It's March 11th everybody! And that

means it's John Chapman Day!!!

   

Saturday, March 9, 2024

STAYING 'CONNECTED!'

      SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2024

       STAYING 'CONNECTED!'       

   You "older folks" may have to help

the kids with this one! March 10th is

"Land Line Telephone Day!" A lot

of younger people know little or

nothing about a land line or "Home

telephone." These days most everyone

has a Smart or Cell phone to search

the web, take pictures, send texts, and,

yes, even make and receive telephone

calls. But before those cell phones

came along everybody was "wired"

to Ma Bell (the Telephone company)

to make your personal or business

calls. A little less that 50$ of people,

me included, still have a land line

telephone at home. And they still

offer some advantages. The sound

quality on a good land line phone

is hard to beat. They work in areas

where there are few if any cell phone

towers. And, if nothing else, you can

use them to dial your own cell phone

when you've misplaced it so you can

listen for the ring to see where you 

left it! Hope you've got the right

number and that all your NEWS is

good!



Friday, March 8, 2024

WHO'S CALLING?

    SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024

           WHO'S CALLING?

      

     Regular followers of my Blog know how

I love to tell you about unusual but unofficial

holidays. Well today we observe what is likely

the newest of those "celebrations." March 9th

is "Slam The Scam Day!" It was created just

two years ago in an effort to alert people to

the growing number of Scams they face these

days. The scammers usually arrive by a telephone

call. They claim to represent some government

agency and demand payment for some debt

that say you owe Uncle Sam or claim your

social security number has been compromised

and you've got to take action of some sort.

Sometimes they demand payment and threaten

you with arrest. Sometimes they want you to

give up personal information to "verify your

account." Well truth be known the Federal

Government never calls to make such demands

or request such information. And yet, in 2022,

some 500 million dollars was lost to scammers!

The trick is to be aware of these schemes before

they take you by surprise. The best advice is to

simply reject calls from someone you don't know

or hand up immediately if you hear from someone

demanding money or requestion personal

information. I must admit I tend to play along

with the scammers from time to time and 

usually they're the ones that hang up on me.

Especially when they ask for my social securing

number and I tell them I'm so old my number is

"1." Hope you stay alert for the scammers, slam

them when they call, and that all your NEWS is

good!  

Thursday, March 7, 2024

JUST ROLLING ALONG!

    FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024

    JUST ROLLING ALONG!

    Odds are most of you never heard of

Don Ku. But if you're a traveler you can

thank him for making your life a little

bit easier. On March 8th of 1994 Don

got a patent for a suitcase on wheels

with a collapsible handle. His invention

literally took the load off of a lot of

people trying to make their way through

busy airports and boarding ramps at docks

everywhere. If only he had included a

homing device to make sure that luggage

ended up the same place and at the same

time as you!!! Hope you've got all your

bags and that all your NEWS is good!  

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

TIME FOR A BOWL FULL!

     THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

    TIME FOR A BOWL FULL!

  This is "National Cereal Day!" I've

always liked cereal but when I was a 

kid I got it more for the prizes the

company offered than for the taste of

the product. I used to send about 25cents

and two box tops (or one box top and one

box bottom) for some kind of premium 

that appealed to a little boy. Cereals 

started to develop around the time of

the Civil War. Back then a lot of people

had digestive problems brought about

by eating way too much meat along

with caffeine. A guy named Dr. James

Jackson came up with brand nuggets.

They were a good alternative to meat

and coffee but they had to be soaked

overnight so they could be more easily

digested the following day. Dr. Jackson

started a sot of Health Spa to focus on

things like nutrition. Among his guests,

John Kellogg and William Post. They

liked the cereal idea for breakfast.

Kellogg and his brother came up with

a way to "flake" wheat, They did it

accidentally by the way! And along

came Kellogg's Corn Flakes. Post came

up with Grape Nuts before developing

his own brand of corn flakes. 49% of

all Americans begin their day with some

brand of cereal. So, perhaps you'll

celebrate this day with your favorite

brand today? Enjoy them but don't

crush or mash them! After all you

don't want o be known as a "Cereal

Killer!" Have a great day! Hope

all your NEWS is good!

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

IT'S A SLAM DUNK!!!

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024

         IT'S A SLAM DUNK!  

   Welcome to March 6th. "National

Oreo Day!" The Oreo is America's

most popular cookie! The cookie

originated way back in 1912. It was

originally called the Oreo Biscuit.

That was changed to the Oreo Cream

Sandwich which evolved simply into

the Oreo! It you stacked all the Oreos

ever made they would reach to the moon

and back more than 5 times! Some people

take the cookie apart for eating, sometimes

licking up the icing first. Women are far

more likely to do that then men! Of course

a lot of folks like to dunk their Oreos as

they eat. I was just about to do that last

night when my wife told me most people

dunk them in Milk! I'll have to try that

sometime. But I already had my wine

poured. Hope you'll celebrate with a

few Oreos today and that all your NEWS

is good! 

Monday, March 4, 2024

WORTH RECORDING?

 TUESDAY. MARCH 5, 2024

      WORTH RECORDING?

   I was checking my listing of unusual

"holidays" in March and discovered

that the entire month is "Play the

Recorder Month!" I got excited and

pulled out my hand sized cassette

recorder and a couple cassette tapes

to enjoy some popular music. Unfortunately

the batteries were as old as the tapes

and it wouldn't play. That's probably

just as well because the "recorder" we

are being encouraged to play is

actually that small flute-like instrument

many of us were introduced to in

elementary school. We've probably

all tried one or heard our kids or

grandkids do their best to try to

play classics like "Twinkle twinkle

little star" or the like. I decided to 

celebrate by digging out a 

recorder we've had at the house

for many years. I tried a few note

but put it away after my wife told

me the cassette machine, the one

that didn't work, sounded better!

There's no accounting for musical

taste around here! Hope you're

hitting all the right notes and

that all your NEWS is good!

Sunday, March 3, 2024

HOLMES WRECKERS!

    MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024

        HOLMES WRECKERS!

 No! I didn't say "Home Wreckers.!

I'm talking about "Holmes Wreckers."

I saw an interesting historical post

with my email yesterday and thought

I'd share it with you. It's a story that

began way back in 1916 when a

mechanic in Tennessee got word

that a guy driving a Model T Ford had

run into a creek. He grabbed a rope and

some blocks and went to help. He and

5 others took 8 hours to get the car out

of the stream! The mechanic, Ernest

Holmes, realized there must be a better

way to handle situations like that. He

attached a chain and pully system on

his 1913 Cadillac thus inventing the

first Tow Truck, or Wrecker as those

type vehicles have come to be known!

He made other improvements over the

years and became a Tow Truck supplier

for the Army in World Wars I and II.

He even came up with wreckers

for NASCAR! Holmes wreckers can

still be found on the road today! Reminds

me of a caution one of my former TV

photographers gave me one day.

Whether your car is new or old...one

day "the Hook" will get it! Just thought

you ought to know! Hope all your NEWS

is good!



Saturday, March 2, 2024

I'LL GET TO IT!

   SUNDAY, MARCH 3RD., 2024

             I'LL GET TO IT!

    I think it's only fair to tell you
this is National Procrastination Week!
It actually runs for two weeks!
     We all put things off from time
to time. It's OK during this celebration..
      I've got a list of things I'm
suppose to do. Now I've got an
official excuse to put them off a
little longer!
       There are several expressed goals
for the week. The first is to celebrate
the act of procrastinating by leaving
necessary tasks to be done at a later
time. There are, however, other
purposes for the holiday. One claim
is that the week of putting-off provides
a mental and emotional break causing
a decrease in stress and anxiety!
         So take it easy this week and
don't rush to get things done!
         Hope you enjoy the break and
that all your NEWS is good  

Friday, March 1, 2024

SAME OLD?

    SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2024

           SAME OLD?

   How many times have you asked

someone "What's new?" only to have

them reply "Same old same old."

Well in a sense this is their day! March

2nd is "Old Stuff Day." But it is not a

day to do the same old stuff! Quite the

contrary. It is a day to encourage you

to look for some new activities. Have

some new adventures in your life.

Maybe meet some new friends. Find

some new projects. Maybe some new

hobby! Find ways to get away from

doing "the same old stuff." My wife

told me I'm the perfect guy to talk

about old stuff. I think it was a

compliment. But I'm not absolutely

sure! Anyway, hope you enjoy some

new endeavors today and that all your

NEWS is good!

Thursday, February 29, 2024

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

   Welcome to March my friends. And

this first week of March is also

"Hearing Awareness Week!" Millions

of people around the world suffer

from hearing loss problems! In

Australia 1 out of every 6 people

has a hearing problem. In my house

it's one out of two. And I'm the one!

Toi compound the problem, my wife

speaks softly. The phrase most often

uttered here, by me, is..."What!?"

I purchased some inexpensive

hearing aids a year or two ago. The

best ones are super expensive so I

went the cheap route. And mine are

worth every penny! They bring up

the background sounds. So if I'm

in church trying to listen to the

pastor I hear the motor noise of the

fan just above me at about the same

level as he's coming in! When I first

got my hearing aids they actually

impeded my hearing! The little

rubber tip got stuck in my ear

and I heard less than usual. Fortunately

that happened on a day my wife was

telling me what she wanted me to do

so I never heard the instructions! I

cam up with a solution! I told my

wife to write down what she's saying.

Sort of like having Closed Caption on

your television show. Here's a copy

of her first note........"YOU ARE A

NUT."  Maybe I can try turning up

the volume on my hearing aids?!

Hope you "hear" what I'm saying

and that all your NEWS is good! 

  

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

OUR EXTRA DAY!

   THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024

               OUR EXTRA DAY!

    Well it's February 29th my friends. Leap

Year Day. A day that only comes around once

every four years. Hence, there are a couple

unofficial :holidays" that also show  up once

every four years. February 29th is "International

Underlings Day." Most of us are underlings to

someone else (our bosses). So today is a day to

appreciate all those underlings who do most of

the work! It's also "National Time Refund Day."

That's a day when we're given an extra 24 hours

during which we're not expected to do anything!

Our "refund of time!" That's a day most of us

should be able to celebrate by doing nothing.

It my case this "holiday" is not limited to

February 29th!

Hope all your NEWS

is good!   

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

A FEW ZZZs!

   WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

                   A FEW ZZZs!

   Fir those of you who don't already know,

February 28th is "National Sleeping Day!"

No. That is not a mis print. It's not Public

Speaking Day. It's Public Sleeping Day.

It dates back to 1817 and Robert Owens,

a social reformer who was fighting for

the 8-hour work day so that laborers

could get enough sleep each day. When

you stop to think about t most of us have

done some "public sleeping." Certainly

on an airplane, train, or bus. Maybe

even in church on occasion! I know I

celebrated a few times during my years

in school. And there's no time like the 

present to begin your observance of this

unique "holiday." So where ever you may

be (except behind the wheel) go ahead

and enjoy a quick cap nap and celebrate.

Hope you do and that all your NEWS

is good!

Monday, February 26, 2024

GIVE IT A REST!

     TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024

                GIVE IT A REST!                     

   February 27th marks one of those unusual

"holidays" that should be extremely easy to

observe! This is "No Brainer Day!" A day when

you should just do whatever is easy and simple.

If the task involves thinking.....let it go! 

The day is the brainstorm of Adrienne Sioux

Koopersmith, identified by Insight magazine

as America's Premier Eventologist!" My wife

suggests this is a day perfectly suited to my

talents and abilities. I'm not sure if that's a

compliment or not! Hope you're well and

that all of your NEWS is good!

 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

NUTS!

        MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 2024

                   NUTS!

   The title of this essay has nothing to do

with my mental status, although many might

question that conclusion. I selected it to make

you aware February 26th is "National Pistachio

Day!" Pistachios are native to the middle east

although many are grown in California these 

days. If you're thinking about growing your

own don't plan on a quick harvest. The tress

take between 7 and 10 years to mature. The nuts

are harvested in September. A machine is used to

shake the trees and make the nuts fall to the ground.

Their open hull is unique. The nut is ripe when the

shell splits open. No one is quite sure why this

date of observed in February because this month

seems to have nothing to do with the trees, harvest

time, or the nuts themselves. Still it's a nice

reminder that Pistachios are available and provide

a very tasty snack just about any time of the year.

Hope you'll enjoy some and that all your NEWS

is good!

Saturday, February 24, 2024

AWFULLY FOND OF YOU!

    


      SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH., 2024
          I'M AWFULLY FOND OF YOU!

    It's February 25th everybody.
    Just so you're all aware today is
"Rubber Ducky Day!"
    It was on this date in 1970 that Sesame.
Street's Muppet character "Ernie" (voiced
by Jim Henson) first sang the tune
dedicated to his favorite bath time toy!
    It was so popular they recorded a
45rpm record which actually hit number.
16 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 Hits!
    I happen to be the proud owner of a
Rubber Ducky. In fact I may even have
two! My 8-year-old grandson has
discovered one of those Crane machines.
where a dollar lets you play until you
win. And the prize bin is filled with, you.
guessed it, Rubber Duckies! He's given.
me a couple of his prizes!
      I must admit, since he's the one who.
gifted me, I'm awfully fond of my
Rubber Duckies!
      I think I'll put them in a place of
honor today. Right in front of me on the
table while I eat a couple eggs!
      I just love these special days! Hope
you do too and that all your NEWS is
good!