NATIONAL "GET UP DAY!"

    Thursday, January 31, 2024

       National Get Up Day!

  You're probably already up. But this

"National Day" has nothing to do with

getting out of bed! This unofficial

holiday was created to encourage

perseverance. It is a day in which

you are suppose to have a "never

give up attitude." Push forward

for what you want to accomplish.

Last night we watched the Girl's

Basketball team at our grandkid's

Middle School fight back from

a deficit to win their game in the

last minute and 40 seconds by

just one point! They "got up"

and never quit. I was explaining

the day to our 8-year-old grandson

who then helped me "get up" off the

floor where we were chatting!

Hope you're up and never quitting

and that all yoru NEWS is good!  

A SALUTE TO "POP!"

    

    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30TH., 2024
           A SALUTE TO "POP!"

        Looking for the perfect gift
for the kid who has everything?
You may find the answer by
joining me in observing this
week's unusual "holiday."
       This week we celebrated
"Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!"
         This protective plastic
based material is, of course,
designed to protect all sorts of
products that are shipped from
one place to another. But who
can resist popping those little
air pockets when you're holding
that wrap in your hands?
        "The kid who has everything?"
Heck, the urge to pop those
bubbles is contagious and it's not
limited to kids. That said, I met a
guy at Walmart in December who
picked up a large roll which he
intended to divide and give as
stocking stuffers. It may be the
ideal gift!
      According to holidayinsights.
com, allegedly, a radio station in
Bloomington, Indiana received a
shipment of microphones wrapped
in bubble wrap. While unwrapping
and setting up the microphones,
the sound of bubble wrap popping
was inadvertently broadcast on the
radio. And so, Bubble Wrap
Appreciation Day was born.
      Some "poppers" say it's a great
stress relief. Of course that may
depend on whether you're the
popper or the popper listener!
      Why not get yourself a sheet
or a roll in honor of the day. See
how long it takes to pop all the
bubbles. Hope you pass your
own Pop Quiz and that all your
NEWS is good!

THE GET AWAY!!

      TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024

           THE GET AWAY!

   It's January 30th friends and that, for those
who may not know, is "National Escape Day!"
I'm sure there's more than one person in local
lockups hoping to celebrate the occasion!
   You won't find it listed in the Congressional
Record and it's probably not marked in red on
your calendar. But it's an important day!
    You're suppose to celebrate by getting away
from our everyday chores and activities.
     Between work, school, family, friends, partners
and errands, we all get into a routine. This is a
day to "escape" from the routine.
     Of course it's a lot easier to talk about
getting away than actually doing it!
    Just ask the people stranded along our

Interstate highways during a snow storm!
    And, let's face it, how many bosses out there
will forgive you for not showing up to work because
it's "National Escape Day?"
    Hope you get away with.....I mean escape from....
something today and that all your NEWS is good!

I'M ALL PUZZLED!

     MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024

                I'M ALL PUZZLED!

           As a newsman I usually enjoyed a good

challenge. That said there were exceptions.
     Those challenges could generally be found
in the daily newspaper or in boxes marked
100, or 500, or one thousand pieces.
      I write of the challenges contained in the
daily crossword puzzle or the jigsaw pieces
that make up a picture puzzle!
      It can't be a matter of patience. I've often
used up as much time playing games of
chess.
       My wife works a crossword puzzle as
she enjoys her breakfast. Often I find myself
participating without intending to join in.
If she comes across a question that's sports
related or involves old movie stars there's a
pretty good chance I'll be asked. Of course
sometimes my answers don't fit either the
first letter she needs or the number of
letters to fit the empty blocks.
         Picture puzzles are a whole other
matter! I stay as far away from those as
possible. That's especially true since at least
one of the grandkids decided it would be
fun to remove one piece from the assortment
to tease my wife.
           But don't let me stop the rest of you!
           January 29th is National P___le Day.
Hope you enjoy it and that all your NEWS
is good!

BUYING TIME!

  SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024

                 BUYING TIME!      

   I suppose to be totally accurate I

really should have entitles this Blog

"Renting Time." You see I've finally

figured out how to use the new parking

meter system the city of Pittston, and others

I'm sure, now have in place. It's not like the

old days when I started driving. Back then

you could pull up at a parking meter, put a

few pennies in and shop for a half hour or

so. These days the meters don't take pennies.

The ones I use do take nickels, dimes, quarters,

and credit cards! If you want enough time to

shop you'll probably need the card, Nobody

carries that many coins! You can call in your

license number to buy some time but you'll

need your license number and I never remember

any of my license numbers. In the municipal lot

I use there are no separate meters. Just the machine

which collects your money and issues a piece of

paper with the time marked when your time

expires. You put it in your windshield and hope

the meter reader can read it when he or she shows

up. Stay too long and, just like in the old days,

you get a ticket! Ironically downtown parking

meters were one of the main reasons people

started going to malls to shop. There they could

park for free. Now, the malls are dying and the

meters, although in a new technical form, seem

to have survived! Hope your meter is filled and

that all your NEWS is good1

  

    

AH CRAP-ER!

   Saturday, January 27, 2024

          AH CRAP-ER!

        We usually honor heroes and other special

people by celebration their birthdays.
   Today, however, we remember a man who
has influenced all of our lives on the date of
the day he PASSED away!
    I guess, in a sense, that's appropriate.
    He was important and we wouldn't want
to WASTE his memory.
    He died on January 27th., 1910.
    And today is "Thomas Crapper Day."
    For those of you who never heard of him
old Tommy is the man credited with
inventing the flush toilet!
    Actually, he didn't! But he did increase the
popularity of "the Throne" and came up with
improvements to make it more efficient.
    I found the day listed on a web site
dedicated to Bizarre and Wacky Holidays!
And this one certainly fits!
    Think about it! How does one "celebrate"
Crapper Day? I'm not going to touch this
one!
    Still, I thought I ought to tell you about
it so you wouldn't get caught with your....
well you know the rest!
     Enjoy the day.......maybe with a good
book. Maybe you can find a good place
to sit and read. And remember Thomas
Crapper!
     Hope it all works out in the end and
that all your NEWS is good.



Thomas Crapper

    

COORDINATION REBELLION!

    TFRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

    COORDINATION REBELLION!       

   Just in case you didn't already know

January 26th is "Clashing Clothes Day!"

Now clothes have been around forever.

Adam and Eve had the first sets. Probably

from the same Fig tree so they were

coordinated! The Cavemen were said

to wear fur from the various animals

they caught. Of course over the years

colors became available in fabrics and

various "styles" began to evolve. But

this is a day to set traditional fashions

aside. Go ahead, wear poka dots with

stripes. Put on that yellow shirt with

the green slacks or skirt! It's a day to

break away from what is considered

the norm! My wife took one look at

my outfit today and said "You're right

in style." Given the day I'm now

wondering what she means? Well,

whatever you're wearing, have a great

day filled with good NEWS! 

AN APPLE A DAY?

    THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

             AN  APPLE A DAY?!

        

    This is "Macintosh Day", although

some will insist it's January 24th. That's

the day, in 1984, that Steve Jobs introduced

the world to the first Macintosh computer.

It actually went on sale, however, on the

25th. Since then Apple has come up with

all kinds of products from computers to

IPads, IPhones, and such. There's even an apple

watch now. I must admitt to having several

laptop computers including the one on which

I produce this daily blog. Truth is, however,

the only apple I have is not a Macintosh and

it's in the refrigerator ready for a snack! Hope

whatever you're using you're using it to check

out my blog and that all your NEWS is good!

DON'T "SKIPPY" THIS DAY!

     WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

     DON'T "SKIPPY" THIS DAY!

      January 24th is National Peanut Butter

Day!
     Peanut Butter has helped many
people survive disasters of one sort
or another. When my Dad's job took
him and my Mom on the road while
I was still in High School, Peanut
Butter and Tuna alternated in providing
the makings for many of my daily
sandwiches.
     And I wasn't alone! The average child
will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches before he/she graduates high
school. And they're really easy to make
if, as I have cautioned before, you apply
the peanut butter first and the jelly second!
     You just can't go wrong with
Peanut Butter! Peanuts have more protein
and niacin than any other nut. They are
naturally cholesterol-free. And rumor has
it there’s enough mental stimulation in
one peanut to produce 30 minutes of serious
thinking. I probably should have eaten more
when I was in school! Lot's more! My wife

tells me I should have some as soon as

possible!
      Perhaps, in order to celebrate this
special day, you might consider replacing
your traditional roast with some great
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
      Unless, of course, you suffer from
Archibutyrophobia which is the fear of
getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of
your mouth.
     Hope you're in the Peanut Gallery and
that all your NEWS is good!

     

TAKE TIME TO WALK THEM!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

 TAKE TIME TO WALK THEM!

   January is "National Take Your Pet

For A Walk Month!" According to the

Pet obesity prevention organization

near 60% of American pets are

overweight! And that can be trouble.

Two extra pounds on a cat or 5 extra

pounds on a dog can lead to serious

illnesses! Walking your pet can help

keep their weight down. It's also

healthy exercise for both the animal

and you! Great advice! I'l preparing

a leash right now! I'm only wondering

how I'll get it on our fish in its bowl

and where we'll be able to walk!

Hope your decision is easier and

that all your NEWS is good!  

WRITE THIS DOWN!

  MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024

       WRITE THIS DOWN!

   Today begins "National Handwriting 

Week" which focuses attention on the

benefits of handwriting analysis. It's

always observed the week of John

Handcock's birthday. He was the

gentleman who signed his name in

very large letters on the Declaration

of Independence so King George would

be sure to notice it. Our handwriting

does tell a lot about us. How organized

and precise we are. How outgoing or

timid. It can be used in criminology

to make up a likely profile of the

person doing the writing. I even

considered doing today's blog in

a handwritten form. But my said

nobody would be able to read it!

Guess I don't have the "write" stuff.

Hope you do and that all your NEWS

is good! 

RISING TO THE OCCASION!

       SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2024

       RISING TO THE OCCASION!

   If you've ever found yourself in the position

of having to go up multiple flights of stairs to

get to an appointment or even to do some

shopping it's likely a guy named Otis

made life a little easier for you. You see

Otis invented the elevator! We should all

probably thank Otis! But...which one?  Otis

Tufts filed a patent for what he called a

"vertical railway" in 1859. It was used in

New York's 5th Avenue Hotel. But that 

same year another man came up with a

much similar design which included a

safety break to stop the elevator should

it happen to fall. It quickly became the

standard. That "other man" was also

named Otis. But, in his case, Otis was

his last name! Elisha Otis. He's the Otis

who also founded the Otis Elevator

Company...still the largest manufacture

of elevators in the world. Hope you're

getting up in the world and that all

your NEWS is good!

GET THE PICTURE!

    SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024

            GET THE PICTURE!

        There are those who might suggest I

originated this unique "holiday." I did not!
But I have observed it for a long as I can
remember.
      You see January 20th., is "Camcorder
Day!"
       I got my first video tape camcorder
in the 1980's. It was a gift from a good
friend of mine. He was an attorney who
bought the thing but never used it. After
borrowing it twice for family events he
decided it should belong to someone who
would actually use it. And that was me!
       The camera only photographed in
black and white. And it wasn't portable.
It had to be plugged into a wall outlet
to work.
      I've had a lot of camcorders since
then. Most of the old ones recorded
on VHS video tape.
      For many years friends and
relatives must have thought I had a
machine attached to my head! I used
to get teased for taking so much video.
     But now, looking back at scenes that
include movement and sound, I and
others realize I have a treasure of
memories that go beyond a single
picture.
      I've converted most of my tapes,
even old movie film, onto dvd disks
now so they're better preserved and
easier to play!
       I suppose the ultimate irony is
that the one person you won't see in
all these movies....is me! 99% of the
time I'm behind the camera. Interesting
for a guy who spent so much time on
television!
        The Camcorders keep changing.
But I keep shooting cause the memories
keep coming! Don't miss yours!
         Hope all your NEWS is good!

POP SECRETS!

        FRIDAY,  JANUARY 19, 2024

                 POP SECRETS !

    (One of my oldie, but goodie Blogs!)

    Just in case you didn't already know, January

19th is "National Popcorn Day!" One of America's

favorite snacks! Popcorn has an impressive history!

Burnt kernels of popcorn were found inside a cave

in New Mexico. They dated back to 3600BC!

      The first commercial popcorn making machine

was patened in 1881. But perhaps the biggest

advancement in popcorn making came about in

1981 with the introduction of microwave popcorn!

My favorite popcorn always comes from the movie

theater. It just seems that movies and popcorn are 

a natural. Which makes me wonder what those

cave dwellers were watching in 36ooBC?! Hope

you're enjoying some with extra butter and that all your

NEWS is good!

THE DAYS OF DOUBLE DEE!

        THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

         THE DAYS OF DOUBLE DEE!        

  This is "National Disc Jockey Day!" I

used to be a DJ. For most of the first few

years of my broadcasting career I played

all the latest (at the time) hits and some

golden oldies as well. But that was a time

when most communities, even smaller ones,

had their own local radio stations. Though

it's National DJ Day they guys and girls

that really made an impact were the local

DJ's. The ones who knew their own

community and the life styles of their

audience. Unfortunately most of those

local stations are gone now or, if not,

bring you a DJ by satellite broadcasting

from a studio far away from your main

street. They don't know the local news,

weather, or anything else about your

community. And that shows when a

local disaster strikes. I'll take my

"good old days" as a DJ way over today's

offerings. But for those of you still on

the air and spinning the hits, keep up

them coming! Hope all your NEWS is

good!

I LEFT THOSE CARS, IN SAN FRANCISCO!

  WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17TH 2024

I LEFT...THOSE CARS...IN SAN FRANCISCO!       !

   It's January 17th and that's

"Cable Car Day!" They're a San

Francisco attraction with a Pennsylvania

connection!
     A guy named Andrew Smith Hallidie 
got tired seeing horses falling over, sometimes
dying, while trying to pull trolleys up the
steep streets of the City by the Bay!
    So he got a patent for a moving cable to
pull the cars along. And, by the way, for a
number of years the cables that did the job
were manufactured in Sunbury, Pennsylvania!
    I got a chance to ride the Cable Cars back
in 2007 when my wife and I hosted a train
trip out to San Francisco.
     A guy directing the cars at a turn around
point pulled one aside especially for our tour
group and off we went!
     I got to stand at the right front of the car
which allowed me to get some great video...
but also had me ducking out of the way of
trucks parked along the tracks. Their mirrors
were at just the right height to knock any
inattentive passenger half way to the stars!
     Since we don't have any Cable Cars 
around here maybe you can head out to
one of the ski slopes and ride the lift all
day. It's just another version of Hallidie's

idea and no horses are at risk! No? Well

perhaps you could just enjoy some Rice-

A-Roni to celebrate the day!
     Hopefully that "Golden Sun" will shine
on you and all your NEWS will be good!

 

NOTHING DOING!

     TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024

            NOTHING DOING!

    It's January 16th which, as you probably

know, is do nothing day! It's the brainchild

of a newspaper man, Harold Pullman Coffin,

who "established" the day in 1973. The idea,

as the name suggests, is to do nothing! I wasn't

sure I should tell you because by doing so I

was actually doing something on Do Nothing Day!

Be careful if you're trying to observe the day at

work. The boss may not be a fan of this unusual

"holiday." But if you can, enjoy the day by doing

as nothing as possible! Hope you're well and that

all your NEWS is good! 

NATIONAL BAGEL DAY!

     JANUARY 15, 2024

NATIONAL BAGEL DAY!

  It's January 15th friends and that

means it's "National Bagel Day." The

Bagel! What a treat. They date from

the 1600's with origins in Poland and

Germany. Jewish immigrants are

credited with bringing them to New

York where they were an instant hit!

They was so much demand for bagels

that in 1900 the folks that made them

formed a Bagel Bakers Union! Millions

are sold throughout the country each

day. They are served in many ways.

Often with cream cheese. Butter is

another favorite. Some people like

them with jelly. There are all kinds

of combinations. In an sense bagels

are good friends because they're

always around when your "knead"

them! Have a bagel and a great

day. Hope all your NEWS is good!

FIDO IN HIS FINEST?

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

            FIDO IN HIS FINEST?           

       Saturday, January 14th is "Dress Up Your

Pet Day!"  This unique "holiday" was the

brain child of pet style expert and animal

advocate Colleen Paige. A local TV station

often features photos of viewer's pets and

many of those picture show pets dressed

up. It's usually in holiday garb, especially

around Christmas and Saint Patrick's Day.

Some pet owners dress their pets in weather

related outfits on a regular basis. The idea

of participating in this event has left me with

a bit of a problem. You see, we have fish and

it's rather hard to get them into a tux! Hope

the rest of your enjoy the day with your dog,

of cat, or whatever, and that all your NEWS

is good!

 

       

    

HEADING FOR CAMPTOWN!

    SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2024

      HEADING FOR CAMPTOWN!

   Don't be surprised to see me with my

harmonica today playing a few bars of

"Oh Susanna!" You see this is Stephen

Foster Day! It was so designated by the

President in 1951 although not officially

observed until 1967. Stephen Foster was

know as "The Father of American Music."

He turned out hit after hit with tunes such

as Beautiful Dreamer, I Dream of Jeanie

With the Light Brown Hair, and After The

Ball to name just a few. The State of Kentucky

adopted one of his tunes, My Old Kentucky

Home, as its official state song! But Stephen

was a Pennsylvania boy! He was born in

Lawrenceville which is now a part of

Pittsburgh but lived and studied in the

Towanda/Athens area for several years.

His brother William worked in Towanda,

right along Route 6. He was living with

his brother when he composed Camptown 

Races, Camptown is just a few miles outside

of Towanda and they still hold races there.

These days, however, they are foot rather

than horse races. It's kind of ironic that

Stephen Foster Day is observed on the date

of his death. January 13th. He was only 37!

I guess they felt is birthdate was already too busy

That was July 4th! Hope you're humming

some Stephen Foster tunes today and that

all your NEWS is good! 

GUESS WHAT TODAY IS!?

         FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024

        GUESS WHAT TODAY IS!?

    I have been telling you about unusual

holidays for a long time now but I've

finally come across one about which I

know nothing! January 12th is the

"Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day!"

Although this "occasion" is listed on

the Holidayinsights website there is

absolutely no information about what

it's all about or how it even came to

be. Maybe you can tell me!! Just

going by that title I'm tempted to get

celebrate at a wild party while eating

a turkey leg. My wife suggests I forget

any illusions this "holiday" may evoke

in my mind. So be it! Hope you find a

way to celebrate and that all your NEWS

is good! 

GOT MILK?

    THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

                         GOT MILK?

         January 11th is "National Milk Day!"

I like milk! I've been drinking it since I

was a babu. As it happens the first home

delivery of milk in glass bottles took place

on this very day in 1878. Milk has changed

a bit throught the years. You can still find

it in glass bottles. But you're most likely

see it in plastic containers at most stores

these days/ You'll also find a choice of 1%, 2%, 

and whole milk. I like whole milk. But our

grandson has pretty much grown up on

Almond milk. (I still haven't learbed how

one milks an almond!  But my favorite

milk product only comes around a couple

times of year. I just picked up a bottle

yesterday. It's called Egg Nog and it's

probably good that it isn't available

all the time. It's got about as many

calories in one glass as a double cheeseburger!

Think I'll have a sip right now! Hope you've

"got milk" and that all your NEWS is good! 

TAKE DOWN DAY!

    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024

              TAKE DOWN DAY!

    Well I fought it off as long as I could

but my wife won out. On Monday, 

the annual sad project got started.

My wife began to take down the Christmas

decorations. She did most of the taking

down while I hauled the storage containers

out of the shed and onto our porch, then

back out to the shed once she had each

one filled. The tree has been covered 

and carefully taken out for storage, it's

OK, it's artificial. It has yet to be carried

to the shed. One of our grandsons may

pressed into service for that. I tried to

convince my wife to keep everything up 

since the last holiday actually connected 

with Christmas.  But Candlemas but

isn't till February 2nd. She insisted she'd 

rather gets things packed away and celebrate

Groundhog day instead. Oh well, you can't win

them all! Hope you're well and that all your

NEWS is good!

UP UP AND AWAY!

     TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024

             UP, UP, AND AWAY!

   Looking for something to celebrate?

Well you've come to the right place!

January 9th is "Balloon Ascension Day!"

It marks the day, in 1793, when a Frenchman,

Jean Pierre Blanchard, launched a balloon

from the area which is now Independence

Square in Philadelphia thus becoming the

first aerial voyage in the history of the

United States of America! President

George Washington was on hand to witness

the flight! Balloon rides have become a

popular attraction for many these days.

I saw one launched at Blue Ridge Winery

a couple weeks ago by a new company 

that's just, if you'll excuse the expression,

getting off the ground. I was showing my

wife the video I captured, prompting her

to ask "What makes those balloons go up?"

"Hot air" I replied. Then she said. "What's

holding you down?" Talk about getting

deflated! Hope you're flying high today

and that all your NEWS is good!

DIG IN!

    MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

                   DIG IN!

  Today we recognize an old English

holiday dating back to the 1500's. This

is "Plough Monday!" It is always

observed on the first Monday after

January 6th. It marked the unofficial

start of the country's agriculture

season and in times long gone

farmers would literally march through

the towns with their ploughs, singing,

dancing and fund raising for their

upcoming season. I'm in a mood to

celebrate the day today but not in

the original way. As I look out my

windows it's very clear a plough 

is needed. But its got nothing to

do with agriculture! Hope you're

all "ploughed out" and that all

your NEWS is good!

 

HAIL CAESAR AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

            SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2024

  HAIL CAESAR, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

     Julius Caesar was a pretty important guy

in Rome back in the day. How many other

people lived over 2000 years ago and still

have a salad named after them?

    He's remembered on coins and even in

famous works of literature.

    But what's important today is the fact

that this guy had his own calendar! It was

used by everybody up until 1582 when this

other guy, Pope Gregory XIII decided to

change things around!

     But Caesar's calendar wasn't complete

discarded. The Eastern Orthodox Church

still uses it and, in it's book, that makes

today CHRISTMAS! Many refer to the

day as "Russian Christmas." At least I do!

     Now most of us have already observed

the big day back in December. But my

take on the whole thing is....what's wrong

with celebrating twice?!

      So, although my closest connection to

Russia is an occasional visit to Moscow

in Lackawanna County and an old James

Bond movie, my wife and I welcomed

Santa once again with some

small gifts for immediate members of our

family none of whom are Russian!

     And I heard him exclaim as he drove

out of sight, Merry Christmas to all, and

may all your NEWS be good!

THE 12th DAY OF CHRISTMAS!

      SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

    THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS!

     Welcome to January 6th otherwise known

as "Three Kins Day!" It makes the day when

the three kings, or three wise men, found

Jesus in the manger after following the bright

star to his birthplace. It is also. technically

speaking, the 12th or the final day of Christmas.

Some people mark this day with special feasts or

by giving gifts. For those who fabor the gift 

giving I can send you my address in case you'd

like to add me to your list! And though it may be

the 12th day of Christmas I would remind you

that Russian or Orthodox Christmas will be

celebrated tomorrow! So don't dump those

decorations just yet! Hope you're still in the

spirit and that all your NEWS is good!

THE LAST LAUGH!

     FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

            THE LAST LAUGH!      

    We' ve all been so busy with the

holidays it's easy to overlook some

of the lesser known reasons for having

a celebration. This week, for instance,

is "Someday We'll Laugh About This

Week." I'm sure you get the idea. We've

all done something that was pretty much

a disaster at the time it happened. But

when we look at it years later it becomes

the subject of humor. It's a week to

forget those mistakes and turn them 

into a reason to smile. In my case, for

instance, there was the time I put Dish

washing detergent in the dish washing

machine only to find the kitchen floor

covered in soap suds minutes later.

Best part is...I repeated the mistake

several month later. I look back on

it now and I laugh. Ironically, for

some reason, my wife still doesn't think 

it's funny! Maybe if I try it again she'll

see the humor? Hope so, and that all

your NEWS is good!

GOING UNDER!

    THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2034

              GOING UNDER!

     January 4th is World Hypnotism Day!

   I've never celebrated the day. In fact, fo r
years, I was terrified of hypnosis!
    Thoughts of being put into a trance
brought back visions of Dracula (aka Bela
Lugosi) overpowering his victims just
before he drained their blood!
      Stage hypnosis wasn't any better!
Who wants to be put under only to learn,
afterwards, that you've acted like a monkey
or reveled some deep dark secret that should
have remained secret!
       Still I've heard testimony from people
who swear hypnosis has helped them quit
smoking or lose weight. If they're telling
the truth I suppose the "science" does have
a place.
        I found myself using hypnosis a few
years back. I was spending the day with
our then three-year-old grandson and realized
it was nap time. The little guy didn't really
want to sleep. But once I talked him into
reclining on the bed "just for two minutes"
I began to capture his attention with a story
I made up on the spot.
       The subject involved a giant who was
scaring people in a small town .He'd go
house to house. But people quickly learned
if they pretended to be asleep he simply
passed them by! I delivered each line a
little soften until my voice was just a
whisper.
       Next thing I knew the little guy was
out cold, a victim of my hypnotism (or
boredom). To be completely honest, I
may have put myself out for awhile too!

      If you'll celebrating hope you'll

avoid any hypnotist with a dark cape
and long teeth, and that all your NEWS
is good!

A FEW ZZZZ'S?

   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

                 A FEW Z'S?

    So much to do today. As I've

told you before it's Fruitcake toss

day. Those of you who don't like

fruitcakes are invited them to toss

them today. Some communities

actually schedule fruitcake tossing

competitions. January 3rd is also

"Chocolate Covered Cherries Day."

That's easy enough to celebrate!

But here's one you might not be

aware of. This is "Festival Of

Sleep Day!" The creators of this

unusal "holiday" believe it's a great

day to rest up from all the hectic

actuvities surrounding Christmas

and New Year's. They suggest you

get some extra sleep today. At the very

least a cat nap! Think I'll take one....in

between getting up late and to bed

early. Hope you get some rest and

that all your NEWS is good!

    

HOW LOW SHOULD YOU GO?

     TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024

    HOW LOW SHOULD YOU GO?         

   January 2nd is one of those unusual

"holidays" I like to tell you about so you

can celebrate if you'd like. It's "55 Mile

Per Hour Speed Limit Day!" Yep! It was

signed into law on January 2nd., of 1974!

OPEC countries had institued an oil

embagro and there were gas shortages all

over the U.S. People were waiting in long

lines to try to fill up their gas tanks.

Preisdent Nixon signed a laaw prohibiting

states from setting any speed limit that

exceded 55 miles per hour. The belief was

the law would help conserve gas while 

saving lives at the same time. The law wasn't

actually repealed until October 28th., of 1995!

These days if you see anybody doing 55 miles

per hur...wave as you "sail by!" Hope you're

careful whatever your speed and that all your

NEWS is good!