The Christmas of 2019 is now a memory. Hope yours is a good one. Mine certainly is. Too much food and too many presents but that makes it a Christmas. Now we start returning to normal. Won’t actually get there for a few more days but we’re on the way. The new year cycle starts on January 2nd. There are a couple of interesting events for December 26th, 2019: National Whiner’s Day, Thank You Note Day, National Candy Cane Day and Boxing Day. The Whiner’s Day was created by Kevin Zaborney in 1986, “to encourage gratefulness for what we have rather than what we do not.” I’m in total agreement with Kevin. It is the corner stone upon which happiness is built. The Boxing Day is celebrated in many countries and is when gifts are given to the working class who provide services. Now to the way back machine: In 1620, Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory’s crimes and serial murders are uncovered. I’ve never heard of Elizabeth Báthory so I looked her up. She’s thought to be the most prolific serial killing in history. She is believed to have killed over 600 women. A real life vampire. In 1854 on this date, wood-pulp paper is 1st exhibited in Buffalo NY. In 1865 James H Mason patents the 1st US coffee percolator. In 1878 the 1st US store installs electric lights (Philadelphia). Finally, on this date in 1924 Judy Garland, 2½, billed as Baby Frances, makes her show business debut. I’ve always felt sorry for Judy. She never had a childhood. She was always in the spotlight. She said “If I am a legend, then why am I so lonely?” This is the birthday (1891) of Henry Miller who wrote the Tropic of Cancer which I’ve heard of but never read. Anyway, I looked up his quotes and found this: “The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” I appreciate Henry’s attitude. With that, I think I’ll get started living this day. You’ll Abide now.
