The road sign reads, May 8, 2020. It’s a one-way street. Around 360,000 get on each day and around 151,000 take the exit ramp. Don’t know the mile marker of my exit ramp but I hope it’s a long, long way down the road. Let’s look at today’s billboards: It’s Fintastic Friday (as in sharks), Iris Day, National Public Gardens Day, National Give Someone a Cupcake Day, National Coconut Cream Pie Day, National Have a Coke Day and No Socks Day. I’ll do the coke because I’ve got the rum. On this day in 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto lands on the coast of Florida, somewhere between present-day Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. This is the day in 1886 that Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta sells the first Coca-Cola which did contained cocaine. This is the day in 1919 that WWI ended and in 1945 that Germany surrendered to the allies. Finally, this is the day in 1958 that President Eisenhower orders National Guard to escort the nine black students into Central High School in Little Rock. Today is Harry Truman’s birthday (1884). He said, “All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.” He also said, ” It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” In 1873 on this date, John Stuart Mill, English philosopher, political economist dies at the age of 66. He said, “I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.” That is something Buddha might say. Enough for this day. Stay safe out there. This is a long way from over. Abide
