Once the pandemic has run it’s course and we have the luxury of hindsight; what America did will be compared to what America should have done. I don’t think we will get a passing grade. That is for the future to decide and on this particular January 24, 2021, I will focus my energy on this day. It is Beer Can Appreciation Day, Belly Laugh Day, National Just Do It Day, National Compliment Day, National Lobster Thermidor Day, National Eskimo Pie Patent Day, National Peanut Butter Day and Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day. I like all of them. I can put some peanut butter on an Eskimo Pie. Say Dagnabbit (think Gabby Hays) like a grizzled prospector might say? It’s a good list. Now to the past: This is the date in 41 that Claudius succeeds his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor after the Caligula was assassination by officers of the Praetorian Guard. It seems that Caligula wasn’t well liked. He said, “Let them hate me as long as they fear me”. In 1679 King Charles II disbands English parliament. Kings can do that. In 1848 James Marshall finds gold in Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California and the Gold Rush begins. In 1908 Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell publishes “Scouting for Boys” as a manual for self-instruction in outdoor skills and self-improvement. The book becomes the inspiration for the Scout Movement. He said, “The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.” In 1922, the Eskimo Pie patented by Christian K Nelson of Iowa. In 1935 the 1st canned beer, “Krueger’s Cream Ale,” is sold. Today is the birthday (1712) of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. He said, “If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army.” This is also the date in 1965 that Winston Churchill died at the age of 90. His quotes are great. He recounted a conversation he had with Lady Astor who said “Winston, if I were your wife, I’d put poison in your coffee.” to which Churchill replied “Nancy, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.” And “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” He also makes my list of people I’d like to spend an afternoon with. With that, Dagnabbit, I’ll start my day. Abide.
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