It has become February 8, 2021. The Super Bowl failed to live up to my expectations, as usual. That was yesterday and now in my rear view mirror. Ahead the clouds are clearing with the promise of sunny skies. Every person who gets vaccinated brings us a step closer to normal. Today is National Kite Flying Day, Boy Scouts Day, Laugh And Get Rich Day, National Molasses Bar Day, Clean Out Your Computer Day and Oatmeal Monday. I will go with the oatmeal because that will be my breakfast. Now to the history. On this date in 1587 Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at the age of 44. Before the axe came down she said to her executioner “I forgive you with all my heart, for now, I hope, you shall make an end of all my troubles.” In 1622 King James I disbanded the English parliament. Why? Because he was the Kings. In 1883 Louis Waterman invented the fountain pen. I checked Amazon and a new Waterman costs between $13 to over $150. In 1930 on this date the song “Happy Days Are Here Again” hit #1. In 1944, President Roosevelt ordered that Harry McAlpin, an African American reporter, be credentialed to attend White House press briefings. The press association tried to stop him, warning the room would be so crowded with him in it, he might cause a riot. McAlpin calmly replied, “That would be a hell of a news story, and I want to be there for that.” Today is John Ruskin’s birthday. He was English art critic, draughtsman, philosopher, prominent social thinker and philanthropist. John said “Let every dawn be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting sun be to you as its close.” I agree. Since this is the day that Mary, Queen of Scots death, I’ll close with another quote from her, “To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.” Be safe. Abide
