The celestial clock on the wall reads May 21, 2021. It’s a good day to be alive. Our ancestors certainly didn’t have it this well. Since I’m old, I can remember living in a house without electricity or running water. I even went to grade school in a one room schoolhouse. I live much better now. Another reason to celebrate today. It’s also Endangered Species Day, I Need a Patch for That Day, International Tea Day, NASCAR Day, National Waiters and Waitresses Day and National Strawberries and Cream Day and Pizza Party Day. Since I had pizza yesterday, I’ll celebrate strawberries. Now to our daily search of historical footnotes. On this day in 1819, the1st bicycles (swift walkers) were introduced in NYC. They didn’t have pedals. In 1881 American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton who said, “I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.” This is the day in 1927 that Charles Lindbergh, in the Spirit of St Louis, landed in Paris after the first solo air crossing of the Atlantic. In 1932 After flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart landed in Northern Ireland, becoming the 1st transatlantic solo flight by a woman. This is the birthday (1688) of Alexander Pope. You probably don’t recognize the name but you will remember what he said ” To err is human; to forgive, divine.” and “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Another one of his I like is “No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.” One more whisper from his grave and I’ll end today’s post: “Teach me to feel another’s woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.” Abide.
