Today is the last day of July, 2021. I’ve enjoyed it. Made some memories, listened to some exceptional music in New Orleans, been places I haven’t been before and reconnected with my family. In the words of Jimmy Buffett, “How did I get this lucky / Tell me who, gets to live like this?” Today is National Avocado Day, National Cotton Candy Day, National Jump for Jelly Beans Day, National Mutt Day, Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day, Shredded Wheat Day and National Raspberry Cake Day. I do have a few uncommon instruments. I’ll go with that. There’s a few interesting historical footnotes I can make you aware of. This is the day in 1703 that Daniel Defoe (author of Robinson Crusoe) was placed in a pillory for the crime of seditious libel after publishing a politically satirical pamphlet, but was pelted with flowers instead of rocks.. On this day in 1813 the British invaded Plattsburgh NY. This is the day in 1922 that 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson rode the world’s 1st water skis in a lake in Minnesota. This is the day in 1970 called Black Tot Day: the last day of the officially sanctioned rum ration in the Royal Navy which started in 1740. A truly bad day for sailors. Lastly, in 1988 on this day, the last Playboy Club closed in Lansing, Michigan. A sad day for whoever went there I guess. July 31st, 1784 is the day that Denis Diderot, French writer/philosopher, died at 70. My favorite quote from Diderot is “Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.” A truly great quote on several different levels, sarcasm being at the top. He also said “Happiest are the people who give the most happiness to others.” And on that note, try to enjoy the last day of July 2021. Abide.
