We’ve now reached the 18th Day of October 2021. The forecasted high temperature in Central Florida is going to be 81 degrees. Florida’s Fall has arrived. I try to remind myself every day that I live where Palm Trees grow. Instead of chipmunks, we have geckos. Instead of snow boots, I have socks made for flip flops. Life is good. There’s not much to celebrate on today’s list. National Chocolate Cupcake Day (my pick), International Adjust Your Chair Day, National No Beard Day, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day and World Menopause Day. Any cupcakes are good, but chocolate cupcakes are my favorite. On this day in 1648 the Boston Shoemakers formed the 1st labor union North American. On this day in 1776 in a bar decorated with bird tails (feathers) in Elmsford, New York, a customer requested a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan. Now you know. On this day in 1867 the US takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia, having paid $7.2 million or 2 cents an acre. This is the day in 1878 that Edison made electricity available for household use. In 1898 on this day the American flag was raised in Puerto Rico. Maybe it’s time to make them a state? Finally, this is the day in 1977 that Reggie Jackson hit 3 consecutive home runs tying Babe Ruth’s record. This is the day in 1931 that the world lost Thomas Edison. He crated the incandescent light bulb and the phonograph. He held over 1,000 patents for his inventions. He said, “We don’t know a millionth of one percent about anything.” This is also the death date of the German political philosopher Leo Strauss who died in 1973. I’ll end with a quote by him that resonates with me: “All political action aims at either preservation (conservatives) or change (liberals). When desiring to preserve, we wish to prevent a change for the worse; when desiring to change, we wish to bring about something better.” That statement may be the best description of the foundation of America’s political system I’ve found. Now, I’m going to squeeze out every ounce of happiness I can find in this day. Abide.
