December 28, 2021 has finally arrived. I’ve been waiting 27,969 days for this day to get here. While I don’t have a particular attachment to this area of time/space, I like to remind myself of how long I’ve been here. I plan on adding a few more thousands of days to my life before this one is over. Today is Call A Friend Day, Pledge of Allegiance Day, National Playing Card Day, National Short Film Day, National Download Day and National Chocolate Candy Day. The choice is obvious: Chocolate. On this day in 1732 Benjamin Franklin began publishing “Poor Richard’s Almanack” under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. On this day in 1836, Spain recognized the independence of Mexico. In 1849 M Jolly-Bellin discovers dry-cleaning. He accidentally upset lamp containing turpentine & oil on his clothing & sees cleaning effect. Now you know! In 1869 on this date, William Finley Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio, patents chewing gum. Today is the birthday (1856) of Woodrow Wilson who was our 28th President. His quotes indicate that he realized that the country had shifted from a democracy to an oligarchy controlled by a handful of wealthy individuals. He said, “The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy.” He also said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” On this day in 2004 the writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teach and political activist Susan Sontag drew her last breath at the age of 71. She said, “Life is a movie; death is a photograph.” “Shouting has never made me understand anything.” I’ll end with this one: “10% of any population is cruel, no matter what, and 10% is merciful, no matter what, and the remaining 80% can be moved in either direction.” Hope I’ve given you a few things to think about. Abide.
