12.31.2021 is finally here. This year started out rough and it’s ending rough. The middle wasn’t bad. Got the vaccination early and soon thereafter returned to a semi-normal state. I fully expect the Omicron variant will be short lived and we will be in a better place in a few months. I’m better equipped to pursue happiness than I was a year ago. I have high expectations for fun in 2022. The last day os the year is Hogmanay (Pagan Scottish celebration), Make Up Your Mind Day, No Interruptions Day, Once Voice Day, New Years Eve Day and National Champagne Day. Now to history. On this day in 192 Roman Emperor Commodus survived a poisoning attempt by his mistress only to be strangled in his bath. I read a little about him and it seems that he became mentally ill, aka crazy as a loon, and since they didn’t have elections or recalls, the only way to end his term of office was to kill him, which they did. On this day in 1871 the 1st bank in America opened: the Bank of North America. On this day in 1783 the importation of African slaves was banned by all the Northern US States. On this day in 1841 Alabama became the 1st state to license dental surgeons. Today, Alabama ranks #3 in worst dental health. Only Arkansas and Mississippi are lower on the scale. The 1st New Year’s Eve celebration in Time Square took place in 1904. On this day in 1961 the Green Bay Packers shutout the NY Giants 37-0 which was the 1st of 5 Championship titles won in 7 years under head coach Vince Lombardi. Now a couple of quotes about the New Year: Ben Franklin said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better person.” Bill Butler said, “You get a new year, you get a new start, you get a new opportunity.” I’ll end the posts of 2021 with an Irish toast: “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness comes through your door.” Happy New Year. Abide.
