It is now February 18, 2022. Ra will begin his ride across the sky in a couple of hours. It’s going to hit 80 degrees this afternoon. I’m not angry at anyone or anything. I am satisfied with what I have, who I am and the direction of my life. I think the saying is “happy camper”. On this day we can celebrate Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day, Thumb Appreciation Day, National Battery Day or National Drink Wine Day. Cabernet Sauvignon sounds good to me. Now to historical footnotes. On this day in 1688 Quakers conducted the 1st formal protest slavery in Germantown, PA. In 1787 Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II banned children under 8 from labor. What jobs were they giving to 8-year-olds? In 1839 the Detroit Boat Club was formed (& still exists). In 1885 Mark Twain published the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in the US. In 1901 H Cecil Booth patented a dust removing suction cleaner. Finally, on this date in 1970 US President Richard Nixon launched the “Nixon doctrine”. This doctrine stated that the United States would support our allies but not undertake all the defense of the free nations of the world. Today we stop at the grave of Michelangelo who died in 1564. He said, ”Your gifts lie in the place where your values, passions and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculping your masterpiece: Your life.” “The greatest risk to man is not that he aims to high and misses, but that he aims to low and hits.” “I created a vision of David in my mind and simply carved away everything that was not David.” When Michelangelo was 87 he said, “I am still learning.” Me too. Abide.
