03.01.2022 is here. March was the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after Mars, the God of war which seems to be appropriate this year. I’m rooting for the Ukraine and their citizen soldiers and the only person I blame is Mr. Putin. March 1st is Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, National Dadgum That’s Good Day, National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, National Fruit Compote Day, National Pig Day, and National Compliment Day. You can watch the festivities using the streaming street cams in New Orleans. Now to the historical footnotes: On this date in 1692 Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba were arrested for witchcraft in Salem MA. In 1847 Michigan became the 1st English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish the death penalty (except for treason against the state). In 1872 Yellowstone became the world’s 1st national park. Finally, in 1949 on this day world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis retired with a 66-3-0 record including 52 KOs; defended the title a record 25 times. On this day in 1937 US Steel raises worker’s wages to $5 a day. This is the day in 1961 that JFK established the Peace Corps. Todays first stop in the cemetery is at the grave of Alfred Korzybski who died in 1950. Alfred said, “There are two ways to slice easily through life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking” and “Whatever you say it is, is simply what YOU SAY it is.”. This is also the day that Jack Welch who died in 2020 on this day. Jack said, “Nothing of importance has ever been accomplished by a pessimist.” “Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.” I’ll end with “Keep learning; don’t be arrogant by assuming that you know it all: always assume that you can learn something from someone else.” Abide.
