We have reached the time/space of November 8th, 2022. Tropical Storm Nicole has decided to visit Central Florida. Nicole will probably grow into a full-blown hurricane in the next couple of days. The term “Yikes” is appropriate. November hurricanes are rare, but they do happen. Since the Atlantic sea surface temperature is rising, “rare” may become normal. Ah well. Today is Abet and Aid Punsters Day, Cook Something Bold Day, Election Day, National Cappuccino Day, National Dunce Day, and National Harvey Wallbanger Day. One wonders if Election, Dunce and Harvey Wallbanger on the same day is a coincidence? Now some history: This is the day in 1519 that Aztec Emperor Moctezuma ll and Spanish Conquistador Herman Cortes met for the first time in Tenochtitlan, Mexico. In 1620 on this day the Battle of White Mountain, Prague was won by the Catholics over the Protestants in the 30 year’s war. This war, Christians against Christians, raged in Central Europe for 30 years. I’m guessing the “Love thy neighbor” part of the Bible was universally ignored. In 1701 on this day William Penn resented the Charter of Privileges which guaranteed religious freedom for the colony of Pennsylvania. In 1789 on this day Elijah Craig distilled the first Bourbon Whiskey from corn in Bourbon, Kentucky. Today there are 42 Bourbon Distilleries that call Bourbon County Kentucky home. This is the day that Wolfe Tone was sentenced to death for his part in the Irish Rebellion. He asked to be shot instead of hung so he could die a soldier’s death. The response was “No” so on the day he was to be hung, he cut his throat with a pen knife and died 7 days later. His statue stands in Dublin today. On this day in 1901 was the first election in Washington State in which women could vote. This is the day in 1887 that the gambler, gunfighter, and dentist Doc Holliday died at the age of 36. Doc said, “There is no normal life, there’s just life.” This is also the day in 1978 that the painter Norman Rockwell died. Norman said, “I paint life as I’d like it to be” and “If a picture wasn’t going very well, I’d put a puppy in it.” Last for today is Jeopardy host Alex Trebek who died on this day in 2020. Alex said, “The secret to happiness, of course is not getting what you want; it’s wanting what you get.” Abide.
