It is now the 12th day of April in the year 2023. Also known as the “present” or “now.” It is where we’re at. It won’t last long so we might as well enjoy it while it’s here because in a few hours it will pull out of our station headed for the past and a new one will arrive. I love train metaphors. Today is Big Wind Day (windmills), Drop Everything and Read Day, International Day for Street Children, International Day of Human Space flight, International Day of Pink, National Grilled cheese Sandwich Day, National Licorice Day, Wear a Star Day, National Only child Day, School Librarian’s Day, and Walk on Your Wild Side Day. Now let’s see what the history of April 12 is: On this day in 1545 the French King Francois ordered the protestants of Vaudois to be killed. They were mostly peasants from the South of France and around 2,700 were ultimately killed because they weren’t devote Catholics. Another case of religious people killing anyone who disagreed with their religious views.. On this day in 1811 the 1st US colonists on the Pacific coast arrived at Cape Disappointment, Washington. This place got its name from an English fur trader when he found that there wasn’t a bay to anchor in but only the Columbia River entrance. On this day in 1858 the first billiard tournament was held in the US (Detroit). Michael J. Phelan won the championship. This is the day in 1861 that Form Sumter was attacked by the Confederacy. In 1877 on this day the catcher’s mask was first used. This is the day in 1945 that Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office and Harry Truman became President. Obviously, FDR is the quote source for today. He said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie and knot and hang on.” “Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.” “A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.” “Remember, you are just an extra in everyone else’s play.” I like that one. I’ll end with this quote about public speaking “Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” The same rule applies to writing posts or emails. Abide.
