This day is called July 13th, 2023. Marcus Aurelius said, “Each day provides its own gifts.” That’s a good way to look at it. I consider Marcus to be one of the most intelligent people to have ever lived. If you spend a few minutes and read his quotes, you’ll discover why. I’ll use him to end this post. July 13th is Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, Bean ‘n’ Franks Day, Embrace your Geekness Day, Fool’s Paradise Day, Go Wet Day, Gruntled Workers Day, National Beef Tallow Day, and National French Fry Day. On this day in 1568 Alexander Nowell perfected a way to bottle beer. On this day in 1787 Congress adopted the Ordinance of 1787 which established organized US territories, set requirements for statehood, guaranteed equal status for the original 13 states, outlawed slavery and protected civil rights. On this day in 1854 US forces shell and burn San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua. On this day in 1863 anti-draft mobs lynch blacks in New York City. About 1,000 died. On this day in 1868, former slave Oscar J Dunn was installed as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1871. This is the day in 1923 that the Hollywoodland sign was dedicated. The last 4 letters where dropped in 1949 when the sign was renovated. On this day in 1939 Frank Sinatra made his recording debut with the Harry James Orchestra signing “From the Bottom of My Heart: and “Melancholy Mood.” Sinagra was released from his contract with Tommy Dorsey when, according to his mentor, mob boss Will Moretti, a gun was put in Dorsey’s mouth to encourage him. I’ll wrap this up with quotes from Marcus: “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” “Confine yourself to the present.” “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” “Poverty is the moth of crime.” “Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” That’s enough for today. Abide.
