November 3, 2023. I’m sitting in front of my computer. With a few keystrokes, I can find the answer to any question that pops into my head. I can access the words of the greatest minds in history. Watch the performances of entertainers long dead. If I had been born a 100 years earlier, I would have missed all this. So happy to be here. Today is Cliche Day, Give Someone A Dollar Today Day, Eat Smart Day, National Housewife Day, World Jelly Fish Day and National Sandwich Day. I think I’ll celebrate by making an egg sandwich on rye for breakfast. Moving on. On this day in 1791 the US suffered its worst defeat in the Indian wars. The Miami Tribe under Little Turtle attacked an army of 1,400 under General Arthur St. Clair and killed over 900 on the banks of the Wabash River in Ohio. In 1883 on this day self-described “Black Bart the poet” got away with his last stagecoach robbery but left an incriminating clue that eventually led to his capture. This is one of his poems: I’ve labored long and hard for bread/ For honor and for riches/ But on my corns too long you’ve tred/ You fine haired Sons of Bitches.” This day in 1900 was the opening of America’s first automobile show in Madison Square Garden. And, in 1913 on this day the 1st modern elastic brassiere was patented by New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob. Today’s wisdom comes from the Roman poet Lucan who died at the age of 25 in the year 65. Seneca, the stoic philosopher, was his uncle. Lucan said, “The gods conceal from men the happiness of death, that they may endure life.” “No man is ever innocent when his opponent is the judge.” “Men fear what they themselves have imagined.” “The prosperous man does not know whether he is loved.” “Poverty, the mother of manhood. Also, the mother of prostitution.” “Delay is ever fatal to those who are prepared.” “Nobody ever chooses the already unfortunate as objects of his loyal friendship.” Lucan lived over 2,000 years ago. We have more stuff today but we’re much the same as the people were then. Abide.
