Today is 12.23.2023. Let’s start this post off with some gratitude. We exist. We are conscious. We can be happy. Carpe Diem! Today is Festivus! Let’s dig into this Seinfeld created anti-Christmas holiday before we get into the rest of the list. The official Festivus dish is meatloaf. An aluminum pole is used instead of a Christmas tree. All the guests and family members are encouraged to participate in the “airing of grievances” and the celebration ends with wrestling matches between the now pissed off attendees. Along with Festivus, it’s Human Light Celebration, Metric Conversion Day, National Pfeffernuesse Day (yum!), National Roots Day, and Super Saturday. On this day in 1688 King James II, the last Roman Catholic British monarch fled to France. England went under the control of the protestant Church of England. On this day in 1776 the Continental Congress negotiated a war loan of $181,500 from France. On this day in 1788 Marland voted to cede a 10 square mile area for the District of Columbia. This is the day in 1888 when Vincent van Goth cut off his left ear with a razor after an argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin. On this day in 1913 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act into law creating the Federal Reserve System. On this day in 1946 the University of Tennessee refused to play Duquesne University after they said they might use a black player. On this day in 1971 President Nixon commuted the remaining 8 years of Jimmy Hoffa’s 13-year sentence for bribery and fraud. Today’s words of wisdom come from the late Victor Borge, a comedian and pianist who died in 2000 at the age of 91. He said, “Santa Claus has the right idea – visit people only once a year.” “I don’t mind growing old, I’m just not used to it.” “Always remember to forget the things that made you sad, but never forget to remember the things that made you glad.” I’m sure this joke was written during WWII “What is the difference between a Nazi and a dog? The Nazi lifts his arm.” That’s enough for today. Have a good one! Be sure to Abide.
