Christmas 2023 is now a memory. Hopefully, a good one. December 26th has arrived and in a few more days 2024 will be here, but not yet. We still have a few days of 2023 to enjoy. Live in the moment. Carpe Diem! I will follow the advice given by Marcus Aurelius who said, “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” The holidays for today are Boxing Day, Day After Christmas Day, National Candy Cane Day, National Thank – You Note Day, and National Whiner’s Day which I refuse to celebrate. Now some history: On this day in 1492 Columbus founded the Spanish settlement La Navidad (Haiti). This is the day in 1606 that Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear” was first performed before the court of King James I. On this day in 1854 the Treaty of Medicine Creek was signed by the chiefs of the Nisqually, Puyallup and Coast Salish tribes with the Governor of the Washinton Territory giving up 2.5 million acres in exchange for three reservations and fishing and gathering rights of the tribe. It appears that the US stood behind this treaty. On this day in 1924 Frances Gumm, later known as Judy Garland, make her first show business debut as Baby Frances at the age of 2 ½. On this day in 1941 Winston Churchill became the first British Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of the US Congress. On this day in 1957 Alan Freed’s “Christmas Show of Stars” which featured the Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis opened in NYC for 14 performances. This is the day in 1966 that Jimi Hendrix wrote the song “Purple Haze”. This is the day in 1972 that Harry Truman died in Kansas City, MO at the age of 88. He will provide today’s quotes: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” “My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. To tell the truth, there’s hardly a difference.” “Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.” Having grown up on a farm as Harry did, I understand that quote better than most people. I’ll end with “Work hard. Do your best. Keep your word. Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God. Have no fear; and Never forget a friend.” Abide.
