January 2, 2024. We are taking another trip around the sun. I’m excited. I’ll meet new people, do some new things, eat some food I’ve never tasted before, write some new songs and poems and have a good time along the way. That is my expectation and I’ll do my best to bend reality to achieve each of these modest goals. I hope I’m able to tell you how I’m doing every day. January 2 is 55 MPH Speed Limit Day, Happy Mew Year for Cats Day, National Buffet Day, National Cream Puff Day, National Motivation and Inspiration Day, National Run Of the Flagpole and See If Anybody Salutes it Day, National Science Fiction Day, World Introvert Day, and Swiss Cheese Day. On this day in 1776 Austria ended the use of interrogation by torture. I’m sure confessions dropped. On this day in 1811 Senator Thomas Pickering became the 1st senator censured by Congress. He leaked confidential documents from the President. On this day in 1865 welterweight Con Orem and heavyweight Hugh O’Neill fought for 185 rounds in the legendary bare knuckle boxing match held in Virginia City, Montana. The fight ended when the sun set, and it became too dark to continue the brawl. On this day in 1890 a record 19.2-foot alligator was shot in Louisianna. That bad boy should have weighed around 1,000 pounds. President Theodore Roosevelt shut down the post office in Indianola, Mississippi when the town refused to accept its appointed postmistress because she was black. On this day in 1906 Willis Carrier received a patent for the world’s first air conditioner making life possible in Central Florida. On this day in 17 AD the Roman poet Ovid died. I’ll use his quotes for today: “Twice does he live who can enjoy the remembrance of the past.” “Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind and has given up worrying once and for all.” “If you are not ready today, you will be even less so tomorrow.” “The purpose of law is to prevent the strong always having their way.” Last one: “He lives well who lives retired and keeps his wants within the limits of his means.” True! Abide.
