It’s now March 18th, 2024. I hope St. Patrick’s Day lived up to your expectations. It is one of my favorite holidays and has been even before I found out that I’m 1/4th Irish. The Vikings, which makes up 75% of my linage, ruled Ireland for 300 years. That Irish red hair came from Norway. That was yesterday but the Reuben Sandwiches are for today. It’s Forgive Mom and Dad Day, Act Happy Day, National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day, Goddess Of Fertility Day. and Sloppy Joe Day. A Sloppy Joe sandwich is a thing of beauty. I like mine open faced with mustard, onions and dills on top. Now to the history of this day. In 1662 the 1st public bus service began in Paris. In 1881 on this day Congress approved the 1st pensions for government service. On this day in 1834 the 1st railroad tunnel in US was completed in Pennsylvania (275 m long). This is the day in 1881 that the Barnum & Bailey Circus, travelling as “The Greatest Show on Earth”, began at Madison Square Garden in New York City and would last 146 years before closing in 2017. On this day in 1967 the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” single goes #1. As I was reviewing who was born on this day I found Isaac Woodward. He was a decorated African American World War II veteran. On February 12, 1946, hours after being honorably discharged from the United States Army, he was attacked while still in uniform by South Carolina police as he was taking a bus home. He was blinded in the attack. Today’s dead man is Erich Fromm who was a Jewish German philosopher who fled the Nazis and ended up in the US. Erich said, “Greed is a bottomless pit which exhaust the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.” “To love somebody is not just a strong feeling, it is a decision, it is a judgement, it is a promise.” “The only truly affluent re those who do not want more than they have.” Enough for this post. Abide.
