At the stroke of midnight, June 24, 2022 arrived. Another good day to live. Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 said, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” That’s my justification for ignoring, as best I can, the pain, suffering, and stupidity of this world. I remain aware of the chaos, but I try not to think about it. June 24 is International Fairy Day, Swim A Lap Day, Museum Comes To Life Day, Celebration of the Senses Day, National Food Truck Day, and National Pralines Day. Now some history. On this day in 843 Vikings sacked Nantes which is a city on the coast of France. They discovered that the army defending Nantes was off fighting somewhere else and sailed their 67 ships up the river and raped and pillaged and left. This is the day in 1812 that Napoleon and his army of 500,000 crossed the Nieman River to begin his invasion of Russia. On this day in 1853, President Franklin Pierce signed the Gadsden Purchase buying Southern Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million dollars from Mexico. On this day in 1901 Pablo Picasso opened his 1st exhibition in Paris at the age of 19. In 1938 on this day a 500-ton meteorite landed near Pittsburgh PA. Marva Collins who was teacher in Chicago, died in 2015. Today is the birthday of Ambrose Bierce who was born in 1842. He wrote short stories, was a journalist and a poet. Here are a few quotes of his to ponder: “speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” “The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.” “Conservative, noun: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others.” I’ll end with “History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.” I would enjoy spending an afternoon with Ambrose. Now I start this day. Abide.
