August 16, 2023. Do you realize that the atoms that have arranged themselves into us, were created billions of years ago in suns that went super nova? We are made of star dust. I don’t take life for granted because I realize how rare and wonderful it is. Moving on to today’s celebratory events: It’s National Bratwurst Day, National Roller Coaster Day, Surveillance Day, True Love Forever Day, World Calligraphy Day, National Airborne Day, and my celebratory selection, National Rum Day. I’ll celebrate around 5 pm. Now to the history portion of this post. On this day in 1501 Michelangelo was awarded the contract to sculpt the statue of David. He didn’t know that his work would become such a big deal in present day Florida. On this day in 1812 General Hull (French) surrendered Detroit and Michigan territory to British forces who had the help of native warriors led by Tecumseh. On this day in 1819 the Peterloo Massacre took place at St. Peter’s Field in Manchester England when the cavalry charged into a crowd of 60,000 people protesting for parliamentary representation reform. 18 people were killed and 700 injured. On this day in 1894 Indian chiefs from the Sioux & Onondaga tribes urged their people to renounce Christianity and return to their Indian faith. On this day in 1962 Ringo Starr replaced Pete Gest as the Beatles drummer. This was the second day of Woodstock when Santana, John Sebastian, Mountain, Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, and Jefferson Airplane took the stage. Today’s quotes come from several celebrities who passed on this day: Babe Ruth said, “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s game.” Elvis said, “Don’t criticize what you can’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes.” The great Blues man Robert Johnson said, “All business is personal. Make your friends before you need them.” I’ll end with a couple from the Hindu mystic Ramakrishna who said, “Knowledge leads to unity, but ignorance to diversity.” “An ocean of bliss may rain down from the heavens, but if you hold up only a thimble, that is all you receive.” Abide.
