Once every 4 years we add a day, and this is it. February 29, 2024. I will do my best to enjoy this day because the alternative isn’t acceptable. Every day we have choices to make. The biggest one for me is what to think about. Where do I allow my mind to go? Answer? Good places. The holidays for Feb. 29 are Bachelor’s Day, Digital Learning Day, Leap Year Day, National Chili Day, National Toast Day, Rare Disease Day, Superman’s Birthday, Surf and Turf Day, Yellowstone Park Day. Now some history: On this day in 1504 Columbus used a lunar eclipse to frighten hostile Jamaican Indians into giving him the supplies he needed. On this day in 1692 the first people were accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. On this day in 1892 St. Petersburg, Florida was incorporated. On this day in 1940 Hattie McDaniel became the 1st African American to win an Oscar for her role in “Gone With The Wind”. This is the day in 1960 that the 1st Playboy Club opened in Chicago. In 1968 on this day the Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” won a Grammy for Album of the Year. This is the first rock LP to do so. It’s not a good day for quotes from my usual source of people who died on this date. I think I’ll just pick someone I haven’t used before. Like Stephen Hawking who said, “However difficult like may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.” “I am just a child who has never grown up. I still keep asking these ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. Occasionally, I find an answer.” “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it isas it is and why it exists at all.” “I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.” “No one can resist the idea of a crippled genius.” Abide.
