June 9th, 2022. The last day of life for some and the first one for more. For you and me, it’s another day in our journey. Buddha suggested “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” In other words, focus on this day. I intend to. It’s Donald Duck Day, National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day, Writer’s Rights Day, and National Earl Day which is named for Earl Baltes who built a racetrack in Ohio. Now some history. On this day in the year 68, the Roman Emperor Nero committed suicide to evade a Senate-imposed sentence of death by flogging. Wow. Death by flogging? On this day in 1772 the 1st naval attack of the Revolutionary War took place in Providence, RI. This is the day in 1822 that Charles Graham patented porcelain false teeth. In 1860 on this day the 1st US “dime novel” was published: “Malaseka, The Indian Wife of the White Hunter,” by Ann Stevens. In 1869 on this day Charles E. Hires sold his 1st root beer, in Philadelphia. This is the day in 1934 when Donald Duck first appeared in a cartoon named “The Wise Little Hen.” Now to some wise words from dead people. First off is Victoria Woodhull who was a leader of the women’s suffrage movement. Victoria said, “I endeavor to make the most of everything.” Me too. Charles Dickens stopped living on this day in 1870. Here are a few of his: “The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will’.” “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.” “Do all the good you can and make as little fuss about it as possible.” The last person for today is Scottish author Iain Banks who died in 2013 and said, “After doing extensive research, I can definitely tell you that single malt whiskies are good to drink.” Me too. Abide.
