Good morning. It’s January 14, 2020. There’s a story this morning that says that scientists have discovered the oldest material on Earth. It’s star dust formed 5 to 7 billion years ago in an asteroid that landed in Australia. Earth is only 4.5 billion years old. A billion is a 1 and 9 zeros. We get to live a life that lasts 1 zero and if we’re very, very lucky, two zeros. Fortunately for us, they are the best years humans have every experienced. We’ve got smart TVs and ukuleles… I’m grateful. Onto what events are celebrated today: It’s Feast Of The Ass Day, International Kite Flying Day, National Dress Up Your Pet Day, National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, National Poetry at Work Day and Take A Missionary To Lunch Day. Ever had a pastrami on rye in a deli in New York City? If you haven’t, you’ve missed an awesome experience. Onto historical footnotes. In 1641 the United East Indian Company conquers city of Malacca, 7,000 killed. Think about this for a second. Malacca is in Malaysia. The United East Indian Company, a Dutch mega-corporation that has its own army, attacks a foreign city and in the process killed 7,000 people. Moving on: In 1690 on this day, the clarinet is invented. In 1699 Massachusetts holds day of fasting for wrongly persecuting “witches”. This is the day in 1864 that General Sherman begins his march to the South. If you read his quotes, he hated going to war. He used the term “War is hell” in many of his statements. In 1878 the US Supreme court rules race separation on trains unconstitutional. Finally, in 1977 “Fantasy Island” starring Ricardo Montalban premieres on ABC TV. Each episode opened with Tattoo saying Ze plane! Ze plane! Today is the birthday (83 BC) of Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius). His speech at Caesar’s funeral begins with “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” It is remarkable to me that a speech by anyone given over 2,000 years ago is still available to us. That’s all there is for this post. Now I’m off to start this wonderful new day. I’ll be kind to you if you’re kind to me. Abide.
