We’ve now reached the 18th Day of October 2020. We appear to be well into the second wave of the virus and we will pass the milepost of 220,000 dead today. All the more reason to treasure this day of your life. There’s not much to celebrate on today’s list. National Chocolate Cupcake Day (my pick), International Legging Day, National No Beard Day, World Toy Camera Day and World Menopause Day. Any cupcakes are good but chocolate cupcakes are better. On this day in 1648 the 1st labor organization is formed in North American colonies. The Boston Shoemakers. This is the day in 1775 that African-American poet Phillis Wheatley is freed from slavery. I bring this up and urge you to spend a couple of minutes reading about this remarkable women. Just google her name. On this day in 1776 in a bar decorated with bird tail in Elmsford, New York, a customer requests a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan. Now you know. On this day in 1867 the US takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia, having paid $7.2 million or 2 cents an acre. This is the day in 1878 that Edison makes electricity available for household use. In 1898 on this day the American flag raised in Puerto Rico. Maybe it’s time to make them a state? Finally, this is the day in 1977 that Reggie Jackson hits 3 consecutive homers tying Ruth’s series record. This is the day in 1931 that the world lost Thomas Edison. Not much in your life happens without being being tied to Edison in some way. I’ll end this post with his quotes: “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” “I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.” and “The chief function of the body is to carry the brain around.” He would have been a great person to spend an afternoon with. That’s enough for this day. Wear the damn mask and be sure to Abide.
