We have reached the time/space designated as October 14, 2022. I woke up wondering what it would be like to be homeless. I often try to imagine what the approximately 600,000 people who are living in their cars, tents, or shelters are doing. I engage in this exercise of empathy from my warm bed in my nice home with plenty of food in the pantry. I always end up feeling fortunate and grateful for my reality. Today is Be Bald and Be Free Day, National Dessert Day, national lowercase day, World Egg Day, and National Chocolate-Covered Insect Day (yum?). I’ve eaten chocolate covered ants and crickets and they weren’t bad. Moving onto history: On this day in 1322 Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeated King Edward ll of England forcing Edward to accept Scotland’s independence. This is the day in 1586 that Mary Queen of Scots went on trial for conspiracy against Elizabeth. We will talk about her execution next year on February 8th. On this day in 1834 the first African American (Henry Blair) was granted a patent for a corn planter. On the same day in Philadelphia the Whigs and Democrats fought each other with guns, stones, and bricks over the Moyamensing Township election. When it was over there was 1 dead, several injured and an entire block of buildings destroyed by fire. In 1865 the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes were forced to sign a “peace treaty” before being chased out of Colorado. On this day in 1926 A.A. Milne’s book “Winnie the Pooh” was released. On this day in 1957 the Everly Brother’s “Wake Up Little Susie” reached #1. Since it’s Winnie the Pooh’s birthday, it seems fitting to use A.A. Milne quotes. He died in 1956. He’s also one of my favorite philosophers. He said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.” “You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” I’ll end with “Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” Abide.
