“I get to live another day!” That was my first thought this morning. I’m getting better at this gratitude attitude thing. Gratitude is where happiness starts and happiness is my goal. We’ve got a good list to work from today: January 23, 2020 is National Pie Day (how good is that?), Clashing Clothes Day, Measure Your Feet Day (?), National Handwriting Day, Women’s Healthy Weight Day, National Rhubarb Pie Day and Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day when snowplow drivers get to take out as many mailboxes as they can. I’m going with Pie. Probably won’t be rhubarb, although rhubarb makes an excellent filling. Now to the history of this date. In 1656 French philosopher and theologian Blaise Pascal publishes the first of his Lettres provinciales. Why do I bring up this obscure fact? To get to a quote from Mr. Pascal: “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” That’s excellent advice. In 1793 Humane Society of Philadelphia (1st aid society) is organized. In 1812, a 7.8 earthquake shakes New Madrid, Missouri. In 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell becomes 1st woman in the US to earn a medical degree. She said “It is not easy to be a pioneer – but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world.” In 1855 the first bridge over the Mississippi River opens in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1907 Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes 1st Native American US senator. Finally, in 1957 Wham-O Company produces the 1st Frisbee disc (originally called the “Pluto Platter” until 1958). This date is the birthday (1937) of John Hancock who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. If you recall, his signature is the largest one on the document. He said “There, I guess King George will be able to read that without his spectacles!” This is also the date in 1989 that Salvador Dali died. He said, “There are some days when I think I’m going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.” I guess there were some days that he was really happy about what he accomplished. That’s a good goal. I like it. Now I’ll start my day. Abide
