This day’s name is November 9, 2023. It’s been a long time coming and I hope it’s worth the wait. It’s really all up to you. I’ve made my plans for today and I plan to go to bed tonight pleased with what I’ve done. Before I retired, life used to throw fast balls, sliders, change ups and curve balls and I had to keep on swinging the bat. Now, I get to toss a ball in the air when I want to and hit it as hard or as soft as I want. Life is good. Today is Carl Sagan Day, Go to an Art Museum Today Day, National Chaos Never Dies Day, National Scrapple Day, World Adoption Day, World Freedom Day and World Quality Day. We’re also in the middle of Dear Santa Letter Week. Onto history: On this day in 1520 the Stockholm Bloodbath occurred when Christian mercenaries invaded Sweden and executed over 80 Swedish nobles for heresy. On this day in 1541 Queen Catherine Howard, who was Henry VIII’s 5th wife, was confined in the Tower of London. She was charged with “unchastity” before her marriage, found guilty from the testimony of witness who were tortured before confessing and she would be beheaded on February 3rd. Henery would marry a 6th wife. On this day in 1620 after two months at sea, the Mayflower spotted land now called Cape Cod. On this day in 1862 US General Ulysses S. Grant issued an order barring Jews from serving under him. On this day in 1888 Jack the Rippers 5th and last victim (Mary Jane Kelly) was found. On this day in 1946 President Truman ended wage/price freeze. This is the day in 1969 that Simon & Garfunkel recorded “Bridge over Troubled Water.” Since it’s Carl Sagan Day, I’ll use him as my quote source. Carl said, “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” “It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” “The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent.” Last one: “Personally, I would be delighted if there were a life after death, especially if it permitted me to continue to learn about this world and others, if it gave me a chance to discover how history turns out.” Me too Carl. Abide.
