The celestial clock has moved another notch and we find ourselves in March 13, 2021. If you are reading this, we made it. A day rarely passes that I don’t realize how lucky I am to be here. My glass isn’t half full, it’s overflowing. Today is Jewel Day, Donald Duck Day, Genealogy Day, National Coconut Torte Day, Ken Day, Good Samaritan Day and Open Your Umbrella Inside Day. Don’t ask why that is a designated day. I’ll go with the Good Samaritan. Google it and you will see why. In 1781 William Herschel sees what he thinks is a “comet” but is actually the discovery of the planet Uranus and in so doing, establishes a new category of celestial jokes. In 1900 In France the length of the working day for women and children was limited by law to 11 hours. Think about that for a little while. Finally, in 1943 on this date the Nazis liquidated the Jewish ghetto in Kraków. Oskar Schindler (Schindler’s List), with advance information, saves his workers by keeping them in his factory overnight. Finally, on this day in 1965 Eric Clapton quit the Yardbirds because the band moved away from traditional blues; Jeff Beck became his replacement. This is the day that L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and the founder of the Church of Scientology was born. Ron said, “Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today and you make your tomorrow.” This is the day that the great lawyer Clarence Darrow stopped living. He said, “I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” His quotes are funny and sharp. Some sting: “The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.” I’d love to share a few beers with Clarence. That’s enough for this day. Abide.
