We’ve now moved into the time/space of November 5, 2021. A fantastic new day awaits. Despite the rain we will have for the next couple of days, I have high expectations for this 24-hour period. I almost always start my day with this level of enthusiasm. In the words of Lou Ludwig, “Think it, believe it and make it happen”. It is National Doughnut Appreciation Day, American Football Day, National Gun Powder Day, National Love Your Red Hair Day and Fountain Pen Day. I don’t eat many doughnuts, but they are something to celebrate. This is the day in 1605 that the Catholic conspirator Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up King James I and the British Parliament. The plot was discovered, Guy Fawkes was caught, tortured, and executed along with seven others. It’s been celebrated ever since as Guy Fawkes Day, where his effigy is traditionally burned on a bonfire, accompanied by fireworks. On this day in 1789 the French National Meeting declared all citizens equal under the law. A lot of what came from the French Revolution ended up in our Constitution. In 1916 on this day the Everett Massacre took place in Everett, Washington. The shoot-out was between members of the IWW (International Workers of the World) and the local police. This is the day in 1935 that Parker Brothers first sold the game “Monopoly”. This is the day in 1885 that Will Durant was born. Will grew up to be writer, historian, and philosopher. He said “Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.” This is also the date in 1997 that Isaiah Berlin’s life ended at the age of 88. He was a British social and political theorist and philosopher. Isaiah said, “True knowledge is knowledge of why things are as they are, and not merely what they are.” He also said that “Liberty for the wolves is death to the lambs.” I love digging through the quotes of people long dead because they often give me a new perspective. Hope you enjoy them too. Abide.
