September 28th, 2023 is today’s name. I woke up this morning thinking about stoic philosophers and Jimmy Buffett. Epicurus, as an example, espoused the philosophy of living life to its fullest. “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die” is ascribed to him. Jimmy went a step further by giving us some recipes (ice in the blender) and the party’s location (Margaritaville). Both men, separated by around 2,500 years recognized that the purpose of life is to enjoy living it. I think it’s particularly appropriate that September 28th is Drink Beer Day. It’s also Fish Tank Floorshow Night, Freedom From Hunger Day, Gold Lining Day, International Right to Know Day, Strawberry Cream Pie Day, and Remember Me Thursday. Now some highlights of history: On this day in 1569 Istanbul experienced its greatest fire of the century when a blaze started in a Jewish bakery and went on to destroy 36,000 buildings in 8 days. On this day in 1644 the Knights of Malta attacked an Ottoman convoy of ships filled with pilgrims headed for Mecca. The pilgrims were either killed or sold into slavery. On this day in 1701 divorce was legalized in Maryland. On this day in 1785 Napoleon, at the age of 16, graduated from the elite Ecole Militaire in Paris. He was 42nd in a class of 51. On this day in 1850 the US Navy abolished flogging as a punishment. On this day in 1887 the Yellow River in China flooded killing between 900,000 and 2 million people making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. On this day in 1928 the UK outlawed cannabis. On this day in 1968 the Beatles “Hey Jude” single hit #1 and stayed there for 9-weeks. Since I started with Epicurus, I’ll stick with him. He said, “Do not spoil what you have be desiring what you have not.” “Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance.” “Of all the means to ensure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.” “If death causes you no pain when you’re dead, it is foolish to allow the fear of it to cause you pain now.” “Do everything like someone is gazing at you.” Enough for today. Abide.
