This first day of September, 2023 has arrived. Yesterday I was cleaning up my computer, consolidating files and deleting empty folders and such, and I found some old pictures I posted on Facebook. They reminded me of what wonderful times I’ve had and several of my dearest friends I’ve lost. Life is short. Our only purpose is to enjoy it. Don’t take any day for granted. You’ll run out of them soon. August 1st is Chicken Boy Day, Emma M. Nutt Day, Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, National Cherry Popover Day National College Colors Day, National Doodle Day, National Lazy Mom’s Day, National Tofu Day, Pick Cadillac Day, and World Letter Writing Day. Now history: On this day in 1715 King Louis XIV of France died after a reign of 72 years, the longest of any major European monarch. On this day in 1752 Pennsylvania’s new State House bell (Liberty Bell) arrived in Philadelphia. It was cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in London. On this day in 1799 the Bank of Manhattan opened in NYC. It’s now known as the Chase Manhattan Bank. On this day in 1807 Arron Burr, 3rd Vice President, was acquitted of charges of plotting to set up an empire. On this day in 1878 the 1st female telephone operator started to work. Her name was Emma M. Nutt. Now you know. On this day in 1922 NYC law required all “pool” rooms to change their name to “billiards”. On this day in 1939 Hitler ordered the extermination of the mentally ill saying that wartime “was the best time for elimination of the incurably ill.” On this day in 1962 the United National announced that Earth’s population had reached 3 billion. It’s now over 8 billion. It’s a bad day for quotes so It’s onto Plan B. I’ll pick the topic of “friends” and see what I can find. Joesph Parry said “Make new friends but keep the old. Those are silver, these are gold.” Mencius said, “Friends are the siblings God never gave us.” Mark Twain observed that “Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” I’ll end with Tennessee Williams who said, “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” Abide.