This is my post for March 16, 2024. Another beautiful Spring day lies ahead in Central Florida. The temp will be in the mid–80s, pollen count is off the charts. Northerners are filling Florida’s beaches. Everything appears to be near normal. I predict another good day. Today is Lips Appreciation Day, National Artichoke Heart Day, National Corndog Day, , No Selfies Day, National Panda Day, National Freedom Of Information Day and St. Urho’s Day. It seems that when St. Urho was a young boy in Finland, he drank sour milk, ate fish soup and then chased the grasshoppers away saving the grape crop. Now you know. Now to the history of this day. In 1190, 150 Jews living in York, England were massacred or commit suicide rather than submit to baptism. Here’s the back story: Jews, after the Norman conquest of 1066 were allowed to be “money lenders”. Some of the people who owned the Jews money decided to erase the debts by fanning the flames of discrimination, inciting a mob. Problem solved. In 1802 on this day West Point is established through Congressional act. In 1830 on this day at the New York Stock Exchange it was the slowest day ever when only 31 shares were traded. In 1968 the My Lai massacre occurs on this day when American soldiers kill 400 unarmed Vietnamese civilians. It was a dark day for this country. Today isn’t a good day for finding quotes. Plan B is Plato. He observed “Reality is created by the mind. We can change our reality by changing our mind.” “Enjoy life. There’s plenty of time to be dead. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” “We become what we contemplate.” “The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” “Happiness springs from doing good and helping others.” “Ignorance is the root cause of all difficulties.” “When you feel grateful, you become great, and eventually attract great things.” One more: “Life should be lived as play.” I like Plato. Abide.
