We have made it through the month of January. It’s the last day. Number 31. I entered this month with some apprehension about the new Covid variant which has peaked and is on the decline. There’s also a new pill on the near horizon that should put an end to the pandemic (knock on wood). Life is almost back to normal and that’s a very good thing. I’ve got parties to attend and people to hug. The 31st is Appreciate Your Social Security Check, Backwards Day, Eat Brussel Sprouts Day, Hell is Freezing Over Day, Brandy Alexander Day, Hug an Economist Day, Hot Chocolate Day, and Appreciate Bubble Wrap Day. Who doesn’t like to pop bubble wrap? Now to the odd historical footnotes for this date: In 1696 a revolt in Amsterdam by undertakers was put down. It seems that new taxes were being imposed on them to pay for a war with France. This was before governments figured out that they could put the bill for fighting wars on a national credit card and let future generations pay for it. In 1849 the Corn Laws were abolished in Britain. The Corn Laws prevented the importation of cheap corn and other grains which kept the grain prices high and benefited the landowners who produced the grain. In 1851 the San Francisco Orphan’s Asylum is founded, 1st in California. In 1876 on this date, the United States orders all Native Americans to move into reservations. In 1905 the 1st automobile to exceed 100 mph is driven by A G MacDonald at Daytona Beach. This is the day in 2007 that we lost Molly Ivins. She was a Texan, newspaper columnist, political commentator, and humorist. Here are several of her observations. “I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.” “I learned two things growing up in Texas. 1: God loves you, and you’re going to burn in hell forever. 2: Sex is the dirtiest and most dangerous thing you can possibly do, so save it for someone you love.” I’ll end with “Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce.” She was quite a lady. Be fun to spend an afternoon with her in a bar. Abide.
