The recent heat wave affects even fish. That is why this Summer more sharks are being seen in northern waters. Sharks and other fish are looking for cooler waters to hang out. Heat intensifies water. Makes it significantly  hotter. Fish living in increasingly hot water are moving north where conditions are a bit cooler.

Shell’s profits for the year doubled year on year, as national companies enjoy  a windfall as a result of soaring gas prices since the Iran War.

More than 80 percent of New York City’s newsstands have closed in the past two decades. In the 1900s, New York City had more than 1,500 newsstands. Today, just over 300 left. One reason is the rise of the internet in the early and recent 2,000s. Many Americans stopped buying newspapers and magazines.

I read on the internet that groceries are more expensive than they have been in 50 years. Fifty years a huge number. However I feel my grocery bill is higher each week and has become totally out of hand. I am sure most of you agree with me. So that 50 year figure might be right on!

Vincent van Gogh: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

The top driver of inflation is housing.

A 53 year old message in a bottle was found in a bottle in a New Jersey wetland. The message in the bottle had been written by a 9 year old girl.

The search for Amelia Earhart is back on 90 years later. A group has been formed to explore remote corners of the Pacific.

Spanish archeologists have determined Neanderthals wore makeup and jewelry. Interesting.

The global cosmetic market in 2025 totaled $354 billion.

On this day in 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law.

President Dwight Eisenhower signed “In God We Trust” into law this day in 1952.

On this day in 1777, Brigadier General George Clinton took office as the first elected Governor of New York State. In later years, he was elected Vice President of the United States under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

A small community near my home town Utica is Clinton. Less than 20 miles. A comfortable pleasant community. 

Located in Clinton is Hamilton College. A small well respected College. I was accepted by Hamilton College but chose to go to Manhattan College in New York City. I wanted to explore the big city flavor.

Years later when practicing law, I was privileged to represent Hamilton College for a number of years.

Vivienne Westwood: “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last.”

Comparing U.S. taxes to those of other countries. The highest U.S. marginal tax rate is 37 percent. At nearly 56 percent, Denmark has the highest income tax rate. Some countries do not use marginal taxes at all. Many countries in the Middle East rely on oil and gas to finance their governments.

Money bespeaks money. “Money persons” know how to make more money than most and how to help their employees keep more. Elon Musk is one of those money people. 

He is creating a company town called “Snailbrooke” for Space X and some of his other companies. The town will be a small community 45 miles outside Austin.

“Company Towns” are an old tradition. Large companies did it in the past. A place where employees can live and work, in order to increase productivity, attract the best, and more.

Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 pay nearly 30 percent of all income taxes, paying an average rate of 17 percent. This group bears the largest share of the tax burden.  Those under age 35 account for only 11 percent of total taxes paid despite representing 35 percent of all tax filings.

A bit of Trump next.

Trump met this week with Zelensky and Netanyahu. Both were in Washington to pay respects to Senator Graham.

Iran continues to stand tough re ending the war. They’ve got Trump by the “proverbial balls.” Therefore the U.S. also.

Other Middle East countries are getting involved in the Iran War. It was inevitable.

Iran will not end this war easily. Trump/the U.S. started it. If it is tough for Trump to handle, too bad. That has to be Iran’s attitude.

Forget not also how the war began with the U.S. killing in excess of 100 young girls and Iranian leaders. Revenge is part of the Iranian mental make up.

There is only one way the war will end. Not by bombings . It requires “skillful negotiators.” I’m not sure we have any for this particular war.

Enjoy your day!

Cristeta Comerford was a White House Chef. She said it was an “eye-opener” to see Presidents and their families are “regular people.”

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: “One man can make a difference and every man should try.”

The 14th Amendment granting U.S. citizenship to formerly enslaved persons was officially adopted this day in 1868.

It’s Shark Week. A TV event. Returns this week for its 38th Anniversary.

More and more people are flying. July 23 set a record day for commercial aviation with 153,359 commercial flights in one day.

The penny has been abolished. Are paper checks next?

Would you believe? A Parisian art enthusiast won a Pablo Picasso painting with a $117 raffle ticket at a Christie’s auction in Paris. The Picasso was worth $1 million.

Why do sneaks squeak on basketball courts? The cause is the soft material on the soles of sneaks as they ripple across the floor.

A soda fountain pharmacy is back in time. Remember how drug stores had soda/ice cream counters? I do. A memory of age.

China is outspending and out gaining the U.S. worldwide. Trump’s screw ups the reason. Nations are turning to China rather than the U.S.  Canada and China a perfect example.

The average person eats 270 eggs a year. Chicken, of course.

Trump meets with Netanyahu at the White House today or tomorrow. The first meeting between the two since the start of the Iran War in February. Netanyahu should no longer be welcome in the White House after the way he conned Trump into the Iran War.

I have been pro Israel my entire life. No more.

Zelensky is meeting with Trump in the White House today or tomorrow also. The three will not be meeting together.

I love it when Zelensky gets together now with Trump and/or Vance. Recall how they broke his balls and embarrassed him at the beginning of the Ukraine/Putin war.

The first supermarkets in the U.S. began appearing in the 1930s. The first was New York City’s King Kullen in 1930.

Two days of service for Senator Lindsey Graham begins today at the Capital Rotunda at noon.

Lyndon John was a great President from my perspective. He did have one flaw, however. A major one. He wanted to be a “War President” as Roosevelt had during World War II. That is why Johnson continued dumping U.S. troops into Vietnam.

Florida conducts a rare double execution today. Florida and its Governor DeSantis are without compassion when it comes to executions. The highest number in the United States. Is it because of some particular quirk of DeSantis? Or is it because Florida is trying to accommodate its elderly population and what it believes their elderly think?

Japan was hit yesterday by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. A big one!

A 1970s New York City police hero was Frank Serpico. He appeared yesterday at the swearing in of New York City’s new Sheriff. Serpico received a rousing welcome. Today an aging wispy figure out of New York’s past.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “If technology makes lies cheap and plentiful, how hard will we work to protect the truth?”

An example of high echelon wastefulness. Accidental that it failed. Vice President Vance requested a Marine Two military helicopter to fly his young son across town to a golf course. The flight would have cost taxpayers $16,000 to $25,000 per hour. Fortunately, the flight was cancelled due to severe weather.

A bit of Trump. Only a bit.

Canadians have been insulted by Trump constantly. They consider him to have bad manners. Mildly said.

As a result, the U.S. is losing many Canadian dollars. Fewer visit the U.S. The number huge. All kinds of business no longer shared. Canadians hate it when Trump says he wants to make them the 51st State. Would piss me off also was I Canadian.

Now the bridge thing and a pending 50 percent tariff. 

Trump is crazy!

Trump suggesting Iran talks to renew. To what end? Issues between the U.S. and Iran appeared locked in. Trump wants the delay in fighting because he has been told we do not have sufficient military weapons of a particular sort to continue. Iran welcomes the break from bombing.

In a speech in Michigan yesterday, Trump blamed “high prices” on Biden. All that comes to my mind re Trump and the statement: “What an asshole Trump is!”

Such is my “Trump bit” for today.

I hope to get my car back from the garage today. Was supposed to have gotten it yesterday. I am out of groceries again. Need the car to shop.

Tonight Happy Hour at The Grand. Hope I make it!

My life for today is built on two hopes.

Enjoy your day!

Yesterday was a special one. Pure enjoyment.

Spent the day propped in bed watching TV and snoozing. 

My movie watching included three excellent features. The West Wing, The Wings of War, and Twelve O’Clock High. Great TV! Took me through the morning, into the afternoon and then the early evening. Slept occasionally during each.

Enjoyed some excellent food to pick on. Shaved my too long beard.

Capped the day off with a good night’s sleep. Unusual for me.

Kiss me ladies! I feel great!

Enjoy your day!

Our esteemed President knows no better. He continues to screw everything up. Does not appear to know how to do good and avoid evil.

He is knocking the historical portion of the Smithsonian Institute. A true historian in his own right. He signed an executive order that signage be placed near the National Museum of American History cautioning visitors about “incorrect information.”

The Eisenhower Building stands next to the White House. Solid gray concrete. Trump wants to paint it. Probably will screw the building’s appearance as he has the Reflective Pool.

The Correspondent’s Dinner was finally held Friday evening. Reportedly a disaster. Some described Trump’s words as “brutal.” Humor generally lacking. Described as vindictive also. He also suggested he might seek the 2028 Presidency. God help us!

Donald and Melania gave everyone the impression that Barron was to be protected. They appear to have failed. Recent rumors suggest Barron has problems similar to that of other members of his family.

The Gordie Howe Bridge opened to traffic Friday without fanfare. The U.S. and Canada had been friends for more than 100 years. The best of friends. Trump screwed that up and continues to do so. I respect the Canadians for standing up to Trump. They refuse to be defecated upon by the Donald. Yesterday it was announced that Canada and China are going to do a major piece of business together. One which Trump anticipated would be done with the U.S.

Trump said a few days ago the war with Iran was on again and would be big time. Trump in effect was going to blow up everything important in Iran. Well, he has been stopped. Not by Iran. By his own advisors. They believe the U.S. does not have sufficient air defense munitions. I find it all strange, but do not doubt it. I thought we were the strongest nation in the world. Apparently not.

A New York Times article this morning spelled out Trump’s push to use the Qatari plane led to ballooning costs and a trade off of safety features. Apparently Donald was not that concerned even for his own safety.

Trump puts his nose everywhere it does not belong. He planned to send a U.S. delegation to visit Argentina in order to cast doubt on the Argentine voting system before the vote this Fall. Argentina said in effect no way! Argentina denied visas to the U.S. delegation.

Enough of  the Donald. I move on to other things.

Crocodiles replace their teeth multiple times during an average 70 year life time. Each crocodile replaces roughly 4,000 teeth.

Gerald Ford was not his real name. Not his first. He was born Leslie King Lynch Jr. A far cry from Gerald Ford.

His father abused his mother badly. She fled him with her 16 day old son Leslie. In due course she married Gerald Rudolph Ford. The man we know as Gerald Ford changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. when he was 22.

Interesting. Model T Fords were all black because black paint dried faster.

The baby boom following World War II caused a nationwide diaper shortage.

Pampers were launched in 1961. These disposable diapers cost 10 cents a piece at the time.

Pablo Picasso is one of the most recognizable names in art history. Not his full name, however. His full name had 112 letters. One first name, two last names and 12 middle names. For real!

Britain’s celebrated Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was one of the most famous and successful British naval heroes. For more than three decades. During that entire time, he suffered from sea sickness almost all the time.

Ronald Reagan was the first U.S. President to have been divorced. His first wife was actress Jane Wyman.

People in the Victorian era often took pictures of the dead.

One of George Washington’s earliest past times was writing reviews of American inns. A man of many talents.

Tea was first sold in Britain in the 1660s.

Surprise. Neither China nor England drink the most cups of tea. Turkey does.

The rainiest place in the world is India.

There are 214 billion Christians in the world.

Sixteen billon jelly beans are produced each year in the lead up to Easter.

So much for today.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Cursive writing is making a comeback. Not a comeback for me. Cursive writing is what I learned early in grammar school. The first grade to be precise.

One of the sadnesses in my life involves my cursive education. We learned to write with a pen and ink well. A nickel coin was placed on the back of the writer’s hand. It was to remain unmoved and not fall off of the student’s hand. Not for me, however. It would not remain and always fell off

Those who kept the coin in place and learned properly to write cursively were awarded a Palmer Method Writing Button. I never received one. The only person in my class not to do so. Would you believe that to this day, it bothers me when I think about it. The failure has stuck with me through the years.

From the late 1940s onward, Russia was a problem for the U.S. Even today. Things were heating up in the early 1950s. On this day in 1951, President John Kennedy in an address to the nation spoke soberly when he discussed the Berlin Airlift Crisis and our relationship with Russia. He suggested it might be time for everyone to get “nuclear fallout shelters.” Such would be built on a person’s property under the ground. He advised the government would help financially.

We had just purchased our first home. Two of our children had been born. I seriously considered it. Everyone did. That is how scary things were with Russia back then.

I could not afford it. No matter how much the government might help. So I gambled and we went without. Fortunately nothing happened between Russia and us to have required it.

Howard University has “unenrolled” hundreds of freshmen days before they were to move in. Students who failed to pay Howard for tuition, etc. Students involved claim they had earlier advised of scholarships and financial aid that would be forthcoming. They did not understand why their acceptances had been turned into rejections.

Does Congress work anymore? They are one of three branches of government. The Executive and Supreme Court are daily in the news. We hear little from or about Congress.

Lettuce contamination big time at the moment. Now we learn eggs also. Nearly 100 cases of salmonella have resulted in the recall of 19 million eggs. 

Haste makes waste! Trump’s desire to get Qatari’s gift into the air. It was feared it would fail on its return flight from Tehran if attacked. Trump was required to return on Air Force One instead.

The world’s first “test tube baby” was born this day in 1978.

The real names of some Hollywood stars: Martin Shaheen was Ramon Antonio Gerardo Estevez, Fred Astaire was Frederick Austerlitz, John Wayne was Marion Morrison, and Doris Day was Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff.

Ancient Romans really wore togas. At first the affluent. Then, everyone.

A strange thing people used to do for fun many years ago. Mummy unrollings. Would you believe! Especially in Victorian England. Then in all of Europe in the 19th century. Corpses were brought from Egypt and unwrapped for morbid amusement.

Did you ever notice how historical doors on public buildings are large. Very large in most instances. Big doors represented and still represent great power and influence. From a personal perspective for an individual or business, wealth and prestige.

Walter Payton: “When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.”

Harry S Truman enjoyed a shot of bourbon with breakfast every day. Beside the bourbon, his breakfast consisted of one egg, one slice of toast, one slice of bacon, a piece of fruit, and half a glass of skimmed milk.

I saw Truman two times and met him one time.

In 1948 when he was running for President, I was in the 8th grade. Trump was to speak in Utica from the rear of a train. Some friends and I drove our bicycles to the railroad terminal to hear him. We were fortunate that with bikes we were placed in the front row. All we had to do was look up to see and hear him.

The next time I saw him and actually met him was in my last year of Law School at Syracuse University. Truman was scheduled to speak for three days at various schools on campus.

Syracuse at the time had about 35,000 students. Twelve of Syracuse’s “top students” were selected to enjoy a private luncheon and talk with Truman. Would you believe…..I was selected to represent the Law School. Trust me, I was not the top student at the Law School.

The luncheon was held at the Maxwell School of Citizenship. Two round tables. Seating specified. Was I lucky! I was designated to sit immediately next to Truman to his right.

Great luncheon chat. Even better, Truman spoke to all of u about his victory over Dewey. No one had expected Truman to win. He fooled everyone.

My relationship with Truman continued on a minimal basis over the years. We exchanged correspondences a few times. I have no idea where those letters are today. I wish I had kept track of them.

Poured big time off and on yesterday.

My car hung up till Monday at the earliest when the necessary part arrives from Miami. I suspect I will be without wheels till Monday or Tuesday.

Feel good today, also. Hope it keeps up.

No Trump today.

Enjoy your day!

Extremely intelligent words: “The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” So spoken by Niccolo Machiavelli in “The Prince.”

Which brings us to today and those Trump has around him. Says it all!

Trump providing Saudi Arabia with nuclear plans withdrawn in only one day. Trump has added another condition which was not part of the original agreement Wednesday. It involves a Saudi deal with Israel. Saudi Arabia must accept Israel as a friend.

Typical of the way Trump does business in just about everything. Never crosses all the t’s and dots all the i’s before getting into something.

Is the Pentagon “playing” with the number of U.S. Iran deaths? The number reported was 18. Yesterday dropped to 14.

Trump, the bridge, and Canada are thought by many to be nothing compared to what Trump is planning next for Canada. Trump nothing but a consistent troublemaker.

Trump is preparing to set new tariffs to replace those that have expired. The new tariffs will affect 80 plus countries. They will replace tariffs that initially were only temporary and have expired. The tariff is 10 percent.

Penn Station is being remodeled. Trump claims people want to change the name. Tell us who. Tell us why. Leave well enough alone. Query? Is Trump the new name being considered? Would not surprise me if it comes from Trump’s lips.

Moving on.

Congo Ebola deaths now exceed 1,000.

America’s wealthiest generation are the baby boomers. They will not be passing all their money on to their children. The reason is their long life span which required them to be spending their wealth to live. Leaving next to nothing for the kids.

Designers are turning “old bathrooms” into interesting rooms. Making them look and feel like spaces meant for relaxing and recharging.

Harvard President applauded for not settling with Trump administration.

One egg, four babies. An Australian woman gave birth to four identical monozygotic quadruplets. All four from one fertilized egg that split into four. Chance of such occurring is 1 in 15 million. Babies and mother all doing well.

An interesting article in today’s New York Times: “You’re About To Retire. What Are You Doing For The Next 20 or 30 Years?”

I can tell you from fact. Mine. I have been retired since 2006. Twenty years. 

At first, I went crazy. Nothing to do. My fast paced life died suddenly!

The blog, this blog, saved me. I began writing it. It absorbs a minimum of six hours of my day. Keeps my mind fresh and sharp. My body into retardation. My head not.

You must do something. Otherwise death will find you sooner. I am convinced of it.

Catlin Clark faced with her seventh technical foul. She is one shy of a one game suspension.

Brigham Young and 148 religious persons settled in the Salt Lake Valley this day in 1827.

Famous short story teller O. Henry was released from prison after spending three years in jail for bank embezzlement. He began writing while in jail to support his young daughter.

Zora Neale Hurston. From her book Their Eyes Were Watching God: “It was not death she feared. It was misunderstanding.”

Dr. Samuel Mudd, Edward Spangler and Samuel Arnold were convicted as conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. They arrived this day in 1865 at the Dry Tortugas to begin serving their prison times.

I have not written in a few days. Still was not feeling well. Today I woke feeling like a new man! Hope it continues!

Dermatologist’s office called to advise the report re the major cancer sore on my left arm which the doctor had cut and burned came back. He got it all! I was concerned it was going to take seven months like my ankle did to correct. All that remains is for my visit next Wednesday to remove the stitches. He had to make a two inch cut across my arm to remove the cancer.

Car screwed up again. Same problem. Key will not turn. I am waiting for a new part to arrive Monday so it can be repaired.

Impossible to live without a car.

Enjoy your day!

U.S. measles hit a 35 year high fueled by a sustained outbreak. Data from the John Hopkins University U.S. Measles Tracker shows as of yesterday, 2,295 cases reported for the year thus far. That number surpasses last year’s high of 2,289.

Thank you Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for your negative support of vaccines. You are the blame!

Hegseth says the Iran War has cost $37.5 billion. Claims he needs $67 billion more.

We have a bridge over troubled waters. The new bridge between the U.S. and Canada. Trump cannot leave well enough alone. He claims he will impose a 50 percent tariff in 30 days. The man is a ball breaker!

The Qatari plane gifted to Trump has problems. Dangerous even after millions poured into it to update. Dangerous for a U.S. President to fly on. Trump should give it back!

Enough of Trump issues. Moving on.

I wrote two days ago of the three Key Westers who drowned looking for the Atocha. Jean Thornton telephoned me to advise that Mel Fisher discovered the Atocha exactly 10 years to the day following their deaths.

Jean an Atocha/Mel Fisher expert. She dove later with Mel Fisher and discovered some gold coins and other artifacts, some of which she was permitted to keep. Jean and husband Joe travel often. Top shelf, first class. Jean merely sells a few of the gold coins to finance the trips.

Lighters are older than matches . Would you believe? Lighters were invented before modern matches. Interesting! Some lighters were invented in the 17th century. Matches came along in 1805.

Today Bic lighters sell big time.  Estimated that 3.9 million are sold per day.

The Catholic Church has recognized 10,000 saints. Hard to believe!

Smallpox was declared eradicated by the White House in 1980.

Crayola Crayons! We all used them! The first colored ones were sold in 1903. The first box contained 8 colors.

The daily wage of a Ford factory worker in 1913 was $2.34. Things got better. One year later it had risen to $5.

There are currently 9 Ford assembly plants in the U.S.

The largest lobster ever caught weighed in excess of 44 pounds.

The first cook book by an American was published in 1796.

Irving Berlin wrote 17 complete musical scores.

Purdue founded the first U.S. computer degree program in 1962. By 2020-21, computer science was big time popular in the U.S. It had reached the Ph.D. level. Universities awarded 2,562 Ph.Ds. 

Computers are almost as popular as TV sets and radios in American households. Presently 95 percent of U.S. households have at least one type computer.

Adjusted for inflation, “Gone With the Wind” remains the highest grossing film of all time.

Interesting numbers re the Papacy. There have been 266 Popes. Pope Pius IX had the longest Papal reign, 31 years. Pope Urban VII the shortest, 7 days.

Remember Paul Revere and “To arms, to arms, the British are coming!” Revere’s occupation was as a part time dentist.

The cost of producing a single nickel is 13.8 cents.

The smallest coin the U.S. minted was not the “penny.” It was the “half-penny” in 1792 when the U.S. Mint was established. The Treasury Secretary was Alexander Hamilton. He thought the half-penny was required to keep the cost of goods down. Another reason was so merchants could price the cost of goods sold more competitively. In 1792  the average yearly wage was $65 a year so the half-penny made sense.

The modern Bible contains 1,189 chapters.

The year 1957 was a peak baby birth year. Births totaled 4.2 million.

Seventy plus countries were involved in World War II. The biggest war ever. In excess of 200 million miliary personnel served. The Medal of Honor was awarded to 473.

Ronald Reagan won a huge number of electoral votes in 1984. He was elected with 525 electoral votes.

Few are aware Reagan was first a Democrat. He switched from Democrat to Republican in 1962.

“Genghis Khan” was not his name. It was his title. His name was “Temujin.” He has 16 million direct male descendants alive today.

Who says the U.S. did not and does not need immigrants? Chinese immigrants built the transcontinental railroad. Some 15,000-20,000.

Photo taking a major event these days. It is estimated 4.7 billion photos are taken per day.

The number of troops in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War was astounding. The number 231,000!

Tea consumption is big time! Statistics reveal five billion cups of tea are consumed daily world wide.

Enough of the mundane for today. Interesting material however.

I did not write a blog yesterday nor attend The Grand for Happy Hour. Felt shitty.

I return to the dermatologist again today. Another cancer cell to be removed. This one no big deal.

Car went caput again yesterday. Key would not turn. It will be taxis for me today.

Enjoy your day!

Two nursery rhymes as openers! Why not! We all sang them as children. Each an intrinsic part of our upbringings.

The origin of “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” dates back to 1744, though the rhyme was much older. The nursery rhyme itself goes back to 1275 and alludes to a protest against a medieval wool tax that existed in England.

The source of the rhyme as we learned it strange. Makes one wonder how it became a “child’s rhyme” in later years and in our lifetime.

Then there is “Ring Around the Rosie.” I can recall singing it in my very early years outside with my neighborhood friends. We would sing Rosie and Black Sheep on the sidewalks in front of our homes. 

“Ring Around the Rosie” was born in 1665 during the Great Plague of London. Perhaps even earlier during an English bubonic plague. “Rosie” represented the rash, “posies” the flowers that carried too much of the smell of death, and “all fall down” symbolizing the widespread fatalities.

I and my youthful compatriots recited and danced to “Ring Around the Rosie’s” and “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” for years on the sidewalks in front of our homes. There were no backyards available to the poor to play on.

Caitlin Clark had a 45 point scoring day yesterday. Her most points in a professional game ever.  She scored them in a game against Seattle which her team won 110-107. I watched the game. The closing 5 minutes were fantastic! Actually the last 30 seconds. Great basketball!

Vance and family moving to Middleburg, Virginia. An enclave near Washington, D.C. The present inhabitants are said not to be happy with Vance’s move.

The “hot” continues in Key West. Wow! Horrible!

I took a drive to get away from the heat in the afternoon. Even with three “coolers” in my apartment, it still gets warm. I sought the cool of my car’s air conditioning.

First thing I did was to buy a chocolate ice cream soda to cool my internal body. Then drove to Smathers Beach. Remained in the car. Not a body anywhere on the beach. Could have been the heat or perhaps the green algae which had driven up on the beach. Whatever, the place was deserted.

Hemingway Days begin Sunday July 26. Always an exciting time in Key West!

On this day in 1975, the Treasure Salvor’s tugboat Northwind sunk drowning Rick Gage and Dick and Angel Fisher. They had been searching for the Spanish treasure ship Atocha. Found several years later by Mel Fisher.

The three most popular Christmas presents 100 years ago: Wrist watches for men, Chanel Number 5 for women, and Radio Flyer wagons for children.

A very big day! This day in 1969. John Glenn was the first man to set foot on the moon. Recall his words: “This is one small step for man, one great leap for mankind.”

Lincoln Memorial designer Henry Bacon was inspired by the lines of the Parthenon in Athens. Interesting! Two of my very favorite places! Both I have visited more than one time.

Just a touch of Trump.

The booing he received yesterday at the World Cup. Big time booing! From people from all over the world. The man is disliked everywhere.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0. I found the Spanish victory interesting. Trump has a vehement dislike for two nations. Spain and Canada. And yesterday he was required to give the victors award to Spain! Following handing over the award, it appeared Trump was in no hurry to leave the stage. He had to be taken by the arm and walked off.

My arm is healing. I changed the bandage yesterday for the first time. A big deal for me. I have to do it again today and every day for two weeks.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday!

On this day in 1845, tiny Seneca Falls, New York went on the map for all time because of a significant event which occurred there. The Seneca Falls Convention. A women’s rights convention. It was the first such ever event in the United States. Roughly 200 women attended.

The Convention was chaired by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. It was held in the Wesleyan Chapel.

A two day event. Women only the first day.

Its purpose: “A convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious conditions of women.”

A follow up event was held two weeks later in nearby Rochester. Thereafter a meeting was held annually.

Seneca Falls is located in Upstate New York. Just off the New York Thruway which I drove frequently. The signage on the Thruway indicating Seneca Falls, because of the Convention of course.

The phrase “God bless you” is connected to a Papal Decree issued in 600 CE. By Pope Gregory I. Gregory believed a sneeze itself was the sign of bad health and perhaps imminent death. So on February 16, 600 CE he issued an edict that God Bless You “was the correct response if any Christian was in close proximity of a sneezer.”

Migrant detainees are treated like animals in a Miami federal jail. Cells are cramped, sorely hot, men sleep in their underwear to keep cool. They watch vermin scuttle through their cells amid the smell of feces and urine overflowing from broken toilets.

Christion National is not necessarily healthy though it may sound so. It is the voice of religious mongers who are pushing it today. It is an ideology that asserts national identity should be defined by Christianity, seeking to merge religion and civic life.

No way! Could kill democracy as we know it. Never forget the U.S.is grounded in separation of Church and State. Recognize also that three persons pushing Christian Nationalism in form perhaps without identifying it as such are Trump, Vance and Hegseth. Who are they kidding!

The U.S. has bombed Iran for 8 consecutive days. 

This day in 64, Rome began burning. Nero’s Rome. History is uncertain whether Nero was responsible for the burning and whether he fiddled while Rome burned. Nero was 35 miles away from Rome during the burning. The fiddle did not yet exist.

Ancient Rome built a vast network of roads. Some 200,000 miles worth. The quality such, that many still exist to this day and are in use.

I drove on some very close to Rome and others father away during my Italian trips. The Ancient Italians used huge flat stones for road beds.

Much Greece of yesterday and today will be in the media for a while. Caused by the epic movie “Odyssey” which was released Friday.

Great! I love Greece! I have spent huge amounts of time there. Forget not that Greece is so old and most of it still preserved that much you will see media wise is accurate.

The best I can wish for you is that you see the movie and it tantalizes you sufficiently that you visit Greece.

A strange one. Ants are increasing in popularity as pets. Especially a giant African one. Of course, costs for such as the African favorite are as high as $200. They are not small.

Raw milk is not healthy for humans. Drinking raw milk can cause tuberculosis in humans. However, the tuberculosis bacteria is killed during the pasteurization process so pasteurized milk creates no danger.

Cancer appears not to be a new or recent malady. Early evidence of cancer has been found in an ancient human foot.

As we all know, U.S. gas prices are affected by the global price of oil. 

The way it works. The price of oil is measured by the cost per barrel. A barrel contains 42 gallons of oil. 

Oil is used to produce most kinds of fuel and the building blocks for plastics, fertilizers and other items.

Consumers around the globe use 104 million barrels of oil a day. Because oil is a global market, a supply change anywhere moves the price in the U.S., even though the U.S. is a net oil exporter.

Amazing! Anesthesia was marketed after a laughing gas party in 1799. An English chemist began experimenting with nitrous oxide – better known as laughing gas. Prior thereto, getting a person drunk or using nothing at all was the preliminary act to surgery. Pain a huge factor in surgeries!

Did King Arthur really exist? No one knows for sure. Yes and no answers accepted today.

I trust you noted I have not mentioned Donald Trump up to this point. Many of you criticize me when I give him so much time. The reason is he is the news big time! Whether you agree with him or not. Ergo writing about him cannot be avoided.

Today such an example. At 3 this afternoon the Finals of the World Cup will be held in New Jersey. Trump announced earlier in the week he would be going. Of course he would! He is giving the trophy to the winning team.

I make one observation, he is going to be booed big time! The fans are from all over the world. Everyone dislikes him. Following which, Donald will be unhappy. Tough! Too bad! He has earned all the negative attention he receives because of his own conduct!

Interesting. International football and its World Cup event is a major world sporting event. Perhaps the biggest. And poor Donald is going to receive a major boo from all the world wide fans in attendance. Ho, ho, ho. He bought and paid for it. He deserves it!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Abraham Lincoln in the first major speech he gave forewarned of a Donald Trump.

He warned Trump’s type would be the undoing of the Republic: A demagogue of overwhelming ambition, who, “nothing left to be done in the way of building up, he would set boldly to the task of tearing down.” The only remedy Lincoln added was for the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws, generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.”

Trump is building a White House Helipad. He sought no approvals.

Hitler published his “Mein Kampf” this day in 1925. Note that Trump’s wife at the time claimed he kept a copy of the book on the nightstand next to his bed and frequently read from it.

Trump says 278,000 non-citizens are on voting rolls. Experts say he’s wrong.

Trump wants to impose tariffs on Canada in retaliation for wildfire smoke. Trump claims Canada has been faulty in control of its wildfire response. Not the way to make for a good neighbor relationship.

Trump is attempting to bend history to his will.  He will fail.

Moving on.

The first female Army officer was commissioned this day in 1947. Today, they are generals and admirals. The ladies have come a long way!

Three great American Presidents were poor students. Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. Kennedy the worst. He flunked French and Latin as a freshman at Choate Prep School. He also was briefly expelled for his part in a planned prank as a senior.

On this day in 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was nominated for an unprecedented third term.

Vehicle driving. The death of the stick shift is almost here. Only 0.6 percent of cars sold in 2025 contained stick shifts.

I learned how to drive on a stick shift. No choice involved. The person teaching me to drive had a car only equipped with stick shift.

Mary Baron, CEO of General Motors: “Do every job you’re in like you’re doing it for the rest of your life.”

More young women today “sell their souls to strangers constantly.”  Do not mean prostitution.  Reflects on social media where young women portray themselves as “perfect.” Young women feel they must generally sell themselves in this regard.

Experts claim the Reflective Pool’s peeling is being caused by application flaws.

Busy yesterday. Drug store early on to pick up a prescription for my left arm cancer removal post treatment.

Paige at noon. Great physiotherapist. She’ll have me walking straight in about a month. I hope! She showed me how to change my bandage. I was trained to be a lawyer, not a doctor or nurse!

Grocery shopping later in the day. Too expensive. The less I buy the more it costs. God help families!

This will be a quiet day. Nothing scheduled. 

Enjoy your day!