One of my dearest Key West friends over the years has been Jean Thornton. She and husband Joe Alabama graduates and fanatics. Fanatics till two weeks ago when FSU destroyed Alabama.

When Irma befell Key West and the Keys generally, I escaped to their home in Birmingham, Alabama for 12 days. It was a party!

My relationship with Jean has strained the past year. Prior thereto, we would frequently dine and drink together. My abdominal bleed kept me from seeing people, dining out, etc. Including my beloved Jean.

As a result, she refrained from calling me so much. Could not blame her.

Last night, I received a call from Jean. She was home in Birmingham, wanted to hear my voice and let me know she would be returning to Key West in about two weeks. Her call was also prompted by an Irma picture from 8 years ago of me sitting in her family room in Birmingham while escaping Irma.

I made my excuses for neither going out with her nor speaking with her the past year. She understood. Reminded me my bed in her home was still available in the event needed.

Jean does not read my blog. No one’s blog that discusses Trump and politics. She can’t stand Trump and hates reading about his exploits. She understood however that I had to write much about the man since he WAS THE NEWS every day.

Nevertheless, I want my beloved Jean to read one of my blogs. Ergo, I dedicate today’s to her. Promise no Trump.

I share with her some interesting but oddball stories. Few will be familiar with them.

Ghosts in the White House? Yes. Several stories. I share two involving Abraham Lincoln.

The source most credible. Winston Churchill. Churchill encountered Lincoln in the Lincoln bedroom, under strange circumstances.

Churchill had just stepped out of the bath and was “wearing” nothing but a cigar when he saw the former President by the fireplace. “Good evening, Mr. President,” Churchill reportedly said. “You have me at a disadvantage.” Indeed he did, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else being so witty in that moment.

It isn’t just humans who felt Lincoln’s presence. Ronald Reagan’s dog felt comfortable roaming every room in the White House, except the Lincoln bedroom. He would just stand outside the door and bark. Never entering.

Then there’s Mary Had A Little Lamb. About a real schoolgirl and her lamb.

Poet Sarah Josepha Hale first published a version of the poem in 1830. Fifty years later, an elderly woman named Mary Sawyer wrote about the real Mary. She was that Mary.

Mary Sawyer wrote pretty much the version we know and love today. Mary had rescued the lamb, repaired its health and raised the lamb.

The accurate detailed story is Mary had found the abandoned lamb, cared for it and then brought it to school. Hidden in a basket which she kept at her feet till the lamb bleated.  Caught. The teacher permitted Mary to take the lamb home at lunch time.

In a letter included in a 1928 book detailing the story, Sawyer says the lamb grew and had a few lambs of her own.

Kissing under a mistletoe was born under strange circumstances.

The practice classic. Mythology classic.

According to legend, the Norse god Baldur was killed by a sprig of mistletoe. He woke at 1 am fearing every plant and animal species were out to get him. His mother and wife visited every plant and animal asking he be left alone.

They forgot to ask the mistletoe. A sprig of the evergreen ultimately killed him.

His mother, the goddess  Frigia, wept tears that turned into white berries on the mistletoe. She was able to revive her son. As a result, she proclaimed the mistletoe the plant of love.

And now to the final oddball topic. Since we are both college fanatics, you Alabama and I Syracuse, I opted to search out oddball mascot names and their history.

Not intending to be insulting, mighty Alabama was not listed. I was surprised. One of the most powerful football teams ever, I would have assumed its mascot would be listed. Especially because of its size. Consistent with the quality of the team it represents.

Alabama’s mascot is an elephant. Big in and of itself. Named Big Al. Consistent with Alabama’s record. I had to call my grandson Robert to get it. He had it at the tip of his fingers.

Syracuse’s mascot is listed.  Otto the Orange.

Oto’s history.

Syracuse selected orange as its color/hue in 1890. No deviation over the years. Never changed. Syracusans love being known as The Orange.

Otto is an orange. Became the Syracuse mascot in the early 1980s. Prior thereto, the Syracuse mascot was  gladiator, goat, and dog that wore a blue baseball cap.

Syracuse got a new Dome in 980. One that I immediately purchased a 16 seat private box and bar in. Made me a steady patron for years. Missed only one game and that was because of a family wedding. I cheated, however. Listened to the game on my cell phone during the ceremony in Church.

A new Dome meant new other things.

Early on, a former student, Eric Heath, began appearing at games attired in the orange regatta with a blue baseball cap. The University was not polite to him for years. He was a paying customer. Had to but a ticket to get in.

He became known as Otto the Orange.

Popular he was, however. He ran all over the court. Everyone loved him.

In 2004, Nike proposed some changes at the Dome. One was get rid of Otto. Students and alumni rose in unison in opposition. Otto remains.

Jean, again no adverse knock re Big Al. An intimidating name. His appearance has to be intimidating also.

Your blog! Your day!

Can’t wait till we get a new President so you will be reading all my blogs again.

Enjoy your day!