Interesting pieces of information.
We begin with Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin was the Founding Father with the best sense of humor. Found a funny aspect to everything. One of his most famous comic pieces was “Fart Proudly,” which he wrote while living in France. The writing was a satirical proposal encouraging scientists to find a way to make human flatulence smell pleasant.
President Trump should read it.
Medieval feasts contained plenty of roasted meat. However, turkey was not on the menu. Turkey did not arrive in Europe till after the Middle Ages. The turkey source to Europe was from Central Asia and Russia.
President James Buchanan had a nickname: “Ten-Cent Jimmy.” He was a cheapo. When running for Senator from Pennsylvania in the early 1840s, he advocated for laborers to receive a pittance of just 10 cents for one day of hard work. The miserly label was revived when he ran for President in 1856. Even made it into a song his opponent John Fremont and supporters sang. Nevertheless, el cheapo Buchanan won the election.
Interestingly, Buchanan is ranked as the “worst President the U.S. ever had.” He will soon lose the distinction. No question. He will be replaced by Donald Trump.
Deaths in the Venezuela earthquake have now exceeded 1,400.
After the U.S. military victory in Venezuela, Trump claimed he would be running Venezuela. He has already taken barrels of oil out of Venezuela. My question is whether Trump will now provide the assistance Venezuela requires to extricate itself from the earthquake disaster? I think Trump will back away and do little.
New York City’s Aqueduct Racetrack is closing after 132 years. It is New York City’s last remaining racetrack. Last renovated in the 1950s.
Off track betting hurt attendance. In the early 1970s, New York City introduced off track betting. Betters never had to set foot at the racetrack thereafter. New York City had six racetracks in the early 1900s.
Aqueduct is one on the oldest thoroughbred tracks in the U.S.
“Defy Bra makes it look like I’m wearing a proper bra but feels like I’m not wearing a bra at all.” So sayeth a woman with big breasts writing about Defy Bras. No hooks, boning, metal clasps, or adjustable straps. No architectural components that typically make up a bra.
Would you believe? A new study finds people who eat onions have better long term health.
Raphael is showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One hundred seventy one of his works. His art has been described as “sublime poetry.” He the “Prince of Painters.”
More than 50 years ago when I was constantly in New York City working, I would view such an exhibit. Several times to make sure I absorbed it all. Unfortunately as regards art, my life is different today. Key West however has significant artists and galleries that compensate for my New York City losses.
Trump celebrates everything as a “success” or a “victory.” Like the Iran War. The U.S. has not won. Trump knows it and just wants to get out of a disaster he got us into. However, he still claims the U.S. has won the War.
Hostilities continue for the third day over the Strait of Hormuz. What kind of a ceasefire/end of hostilities is that?
It is getting cooler. However, still hot! Today projected in the low 80s as opposed to the high 80s and low 90s it has been on a constant basis recently.
No question about it. There is a grocery price emergency in America.
The Ukraine is doing well against Russia. The Ukraine is stepping up its long range strikes. Putin is hurting. The Russian people suffering. They are experiencing a fuel shortage and a steep drop in their stock market.
New York City was once known as New Amsterdam. Back in 1664. Its population at the time 2,000. In 2024 and now known as New York City, its population was off the wall!
There was a time in 1673 when New York City was briefly under the control of the Netherlands. It was named New Orange during that brief period after Netherlands leader William of Orange.
Andover is a boarding school. Obviously for children of the rich. In the 2024-2025 school year, tuition was $73, 780.
The Gettysburg Address is a mere 272 words. Proving verbosity not required to make a point.
FAX machines are still in wide use, though we rarely see them. Their use is in the health care industry which uses them to convey patient medical information.
There are 132 rooms in the White House,
A young Julius Caesar was once kidnapped by pirates. The year 75 BCE. His ransom was 50 talents. A ton of money at the time. Nevertheless Caesar was ransomed. He returned, fought and captured those who had held him captive. Following which he executed every one of them.
I began with Benjamin Franklin and end with Benjamin Franklin.
The first official U.S. coin was minted in 1787. Its design inspired by Benjamin Franklin and was named the Fugio Cent. Below the image on the front side were the words “Mind your business.” Its author Benjamin Franklin. Only he could have been that humorous.
That same Fugio Cent, minted from the first batch, sold at auction in 2015 for $94,000.
Enjoy your Sunday!