The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. However and surprisingly, the basic concept behind a smallpox vaccine goes back to at least 1549.
How interesting! A small amount of the virus was taken from the sore of an infected person, then either scratched into a person’s skin or inhaled through the nose.
Sounds gross, but it worked! The disease was less fatal in people who got smallpox after such an inoculation.
It is estimated there are 62 million cats in the U.S. Wow!
Marilyn Monroe was found dead this day in 1962. Some claim from an overdose of sedative drugs. Others believe she was killed. Doubt we will ever know the real cause/reason for her demise.
I doubt the “Little Orphan Anne” comic strip is still published. It was first published this day in 1924. I recall reading the comic strip daily when I was a young boy.
Abraham Lincoln needed money to fund the Civil War. He was forced to impose a federal income tax this day in 1861 in order to finance the War.
Reagan was a “tough President.” He screwed around with no one. He was a my way or the highway type.
Air traffic controllers went on strike through out the country. Reagan ordered them to return to work. They refused. He fired 11,359 this day in 1981.
Walgreens is closing stores as part of a multi year downsizing effort. Two were closed in Missouri recently. Walgreens plans on closing more stores by year end.
Overall, Walgreens is planning on closing 1,200 underperforming stores over a three year period as part of its turnaround strategy. The Key West stores are not on the list of projected closings.
The Secret Service gives each President a “code name.” The code name system began with Harry Truman. Truman was “General.” Other examples: Eisenhower “Providence,” Kennedy “Lancer,” Reagan “Rawhide,” and Clinton “Eagle.”
Miami has changed in appearance over the past 50 years. Back then, a beach town. Today, a metropolis. Tall buildings. Miami has 18 of the 100 tallest buildings in the U.S.
Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel. She was 18 years old. The day was August 6, 1926. Exactly 100 years ago today. She swam the 35 miles in 14 1/2 hours. Her body covered in grease. She ate chicken legs along the way.
The source of the idiom “It’s Greek to me.” Shakespeare popularized the phrase in Act 1, Scene 2, of “Julius Caesar.” Published in 1599. Spoken by Casca: “It was Greek to me.”
Florida’s invasive lizards are now threefold. Burmese pythons, green iguanas and now the tegu-lizard.
Florida is committed to reducing its python population. They are too numerous to totally eradicate. Can only be downsized in number. Florida instituted a Python Challenge several years ago to assist in the reduction. The most recent 10 day Florida Python Challenge resulted in 280 pythons being captured. Considered to have been a good number.
Trump wants to know why Hegseth apparently misled him on the munitions shortage. The American people want to know too. A typical Trump foul up. He picked Hegseth. Everything Trump does one way or another gets screwed up.
Judges who rule against Trump thereafter threatened. Most require federal protection as a result. Not the U.S. we knew.
A new type flu shot is on the way. It will be available in a few weeks. As expected, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is skeptical of the value of the new vaccine.
Lincoln initially was not viewed as Presidential material. Amazing! Our best President ever!
A volcano erupted on Guatemala. Many families had to flee.
Andy Warhol: “You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.”
The first written history of Key West was published this day in 1884 by Walter C. Maloney. He was at different times Key West Mayor and a member of the Florida State Legislature.
I spoke with Guy deBoer by phone yesterday. He was someplace in Europe. He leaves on September 6 for an 8 month sailing trip. What a life!
Should we be concerned about “Progressive Democrats” winning primaries? I’m not sure who may be worse. MAGA Republicans or Progressive Democrats. My problem I suspect is I do not know enough about Progressive Democrats. I must learn more before expressing a firm judgment.
Greece is my favorite country to visit! I can’t say it enough. My best vacations were the month long ones I spent in Greece.
Corfu, Greece is one of the places I have yet to visit. Relatively cheap. The Canal d’Amour is located on Corfu. Legend has it that couples who swim the length of the canal together will be in love forever.
A stinking place to work! Questic Diagnostics laboratory. Thousands of feces sample tested daily. For parasites, including Cyclospora. Truly a brown onslaught. Laboratory technicians work with face masks and other attire to vent the fumes, etc.
A Senate Republican Committee is on Fauci’s ass. A major wrong. He appears before the Committee again today. They may attempt to hold him in contempt because he invoked the Fifth Amendment before them many times during his last visit.
Trump is quietly pressuring Cuba. Don’t we have enough problems on our backs without adding Cuba on?
Key West has experienced a several week record breaking heat wave. Other places in the world also. Most recent is South Korea.
The world is screwed up temperature-wise. Why?
It is reported the “vanity dressing table” is making a return to the bedroom.
More women, especially young ones, are developing heart disease.
There is an article in this morning’s New York Times: “Should I Wear Deodorant or Antiperspirant?” I was not aware there was a difference.
Trump is sometimes described as a “smiling liar.”
Today is haircut day. Will not be, however. Lori called. She’s sick.
Corey took me grocery shopping last night. I am still without my car. And yes, I believe groceries increased a bit in cost since a few days ago when I last shopped. Sickening!
Enjoy your day!