Words of Wisdom for the 4th of July
4
07, 2018
2
07, 2018
Ten Fun Facts and Trivia for the 4th of July
The American Revolution began with the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord in 1775. One year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
This week Americans will take time to celebrate the birth of our nation, remember those who fought for our freedom, and honor those who actively guard our freedoms today. Celebrations will vary across the country, but parades, fireworks, and outdoor fun are sure to be found.
Here are some fun facts and trivia to share at your backyard celebration.
- The first White House Fourth of July party was held in 1804.
- Fifty-six people signed the Declaration of Independence although most didn’t formally sign until August 2, 1776.
- John Hancock was the only member of the Continental Congress who formally signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- In 1776, the population of the country was 2.5 million people. Now, 242 years later, our population is 326+ million people.
- Congress didn’t make the Fourth of July and official federal holiday until 1870.
- In 1938 the Fourth became a paid legal holiday for employees of the federal government.
- Three United States presidents have died on the Fourth of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.
- Yankee Doodle, the celebrated patriotic song, was written by British army officers to make fun of backwoods Americans.
- Around 155 million hot dogs are consumed on the Fourth of July. That’s enough hot dogs to make a line from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
- Americans spent more than $800 million on fireworks in 2016.
On that note, I’d like to remind you that many PTSD veterans and pets will be cringing with every blast of those fireworks set off in your driveway. You might want to save money and watch fireworks display on the television instead.
28
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Abraham Lincoln
All month we’ve honored Presidents Day with Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom from the Mount Rushmore presidents. Today’s words come from President Abraham Lincoln, the last face on the right.
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
21
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Theodore Roosevelt
In honor of Presidents Day, February 19, Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom will be from the Mount Rushmore presidents this month. Today’s words come from President Theodore Roosevelt. He’s between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
19
02, 2018
Why I think President’s Day is a Strange Holiday
Three things strike me as making Presidents Day holiday strange.
1. There’s no universal agreement on the actual name of the holiday
Most American holidays are clear-cut in what we are celebrating or honoring, i.e. 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Martin Luther King Day.
Not so with Presidents Day. Ask several people what President’s Day recognizes or why we celebrate, and you’re likely to get totally different answers.
Fact is, President’s Day originated to recognize George Washington’s actual day of birth, February 22. It was the first federal holiday to celebrate the life of an individual and joined only four other national bank holidays – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
Then under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, which was passed to create more three-day weekends and increase retail and tourism revenue, it became known as Presidents’ Day and included President Abraham Lincoln whose birthday is February 12.
2. There’s no clear clarification of which presidents are being honored
Popular culture gradually shifted the emphasis from recognizing Washington and Lincoln to a day to recognize the lives of American presidents generally.
Interesting to note that the Federal government still labels the third Monday in February on official calendars as Washington’s Birthday.
3. There’s no agreement about whether to use an apostrophe or not
Sometimes the apostrophe isn’t used at all (as in Presidents Day), sometimes it is placed between the last two letters (President’s Day), and sometimes it is after the last letter (Presidents’ Day).
No specific title for the holiday is a little confusing, especially if you happen to be an English teacher.
Seems reasonable to say those three things make Presidents’ Day or President’s Day or Presidents Day a slightly strange holiday.
Wouldn’t you agree?
14
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Thomas Jefferson
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
In honor of Presidents Day, February 19, Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom will be from the Mount Rushmore presidents this month. Today’s words come from President Thomas Jefferson. His face is to the right of George Washington.
12
02, 2018
Valentine’s Day Random Facts
The origin of St. Valentine’s Day is found in the story of Saint Valentine, who, on the evening before his execution, wrote the first valentine, addressed to the daughter of his jailer, and signed the greeting “Your Valentine.”
That was in the 5th century. Since then Valentine’s Day has become a major commercial holiday.
The National Retail Federation anticipates over $18.2 billion will be spent on Valentine gifts this year. Of that amount, the Greeting Card Association expects $1 billion to go for greeting cards. Flowers will account for $2 billion and candy for $1.7 billion.
Cards, flowers, jewelry, and fine dinners are all very romantic gestures to express love for one’s sweetheart on this special day. But, gifts don’t have to involve great expense. Nothing’s better than a homemade Valentine card or a home cooked meal served by candlelight.
2018 will be a very unique Valentine’s Day because February 14 also happens to be the first day of Lent 2018, Ash Wednesday.
Interesting to note that Easter and April Fool’s Day will also fall on the same day this year. It’s the first time in 73 years.
Stop and think about it though, we shouldn’t be surprised.
We experienced a Blue Moon in January and unique things always happen once in a blue moon.
Have a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
5
02, 2018
A Wordless Love Story – February 2018 Update
On February 4, 2013, I originally posted this blog about a six-minute animated film that mixes hand-drawn and CGI animation to tell a love story
Unfortunately, the YouTube video I chose is no longer available. You can, however, watch this Disney trailer.
The Disney Animation video premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2012 and won the Best Animated Short Category at the 2013 Academy Awards.
As a romance writer, I think Paperman does a fabulous job of telling a wonderful love story without using a single spoken word. It’s the perfect blog for the beginning of February, which is why I’ve revised my original 2013 blog and am posting again this year.
Enjoy as you prepared for this month of love.
15
01, 2018
It’s Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King’s calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.
He inspired so many that, in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.
Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred our conscience. His words continue to be as meaningful today.
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 to establish a yearly federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments. Today has been designated as that day.
As you honor Dr. King today, pause and consider these MLK quotes.
On Leadership
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
On Love
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
On Getting Along
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
On Faith
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
On Service
“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Additional legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Why not let this MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive impact?
25
12, 2017
The Christmas Scale – Joy to the World
This is my all-time, very-favorite Christmas video. Since I post it every year, I guess you figured that out.
If you have a piano around round your house, try playing the C scale. Start on middle C and play up to the next C. Then play back down the scale again. Start on the 8th note and pause on the 1st note, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th.
Listen as you play. What you’ll hear is the good news for Christmas .
“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come.”
Chicken Wrangler Sara and I will be back in January. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas week with your family and friends.