It is 02.02.2021. This time next year will be fun. All those 2s and 0s. Anyway. It’s cold and windy in Central Florida. It might be time to put on my flip flop socks which is my concession to winter in Florida. The good thing about the occasional 40 degree day is that we appreciate the 70s that much more. We have some great suggestions to celebrate today. It’s Groundhog Day, California Kiwifruit Day, Crêpe Day, Heavenly Hash Day, Dog Sled Day, Hedgehog Day, Tater Tot Day and my pick, World Ukulele Day. Besides being fun, playing the ukulele is good exercise for your brain. Now to the history of this date. By this date in 1349, at least 200 people a day were being buried in London as a result of the Black Death. In 1709 British sailor Alexander Selkirk was rescued by William Dampier after being marooned on a desert island for 5 years. His story inspires the book “Robinson Crusoe”. In 1848, the 1st ship load of Chinese immigrants arrived in San Francisco. In 1887 In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the first Groundhog Day was observed. In 1925 on this date, dog sleds reached Nome Alaska with emergency diphtheria serum. In 1942 on this date, the US auto factories switched from commercial to war production. On this date in 1952 B.B. King’s “3 O’Clock Blues” hits #1. He said, “I don’t like anybody to be angry with me. I’d rather have friends.” To that I say, “me too”. On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly gave his last performance. This is the day in 1895 that George Hallas, coach and owner of the Chicago Bears was born. George said, “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it”. Another quote is ” Nothing is work unless you’d rather be doing something else.” This is the day in 1970 that Bertrand Russell’s life stopped. He said, “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Have to agree with him on that one. That’s enough for this day. Abide.
