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February 6, 1952 –Elizabeth II became Queen upon the death of her father George VI (who had been ill for some time and died in his sleep from a coronary thrombosis), on this date (she has been on the job for 69 years.) At the exact moment of succession, she was in an observation postContinue reading “It’s been a long time on the job”

Today is Liberation Day in San Marino. Americans remain woefully misinformed about San Marino. (American remain woefully misinformed about most countries that aren’t located between Canada and Mexico.) It’s not only Liberation Day in San Marino, but, it’s also the feast day of St. Agatha – (patron saint of breast cancer survivors, but again, IContinue reading “A great day in San Marino”

Our Throwback Thursday features a favorite song, something about the song and a cover version of the song. I love Steely Dan. I believe long time bunkies know that. Black Cow isn’t my favorite song, if pressed, I would have to go with Gaucho. But the song has a fond memory in my heart. IContinue reading “Down on Greene Street”

February 3, 1959 – The Day the Music Died: A small plane carrying The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Buddy Holly and Richie Valens crashed near Mason City, Iowa, while en route to a show in Fargo, North Dakota. Richardson had developed a case of the flu during the tour (erroneously thought to have been causedContinue reading “February made me shiver”

Happy Groundhog Day. In honor of the occasion, here’s a little history – Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tieContinue reading “In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move”

That’s a lot of snow out there, and it’s supposed to continue until tomorrow. February: Even though it is the shortest month of the year, sometimes it seemed like the longest. According to the Gregorian calendar, February is the second month of the year, and also the shortest month. February has 28 days until JuliusContinue reading “Is this anyway to start a month?”

January 31, 1958 –Explorer-I, officially Satellite 1958 Alpha (and sometimes referred to as Explorer 1), was the first Earth satellite of the United States, having been launched at 10:48 pm EST on this date, as part of the United States program for the International Geophysical Year. The satellite was launched from LC-26 at Cape CanaveralContinue reading “A Red Letter Day In Space Travel History”

Thomas Crapper died on January 27, 1910. In popular American folklore, the British Mr. Crapper was the man who invented and gave his name to the flush toilet. Unfortunately, there is little historical evidence to support Mr. Crapper as anything but a friendly British plumber. I say unfortunately because the world is ambiguous enough asContinue reading “Up one day and down the next.”

Today is the 72nd annual Republic Day in India. Usually, spectators line up to watch dancers from all over the nation gather in New Delhi every year on this day to dance in the huge National Arena and all along a five mile parade route, (not so much today though.) It’s Australia Day today (formerlyContinue reading “Celebrating around the world”

January 25, 1759 –It’s Robert Burns‘ birthday and people will be celebrating with a Burns Supper The Burns Supper is eaten all across Scotland each year on the anniversary of the national poet’s birth. It consists of haggis and whiskey. It is customary for the host to read Burns’ Ode to a Haggis at theContinue reading “Dare to be honest and fear no labor.”