Ridley's Believe It Or
Not--March 3, 2014: As California is recovering from
Titan's rain and mudslides and the East is getting hammered by Titan with
snow, ice, and sleet and temperatures in the single digits and shutting down
our nation's capital (probably a good thing), hope you enjoyed the Academy
Awards last night--Pizzas, tuxes, and gowns with a group selfie, thanks to
Ellen DeGeneres! Hope you enjoy the holidays, factoids and quote for the
day and if you have children are taking the time to read to them or taking a
break to read a good book today:
1. NEA's Read Across America Day--celebrated on the first school
day after Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2) with the reading of many of his
poems and a day of reading across America with teachers and
sometimes students dresssed up in Seuss character costumes--great day as is any
day in which children are reading or being read to.
2. Casimir Pulaski Day--honoring the contributions
to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary Way by the Polish cavalryman
Casimir Pulaski.
3. Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day)--not a marketing ploy by
Mattel or a protest against NOW but in Japan a solemn display a set of ornamental dolls (often of collector quality) (雛人形 hina-ningyō?) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants and
musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.
4. World Wildlife Day --another UN observance calling
for the protection and appreciation of our planet's diverse and somewhat
endangered flora and fauna--somewhat hollow but typical lots of air but no
teeth as for example elephants are slaughtered by poachers for ivory tusks sold
to the Chinese ivory market for art and jewelry.
On this day in:
a. 1931 the Star-Spangled Banner became our National Anthem by act
of Congress, replacing My Country, Tis of Thee (same melody as Great
Britain's National Anthem as God Save the Queen and for many of us
vocally challenged easier to sing).
b. 1951 Sam Brenston, with Ike Turner and his band, recorded "Rocket 88"
believed to be the first rock and roll recored in the studios of Sam Phillips
in Memphis; let the good times roll!
c.
1991 the first act which was ultimately turn into the L.A. Riots, the beating of
Rodney King in Los Angeles by members of the LAPD after a traffic chase, was
videotaped.
Dead men may tell no tales, but
they do sing: "The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem."
Aaron Kilbourn Could not find any bio on him, but prophetic words, especially
if one were to walk among the rows in a National Cemetery. On a less solemn
note, an observation from an elementary sch preschool teacher why Dr. Seuss is
revered: "Because he took us out of the dreariness of 'Dick' and 'Jane'
and 'Spot.' And he brought us into a whole new world of silliness giggles and
imagination." Amen to that!
Please
enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below
(if you like them, retweet and join almost 140 growing followers
and please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and
entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem
to honor Bode Miller and the human spirit just posted; an original poem for
Cupid on Valentine's Day; an original poem to honor Cory Remsburg, and
original poem to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Just posted for your enjoyment
on Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times poems on students
protesting Keystone XL as the world's largest oil producer militarily occupies
the Crimea: the banning the wearing of the American flag on Cinco de Mayo;
Putin winning the Great Game against Obama; Obama need for fund raising
trumping Russian moves into Crimea; Potomac fever infecting the Governors’
Conference; the Cal Ripken, Jr. equivalent in the House, John Dingell after
almost 60 years announcing his retirement; FCC plan to investigate diversity of
news coverage to the great concern of the media (now shelved due to outrage in the
media); Nebraska judge saving Obama by enjoining Keystone XL; Kerry
calling global warming the new weapon of mass destruction; chaos in the
Ukraine; OC Sheriff's Deputies getting paid for donning and doffing their
uniforms; Chairman of OC Board of Supervisors double dipping; Arctic
Vortex slamming the U.S to join a great list of comments on the newsworthy
times, in rhyme of course.
©March
3, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet
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