Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-This Day In History-May 1 National Day Of Prayer



Ridley's Believe It Or Not—May 1, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these holidays worthy of mention or celebrating in culinary fashion, to go with the factoids and quotes to enjoy as you are nearing the weekend and are spiritually refreshed by your observance of National Day of Prayer.
             1. International Workers’ Day (aka May Day) –celebrating the working class and its struggle for better working conditions  against capitalism in a holiday observed in over 80 countries and by children with ribbons of multi-hues dancing around the Maypole.
             2. Law Day—celebrated in the United States and implemented first in 1958 through the efforts of President Eisenhower to promote the rule of law.
             3. National Day of Prayer—occurring on the first Thursday in May and codified in 1952 and calling on men and women of all faiths to turn to God in prayer and meditation—given the chaos in the world and the partisan rancor in this country, a great holiday to observe.
             4. International Guerrilla Sunflower Gardening Day—first celebrated in 2007 by “guerrilla gardeners” planting sunflowers on land not owned by them, such as parks, vacant lots, freeway medians, etc. Great way to beautify the neighborhood but wonder in places like Denver or Boulder if the sunflower seeds are being replaced by seeds with more potent plants.
              5. National Chocolate Parfait Day—celebrating one of this poet’s all time favorite desserts, especially when served with blackberries.
On this day in:
              a. 1927 the first cooked meals were served on a scheduled airline, Imperial Airways, on a flight from London to Paris; today in coach it’s only peanuts and a soft drink.
              b. 1953 in an apparent conflict with National Day of Prayer, the Humanist Manifesto I written largely by Raymond Bragg was published to promote the replacement of deity based systems that those observing National Day of Prayer were praying to.
              c. 1956 the Salk polio vaccine is released to the public to begin the end of a parent’s worst nightmare that a child or young adult would be out of the blue be struck down like FDR by polio.        
To be a real triple threat in the sport of life: “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. -- St. Francis of Assisi Let’s hope we have the surplus to enjoy the works of the artists, including of course, poets. 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 poems on the 2014 Boston Marathon; on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on the just released non-redacted Benghazi emails; Kerry’s apartheid characterization of Israel; Obama’s admission that he does not know whether new “sanctions” will work against Putin; the scandal of vets dying in Phoenix while waiting to see a doctor; Blues in Illinois caught in questionable procedures and forced to rescind $100 million to Obama Presidential Library; coffee as the new wonder drug to curtail Type II Diabetes;  the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE’s to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-This Day In History-April 30, 2014 National Honesty Day



Ridley's Believe It Or Not--April 30, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these holidays worthy of mention or celebrating in culinary fashion, to go with the factoids and quotes to enjoy as you are entering the middle of  your work week secure in the knowledge that today you will practice honesty in your affairs.
             1. International Jazz Day–another UNESCO holiday honoring jazz as a unique music form, first proclaimed in 2011.
             2. National Honesty Day—created by of all people the former press secretary to the governor of Maryland in the early 90’s; great concept even more so in politicians observed it as would their press secretaries, especially Jay Carney, the press secretary to our President.
             3. International Guide Dogs Day—to commemorating the service of guide dogs to the blind; what a great gift, the gift of mobility and safety and maybe in a small way reminding those of us not visually impaired having gratitude for the gift of sight.
             4.  Spank Out Day—started in 1998 to end corporal punishment of children by parents and to promote far more efficient ways of discipline other than the rod.
              5. National Oatmeal Cookie Day—celebrating one of this poet’s all time favorite cookies; great way to start your day with several and a cup of fresh Starbucks (before the prices go through the roof due to drought in Brazil) or end the day with a small bowl of yogurt and fruit.
On this day in:
              a. 1939 NBC commenced regularly scheduled television broadcasting in New York City with FDR’s remarks opening the New York World’s Fair which opened that day.
              b. 1966 the Church of Satan was established at the Black House in San Francisco.    
              c. 1993 CERN announced that World Wide Web protocols would be fee.
On National Honesty Day, it is reassuring to know that some things never change: “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” William Shakespeare  “Honesty is the first chapter in the Book of Wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson “Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success—in all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.” Zig Ziglar, noted American author, salesman, and motivational speaker (1926-2012) He is worth reading, just as are Shakespeare and Jefferson---some things never change!
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 poems on the 2014 Boston Marathon; on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on Kerry’s apartheid characterization of Israel; Obama’s admission that he does not know whether new “sanctions” will work against Putin; the scandal of vets dying in Phoenix while waiting to see a doctor; Blues in Illinois caught in questionable procedures and forced to rescind $100 million to Obama Presidential Library; coffee as the new wonder drug to curtail Type II Diabetes;  the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE's; the cowardice of the Korean ferry boat captain abandoning his ship while over 300 students were being drowned to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.
©April 30, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet

Monday, April 28, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-April 29, 2014-This Day In History- National Shrimp Scampi Day


Ridley's Believe It Or Not--April 29, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these few holidays worthy of mention or celebrating in culinary fashion, to go with the factoids and quote to enjoy as you are just into the start of start your work week.
             1. International Dance Day–honoring the art of the dance since first introduced in 1982.
             2. National Zipper Day—commemorating the patenting of the zipper in the United States in 1913.
             3. International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Chemical Weapons—to commemorate the thousands of victims of chemical weapons and to promote the destruction of such weapons.
             4. National Shrimp Scampi Day—now this is a favorite holiday to celebrate either as main dish or a side dish if you have any prime rib left over from celebrating National Prime Rib Day on the 27th of April—just do not forget the garlic.
On this day in:
                a. 1953 ABC local affiliate in Los Angeles KECA-TV broadcasted the first experimental 3D show Space Patrol.
                b. 1992 following the acquittal of four L.A.P.D. officers accused of beating of Rodney King, the Los Angeles Riots erupted resulting in over 50 people being killed, 2,000 injured, over 9,000 arrested and near $1 billion in property damage, most of which appearing on live TV, climaxing with Rodney King appearing on TV at the height of the riot pleading, “People, I just want to say, can't we all get along? Can't we all get along?"
                c. 2004 Oldsmobile built its last car, an Alero, ending 107 years of automobile production.
A perspective on the L.A. Riots by one there whose viewpoint should be listened to and why Donald Sterling’s taped comments yesterday are so offensive.  In every major city in America and in cities all over the world the same thing could happen until we decide as a people that we work together and stop looking at things as race but realize we’re all one.”  Titus Murphy, one of the 4 black bystanders who came to truck driver Reginald Denny’s aid, preventing him from being beaten to death by an angry black mob at the very commencement of the L.A. Riots.  From personal experience driving up to Centinela Hospital for knee surgery on the second day of the riots as plumes of black smoke were rising though out L.A.  making L.A. look like Beirut, a very scary time.
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 poems on the 2014 Boston Marathon; on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on Kerry’s apartheid characterization of Israel; Obama’s admission that he does not know whether new “sanctions” will work against Putin; the scandal of vets dying in Phoenix while waiting to see a doctor; Blues in Illinois caught in questionable procedures and forced to rescind $100 million to Obama Presidential Library; coffee as the new wonder drug to curtail Type II Diabetes;  the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE’s; the cowardice of the Korean ferry boat captain abandoning his ship while over 300 students were being drowned to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.
©April 29, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet

 

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-This Day In History-April 28, 2014 Holocaust Remembrance Day


Ridley's Believe It Or Not--April 28, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these few holidays worthy of mention or celebrating in culinary fashion, to go with the factoids and quote to enjoy as you come back under a full head of steam to start your work week.
            1. Workers’ Memorial Day (International) – honoring the countless number of workers injured or killed or subject to crippling diseases during the course of their employment and to encourage progress in worker safety.
             2. Holocaust Remembrance Day—since 1982 commemorating the Holocaust and the over 6,000,000 Jews, men, women, and children killed by the Nazis during World War II.
             3. National Blueberry Pie Day—when confronted with a day barren of holidays worthy of mention it is best to quit looking, look for the ice cream and help yourself to a large slice of anti-oxidants which really good for you and enjoy this day.
On this day in:
                a. 1253 Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, propounded Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for the first time and declares it to be the essence of Buddhism, thereby founding Nicheren Buddhism.
                b. 1932 a vaccine for Yellow Fever, another one of those fatal gifts carried by mosquitoes, in humans was announced—great news for world travelers going to parts of Asia and Africa where the disease kills more than 30,000 annually and is on the increase.
                c. 2005 multimillionaire Dennis Tito paid $20 million to the Russians to become a space tourist, spending 7 days in space at the International Space Station; sadly Aeroflot, the non space airline of Russia does not offer frequent flyer miles or Tito could have been flying the Airline free for a very long time.
Why in the words of a survivor there must be a Holocaust Remembrance Day:  “I decided to devote my life to telling the story because I felt that having survived I owe something to the dead. and anyone who does not remember betrays them again.” Elie Wiesel, Rumanian born Jewish-American survivor of three Nazi death camps and the author of 57 books.  
 
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 poems the 2014 Boston Marathon; on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on the scandal of vets dying in Phoenix while waiting to see a doctor; Blues in Illinois caught in questionable procedures and forced to rescind $100 million to Obama Presidential Library; coffee as the new wonder drug to curtail Type II Diabetes;  the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE’s; the cowardice of the Korean ferry boat captain abandoning his ship while over 300 students were being drowned; the Overland Park shootings to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.
©April 28, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-this day in history April 27, 2014 National Prime Rib Day


Ridley's Believe It Or Not--April 27, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these holidays, most unknown but still worthy of mention or celebrating in culinary fashion, to go with the factoids and quote to enjoy as you start your weekend.
            1. Matanzas Mule Day –commemorating one of the first naval engagements on the Spanish-American War in which the US Navy after a great display of gunnery skill during a prolonged bombardment of Matanzas, Cuba managed to inflict only s one casualty, a mule.
             2. National Tell A Story Day—commemorating not the politicians who tell us stories each and every day not just this one, but a day to tell stories to your children or grandchildren—check local libraries to see if they have story telling events today.
              3. National Pet Parent’s Day—after honoring the veterinarians yesterday, today is the day to honor those two legged animals who pay the vet bills, empty the litter, walk their animals in the cold and rain, and scoop the poop.
              4. Mother, Father Deaf Day—celebrated since 1994 to honor those deaf parents raising children who can hear.
              5. National Prime Rib Day—in a virtual desert of holidays, what better way to end the list than the oasis of enjoying a huge slice of prime rib—my favorite is Steven’s Steak House in the Commerce, California where they serve the Jim Brady Special, a small serving at 32 ounces cooked to absolute perfection.
On this day in:
                a. 1861 in a dark day for the Constitution President Lincoln suspended the right of habeas corpus.
                b. 1981 Xerox PARC announced the creation of the computer mouse.
                c. 1994 44 years to day that the Group Areas Act was passed formally segregating the races in South Africa, the first general election in South Africa was held in which all citizens regardless of color could vote which effectively marked the end of apartheid and the return of South Africa to community of nations and the election of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.
On the anniversary of the end of apartheid, a thought from Nelson Mandela seems more than appropriate: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." May, 2002 Great thoughts from a great man; how many of us could endure 27 years of imprisonment and not surrender to the forces of apartheid.
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 poems on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; for Cupid on Valentine's Day; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE’s; the cowardice of the Korean ferry boat captain abandoning his ship while over 300 students were being drowned; the Overland Park shootings; the stupidity of Caprock Academy trying to ban a nine year old for shaving her head to provide support for her 11 year old friend undergoing chemo; Putin pulling the Moscow broadcast plug on Voice of America; Obama's "sanctions" compared to Rolling Thunder 49 years ago; the banning the wearing of the American flag on Cinco de Mayo to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.
©April 27, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Ridley,s Believe It Or Not-This Day in History-April 26, 2014 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day


Ridley's Believe It Or Not--April 26, 2014:    As always, after some searching, I found these holidays, some unknown but worthy of mention or celebrating with a red hat, to go with the factoids and quote to enjoy as you start your weekend.
            1. International Intellectual Property Day –established by the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2000 to honor and protect intellectual property with the theme this year “Movies—a Global Passion”.
             2. Audubon Day/National Go Birding Day —honoring James Audubon born on this day in 1785 and his illustrations on birds and efforts of the Audubon Society to protect and preserve birds. No better way to honor the work of the Audubon Society than to with binoculars and camera in hand go birding and learn more about your feathered neighbors.
              3. World Veterinary Day—proposed by the American Veterinary Association in 2000 to honor the veterinary profession; your pets will join with you as long as the words “spay” or “neuter” are not spoken.
              4. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day—celebrated at 10:00 am local time around the world since 1999 with mass Tai Chi and Qigong exercises to promote the healing effects of the use of Tai Chi and Qigong—perfect exercises and meditation to be used by our aging Baby Boomers whose joints and muscle loss preclude or hamper the sports of their youth.
              5. National Pretzel Day—what better way to be in balance after a healing session of Tai Chi and Qigong, that to enjoy a bowl of pretzels (Snyder’s Hard Pretzels are best) while watching an NBA playoff game.
On this day in:
                a. 1956 the SS Ideal X the world’s first commercially successful container ship left on its maiden voyage from Newark to Houston, commencing the flattening of the oceans that is continuing today with the bulk of manufacturing goods on the ocean being delivered by container ships.
                b. 1981 Doctor Michael Harriman performed the first open fetal surgery and University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
                c. 1986 at Chernobyl, Russia (now Ukraine although may once again be Russia if Putin elects to bring Ukraine back into the Russian Federation) the world’s worst nuclear reactor disaster occurred, releasing radiation as far west as Norway, killing 31 workers and exposing countless thousands to increased risks of cancer. The site today is surrounded by a 19 mile radius exclusion zone, which after another 20,000 years will be safe for human inhabitation.
Chernobyl, Fukushima and to a much lesser extent Three Mile Island are living examples of the need to be certain when it comes to generating nuclear power and then being able to dispose of the waste. “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy Talk about the right way to view actions, a view which is applicable to nuclear power and daily to the uncontrollable growth in the National Debt.
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 poems on the Mustangs going to the Dance with a losing record; to honor Cindy Abbott, a half blind 54 year old mother suffering from a rare disease who competed in last year's Iditarod until forced out with a broken pelvis after 600 miles; on Bode Miller and the human spirit; for Cupid on Valentine's Day; to honor Cory Remsburg to join a great collection of my poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for poems on the futility of aiding Ukraine with MRE’s; the cowardice of the Korean ferry boat captain abandoning his ship while over 300 students were being drowned; the Overland Park shootings; the stupidity of Caprock Academy trying to ban a nine year old for shaving her head to provide support for her 11 year old friend undergoing chemo; Putin pulling the Moscow broadcast plug on Voice of America; Obama's "sanctions" compared to Rolling Thunder 49 years ago; the banning the wearing of the American flag on Cinco de Mayo to join numerous other comments on news events always in rhyme of course.
©April 26, 2014 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet