There are so many events that happen each day. Happenings on this day on the research sites I use go back as far as 240BC when it was recorded that a Comet was visible in the night skies. Eventually it would be named Halley's Comet.
Also, in 1981, US President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinkley. I remember this event, kept news articles about it. Not really a celebratory type of event, but nonetheless, noteworthy.
Today I would like to chat about Sunshine. No it is not the anniversary of the birth of our sun, but the anniversary of a song celebrating the sun.
Sunshine on My Shoulders, by John Denver, made it to number one on this day in 1974. A sad song? No, but that is what John was feeling when he wrote it. He was feeling a little blue and tried to show it through song. It didn't work, in my opinion.
It always seems to make me happy when I hear it. There are some nice versions on YouTube that you can play to help you CELEBRATE TODAY.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
BRRR!
BRRRR!
March 29th
167 years ago today the water flowing over the falls at Niagara stopped.
A few panicked hours later, the sun rose. Many people jammed churches with fears of the end of the world. Some feared divine retribution, some feared retaliation over the war with Mexico.
Once the sun rose, people began walking the bed of the river avoiding flopping fish (maybe picking a few up for dinner??) and scrambling turtles. Many collected debris that had been thrown into the river in years past such as bayonets, tomahawks and guns as souvenirs. (Apparently none of these people were concerned that the ice jam/dam could be cleared as quickly as it built up.)
The relatively new Maid of the Mist tour boats took the opportunity to clear away some large boulders that had caused needed tricky maneuvers from boat captains during their tour rides.
Soon, news finally arrived (from Buffalo 3-hours away) that ice on Lake Erie had been blown by strong southwest winds into the mouth of the Niagara River, blocking the flow.
Many businesses had to close down, waterwheels that powered mills shut down. People began to flock to Niagara to see this historic event.
The falls would be quiet for a total of thirty to forty hours, when, after sundown on March 31st, a huge thunderous rumbling could be heard coming from the south. As it became louder, a wall of water rushed toward Niagara and returned the little town back to normal.
As I write this story of events of those couple of days, I recall the super cold and snowy winter we have had here on the east coast. Could this happen again? Could Niagara stop running again? Maybe this year? Who knows, but I would love to know what wonderful things could be found on the bed of the great and awesome river after 167 years of not seeing drylight.
Celebrate a spectacular weather event Today!
March 29th
167 years ago today the water flowing over the falls at Niagara stopped.
A few panicked hours later, the sun rose. Many people jammed churches with fears of the end of the world. Some feared divine retribution, some feared retaliation over the war with Mexico.
Once the sun rose, people began walking the bed of the river avoiding flopping fish (maybe picking a few up for dinner??) and scrambling turtles. Many collected debris that had been thrown into the river in years past such as bayonets, tomahawks and guns as souvenirs. (Apparently none of these people were concerned that the ice jam/dam could be cleared as quickly as it built up.)
The relatively new Maid of the Mist tour boats took the opportunity to clear away some large boulders that had caused needed tricky maneuvers from boat captains during their tour rides.
Soon, news finally arrived (from Buffalo 3-hours away) that ice on Lake Erie had been blown by strong southwest winds into the mouth of the Niagara River, blocking the flow.
Many businesses had to close down, waterwheels that powered mills shut down. People began to flock to Niagara to see this historic event.
The falls would be quiet for a total of thirty to forty hours, when, after sundown on March 31st, a huge thunderous rumbling could be heard coming from the south. As it became louder, a wall of water rushed toward Niagara and returned the little town back to normal.
As I write this story of events of those couple of days, I recall the super cold and snowy winter we have had here on the east coast. Could this happen again? Could Niagara stop running again? Maybe this year? Who knows, but I would love to know what wonderful things could be found on the bed of the great and awesome river after 167 years of not seeing drylight.
Celebrate a spectacular weather event Today!
Friday, March 27, 2015
Hello?
HELLO! Long time no visit....I have been so negligent in my posting, but will try, again, to keep up. I really enjoy coming up with reasons to celebrate.
I sat down this morning to post today when I got a call from my sister in Mississippi. Even in this age of instant messaging, Facebook and cell phones it has been a good little while since we 'chatted'. All of these technologies still can't help the brain remember things.
So, while listening to Keeks fill me in on the family, I scrolled through a few lists of historical happenings and special days when one jumped out at me as appropriate for my day today:
Although other long distance lines had been erected and used, this was the inaugural use of this particular line. Another first for the day, this particular phone line used copper rather than galvanized iron. I don't know much about galvanized iron, but it sounds quite heavy. AND since, until recently when fiber optics were invented, all phone lines began using copper, it was probably provided a better quality to all calls.
I wonder what Bell, Grey, Edison, Morse, Manzetti, Reis and the scores of other inventors thought of or built of what turned out to be known as the telephone if they were here today. Making a call on our cell phones and talking across distances without wires and sending "letters" without paper and ink.
I sat down this morning to post today when I got a call from my sister in Mississippi. Even in this age of instant messaging, Facebook and cell phones it has been a good little while since we 'chatted'. All of these technologies still can't help the brain remember things.
So, while listening to Keeks fill me in on the family, I scrolled through a few lists of historical happenings and special days when one jumped out at me as appropriate for my day today:
On March 27, 1884 the first long distance call made from Boston, Mass to New York, NY was placed.
Although other long distance lines had been erected and used, this was the inaugural use of this particular line. Another first for the day, this particular phone line used copper rather than galvanized iron. I don't know much about galvanized iron, but it sounds quite heavy. AND since, until recently when fiber optics were invented, all phone lines began using copper, it was probably provided a better quality to all calls.
I wonder what Bell, Grey, Edison, Morse, Manzetti, Reis and the scores of other inventors thought of or built of what turned out to be known as the telephone if they were here today. Making a call on our cell phones and talking across distances without wires and sending "letters" without paper and ink.
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