Daily Ramblings – Funny Friday – Time

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Bob Woodward, History, Honoring, Memorial Day, Military, Obama, Politics, Reading, Remembering, The Fallen, time, Veterans

Today, there will be no joke. Instead, I wanted to write a little about how fast time moves along when we are engaged with something. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, and just fell off my to-do list because the book was so riveting. I’m reading one of Bill Woodward’s book, called The Price of Politics. The book is about the Obama administration, discussing some of the key moments where he and the Republicans were banging head. The current story is about the budget negotiations prior to the 2012 Presidential election. What a crazy story. Woodward is really good at describing the nuances and complexity of negotiations between the House, Senate, and the Obama White house.

For some, reading political history is a little dull. I like to read history related to politics, prominent figures, and the military. I have to say that this book has been particularly engaging, because Woodward writes about something that occurred only a few years ago. By the way, his books on the Trump administration were also good. They are called Fury and Rage.

Anyway, time got away from me, as I ran down the Woodward rabbit hole the last few days. Am I done? No. There is still more to read. I’ll take advantage of the long weekend to do just that.

I hope all of you have a terrific Memorial Weekend. For those of you who are serving, or have relatives that are serving, I thank you for your or their service. I also would like to thank those who have fallen while serving our country. These people who made the ultimate sacrifice are those who we commemorate this weekend.

In light of this, I will not be back on here until Tuesday. Have a great weekend folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Nelly Bly

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5 Quotes, History, Irish, Nellie Bly, Wednesday, wisdom, Women

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Women’s History Month, today’s 5 quotes are from Nelly Bly.

“Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything.”
― Nellie Bly – https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4372012.Nellie_Bly

“I said I could and I would. And I did.”
― Nellie Bly, Ten Days in a Mad-House – https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4372012.Nellie_Bly

“It is only after one is in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there are in the world.”
― Nellie Bly, Ten Days in a Mad-House – https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4372012.Nellie_Bly

“While I live I hope.”
― Nellie Bly, Ten Days in a Mad-House – https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4372012.Nellie_Bly

“I’ve always had the feeling that nothing is impossible is one applies a certain amount of energy in the right direction. If you want to do it, you can do it.”
― Nellie Bly – https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4372012.Nellie_Bly

For those of you who do not know anything about Nellie Bly, here’s a Wikipedia link for further information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Bly

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Ted Talk Tuesday – Ida B. Wells. Another American Hero.

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Civil Rights, Hero, History, Ida B. Wells, Journalist, Lynching, Pioneer

Photo credit: File: National Museum of African American History and culture (97858).jpg, created on February 29, 2020.

I hope you enjoy this video about Ida B. Wells. She was a journalist in the 1850s that exposed lynching both in the United States and Europe for what it was–murder. In many cases, she discovered that blacks were targeted whenever their businesses or ideas competed with white businesses and ideas.

If you enjoyed this video and would like to learn more, here’s a link to her on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells

Have a great Tuesday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Rosa Parks

Tags

Champion, Civil Rights Movement, History, Icon, Jim Crow, NAACP, Quotes, Racism, Rosa Parks, wisdom

To continue with Rosa Parks from our educational video on her life yesterday, here are 5 quotes of wisdom from her. Enjoy!

I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.

Rosa Parks

I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.

Rosa Parks

People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.

Rosa Parks

Each person must live their life as a model for others.

Rosa Parks

Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.

Rosa Parks

Check out this link to Brittanica on Rosa Parks: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rosa-Parks

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thinking/Thankful Thursday – Civil Rights Movement

Tags

Civil Rights Movement, History, Learn, Little Rock Nine, MLK, Remember, Rosa Parks, Think

Photo Credit:

John T. Bledsoe – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress‘s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ppmsca.03090. This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information.Little Rock, 1959. Rally at state capitol, protesting the integration of Central High School. Protesters carry US flags and signs reading “Race Mixing is Communism” and “Stop the Race Mixing March of the Anti-Christ”.

The civil rights movement began before I was born and continues today. Although icons like MKL and others of his era are no longer here, we have fresh groups, organizations, and movements that are fighting for equality. When I speak about these things with my wife, I find it amazing that even today, she still gets the weird look when her accent is heard.

I think the trick to equality and all the rest is time. Every generation is more tolerant than the last. For those of you who are interested, here are some quick links to some Wikipedia articles to take a look at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_rights_movement

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Rock_Nine

If you’ve never taken a look at the civil rights movement, the above three links will describe an America that most of us do not know. I was born in 1963, so many of the movements, actions, and events blew by me, since I was only a child.

These events are worth visiting. They tell a story about how we used to be, and how America has evolved. Is it perfect? No, but it continues to improve (in my opinion).

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tags

Black History Month, Charity, Cherish, Determination, History, Honor, Martin Luther King, Remember, Reverence, wisdom

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are not makers of history. We are made by history.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

In honor of Black History Month (Feb 1 – Mar 1 2021) I’ll be selecting quotes from memorable figures that should be remembered for the work they did to gain their civil rights during a dark period of our history.

Here’s a Wikipedia link for the late Martin Luther King, Jr.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr. I hope you enjoy it.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Ted Talk Tuesday –

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biology, Bog Corpses, bogs, Chemistry, History, Interesting, Learning, Science, TED, Ted Talk, TedEd

Here is a quick video about why we are finding corpses in various places that are preserved for thousands of years. Why does this occur? Watch this video to find out. If you enjoyed this, here’s an article that will provide you some more information about this phenomena: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/europe-bog-bodies-reveal-secrets-180962770/ It is fascinating!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – 5 Quotes – Harry Truman

Tags

5 Quotes, America, History, Korea, president, Truman, wisdom, WWII

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

Harry S Truman

If you can’t convince them, confuse them.

Harry S Truman

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.

Harry S Truman

You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.

Harry S Truman

The White House is the finest prison in the world.

Harry S Truman

Harry S. Truman was our 33rd President. He replaced Franklin D. Roosevelt after his passing. For more information, take a look at this Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Ted Talk Tuesday – The History of Chocolate

Tags

Cakes, Chocolate, Christmas, Cookies, Goodies, History, Holidays, New Years, Pies, Tis the season

Since we are in the holiday season, many of us will be tossing aside our dietary concerns for the cakes, pies, candy, and all the rest that this time of year offers. In light of that, enjoy this Ted Talk on the History of Chocolate. It is short, but very informative!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thankful Thursday – A Great Book

Tags

Authors, Books, Fiction, Grateful, History, philosophy, Reading, Thankful

Reading is one of my blessings. My reading began as a young boy who wanted to emulate his folks. My Mom and Dad are both avid readers and introduced my brother, sister, and I to a wide range of topics, ranging from herbology, physics, history, politics, spiritual readings, and a whole other bunch of stuff.

I remember reading the Lord of the Rings and visiting this huge place with a history, dragons, wars, dwarves, elves, and orcs. A story filled with high adventure. Reading took me to places created by an author in their mind. This still blows me away.

Reading books also teaches us. Reading books by philosophers, scientists, politicians, generals, playwrights, authors, and many others are the greatest teachers. Each book changes us. They introduce us to new ideas, ones we may have never considered. These new ideas expand our awareness and shape the way we think.

Reading fiction is also a terrific way to learn. We experience the story through the eyes of the hero or heroine. We feel their pain. We weep when they are hurt; we applaud when they succeed. We see ourselves in each person we read about and experience what those heros and heroines experience. We learn through them as they change; they rise, they fall, and they resolve the problems they face in sometimes very dramatic ways.

So today, I am thankful for reading a great book. They have made my life richer, taught me a great deal, and most importantly, help me orient my thinking in ways that serve me in unpredictable ways.

To every author I have read. Thank you.

Until next time…

Dave