It’s a banner springtime Saturday morning, and now with masks at the ready we’ll properly make note of the first anniversary since the 15-day shutdown to “flatten the curve” which began last year. I was going to use the word ‘celebrate’, but felt that a bit too crass, too insensitive, too uncaring.

Massive changes on many fronts have come quickly this past year. You might want to sip contemplatively on your morning coffee while staring at that bundle of plastic straws in the drawer or the hardcover Dr. Seuss collection on the shelf – wondering whether or not the FBI will storm through the kitchen door.

Now that the Dr. Seuss books have been pulled from eBay and other sites for ‘racism’ and other nefarious reasons, I thought it appropriate to reference the absolute ‘horror’ we all must feel at the writings scribbled by Theodor Geisel 90-years ago (born March 2, 1904). Over 60 books written and 600-million copies sold.

It is with utter regret (now that I am expected to understand the embedded ‘racism’ in his books) as I reflect on the misplaced joy our kids and later the grandkids expressed as they squealed with laughter during reading times.

“The works of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to us as Dr. Seuss, have sparked a love for reading in generations of students. His whimsical wordplay and curious characters inspire children to dream big…” Representative Brian Mast posting this President Obama quote.

President Obama was quoted from just a mere couple of years ago — how quickly we flounder.

As I quoted from Professor Gad Saad last week; “slowly we inch toward ……”.

Education – It’s not been a secret stating that I am disgusted by what has happened with our public schools this past year; totally unnecessary and unacceptable, as kids across the nation lost a year. The craziness of the ‘virtual’ classroom for kids in their formative years is nothing more than child abuse.

Rather than me starting a rant watch this, a short project film titled, Numb, made by Liv McNeil, 9th grader in Etobicoke, Ontario.
Her words; ” This is a mini film, Numb, by me. I did this for a school project but I’m really happy with how it came out, so I’m posting it here. This took me a combined 3 weeks or so. hope you enjoy! please feel free to share as much as you like, just credit me and M83, the band who made the music.

Many reacted to this film. One student’s reaction to seeing it: “As a 9th grade student too, I feel like my worth is measured from turning in assignments on time and doing well on quizzes. This hits a little too close to home. By the end of this, I was absolutely sobbing.”

A Trillion – Day after day we read about a nearly $2-trillion ‘relief’ bill made up of Pork and a little bit of Covid aid. We lose track of what that number really is. So I thought I’d write it out for you; $2,000,000,000,000.00.

Have a trillion in single dollar bills? It would take you about 31,546 years to count each dollar bill. Going back in time, a billion seconds and you’d be doing Disco in 1987, go back a trillion seconds and you’d be around 30,000 B.C. Have all that money in singles? This bundle would weigh about 2.2 billion pounds or over 630,000 mid-sized cars (many more if we all owned a Citroën 2CV). Now get the idea? Makes more sense?

History – The study of which I love, and something Marcia despises. I’ve come to realize that the ratio is about 1 to 5; those who enjoy the study of History versus those who don’t. So, I won’t go into the seminar on Alexander Hamilton I attended this week – except for the fact that I enjoyed it immensely, and these couple of snippets.

He was born on the British Leeward Islands and immigrated to North America virtually penniless. He joined George Washington in the War of Independence against the British (American Revolutionary War). A war of insurrection, it took shape and Hamilton quickly climbed through the ranks. He became about the only person General Washington entrusted with the names of those who were our spies against the British. The relationship was more of a mentor-teacher in that Washington was 23-years older than Hamilton.

His thoughts and Washington’s buy-in combined to create a sense of Nationhood rather than a loose collection of States as Thomas Jefferson envisioned.

He and his wife had eight children. His oldest son was also killed in a Duel prior to Hamilton’s own death at the hand of Aaron Burr. It was a strange time with a sense of ‘honor’ that stretched beyond the pale.

Forty + Years – of friendship and that whole time William (Bill) Melvin built exacting model aircraft and drawings/paintings of these marvels of the air. Hundreds of them. Bill is one of those people who just keep on going; umpiring baseball into his mid-80s. His wife Janie passed a while back and the kids finally convinced Bill to move closer to them – New Jersey.

Early last winter we gathered with friends to wish Bill [now 90] a safe new journey as he prepared to make his move. So, did Bill just quietly shrink away? No, not a chance.

Last week a Facebook post announced that Bill’s art was being exhibited, and curated by Haifa Bint-Kadi, Artist, at the Riverfront Art Gallery in Yonkers, NJ. As their announcement states an: ….”journey through the war times, learn about various aviation heroes – all in one exhibit that’s worth 70+ years of love and time”, and dedication.

I just had to share this story. The black and white below is just one of nearly 200 pieces he created, and is of one of our nation’s heroes, Chuck Yeager, and the plane he piloted breaking the sound barrier for the first time. Click on Bill’s name above to learn a bit more about this remarkable friend. Enjoy!

Fini – Yesterday Art organized a change in our twice a week via Zoom workout regimen. Yesterday Kirstin led us in a morning Yoga session. Great fun, and more physical than I expected. Also, Kirstin is one great instructor.

This week Governor Abbott of Texas announced that his State was joining a few others and reopen. It’s wonderful to watch where people are once again able to take personal responsibility for our own wellbeing. Thanks! And I hope other Governors (ours included) take note.

Now expect to again hear the ‘claptrap’ coming from Paris as we’re rejoining that bunch. Let it be known that Climate Change has always been and will be real. It’s the nonsensical predictions of catastrophic anthropogenic global warming which is a scientific fraud.

Today in 1869 at the Russian Chemical Society, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev presented the first periodic table. Oh, the hours I spend memorizing and absorbing this table throughout my school years. Now I hardly recognize the updated version.

And, in 1836 on this date The Alamo in Texas fell to Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna after a 13-day siege. It was a brutal and chaotic time. The loss didn’t have to happen. Had it not though we probably wouldn’t have the myriad of great tales of derring-do by the likes of Davey Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis; “Remember the Alamo”.

People have wondered whether or not the corner of Chaos & Mayhem is still active. It certainly is and it’s ongoing. This photo was taken yesterday.

My baby-brother Art got to meet baby Bryn Corinne – his first grandchild.

The Vondee Globe around the world, non-stop, solo, without assistance, sailing race finished yesterday when the last sailor came in – Ari Huusela of Finland. He was the first Fin to sail this race, 58 of years of age and an Airline pilot he took 116 days to complete his 30,000 mile sail. His homecoming back to Les Sables-d’Olonne, France was just as raucous as each of the others. Thirty-three boats sailed, one was lost, six dropped out due to mechanical issues, and in 4-years it’ll all happen again. For this race, this’ll be the last ‘bit’ on it you hear from me.

Make it great week people, keep the peace, be happy, stay safe, and be healthy!

Dirk