Good Morning & Happy Wednesday!
Well, it looks like our country survived another crazy election! I honestly didn’t think President Trump would make a horse race out of it this time, but it’s a cliffhanger, for sure. It comes down to 3-4 states…how about that!!! Who says that your vote doesn’t count? I know there’s going to be an increased cry to do away with the Electoral College, but our Founders designed this to insure that every state had a voice in selecting the U.S. President. Without, you end up with Presidents being elected by the vote of large cities in certain states rather than from a broad cross-section of the country. Let’s stick with the Founder’s original wisdom. I’m kind of hoping that the Republicans maintain control of the U.S. Senate, so that some balance of power can be maintained in the Executive and Legislative branches of our federal government. This kind of divided power usually heads off really crazy ideas and legislation from one side or the other. Although some of the Senate elections are hanging in balance right now, so we’ll have to wait and see if one party or the other controls the legislative branch. Crazy and unusual times, for sure! Just goes to show that we need to put our faith in confidence in a power higher than mere mortal human beings. Prayers continue to be lifted up for wisdom and discernment on the part of our elected officials. May truth, accountability, transparency, justice, integrity and equity prevail for the good of the people!
Happy Birthday wishes go to Georgia friend Stephanie and beloved long-time family friend Kathryn (mother of our dear friend Elizabeth) who resides in Yakima WA. Here’s to you too! Have fun on your special day of celebration! Happy Birthday to former first lady Laura Bush, who is 74 today; to singer/songwriter Sean Combs, who turns 51 today; actor Matthew McConaughey, who is 51 today; to John Battelle of “Battelle Northwest Research Lab” fame, who turns 55 today; to football coach Steve Mariucci, who is 65 today; to esteemed professional photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who turns 74 today; and to actress Loretta Swit (“Hot Lips Houlihan” of “M.A.S.H.” TV series fame, who is 83 today. Here’s to all of you!
I came across an interesting article in the most recent Washington State University (WSU) alumni magazine (“Washington State Magazine.” Winter, 2020, p. 10) talking about the City of Pullman’s response to the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. A notice from the WSU Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections was featured in the article:
“OFFICIAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given to all person concerned that by reason of the appearance in epidemic form of Spanish Influenza in the City of Pullman, for civic reasons of public health protection, all public places where people assemble are
CLOSED
This includes schools, all places of amusement, dance halls, pool rooms, churches, Sunday Schools, lodges, conventions, etc.
This order to become effective at noon, Thursday, October 10, 1918. When all danger of epidemic has passed this order will be raised.”
—Dr. J.L. Gilleland, City Health Officer
J.L. Gilleland happens to have been my wife Judy’s great grandfather. He (John Lewis Gilleland) served as a pioneer family physician in Pilot Rock, Oregon after moving West from Missouri and then later settled in Colfax, Washington (not far from Pullman) to serve as a family physician there (I also believe he was chief of staff at the local hospital there). He was well loved and respected by all. He established a floating vacation boat house on Lake Coeur d’ Alene near Conklin Bay at the extreme southern end of the lake. You never know what little gems of knowledge/information you’ll find through reading various publications that come your way! I think this is the first time anyone in Judy’s family knew that John Gilleland served as Pullman’s Health Officer during the Spanish Flu pandemic…How about that!!!
Judy, my mom and I went antique shop browsing in Post Falls ID yesterday afternoon and I came across something I’ve always wanted…a Dean Martin doll that sings “That’s Amore!” Admittedly the doll looks like a pudgy version of Dean Martin with over-sized teeth, but it’s Dean Martin none the less. Unfortunately, the person trying to sell this singing doll wants almost $100 for it. A bit steep, I’d say. I’ll go back sometime and see if it’s still there and, if it is, that’s a sign I should dicker in price and see what happens. I love antique and second hand stores!!!
One of my 1950 collectible cards features the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach CA in 1949. It’s nickname is “Old Shaky,” and it was built as a heavy-lift cargo aircraft for the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s and 1960s. It served Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units until 1974. The inspiration for this plane came from the World War II designed Douglas C-74 Globemaster, and based on lessons learned during the Berlin Airlift in 1949. It’s range was 4,000 miles and as a cargo hauler, it could carry tanks, guns, trucks and other heavy equipment, while in its passenger carrying role ti could carry 200 fully equipped troops on its double decks or 127 litter patients and their attendants. It was the only aircraft of its time capable of transporting fully assembled heavy equipment such as tanks and bulldozers. This plane was fully operational during the Korean War and was used extensively during the Vietnam War for transporting materiel from the U.S. to Vietnam. Here’s to the Douglas C-124 Globemaster!
Here is the word definition for the day:
“Inculcate”: A mid 16th century Latin name meaning “Instill (an attitude, idea or habit) by persistent instruction”…”Teach (someone) an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction.” I sure hope the concepts of ethics, accountability, transparency, integrity, justice, equity and fair-dealing can be inculcated into the minds of aspiring public office holders and all those who hold positions of responsibility, whether in the public or private sectors. The future of our country depends on it.
Here is the trivia question for the day:
Q: A series of cartoon shorts starring which characters won 7 Oscars? Was it “Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner”; “Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck”; “Tweety Bird and Sylvester”; or “Tom and Jerry”?
A: This cat and mouse duo has been capturing hearts for decades—although, surprisingly, they were originally called Jasper and Jinx before a contest winner renamed them. In total, 13 Tom and Jerry cartoons were nominated for Oscars and seven won.
Here are some thoughts for the day:
“The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.”
“Never run from your fears. Because when they catch up to you you’re too tired to fight.”
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
—The Letter of Paul To The Philippians, Chapter 2, verses 9-11
Here’s to a great Wednesday and lots of love & good wishes always!
Press on,
Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, Mark, etc.)