I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous holiday weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— the opening date of the International Africa-American Museum — sited on Gadsden’s Wharf, a former slave port in Charleston, South Carolina where more than 100k slaves entered the US between 1783 and 1808 — has been delayed from its scheduled January 23rd to “sometime in the first half of the year” due to unresolved climate control issues in its new building.
END of an ERA— China has been the world’s most populous country since the 1750’s. Sometime in the month of April, India is set to surpass China… apropos as it was India that China surpassed in population, centuries ago.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Elliot the Cat— a Michigan kitteh found frozen-to-the-ground by a Good Samaritan, but seems to be recovering well.
TV NOTES — here is a list of TV marathons over New Year’s Eve and beyond — with the Antenna TV network showing pilot episodes of many classic TV series — and I’ll be sure to catch some of the Twilight Zone marathon (on SyFy) which even includes three episodes of Jordan Peele’s 2019-2020 re-boot.
ON TUESDAY— the noted historian posted this ……..
…. and then three days later … posted this.
LAST NIGHT yours truly hosted a special New Year’s Eve edition of Top Comments— including a few predictions for 2023, and inviting others to add their own.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Minka the Cat— who escaped from a couple’s vehicle in Connecticut five months ago at a rest stop … then located five months later and was reunited with her family after being found in a humane trap.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Year's News from the BBC:
Part One , Part Two, Part Three and Part Four…..
...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz.
DIRECT DESCENDANTS?— during the week of “A Christmas Story” ...
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… my annual New Year’s song. This is the very mellow, contemplative Goodbye, December from bluesman John Mayall - whom I saw give a standout show ten years ago at age 79 (and who is now 89). This song, though, comes from his recording Back to the Roots (featuring many of his former star musicians in guest roles) from fifty years ago.
John finally retired from performing this past spring, yet has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for 2022 (winners announced on Feb 5th) w/guest performers such as guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, and violinist Scarlet Rivera of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Time for reflection Winter is here Goodbye, December The passing away of the year
Watching the day of the wind Blowing the dirt from the sky Clearing the air for tomorrow Bidding December goodbye
Make celebration Another year is gone Now part of history Gotta be moving along
Look for the sunrise Old days are dead Goodbye, December Got a big future ahead