The "And...A Happy Birthday To You" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about the rarest birthdates in the United States.  So, just how popular is your date of birth?  How many people have the same birthday as you do?  Well, I found that according to the "birthday paradox," in a random group of 23 people, there's a 50% chance that at least two people have the same birthday.  And that's the case whether they have one of the rarest birthdays or were born during the most popular birth month.  So which months have the most birthdays or even the least amount of birthdays.  According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Social Security Administration, the rarest month to be born in is February, making Aquarius the rarest zodiac sign.  This makes logical sense, since February is the shortest month of the year, even with a leap year.  Another factor that makes February a rare birth month: conception would have happened in May, and when the weather is warmer and days are longer, fewer babies tend to be conceived.  So, what are the rarest birthdays?  February babies are special, but which dates are actually the rarest birthdays?  Seems that the rarest birthdays coincide with major holidays, such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Christmas Eve.  This is most likely due to the fact that there are fewer inductions and cesarean sections scheduled during the holidays.  The following are the rarest birthdates in the United States and the average number of births on that day each year:

December 25 (6,574 average yearly births)                                                                                          

January 1 (7,792 average yearly births)                                                                                            

December 24. (8,069 average yearly births)                                                                                                

July 4 (8,796 average yearly births)                                                                                                       

January 2 (9,307 average yearly births).                                                                                            

December 26 (9,543 average yearly births)                                                                                        

November 27 ( 9,718 average yearly births)                                                                                      

November 23 (9,883 average yearly births)                                                                                       

November 25 (9,954 average yearly births)                                                                                          

October 31 (9,978 average yearly births)

August is not only the month of long sunny days and back-to-school bonanzas, it's also the most common birth month.  The CDC data shows that July, August, September and October tend to be the most popular birth months in the U.S., making the colder, cozier months the most popular time to conceive.  Now...how about the most common birthdays.  Seems that having one of the rarest birthdays can be pretty neat, but having one of the most common birthdays is also pretty neat.  Just think of all the people across the country who are celebrating alongside you on your birthday.  While August may be the most common birth month and October being the month of babies who tend to live the longest, almost all the most common birthdays happen to be in September.  And, it just so happens that the most common birthdate is on my birthday...September 9 when on average 12,301 people are born annually.  Check out the following list to see if you were born on one of the most popular dates.

September 9 (12,301 average yearly births)

September 19 (12,229 average yearly births)   

September 12 (12,224 average yearly births) 

September 17 (12,148 average yearly births)                                                                    

September 10 (12,144 average yearly births)                                                                            

 July 7 (12,108 average yearly births)                                                                                 

September 20 (12,107 average yearly births)                                                                 

September 15 (12,087 average yearly births)                                                                 

September 16 (12,072 average yearly births)                                                                     

 September 18 (12,055 average yearly births)

Well, hope you found some information that you find interesting.  I certainly did.  I'll make sure to order my birthday cake in plenty of time and pick it up a few days early, since many others will be after a birthday cake also.  And, just in case your date was listed in my story today...Well, Have a Happy Birthday ahead of time!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

 

The "Are You Someone Who Can Sleep On Your Side? Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished eating lunch and thought I would lay down for a short nap before getting back to work again.  Doesn't take long to fall asleep for me, but for many other people, they tend to lay awake until its too late to take a nap and they have to get back to work once again.  I recently read an article in my local newspaper that had a headline that read, "Sleeping on your side recommended as best position." Article said that experts say that sleeping on your back can cause airway to become blocked.  Never thought about that when I would lay on my back to take an afternoon nap or even when I went to bed in the evening. Seems that most people spend a third of their ives either asleep or resting.  During sleep, the body recharges and repairs itself.  A good night's sleep often can be determined by what position you are lying in bed.  I tend to be able to sleep do matter what position I lay down when I go to bed.  At times I sleep on my stomach since I had Rea that doing so helps to eep your airway open.  Didn't know that it can put a strain on your spine and neck and that's the last thing I want to do since I have undergone four back surgeries so far.  And...if you sleep on your back that means that your tongue and jaw can fall down and crowd your airway which in turn can make you snore more.  Mayo Clinic experts also say that sleeping on your back is the worst sleeping position, especially if you have sleep apnea.  But, many black-sleepers say they find sleeping on their back to be more comfortable, since they aren't putting weight on their joints.  Well...back-sleepers...beware.  Sleeping on your back means that your tongue and jaw can fall down and crowd your airway.  And many people snore more on their back.  So, what else can you do?  Well, sleeping on your side probably is your best bet.  It does help prevent the airway from collapsing an can reduce snoring.  Sleeping on your side, perhaps with your head slightly elevated as long as that's comfortable, is a good ay to sleep.  Side sleeping is also recommended during pregnancy, especially the last trimester.  Sleeping on the left side is best because it keeps pressure off internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.  Another reason for pregnant women to sleep on their side is when you are in that third trimester and sleep your back, the uterus is compressing your inferior vena cava.  It's compressing the arterial system.  Sleeping on you side is considered by the Sleep Foundation as the best for people with neck and back pain, especially if you place a small pillow between your knees.  If you don't have that pillow between your knees, the stress of sleeping on the side pulls on your hip and can cause issues.  So, if you haven't been sleeping on your back, you might want to give it a try and see if you an sleep better at night.  Maybe putting a pillow between your knees may help you with sleeping on your side.  Perhaps you will feel better rested in the morning if you give the side sleeping a chance.  Now, I'm really one of the lucky ones, since as soon as I get in bed I'm asleep.  That's why as soon as I pull the covers over me, I make sure I'm on my side.  Next thing I know when I awake is that I'm almost always on my side.  The only bad thing about that is that my wife gets upset that she too can't fall asleep as fast as I can.  And...there's no cure for that except maybe a sleeping pill an hour before bedtime.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "A Brief Trip Through The Town Known As Lancaster, Pennsylvania"

It was an ordinary day.  Passing through the center of the small town known as Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Had my camera in the back seat of my car so I decided to snap a few photographs to share with you.  I have lived in Lancaster all my life and after over three-quarters of a century of walking the streets of the city, I know quite a bit about the place.  Decided to park the car and snap a few photos of the downtown area just for the fun of it.  You may have already seen some of my photographs of Lancaster, but I'm sure it won't hurt you to see some of the same things over again.  I've seen the same places over and over again and I'm still OK....that's according to me and not my wife and friends.  Well, anyway, it won't hurt you to see some of the neatest shots of one of our nation's best cities....and that also is according to me.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The first few photos are of the City Hall in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Lancaster was formed on May 10, 1729 out of Chester County.  It was named for Lancashire in England.  County seat, Lancaster, was chartered a borough in 1742; a city in 1818.  It was the State Capital in 1799-1812.  The County is noted for its rich farmland and ethnic diversity.

The next photograph is of the home and store of Charles Demuth, one of our nations best artists.  Charles was born in Lancaster on November 8, 1883.  He achieved international fame for his precise, modernist paintings including "My Egypt and "I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold."  He traveled in the U.S. and abroad but resided after 1889 in this house.  Here he died in 1935.

Lancaster was famous for its downtown market houses.  The following photographs are of the Eastern Market House on East King Street.

The photographs of the home that follow show where Lancaster's first Mayor, John Passmore lived at one time.  the house was built about 1760.  The photograph with the number on the side of the building was placed on the building in case the home would catch on fire.  It told the firemen where the fire was located.

The final three photos are of one of Lancaster's first banks in town.  Farmer's Trust Company of Lancaster is where my father helped me open my first bank account at the age of 6.  I still deal with the same bank, but today it has the name "Wells Fargo."

The "If Only The Bank Was Still In Operation!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Attempting to gain entrance into what at one time was the Farmer's Trust Company Of Lancaster which was located at the corner of King and Duke Streets in downtown Lancaster, Pennsyvania.  

Farmer's Bank in Lancaster, Peennylvnia

At one time I had a savings account with the Farmer's Bank.  My dad took me to the bank to open an account when I was 10 years old so I could begin to place money into my own account.  The building was beautiful and had a neat painting on the interior East wall of the bank.  I still remember standing in front of the wall, looking at all the different parts of the painting.  At the very bottom was the title of the painting; "The Vision Of Youth And The Full Strength Of Manhood".  I can still remember standing in front of the huge painting and tying to figure out whom everyone was in the painting and where the painting was made.  

The painting that was on the inside wall of the bank

Dad would take me to the bank with him when he made deposits in his account.  While he stood in line I always stood in front of this neat painting, trying to see something different on every trip to the bank.  I hand't seen the painting for over 60 years so when I tried to enter the bank a few days ago I found that the bank is no longer at that location.  I asked someone who was also looking in the windows of the building if they knew anything about the painting.  They said they didn't remember seeing a painting, but they never looked for one.  The painting was said to have come to Lancaster on July 27, 1825.  The artist, Mr. J. Monroe Hewlett, took as his central theme an historic incident associated with the present location of the bank.  The artist brought into one space the various aspects of the life and history of the community.  

The painting was said to have three levels.  Level one featured William Penn negotiating with the Indians, James Buchanan visiting the bank, General Edward Hand, a surgeon and Revolutionary hero, and Robert Futon, inventor of the steamboat.  Level two featured the Conestoga wagon with a pioneer family.  Level three featured the old State House which stood in Penn Square when Lancaster was the Capitol of the United States for a day.  The Greater Lancaster of the Future is suggested by a magnificent city rising in the distance.  I only wonder if the painting still remains on the wall where the bank used to be located.  I hope to try and find someone that can allow me to enter the old bank to see where the mural once was located.  I shall give it a few tries in hopes of taking another photo to share with you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "The Founding Of The Lancaster Theological Seminary Story."

It was an ordinary day.  Standing along College Avenue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania taking a few photographs of the Lancaster Theological Seminary which is a seminary of the United Church of Christ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It was founded in 1825 by members of the German Reformed Church in the United States to provide theological eduction for prospective clergy and other church leaders.  After a failed attempt to open the school in Frederick, Maryland and another in Harrisburg, Pennsylvnia, the school opened in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on the campus of Dickenson College on March 11, 1825, with a class of five students. Later lectures were held in the "old Reformed Church of Carlisle." At this time the seminary struggled financially and due to the fund raising campaign of James Ross Reily (1788–1884) the seminary was able to relocate to York in 1829. Here attendance averaged between 12 and 25 students.  In 1836–7 the seminary moved again to Mercerburg, Pennsylvania under the charter of Marshall College. Here the work of such celebrated professors as John Williamson Nevin, Friederich Augustus Rauch, and Philip Schaff gave rise to the Mercersburg theology, noted for its historic concerns for worship, sacraments, and Church in its ecumenical expressions.  In 1853 Marshall College moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, consolidating with Franklin College to form Franklin and Marshall College. In 1871, the seminary moved to the campus of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. While viewed as a temporary arrangement, the present site of the seminary was not purchased until 1893. The buildings were completed and occupied in 1894.  For most of its history (109 of its 168 years), LTS was the sole seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States (German Reformed Church). With the formation of the Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1934, the seminary became one of three seminaries serving that newly united denomination. LTS is currently one of seven seminaries holding full relationship with the UCC, a denomination formed in 1957 by the union of the E&R Church and most of the Congregational Christian Churches. Lancaster Theological Seminary is an official Open and affirming seminary.  A few years ago I had the honor to sing with a few choirs in the Church.  Fantastic sound that was produced in the church.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "The Long Lost Life Of The Rocky Springs Carousel" Story

It was an ordinary day.  About two weeks ago there appeared a story in my local newspaper's "Lancaster Watchdog" section.  They were once again writing about the efforts to bring new life to the Rocky Springs Park carousel.  And...as usual they were getting nowhere.  The story began by telling about the earthy smell of the wooden rides at Rocky Springs Park some 42 years ago and what can be done to return the wooden Rocky Springs carousel back to life once again.  I can still remember heading to Rocky Springs with my grandfather during summer vacation to ride on many of the rides.  I had many favorites, but I guess my most favorite was the carousel.  The horses seemed to come alive as the huge carousel came up to full speed.  My friends and I all had our favorite horses that we liked to ride and pretended to race against each other as the ride took us around in a circle.  We had such great times riding all the rides until one day the park closed.  When I turned 35 years old, the park in West Lampeter Township on the edge of Lancaster City came back to life.  By that time the only rides that I enjoyed were the roller coaster and the wooden carousel.  Seems that the carousel never lost its charm with all the brightly painted horses and carriages that filled the spinning circle of music.  Then two years later the park closed once again and sent the beautiful carousel first to Michigan and then to Dollywood in Tennessee.  So many fought to bring back the carousel and finally, in 1999, Lancaster City Mayor Charlie Smithgall and a group of supporters successfully reclaimed the carousel.  Only problem is...the carousel hasn't seen the light of day since that time.  Oh! how I would love to hear the organ playing and breathe in the smell of the wooden animals.  But, nothing has happened yet!  Seems that the problem is poor leadership in the Rocky Springs Carousel Association.  The association raised $1.3 million to bring the ride back to Lancaster, but has made little progress since then.  The wooden horses, dogs and roosters have remained in a secret location along with all of the mechanisms that make it go around.  Perhaps some new blood is needed to get that carousel back in service.  There is a Facebook group that has over 2,000 members who share daily pictures, videos and memories of the park.  But...that's as far as it has gone.  The group was reformed in 2020, but that's as far as it has gone.  Seems the goal at present is to find a suitable spot to place the carousel.  Eileen Gregg self-published a book on the carousel in 2022 in hopes of getting enough interest and donations to get the carousel turning once again, but nothing has happened.  Many have lost faith that anything will ever happen to the carousel.  Everyone thought that when Lancaster changed their downtown so they would have space for the carousel, but it never materialized.  Pretty soon I'm going to have to write a letter to someone downtown and tell them I only have so long to be able to see the carousel downtown so they better get with it.  I'm sure that would do the trick!  But, then again, I'm probably the only one who feels that way.  Well, here's hoping that one of my favorite Rocky Springs rides will open soon so I still have a chance to ride on it before I get too old to fly around the outside edges and try and grab the rings from the grasp of the animal holding it.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "So...Why Did It Take Me So Long to Understand The Meaning Of Woke?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the "Letters to the editor" column in my local newspaper when I came across a letter that really opened my eyes.  For years I never felt that I understood what the work "woke" really meant.  I finally found an explanation for it!   The explanation in my newspaper came from Mr. Robert Hirsch who was a U.S. Navy Commander (retired) who now lives in nearby Lancaster Township.  He obtained his explanation when he "Googled it".  Now...why didn't I think of that?  Anyway, he begins by saying he hears many Republicans and ultraconservatives using the word "woke" in a disparaging manner, so he did what he always does...Googles it.  He said he found several meanings.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states: "The meaning of woke is: aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)."  Wikipedia states: "In activism and politics, woke means alert to racial prejudice and discrimination."  Lastly, these are two of the definitions on dictionary.com of "woke" as an adjective: (1) "having or marked by an active awareness of systemic injustices and prejudices, especially those involving the treatment of ethnic, racial, or sexual minorities" and (2) "disparaging ... of or relating to a liberal progressive orthodoxy, especially promoting inclusive policies or ideologies that welcome or embrace ethnic, racial, or sexual minorities."  After reading all of these definitions and many others that were similar, it occurred to me that I am definitely "woke."  If someone is not "woke," I believe they are racist and basically uncaring toward others.  I am not only "woke," but darned proud to be.  I hope that someday everyone in our country will be "woke."  Then our country would truly be great.  So feel free to call me "woke," since I consider it a compliment.  Well, Commander Hirsch...I too feel the same as you do!  And...to think that it took me almost 80 years to know exactly what "woke" REALY means.  I'm so glad you took the time to write your letter to the editor and help all who were struggling with the meaning to understand exactly what it means.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "I Try To Hit The Notes As Close As I Can" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Beautiful sunny day on the campus of Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  I had just returned home to my villa after a short choir practice at the auditorium since the choir director had another appointment to keep.  When my wife Carol and I moved to Woodcrest Villa a few months ago I decided to join the choir.  I was a member of St. James Episcopal Church choir for years, but after the director, Mr. Frank McConnell retired I also gave up singing in the choir.  I first joined the St. James boy's choir when I was 8 years old and could read music.  The boy's choir was one of the best known in Lancaster County and had close to two dozen members.  I sang soprano when I first joined, but eventually ended up singing alto when my voice began to get lower.  At about the age of 12,  I left the choir since most all the members were younger and I felt out of place.  My father had been a member for as long as I could remember and when I entered college he talked me into returning to the adult choir which consisted of both men and women from about 16 years old to...well as long as you could stand and walk down the church aisle.  We sang at church services as well as weddings, special programs and even funerals.  When my children became old enough to join the choir, we sang together for a few years.  I eventually left the choir when Mr. McConnell retired.  Family activities demanded so much of my time that I didn't have time to go to choir practices anymore.  Well, it seems that it has come full circle and I thought I would now enjoy singing in the Woodcrest Villa adult choir.  It consists of both men and women who live at Woodcrest Villa homes and apartments.  It looks to be about 30 members strong with both men and women singing soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts.  I have been a member for only a few weeks now, but find I enjoy both the singing and the people who form the choir.  I sing bass with about a half other men.  We haven't performed a concert as of yet, but will do so in the near future.  I'm still learning the music, but find I can handle my part without too much trouble.  And, if I happen to hit a wrong note no one will never know since the pianist covers for us when she plays along.  And, when I look around and see how old everyone else in the auditorium looks, I feel right at home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "So This Is What I Used To Look Like" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking for just about anything interesting to write about when I came across a special photograph.  I say special since it happens to be a photograph of myself in the Manheim Township High School cafeteria.  

My guess is that it is from the mid to late 1990s.  I retired from teaching in 1999, but did stay for another 10 or so more years working on the in-house printing needs of the school district.  I worked primarily in the summer months when there were no students in the building.   My co-worker was Mike Zell who still collects a paycheck since he is involved as a coach with the sports program at Manheim Township High School.  I suspect that I was in my 50s in this photograph.  The location is in the cafeteria that was a hop, skip and jump from the classroom in which I taught for many, many years.  Good old room 308!  I have my favorite apron on as I walk through the cafeteria carrying something to eat.  If you look close enough you can see ink smeared on the bottom part of my gray apron.  Always had an apron on during the days when my classes had plans to run the printing presses, since someone always made a mistake while running the presses and I had to help remove paper that jammed the press and stopped it from operating.  When I found the photo the other day, I was amazed at the amount of dark stuff I had on my head.  I haven't seen myself with that much hair for years.  Today I can go a few weeks without having to shave what little bit of hair I still get on my head.  If I don't shave it all from my head every so often, it looks awful.  I also noticed my wire-rimmed glasses which I have on my head.  I haven't worn glasses for close to 6 years now, since I had a former student of mine, Dr. Ted Jones, operate on my eyes and fix it so I no longer need glasses.  I have great long distance vision through my left eye and good short distance vision through my right eye.  Through a simple operation, Dr. Jones saved me from having to wear glasses the rest of my life.  I can never thank him enough for what he did for me.  I only hope I gave him an "A" when I had him as a student!  Though I may have better vision now, I no longer look as young as I did in this photograph.  Time goes on and I tend to look older with every photograph that someone takes of me.  But, at least I can still type well enough to write my daily stories and still take photos with my 35mm camera to illustrate some of my stories.  I will never forget all the good times I had teaching Graphic Arts and Photography at good old Manheim Township High School where I taught for over 35 years as well as being a student in the Manheim Township School District for 12 years.  I spent the majority of my life learning and teaching in the Manheim Township School District.  They treated me well and I hope I did the same for them.  I have a lifetime of good memories that I still share with just about anyone who is willing to read or listen to them.  One favorite story I tell is when the rifle team I coached won the State Championship.  My team was the Lancaster Newspaper's team of the year.  Something I will never forget.  If you want to read about the rifle team, just type "rifle team" in the little white box on the top left side of my story and you will be directed to that story or in some cases stories.  Well, "Thank you" for reading my story today.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Remember...You Only Live Once...So Live It In Saltwater!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking through my old scrapbooks of places to which Carol and I have traveled during our married life.  We have spent vacations with our entire family to many locations along the Jersey Shore as well as to Florida.  Family vacations have been with our three children when they were small as well as when they have taken their own children, our grandchildren, along on vacations with us.  Other vacations that Carol and I have taken over the past 50 plus years include a vacation to Europe with members of our church as well multiple vacations to Hawaii with friends Jere & Just Sue whom I graduated with from Manheim Township High School in 1962.  But, some of our most memorable vacations have been when we traveled by ourselves to the Caribbean islands.  We have been lucky enough to have traveled to over a dozen Caribbean islands with each and every vacation documented with photographs.  During packing for a recent move for Carol and I to the retirement community known as Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster, we spent quite a bit of time looking through all of our scrap books and got to enjoy our vacations all over again.  After each album we talked about heading back to this island or that location, but began to realize that perhaps vacations to this place or that place might never happen again due to our advancing ages.  Do we chance flying to Hawaii again?  Do we really want to pack and take multiple plane flights to this island and that island in the Caribbean?  How about just a trip to Florida?  That's a long drive for old-timers!  So, for now we will once again look through each and every scrapbook and talk about when we did this or when we did that!  And...after reading each sentence I have just typed...I know we won't be happy just looking at photographs from past vacations...even trips to the New Jersey Shore.  Somehow we must try to figure out how to get the suitcases out of storage and pack them for a vacation to perhaps...Sint Maarten (our favorite) or maybe Turks & Caicos.  Then there is the Bahamas and Antigua, and of course Belize and Barbados.  I know...I know!!  I have to stop it before it goes any farther, right?  But, photographs just won't do!  The beach photos from various islands where we have visited during our married lifetime just won't do.  See if you can make a choice as to which island you would want to visit one more time.  There is no way we can decide which island to visit.  They all look about the same.  Well, when we do decide about when and where...if ever...I will let you know.  Until then, look at a few of my beach photographs that follow and decide which one you would visit if you were us.  Can you do it?  Remember...life only happens once, so don't let it fly by without living in it!   It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS -  Most locations below I have forgotten where I took them, but it doesn't matter since all beaches are beautiful.  Would it matter to you which one you went to if you had only 1 choice?

The "A Tale About Our Furry Friends" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching for a few quotes or comments about cats.  Over my lifetime I have both cats and dogs for pets in my home.  As a child we always had a dog or two, while after I got married we have had both dogs and cats as household pets.  Dogs tend to be more friendly and allow you to touch them more readily, while cats seem to be more independent and want to be the boss of the household.  It was about 8,000 years ago that cats started hanging around at farming communities, mainly to feed off mice and rats that were attracted to the crops. Cats being cats, at first they weren’t too bothered about the nearby humans. The humans, however, were happy for the cats to help out with their rodent problems. And so began a long spell of domestication — or semi-domestication, as most cat-owners will attest. Despite living alongside humans for thousands of years, cats are still often considered semi-domesticated, unlike dogs. Dogs offered a whole range of helpful abilities, such as hunting, guarding, and herding. Cats, well, not so much — they have always tended to do their own thing. What’s more, while dog breeds are often more than 500 years old, most modern cat breeds only emerged within the last half century. House cats, therefore, have much more in common, genetically speaking, with their wildcat ancestors than dogs have with wolves — just look at a Chihuahua or a pug. Today, however, cats are the most prevalent pet in the world. Freshwater fish in aquariums outnumber both cats and dogs by a wide margin, but you can’t really hug a fish. Cats are eccentric and often mysterious creatures, but for many cat-owners, that only makes them more lovable. Over the last few centuries, many famous figures have expressed their love and admiration for their feline companions, as the following quotes reveal:

I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.
— Jules Verne

There are no ordinary cats.
— Colette

The cat is above all things, a dramatist.
— Margaret Benson, author and Egyptologist

What greater gift than the love of a cat?
— Charles Dickens

If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
— Mark Twain

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.
— Jean Cocteau

If you want to be a psychological novelist and write about human beings, the best thing you can do is to keep a pair of cats.
— Aldous Huxley

A cat has absolute emotional honesty. Human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.
— Ernest Hemingway

Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat.
— Robert A. Heinlein

The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself. Of course he wants care and shelter. You don’t buy love for nothing. Like all pure creatures, cats are practical.
— William S. Burroughs

If you’re feeling bad, you just look at the cats, you’ll feel better, because they know that everything is, just as it is. There’s nothing to get excited about. They just know. They’re saviors.
— Charles Bukowski

Cats know exactly where they begin and end. When they walk slowly out the door that you are holding open for them, and pause, leaving their tail just an inch or two inside the door, they know it. They know you have to keep holding the door open.
— Ursula K. Le Guin

In ancient times cats were worshiped as gods. They have not forgotten this.
— Terry Pratchett

I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.
— Eckhart Tolle

I've met many irresponsible people in my life but never an irresponsible cat.
— Rita Mae Brown, author

Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.
— Jim Davis, creator of "Garfield"

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.
— Christopher Hitchens

You can train cats to do anything they want to.
— Ricky Gervais

If you are a cat owner you more than likely saw your cat in one of the above quotes.  And perhaps...for those who do not have a cat...you may wish you had one after reading a few of the quotes.  My wife Carol and myself love our two cats; The Gray Lady and Snickerdoodle.  We have had a few dogs during our married life, but find cats are so much easier to take care of and don't require the amount of work that a dog does.  Perhaps one day we might try a dog again, but it will have to get along with whatever cat, or cats, we might have at the time.  For now, we are happy with our two house friends who keep us busy playing with and enjoying them.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.     

The "Getting Anxious To Eat At One Of Our Favorite Restaurants Once Again!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to figure out when it might be safe enough to head towards the Chesapeake Bay area for lunch.  Seems like it's been forever that I have been locked up in my house and not able to travel or go out to eat due to COVID.  Spring will be upon us in another couple of days and I have decided that I no longer want to be boarded up in my new home in Lancaster.  One of my wife's and myself's favorite places to enjoy lunch is in the town known as Chesapeake City, Maryland.  It is about an hour drive from Lancaster, Pennsylvania taking mostly back roads.  The scenery features farmland, waterways and country houses.  A quiet, easy drive with very little traffic.  I have written in the past about some of the small towns that we must go through in order to reach Chesapeake City.  I'm assuming they are just as interesting as they used to be a few years ago when COVID arrived and we stopped our travels to the south.  Over the past 50 years or so I have attempted a variety of different trails in order to get to Chesapeake City, Maryland.  Each one is slightly different with a few different small towns to go through along the way.  One of our favorite restaurants in Chesapeake City is The Bayard House which sits along The C&D Canal.  It is really neat to sit along the windows of the restaurant and watch the large ships maneuver through the Canal as you eat lunch.  The food is great and the company is always interesting, but the view of the canal with its traffic is the neatest part of the meal.  I'm assuming that there aren't too many places that you can eat a meal while you watch a huge ship travel down the canal, passing under the nearby bridge.  At times we have eaten our lunch at the Chesapeake Inn which also sets along the canal, but about 50 yards from the water.  It too has tables along the water, but it is a bit harder to see the boats as well as it is from the Bayard House Restaurant.  Then, there is another restaurant on the opposite side of the canal which is known as Schaeffer's Canal House.  That too is just as much fun to eat at to watch the ships, but we enjoy the food more at the other two restaurants.  Shaeffer's does allow you to eat outside under umbrellas and get a close-up view of the ships, but we still find the Chesapeake Inn to be our favorite.  I am hoping that in the next few weeks we will be able to return to the Chesapeake Inn to enjoy a great meal and see the boats maneuver up and down the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.    

The "The Raccoon Dog At The Wuham Market May Give Us The Answer!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading my local Saturday, March 18, 2023 LNP LANCASTER, PA morning newspaper when I came across a very interesting story that at first I didn't understand exactly what I was reading.  That was until it hit me!  The newspaper story date was Saturday, March 18,  2023, so you see it was rather current news.  The headline on the story read: "WHO wants China raccoon dog genetic data."  The story had to do with genetic data that may help discern the origins of COVID-19 after it appeared briefly on an international database.  I had to go back and read the story three times before it actually hit me that the story was telling me that the origins of COVID-19 may have been discovered.  A new analysis of specimens collected in January 2020 at a wet market in Wuhan, China where the initial human infections we're detected found evidence of the virus along with large amounts of genetic material from raccoon dogs, according to a group of scientists spanning the U.S.A and Europe.  What had I just read?  I read it over and over again and finally continued reading the rest of the story.  Seems underlying data from Chinese researchers, which some outside experts said bolstered the idea that the virus spilled over from animals at the market, was subsequently removed.  This data should have immediately been shared three years ago accordingly to WHO Director-General Teros Adhanom Ghegreyetus.  WHO's top epidemiologist on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said that the data could have and should have been shared three years ago!  Researchers around the world say that the virus may have originated in animals and then spread to humans or perhaps leaked from a high security lab that worked with similar pathogens in Wuhan.  China has resisted efforts to investigate the pandemic's origins, and the data may undercut its arguments that the virus was imported from another country.  Seems that nothing can be ruled out.  Recently a biologist at the French Centre for Scientific Research stumbled upon genomic data that was posted to GISAID, a global scientific consortium that maintains a database of coronavirus sequences.  She reached out to a group of scientists who had authored papers supporting the hypothesis that COVID-19 originated at a market in Wuhan.  The scientists analyzed data from the samples and were stunned by the results.  It was the first time they were able to identify a genetic fingerprint of the virus and a potential intermediate host in the exact same place.  The mingling of DNA from the virus and from raccoon dogs is a strong indication that the mammals, reportedly sold live in the food market and known to be susceptible to coronaviruses, were infected.  "It's not the 'eureka' moment, but it's a pretty big advance.  The material was collected in an area of the market where cases were known to have occurred.  It still doesn't tell us how did it get into a raccoon dog, or how did it get into a human, but it's important circumstantial evidence.  The story went on to say that the data is expected to be published soon.  The latest finding advances efforts to decipher the deadly contagion's creation story.  Will it show that COVID originated in a Chinese lab?  Data that was collected did show that raccoon dogs were in the Wuhan market.  Conclusions are to be made by the scientists working on the project.  Studies to understand how, where and when COVID-19 emerged have stalled, but may now have to be researched a bit more for answers.  Here's hoping an answer can finally be found.  So, what do you think?  I find it extremely interesting!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "It's Only Music...You Know!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading my morning LNP newspaper when I came across an interesting article about the growing cost of tickets to see musical groups.  I can remember back a half-dozen years or so when my wife and I would make visits to Mt. Gretna's Cicada Festival to listen to some of our favorite Rock 'N Roll music from the past.  The musicians, Phil Dirt & The Dozers, weren't real well known, but boy could they play the songs.  Didn't matter to us if they didn't have a top 10 hit in the past, just as long as they performed our favorite music as we remembered it from years ago.   They first began to perform in 1981, but we didn't get to hear them until we first went to Mt. Gretna in the early 2000s.  They were that good that they opened for The Beach Boys.  What a fantastic show they put together for us each and every time we went to see them.  And....I don't remember paying anymore than $15/person for an evening performance.  We last heard them about 5 years ago before COVID arrived.  It cost me about $30 for Carol and I which gave us a fantastic evening of current rock songs as well as many oldies.  Now, I know Mt. Gretna isn't the top location in the country to go to a rock concert and Phil Dirt and the Dozers isn't the top rock band in the country, but to have an entire evening of hit song after hit song and to get to sing along with a great band who performed for us, we were happy to pay the price. 

But, this morning I was reading about a recent concert that was presented by Robert Smith of "The Cure" who tweeted to his fans recently that he is sickened by the latest Ticketmaster fees that were charged for his show.  The English post-punk, new wave band aimed to keep ticket costs affordable, with some tickets as low as $20.  But fans shared screenshots of Ticketmaster shopping baskets in which exorbitant added fees were tacked on for their U.S. Tour.  Part of the newspaper column read: "So @thecure an @RobertSmith wanted to keep ticket prices at a reasonable level for fans on their upcoming North American tour dates.  Of Course @Ticketmaster absolutely rinsed them with ridiculous extra charges."  In a screenshot of his transaction, it showed he had added four tickets at $20 a pop to his cart.  Then Ticketmater added a service fee of $11.65 to each ticket, plus an added facility charge of $10 per ticket, and then an order processing fee of $5.50.  In the end, his purchase of four tickets cost him $172.10, nearly $100 more than the tickets had been advertised for.  If Mt. Gretna would try to charge prices like that, they wouldn't be in business anymore.  Someone is getting rich and those that are hoping for a great evening are having to pay for it.  Sounds like the performers are being taken just as much as are the guests.  Will it ever end?  Perhaps if enough people went together and refused to pay the price, Ticketmaster might think twice and charge a reasonable price for a seat at the concert.  And, if you still can't afford the price and enjoy good old time Rock & Roll,  give Mt. Gretna a try and see if you don't enjoy the music that fills the outdoor venue.  And, if your ticket happens to get you into a  Phil Dirt & The Dozers concert, I just know you will have a good evening!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I Always Seem To Know Someone!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Running some errands with my wife and ended up at the Manheim Township Public Library which was a 5 minute walk from our old home on Harrington Drive.  We entered the library and Carol began looking for a few books that she had wanted while I went to the check-out to get a new library card.  At one time I had a library card, but must had misplaced it during the past couple of years.  Walked to the counter and stood in line to wait for the young girl to finish checking in the customers in front of me.  My wife joined me a few minutes later and before long we were at the front of the line.  She began to talk to the girl who started to check out her books.  My wife asked if I could fill out a form so I could get a new library card of my own.  She handed a form to Carol who in turn  handed it to me.  I quickly filled in the information as Carol was finalizing her information and handed my card back to the girl who didn't bother to look at me.  She read the first line and while still looking down at the form said,  "MR. WOODS...I had a Mr. Woods as a teacher when I went to Manheim Township High School years ago.  At this point she looked up at me and said..."MR. WOODS!!!  You still look the same!"  I recognized the face of the young girl, but had forgotten her name during the past 20 or so years since I had retired from teaching, so I asked what her name was.  "Crystal Witmer," she told me.  I did remember the first name, since a name such as Crystal doesn't come along very often.  We talked about when she was a student in my class at Manheim Township High School and talked about her life in the past couple of years.  Luckily there was no one in line behind me so we had a chance to catch up on times long ago.  I finally got my new library card and thanked Crystal for helping me.  Seems that there are very few places that I go where I don't find a former student whom I taught in either wood shop, metal shop, graphic arts or photography, especially if the places that I am visiting are in Manheim Township where I taught high school for 35 years.  I enjoy it so much when I find a former student from one of my classes, especially if they also remember me.  There are a few whom I had forgotten their name, especially if they were shy and quiet in my class.  Crystal, Carol and I talked a few minutes then Carol asked her if she lives near the library.  She said she lives in the 900 block of Janet Ave. which is in the Grandview Heights area of Manheim Township.  Carol looked at her and told her we also lived in the 900 block of Janet as did my parents.  Carol told her my parents old address and sure enough...it is the house in which she and her husband now live.  Crystal looked at us in misbelief.  What are the chances of that happening?  Well, we departed with Carol's new book she had just checked out.  Will be fun to return it in a few weeks in hopes of seeing Crystal once again...or perhaps another former student whom I might have had in class during their time at Manheim Township High School.  It seems to happen quit often, so it does.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.          

The "We Need To Protect Our Insects Before It's Too Late," Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to find my fly-swatter so I can get rid of a few of the flies that  are bothering me.  I'm sure you have felt the same way from time to time.  But, can you imagine how tough it must be to be an insect?  We try and swat them, stomp on them and even spray them with hundreds of different types of sprays that can be found in your local store.  And, no one really cares!  Why should we care since they tend to be a nuisance?  In most states insects are not considered wildlife.  Now, I know that flies aren't the same as butterflies or beetles, but they do fall into the same category of being an insect.  And, in many states it is illegal to kill insects...which means flies!  Bees, butterflies and beetles pollinate plants and provide a critical protein source for species up the food chain.  The U.S. Forest Service puts it simply: "Without pollinators, the human race and all of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems would not survive."  Just so happens...they are the little things that run the world.  But, that's where the problem begins.  All those little things are increasingly threatened.  Scientists are reporting alarming declines in many species of insects.  Some are vulnerable to climate changes such as droughts and heat as well as being sprayed with pesticides and subjected to light pollution.  I live in the State of Pennsylvania and in my state, insects aren't protected.  They are simply left out of state conservation statutes.  State agencies value wildlife, but seem to forget the little insects.  Why aren't insects protected in some states?  Well, It seems that there's nobody in charge of conservation of insects.  Many states have statues to save wildlife which would include wild birds, wild mammals, nests or eggs thereof, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and fish, including their eggs or spawn.  Insects are left off the list of protected items.  Even in states that are empowered to protect insects, they tend to be a low priority compared to mammals, birds, fish and even reptiles and amphibians.  Recently in California insects were included with fish to try and help protect them.  Now who would have thought that if they hadn't read about it?  Most states don't worry about insects being protected since most people don't hunt them or fish for them.  But, insects represent a huge share of animal species, almost 80%.  Some states seem to be waking up to the problem.  Nevada added a bill to protect insects that are pollinators.  Now...would you know what insects are involved in that category?  I wouldn't.  But, states seem to realize that they need to do something to protect insects.  A citizen-science project has recorded thousands of observations of native insects which they are trying to protect.  But, in many places only suggestions are given which means insects still aren't officially protected.  

The Monarch butterfly is one insect that is in trouble.  They have declined by 90% since the 1980s.  Something more needs to be done before all the insects that we have grown to love disappear.  Perhaps a letter to a state Senator or Representative might help.  If we don't do something soon, All our favorite insects will be wiped off the planet.  Then what will we do?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.