Jun 15
You should feel very balanced this week. Why? Because it’s palindrome week!
A palindrome exists when letters, numbers, or phrases are the same forward and backward. For example, the words “racecar” and “kayak” are palindromes along with the phrase “Was it a car or a cat I saw?”
The dates this week are all five-digit palindromes. Today is 6-15-16; it’s the same if you read it forward and backward.
Palindrome week will take place in July next year.
From last year:
May 30
Tom’s youngest brother, Bill, died, which was a major shock to all of us. He’d had Polycystic Kidney Disease and decided to go for a kidney transplant.
William T. O’Connor
(January 19, 1949 – May 29, 2016)
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O’CONNOR, William T. of Burlington, formerly of Everett, entered into rest on Sunday, May 29, 2016 in the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Born in Boston, Bill lived in Everett for many years before moving to Burlington. Bill had a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a MBA. He worked for Walsh Brothers as a construction superintendent before his retirement. Beloved husband of Sandra (Fusco) for over 45 years. Dear and devoted father of Thomas O’Connor and his wife, Janet of Peabody and Erin Simione and her husband, Kurt of Windham, NH. Brother of Mary O’Connor of Quincy, Tom O’Connor and his wife, Mary of VA, James O’Connor of Everett, John O’Connor of Revere and Robert O’Connor of London, England. Loving grandfather of Olivia and Matthew O’Connor and Mason, Dante, and Slater Simione. Uncle of Michael O’Connor of NYC. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bill’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Saturday, June 4 from 8-10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church, 38 Oakes St., Everett, at 11 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave., Ste. 2, Norwood, MA 02062, www.kidney.org would be sincerely appreciated. Parking with attendants on duty.
From the funeral:
and
There will be more about the funeral on my Travel blog
May 30
Thanks, Grandpa… You weren’t American, but you fought valiantly for the cause overseas.
I never met my grandfather. He had died in Peshawar, India, fighting for the Black Watch during World War l. Peshawar was on the northern frontier of British India, near the Khyber Pass.
In 1947, Peshawar became part of the newly independent state of Pakistan after politicians approved merger into the state that had just been carved from British India.
We have a trunk of his belongings, though, and it’s very interesting to recreate his life.
My dad was born in Scotland in 1913.
In 1914, my grandfather was involved in this:
On the outbreak of war there were seven Black Watch battalions – for in addition to the Regular 1st and 2nd Battalions and 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion there were a further four Territorial ones which had become part of the Regiment in 1908. They were the 4th Dundee [Mary O’Note: I’m pretty sure this was his, since that’s where my dad was born], 5th Angus, 6th Perthshire and the 7th Battalion from Fife. The 1st Battalion was in action at the very start of the war taking part in the Retreat from Mons before turning on the Germans at the River Marne and the subsequent advance to the Aisne. Trench warfare then set in and the 2nd Battalion arrived from India, both battalions taking part in the Battle of Givenchy. Meanwhile the Territorial battalions had been mobilised at the start of the war but only the 5th was in action in 1914.
I guess this is why I love the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch so much.
Thanks, Grandpa!
This summer, we’ll be going to the Edinburgh Tattoo for the second time. This had been on my bucket list for a long time since my grandfather was in the Black Watch and I just love to hear bagpipes. Even my cellphone ringtone is Scotland, the Brave.
My mom says that my Grandfather’s name is inscribed as a war hero in Edinburgh Castle, where the Tattoo is held.
When we were there last time, I didn’t quite make it to the top of the hill but this year, maybe…
You know, I’ll find that, sooner or later.
Thanks again for your service, Grandpa – and everyone who who served!
May 23
See a penny, pick it up… All day long you’ll have good luck.
When you are out and about today, look on the ground for pennies. It just might be your lucky day!
My mom is forever picking up pennies – or anything that’s cash-looking. She’s made a record over the years of how much money she’s found on the street and the total amount is pretty staggering.
Finding a penny has long been considered a good omen, suggesting something good will happen in the life of the finder. Some superstitious people believe that you should only pick up a penny that’s lying face up.
Some believe we should no longer mint pennies because they cost more to make than they are worth.
Years ago a penny was able to buy something – like penny candy. Today, due to inflation, the penny does not buy much of anything. The metal value and cost of minting pennies exceed their face value. Many nations have stopped minting equivalent value coins and efforts are being made to end the routine use of pennies in several countries including the United States.
The U.S. minted 8 billion pennies in 2014, spending almost $132 million for currency worth less than $50 million, according to Citizens to Retire the Penny, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating the public on why the U.S. should ditch the penny.
1793 – The first pennies in the United States were made of copper.
National Lucky Penny Day is observed each year on May 23rd.
A commercial but cute, nonetheless:
May 08
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father’s Day and Siblings Day.
In the United States, celebration of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century.
It was in 1905 when Mother’s Day was finally introduced successfully by Anna Jarvis. She started a dedicated letter writing campaign to declare an official Mother’s Day. Through Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, the first Mother’s Day was observed on May 10, 1908.
This day, to honor Anna Jarvis’s mother grew into a National Observance until in 1911 every state participated. Soon it was spreading internationally and on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday of May.
Mom and me, w-a-a-a-y back in sepia, black and white photo times…
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom 🙂
Apr 12
Several years ago, my mom found a book with a curious label in it. The label said it was a “BookCrossing” book. My mom doesn’t have a computer, so I registered the book and I was off and running. I think this idea is so cool.
Each book has a unique BCID (BookCrossing ID). By entering that number at http://www.bookcrossing.com/ you can see where the book has been – and then you can track where it goes. If you’re familiar with Where’s George? for dollar bills, this is similar.
Many other Little Free Libraries are connected with BookCrossing and I thought it would be fun to have my Greenbriar Little Free Library #33664 play along, too.
In addition to randomly finding books, you can also go hunting for them at http://www.bookcrossing.com/hunt
This video is a great short explanation:
The Greenbriar Little Free Library #33664 is an official BookCrossing Zone.
Apr 07
Hooray! I’m not sure if we’re getting any more readers from this but we’re definitely getting more book donations.
Right now, we’re getting an average of 5 new books donated each day – faster than I can keep up with stamping and adding BookCrossing bookplates.
I have started reading up on starting a Geocache nearby, as well. Want to know more?
It’s all good!
Apr 06
I have my Black Watch tartan ready to go to wear at the parade in New York this weekend…
Don’t be surprised if you see people decked out in tartan this weekend. Today, April 6, the United States is celebrating National Tartan Day. The day is intended to recognize the contributions of Scottish Americans to the U.S.
Here’s a look at five things you didn’t know about Scotland…
Read the whole article at: Tartan Day: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Scotland – ABC News
Apr 06
NATIONAL TARTAN DAY
April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday.
National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation.
From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American. It was in their blood.
It was 400 years before they had declared –“For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone which no good man give sup except for his life.” – from the Declaration of Arbroath
It might be surprising to know that of the 13 governors in the newly established United States, 9 where Scots. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence.
Some scholars suggest nearly a third of those signers were of Scottish descent. Not only can we point to the country’s founding fathers, but of the 43 Presidents who have taken office, 33 have been of Scottish descent.
Those with Scottish blood were and are independent and resourceful. They are prolific inventors and writers. They are talented musicians and artist, skilled leaders and scholars. In the United States today, over 11 million Americans claim Scottish or Scotch-Irish roots. That makes them the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Check local civic websites for parades, ceremonies and events. Wear your tartan and use #NationalTartanDay to post on social media.
Black Watch tartan
HISTORY
On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate passed Resolution 155 that designated April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day to recognize Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States.
On March 9, 2005, the House passed Resolution 41 and by Presidential Proclamation, it was signed by President George W. Bush on April 4, 2008.
On this day in 1320, Scot’s signed the Declaration of Arbroath, formally declaring their independence from England.
For more information visit www.americanscottishfoundation.com.
Adapted from: NATIONAL TARTAN DAY – April 6th | National Day Calendar
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