7 Momentous Kisses in History

7 Momentous Kisses in History

Feb 13, 2020  Becky Little

From Judas to V-J Day to an interracial Star Trek encounter, see what kisses left their mark in history. Despite what the song says, a kiss isn’t always just a kiss. A kiss can be political, whether because it’s the first of its kind or because it’s between two heads of state. A kiss can also become iconic when it’s captured on film, even if the kiss itself was invasive and unwanted.

With that in mind, here’s a list of some of the most memorable kisses in history.

First Recorded Kiss (circa 1500 B.C.)

A scene of the Mahabharata with Gopis, Daughters of the Cowherds, and Krishna.

Scholars debate whether kissing began as a trend that spread around the globe, or sprung up organically in different regions. Whatever the case, the earliest known written mentions of it are in Vedic Sanskrit scriptures circa 1500 B.C., according to research by Vaughn Bryant, an anthropology professor at Texas A&M University. These scriptures, known as the Vedas, were foundational to the religion of Hinduism.

After that, kissing continued to appear in ancient Indian and Hindu literature. The Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic compiled by the 4th century A.D., has a line in which someone “set her mouth to my mouth and made a noise that produced pleasure in me.” The Kamasutra also has a chapter on kissing that identifies different methods of kissing and types of kisses.

Judas’ Kiss (circa 1st Century A.D.)

The Kiss of Judas

Kissing isn’t just a romantic act. It can also be a sign of friendship or betrayal. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, written circa the 1st century, Judas betrays Jesus by identifying him with a kiss so that armed men can take him away and eventually kill him.

Judas’ kiss has since become a popular storytelling allusion. It may have inspired the “kiss of death” that appears in mafia literature and film (but was probably never an actual mafia practice). Perhaps the most famous example is in The Godfather Part II, when Al Pacino’s character gives his brother Fredo the kiss of death for betraying him.

First Kiss on Film (1896)

May Irwin and John C. Rice, stars of the short film, "May Irwin kiss," by Thomas Edison's studio.

The first people to smooch on film were May Irwin and John C. Rice, who appeared in a short film known variously as May Irwin kiss, Kiss or The Kiss. In 1896, the two performers went to Thomas Edison’s studio in New Jersey and reenacted their final kiss scene from a play they were putting on in New York City.

On stage, no one thought the kiss was that sensational. But many felt the close-up footage of them kissing was too risqué.

First Black Kiss on Film (1898)

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
https://www.history.com/news/kisses-religion-film-tv-valentines

10 Things You Didn’t Know Happened on Valentine’s Day

10 Things You Didn’t Know Happened on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is filled not only with cards, roses and chocolates but plenty of history as well.

Christopher Klein

1. Captain James Cook Is Killed: 1779

Among Britain’s most accomplished explorers, Cook charted lands from Newfoundland to New Zealand to Alaska. In 1778, on his third voyage to the Pacific Ocean, he became the first European on record to visit the Hawaiian Islands and was received with honors.

He encountered a much different reception, however, when he returned the following year. After one of the crew’s small boats was stolen, the captain decided to retaliate, not by seizing a boat of his own, but by holding Hawaiian King Kalaniopuu hostage instead.

A hostile mob surrounded Cook and his men as they reached Kealakekua Bay with the king. When news arrived that the foreigners had shot a local chieftain across the bay, the crowd attacked. Cook shot one man dead but before he could reload, the captain was clubbed on the head and stabbed repeatedly before dying in the knee-deep waters.

2. Battle Of Kettle Creek: 1779

As Cook battled the belligerent mob in Hawaii, his countrymen were embroiled in another fight thousands of miles away. In one of the most consequential battles in Georgia during the American Revolution, 400 patriots launched a surprise attack on a band of nearly 800 Loyalists from North and South Carolina that was camped along the flooded Kettle Creek in the woodlands of Wilkes County. Although outnumbered, the patriot militia scored a decisive victory and helped to quash the British strategy to cut off the southern colonies from those in the mid-Atlantic and New England.

3. Oregon Becomes A State: 1859

With the stroke of President James Buchanan’s pen, Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state in the Union just two years before it would be torn apart by the Civil War. Oregon had spent 11 years as a United States territory, and it would take more than a month for news of its admission to cross the country from Washington, D.C. by a combination of telegraph, stagecoach and steamship.

4. Alexander Graham Bell Applies For Telephone Patent: 1876

In the year of America’s centennial, a lawyer representing Bell filed his telephone patent application at the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., just hours before the attorney for Elisha Gray filed a caveat announcing his intention to file a claim for a patent for his version of a telephone.

Presented with both applications, the Patent Office ultimately decided on March 7, 1876, to issue the first patent for a telephone, United States Patent No. 174,465, to Bell. Three days later in Boston, Bell successfully transmitted speech over telephone wires when he said these words to his assistant, “Mr. Watson—Come here—I want to see you.” The legal wrangling between Bell and Gray lasted for years.

5. General William Tecumseh Sherman Dies: 1891

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-didnt-know-happened-on-valentines-day

Valentine’s Day Facts

Valentine’s Day Facts

Updated: Feb 4, 2021   Original: Jan 8, 2019

Learn about St. Valentine's Day origins, how it's celebrated, why we say "wear your heart on your sleeve," and more. Origins to a Bloody Pagan Festival - Letters Addressed to 'Juliet' - Box of Chocolates - First Valentine Was Written From a Prison - ‘Vinegar Valentines’ Discouraged Suitors - ‘Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve’ - ‘Sweethearts’ Candies Started Out as Lozenges - Cupid Began as a Greek God - How ‘X’ Came to Mean ‘Kiss’

Valentine’s Day is celebrated every February 14 as couples across the globe honor their spouses, partners and sweethearts. Hundreds of years of traditions and customs have made it into the holiday that we observe today. Here are nine interesting facts about the holiday dedicated to love.

Origins to a Bloody Pagan Festival

Some trace Valentine’s Day origins to a Christian effort to replace a pagan fertility festival that has been dated as far back as the 6th century B.C. During the festival of Lupercalia, Roman priests would sacrifice goats and dogs and use their blood-soaked hides to slap women on the streets, as a fertility blessing. According to legend, women would later put their names in an urn and be selected to be paired with a man for a year.

Letters Addressed to 'Juliet'

Every year, thousands of romantics send letters addressed to Verona, Italy to “Juliet,” the subject of the timeless romantic tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet.” The city marks the location of the Shakespearean tale, and the letters that reach the city are dutifully answered by a team of volunteers from the Juliet Club. Each year, on Valentine's Day, the club awards the "Cara Giulietta" ("Dear Juliet") prize to the author of the most touching love letter.

Box of Chocolates

The Valentine’s Day tradition of giving a box of candy was started in the 19th century by Richard Cadbury, a scion of a British chocolate manufacturing family. With a new technique recently established at the company to create more varieties of chocolate, Cadbury pounced on the opportunity to sell the chocolates as part of the beloved holiday.

First Valentine Was Written From a Prison

History’s first valentine was written in perhaps one of the most unromantic places conceivable: a prison. Charles, Duke of Orleans wrote the love letter to his second wife at the age of 21 while captured at the Battle of Agincourt. As a prisoner for more than 20 years, he would never see his valentine’s reaction to the poem he penned to her in the early 15th century.

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/valentines-day-facts?li_source=LI&li_medium=m2m-rcw-history

"Five important Lessons" Posted by Mot at TNT 2-14-2021

TNT:

Mot:  A good Friend sent these to me, reminding me that the most important things are really the little things we do for each other....not the big ones....

 1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady. 
 
  During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student 
 and had breezed through the questions until I read  the last one: 
 
 "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" 
 
 Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, 
 dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? 
 
 I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if 
 the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 
 
 "Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers,  you will meet many people. All are significant...They 
 deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." 
 
 I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. 

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain 
 
 One night at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. 
 
 A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man 
 took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. 
 
 She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. 
 
 It read:  "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. 
 
 Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's' bedside just before he passed away...God 
 Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." 
 
 Sincerely,  Mrs. Nat King Cole. 

**********
 
 3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve. 
 
 In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and  sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 
 
 "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.  "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. 
 
 The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 
 
 "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. 
 
 By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. 
 "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. 
 
 The little boy again counted his coins.  "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. 

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice 
 cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. 
 
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip. 

4 - Fourth Important Lesson.. - The obstacle in Our Path. 
 
 In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if 
 anyone would remove the huge rock.

 Some of the King's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. 
 
 Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the 
 peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.

After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. 

**********
 
 5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... 
 
 Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who 
 was suffering from a rare & serious disease.

 Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had 
 miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. 
 
 I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save 
 her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing 
  the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. 
 
 He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". 
 
 Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his   sister all of his blood in order to save her. 

"When Dogs Can Fly" by Dr. Dinar

From Recap’s Archives

When Dogs Can Fly by Dr. Dinar

Well, they did say it would get crazy at the end.

And if you don't think things are getting crazy, then you're living in an entirely different reality than I am.

Although I will admit it's been crazy for quite some time now.

Like about the last 10 years or so.

At least that's the way it seems anyway.

And we were always hoping it was the end but alas, it wasn't.

Nope, not even close to the end.

For as long as I can recall we've been hearing some of the craziest stuff one can imagine.

But it's not like what we have going on right now.

Especially not on such an all-encompassing global scale.

It's as if the two "Stephens", both King and Spielberg, got together to collaborate on a mind blowing mashup in tribute to Gene Roddenberry.

We often hear the saying "You can't make this shtuff up."

Yet, it's more than obvious they can. And do.

Consistently, on a week to week, month by month, basis.

It seems as if they're never at a loss for crazy.

Back in the day it was all about Iraq and the seating of their government.

That game of musical chairs has gone on for years, one regurgitated article after another.

Occasionally they'd get so ahead of themselves that they'd forget to change the date and once their cover was blown, they'd be forced to create an even bigger lie to outdo their previous ridiculousness, hoping to conceal the unreal.

All the while banking on a serious lack of attention span on the part of your everyday currency holder.

Like a runaway freight train that's lost its Engineer, everyone asleep at the wheel.

They'd simply allow it to run its course until they could imagineer the next latest, greatest delay.

Yet another hitch in a long list of glitches that would once again prevent Iraq from ever reaching a point of posting anything in the Gazette.

Even crazier yet, they've pretty much come full circle with their current cast of characters.

Almost all of these folks currently in the articles are all the same names from the past.

Talk about an unforgettable flashback.

Although back then Sadr was the ultimate bad guy, always threatening to have all of "his" people riot if they didn't get things done ASAP.

By "things" I'm referring to laws passed, Budget revealed, HCL implemented, Article 140, Erbil, Arbil, Gerbil whatevered.

The list goes on, add infinitum.

Then post it in the Gazette, announce it in the Mosques and RV the IQD.

The only thing I see as currently missing is the announcement that Talibani, Barzani, Maliki and Shabibi have been spotted at Baghdad Country Club sneaking out for a quick 18 holes before they release the Budget.

That will be the confirmation, for me at least, that they too have reached an entirely new level of crazium.

So here we are, some 10 years later, not knowing for certain if any of that is, has, or ever will be accomplished.

Likely we never will.

But one thing we do know is none of that matters.

Nope, not a factor in any of this RV/GCR process.

They can and will continue to do whatever they do as they twitter... oops, I mean twittle their thumbs, waiting for the official "GO" signal.

Just like the rest of us, waiting impatiently in the queue.

Matter of fact, I'll bet they're all equally as amazed at just how everything is playing out on a global scale and have plenty of popcorn on hand.

I mean, who could've even begun to imagine all that's currently going on.

We've successfully navigated through a myriad of misconceptions throughout the years but nothing even comes close to what we're dealing with right now.

For those that have only been around for the past 5 or so years, although you might have missed out on most of the Iraq outrageousness that used to serve as our daily dose of crazium, you've managed to get up close and personal with plenty of lunacy.

They've done their very best to not only match but to surpass the previous level of impossibilities.

From Clones wearing gold ties and ankle boots on their feet to security Drones to Aliens conducting NDA... oops, I mean DNA probes while they laser-off our fingerprints.

It's been crazy, personified.

And yet, here we sit, not really remembering any of that.

Things seem to have taken on a surreal feeling.

It's almost like an out of body kinda thing.

It's as if we're watching this whole thing play out but not actually experiencing it for real.

Could that be because I've become so jaded after all these years of nothing coming true.

Or could it be the exact opposite.

Because I'm beginning to see so many of the rumors of our past actually playing out right before my very eyes.

So many things that I just about threw my neck out shaking my head from side to side in sheer disbelief when I first heard them, now coming forth as reality.

I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong.

And lemme tell ya', I've been wrong on more than a few occasions during this seemingly never ending journey.

I've been forced to open my mind to the possibility of their implementing an entirely new banking system.

Which I've always felt was needed but wasn't entirely convinced was possible.

And yet, welcome to the QFS.

Consider me convinced.

Same with the whole "rates" thing as well.

No, I'm not a believer in these so called "Contract" rates being anything us regular folks will ever be near or dear to.

While they might be a reality for the higher-up's, I seriously doubt they will be a factor at our level.

But neither am I a believer in the $0.10 rate that had everyone so excited a mere decade ago.

I guess I'm more middle-of-the-road, believing we'll do very well.

Whatever that means.

Speaking of opening my mind, if you've been around for half a decade or so then you'll surely remember Zap and his Flying Purple Pig "Snuffles".

Part of his weekly updates.

And by "updates", I mean rebuttals as he continually received plenty of flak for his predictions that never materialized.

Welcome Zap, join the crowd.

Up to this point, everybody's been wrong.

It goes without saying Zap's a lively character and I believe he's still out there somewhere.

Through no fault of his own he truly thought he had a handle on how things were going and where we stood in the world's slowest rollout.

Unfortunately he wasn't any closer than anyone else on the GCR Guesstimation Gauge.

Had he been, we'd already be oot 'n aboot, enjoying the "Pay It Forward" lifestyle that we're all looking oh so forward to.

Who knows, with all the other outrageous stuff that's come true after all these years I won't be the least bit surprised to get word of a Flying Purple Pig sighting in the near future.

Even better yet, I'd love to see a Flying Dog or two land on my window sill.

I'll bet they could slide in under the recently imposed travel restrictions.

That could very well be the missing sign we're all so anxiously awaiting.

The tipping point.

The signal telling us we've finally reached the necessary level of crazy.

Crazy enough for them to finally release the RV/GCR.

Buckle up folks because things could get a bit bumpy.

While I don't believe we've actually reached maximum crazium level just yet, one can't help but be extra encouraged by the level of crazy we're now experiencing.

We've got to be getting close.

Please don't bail out now.

You've made it this far, you can make it to the finish line.

Kindly,

Dr. Dinar

Disclaimer; I'm not a Wealth Manager, Financial Advisor, CPA, Tax Attorney, RV/GCR Committee member, nor am I in any way connected to Wall St., the NASDAQ, the Stock Market, day trading, nor am I the owner of a Flying Dog-Bird. I'm simply someone that chooses to believe in the power of positive thinking and on the odd chance this thing truly is real, I want to make sure I'm there at the finish line to enjoy it.

Don't Quit

From Recaps Archives

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest, if you must, but don’t quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow-
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man:
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned to late when the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Anonymous

“Thanks John for letting Recaps know this post was by Edgar A. Guest, written (with apparently no exact date of publication) in the 1920’s.”

Keep Watering Your Bamboo Tree

From Recaps Archives

Keep Watering Your Bamboo Tree - Eric Aronson 

In the Far East, there is a tree called the Chinese bamboo tree. This remarkable tree is different from most trees in that it doesn't grow in the usual fashion. While most trees grow steadily over a period of years, the Chinese bamboo tree doesn't break through the ground for the first four years. Then, in the fifth year, an amazing thing happens - the tree begins to grow at an astonishing rate. In fact, in a period of just five weeks, a Chinese bamboo tree can grow to a height of 90 feet. It's almost as if you can actually see the tree growing before your very eyes.

Well, I'm convinced that life often works in a similar way. You can work for weeks, months and  years on your dream with no visible signs of progress and then, all of the sudden, things take off. Your business becomes profitable beyond your wildest dreams. Your marriage becomes more vibrant and passionate than you ever thought it could be. Your contribution to your church, social organization and community becomes more significant than you have ever imagined.

Yet, all of this requires one thing - faith. The growers of the Chinese bamboo tree have faith that if they keep watering and fertilizing the ground, the tree will break through. Well, you must have the same kind of faith in your bamboo tree, whether it is to run a successful business, win a Pulitzer Prize, raise well-adjusted children, or other important endeavors and business you have been nurturing.. You must have faith that if you keep making the calls, honing your craft, reading to your kids, reaching out to your client base, that you too will see rapid growth in the future.

This is the hard part for most of us. We get so excited about the idea that's firmly planted inside of us that we simply can't wait for it to blossom. Therefore, within days or weeks of the initial planting, we can become discouraged and begin to second guess ourselves or outside influence can slow or impair our dream.

Sometimes, in our doubt, we dig up our seed and plant it elsewhere, in hopes that it will quickly rise in more fertile ground. We see this very often in people who change jobs every year or so. We also see it in people who change churches, organizations and even spouses in the pursuit of greener pastures. More often than not, these people are greatly disappointed when their tree doesn't grow any faster in the new location.

Other times, people will water the ground for a time but then, quickly become discouraged. They may even start to wonder if it's worth all of the effort. This is particularly true when they see their neighbors having success with other trees. They start to think, "What am I doing trying to grow a "bamboo" tree? If I had planted a lemon tree, I'd have a few lemons by now." These are the kind of people who return to their old jobs and their old ways. They walk away or abandon their bamboo dream in exchange for a more common "sure thing."

Sadly, what many people fail to realize is that pursuing your dream will be a "sure thing" if you never give up. So long as you keep watering and cultivating your dream, it will come to fruition. It may take weeks, months, years or even much of a lifetime, but eventually, the roots will take hold and your tree will grow. And when it does, it will grow in remarkable ways.

We've seen this happen so many times. Henry Ford had to water his bamboo tree through five business failures before he finally succeeded with the Ford Motor Company.

Richard Hooker had to water his bamboo tree for seven years and through 21 rejections by publishers until his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H became a runaway bestseller, spawning a movie and one of the longest-running television series of all-time.

Another great bamboo grower was the legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro. Arcaro lost his first 250 races as a jockey before going on to win 17 Triple Crown races and 554 stakes races for total purse earnings of more than $30 million. 

Remember, we all have a bamboo tree inside of us just waiting to break through.  Keep watering and believing and you too can be flying high before you know it.

 https://www.worldpulse.com/community/users/tinan/posts/26730

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

AND THEN IT IS WINTER  Author Unknown

 You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

 But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

 But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

 Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!  But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. 

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!   "Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.   Live it well!  Enjoy today!   Do something fun!   Have a great day!

Be Safe! Be Careful! Be Well! Be Happy! Be Brave! Be Truthful! Most of ALL – Be KIND! 

 Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

 Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be so - enjoy this day while it lasts.

Author Unknown

https://www.inspirational-words-phrases.com/AndThenItIsWinter.html

10 “Holidays” to Celebrate in January

10 “Holidays” to Celebrate in January

And you thought the holidays were over! The good news is that while all the high-pressure ones have come to an end, the fun ones never stop — unless you want them to, that is. But with everything from Science Fiction Day to Dress Up Your Pet Day, why would you? Here are 10 extra holidays to celebrate in January.

January 2: World Introvert Day

Even over Zoom, the holidays can be exhausting — especially for introverts. If you’re still feeling drained by all the social interactions that come with Christmas and New Year’s Eve, take World Introvert Day to recover by your lonesome. German psychologist Felicitas Heyne came up with the idea in 2011, making this the 10-year anniversary of the rare holiday that’s solitary by design.

Celebrate by reading a book, going for a long walk, or studying up on some of the world’s most famous introverts. That list includes everyone from Abraham Lincoln to Albert Einstein, so those who prefer time alone to the company of others are in, well, good company.

January 2: Science Fiction Day

Jules Verne, Ursula K. Le Guin, H.G. Wells — these are just some of the innovative minds who helped make science fiction so bold and imaginative. Their work is celebrated on the second day of the year, which was chosen for a reason: Isaac Asimov was born on January 2, 1920, and the I, Robot author looms as large among the giants of sci-fi as any other writer.

January 5: Screenwriters Day

Actors and directors tend to get most of the credit, but there’s no movie without a script. Whether it’s all-time giants like Billy Wilder (Double Indemnity, Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard) and Nora Ephron (Silkwood, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally…), or contemporary heroes like Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee, screenwriters rarely get their due in moviegoers’ collective imagination. If you’ve never actually read a screenplay before, there’s no time like the present to try it — thousands of them are readily available online, and you don’t have to be an aspiring scribe to appreciate this highly specialized art.

January 10: Save the Eagles Day

Known as the king of all birds, the mighty eagle actually consists of some 60 different species, most of them in Africa and Eurasia. And while America's national symbol was removed from the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 2007 thanks to successful conservation efforts, many other species haven’t had the same luck — hence Save the Eagles Day, which endeavors to do just that.

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The True Origins Of Your Favorite Christmas Traditions

The True Origins Of Your Favorite Christmas Traditions

12 | 12 | 2019  By Trivia Genius

It’s almost that time of year again when we travel from near and far to spend time with friends and family for the holidays. Even if you’re not a big fan of the Christmas season, you’re probably familiar with some of the more well-known traditions such as Christmas trees, yule logs, eggnog, and gift-giving. But where did these traditions come from? Hold onto your hats because Christmas is one of many Christian holidays with an origin that’s going to surprise you.

Christmas Trees

One of the most iconic symbols of the Christmas season is, of coure, the tree. Early Christians decided to “borrow” an ancient pagan holiday known as Saturnalia, and thus, they borrowed other symbols and incorporated them into Christian celebrations. The classic Christmas tree is yet another item the Christians borrowed from pagan religions.

In particular, the Romans were fond of  fir trees during Saturnalia. And as Saturnalia gave way to Christmas, the fir tree continued to be used.

Christmas Stockings

Family room decorated with Christmas tree and stockingsCredit: Alena Ozerova/ Shutterstock

We don’t know about your house, but many people start their Christmas Day celebrations by opening their stockings for little gifts. This is one tradition that is firmly rooted in Christianity.

 There are competing origin stories for Christmas stockings — some of which are controversial. But of them, the most popular include one that also serves as the origin story for a more secular Christmas symbol — Santa Claus.

 We won’t give that one away because Santa is also on this list. But the other story centers on a wealthy man and his daughters and their recent bad luck that left them poor. Naturally, the father was worried that his daughters wouldn’t be able to marry well. As luck would have it, St. Nicholas passed through their town and tossed three big bags of gold coins down the man’s chimney — and those bags magically fit perfectly in the daughters’ stockings that were drying by the fireplace.

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A New Christmas Story.....

A NEW CHRISTMAS STORY . . .

This story is better than any greeting card.

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been
anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to
him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He
was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last
hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless
man stepped through.

Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his
customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank
you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy,
I'll just go."

"Not without something hot in your belly." George said.

He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger.
"It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty. Stew ... Made it myself. When you're
done, there's coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me,
be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy.
Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you
help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with
child and my car is broken." George opened the hood. It was bad. The block
looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead.
"You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.

"But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George
as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old
truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the
garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was
waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever
looked at, but she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into
the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the
truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ." George
thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos
was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he
got something in his belly," George thought.

George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It
cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the
truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do.
Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't
cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can
fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on.

"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the
snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't
going to drive the car anyway.

As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a
police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left
shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me."

George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had
received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention.
"Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been
there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct
tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said,
trying to make the policeman feel at ease.

"Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for
his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the
policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."

The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there
talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone
into the dashboard destroying the two way radio.

He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the
officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the
area."

George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the
Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check
for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya.
Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your
gonna be right as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked.

"None for me," said the officer.

"Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no
donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time.

The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun.
"Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was
shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this
before.
"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon
away. Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now
give me the cash!"
The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to
the cop, "we got one too many in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you
need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that
pea shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man,
reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released
his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good
at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he
went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last
week."
George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now
and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we
can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from
the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup
of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in
here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort
this thing out."

The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot
you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee " the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an
ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn.
"Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the
other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just
dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.
"That guy work here?" the wounded cop continued.

"Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man
leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks
for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve
some of your problems."

George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a
ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha
would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw.
"I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories.
That's all I need."

George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared
next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's
something for that little man of yours."

The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old
man had handed him earlier.
"And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that
too," George said. "Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in
the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."

"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."

George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you
come from? I thought you left?"

"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say
you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother
was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin'
cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and
besides I was gettin' a little chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the
holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold
and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great
doctor.

The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by
terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and
not take any for himself. "That is the spirit of the season and you keep it
as good as any man."

George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know
all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when
your days are done you will be with Martha again."

The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have
to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the
stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill
the room.

"You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."

George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus"

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS!