Checkerboard

International Tabletop Day is celebrated the first Saturday in June. It was founded in 2013 by the creators of Geek and Sundry, a commercial YouTube channel and multimedia production company. You could join the celebration at organized events sponsored by libraries or local game shops, or you can host a game night in your own home. Break out the chess board or a deck of cards. Dust off your old Parcheesi or Scrabble or Monopoly board. Invite a few friends over for Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Dungeons and Dragons. Show the kids how to play some of your old favorites, like Chutes and Ladders, Uno, Mouse Trap or Candy Land. Don’t forget to provide snacks, but steer clear of really messy foods. It won’t do to spill smoothies on your Trivial Pursuit board, or to get sticky barbecue sauce on your Rook cards. Get out there and roll the dice, shuffle the cards and have fun!

 

Two Strawberries

 

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
and before the street begins,
and there the grass grows soft and white,
and there the sun burns crimson bright,
and there the moon-bird rests from his flight
to cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
and the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow
and watch where the chalk-white arrows go
to the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
the place where the sidewalk ends. - Shel Silverstein

Economy Block

 

History repeats itself, whether you’re paying attention or not. Two years ago, I wrote in this space about John F. Kennedy’s first political campaign. It was a congressional race in 1946, and Kennedy was the new kid on the block, running against eight competitors. One of them was Joe Russo, a well-known candidate and one of the first Italian immigrants to hold office in Boston. J.F.K.’s campaign manager found another Joe Russo – a janitor – and convinced him to join the race to confuse voters. Kennedy did win. Eight decades later, the same story’s playing out in Alaska. The incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan is running against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who hopes to help her party regain a senate majority this year. Enter Dan Sullivan #2, a school teacher who’s thrown his hat in the ring. Will two Dan Sullivans on the ballot give Mary an edge? No idea. Can’t wait to find out. 

Four Hit or Miss Blocks

 

More fun, weird facts:

In the 1960’s, the CIA tried using cats as spies by fitting them with tiny microphones and sending them where they might record sensitive conversations. They gave up when they realized cats don’t care what you want.

Germany has almost twice as many castles as the US has McDonalds.

The mantis shrimp can throw punches up to 50 mph; enough to break a glass enclosure. There’s a mantis shrimp at our local aquarium. I try not to annoy him.

Twice monthly, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport brings in miniature ponies to calm nervous fliers. I should find out when to book a layover there.

There are more fake flamingoes in the world than real ones.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. I remember this every time I get my teeth cleaned.

From 1912 to 1948, competitive arts were part of the Olympic games. Artists could earn medals for painting, architecture, sculpting, and music.

Seven Kitty Cats

 

In May 2016, 33 passengers from the Disney Magic were stranded in Dublin. They were on a Disney-sponsored excursion that failed to return to the dock in time because of heavy traffic. For decades, DCL has urged guests not to book with third-party vendors, as there’s no guarantee the ship will wait for you if you’re late. Disney Magic would have waited for the 33 guests, except Dublin is a tidal port. Its operation is determined by the rise and fall of tides in Dublin Bay. The ship had to leave to avoid being stranded – high and dry – for at least 16 hours. When the 33 guests finally arrived at the pier, the ship was gone, but a cast member waited for them. They were treated to a pub dinner, then ferried overnight to Liverpool, which was the Disney Magic’s next port. Disney cruises may be pricey, but they will take good care of you.

Another Pinwheel Pop

 

“Early on that Sunday morning Mary and a small group of friends who, despite grief, fear, and unanswered questions, encountered the empty tomb and learned for themselves the glorious truth of His Resurrection. It began that Easter morning when these women became the world’s first witnesses of the greatest event in the history of this world. We must all do the same. We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means, and, share that witness with others. Though centuries separate us from that holy day, we are among those who Jesus referred to when He said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ The Savior has entrusted each of us personally with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge. Because of those experiences, we can see for ourselves the meaning of the empty tomb: that Jesus Christ lives and is actively blessing all who seek Him.” – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cupcake

 

Tomorrow is my birthday. It isn’t a scary one with a zero at the end, but still. I’d be upset if anyone referred to me as “elderly,” but I can no longer legitimately call myself “middle-aged.” If anyone asks my age, I plan to say I’m “well-seasoned.”

"At age 20, we worry what others think of us. At age 40, we don't care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all." – Ann Landers

"Nice to be here? At my age it's nice to be anywhere." – George Burns

"Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!" – Source Unknown

"Life would be infinitely happier if we could be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." – Mark Twain

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” – Ingrid Bergman