George Frost was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Kossuth and Florence. His mother died two months later due to peritonitis however, he long believed she died from complications giving him birth. At eight he moved to Germany staying with his stepmother so he could learn German.Moving back to the States he graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield and on to Princeton University. After graduation, he applied to the newly formed U.S. Foreign Service. His first job was vice consul in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1928 he was transferred to Hamburg, Germany serving as a linguist. Serving in other places in Germany by the start of WWII he was at Berlin where he was sent to Lisbon Portugal. I’ve got to cut this short so lets get on with it. By the late 1940 his writing inspired the Trum... 02/26/2017

Alton Augustus was born back in 1889 in Charlotte Amalie, West Indies. Sorry I don’t have any information as to his parents. He attended elementary school later to apprentice to become a carpenter and then a shoemaker. He joined the St Thomas Municipal Band in 1906 while taking a correspondence course through the University of Pennsylvania.In 1917 after the U.S. purchased the Virgin Island he was inducted into the United States Navy. Traveling to the U.S. mainland in 1922 for education programs. He was a band member for the Navy performing before audiences in several tours of the U.S. won him accolades in Virginia, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston.His most famous works include the “Virgin Islands March”. “The Governor’s Own”, and The Spirit of the U.S.N. he retired in ... 01/20/2017

Claudia Jean was born in Frankfurt, Germany back in 1947. I don’t have any information about her parents or her early years however, what I can tell you is the rest of the story. she attended Southwestern at Memphis where she earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1969.In that same year she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army. She served two tours of duty in Germany and one tour in South Korea, focusing on intelligence and cryptology. She retired in 2000 after 31 years of military service. Now for the rest of the story. I’m writing about Claudia Jean Kennedy, she is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. Her awards include the Legion of Merit (with clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with cluster... 01/17/2017

Standing AloneFor those of you who follow me you know I get up early in the morning.  I spend about two hours or better dancing in the Rain.  On December 5th, of this year I wrote a blog about The National Anthem.  Some of you asked me where did I hear it.  Well I listen to CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox and others.  I mainly watch and listen to my local station (CBS affiliate) and Fox. Today as I was dancing in the Rain and it happened again.  As soon as I heard it I stopped writing a comment on the blog I had just finished reading and stood alone watching it on the station as I stood with my hand over my heart.  It plays at 5AM on Fox (not the local station) but the national one.  What is awe inspiring towards the end when there are several military people from all the branches saluting.  Do... 12/31/2016

Benjamin was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania back in 1746 to John and Susanna.  His father died in 1751 at 39 leaving his mother to raise seven children.  He was sent to live with relatives so he could receive a proper education.  In 1760 he studied at the College of new Jersey (now Princeton) graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree at 14.  I guess they had to learn early back then.At the urging of Dr. John Redman, he went to Scotland and studied at the University of Edinburgh where in 1768 he earned his M.D. degree.  While there he became fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish.  He returned to the Colonies in 1769 where he opened a medical practice in Philadelphia.  He became a Professor of Chemistry at the College of Philadelphia publishing the first American textbook on chemistry.  H... 12/26/2016

Elfego was born in Socorro, New Mexico back in 1865 to Francisco and Juana. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas when he was a young man. When his mother died in 1880 he moved back to Belen, New Mexico where his father was a marshal.In 1884 when he was 19 some way or the other he acquired some guns and became a deputy sheriff in Socorro County, New Mexico. His only goal in life was to be a peace officer. Remember the move about Wyatt Earp and the cowboys? Well this is just another version in which Elfego was surrounded by at least 80 cowboys while barricaded in a house. The cowboys fired more than 4,000 rounds into the home however, Elfego survived killing 4 of them in the process. He later became sheriff of Socorro County in which he secured several arrest warrants for the area’s lawbrea... 12/10/2016

Francis Julius was born in Mount Morris, New York back in 1855. When he was 5 the family moved to Rome, New York. He was involved and a member of the First Baptist Church which was good as his father was the minister until his death in 1864.Francis himself became a minister influenced by the Second Great Awakening. He wrote for the “Youth’s Companion”, a patriotic circular of the day. He believed in the absolute separation of church and state. He married Harriet in 1881, they had two sons John and David. Harriet died in 1918 and he married Marie in 1920.   He ran for Governor of New York but lost. He spent the last years living in Tampa, Florida in 1931 at the age of 76.If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m writing about Francis Julius Bellamy. Why would I write about him you may ask... 12/07/2016

Albino Luciani was born in Forno di Canale, Italy back in 1912 to Giovanni and Bortola. At the tender age of ten he listened to a Capuchin friar preaching on the Lenten sermons. It was then he approached his father asking him for permission to become a priest. His father agreed and said to him: “I hope tht when you become a priest you will be on the side of the workers, for Christ Himself would have been on their side”. His father’s words stayed with him throughout his life.He entered the minor seminary of Feltre in 1923 and on to the major seminary of Belluno. He was Ordained a priest in 1935, serving as a curate in his native Forno de Canle before becoming a professor and vice-rector. His thesis on the origin of the human soul, earned him his doctorate and magna cum lude in 1947. From... 10/29/2016

Pelham was born in Guildford, England back in 1881. He spent his teenage years at Dulwich College. After graduation he was employed at a bank however he disliked the work so in his time off he turned to writing.He wrote about comic fiction creating several characters we all know (well most of us over the age of 20, I’m well beyond that).   Most of his work as one would imagine was set in England however, he spent most of his life in the United States. During WWI he wrote a series of Broadway musical comedies. In 1934 he moved to France for tax reasons and in 1940 he was taken prisoner by the invading Germans where he was held for almost a year.After his release he made six broadcasts from German radio in Berlin to the US. The talks were comic and political in nature which caused outrage... 10/19/2016

Cal Farley was born in Saxton, Iowa back in 1895 however, the family moved to Elmore, Minnesota where he grew up. He served in the United States Army during WWI. While he was in the army he competed as a wrestler, when he was discharged he became a professional wrestler.He moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1923 and took over a tire shop. In 1934 he started the Maverick Club which was an athletic club for boys. He died 1967 from natural causes. Nothing exceptional thus far so let’s move on.You see what he did during 1934 and 1967 is the rest of the story. in 1939 he founded the residential childhood facility that is still known today as Boy’s Ranch located in Oldham County Texas.   In 1945 he also founded Kids, Incorporated in Amarillo. Eleven boys were picked from Glenwood Elementary School. ... 10/12/2016

Beulah Louise Henry was born in North Carolina back in 1887 to Walter and Beulah. She was a direct descendant of Patrick Henry and the granddaughter of North Carolina’s Governor W.W. Holden. From 1909 to 1912 she attended the North Caroling Presbyterian College and Elizabeth College in Charlotte, North Carolina.It was while she was in college she began to do something that almost every family uses if not daily at least several times a week. You see she was an inventor; it is reported she invented around 110 inventions but only applied for patents for 49. She moved to New York City in 1924 where she founded two companies. I’ll give you a partial list of those inventions however did you know they were invented by a woman? I know I didn’t, one just never knows who invented the things we ta... 09/21/2016

Gurdon Buck was born in New York City, New York back in 1807. I do not have any information about his parents or his early childhood. What I do have is the rest of the story, so here we go.He graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1830. He also studied in Paris, Berlin and Vienna. In 1837 he was appointed visiting surgeon to the New York Hospital a position he held for the rest of his life. However now comes the question. What will he forever be written down in the history books for? Well I’m here to tell you if you don’t know. In 1845 he took the first clinical photograph and used an engraving of it in “The Knee Joint Anchylosed at the Right Angle.” This was the first known published illustration of a medical photograph. He was a pioneering militar... 08/11/2016

Erastus Brigham was born in West Boylston, Massachusetts back in 1814.  His parents wanted him to become a physician however his parents could not afford for him to continue his studies so he turned to inventing things. Now you may be asking yourself what did he invent, well now that is the rest of the story.At 14 he invented a machine to manufacture piping cord.  He received a hefty sum for $100.00, which set him up for the rest of what he will be noted for in the history books.  But as always a little teaser if you will.  He and his brother Horatio are credited with the founding of Clinton, Massachusetts which was originally part of the town of Lancaster.  He was elected a member of the Boston Historical Society.  He also wrote a book titled “The Tariff Question” published in 1863.  T... 08/06/2016

Frederick Bean was born in Taylor, Texas back in 1908 to George and Mary. He graduated from North Dallas High School. He started working at Walter Lantz studio in the early 1930’s working on cartoons from 1931 to 1935. He moved to the Leon Schlesinger studio in 1935 and convinced Leon to let him head his own production unit of animators and create cartoons the way he wanted to.From those humble beginnings he, at the time, dethroned The Walt Disney Studio as the kings of animated short films. Maybe just maybe you’ve heard of some of the characters he created. Sorry, almost forgot I’m writing about Frederick Bean “Tex”, Avery. He created the characters of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Droopy and Screwy Squirrel to name a few. He also was the first to pioneer the term “the Warner Bros. cartoon.”... 07/04/2016

Thanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post. My intent is to put a smile on your face. Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know. Now sit back and enjoy the post for the day.Charles Russell Bardeen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan back in 1871 to Charles and Ellen. He grew up in Syracuse, New York and attended Teichmann School in Leipzig, Germany. He received his B.A. at Harvard in 1893. He taught at Johns Hopkins University from 1897 to 1904. He left and accepted the post of professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.He wanted the new medical school to evolve into a four-year program. That didn’t happen until 1924. He also contributed articles on embryology, and morphology, anatomy and other subject to sc... 05/25/2016

 BurtonThanks for stopping by and taking time out of your day to read my post.  My intent is to put a smile on your face.  Hopefully you’ll go away with some information you may have forgotten about or did not know.  Now sit back and enjoy.Burton was born in Aurora, Illinois back in 1867. In 1873 his family moved to Missouri and they moved again in 1882 to New Mexico. He was a cowboy employed by the Hashknife Outfit. Moving through the ranks he became foreman by the time he was twenty. He was busy but being resourceful he was also involved in the operation of a stagecoach line. In 1898 he was elected sheriff of Navajo County. By 1901 cattle rustling was so widespread then territorial governor Oakes Murphy authorized the re-establishment of the Arizona Rangers. Burton or you may know him... 05/10/2016

  Everyone has had a “harbinger” how did you handle it? Funny I thought Word® would have not recognized this word (no pun intended) but it did.  Interesting I’ve had many of these in my days and I’m sure I’ll get more.  I’ve had them in many different forms but I like the old fashioned way myself.  Before I ask you what say you I guess I need to tell you the meaning of (har’bin jer) which is a person or thing that comes before to announce or give an indication of what follows; herald.  Interesting play on this word now what say you? 01/02/2012

  I am a member of the “bimanous’ species I bet you are to. Yep I’m proud to say I’m a member in good standing and thankfully so.  While there may be some of you who are not that’s OK to.  Isn’t it fun to learn new words and try to use them in a sentence?  It’s late and this is going to be a short one for me.  So here we go the meaning of    (bi ma’nes) is having two hands distinct in form and function from the feet.  Now wasn’t that worth the read?  Enjoy your day I know I will. 12/17/2011

  Do you know a “levanter”? I bet ya you do on this word anyway.  I’ve known a few over my years on this earth and really don’t want to know anyone else with this affliction.  I call it an affliction because right now as I write this I cannot think of another word to use in its place.  Anyway I find now they are more abundant so without anymore waiting the meaning of (le van’ ter) is one who disappears, leaving unpaid debts.  So now I ask you again do you know or have known a levanter. 11/26/2011

  Quaker vs. cow… As the story goes a Quaker had a difficult cow.  As he was milking the cow one day the cow switched its tail landing upside the Quakers face.  The Quaker went on and after a few minutes the cow moved and stepped on his foot.  Without losing a stroke the Quaker went on milking.  As the milk filled the container and was almost full the cow moved again knocking over the pail spilling its contents.  The Quaker now stopped and faced the cow and said “You know I’m a Quaker and will not hit or harm you.  However, I can sell you to a Baptist.”  OK people this is a joke not intended to pick on any one religion.     10/25/2011