Famous author O. Henry did jail time. Three years for bank embezzlement.
His real name William Sydney Porter.
To escape imprisonment, he fled to Honduras. His wife and child remained in the U.S. His wife fell deathly ill. William returned to be with her during her time of terminal illness.
Eventually jailed, of course. While imprisoned, he began writing stories to support his young daughter. He adopted O. Henry as his writing name.
Following discharge from prison, he went to work for New York World. His arrangement was to write one short story a week from 1903-1906. It was during that time he wrote The Four Million which contained one of his most beloved stories, The Gift of the Magi. Recall it. The tale of a poor couple who each sacrifice their most valuable possession to buy a gift for the other.
He continued writing till his death in 1910. His specialty everyday people, often ending with an unexpected twist.
His life a difficult one. He was plagued with financial problems and alcoholism.
Nevertheless, O. Henry is considered one of the world’s great authors.
U.S. men walk on the moon! First humans ever! The day July 21, 1969 at 12:51 EDT.
Neil Armstrong first, then Buzz Aldrin.
They returned to Earth this day in 1969.
What follows, I have shared in my writings over the years. Armstrong’s stepping on the moon was at that time and still is in my mind the greatest feat I ever observed. The impossible had been accomplished.
I wanted my four children to share in the experience. It was late at night. All four were asleep. The oldest my son John who was 11. The youngest, my daughter Lisa who was 5. My wife got the four up and downstairs to the family room TV. I explained away what was happening, the significance of it, etc.
To this day, none of them remember.
Judge Aileen Cannon and J.D. Vance are on the same team. Think alike. Reason enough not to vote for Trump-Vance.
Vance lacks stability. A “revolutionary” at heart. He said in 2020 that Trump would run again in 2024 and if he won Vance’s position would be: “Fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every single servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people.” He further stated if the courts ruled against the position, “Just blow them off.”
Vance further added: “We’re in a late Republican period,” alluding to weaknesses in the Ancient Roman Republic. “If we’re going to push back against it, we have to get pretty wild, and pretty out there, and go in directions that a lot of conservatives right now are uncomfortable with.”
Do you want Vance one breath away from the Presidency?
Harris money flooding in! Democrats have raised more than $250 million since Biden announced he was withdrawing and endorsing Harris.
Ho, ho, Donald! Aren’t you glad you started that rumor a year ago that Biden was too old?
President Biden addresses the nation tonight. He plans on explaining his decision to drop out of the race and discuss his years of service.
Listen in! Watch! Biden’s words will be one of the closing speeches by a great President in the process of laying down his mantle of leadership.
Netanyahu’s day today in Washington. The unwelcome visitor. Crowds of protesters expected. Many officials plan to give Netanyahu the cold shoulder.
He deserves no better.
I live and learn. Today’s new knowledge: Four U.S. Presidents never had a Vice-President…..John Tyler, Millard Filmore, Andrew Johnson, and Chester A. Arthur. All were Vice-Presidents who became President when their Commander in Chief died.
A different story today. The 25th Amendment which became law in 1967 spells out a series of contingency plans to fill any executive vacancies. Where there is a vacancy in the office of Vice-President, the President shall nominate a Vice-Presidnet who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Being Prince of Wales and the next King of Great Britain pays well. Prince William is 42. His salary the past financial year $30 million.
Not a bad paying job! Makes my gigantic attorney salary look like peanuts. We should all be high level royalty!
This year’s Hemingway Look-A-Like winner is 71 year old David “Bat” Masterson of Daytona Beach. A former pilot. He beat out 121 other contestants. This was his tenth attempt seeking the Look-A-Like title.
He does look like Hemingway! White beard and all!
I went out again last night. Second time in almost six months. Not because I am ready to hit the road again. Not till I have all my teeth. Which now appears to hopefully be mid September.
The Dixons are in town. Two of my best friends. They have always been there for me. They were back visiting this week. I had dinner with them friday night at La Trattoria. Did Happy Hour last night with them and Steve and Cindy at The Grand.
While everyone ate and drank, I devoured a bowl of tomato soup and two diet cokes. My weight loss is now 62 pounds.
I was up and out at 8 this morning. Cardiac physiotherapy for one hour. Tough, but good. So I am told!
Enjoy your day!