On Flamenco Monday

Oh wow … Summer-like weather descended on Cincinnati this past weekend – and it appears to continue throughout the upcoming week. How did you spend you weekend?

Our weekend was a small-bit slower than normal because we took it easy Saturday morning and early afternoon. Then again, we still had ballroom time, Quick Step formation practice, ushered at the Playhouse (Vania and Sonia and Masha and Spike), and I worked a shift.

The play was entertaining because a comedy with dysfunctional family members works. It could have been a bit shorter, but we enjoyed it … and given that we ushered, it was free. Here’s what is written on Wikipedia about the play, and take note of the original actors.

It’s possible that one of the posts this week will be something new – something I’ve never done before – believe it or not, writing fiction – but, I seriously doubt this will be a regular endeavor. We’ll see how the week goes.

Celebrations for Your Week

• (Week) Hug Holiday Week, Pet Week, Post Card Week, Raisin Week, Herb Week, Choose Privacy Week, Tourism Week, Dystonia Awareness Week, Be Kind to Animals Week, Children’s Mental Health Week, Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week, Drinking Water Week, Flexible Work Arrangement Week, Kids Win Week, Occupational Safety & Health Week, Alcohol & Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week, Anxiety & Depression Awareness Week, Correctional Officers Week, Family Week, Public Service Recognition Week, Small Business Week, Screen-Free Week, Wildflower Week, New Zealand Sign Language Week
• (Mon) Respect for Chickens Day, Orange Juice Day, Intergalactic Star Wars Day, Firefighters Day, Melanoma Monday, Library Legislation Day, Petite & Proud Day, World Give Day, Star Wars Day, Weather Observers Day, Renewal Day, Candied Orange Peel Day, Bird Day, Make a Book Day
• (Tues) Cinco de May, Cartoonists Day, Childhood Depression Awareness Day, Midwives Day, Totally Chipotle Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, Childhood Stroke Awareness Day, Star Wars Revenge of the Fifth, Hoagie Day, Oyster Day, Chocolate Custard Day, Ferret Day
• (Wed) Grump Out Day, No Diet Day, Bike to School Day, No Homework Day, Nurses Recognition Day, Asthma Day, Occupational Safety & Health Day, School Nurse Day, Beverages Day, Crepe Suzette Day, Tourist Appreciation Day, O. Henry Pun Day
• (Thurs) Prevent Teen Pregnancy Day, Cosmopolitan Day, Barrier Awareness Day, Day of Reason, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Packaging Design Day, Paste Up Day, Roast Leg of Lamb Day, Tourism Day

With this week including Cinco de Mayo, here’s a fitting start to your week. In the words of Speedy Gonzalez (a Saturday Morning Honoree), Arriba! Arriba! Andale! Andale! Andale! … and have a good week.

Opinions in the Short: Vol. 233

Embed from Getty Images

On Politics
Cheers to Congress for not doing something stupid this week … so not being in session is helpful.

As an independent with a small streak of Libertarianism, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has the knack of getting my attention … then causing me to shake my head after he keeps talking.

Because Cincinnati borders Kentucky, we (in Ohio) get our share of news about Kentucky, including political ads for their contested Senate race. My anti-McConnell readers will appreciate this TV ad.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Police satisfied after drunk man assures them there’s no problem
7.1 billion demonstrate in favor of global warming
Teacher who learns more from her students than she teaches them fired
Johnson & Johnson hoping brand won’t be tarnished if they dip into lethal injection game
Too late now to switch from checkout lane with talkative cashier
NASA administrator resigns after leak of offensive anti-moon email

Interesting Reads
Why bitter makes food better
Germany’s renewable energy investment
An interactive: 100 legacies from World War I that continue to shape our lives today
George Schultz’s perspective about progress in America
Porcupine sex

On Potpourri
Our local pro football team (Cincinnati Bengals) made national news in early September when they kept a player who should have been cut. The player, Devon Still, had more important things on his mind as his 4-year-old daughter is battling stage 4 cancer … and by keeping the player on the roster, the family receives medical insurance. The Bengals also started a fund-raising effort by donating 100% of the sales of his jersey (#75) to a children’s cancer fund. To date, people across the country have bought over 1,000 jerseys … and at $100 each, that’s over $1 million dollars raised so far. By the way, the young girl had surgery on Thursday (yesterday), the same day Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles released the Truly Brave video to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer .. and yes, the young Miss Still is in the video.

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Here’s an interesting graph, which is in the article above about Germany.

From the US Dept of Energy as published in the Wall Street Journal

I’m bummed because Sharna’s partner was booted from Dancing with the Stars this week.

For golf fans, it’s Ryder Cup weekend! Wow … the Europeans are very strong.

Hooray … the last day of the regular baseball regular season ends Sunday, thus no more misery for Reds fans

There will be a Saturday Morning Cartoon post for your Saturday!

Your weekend celebrations

• (Fri) Hug a Vegetarian Day, Love Note Day, Shamu the Whale Day, Save the Koala Day, Native American Day, Pancake Day, Johnny Appleseed Day
• (Sat) Goose Day, Ancestor Appreciation Day, Rabbit Day, Family Health & Fitness Day, Fish Amnesty Day, Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Kids Day, Hunting & Fishing Day, Museum Day, Public Lands Day, Tourism Day, Sport Purple for Platelets Day, Rabies Awareness Day, Crush a Can Day, Chocolate Milk Day, Corned Beef Hash Day
• (Sun) Fish Tank Floorshow Night, Drink Beer Day, Good Neighbor Day, Right to Know Day, World Heart Day, Gone-ta-Pott Day, Ask a Stupid Question Day, Marshmallow Twisters Day, Strawberry Cream Pie Day

To send you into the weekend, here’s a hit from 1971 by a Canadian band. Enjoy One Fine Morning by Lighthouse, and I hope this weekend brings you three fine mornings. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.