Crabs and Beer!

Thoughts from the depths of the Eastern Shore
19
Jul
2023

WHENS DAY?

Today is Sandinista Revolution Day, a public holiday in Nicaragua. This day commemorates the defeat of the Somoza dictatorship on this day in 1979.

In 1936, Anastasio Somoza García, the head of Nicaragua’s army deposed the elected President, Juan Bautista Sacasa (who was also Somoza’s uncle), and installed himself as President. This effectively established a hereditary dictatorship in the country for over 45 years, with two of Somoza’s sons serving as president after Somoza had been assassinated in 1956.

Backed by the US because of their anti-communist stance, the Somozas exhibited the usual dictatorial traits of accumulating incredible personal wealth and exiling any potential opponents. Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the second of Somoza’s sons to be president was particularly brutal and was accused of human rights violations.

Not too far in the background of the Somoza rule was the Sandinista National Liberation Front. This was a socialist revolutionary group founded in 1962 and named after Augusto Sandino, a hero of the resistance to U.S. military occupation between 1927 and 1933.

Since their creation, the Sandinistas had steadily built their support base amongst workers, students and peasants. In the 1970s, the political aims spilt over into military attacks on the Nicaraguan government. And although the Somozas retaliated, the revolution was gaining momentum, exploding into direct confrontations between the Sandinistas and the Nicaraguan army in 1978.

On July 19th 1979, Sandinista soldiers defeated the National Guard and toppled Somoza, who fled to Paraguay where he was assassinated in 1980.

a choice was made…

Today is the birthday, in 1947, of Brian May, guitarist, singer and songwriter with Queen who had the 1975 UK No.1 single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ which returned to No.1 in 1991. Queen scored over 40 other UK Top 40 singles, and also scored the 1980 US No.1 single ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. May had the solo 1992 UK No.5 single ‘Too Much Love Will Kill You’. May was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for ‘services to the music industry and his charity work’. May earned a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College, London, in 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6D_BAuYCI

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
18
Jul
2023

TOOT TOOT TOOT TUESDAY!

Today is Constitution Day in Uruguay. Officially known as ‘Jura de la Constitución de la República Oriental del Uruguay’, it commemorates the adoption of the first constitution in 1830.

Brazil had gained its independence from Portugal in 1822. The region now known as Uruguay lay on the Eastern bank of the River Plate, and had passed through English, Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian control in a short period at the start of the nineteenth century. In August 1825, Uruguay declared its independence from Brazil, instigating the Argentina- Brazil War. The conflict lasted until August 1828, when a British negotiated a resolution to the war that led to Brazil recognizing Uruguay’s independence.

BADA BING!!

The leading cause of injury in old men is them thinking they are still young men.

My dog is so obsessed with where other dogs go to the bathroom he could be the governor of Florida.

Q: How many witches does it take to change a lightbulb. A: Into what?

What’s the difference between humans and animals? Animals would never let the dumbest one lead the pack.

My wife said she hides snacks from me so she can put them out when guests come over, in case you were wondering why I invited you here tonight.

Before marriage, I would sit at stoplights for hours because I had no one to tell me the light had changed to green.

We are three days into a discussion about if getting a toaster oven would be worth sacrificing the counter space. Marriage is wild.

I’m a multitasker. I can listen, ignore, and forget all at the same time.

I have a new prescription. 500mg of fukitol.

I’m a person who wants to do a lot of things trapped in a body that doesn’t.

People often say, “Underground tunnel”, which leads me to wonder about the other types of tunnels.

It is mildly shocking that those who call themselves a florist, know absolutely nothing about installing linoleum.

I put my symptoms into WebMD. Turns out I’m just old.

I showed my blog to my psychiatrist and she wants to talk to all of you.

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Martha Reeves, American R&B and pop singer and former politician, (1964 US No.2 & 1969 UK No.4 single with The Vandellas ‘Dancing In The Street’, plus ten US & six UK other top 40 singles). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE2fnYpwrng

1
Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
17
Jul
2023

Friday???? No! It’s MONDAY!

Today is Marine Day in Japan. Marine Day (Also known as Ocean Day, Sea Day or ‘Umi no hi’) is a public holiday in Japan on the third Monday in July. It is a day for the island nation of Japan to show appreciation for the seas and oceans. The day was also established as a holiday to express gratitude for the gifts of the sea, honor its importance, and pray for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation.

Today is the birthday, in 1949, of Mike Vale, bass, from American rock band, Tommy James & The Shondells who had the 1966 US No.1 single ‘Hanky Panky’, the 1968 UK No.1 single ‘Mony Mony’ and the hit ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFWhTqLSVzE

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
14
Jul
2023

FRYDAY

Today is Bastille Day, the National Day of France. In France, it is referred to as la Fête Nationale (“National Holiday”), le quatorze juillet (The Fourteenth of July) or la fête du 14-Juillet (14th July Holiday). It commemorates the storming of the Bastille by the citizens of Paris on July 14, 1789.

After years of misrule by the Monarchy with increasing taxes and higher food prices, the French people had finally united in a popular uprising in an effort to take control of their own country.

On July 14th 1789, the people of Paris banded together to march on the Bastille. The Bastille was a 14th-century medieval fortress that became a state prison. It was used by the King to imprison his opponents, often without trial and was seen as representing the despotism of the regime of Louis the 16th.

In October, Louis XVI and his queen Marie Antoinette were taken from the Palace of Versailles by 4,000 rioters and put under house arrest at the Tuileries Palace, in the centre of Paris.

After a failed attempt to flee to Austria in 1791, tensions about how to punish the King continued, culminating in the storming of the Tuileries by a new mob and the arrest of Louis XVI in 1792. 

France was finally declared a Republic in September that year, ending the 800-year-old monarchy, and in January the following year, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on the grounds of treason.

Teen Jeopardy

Cat’s are getting out of hand…

SIGNZ

On this day in 1979, Donna Summer scored her third No.1 US single with ‘Bad Girls.’ Her album of the same name also started a five-week run at No.1. The inspiration for her to write the song came after one of her assistants was offended by a police officer who thought she was a sex worker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d24XpO-Cn7E

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
12
Jul
2023

WENNESDESNESDAYAY

Today is the second day of the Naadam holiday in Mongolia.

The Naadam Festival is a celebrated in Mongolia with public holidays from July 11th – 15th each year. This is the largest and most popular holiday in Mongolia. The first day of the festival takes place on Revolution Day, Mongolia’s National Day, which commemorates independence from China on July 11th 1921. During the Naadam Festival, Mongolians participate in the “Three Manly Games” of archery, wrestling and horseback riding which represent the heritage of the nation.

BY AGE 30…

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of Christine McVie, keyboards, vocals, Chicken Shack, and then Fleetwood Mac, who scored the US No.1 single ‘Dreams’ taken from their worldwide No.1 album Rumours which spent 31 weeks on the US chart. Eight of her songs appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s 1988 Greatest Hits album. McVie died at 79, following a brief illness, on November 30, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3ywicffOj4

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies

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