John Tyler (March 29, 1790 – January 18, 1862) was the tenth president of the United States from 1841 to 1845. He had 15 children, the most fathered by any U.S. president. His last child was born in 1860, when Tyler was 70 years old. One son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr. (August 24, 1853 – February 12, 1935) has two children, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Jr. (born 1924) and Harrison Ruffin Tyler (born 1928), that are still living, making President Tyler by far the earliest former U.S. President to have living grandchildren. If my calculations are right, this means that the son was 71 and 75 when he fathered these two children. More useless information.
Two men who lied about their military service were sentenced by a Montana judge who said their claims were, “Abhorrent to the men and women who have actually served our country. You’ve not respected the veterans. You’ve not respected the court. And you haven’t respected yourselves.” Within the sentencing, the judge gave them a chance for parole if they abide by certain conditions. Both men must hand-write the names of all 6,756 Americans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to qualify for future parole along with the entire obituaries of the 40 Montana soldiers in that group. They must complete 441 hours of community service after being released from prison. AND while on probation, they must wear placards on Memorial Day and Veterans Day outside the Montana Veterans Memorial with a sign that reads, “I am a liar. I am not a veteran. I stole valor. I have dishonored all veterans.” If the men accept the conditions set, they would also be required to apologize to national veterans groups, including the American Legion, which said, “falsely claiming military service is a reprehensible act committed against the women and men who serve and sacrifice for our nation.” Love this judge!
“The biggest threat to our planet is believing that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan
In Australia, there were 46 million banknotes printed by the Reserve Bank of Australia with ‘responsibility’ misspelled. Oops. My daughter noticed on the way home from Houston on 288, that some of the left lanes have ‘Pass Lane Only’ painted on them for the dodo’s that don’t know that the left lane is for passing…except for one lane that says, ‘Lane Pass Only.’ Doesn’t matter. No one is reading it anyway.
When the Muncie Animal Shelter in Muncie, Indiana, was down to its last 12 bags of cat food and 350 cats to feed, an inspired public information officer for the police department suggested that people pay their parking tickets with donations of cat food and kitty litter. The shelter’s supply room filled up in a week. Is anyone listening at city hall? Brilliant idea. Shelters are in desperate need of help.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss
In February, a Texas DPS trooper noticed a pickup with the front license plate missing, so he turned on his lights and pulled him over. As he approached the open window on the passenger side, a handgun appeared, followed with a shot over his right shoulder. He dropped to the ground and the truck sped off. The officer radioed that he had been shot at and was in pursuit of a gray Chevy Colorado pickup. Sheriff Cantu and Deputy Noah jumped into a Kimble County cruiser and stationed themselves at a highway exit west of Junction. Soon they saw a pickup heading their way at a “high rate of speed and suddenly switching lanes.” The sheriff fired his rifle as the pickup sped past leaving a line of ten bullet holes from the front panel, passenger door and on to the rear of the truck. Now pay attention here. At that point, the sheriff looked back and saw that the actual suspect vehicle being pursued was now approaching. Oops. He had shot at a white Silverado pickup, not a gray Colorado pickup…yes, he shot at the wrong vehicle, hitting the driver, who was hospitalized with injuries.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Actress comedian Lily Tomlin is 80. Singer Barry Gibb is 73. The Bee Gees. Talk-show host Dr. Phil is 69. Singer-guitarist Al Jardine is 77. The Beach Boys. Drummer Donald Brewer is 71. Grand Funk Railroad. Guitarist Steve Jones is 64. Sex Pistols. Actress Mitzi Gaynor is 88. South Pacific. Comedian-actor Bob Newhart is 90. Singer Nick Jonas is 27. Actress Arlene Dahl is 94.
Prince Harry is 35. Actor Michael Keaton is 68. Night Shift, Mr. Mom, Johnny Dangerously, and Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Return. Comedian JoAnne Worley is 84. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Country singer David Allan Coe is 80. Take This Job and Shove It. Singer-bassist Roger Waters is 76. Pink Floyd. Actress Swoosie Kurtz is 75. Comedian-actress Jane Curtin is 72. Saturday Night Live. Country singer Mark Chesnutt is 56. He’s coming to The Clarion this Friday.
A former patient care technician convicted of sexually assaulting adult male patients at both Ben Taub Hospital and Kingwood Medical Center, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The victims had reported to nurses that the man had committed sexual acts against them while they were drifting in and out of consciousness after being admitted to the hospitals for overdoses. Hmmm.
A man was pulled over because of driving with an expired inspection sticker. He got out of the vehicle and attempted to walk away, as officers ordered him to return to his vehicle. He did so, but then locked the doors and attempted to swallow a bag of heroin. Officers were able to open a door through an open back window. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, use/possession of drug paraphernalia and more. He was to be placed in the Erie County Prison once he received medical clearance. Hmmm. In one sentence: He tried to eat a bag of dope in a locked car with the windows down and the cops watching. Clever.
Did you see the magazine ad for Jimmy Dean Sausage? It’s Woodstock, 1969, and a guy is sitting on a tech box on stage eating a plate of sausage while the band is playing to the sea of concert goers. Now, I’m not saying that it’s not photoshopped but it’s a cute ad. Jimmy Dean – Quality Sausage Since 1969.
An avid cyclist living in Houston planned his marriage proposal very carefully. It was a 15.7-mile bike route through Buffalo Bayou Park that spelled out ‘Marry Me’ on his GPS app. Then he got down on one knee and presented his fiancé with the map. Aww. I want a guy like that.
Those of you that know me, know that I love to shop for food, I love to cook, and nothing makes me happier than to get sweaty in the garden. It took me years to realize that if I have dirt under my fingernails and food cooking in the kitchen then I am so happy. Now, I also enjoy treasure hunting. A ‘treasure’ can be described as most anything. The end isles at Target with the mark-down stuff are full of treasures. I absolutely love Home Goods. A whole store of treasures. I love hardware stores (I’m partial to Girouard’s), Tractor Supply, garage sales, junk and antique shopping, but I do NOT enjoy trying on clothes or going to the mall for no reason. So, this weekend, I happened to be at Tractor Supply (which is now air-conditioned) for cat litter and bird seed when I spotted a grocery basket full of stuff marked “Everything $1” – treasures! I scored a box of Miracle-Gro Organic fertilizer for $1. Then I went to Lowe’s and the same box was $8. That’s my treasure story for the week. You just never know where you will find yourself a treasure, but we must keep looking. 😊
President Donald Trump blamed radical left democrats for spreading a false and nasty rumor about a bedbug infestation at his golf resort in Dora, Florida. It’s OK, Donald. I found another flea at my house last weekend.
St. Edward Catholic School in Nashville is receiving a lot of attention over a decision to remove the modern children’s classic Harry Potter series from its shelves. Reverend Dan Reehil sent an email explaining his reasoning that said, “These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true,” his letter reads. “The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being, risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the texts.” Having just finished all seven of the books, I would like to add that I have tried several of the spells especially the Aberto (used to unlock and open doors) and the Cheering Charm (causes the person upon whom the spell has been cast to become happy and content) and they just don’t work. 😊 Maybe I need a new wand. Still, I plan to try the Bat-Bogey Hex which transforms the target’s bogeys into large bats. Best used when you want someone to shut up long enough that you can say something. Yep, these books are just full of harmful things…bet that every kid at this school will be under the covers at night, reading the books, especially since they’re considered taboo.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”- Stephen King
Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the book community, librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those considered unorthodox or unpopular. In 1928, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was banned in Chicago for showing women and witches as leaders. In 1931, China banned Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland because it was wrong for animals to speak human languages. Where’s Waldo? was one of the most challenged books in the U.S. from 1990 to 1999 because it included the side of a woman’s breast, measuring 1/16th of an inch on the page.
“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.” Oscar Wilde
Samsung Electronics is planning to unveil its second foldable phone early next year. The device will have a 6.7-inch inner display that shrinks to a pocketable square when it’s folded inward like a clamshell. It is supposed to be more affordable and thinner than this year’s Galaxy Fold which couldn’t withstand more than a few days of use.
Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio made history by appearing in a Victoria’s Secret Pink campaign as the first openly transgender model to work for the VS brand.
PetSmart has National Adoption Weekend Sept. 13th – 15th. Last week, there was a sweet little kitten name Firefly that was precious. I played, fell in love, then sent pictures to everyone that I thought might need a sweet companion. Thank you to whoever adopted her.
“I didn’t mind explaining photosynthesis to you when you were 12. But, you’re adults now and this is an actual crisis.” Bill Nye the Science Guy, urging people to take climate change more seriously.
Thank you to Freeport Police Officer Willard for helping get some information on an adult welfare check. Your concern and help was appreciated. Thank you to Marion for continuing to send the cutest cards, thinking that maybe one day I will be able to make one of her Stampin’ Up classes. Believe me, they are super cute cards. Ralph O’ Henley – best Santa in the world – we are thinking about you after surgery. Hang in there. Thank you to John Corder for the beautiful poems that he sends our office.
For the first time in 13 years, a full moon will occur on Friday the 13th. It’s a Full Harvest Moon and should be beautiful. If you are a Downton Abbey fan, be reminded that there is a sneak-peek of the movie showing at AMC theatres on Thursday the 12th. You heard it here. 😊 Thank you to all our customers and to you, our readers, for picking us again this week. Lisa Baker
