Stories: Old West & Beyond 08/13/24
“Tis sometimes the height of wisdom to feign stupidity.” - Cato The Elder
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Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Today is International Lefthanders Day, National Prosecco Day, Afternoon Tea Week.
STORY MENU
An Unwanted Reputation . . . Little Miss Sure Shot . . . Poetry Olympic style . . . the SpaceLiner . . . Pot of Gold . . . Inventing basketball . . . Historic hotels
WILD WEST
— Bat Masterson once killed a man who shot at him. Although it was self-defense, Masterson lived the rest of his life trying to downplay the unwanted reputation of a gunman. "THE SWEETWATER SHOOTOUT."
— Born today in 1860, American markswoman Annie Oakley—who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show—often called “Little Sure Shot.” When Oakley retired, she was shocked one day to read newspaper headlines calling her destitute, a druggie, and a thief. And she fought back. “Vindication.”
— Here’s a short video on Annie Oakley’s shooting skills in 1894.
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FIVE STORIES FROM HERE & THERE
1—OLYMPIC POETRY
Although the Paris Olympics ended this past weekend, I was surprised to learn that poetry was once at the heart of Olympic-style competition.
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2—TAILFINS
— Today’s automobiles can’t hold a candle to the expressive design of those manufactured in the Fifties, such as the gullwing Mercedes 300 SL.
— Ford hitchhiked on the era by introducing a concept car in 1960 with tail fins, chrome, and a bubble compartment: Meet the Spaceliner.
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3—POT OF GOLD
Although it wasn’t at the end of a rainbow, archaeologists in Turkey discovered a container dating back to the 5th century B.C.E. that was filled with gold coins.
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4—SPORTS
Americans long ago claimed the sport of basketball was its own. But the credit for creating the game goes to a Canadian.
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5—TRAVEL
If you’re still traveling before summer’s end, here are some cool and affordable historic hotels across the USA.
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REFLECTION
“Very little is needed to make a happy life.” —Marcus Aurelius
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