STORIES: OLD WEST & BEYOND 11.19.24

“My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger.” —Billy Connolly
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Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Today, in 1895, Frederick Blaisdell was granted a U.S. patent for the shelf-sharpening paper-pencil. This is Play Monopoly Day. And, if you’re counting, only 42 days remain this year.
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— FROM THE WILD WEST —
___ALL ABOUT SPYING
Spencer Kellogg Brown spent nearly a year behind bars before being hanged for spying on the Confederacy. "Last Sunrise.”
The South also had an extensive spy network, but historians say it had little impact on wartime campaigns.
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— FROM HERE & THERE —
___WEIRD THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS
Have you ever heard of frozen turkey bowling? It’s one of several bizarre traditions on Thanksgiving Day. Here are several others.
___FAVORITE GAS STATIONS ACROSS AMERICA
Gas stations have come a long way since the first one was established in the early 1900s. When I lived in Texas, I discovered Buc-ee’s, which boasts one of the world’s largest car washes and an array of food and snacks you must see to believe. If you’re the traveling type, here’s a map of each state's most popular gas stations.
___HIBERNATING IN A HIGH TECH BED
We usually stay in bed if we’re not feeling well and need rest. But you might decide to stay longer if yours was a Hi Bed.
___YEP, YOUR EYES CAN DECEIVE YOU
The “Tunnel of Love” and the “Oregon Vortex” are two of ten optical illusion destinations worth checking out.
___THE WAY TO A BETTER BRAIN IS THROUGH YOUR MOUTH
Most of us would benefit from a little more brainpower. Nutritionists say to make this happen, focus on these particular food groups.
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— REFLECTION—
“A failure is not always a mistake; it may...be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.” —BF Skinner
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