Jefferson and All the News That’s Fit to Print

Or this article could be headlined “How the Newspaper Got Bigger.”

ThomasJeffersonI’ll have to report on the Jefferson story later. But his caught my eye.

The first official newspaper in the Colonies, or at least the first one to print more than once, was the “Boston News-letter”. It printed news in the order that it was received from the European news sources. The length of the stories and articles became so large, that this newspaper had to expand its size. The information received soon exceeded the space allotted. read more

Mathematics and Religion and Anger

Library of Congress Reading Room“A man in never in worse company than when he flies into a rage and is beside himself!”

“Regret is an appalling waste of energy. You can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing in.” –Katherine Mansfield

“Mistakes are the dues one pays for a full life.” –Sophia Loren

Anger and mistakes don’t make you whole again. There’re natural.

“No matter what mistakes you have made—no matter how you’ve messed things up—you can still make a new beginning. The person who fully realizes this suffers less from the shock and pain of failure and sooner gets off to a new beginning.” –Norman Vincent Peale read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Disinterestedness

We know that Franklin was in his lifetime a man who accomplished innumerable extraordinary things, includingBen Franklin inventions, diplomatic missions, writings, and printing. We could list a page full. Easily.

He was always learning and helping. One of the character traits he exhibited was that he really didn’t care who got credit. He considered that if God gave him the wisdom to come up with new solutions, inventions or remedies, he wanted to bring those about. He didn’t want the glory. That’s why he never patented any of his inventions. He put them out for public use and benefit. read more

Muhammad Ali and Me

One of my claims to fame is that I actually did shake hands with Muhammad Ali. It was several years ago when he was a guest at the Orrin Hatch Invitational Golf Tournament in Park City, Utah.

At that time my daughter was graduating from BYU in Provo, Utah. She had majored in Public Relations and Communication. She had been hired for the summer by the company which was doing the publicity for the Golf Tournament. She invited my wife and me to come to Utah and join in some of the revelry. So we did. read more

George Washington and His Mother

GeorgeWashingtonIt’s not a tale usually told, but George Washington didn’t get along real well with his mother. He thought she was too controlling, too dominating, and too unpleasant around him. He always respected her and was honor bound to submit to her wishes.

George’s half-brother, Lawrence, was in the British Royal Navy. When he learned that the navy was looking for some more good men, he notified George. George thought that becoming a midshipman would let him engage in a life of adventure and would become glorious career. read more

Founding Father’s Quotes

For today’s post I’ve decided to give you a few quotes from our Founding Fathers, chosen at random. I hope you enjoy these!

“In reality there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much s one pleases, it is still alive . . . . even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” –Benjamin Franklin

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible support. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who would labor to subvert these great pillars of human kindness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” –- George Washington read more

Memorial Day and Memories

You Cant Take it With You coverMy Father died last year. I was going to visit his grave this day, but my brother told me he had been there and the grave was overgrown with weeds, mucky and wet, and to top it off most of the grass was gone or dead. Wow, I didn’t expect that. The grave is supposed to bring back good memories.

Like “we have not yet begun to fight.” Or “I regret that I have only one life to give for my country.” Or “Remember the Alamo.” My Dad served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. He was always a patriot. read more

Thomas Jefferson and Ice Cream

ThomasJeffersonI just finished making a freezer of home made lemon cream sherbet for our family get-together on Memorial Day. You see, it’s become somewhat of a tradition to have our family over to remember this holiday, and at that time have some good eats, like a bar-b-que, salad, and, of course home made ice cream.

The grandchildren who were here just had to see if the ice cream turned out OK, so we all had a little bowl to check it out. It was fantastic!

It got me to thinking of who we had to thank for bringing ice cream recipes to the United States. Do you know who it was? read more

Abraham Lincoln and a Soldiers Fate

Abraham_Lincoln_2One fine day an uncompromising woman appeared at the White House and requested an audience with President Abraham Lincoln. She was finally introduced to him and said:

“Mr. President, you must give me a colonel’s commission for my son. I demand of you, sir, not as a favor but as a right. My grandfathers fought at Lexington; my uncle was the only man who did not run at Bladensburg; my father fought at New Orleans and my husband was killed at Monterey.”

President Lincoln solemnly replied: “I guess, madam, that your family has done enough for our country. It’s time to give somebody else a chance.” read more

Memorial Day Weekend

Ronald ReaganI was looking for something nice to say on this Memorial Day weekend. In my favorite quote books there wasn’t much between memory and virtues. But I did find this quote which really touched a nerve and I thought should be considered in our nation on this day we celebrate some heroes.

“The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas—a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish, and the ideals to which we are dedicated.” –Ronald Reagan. read more