She Really Does Have Moxie.

Today is Amelia Earhart Day! As you know, Amelia was a record-breaking female aviator of the early 1900's. She was born on this day in 1897. Amelia is probably one of my favorite historical figures for reasons that actually have surprisingly little to do with the fact Amy Adams played her in a movie. Although that did get ol' Amelia some bonus points. She was and is one of my favorite people to learn about because of several, more respectable reasons.

For one, she lived in the era that I would have loved to live in, and one that I constantly try to learn more about. For two, there's a lot of mystery surrounding her disappearance overseas, and if there is one thing I can't resist it's a mystery. For three, she broke walls and shattered expectations, and there isn't anything more inspiring than seeing someone overcome the low ceilings that people try to trap them under. The great part is, she didn't just break through the ceiling and walk away, she kept aiming higher.

Obviously the best way to celebrate today is to study up on Earhart. You could probably find a plethora of books that have to deal with her, as many people are inspired by her. There have been songs dedicated to her since her disappearance all the way up until just two years ago. If you want a jump-start on fun facts about her, then her first name means "work" when traced back to it's roots. So there you go! Now your brain is already on the subject, so you might as well go all out and read about her. If you are in school or college, she's a great person to write a report or thesis on.

Thanks for reading!
~Kyle

Pining for Home

Today is Log Cabin Day! When I think of log cabins, a few things come to mind: the woods, lumberjacks, and Abraham Lincoln. Not because Abe ever really lived in one, but because of this (See picture below)

This simple mini-construction set I used to own as a child forever cemented a correlation between Honest Abe and log cabins in my mind. Even after I learned that he never actually lived in one (only visiting his parents in theirs), I still have this odd picture of him sitting back in a wooden chair by a fireplace in a cabin surrounded by pine trees. I don't know why the trees are pine, they just are.

You can celebrate today by going to a log cabin near you and being in it for a while. If you so happen to actually own or reside full time in a log cabin, today is just an even better day for you. There is something time less about log cabins. So simple, yet so naturally elegant. What better way to make a house look like it belongs where it is than make it out of the materials surrounding where it is built. It shows a lot more ingenuity than changing the land to suit the house's needs. Laaame.

See Sally Fly

Today is Sally Ride Day! Today celebrates the birthday of the first woman to go into space, Sally Ride. She was on board the second flight of the shuttle "Challenger" as a mission specialist on June 18th, 1983. There was a fairly massive media frenzy due to her being the first to break into that territory. I have to think that the greatness of her doings were undermined by some, though. There was one reporter who, before the launch, asked her "Do you weep when things go wrong on the job?" But aside from some reporters inability to see the more important aspects of the situation, I'm sure the day will live on along with the legacy she left. Celebrate today by learning a little bit more about space or the space program!


Thanks for reading!
~Kyle