Random Learnings #17

I occasionally go to the University of Minnesota's Wilson Library to view microfilms of old newspapers. Today, I was reading about Queen Victoria's death in January 1901 and stumbled across…

The Citizenship Games

Military battles and wars aside, success in international athletic competitions is often viewed as increasing pride in one's nation. It's all for the sake of the nation, at least as…

School Fight Songs

I was a member of Iowa's Hawkeye Marching Band drumline in the mid-1980s. Great music, fun trips, hijinks, many cherished memories. 1986 Rose Bowl definitely a highlight (for which I…

Rules To Swear By

When pregnant with her son, my friend thought she needed to learn to moderate her language - especially her swearing - before her son repeated inappropriate words at inopportune times.…

Random Learnings #15

Spending a Saturday morning drinking tea and perusing the Britannica Book of the Year 1948 - physical not digital - I learned something new about Iran (which isn't saying much,…