Women in History

This week will bring March, and Women's History Month, to a close. I chose my photo with Rosa Parks on a city bus as this week's photo to showcase a famous woman from history. What I like about Rosa is that she was an ordinary woman who did an extraordinary thing without really thinking about it. She reminds me of the women in my life, all of whom are ordinary women living their day-to-day lives but who do extraordinary things and serve as examples of what it means to be brave and strong. These women, who regularly give me pats on the head or who buy me cookies and toys, have braved the Seventies as single moms, blazed trails into professional careers traditionally held by men, and continually seek out new opportunities to improve themselves and the lives around them.

Thank goodness for strong women!

-- Charlie

Life is a Mystery

I apologize for posting this week's blog a day late. Yesterday marked the passing of my good buddy and neighbor Russell Black. Russ and I enjoyed going on slow evening walks together and visiting each other at our homes. Russ was the elder statesman of our neighborhood and I will miss him.

I'll return next week with my history posts.

-- Charlie

Daylight Saving Time

Don't forget to set your clocks forward! A popular misconception is that Daylight Saving Time has something to do with farming and the benefit of farmers -- like these happy folk. Actually, it's intended to provide more daylight during times when people are more likely to be up, out, and about. The concept of daylight saving time was suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. Several European countries put daylight saving time into practice during WW I. The United States adopted it and rejected it at different times. After WWI, it proved unpopular and was dropped. During WWII, it was adopted all year long between 1942 and 1945 and was referred to as "War Time."

So, join me in enjoying more daylight in your day and get out there and go and be and do!

- Charlie

Hope

This is the original concept for the Hope campaign. Personally, I like it better than the one he finally used in his campaign.

-- Charlie