Columbus Day 2008

-It’s Monday … Good morning everyone and welcome to our blog.This morning when the alarm clock went off at 5:00 a.m. – I could have just laid there and slept like a baby … I was so tired.

Today is Columbus Day … On October 12, 1492 Columbus landed at what is now the Caribbean Islands; called Guanahani by the Indians and deemed San Salvador by Columbus. Swirls of controversy surround the quest to pinpoint Columbus’s landing location even today with a group from Miami, Florida believing he landed on Conception Island. He landed in Cuba (mistaking it for Japan) and then proceeded to make three additional voyages before his death in 1506 at the age of 55.

The first celebration of Columbus’ landing was officially held in New York City in 1792 with a monument dedicated to his discoveries.

-Out in the back yard this morning we have light fog and a warmer 55 degrees outside. Color weather radar indicates rain and/or fog across most of the western half of Minnesota this morning.

Today’s northland weather forecast is calling for: Rain showers likely with a few thunderstorms. Highs 60 to 65. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph late in the morning…then becoming west 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

There you have it … basically warm and wet.

-Steve and I had a basically lazy day of relaxation around the house … doing a little of this and a little of that and watching NFL football all afternoon – after we gave each other haircuts.

-Our Minnesota Vikings beat out the Detroit Lions yesterday … final score was 12 to 10. Rumor’s in the local newspapers this morning say that Minnesota Vikings fans want a new coach.

-Each day this month we’ve been added history to our blog … telling you about GLBT historic moments for gays, lesbians, etc.

Here is what happened on this October 13th in GLBT history:

October 13

October 13, 1896 – The play “A Florida Enchantment” was reviewed in the New York Times. Some of the characters swallowed a magic seed which transformed them into members of the opposite sex. It was described as vile, stupid, and the worst play ever produced in New York.

October 13, 1970 – The first meeting of the London branch of the Gay Liberation Front was held at the London School of Economics.

October 13, 1987 – In Washington DC 600 people were arrested in an act of civil disobedience at the US Supreme Court to protest the Bowers v. Hardwick decision which upheld the constitutionality of Georgia’s sodomy law. It was the largest number to participate in an act of civil disobedience since the Vietnam War. (Federal law prohibits protesting on the steps of the US Supreme Court.)

October 13, 1993 – The Lesbian Avengers protested during a speech by Senator Sam Nunn (D) in New York City. Nunn fought to retain the military’s ban on gay and lesbian servicepersons.

October 13, 1997 – Retired US Army Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, who challenged the ban on gay and lesbian servicepersons, announced that she was considering running for the House of Representatives.

October 13, 1998 – In a New York Times article, Steven Schwalm, a spokesman for the Family Research Council, said that hate crimes laws criminalize pro-family beliefs.

October 13, 1999 – The French National Assembly approved a law giving unwed gay and straight couples the same rights as married couples.

October 13, 1999 – President Clinton renewed his call to include gay men and lesbians in hate crimes legislation.

-Steve goes back to work this morning … and I – well, I don’t go back to anything – except to be home here. It was four months ago today – that I walked out of my office around 10:15 a.m. and I was done – retired – finished – with my job.

These four months have been the most enjoyable months of my life or at least in the last forty three years. Why you ask? Well for the first time in many many years – I set the my schedule, I decide what the heck it is that I’m going to be doing for the day – and I love it.

I’ve said this a couple times here in the blog … everyday is Saturday for me and it’s just great!

-One of the country’s first gay lawmakers has died here in Minnesota.

Allan H. Spear, a former state Senate president who served in the Minnesota Legislature for nearly 30 years, has died at the age of 71.

Spear died Saturday night from complications following heart surgery on Thursday. That’s according to Don Jorovsky, a longtime friend who used to work for Spear.

Spear, a member of the Minnesota DFL Party, was first elected to the Senate in 1972 representing part of Minneapolis. He retired in 2000.

In 1974, Spear announced that he was gay in an interview with the Minneapolis Star newspaper, becoming one of only two openly gay legislators in the country.

Besides serving in the Legislature, Spear was a history professor at the University of Minnesota from 1964 to 2000.

-Things we’ve read…

* In Kentucky, It’s illegal to fish in the Ohio River in Kentucky without an Indiana Fishing License.
* French was the official language of England for over 600 years.
* The G in ‘g-string’ stand for groin.
* Aluminum used to be more valuable than gold!
* 97% of all paper money in the US contains traces of cocaine.

-Well guys … that’s about it for this Monday. It’s the 13th of the month and if you live in Minnesota and own real estate – don’t forget to pay your property taxes in two more days. Wednesday is the last day that they are due to avoid penalty.

Steve and I wish each of you a great Monday – as your return to your jobs.

-Until next time…