Author Archives: Patrick Cole

About Patrick Cole

Husband, parent and writer. Sharing stories with a little humor and wisdom along the way.

High Coo – August 21 – National Senior Citizens Day

Thirty-four years ago today, the oldest US President at the time, Ronald Reagan, established National Senior Citizens Day. Reagan was elected to office at age 69 and served until he was 77. He established this national holiday to recognize that people can continue to contribute well beyond traditional retirement age. See: https://respectcaregivers.org/national-senior-citizens-day/

So how old is a senior citizen? According to this holiday, senior citizenship begins at age 60. See: https://nationaltoday.com/national-senior-citizens-day/

Today’s haiku: National Senior Citizens Day

Age is a number

to track personal growth and

honor endurance

May our children and grandchildren become senior citizens someday. _/\_

Below is a recent picture of my granddaughter, daughter, me and my son-in-law.

High Coo – August 20 – Int’l Homeless Animals Day

High Coo – August 19 – World Photography Day

High Coo – August 18 – KISS

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Somedays I just want it simple. Sweet and simple. Inhale, exhale. Here and now. But life is not always simple.

Songwriter Dick Feller wrote and recorded Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone). His recording of this song never hit the charts. John Denver covered it five years later and it was a hit. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Days_Are_Diamonds_Some_Days_Are_Stone). But there’s more to this story.

Dick Feller, born Richard Dean Feller in 1943, wrote many hit songs that were recorded by others such as Tex Ritter, Jimmy Dean, Jerry Reed et al. But there’s more to this story.

Dick Feller published his/her autobiography Some Days Are Diamonds in 2014 when “she came out publicly as a trans woman and adopted the name Deena Kaye Rose. Her book was rejected by the Nashville library system in 2019.” (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deena_Kaye_Rose).

My heart goes out to all of us today as we try to keep it simple, sweetheart. And when life isn’t simple, I invite you to pause, breathe and smile.

Today’s haiku: KISS

Let’s keep it simple

when we can and when we can’t

take a peaceful breath.

August 17 – Greatest Comedy of All Time?

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On August 17, 1979, Monty Python’s Life of Brian premiered in US theatres. This controversial film was initially banned in many countries but went on to be ranked as one of, if not #1 of the greatest comedies of all time. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python’s_Life_of_Brian

Considered both a religious farce and political satire, the film ends with Brian’s crucifixion and the group song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” One verse has been touted as the fundamental view of the film, which is:

For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it’s your last chance anyhow.

Hmmm, are religion and humor compatible?

Here is today’s haiku: Greatest Comedy of All Time

Breathing in I smile

breathing out I smile as well

grateful for my life

I would love to hear your comments on this film, on this topic, on your reaction to this post. _/\_

August 16 – Happy Birthday Father of Psychology

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Wilhelm Wundt in 1902 was born August 16, 1832
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Wundt

My undergraduate degree is in Behavorial Science so you would think I would know who the “Father of Psychology” was. Turns out it’s Wilhelm Wundt. Fortunately, we’re never too old to learn.

William James, the “Father of American Psychology” was born in 1842. Sigmund Freud, the “founder of psychoanalysis” was born in 1856. John B. Watson, the “father of behaviorism” was born in 1878. Donald O. Clifton, the “grandfather of positive psychology” was born in 1926. Last, but not least, Siddhartha Gautama, the “great physician” and “first psychologist” was born 563 BCE.

So, it is a pleasant surprise to learn that the acknowledged “Father of Psychology” is Wilhelm Wundt who was born today in 1832 near Mannheim, Germany. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Wundt

Today’s haiku: Happy Birthday Father of Psychology

It’s never too late

to learn something new about

how we think and act

BTW: Let’s not forget the women pioneers in psychology. Check out this article 10 Women Who Helped Change Psychology at https://www.verywellmind.com/women-who-changed-psychology-2795260

Wilhelm Wundt commemorative plaque, University of Leipzig

High Coo – August 15 – World Greatness Day

High Coo – August 14 – Love Your Bookshop Day

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Me standing outside the Beat Poetry HQ in San Francisco two weeks ago

One of today’s national holidays is Love Your Bookshop Day. I have many favorite bookshops; especially those that have displayed my books of poetry on their shelves and/or their websites. See logos at the bottom of this post.

Today’s haiku: Love Your Bookshop Day

See, smell, touch, absorb

surrounded by written words

creativity

What’s your favorite bookshop?

For more information on today’s holiday see https://nationaltoday.com/love-your-bookshop-day/

High Coo – August 13 – Happy B’day Alfred Hitchcock

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The “Master of Suspense” was born on this day in 1899. Born in Leytonstone, Essex, England, he became a celebrated film director creating many films that received British and American film awards.

In 2012, the British Film Institute announced that Hitchcock’s 1941 psychological thriller, Vertigo was the greatest film ever made. Hitchcock’s personal favorite was his 1943 film, Shadow of a Doubt.

Hitchcock directed over 50 major films which received 46 Oscar nominations. Which of his films is your favorite? Rear Window is mine.

Today’s Haiku: Happy Birthday Alfred Hitchcock

Known for cameos

and twisted turns of murder

Sir Alfred thrilled us

For more information on today’s birthday celebrant see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock

High Coo – August 12 – World Elephant Day

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mitigating-human-elephant-conflict-key-challenge-this-world-elephant-day/

“Elephants have the largest brains of any living mammal on Earth. We still have a lot to learn from them and we can’t do that if they are all extinct.” Check out this site for information on what we do know and why it’s important to protect them: https://nationaltoday.com/world-elephant-day/

Today’s haiku: World Elephant Day

Less than twenty years

before extinction occurs

let’s protect them now

“Humans haven’t been very kind to elephants throughout history, despite all they’ve done for us. They are intelligent, loving, and mysterious creatures that should be preserved.” https://nationaltoday.com/world-elephant-day/

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