by Anura Guruge
on February 29, 2024
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It only happens every 4 years so it is worth celebrating. I like my Leap Day. Enjoy.
Today is the WARMEST Leap Day that I can recall. Usually we have snow storms around this time.
by Anura Guruge
on May 2, 2022
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Though I have been somewhat of a railway buff all my life I had until I saw today’s ‘Google Doodle‘ never heard of Elijah McCoy — though I have seen the lubrication devices devised by him. My loss. It was interesting to read about him. Quite the guy.
I was, however, skeptical as to whether the saying ‘The Real McCoy’ really could be attributed to him. Yes, it is possible, but seems a tad unlikely. Just as with the ‘Red Light District‘ it just seems the term would have originated in Europe (rather than the U.S.) — & in this context in Scotland.
So, I would be more inclined to go with explanation #1 per Wikipedia (above).
That Robert Louis Stevenson used the phrase just 11 years after Elijah’s patent would lend credence that the phrase has to predate the patent. It is unlikely that the invention & then the term would have gained enough traction to have reached the U.K. and the ears of Mr. Stevenson in such a relatively short time. But, we can’t be sure.
So, I willing to be dissuaded, though for now I remain skeptical that Elijah was the REAL McCoy. But, granted, he was QUITE the McCoy.
by Anura Guruge
on November 12, 2021
I like to check out Google Doodles. It can be very illuminating & interesting. So, when I saw that today’s Doodle was for ‘Vermeer‘, & artist that I am quite partial to, I immediately pulled up the Wikipedia to see why today was chosen. I was baffled. So, I had to go to the source.
Wow. Anniversary of a U.S. exhibition! That is bit of a stretch but we, of course, have to buy it. It would appear Google really wanted to honor Vermeer, & that is fair & just, & wanted to find a day that they could slip it in. That his birth date & day of death are uncertain gives this bit more credence.
It is definitely a good excuse to indulge in admiring his immense talent & grace.
