Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, today in 1787. It took a few years to get the original 13 states all on board; Rhode Island was the last in 1790.
Delaware is remarkably flat, so there is little to report, topographically. Its highest point is 450 feet above sea level.
It has been a busy and prosperous state, and Rhinos have always liked to spend the summer there, on the beach. Who could blame them?
Rhinos have always been amused by people’s thinking that We invented the Wheel. In fact, We didn’t, mostly because We had no use for one.
We see today that Wheels are popular, but We still don’t feel the connection with them.
Rhinos are a four-on-the-floor kind of Critter. Ask anybody.
Illinois was admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818. It is quite a state, and has been for 201 years, which is a manyness. Much agriculture and industry. Many busy folks.
Rhinos are rhythmic vertebrationally, and so We salute the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, a period of much extremity and sass. Plus shimmying to hot music.
Who could ask for anything more?
It’s not easy for Us Rhinos to always figure out exactly where a Situation becomes a Problem. A Situation goes its merry way, and then, whoops, it proceeds into Problemhood.
Or sometimes it loses interest, and the Problem just retires.
And there We Rhinos stand, wondering just why what went where?
Rhinos are not particular about Time. We do our thing in the present, by and large. Then, when We doze, We check in on that lullaby clock. There Time behaves oddly, fiercely editing itself as it lurches along.
Rhinos can feel nostalgia for the future, no problem.
When Longitude got invented, it was a Rhino sign of hilarity to yell, “How’s your Longitude?”. The answer was always saucy and tasteless, often involving gestures.
To the extent that Longitude means something, We confess it has not impressed Us Rhinos.
Rhinos already know, and knew, where We are without Longitudinal Insinuations, thank you. And no, not Latitudinal ones either.
In late May of 526, Antioch experienced a terrible earthquake. Byzantine Empire, that is. Much destruction and death. However, on November 29, there was another earthquake, from Bad to Worse.
All critters, including Rhinos, did some serious scurrying to get out of the way, where possible.
We mention this to remind our Readers that Nature always has the Ultimate Hand. Rhinos keep our eyes peeled.
Olde Time Rhinos used to stroll over to Doggerland whenever We liked, for lots of thousands of years. Why not? Back then much of the water became ice, consequently lowering the sea level. Off and on for 100 thousand years.
And then things changed, the ice began to melt, and everyone had to decide where to go, one way or another. Pretty impressive alterations in the real estate.
Rhinos are used to these Natural Developments. They keep Us on our toes.
Today, in 1789, North Carolina was admitted to the Union, the 12th State. North Carolina has a rich and varied history, with a rich and varied wildlife.
Of interest is Kitty Hawk, site of the Wright brother’s famous flying experiments. December 17, 1903, a successful flight of 59 seconds!
Rhinos have tried to find out how birds feel about having their flight paths cluttered, but birds are hard to pin down on many topics, including this one.
Oklahoma achieved statehood today, in 1907. It has a rich and complex history, starting with the Native People and followed by homesteaders, trying to make a living on the prairie.
In the 1930s, following years of drought, the land gave out, ruining the hopes of decent crops. Erosion and wind created the Dust Bowl. There followed very hard times indeed.
But Oklahomans are rugged. They carved out a healthy living over time, helped in part by the discovery of oil. Rhinos everywhere salute their determination.
Your Inner Rhino 