Anne Bonny may or may not have been born this day in about 1702, give or take. She had a rather murky career, but the big feature was her time as a Pirate, plying the Caribbean.
Your Inner Rhino mentions her, not because We approve of Plundering, but because Ms. Bonny was enterprising. Get-up-and-go deserves mention.
FYI, nobody is sure what became of her after they decided to hang her. Enterprising… and Slippery.
Chaos and Catastrophe are not synonymous, though the former can certainly make a Rhino anticipate the latter. We feel unsettled, to say the least.
However, because the outcome is not really Known, the upshot could turn out to be all right, which comes as a disappointment, given all the Dread already expended.
We are still jittery, and that’s a fact.
George Orwell’s 1945 book, Animal Farm, is a chilling tale of animals that take over a farm, led by the pigs. In time, the cooperative slogans that united the animals, shift to favor the pigs. Ultimately the worker animals are as badly abused as when the farm was run by humans.
The powerful work to maintain their power. No news there, then or now.
President-to-be George Washington (b.1732) may have given this quote. He was only 6 at the time, they say.
Rhinos sense that Mr. Washington’s sense of honor may not be, or have been, universal among Presidents.
Mr. Nicolaus Copernicus (b.1473) found out that the planets go around the sun. It was a big discovery, though unpopular at the time.
What’s surprising is that he made his observations with the naked eye, no telescope at all. The skies over Poland must be very clear.
Rhino vision is not outstanding, so We are doubly-wowed. Visionary guy, Mr. Copernicus.
Today Your Inner Rhino applauds the remarkable work of Harry Clarke (b.1889). Not only was he a gifted Irish illustrator, but he was also a prolific designer of stained glass windows. Much of his work can seem gloomy, but it is undeniably ravishing.
Rhinos love stained glass. We like to see the sunlight pouring through the images.
It’s one reason you may have noticed Us in church, when the weather is fair.
Mr. Galilei (b. 1564) said (in Italian): I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. This seems inspirational to Rhino Mental Flexibility, which is indispensable, especially in trying times.
Galileo also made many inventions and observations about his world, leaps of imagination and faith in his own gifts. Inner Rhino on the job, right?
This is also National Gumdrop Day. Observe it in a way that suits you.
Jules Verne was born today in 1828. He was an early leader in Science Fiction, meticulously researching his topics. His fame is well-deserved.
Today is also National Kite Day.
Your Inner Rhino covers many topics.
Charles Dickens’ short novel, “A Christmas Carol” (1843), centers on a sour grape named Scrooge. When faced with nonsense or good cheer, Scrooge’s response is, “Bah, Humbug!”
This phrase may be coming back into style, given all the nonsense Rhinos hear around Us.
Bah, Humbug!… very useful.
Mr. Charles Dickens (b.1812) was a mega-star Victorian author. His stories are complex and his cast of characters is astoundingly rich. His work has great dramatic flair.
Rhinos are interested in his focus on the underprivileged and vulnerable, demanding that these folk need support. Mr. Dickens was influential in raising public consciousness, and that is always time and effort well spent.
Rhinos all owe him, and gladly grant him, our Thanks.
Your Inner Rhino 