On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island opened as a U.S. immigration inspection station. It became the gateway to the U.S. for 12 million people. My family included in the 12 million: 4 grandparents, 12 uncles and my beloved mother.

Note 12 uncles and no aunts. Apparently Italian male semen was wanting.

My mother was one of 8 children born to her parents. She was the last born. Her parents were so thrilled to have had a girl, they named her Fortunata. Italian for Fortune.

New Orleans a horrific event. Fifteen have died so far. More than 30 injured. Description of the scene following the incident by witnesses sickening. Bodies badly maimed, bodies flattened, blood everywhere.

The event is presently being investigated as a terrorist event. Every conceivable police agency investigating. Lead by the FBI.

Trump’s statement re the event typical of him. He stated: “When I said the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true.”

Trump jumped the gun again. Misspoke. Trump must have seen the alleged perpetrator’s name and assumed he was a migrant. The person is reported to have been Shamsud Din Jabbar, an American citizen born and raised in Texas who served in the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged a staff sergeant.

Another incident involving a truck yesterday. Around 8:40 in the morning, a Tesla Cybertruck burst into flames just outside the entrance to the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing one and injuring several others.

The deceased’s body was in the Cybertruck.

A statement from the Trump Organization, shared also by Eric Trump on X, claimed “a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochere of Trump Las Vegas.

Authorities are investigating and have not issued a cause as yet.

The vote for House Speaker tomorrow. Trump has endorsed Johnson. Doubt it will help Johnson. Johnson can afford to lose one Republican vote to be reelected. Two and he is gone. This assumes all Democrats vote for him.

Let me stick my neck out. I suspect Trump endorsed Johnson only so he would not get blamed if Johnson loses. Trump counts numbers and knows Johnson could lose. Prior to Trump’s recent endorsement, he had knocked Johnson badly for several weeks.

Houston police. A strange one. A dead body was found in the back seat of a patrol car. It had been there as much as three days.  Houston police are trying to determine how long and why.

Someone screwed up! A real flub-a-dub! In 1962, an unknown group called the Beatles traveled to London for a recording contract audition with a major record label. They were rejected. The Beatles were told they had no future in show business.

Fahrenheit. A common name today for the system of working thermometers and the Fahrenheit temperature scale to read the thermometer. Invented in 1724 by glassblower Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. On the basis of the discovery, Fahrenheit was elected as a fellow to the prestigious Royal Society of London.

On this day in 1881, Dr. John Watson was first introduced to Sherlock Holmes in a story written by Arthur Conan Doyle.

On January 1, 1985, the first mandatory seat belt law went into effect in New York State. I found it initially difficult to comply. Children of all ages were taught in school of the new law. My young grandchildren embarrassed me into wearing one. They would shout when they were in the car with me: “Poppa is not wearing his seat belt!”

My back kept me down again yesterday. I enjoyed a good part of the day listening to singing by people like The Three Tenors, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Kate Smith and Mickey Rooney.

Later this morning, I have an appointment with my neurophysiotheraphist. Her office has been closed down two weeks for the holidays. I will be thrilled to see her again!

Enjoy your day!

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