Wherein the author of this blog drinks too much espresso & rambles on a bit about stamps.
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Tết 2025 – Enter the Snake
Tết 2025 means it's time for the snake to shine. Tết Nguyên Đán, the first day of the Lunar New Year festival in Vietnam takes place on January 29th. It’s a major festival and a time for families to gather. It also marks the 4th Tết article for Bitter Grounds. It's a...
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Maurice de Vlaminck – Oct. 11, 1958
Maurice de Vlaminck – Oct. 11, 1958
Artist Maurice de Vlaminck died October 11, 1958 French Fauve artist, Maurice de Vlaminck, seems to have been in a contest with the iconic Cubist, legendary womanizer, and notoriously egotistical, Pablo Picasso. What these
World Mental Health Day – October 10.
World Mental Health Day – October 10.
World Mental Health Day – October 10. “Mental health is still a taboo subject in Quebec, more so than sexuality. However, it is important that we talk about it,” Artist
Hangul Day begins today – Oct. 9
Hangul Day begins today – Oct. 9
South Korea celebrates its 579th Hangul Day. Hangul is the national Korean language, created and established by 15th century King Sejong the Great. The South Korean government created the commemorative day
Siege of Alkmaar comes to an end after 3 months
Siege of Alkmaar comes to an end after 3 months
The three month siege of Alkmaar ended October 8, 1573 with a Dutch victory over Spanish forces. This was the first significant Spanish defeat in the Eighty Years’ War, and
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle birth on Oct 7
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle birth on Oct 7
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle was born October 7, 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. If Riopelle is a pillar of our history, it is because he was first and foremost a
World Space Week – Oct. 4 – 10
World Space Week – Oct. 4 – 10
World Space Week is in full swing. World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United
October 5 is Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia
October 5 is Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia
Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia It’s the Indonesian National Army’s (TNI) anniversary. Now in it’s 80th year of independence, the country celebrates Armed Forces Day every October 5. Indonesian National Armed
The Orient Express chugs out of a Paris station on October 4th, 1883
The Orient Express chugs out of a Paris station on October 4th, 1883
On October 4th, 1883 the famed Orient Express pulled out Paris, bound for Constantinople, for the first time. The round trip lasted 7 days. With this one trip, the geography
Mexican artist Dr Atl was born Oct 3, 1975
Mexican artist Dr Atl was born Oct 3, 1975
Dr Atl, one of the founders of the Mexican art revolution was born October 3, 1875 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The man who called himself Dr. Atl was born Gerardo
Great Cheese Riot of 1766
Great Cheese Riot of 1766
The Great Cheese Riot began October 2, 1766 at Nottingham’s Goose Fair. ‘ Goose Fair was the occasion of a ‘great cheese riot’ . Stalls were attacked and
Mrs. Beeton’s book set a standard for Victorian households on Oct. 1 1861
Mrs. Beeton’s book set a standard for Victorian households on Oct. 1 1861
On October 1, 1861, the definitive book on Victorian housekeeping, Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management, was published. The book sold 60,000 copies in it’s first year of publication. THE
Süleyman “the Magnificent” assumes power Sept. 30
Süleyman “the Magnificent” assumes power Sept. 30
At the age of 25, the great Ottoman leader Süleyman “the Magnificent” began his reign on September 30. 1520. Süleyman the Magnificent and his court Issued by Iran in 1969
László Bíró born Sept. 29,1899
László Bíró born Sept. 29,1899
The inventor of the biro (ball point) pen, László Bíró, was born September 29, 1899 in Budapest, Hungary. Bíró László József, inventor of ball-point pen Issued by Hungary in 1996
Today is the 19th World Rabies Day
Today is the 19th World Rabies Day
This September 28 marks the 19th World Rabies Day This World Health Organization initiative aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of rabies and of the life saving vaccine
Edgar Degas death Sept. 27, 1917
Edgar Degas death Sept. 27, 1917
French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas died September 27, 1917 in Paris, France. Always remembered as an Impressionist, Edgar Degas was a member of the seminal group of Paris artists who began
It’s World Dumpling Day? Then it must be Sept. 26
It’s World Dumpling Day? Then it must be Sept. 26
It’s WORLD DUMPLING DAY!!! And yes, this deserves 3 exclamation marks. Can’t think of a better celebration to end a week. September 26 is a day set aside to honour
Jean Sibelius conducts his 3rd Symphony for the 1st time
Jean Sibelius conducts his 3rd Symphony for the 1st time
Jean Sibelius conducted the first public performance of his 3rd Symphony on September 25, 1907 in Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland. The reviews were mixed: Karl Flodin praised the work,
Raise a glass of Negroni – Sept. 22- 28th
Raise a glass of Negroni – Sept. 22- 28th
IT’S NEGRONI WEEK! We are smack dab in the middle of International Negroni Week (September 22 to 28). Started in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine, the week now boasts thousands of
The Arabic world’s greatest poet al-Mutanabbī died Sept. 23, 965
The Arabic world’s greatest poet al-Mutanabbī died Sept. 23, 965
The “greatest of the Arabic language”, al-Mutanabbī, died September 23, 965. Monument of the poet Ahmad ibn al-Hussein al-Mutanabbi Issued by Iraq in 2008 Abu al-Tayyib Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Ju‘fi,
Matthäus Merian, Swiss copper plate engraver born Sept. 22, 1593
Matthäus Merian, Swiss copper plate engraver born Sept. 22, 1593
Matthäus Merian, one the greatest engravers and publishers of the 17th century was born in Basel, Switzerland on September, 22, 1593. Among his most renowned works were his engraved cityscapes.
The Hobbit hit the road Sept. 21, 1937
The Hobbit hit the road Sept. 21, 1937
On September 21, 1937, J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy novel The Hobbit was published for the first time. 1,500 copies were printed, complete with black and white illustrations by
It’s Sept. 20 and that means its Catpaw’s birthday!
It’s Sept. 20 and that means its Catpaw’s birthday!
It’s September 20th and my birthday! So … I’m taking a day off. This means I’m sitting in my comfy chair right now, sipping on a cardamom laced espresso and
Washington’s Farewell Address published Sept 19, 1796
Washington’s Farewell Address published Sept 19, 1796
Washington’s Farewell Address was published September 19, 1796 in the American Daily Advertiser Quite frankly, I’m surprised the Trump administration hasn’t erased all traces of this from government sites. Give
Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Azerbaijan’s creative force behind their national opera was born Sept. 18, 1885
Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Azerbaijan’s creative force behind their national opera was born Sept. 18, 1885
Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Azerbaijan’s founder of modern Azerbaijani professional music and the national opera was born September 18, 1885. “Every nation wants its composers to write in a language that is
Hildegard of Bingen died Sept. 17, 1179
Hildegard of Bingen died Sept. 17, 1179
Hildegard of Bingen, German abbess, visionary mystic, and composer died on September 17, 1179. In the Middle Ages, she was regarded as the herald of the approaching end of the
M. S. Subbulakshmi, the 1st Lady of Carnatic Music
M. S. Subbulakshmi, the 1st Lady of Carnatic Music
On September 16, 1916 classical Indian music singer M. S. Subbulakshmi was born in Madurai, India. Considered one of India’s greatest singers of Carnatic music, she began her career as
Sept 15’s International Day of Democracy serves as a warning
Sept 15’s International Day of Democracy serves as a warning
September 15th is International Day of Democracy. This United Nations initiative brings attention to the war being waged on vital universal ideals such as “freedom, respect for human rights and
Rasuna Said, Indonesian freedom fighter was born Sept. 14, 1910
Rasuna Said, Indonesian freedom fighter was born Sept. 14, 1910
Rasuna Said, the “Lioness of the Indonesian Independence”, was born September 14, 1910. An unflagging fighter for women’s rights and Indonesian independence. Said is considered one of the country’s great
German composer Clara Schumann born Sept. 13, 1819
German composer Clara Schumann born Sept. 13, 1819
German pianist and composer Clara Schumann was born September 13, 1819 in Leipzig. “The practice of art is a large part of my self, it is the air I breathe”.
Gustav Mahler premiered Symphony 8 on September 12, 1910
Gustav Mahler premiered Symphony 8 on September 12, 1910
On September 12, 1910, Gustav Mahler premiered his Symphony No. 8 in Munich, Germany. “When working, he didn’t even bow. For a couple of seconds, we saw the light reflecting
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