Remembering 'Papa' Hemingway

From the March 28, 2021 Parade Magazine.

There was a three-part documentary on him on PBS directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.

Some things you may or may not know about him:

**  In Spain, in the 1920s and 1930s, he became fascinated with bullfighting and worked as a journalist covering the Spanish Civil War.  It was here that he picked up the nickname "Papa."

**  Hemingway survived two plane crashes in two days in 1954.  Newspapers reported his death, so he was able to read his own obituary.

**  An expert fisherman, in 1938 he set a world record by catching seven marlins in one day.

**  He was grandfather of two actress-models Margaux and Mariel Hemingway.

**  He wrote the last page of "A Farewell to Arms," based on his experiences in World War I, 39 times.

**  Hemingway loved polydactyl cats (cats having six or more toes on each foot).

One thing I had planned on doing after I retired from teaching was to read all Hemingway's books.  But then I got blogged in as it were.  So, the only one I have read was "The Old Man and the Sea: which I read for English class in high school.

He may or may not have written "The Old Man and the Sea" in Cubero, New Mexico, on Route 66.  See the May 8 post in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog.

--CootHem

Must Be a Woke Thing: Going After Three More Colleges: Bradley, Florida State and Utah

I tell you, this Woke Thing is something else.  How could you go that long and not be upset enough to really make a protest.  Now, it is everyone jump on the bandwagon.

BRADLEY

The NCAA targeted Bradley in 2005 for its use of the Braves moniker.  The team has continued to hold firm in keeping the nickname and in 201 asked alumni if he name should stay.  (I wonder what they had to say.  Again, changing a school's historical bane should always be put to a vote of alumni and current students.)

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FLORIDA STATE

The Seminoles were asked this summer about their name but said it wasn't offensive, citing a partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said it was a "multidimensional collaboration."

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UTAH

Utah has a similar agreement with the Ute Indian Trobe to honor the tribe with its nickname.  In March, the university and tribe reached a five-year agreement to use the name Utes.

--Cooter

'Woke' Hits the NFL: So Long Washington Redskins, Hello to The Washington Football Team

Last summer, the Washington Football Team announced it would no longer use the name "Redskins."

Team owner Dan Snyder had said in the past that he wouldn't change the name, but multiple sponsors such as FedEx and Nike (you know, the dudes who use The Kappynapper as their spokesman) threatened to end their partnerships.  Even to this day, I hate seeing that symbol on so many sports teams' jerseys.

As of November, team President Jason Wright said the team was still looking into name options but could stick with just the name "Football Team."

Well, here is a suggestion, call them the Washington Wokes.  Kind of has a ring to it, don't you know.

They also gave up their neat-looking feather logo on their helmets.

Now, I can sort of see how the term Redskins might be offensive to Indians, but, hey, I don't find the term Rebels or Secesh (Sesh)  offensive.  As a matter of fact, I like it when I'm called that.

--CootReb

'Woke' Hits Sports Teams: University of Illinois

Illinois has taken steps to find a new mascot but has not committed to a name change.  In September 2020, the campus senate endorsed a change to the belted kingfisher, a blue and orange bird native to the state.  (I've never seen one or even heard of one.)  

The university retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007 after the NCAA found the mascot to be "hostile and abusive."  (Really, hostile and abusive?  Come on.)

So, you better go out and buy any U of I mascot-related items.  I know I have a sweatshirt, tee shirt and hat with the likeness.  As well as a couple bumper stickers.

If I were a member of the Illini tribe or an Indian. I don't think I'd find offense with the image.

--CootIllini

'Woke' Hits the Sports Teams-- Part 1: Valparaiso University

From the February 18, 2021, Chicago Tribune "Valpo not alone in changing nickname" by Andrew Golden.

It seems everywhere you look across the sports world everything is under attack.  Especially in the area of team nicknames for fear of offending indigenous, ethnic and religious groups.  

Valparaiso University in Indiana is the latest to announce a name, mascot and logo change.

In fairness, there have been efforts to remove the name Crusaders over the years, but you-know-who's killing last year turned it into a bonfire.

And, Valparaiso is not the only team in this situation.  

At least three are in the process of changing their nicknames.  One is a college, one is an NFL team and the other a NLB team.

There are also six teams holding the line on name changes.

--CootNameChange

More on Ohio Presidents-- Part 5: Two More First Ladies and "Now Dear, I Hope You're Happy" and "Lemonade Lucy"

JULIA GRANT--  (Julia Dent)   was the first First Lady to write her memoirs.  Upon taking the Oath of Office for the presidency, Grant turned to his wife and said, "Now dear, I hope you're happy."

LUCY HAYES--  (Lucy Ware Webb)--    She was a member of the National Women's  Temperance League.  Once Rutherford took office as president, Lucy convinced him that alcohol should be banned from the White House.

After the decree became known, Lucy received the name "Lemonade Lucy."

Because of her  high moral principles , she was admired by many women of the day.    One reporter referred to her as "The First Lady" and that term is used even to this day for the wife of the president.

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Ohio has had six women born in the state who served as First Ladies:  Lucy Webb Hayes, Lucretia Randolph Garfield, Caroline Scott Harrison, Ida Saxton McKinley, Helen Herron Taft and Florence DeWolf Harding.

--Cooter

Who Was World War I's Tommy Atkins

From Wikipedia.

Tommy Atkins (often just Tommy) is slang for a common soldier in the British Army.  It was well established during the 19th century, but especially connected to World War I.

It can be used as a term of reference, or as a form of address.  German soldiers would call out to "Tommy" across no man's land if they wished to speak to a British soldier.  French and Commonwealth sodliers also often referred to British troops as "Tommies."

--Cootommy

Some Other World War I Names: Diggers and Dogfaces

From Wikipedia, which has articles on each of these:

**  FRANK BUCKLES--  The last and longest-living of America's "Doughboys."  Died February 27, 2011.

**  DIGGER--  Term used for Australian soldiers.

**  DOGFACE-- Military term

**  POILU--  Name used for French soldiers during the war.

**  TOMMY AKINS--  Term used for British soldiers during the war.

--Cooter