Mullet Over

BY JAMES K. WHITE | OCTOBER 5, 2011


Average has nothing to do with me

james k whiteThe "Star Spangled Banner" that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 was 42 feet long and 30 feet wide. It was the largest flag in America and is presently on display in Washington, D.C.

Some linguists were recently in northeastern India conducting studies on the little known and quickly disappearing languages of Aka and Miji (I am fluent in neither). While interviewing locals who did speak those languages, the researchers discovered a language previously unknown to the academic biosphere. The language is called Koro and much of the linguistic world is giddy because of the discovery.

In Wales there are approximately 2.8 sheep for every human resident. I can attest that some of those human residents are absolutely wonderful. Wales also has a rather famous prince.

Sleep studies involving mammals can be revealing. A grown elephant averages about 3.5 hours a day while a lion normally gets more than 13 hours. I am more like the brown bat who averages 20 hours per day. Humans average 8 hours of sleep per 24 hour cycle, but my spouse has declared that average has nothing to do with me.

Thirty-one states in the U.S.A. have nuclear power plants. The nation has a total of 104 such plants in operation with several more "on the drawing board."

Scientists estimate that the earth's oceans contain at least 90 percent of the planet's life forms.

Are you skilled at deep-sea diving? In 1622, the Spanish ship "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" sank near Florida. I mention this wreck because of its listed cargo. Records indicate the vessel was carrying 40 tons of pure gold, 70 pounds of emeralds and some more "stuff." Remnants of the long-lost craft were rediscovered in 1985, but most of the listed treasure was purportedly never found. A solitary emerald ring retrieved from the wreckage was valued at $500,000.

The very first TV game show was "Spelling Bee" and was broadcast by the BBC (London) in 1938.

It is difficult to tell what's what anymore: Maytag Appliances is now owned by Whirlpool while A&W Root Beer is owned by Dr. Pepper.

Since 2008, France has been the world's #1 tourist destination. The U.S.A. is #2. In a totally different field – a worldwide survey has verified that Beethoven is the most popular composer amongst symphony orchestra conductors. Mozart is the #2 guy. Well, I hope that you get all the sleep you need and that you experience a harmony-filled week.

James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected]


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A beautiful soul in the dead letter office of the United States Post Office

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words: 

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. 
I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
 
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.  I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

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