Check My Spurious Nib: 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Why call this blog, "Check My Spurious Nib?" Because I want you to go to https://thespuriousnib.blogspot.com.

The Spurious Nib is a faux collection of quirky facts and news from the past. (Or as the kids say, "Dave reacts to old pictures.")

Add a dash of old ephemera to the bloviated concoction to the afore mentioned ingredients and get set for the Spurious Nibs dyspepsia.

I do not own the images, (I sometimes manipulate them) most are from:
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/titles/
http://karenswhimsy.com
http://virginiachronicle.com
https://archive.org (e. g. https://archive.org/stream/britannicabook --Britannica Book Of The Year 1944)
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org
https://freevintageillustrations.com/
http://www.gutenberg.org
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~poindexterfamily/OldNames.html

Friday, December 22, 2017

Santa has many favorites too.

Inspired by Brian Regan's Little League routine, "grape or cherry, they're both favorites..." Check today's Spurious Nib for Santa's Second Favorites! Spurious Christmas Santa Facts!

https://thespuriousnib.blogspot.com/2017/12/santas-second-favorites.html

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

From Kolachky to Hamantaschen....

Under the heading of, "Books I'll never be able to write."

From Kolachky

to Hamantaschen

My DNA Journey through desserts!

It would even be a great episode on PBS's, Finding Your Roots.
But, alas, I am neither wealthy nor famous and so my family tree will remain a mystery.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Happy Hanukkah!

Trust the Experts! As predicted in this newspaper article the dream of the Jews having their own state is impossible. "Palestine is too small for people." So as another Hanukkah begins try not to be down cast and defeated by this sad news.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020558/1918-08-03/ed-1/seq-5/

Monday, December 11, 2017

Christmas False fact!

False Fact!
New Testament Greek proves cats visited baby Jesus along with Caspar, Melchor and Balthazar!

And be sure to watch for the next installment of Spurious History over at:

https://thespuriousnib.blogspot.com

Friday, December 1, 2017

The Beginning Is Near

My son, Ian like this photo (from www.imaginaryfoundation.com).

I added part of 1 Corinthians 15:52(CEV), "It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again."

Mighty Warrior by Ian Kyle Packo

Mighty Warrior

by Ian Kyle Packo

(Based on Ephesians 6:10-17)

I want to be a great and mighty warrior; my voice filled with power and authority - scattering the enemy, my blood burning like fire with passion, justice, and joy, my limbs filled with strength to lift up those around me and carry any burden, my suit of armor shining like the sun, deflecting the weapons of the enemy, my shield great and broad, protecting the helpless, my sword sharp and swift, striking down the enemy. But....

I found that; my sword is bent and blunt, my shield split and too heavy, my armor rusted and too big, my skin is like tissue paper, my bones like glass, my blood has turned to ash, my voice is hollow, a silent scream, a rattle of death.

But the King came to me, the only light my blind eyes could see. He knelt in the mud beside me. I was helpless to stop him as he removed my helmet. He lifted a water skin to my lips. Reluctantly, I started to drink, then desperately, until he removed it for fear I might choke.

Gently he tried to take my sword, but I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Gently he tried to take my shield, but again I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Gently he tried to take my armor, but again I struggled against him. Slowly I became willing and released it to him. Naked and helpless I lay before him.

He bound my wounds.He removed his armor and clothes, and dressed me in them. They shone like the sun and were well fitted. He gave me his sword, faster than light, sharper than a razor. He gave me his shield, stronger than the earth and light as a feather. His blood he poured into my veins, his voice put into my mouth. His servants came and returned him to his kingdom.

Now I fight for the King; his life burns as fire in my veins, with his voice I speak and shout. With his strength I lift burdens up to him and carry the weak and wounded into his presence. With his shield I defend those around me. With his sword I drive away the enemy. Until my king calls for me to rest in his palace.

by
Ian Kyle Packo
December 15, 1991 – June 26, 2017
(If you use this poem please credit my son Ian.)

Friday, July 14, 2017

Mighty Warrior by Ian Packo

(Based on Ephesians 6:10-17)

(I scanned the insert from Ian's memorial service. The character image is Ichigo Kurosaki from a Japanese anime show called, Bleach.)

Friday, July 7, 2017

Ian Kyle Packo

(This is the final draft of Ian's obituary written by my brother-in-law)

Ian Kyle Packo

December 15, 1991 - June 26, 2017

Ian Kyle Packo, age 25 of Robbinsdale. Survived by his parents, David and Marilyn Packo; siblings, David, Allen, Anna, Daniel and Caleb; grandmother, Gladys Berger; aunts and uncles, Stephen Packo, Bill Berger, Jim Berger, Charlene Boisjolie, Debra Olson, Carolyn Foreman, Larry Berger and Michelle Johnson, as well as many cousins and friends.

Ian Kyle Packo at age 25 walked into the arms of Jesus on June 26th, 2017. Although friends and family are stunned at the rapidity of his passing from an aggressive strain of the influenza virus, Ian kept his appointment with God and is strolling side by side with his creator and guiding light.

Ian loved God, loved his family, loved his friends and loved his job. His joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone around him. His cheerful smile and positive energy will be missed by all and his encouraging faith in humanity and his ability to see the best in people always left us in awe.

Ian had a remarkable passion for life and learning. He didn't just read a book he'd read it AND the sequel AND the prequel, then he'd research it, dissect it and find like-minded people and they'd discuss it and break it down until every angle had been thoroughly exhausted.

The mastery at adapting and overcoming life's many issues, both minor and major was just business as usual for Ian. he unknowingly became the barometer by which others compared themselves. Whether it was co-workers in the Turkey barns of Swanville or students in college in St. Cloud, or even his buddies battling villains in video games, Ian was the guy by which others measured their abilities.

To his brothers and sister, Ian was both a teacher and a fellow student. Caleb, Daniel, Anna, Allen and David had both a mentor and tormentor in their big brother, but most of all they had the best big brother ever created. Anna Rose nailed it when she said on Facebook: "He always reminded me that I'm skinny. He always threatened to beat up the boys I liked. He always giggled. He never cried. He was strong. He was stubborn. He was genuine. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for."

The family would like to thank the 4th floor ICU staffs at North Memorial and the University of Minnesota Hospitals for their valiant efforts to save Ian's life.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Celebrating the life of Ian Kyle Packo

Ian Kyle Packo , at age 25, walked into the arms of Jesus on June 26th, 2017.

Although friends and family are stunned at the rapidity of his passing from an aggressive strain of the influenza virus, Ian kept his appointment with God and is strolling side by side with his creator and guiding light.
Ian loved God, loved his family, loved his friends and loved his job. His joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone around him. His cheerful smile and positive energy will be missed by all and his encouraging faith in humanity and his ability to see the best in people always left us in awe. Ian had a remarkable passion for life and learning. He didn't just read a book, he’d read it AND the sequel AND the prequel, then he’d research it, dissect it and find like-minded people, and they’d discuss it and break it down until every angle had been thoroughly exhausted.
The mastery at adapting and overcoming life’s many issues, both minor and major was just business as usual for Ian. He unknowingly became the barometer by which others compared themselves. Whether it was co-workers in the Turkey barns of Swanville, Mn or students in college in St. Cloud, Mn or even his buddies battling villains in video games, Ian was the guy by which others measured their abilities.
To his brothers and sister, Ian was both a teacher and a fellow student. Caleb, Daniel, Anna, Allen and David had both a mentor and tormentor in their big brother, but most of all they had the best big brother ever created. Anna Rose nailed it when she said on Facebook: “He always reminded me that I'm skinny. He always threatened to beat up the boys I liked. He always giggled. He never cried. He was strong. He was stubborn. He was genuine. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for”.

The Spurious Nib Hiatus

I am taking a break from the Spurious Nib. My 25 year old son Ian had a brief, fatal bought with influenza last week. Sepsis set in early Saturday morning and less that 48 hours later Ian and Jesus walked into heaven. Ian was an ox, a big, strong, electrician.

This is a picture of Ian and my Dad many years ago. Ian Loved God. He love His family and friends. And Ian loved being an electrician.

Psalm 73:24-26
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

Friday, June 23, 2017

1915 Saxon Six

The 1915 Saxon Six:

And as always, for a bit of a smile check out my other site for some nonsense!

Friday, June 2, 2017

Cofefe

Sorry, I could not resist jumping on the "cofefe" band wagon over at The Spurious Nib Volume 19.
When I first saw the presidential infamous "cofefe"tweet I immediately thought of a Desi Arnez Sr. kind of tune like Babalu wherein everyone yells, "cofefe."
And I was trying too hard to be clever. So here are the words I was using in my musing cofefe riff:

oxytone- word bearing acute accent on last syllable
paranym- euphemism; word whose meaning altered to conceal evasion
cacology- bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation
querken- to stifle; to suffocate

Thanks to http://phrontistery.info I have been able to find an amazing collection of archaic words!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Memorial Day Weekend

(Hat Tip Andrew Klavan)

I am so thankful for all of those who have fought for freedom.
I know movies cannot do justice to what our brave Men and Women go through to preserve such a precious gift. But Andrew Klavan mentioned a movie based on Alvin York, a pacifist who became a great hero in WWI and I wanted to mention it here.

Sergeant York (1941)
Directed by Howard Hawks
Alvin C. York ...(based upon: the diary of Sergeant York)
"a devout born-again Christian and gave up the drinking, brawling, smoking, gambling and bare-knuckle fighting that marked his early days. When the US declared war on Germany in April 1917, York was drafted into the army, where he sought exemption as a conscientious objector, but was turned down."
"Single-handedly killed 20 German soldiers and captured 132 others during an infantry attack on a German position near the Argonne Forest, France in October 1918 during World War I."

Quote from the movie,
"Alvin: Well I'm as much agin' killin' as ever, sir. But it was this way, Colonel. When I started out, I felt just like you said, but when I hear them machine guns a-goin', and all them fellas are droppin' around me... I figured them guns was killin' hundreds, maybe thousands, and there weren't nothin' anybody could do, but to stop them guns. And that's what I done.
Maj. Buxton: Do you mean to tell me that you did it to save lives?
Alvin: Yes sir, that was why.
Maj. Buxton: [amazed] Well, York, what you've just told me is the most extraordinary thing of all!"

And as always if you need a bit of a smile go here.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Update on The Spurious Nib.

There are more Spurious Nibs

I updated my profile

over at The Spurious Nib.

Also...
Please subscribe, like and comment on this young man's youtube channel. Caleb does a great job with limited resources.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Milestone!!!

Let it be known, on Friday, May 12, 2017 I received a great gift.

Wow! I can't believe how generous Eric Metaxas was to mention me and the Spurious Nib on his Show! I had sent Albin Sadar (the official Fun Facts Friday guest to Metaxas' show) an email with a spurious Cat History about Lenin & sure enough they mentioned it in the last two minutes of the show.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Fishing Mothers

This weekend is a big deal in Minnesota: Fishing Opener on Saturday and Mother's Day Sunday.
Be sure to get in the right frame of mind by checking The Spurious Nib site! Torvald Squit, Mrs. Melba Swink, Vladlmir Sergei, Mrs. Renate Groot, and Mrs. Harlean Teal will all be waiting for you.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Early Highway Caution Lights

I just came across these ads for highway caution lights that combined advertising with an acetylene gas lighted safety device.

There is information about Gustaf Dalén who invented a way to use acetylene gas to light lighthouses. The A.G.A Company started the Highway Lighthouse Company to make caution lights for American Highways.

Feel free to look for more information. I started looking
here (archive.org)

here (wikipedia)

here (shorpy.com)

here (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/)

AND AS ALWAYS BE SURE TO CHECK MY ODD HUMOR BLOG.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Cats Hate Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

One reason cats hate Vladimir Ilyich Lenin .

Spurious Cat History

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Easter Time Smirks

Yes!

You now have some

SPURIOUS EASTER HUMOR like:

Friday, April 7, 2017

There's more where that came from

Added some odd humor over at my other blog covering theses spurious historical events:

-the Great Depression

-the Golden Birler Shoe award

-begging on Forty Second street

-Thomas Pertwith