Thursday Thirteen

I took a long time to get both my bachelor's degree and my master's degree. My bachelors took me eight long years to obtain. It came from Hollins College, and two years later, the college changes its name to Hollins University.

I began working on my master's immediately after graduating with my BA, but then decided I needed a break. I went back to it in 2002 and finally finished it in 2012. I took it a class at a time, as I could afford it and as my work and my health allowed. They were long-term goals, and I met them.

So, without further ado, here is what my effort to obtain both degrees taught me.

1. A degree is not a finish line, but a conversation with time. The degree is just a piece of paper, but it represents the culmination of many hours of work.

2. Eight years can be a pilgrimage, not a delay. While I was at the college for a very long time, that allowed me to seek out different professors and also to become personal friends with some of the professors that I saw from year to year. In a way, I became a fixture at the college because I was there off and on so much.

3. Learning is not linear, and neither is becoming. It took me a long time to find my footing when I went back to school. I was an older student at the age of 22 and married. My life experiences were different from my classmates, who were younger (and generally not as dedicated because they weren't paying for their degree, their parents were).

4. Returning to the classroom, especially years later, is its own kind of courage. It was hard to go back for my masters, but the experience was incredibly rewarding. And there was a great change in the way students interacted from 2002 to 2012. In 2002, I made friends of my classmates during breaks. By 2012, everyone veered off into their own little corner to check in on their phones with family and friends. The classroom experience changed in those 10 years.

5. A BA earned in 1993 and an MA in 2012 are not endpoints, but waypoints. They are markers in my life, ways I can remember what happened when. 

6. The voice you find at Hollins may take years to fully claim. Hollins has a strong creative writing program, but it also could be snobbish. Hollins may not be the place for someone who really only wants to write Nancy Drew books or romances. Hollins is the place to write the Great American Novel (think Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard). It took me a while to find myself and make sure my voice was my own, and not the reflection of my professors or some other writer.

7. Education is not just what you study, but what you survive. Hollins had a major flooding event in 1985, my first year there. The Flood of '85 wiped out the school library and classes ended up being cancelled for at least a month. It was an abbreviated semester, for sure. I personally had to survive many surgeries and health issues that forced me drop out for several semesters. Yet I kept going.

8. The institution may change names, but the imprint remains. I was not all that happy with the name change from Hollins College to Hollins University, but I understood it. The college didn't change with the name change, but it has certainly changed over time as the world has changed. One big difference? When I graduated in 1993, the cars around the campus were BMWs and Mercedes. When I graduated in 2012, the cars were Toyotas and SUVs.

9. Some lessons wait patiently until you’re ready to hear them. One of the courses I took, Imaginative Thinking, stuck with me for a long time. But it wasn't until I was in my 40s that I realized what the professors were trying to teach me - that I could be freer in my expression and less controlled.

10. Your story doesn’t need to match anyone else’s syllabus. I did the lessons, but my homework definitely was different, thanks to my age. Some of my professors appreciated having an older and quite dedicated student in class, others, not so much.

11. That persistence is a kind of artistry. Honestly, if anyone had told me I'd stick to working on my BA for eight long years, I'd have said no way. I used to think I didn't do things long term, but that was definitely long term. (And this blog has been here since August 2006, (19 years!) happy birthday, Blue Country Magic!)

12. That time itself can be a teacher. I learned so much about myself during my journey at Hollins. I learned to think, to understand, to be empathetic. I learned to give myself grace when I was ill and do the same for others. And I learned that eventually, with enough patience and dedication, I could do anything.

13. I wasn't late. I was layered. I took a different route, one I never expected, toward my degrees. I hadn't anticipated marrying at 20, getting a two-year AS degree in 1989 (I took classes concurrently at Hollins and Virginia Western Community College, transferring credits back and forth) and finally my BA in 1993. Nor had I predicted that I would spend so much time in the hospital or have so many surgeries. Lots happened to me. It all made me who I am.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 919th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday 13

What Writing Online Has Taught Me

1. Tone is a slippery beast. Even punctuation can steer a reader’s entire interpretation. It's not just about word choice; it’s the undercurrent of mood and intent. Online, it's shaped as much by what you leave unsaid as what you emphasize. White space matters, too.

2. People read with their own story in mind. When I write for this blog, I know I'm not just writing for myself. My words are filtered through however many eyes view it. Every reader brings a unique lens, colored by their past, their mood, their assumptions. What feels universal to me might land as deeply personal to someone else. Or they may not get it at all.

3. Silence is feedback too. A post that gets crickets might still echo in someone’s head. Lack of response doesn’t mean lack of impact. Sometimes quiet is how people process resonance. I know I have read blog posts that I haven't commented on but I have still thought about later.

4. Readers remember how you made them feel, not how clever you were. Cleverness may impress but feeling builds connection. That emotional trace is what lingers. However, I do like to be clever on occasion.

5. Most comments reflect more about the commenter than the content. Engagement is often projection. It can be affirmation, resistance, curiosity, or even loneliness disguised as critique. I comment sometimes just to say, "I was here."

6. “Delete” is underrated as a creative tool. Deletion isn’t failure—it’s refinement. It makes room for clarity, authenticity, and sometimes mercy. Occasionally, a post is just bad and needs to come down.

7. There’s power in a slow, quiet post that doesn’t try to trend. Slowness invites depth. And quiet writing resists the urgency of clickbait culture. Choose intimacy over impact, though I never know how that may land.

8. The internet doesn’t forget, but people do. I try to write about things worth remembering, even if I'm the only one who will remember. The idea of digital permanence can be misleading. Human memory is fallible, selective, and emotional.

9. A typo won’t kill you, but a dishonest tone might. Small errors are forgivable. What readers sense instinctively is whether you’re being real. I try to always be real, but I also know I hold back sometimes.

10. Nostalgia hits harder online. It turns writing into collective memory. When I evoke the past, I am inviting invite others to remember their own.

11. Posting is an act of hope. Every time. Hitting publish is a belief that someone is listening, that words still matter, that connection is possible. I still don't know if anyone will read my posts, but the stats count tells me people do. I am grateful that people find something in my words.

12. The algorithm is not your muse. It does, however, love drama and bullet points. Algorithms reward attention, not integrity. Hopefully my muse brings something deeper, such as truth, curiosity, or joy.

13. Writing for applause is a soul drain. Write for resonance. Resonance isn’t just agreement; it’s that hum beneath the words when someone reads and thinks, “I feel seen.” It’s an emotional echo, a shared vibration between writer and reader, even if they never meet or respond. It means someone else thinks the way I do.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 918th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday 13

 

Fictional Female Journalists/Writers

1. Lois Lane (Superman) – Dives into danger and conspiracy with a voice that says “This needs to be told,” even if no one believes her yet.

2. Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown) – Commanding the newsroom with integrity and dry wit, she made journalism feel like rebellion with credentials.

3. Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) – Her columns blurred memoir with cultural critique, reminding us the political starts in the personal.

4. Rita Skeeter (Harry Potter) – Sleazy, spectacular, and fully bewitched—she's the cautionary tale every journalist conjures when ethics go poof.

5. Andie Anderson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) – Her yellow dress got the headlines, but the real story was a smart woman stuck in shallow copy.

6. Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones’s Diary) – Hilariously human behind the scenes of televised fluff. She chronicled her own chaos with brutal charm.

7. Hallie Shea (The Newsroom) – Campaign trail correspondent with fire in her belly and friction in her relationships. A woman navigating truth in the eye of the political storm.

8. Brenda Starr (Brenda Starr, Reporter) – Glamorous, globe-trotting, and never far from a mystery or a romance. She made deadlines look like adventures and high heels look like armor.

9. Michelle Capra (Northern Exposure) – A travel columnist turned small-town observer. She wrestled with editorial pressure, cultural dissonance, and the quiet power of local storytelling.

10. Lee Smith (Civil War) – A hardened war photojournalist who bore witness to America’s unraveling. Her final act was not a shot—it was a sacrifice.

11. Jane Curtin (Saturday Night Live) – Dry, deadpan, and slyly subversive. As the straight woman on Weekend Update, she turned parody into media commentary with a raised eyebrow and perfect timing.

12. Jo March (Little Women) – A scribbler in the attic who became a published author. She wrote with fire, sold stories to skeptical editors, and eventually turned her pen into a golden goose.

13. Vicki Vale (Batman) – Gotham’s photojournalist with a nose for danger and a heart that sees through masks. She chased truth in a city built on secrets—and sometimes fell for one.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 917th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Some authors feel like old friends. You meet them in a moment of escape, curiosity, or heartbreak, and somehow, they stay with you. Their characters linger, their stories echo, and their voices become part of your own inner dialogue. This week’s Thursday 13 is a tribute to the women writers who’ve shaped my reading life, some for decades, others more recently. They’ve made me laugh, cry, think harder, and feel more deeply.

Here are 13 women whose books have left a lasting mark:

1. Janet Evanovich

With her Stephanie Plum series, Evanovich delivers mystery with a side of chaos and comedy. Her quirky bounty hunter heroine navigates New Jersey’s underbelly with sass, luck, and a rotating cast of romantic entanglements.

2. L.M. Montgomery

The creator of Anne of Green Gables and other books that follow in the series, Montgomery gave the world a red-headed orphan with imagination and grit. Her stories are steeped in nature, nostalgia, and the quiet strength of small-town life.

3. Jennifer Weiner

From Good in Bed to The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, Weiner writes with humor and heart. Her novels explore modern womanhood with honesty, wit, and a deep understanding of complicated relationships.

4. Lee Smith

A Southern literary treasure, Smith’s Fair and Tender Ladies and Silver Alert, among others, capture the rhythms of Appalachian life. Her characters are flawed, funny, and unforgettable.

5. Louise Penny

Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series is more than mystery, it’s philosophy wrapped in suspense. Her Canadian village of Three Pines is a place of secrets, redemption, and moral reckoning. I have read all of her books and am waiting on the next one to drop in October, called The Black Wolf.

6. Fern Michaels

I’ve been reading Michaels for years, drawn to her blend of mystery and justice. Her Sisterhood series features women who take matters into their own hands, delivering suspense with loyalty and grit.

7. Nora Roberts

Roberts is a storytelling machine. Her novels are immersive, fast-paced, and filled with strong women who know what they want. Titles I've enjoyed include Legacy, Whiskey Beach, The Villa, and the trio of books The Awakening, The Becoming, and The Choice. 

8. Fannie Flagg

Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes is just the beginning. A Redbird Christmas, The Whole Town’s Talking, and The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion are full of Southern charm, humor, and heart. Her stories celebrate community, identity, and the quiet heroism of everyday life.

9. Jane Austen

The original queen of social satire, Austen’s novels still sparkle with wit and insight. Pride and Prejudice and Emma remind us that manners, marriage, and money have always been complicated.

10. Lois Lowry

Lowry’s The Giver and Number the Stars remind me of the power of young adult fiction. Her stories ask big questions about memory, freedom, and what it means to be truly human.

11. Ursula K. Le Guin

Le Guin’s Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness are genre-defying masterpieces. She writes fantasy and sci-fi with poetic depth, exploring identity, power, and the boundaries of language and thought.

12. Juliet Marillier

Marillier’s Sevenwaters series is steeped in Celtic mythology and lyrical storytelling. Her heroines are brave, complex, and deeply rooted in the natural and spiritual worlds. I can get lost in these books.

13. Kristin Hannah

Hannah’s novels, such as The Nightingale, Firefly Lane, The Four Winds, and The Women, are emotionally rich and historically grounded. She writes about love and loss with a tenderness that lingers long after the final page.

These women have written me through seasons of change, curiosity, and comfort. Their stories have been companions, provocateurs, and lifelines. If you’ve read any of them or have favorites of your own, I’d love to hear about it. Who are the women writers who’ve shaped your world?

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 916th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday 13 #915

What happened on July 10 throughout the ages? Here are just a few interesting items.

1. 1553 – Lady Jane Grey is proclaimed Queen of England. At just 15, she was thrust into power by political schemers. Her reign lasted only nine days before Mary Tudor claimed the throne.

2. 1850 – Millard Fillmore becomes the 13th U.S. President. He took office after President Zachary Taylor died suddenly on July 9, likely from acute gastroenteritis after consuming cherries and iced milk during a sweltering Fourth of July celebration. Though conspiracy theories later swirled, modern tests ruled out poisoning.

3. 1832 – Andrew Jackson vetoes the re-charter of the Second Bank of the U.S. His fiery veto message accused the bank of favoring elites and foreign investors, igniting the populist “Bank War.”

4. 1962 – Telstar 1 is launched into orbit. This AT&T satellite enabled the first live transatlantic television broadcast, ushering in the era of global communications.

5. 1962 – Nils Bohlin receives a U.S. patent for the three-point seatbelt. Volvo’s safety engineer revolutionized car safety, and the company made the design freely available to save lives worldwide.

6. 1040 – Lady Godiva’s legendary ride through Coventry. According to lore, she rode naked to protest her husband’s harsh taxes. The tale inspired centuries of art, activism, and even chocolate branding.

7. 1965 – The Rolling Stones hit No. 1 in the U.S. with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The song’s fuzzed-out riff and rebellious lyrics became an anthem of the 1960s counterculture.

8. 1889 – “Buckskin” Frank Leslie murders his lover in Tombstone, Arizona. A notorious gunslinger with a flair for drama, Leslie shot Mollie Edwards in a jealous rage and was later pardoned after serving just six years.

9. 1893 – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs one of the first successful open-heart surgeries. At Chicago’s Provident Hospital, he sutured the pericardium of a stabbing victim—an extraordinary feat by one of the few Black surgeons of the era.

10. 1875 – Mary McLeod Bethune is born. The daughter of former slaves, she became a pioneering educator, civil rights leader, and advisor to U.S. presidents.

11. 1871 – Marcel Proust is born. The French novelist’s In Search of Lost Time is a towering work of introspection, memory, and madeleines.

12. 1509 – John Calvin is born. A central figure in the Protestant Reformation, Calvin’s theology shaped generations of religious thought and governance.

13. 2019 – Volkswagen ends production of the Beetle. After more than 80 years and over 23 million cars, the last Beetle rolled off the line in Mexico, serenaded by a mariachi band.

Sources:
National Archives, Smithsonian Magazine, Britannica, NASA, and other reliable sources.

*An AI tool helped me research this list. *

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 915th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

What If History Had Taken a Different Turn?

History is full of crossroads—moments when a single decision, invention, or accident could have reshaped the world as we know it. As someone who loves exploring the nuance behind historical narratives, I find myself drawn to these “what if” scenarios. They’re not just mental exercises—they reveal how fragile, contingent, and interconnected our past truly is.

Here are 13 historical what-ifs that fascinate me:

1. What if Jesus had written down his own teachings? Would Christianity look radically different if we had a direct written record from him? Perhaps theological disputes over interpretation would have been fewer—or maybe the written word would have been elevated above the relational, lived faith he modeled.

2. What if the Library of Alexandria had never been destroyed? The loss of this ancient knowledge hub set back human progress by centuries. With preserved texts from thinkers like Archimedes and Hypatia, we might have reached the scientific revolution in the Middle Ages instead of the 17th century.

3. What if the American Revolution had failed? Had Britain crushed the rebellion, the U.S. might resemble modern-day Canada or even be called Canada. It likely would still be democratic, but with a parliamentary system and a monarch. Slavery might have ended earlier under British rule, but independence movements around the world could have been delayed.

4. What if Martin Luther had been silenced before the Reformation? Without the 95 Theses, the Protestant Reformation might never have taken root. Europe could have remained under Catholic hegemony, delaying religious pluralism, literacy, and the rise of modern nation-states. There may have never been a Renaissance.

5. What if women had been allowed to vote from the founding of the U.S.? Imagine a U.S. Constitution that recognized women’s voices from the start. Policies on education, labor, and healthcare might have evolved decades earlier, and the feminist movement would have taken a very different shape. We might even have had a woman president by now.

6. What if the Black Death hadn’t devastated Europe? The plague killed up to 60% of Europe’s population, but it also dismantled feudalism and empowered the working class. Without it, the Renaissance might have been delayed, and the social order could have remained rigid for centuries.

7. What if Native American nations had formed a unified resistance to colonization? A pan-Indigenous alliance could have changed the trajectory of North America. Unified diplomacy or military resistance might have preserved more land, culture, and sovereignty—and forced European powers to negotiate rather than conquer.

8. What if the Axis powers had won World War II? A chilling thought: fascist regimes dominating Europe and Asia, with democracy extinguished in its cradle. The Holocaust might have continued, and the U.S. could have been partitioned or occupied.

9. What if the Cold War had turned hot? A nuclear war between the U.S. and USSR would have devastated the planet. Even a limited exchange could have triggered a nuclear winter, mass famine, and the collapse of civilization as we know it.

10. What if the internet had been invented in the 19th century? Imagine steam-powered modems and telegram-based memes. Early access to global communication might have accelerated civil rights movements—or enabled authoritarian surveillance long before Orwell imagined it.

11. What if the 9/11 attacks had been foiled? Without that tragedy, the U.S. might have avoided the War on Terror, the Patriot Act, and two decades of foreign conflict. Domestic politics could have remained less polarized, and Islamophobia might not have become so deeply entrenched. Maybe we would not have turned into the nation of hateful idiots that we seem to be now.

12. What if the Equal Rights Amendment had passed in the 1970s? The ERA would have enshrined gender equality in the Constitution, giving courts a stronger basis to strike down discriminatory laws. It might have changed the trajectory of reproductive rights, workplace equity, and LGBTQ+ protections. I wasn't old enough to vote on this, or even really to note that it was taking place and all that it entailed, but I certainly wish it had passed.

13. What if the Great Depression had been averted? Without the crash of 1929, the New Deal might never have happened. Social Security, labor protections, and financial regulations could have been delayed—or never implemented—leaving the U.S. more vulnerable to future economic shocks. The Greatest Generation might not have been so great, after all, and baby boomers may have never been born.

🔍 Why These What-Ifs Matter

These scenarios aren’t just idle speculation—they’re reminders that history is shaped by choices, accidents, and people who dared to challenge the status quo. Reflecting on them helps us better understand the present and imagine a more intentional future.

What historical what-ifs fascinate you?

📚 References

- Harari, Yuval Noah. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

- Ferguson, Niall. Virtual History: Alternatives and Counterfactuals

- Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs, and Steel

- Tuchman, Barbara. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century

- McCullough, David. 1776

- …and other reliable sources, including academic journals, documentaries, and historical archives.

*An AI tool helped me curate this list and find the sources*

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 914th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen - Data Centers

In light of Google’s recent purchase of 312 acres practically in my backyard, I wanted to learn a bit more about what might be moving in.  In researching data centers, I found surprising facts about these facilities.

Here are 13 things you might not know about data centers, gathered from facts.net and other reliable sources:

1. Data centers never sleep. They run 24/7, powering everything from emails to online gaming and video streaming. A few minutes of downtime can cost companies thousands.

2. Northern Virginia is the world's data center hub, especially around Ashburn, with more facilities than any other region on Earth.

3. The average large data center uses as much electricity as a small town, with hyperscale versions (like those owned by Google and Amazon) powering hundreds of thousands of servers.

4. Cooling is a massive energy drain, making up to 40% of a data center's power usage. Many now use liquid or immersion cooling to reduce noise and energy waste.

5. Extreme climates lead to creative solutions: Facebook uses Arctic air in Sweden, and others use seawater or recycled water to cool servers.

6. Some data centers are buried underground or housed in former military bunkers, maximizing both security and insulation.

7. Security is intense, often involving biometric scanners, surveillance, and armed guards. These aren't your typical office parks. I'm not sure a security force behind me is ideal.

8. Data centers are becoming more eco-conscious, with some reusing waste heat to warm nearby homes, offices, or even swimming pools. By the time Google builds, who knows what they will actually use?

9. Quantum computing and AI are reshaping how data centers operate, from processing power to predictive maintenance and energy optimization.

10. The world’s largest data center, in Langfang, China, is over 6 million square feet, making it bigger than the Pentagon.

11. Edge (Microsoft) data centers are smaller hubs built closer to users to cut down on lag. Think of them as digital relay stations.

12. Disguised as office buildings or warehouses, some facilities are intentionally low-profile for security and aesthetics.

13. The first data center emerged in the 1960s to support NASA’s Apollo missions. Our digital lives today evolved from moonshot thinking.

An AI tool helped me put this list together.

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 913th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Important things that happened on June 19:

1. Juneteenth (1865): Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of slavery. This marked the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, making it a pivotal moment in American history and a symbol of freedom. This day is now a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.

2. Lincoln’s Anti-Slavery Legislation (1862): President Abraham Lincoln banned slavery in U.S. territories. This was a crucial step toward the eventual abolition of slavery nationwide, reinforcing the principles of equality and human rights.

3. Rosenberg Execution (1953): Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage. Their trial and execution remain controversial, highlighting Cold War tensions and debates over justice and government secrecy. This case might be something to look into, given current events.

4. First Father's Day (1910): The first official Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. It was created to honor fathers and their contributions to family life, eventually becoming a national holiday in the U.S.

5. Battle of the Philippine Sea (1944): A major WWII naval battle between the U.S. and Japan began. Known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," it was a decisive victory for the U.S., crippling Japan’s naval air power and shifting the war’s momentum.

6. King Louis IX’s Decree (1269): He ordered all Jews to wear a yellow badge in public. This was an early example of religious discrimination, foreshadowing later oppressive policies against Jewish communities in Europe. (When I saw this on the list, I gasped.)

7. French Postal Service Established (1464): King Louis XI formed France’s postal system. This was a significant development in communication, allowing for more efficient governance and trade across the country.

8. Continental Army Leaves Valley Forge (1778): George Washington’s troops ended their winter encampment. After months of hardship, the army emerged stronger and better trained, thanks to Baron von Steuben’s drills, leading to key victories in the Revolutionary War. (Some information says they left on June 18. I don't think it matters.)

9. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Organized (1934): The U.S. established the FCC. This agency regulates communications, ensuring fair competition and technological innovation in radio, television, and the internet. Unfortunately, it has been defanged and the fairness doctrine is no longer in place. It was abolished in 1987, and finally removed from the Federal Register in 2011.

10. Valentina Tereshkova Returns to Earth (1963): The first woman in space completed her mission. Her historic flight aboard Vostok 6 was a major milestone for women in science and space exploration, inspiring future generations.

11. James Gandolfini Passed Away (2013): The actor best known for The Sopranos died. His portrayal of Tony Soprano revolutionized television, setting new standards for character depth and storytelling in modern drama.

12. Great Britain Recognized Kuwait’s Independence (1961): Kuwait officially became independent. This ended British control and allowed Kuwait to establish itself as a sovereign nation, shaping its modern political and economic landscape.

13. Execution of Emperor Maximilian (1867): The Mexican emperor was executed. His death marked the collapse of the Second Mexican Empire and reinforced Mexico’s resistance to foreign intervention.

*AI helped me create this list.*

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 912th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Today, for Thursday 13, I write about Anne Frank.

1. Anne Frank's full name was Annelies Marie Frank. She was born on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany. If she had lived, she would be 96 years old today.

2. Anne received her famous diary on June 12, 1942, as a birthday gift. She would go on to fill it with immortal words that still reach hearts today.

3. Her family moved to Amsterdam in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution, which referred to the systematic oppression, discrimination, and violence carried out by Adolf Hitler's regime against Jewish people and other targeted groups. As antisemitic policies intensified in Germany, Jewish families, including the Franks, sought safety in other countries.

4. She and her family went into hiding on July 6, 1942, after her sister Margot received a call-up notice. They hid in a secret annex above her father’s business for over two years.

5. Anne aspired to be a journalist or writer, and her diary reflects her literary talent. She wrote about daily life, emotions, and hopes for the future in her diary. Her diary was originally an autograph book, which she repurposed for writing.

6. She celebrated two birthdays while in hiding, receiving books and poems as gifts.

7. The annex housed eight people, including the Frank family, the van Pels family, and dentist Fritz Pfeffer.

8. Anne wrote letters to an imaginary friend named "Kitty", which became a key part of her diary. She revised her diary in hopes of publishing it after the war, inspired by a radio broadcast.

9. The annex was discovered on August 4, 1944, and all residents were arrested. The raid was carried out by members of the German Security Service (Sicherheitsdienst), who entered the building between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. They questioned Victor Kugler, one of the helpers, before discovering the entrance to the hidden annex. The eight people in hiding, along with two of their helpers, were taken into custody. During the arrest, SS officer Karl Silberbauer emptied Otto Frank’s briefcase, scattering Anne’s diary papers on the floor. Later, helper Miep Gies collected the papers and kept them safe, eventually giving them to Otto Frank after the war.

10. Anne and Margot were sent to Auschwitz, one of the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camps during World War II. Located in German-occupied Poland, Auschwitz was a complex of camps where prisoners were subjected to forced labor, inhumane conditions, and mass executions. It became a central site of the Holocaust, with over a million people, mostly Jewish victims, perishing there. Upon arrival, prisoners were often separated, with many sent directly to gas chambers. Anne and Margot were later transferred from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen, where they tragically lost their lives.

11. Anne died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen in February 1945, just weeks before the camp was liberated. Bergen-Belsen was liberated by British forces on April 15, 1945. When the British 11th Armored Division arrived, they found approximately 60,000 prisoners, most of them severely malnourished and suffering from disease. The soldiers also discovered thousands of unburied corpses, revealing the horrific conditions of the camp. Despite immediate relief efforts, many survivors continued to succumb to illness in the days following liberation.

12. Her father, Otto Frank, was the only survivor of the annex residents. Otto published Anne’s diary in 1947, fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer.

13. Her diary has been translated into over 70 languages, making it one of the most widely read books in the world.

The annex is now the Anne Frank Museum, visited by millions each year.

Anne’s story remains one of the most powerful accounts of resilience and hope ever written. 

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 911th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Today, it's all about those memes . . . 

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 910th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Here are 13 weird laws in Virginia:

1. Single people cannot have sexual relations. According to this Virginia law, any person, not being married, who voluntarily shall have sexual intercourse with any other person, shall be guilty of fornication, punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of up to $250. (There are a lot of people who have committed this crime, I'm sure.)

2. Until 2004, it was illegal to work on Sundays. This old blue law (laws designed to restrict or ban some or all Sunday activities mostly for religious reasons) stated that “On the first day of the week, commonly known and designated as Sunday, no person shall engage in work, labor or business or employ others to engage in work, labor or business." That certainly didn't fit in with the loss of the blue laws, which happened in the 1980s. All the stores have been open on Sundays since the blue laws were eliminated. I remember when this happened.

4. Don’t use an X-Ray machine for shoe fitting. It’s unlawful for any person to use any X-ray, fluoroscope, or other equipment or apparatus employing roentgen rays, in the fitting of shoes or other footwear. This section shall not apply to any licensed physician nor surgeon in the practice of his profession. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 Misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of up to $500. I have no clue why this is a thing.

5. You are not allowed to drive a golf cart on the highway. Virginia code 46.2-916.2 states that “No public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.” This law, however, does not apply to state employees provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour.

6. Being in possession of a radar gun is illegal. Virginia Code Section 46.2–1079 makes it illegal on the highways of the state to operate any device or mechanism, passive or active, that can detect or purposely interfere with the measurement and use of radar, LIDAR, or any other speed detection equipment used by law enforcement. Additionally, a person cannot sell them, and they cannot possess them.

7. No one is allowed to keep a skunk as a pet, at least not in Prince William County. There is also illegal to keep a raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, or any other warm-blooded animal, poisonous snake or tarantula which can normally be found in the wild, as a pet.

8. Referring to any other brand of ham as "Smithfield" is against the law. Virginia takes its cured meats very seriously. Unless it's been smoked and processed within the Smithfield area, you could get fined for trying to label a generic ham as "Smithfield."

9. Certain walking sticks or canes are unlawful in Virginia Beach. I have no idea why or which ones.

10. Parking on railroad tracks is forbidden. One would hope this would be self-evident, but perhaps not.

11.  Washing a mule on the sidewalk in Culpeper is illegal. While it’s unclear why this law was originally enacted, it’s likely tied to historical concerns about sanitation or public obstruction

12. In Virginia, owning a pet skunk is illegal due to concerns about disease transmission, particularly rabies. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) strictly prohibits keeping skunks as pets without special permits or licenses. Skunks are considered wild animals, and their natural defense mechanism, which stinks terribly, can make them difficult to care for. Additionally, if someone is caught illegally possessing a skunk, they may face fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.

13. The state has several laws that regulate public displays of affection, including kissing on the lips in certain public places. While this law isn't widely enforced today, it was originally intended to maintain public decorum and prevent disturbances in areas with high foot traffic. Virginia has a history of morality-based laws, some of which still exist in the legal code. Many of these laws were enacted decades ago and remain technically valid, even if they are rarely applied in modern times.

Sources:

14 Weird Laws In Virginia That Are Sure To Baffle You

14 Surprising (But True) Laws You’ll Only Hear About in Virginia

The 8 Weirdest and Strangest Laws in Virginia (2025)

Code of Virginia Code - Article 5. Obscenity and Related Offenses

*This idea for this came about with the assistance of an AI tool and then the article was curated and written by a human.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 909th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Today, we offer up a list of 13 notorious traitors and their betrayals, in no particular order.

1. Benedict Arnold – A celebrated American general during the Revolutionary War, Arnold switched sides and plotted to surrender West Point to the British. His betrayal was discovered, but he escaped and fought for the British.

2. Judas Iscariot – One of Jesus’ twelve disciples, Judas betrayed him to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

3. Aldrich Ames – A CIA officer who secretly worked for the Soviet Union, revealing the identities of American spies and causing multiple deaths. He was arrested in 1994.

4. Robert Hanssen – An FBI agent who sold classified U.S. intelligence to Russia for over 20 years, compromising national security. He was caught in 2001 and sentenced to life in prison.

5. Mir Jafar – An Indian noble who conspired with the British East India Company to betray his own army at the Battle of Plassey, leading to British control over Bengal.

6. Wang Jingwei – A Chinese politician who initially fought against Japan but later collaborated with the Japanese during WWII, leading a puppet government.

7. Louis Riel – A Canadian leader who led the North-West Rebellion against the Canadian government. He was convicted of treason and executed in 1885.

8. Ephialtes of Trachis – A Greek traitor who revealed a secret path to the Persian army during the Battle of Thermopylae, leading to the defeat of the Spartan forces.

9. Harold “Paul” Cole – A British double agent who worked for the Nazis during WWII, exposing resistance networks and causing the deaths of many operatives.

10. John Brown – An abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry in an attempt to start a slave rebellion. He was captured and executed for treason against Virginia.

11. John Anthony Walker Jr. – A U.S. Navy officer who spied for the Soviet Union for nearly two decades, providing them with crucial military intelligence.

12. Douglas Chandler, Robert Best, and Mildred Gillars ("Axis Sally") – Americans who broadcast Nazi propaganda during WWII, attempting to demoralize Allied troops.

13. Richard Rich – A key figure in the trial of Sir Thomas More, Rich provided false testimony that led to More’s execution under Henry VIII.

Sources: 

List of people convicted of treason – Covers historical figures who were officially convicted of treason. 

The Most Infamous Cases of Betrayal in US History – Focuses on American traitors and spies.

15 Most Infamous Traitors in History – A broader look at notorious traitors across different eras.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 908th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Thursday Thirteen

Do you remember these items that I grew up with, most of which are now either gone or just shadows of themselves?

 

1. Did you look up numbers in telephone books, those thick directories that everyone had by the phone?

2. Was an 8-track tape player in your vehicle, along with those bulky tapes? They were the predecessors to cassettes.

3. How about those rotary dial phones? Your finger did the dialing. And you can slam that thing down very satisfactorily on a call gone wrong.

4. And then there were TV antennas (rabbit ears) that ultimately looked somewhat alien because there was tinfoil attached to them to try to get a clear picture. Do you remember adjusting them this way and that? And do you remember having to get up to change the channel on the television set?

5. Before there was Google, there was the World Book Encyclopedia, or Brittanica, as the case may be. That's where you went for all of your information. No typing in and clicking search. You had to at least know the alphabet and have some idea of how to find something.

6. Did you ever use a pay phone to call for a ride home? They used to be everywhere - in the stores, on the street corners. I wonder where Superman changes clothes these days?

7. Floppy disks were the storage method of choice in the early days of computers. They seemed high-tech at the time, especially when they went from the 5 1/4 inch to the 3.5-inch disks.

8. Did your first car have an ashtray and a cigarette lighter?

9. I used to roll carbon paper into a typewriter so I'd have a copy of my work. Do they even make that anymore?

10. My mother and grandmother collected S&H Green Stamps. I remember licking stamps and putting them in the books for whatever reward my mother wanted. There was a little catalog to pick things from, and she could get a toaster or a blender, stuff like that. I think they were no longer a thing by the time I married, though.

11. Did you attend the movies at the drive-in theater? I remember going to see many shows at them, most of which I was supposed to sleep through, but I watched through half-closed eyes. There are still some drive-in movie theaters, but they’re rare.

12. When it was raining outside, the gym teacher would pull out the reel-to-reel projector and show some film on health. Do you remember the flap-flap sound the film made when it broke?

13. I carried a metal lunchbox with a thermos occasionally, though I mostly bought my school lunches at the cafeteria. I seem to remember a Scooby Doo lunchbox, but maybe that was my brother's. Or possibly one that I coveted that belonged to someone else. (Which is another way of saying I don't really remember what was on my lunchbox.)

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 907th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.