Dear Reader:

*** One other interesting ” note” before we start our story today is that today is Saturday October 22, 2022! Lots and lots of ” two’s” !!

Lucky Two! Two is the smallest even number that means… ” double” ” twinned” and” again” … Two is an important number in Chinese culture because they believe that ” good things come in pairs” … I do too and apparently so did Noah! 😉

Now back to our story… almost all grade school children would recognize the title picture today of Washington crossing the Delaware. But did you know… this famous Christmas surprise attack could have gone all wrong … except for a fatal mistake on the part of the Hessian commander Colonel Johann Rall!

Here’s the story: On a freezing cold Christmas night… Washington and the tattered remnants of his army boarded boats to cross the Delaware River to surprise the Hessian soldiers occupying Trenton, New Jersey. His troops were worn out, ill fed and decimated by previous battles.

The Hessian commander -Commander Johann Rall, was attending a Christmas party and playing cards. One famous statement he made that night in casual conversation about the possibility of an attack from American troops was ” Those Clod-Hoppers will not attack us. ”

Around midnight a local farmer, a British sympathizer, came to the door with a message. A servant took the folded note to Rall, but the colonel didn’t want to interrupt his card game-he stuffed the note in his pocket… unread.

At daybreak Washington’s men attacked…the powder was so wet ( freezing sleet) that they couldn’t fire their weapons-so they charged with bayonets and used their muskets as clubs. The groggy Hessians were completely overwhelmed! Nine hundred Hessians were taken prisoner and Colonel Rall was mortally wounded. As a doctor cut away his clothes to treat his wounds, the note fell from his pocket.

Before Rall died, he had a chance to read the message that could have turned the tables. ” If I had read this” he said mournfully, ” I would not be here.”

On a lighter ” note “… Washington realized his hungry, cold soldiers badly needed a lift… something to raise their spirits and upon climbing in his assigned boat… he found it in his three hundred pound Colonel -Henry Knox -who was already seated. Nudging him with his toe and winking at him-Washington loudly cried out these immortal words… ” Shift that fat arse, Harry! But SLOWLY…or you will swamp the ” damn” boat before we can swamp the Hessians!”

As the first boat roared with laughter … the joke was passed from boat to boat… Colonel Knox, good-naturedly, went along with the fun because he understood that Washington was giving his men the only thing he could… laughter and renewed spirit! ( History should always show the human side of historical figures!)

So until tomorrow… ” Laughter is and will always be the best form of therapy.”

Today is my favorite day-Winnie Pooh

My nephew Lee Barbour has been nominated for Best Male Jazz Guitarist this year-most deserving-the family and Lee would appreciate your vote-the contest ends this Thursday October 27!

A big sports day today for Lachlan, Rutledge ( their last seasonal football 🏈 games) and for the Clemson Tigers! Let’s hope it is all well that ends well … and everyone gives it their all… being the best you can be! Then let the chips fall where they may.

I hope everyone has a beautiful fun-filled Saturday enjoying family and friends! I sure will!