Birthdays: Ben Hecht, Michel de Montaigne

Ben Hecht was an American journalist, novelist and screenwriter, winning an academy award for “Underworld”.  Michel de Montaigne was an influential writer of the Renaissance era.

Thought for the day: Wherever your life ends, it is all there. The advantage of living is not measured by length, but by use; some men have lived long, and lived little; attend to it while you are in it. It lies in your will, not in the number of years, for you to have lived enough – Michel de Montaigne.

Today’s Oddities:  Today is Public Sleeping Day. You can sleep in your car, on a park bench or on a beach (please check local laws first!) Take a nap at your desk (at your own risk!) Or what about a quick doze on the train, subway or bus?  It’s also Floral Design Day, named in 1995 by Massachusetts Governor W.F. Weld in honor of Carl Rittner, founder of a floral design school. So while you’re taking your nap, dream up a beautiful garden of flowers.

Tips and Teasers: Make a list of words that sound good in your ears. They might be onomatopoeic (words that sound like what they mean: buzz, sizzle) or simple words that suggest particular emotions or qualities. Use three of them in a paragraph.