Is there an extended warranty?

Some major anniversaries in the back of Freya’s mailbox...

Yesterday... Ernest Hemingway was born 123 years ago in Cicero — now Oak Park — Illinois.

It was the 111th anniversary of the birth in 1911 of Marshall McLuhan. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he grew up to become a major media theorist and educator. I still look at the world through the lens he provided: Every medium is a symbol unto itself.

Canadian Michael Connelly was born (1956) in London, Ontario, yesterday. The detective novelist created “The Long Goodbye” and the Harry Bosch series. Over 80 Million copies of his 37+ novels are in circulation.

And the beloved Scots poet Robert Burns died at the age of 37, in 1796.

Speaking of writers: Born today were:

S.E. Hinton, from my home town (Tulsa), an “Outsider” in her own right. Her first light of day was in 1948.

and

Tom Robbins was born today, back in 1932, in Bowing Rock, North Carolina. About his books, Garrison Keillor said: “His books are full of whimsy and sly humor, a little mysticism, and a dose of the bizarre. Read anything penned by this red-head-who-may-be-bald-by-now and you'll be hooked. “Still Life With Woodpecker” remains among my faves.

"I want something to work until it doesn't work anymore." – Chris Evans (Captain America).