The LuLac Edition 5, 575, Febnruary 16th, 2026

 

 

PRESIDENT’S 

DAY RANKING

LULAC  

THE TOP TEN

 

1.   GEORGE WASHINGTON             He set the standard for honesty and tradition. Elected unanimously he was totallagainst political parties and had rust that the founders would do the right thing. With this he was dead wrong.

2.   ABRAHAM LINCOLN                             His was the most difficult of all Presidencies. We were fighting against one another and killing each other. He was a dal maker and get this, he included rivals (some who were willing to cut his throat if they had the chance) and listened to them.

3.   Franklin Roosevelt                          FDR assumed the presidency during the worst of the Great Depression but assured the American people: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He also led the U.S. through the perilous years of World War II.

4.   Thomas Jefferson     He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, writing that "all men are created equal," even as he continued to own slaves. During his presidency, he acquired the Louisiana Territory, vastly expanding the size of the country, and slashed the national debt by a third. He was a leader that utilized pragmatism to get things done.

5.   Lyndon Johnson                 Taking office after John F. Kennedy's assassination, Johnson secured enactment of the landmark Civil Rights Act. He urged the country "to build a Great Society, a place where the meaning of man's life matches the marvels of man's labor," which became his agenda, resulting in Medicare for the elderly, increased aid for education and anti-poverty programs. Wildly unpopular after leaving office, LBJ like his mentor FDR used government to make life better for the citizens. With many of his programs being jettisoned by the MAGAs, the stain of the failed Vietnam War has faded somewhat increasing his standing.

6.   Harry Truman              Though unpopular when he left office, he has grown more highly regarded by historians over the years.After V-E Day, when Japan refused to surrender, he ordered that atomic bombs be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, finally ending World War II in the Pacific. Shortly thereafter, Truman watched the signing of the charter of the United Nations, established to preserve peace. Like LBJ, Harry Truman fulfilled the legacy of his predecessor along with carving out his own agenda. Truman is one of two Presidents that had a chart record in the top 10.

7.   Theordore Roosevelt         …..Just 42 when he became the youngest president in the nation's history, he had the enthusiasm and energy to convince Congress to pass progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy — exemplified by his motto, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." An avid outdoorsman, he oversaw the expansion of America's national parks.

8.   James Polk                           Much to the continued chagrin of the MAGAs, Polk made the west coast possible. Under Polk's leadership, the U.S. acquired more than 800,000 square miles of western land, extending its boundary to the Pacific Ocean. After his four-year term, he did not seek another one.

9.   9. Dwight Eisenhower        Eisenhower, a celebrated commander in WWII, saw his energies as president largely devoted to the onset of the Cold War. He obtained a truce after years of war in Korea, continued the desegregation of the U.S. armed forces, and sent federal troops to enforce a court order desegregating public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

10.               John F.  Kennedy                          When the men and women who Ike commanded found their way home to civilian life, one of their own became President., A decorated Navy vet, Kennedy had great  public speaking skills and  a vision for the future. His crisis management skills and his handling of international relations came I handy. He stood up to the Soviets and successfully defused the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also inspired Americans by vowing to put a man on the moon, and he supported progress on civil rights. Barely in office for a thousand days in office he was assassinated. JFK like Truman had a top ten song written about him but for his war exploits.

10a. Barack Obama                               Like Kennedy was a trailer blazer by being the first Catholic President, Obama was the first person of color to attain that office. Obama's signature domestic policy accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was unpopular with Republicans but extended health insurance coverage to 20 million Americans. His administration helped guide the country through the Great Recession and rescued the U.S. auto industry. Also, Obama left Donald Trump a recovered economy which the thug President took credit for while demonizing Barack and his family. 

Obama announced on NBC NBA coverage last night with Reggie Miller that his Presidential Library will be dedicated in June. It will include a full sized basketball court.  

                            

THE BOTTOM 3

#45-47                

 

Donald Trump                      Has treated the office like his personal playground and piggy bank. Has done more suing than governing, made us the joke of the world, has decimated our relationship with allies and has demonstrated a lack of knowledge and unwillingness to learn.

#44

James Buchanon                         One of Pennsylvania’s own, as a former Secretary of State, he couldn't seem to grasp the enormity of America's divisions over slavery, ignoring the strife and letting the issue fester in the years leading up to the Civil War.

#39

John Tyler                                                Tyler, the first vice president ever elevated to the presidency after his predecessor died, was a strong advocate of states' rights. He did forcefully  set the precedent that a Veep would take that office in the case of a vacancy even though politicos at the tie were scheming to deny him that job. He later joined the Southern Confederacy.

Tyler also had the most children, 15 from two marriages.

The LuLac Edition #5, 574, February 14th, 2026

 

 

YES BEN FRANKLIN HAD A WIFE

THE DEBORAH READ STORY

Deborah Read Franklin was the common-law wife of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, until her death in 1774.

Little is known about Read's early life. She was born around 1708, most likely in Birmingham, England (some sources state she was born in Philadelphia) to John and Sarah Read, a well-respected Quaker couple. John Read was a moderately prosperous building contractor and carpenter who died in 1724. Read had three siblings: two brothers, John and James, and a sister, Frances. The Read family immigrated to British America in 1711, settling in Philadelphia.

In October 1723, the about 15-year-old Read met then 17-year-old Benjamin Franklin when he walked past the Read home on Market Street one morning. Franklin had just moved to Philadelphia from Boston to find employment as a printer. In his autobiography, Franklin recalled that at the time of their meeting, he was walking while carrying "three great puffy rolls". As he had no pockets, Franklin carried one roll under each arm and was eating the third. Read (whom Franklin called "Debby") was standing in the doorway of her home and was amused by the sight of Franklin's "most awkward ridiculous appearance."

A romance between Read and Franklin soon developed. When Franklin was unable to find appropriate living accommodations near his job, Read's father allowed him to rent a room in the family home. Read and Franklin's courtship continued, and in 1724, Franklin proposed marriage. However, Read's mother, Sarah, would not consent to the marriage, citing Franklin's pending trip to London and financial instability.

Read and Franklin postponed their marriage plans and Franklin traveled to England. Upon arrival in London, Franklin decided to end the relationship. In a terse letter, he informed Read that he had no intention of returning to Philadelphia. Franklin subsequently became stranded in London after Sir William Keith failed to follow through on promises of financial support

In Franklin's absence, Read was persuaded by her mother to marry John Rogers, a British man who has been identified variously as a carpenter or a potter. Read eventually agreed and married Rogers on August 5, 1725 at Christ Church. The marriage quickly fell apart as the "sweet-talking" Rogers could not hold a job and had incurred a large amount of debt before their marriage. Four months after they were married, Read left Rogers after a friend of Rogers’ visiting from England informed her that Rogers had a wife in his native England. Read refused to live with or recognize Rogers as her husband. While the couple were separated, Rogers spent Read's dowry, incurred more debt, and used the marriage to further his own schemes. In December 1727, Rogers stole a slave and disappeared. Soon afterward, unconfirmed reports circulated that Rogers had made his way to the British West Indies, where he was killed in a fight. In his autobiography, Franklin also claimed that Rogers died in the British West Indies, but John Rogers' fate has never been verified.

Despite his intention to remain in London, Franklin returned to Philadelphia in October 1727. He and Read eventually resumed their relationship and decided to marry. While Read considered her marriage to her first husband to be over, she could not legally remarry. At that time, the law in the Province of Pennsylvania would not grant a divorce on the grounds of desertion; nor could Read claim to be a widow, as there was no proof that Rogers was dead. If Rogers returned after Read legally married Franklin, she faced a charge of bigamy which carried the penalty of thirty-nine lashes on the bare back and life imprisonment with hard labor.

To avoid any legal issues, Read and Franklin decided upon a common-law marriage. On September 1, 1730, the couple held a ceremony for friends and family in which they announced they would live as husband and wife. They had two children together: Francis Folger "Franky" (born 1732), who died of smallpox in 1736 at the age of four, and Sarah "Sally" (born 1743). Read also helped to raise Franklin's illegitimate son William, whose mother's identity remains unknown.

In the play 1776, Franklin was told that William, then the Royal Governor of New Jersey until he was arrested, and exiled to Connecticut. Franklin referred to William as “the little bastard”.

By the late 1750s, Benjamin Franklin had established himself as a successful printer, publisher, and writer. He was appointed the first postmaster of Philadelphia and was heavily involved in social and political affairs that would eventually lead to the establishment of the United States. In 1757, Franklin embarked on the first of numerous trips to Europe. Read refused to accompany him due to a fear of ocean travel. While Franklin stayed overseas for the next five years, Read remained in Philadelphia where, despite her limited education, she successfully ran her husband's businesses, maintained their home, cared for the couple's children and regularly attended Quaker Meeting.

Franklin returned to Philadelphia in November 1762. He tried to persuade Read to accompany him to Europe, but she again refused. Franklin returned to Europe in November 1764 where he would remain for the next ten years. Read would never see Franklin again.

In 1768, Read suffered the first of a series of strokes that severely impaired her speech and memory. For the remainder of her life, she suffered from poor health and depression. Despite his wife's condition, Franklin did not return to Philadelphia even though he had completed his diplomatic duties. In November 1769, Read wrote Franklin saying that her stroke, declining health and depressed mental state were a result of her "dissatisfied distress" due to his prolonged absence. ranklin still did not return but continued to write to Read. Read's final surviving letter to Franklin is dated October 29, 1773. Thereafter, she stopped corresponding with her husband. Franklin continued to write to Read, inquiring as to why her letters had ceased, but still did not return home.

On December 14, 1774, Read suffered a final stroke and died five days later on December 19, 1774. She was 66 years old. She was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia. Franklin was buried next to her upon his death in 1790.

Does Read qualify as a great American? Well in terms of contributions to the revolution, I might give her props for letting Franklin be Franklin. I think her marital situations at the time of the Revolution gives us an insight into how women were stuck in roles (not the ones Ben was carrying when he met her) during that turbulent time. She is a footnote in history and her story might never have been told if she had married a better man in the first place. By extension her marriage to Franklin has made her an answer to a question about Franklin’s personal life. These nuggets of history tell us that these figures frozen in time as icons, had the same human issues as all of us. (Wikipedia, Harvard Graduate School of Education, LuLac).

                                                               

The LuLac Edition #5, 573 February 14th, 2026

 

 

FOOD-TASTIC NEWS

VALENTINE’S DAY

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

 

The origins of Valentine’s Day stretch back long before heart shaped chocolates and red roses filled store shelves. The history behind Valentine’s Day includes dark origins, muddled stories and a surprising amount of chance.

What began as a mix of ancient rituals, religious honor and poetic imagination slowly evolved into a widely celebrated holiday centered on romantic love.

Today, people celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts, flowers, and candy, often wishing each other a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day.” That modern celebration looks very different from its ancient origins in Rome.

Ancient Rome and Pagan Festivals

Saint Valentine and the 3rd Century

Several stories point to a person named Valentine living during the third century. One version describes a bishop or priest who defied a Roman emperor by secretly marrying young men and women.

According to legend, Emperor Claudius II believed unmarried men made better soldiers and banned marriages for young men.

Allegedly, Valentine refused to obey and continued performing weddings. His supposed actions led to imprisonment and execution, placing Saint Valentine at the center of the holiday’s story.

The Catholic Church and Pope Gelasius

In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius is sometimes attributed with recognizing Saint Valentine’s Day as a feast.

This move is sometimes described as helping the Catholic Church shift attention away from pagan festivals and toward Christian honor. The holiday took place in February, close to the older Roman celebrations.

At this stage, Valentine’s Day had little to do with romance. It functioned mainly as a religious observance rather than a celebration of lovers.

The Middle Ages and Romantic Love

The connection between Valentine’s Day and romance emerged during the Middle Ages. Writers and poets began linking the day to courtship and affection. Geoffrey Chaucer played a key role by writing about birds choosing mates on Saint Valentine’s Day.

William Shakespeare later reinforced the romantic theme through poetry and plays. His works include references to Saint Valentine’s Day.

From Poems to Mass Produced Gifts

By the 19th century, Valentine’s Day shifted again. Printed cards, gift boxes, and other gifts became widely available. Mass-produced valentines allowed friends, children and couples to exchange tokens of affection.

Over time, flowers and heart-shaped chocolates became standard. Red roses symbolized love, while other gifts offered a simple way to celebrate relationships.

Valentine’s Day in the Modern World

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the globe. Some people focus on romance and marriage, while others honor family or friendships (as with Galentine's Day). The holiday continues to evolve, shaped by culture, commerce, and tradition.

MY PERSPECTIVE

You should always treat your significant other to a meal, flowers and sweets. If married, do not take the years between you for granted.  Women of all ages want and need that validation.

For you single guys playing the field and choose to treat two women or three, use separate florists. There is a possibility that if you use the same florist to send flowers to two women, they might mix up the addresses and the women or her mom might find out and exchange the gifts. Or not.

Believe me…I KNOW! 

The LuLac Edition #5, 572, February 13th, 2026

 

13   

QUESTIONS

 

Our 13 Questions logo.

 

1.  How did you cope with the awful January weather?

I did. It wasn't pleasant but I wore a lot of layers, kept warm and was very careful when I did have to shovel. A few good friends helped with it and got us through the month. To me January is scary because stats show that the largest number of people die in that month. On the positive side though is the days are getting longer which is a good thing.

 

2. Did you alternate between the half time shows during the Super Bowl?

 

No. Never was a Kid Rock fan and felt the racism ramped BB was great.

 

I see you make it a point to call out the morons on FB who support this administration. Why do you waste your time?

I wonder about that all the time.  But some comments are so breathtaking in their abject stupidity that I can't resist. Like the people who ell Puerto Ricans to come back where you came from. It's an American territory.

 

4.   Did you think that Bill Belichick should have been added to the NFL Hall of Fame?

 

Yes, and no. Yes, because of his stellar record, his love of the heritage of the game, as well as his obvious abilities. However, he and the owner Robert Kraft were dealt a bad hand in the way the voting was set up. Too many times, players of a by gone decade are forgotten but deserving. To put an expiration date on their eligibility is unfair to guys who are above the borderline.

 

5. Do you think Pope Leo hates our President?

 

LOL. No I don' think h hates our President. But  I think he has more of a handle on the bullshit and hatred coming out of the pig President's vile mouth. Leo grew up in Chicago. Even though he is a pilus soul, I think he needs to call out not only the President himself but the administration as well as those so-called Christians and Catholics who unwaveringly support him.

 

6.   What do you do to get away from Trump all the time on TV?

TCM, Pardon the Interruption The Discovery Channell, PBS and all the Perry Mason reruns.

 

7.   Favorite pasta?

 

!. Pappardelle. 2. Rigatoni.

 

8. Can you name your favorite rock a roll tee shirt while in college, and do you still have it?

 

Bad Company. Threw it out 5 years ago. I still have this one though. 

 

9.  Do you see any danger in Josh Shapiro not getting a second term?

 

He has done a great jo for all Pennsylvanians,  But he has to contend with the GOP LIE machine as well as the brainwashed ingrates in the state.

 

10. Do you ever have any issues sleeping?

 

Nope. Plus, I can fall asleep in a crowded waiting room, on a bus, plane, you name it.

 

11.  Is there a difference between Hitler and Trump?

 

Yes. 'Dolph didn't put his name on any building that I know of. Trump on the other hand............

 

12. Who was your first movie/TV star crush when you were a kid?

 

It was a tie. Sally Field and Shelley Faberes. Sally had the edge though because she sent mean autographed postcard.

 

13.  Did you consume the average 6,000 calories on Super Bowl Sunday?

Nope. Not going back to this!