Huzzah!  It's National Curmudgeons Day!

29 January, 2022


Yes, indeed, gentle reader, there is such a thing as Curmudgeons Day!  It is an annual celebration of all persons grumpy, grouchy, and cantankerous! Even curmudgeons enjoy celebrating once in a while. It is my opinion that most everyone has an inner curmudgeon, although there are those few, unfortunate souls who are not blessed with such a gift.  Today is a day to embrace the inner curmudgeon and let him have full reign.  Some celebrate the day by doing nothing, staying in, and avoiding humanity.  Others celebrate by engaging in curmudgeonly behaviour.  Whatever you choose, celebrate it - but not joyously.  Such a faux pas would immediately revoke your status as a curmudgeon.

"Why today", you may ask, gentle reader, "is Curmudgeons Day celebrated?".  The answer is quite simple: it is the birth anniversary of one of the great curmudgeons of modern times, William Claude Dukenfield, better known as W.C. Fields.  


This man began his career as an entertainer in vaudeville as a juggler, who while on stage did not speak during his juggling in order to hide his stutter.  Only later, did he begin to add some short, sarcastic remarks as he entertained.  He then moved onto Broadway comedies, and then into silent movies, and finally talkies.  It was in motion pictures that his character of the often hen-pecked husband with a penchant for booze and bamboozling, and a dislike of children, took form and enchanted audiences.

Fields later launched into radio broadcasts, often with his nemesis, Charlie McCarthy, and his "handler", Edgar Bergen.  In his off-stage life, Fields was a prolific drinker, which eventually took a serious toll on his health.  Fields was a staunch atheist, yet, collected theological works and studied them.  It was said that in his final years a friend saw him reading the Bible and expressed astonishment.  His reply was simply that he was "looking for loopholes".

W.C. Fields departed this life on Christmas Day, 1946, at the age of 66 years.  May God in His mercy welcome home this old, grumpy, yet endearing fellow.  Heaven would be more entertaining with him in it!

There, gentle reader, is the reason for Curmudgeons Day.  Celebrate it however you see fit.  Until next time, dear and gentle reader, may God bless you!

Father P.

Comments

  1. GJanuary 31, 2022 at 10:53 AM

    A worthy remembrance.
    G, Grand Master
    The Ancient and Noble Order of Curmudgeons

    ReplyDelete

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