DAILY DIRT: From the small of manure to scent of rotting apples, inspiration can come in assorted forms

Daily Dirt for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

Rotting apples are one thing, but horse manure? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,145 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Famous people often have some famous quirks.

Here’s a look at some of the most bizarre traits from famous people through the years:

Charles Dickens: The author was obsessed with his hair. He couldn’t stand the thought of even one hair out of place, so he always had a comb nearby. He would comb his hair hundreds of times each day. 

Nikola Tesla: The famed engineer, futurist and inventor never liked overweight people and openly expressed his disgust with them. He also was known for regularly criticizing the clothing of others, often sending subordinates to go home and change.

Alfred Krupp: The German inventor and manufacturer was obsessed with the smell of manure. He lived on the third floor of a castle, directly above the stables so he could enjoy the smell of the horse manure below.

Ludwig van Beethoven: The composer had the same breakfast every morning, including a cup of coffee he prepared himself. Beethoven always used 60 beans of coffee for his drink, often counting them out himself. And before he started work, each morning he would pour cold water over his head, believing it increased his focus.

Friedrich Schiller: The German playwright, poet and philosopher always kept a drawer full of decaying apples nearby. When facing writer’s block, he would open the drawer, feeling the scent of the rotting apples would inspire him.

Albert Einstein: He rarely wore socks. He believed they were too much of a hassle.

Vincent van Gogh: The artist regularly ate yellow paint, feeling it would inspire him.

2. Did you know (Part 218)

• That M&Ms has a new Strawberry Creme flavor ready for store shelves after the first of the year.
• That Reese’s will have a new Spring Sprinkles Big Cup around Easter. It will be the big cup model of the iconic candy, plus some “Easter sprinkles” inside.
• That the Red Velvet Reese’s will available around Valentine’s Day.
• That KitKat will have a bear design for rollout, also around Valentine’s Day.
• That the average American spends around $1,200 a year on coffee.
• That McDonald’s feeds about 68 million people each day, which is more than the entire population of the United Kingdom.

3. Here are some of our favorite songs turning 40 years old in 2025:

“Money For Nothing,” by Dire Straits: Dire Straits was labeled “the biggest British rock band of the ’80s” by Classic Rock magazine.

“Raspberry Beret,” by Prince: This was one of The Purple One’s 47 songs to crack the Billboard Hot 100.

“The Power Of Love,” by Huey Lewis and the News: Easily the best effort from Huey and his band. 

“Addicted To Love,” by Robert Palmer: If not the best video of the 1980s, it was certainly worthy of a spot on the medal stand.

“All I Need Is A Miracle,” by Mike and the Mechanics: We tend to forget Mike Rutherford’s roots go back to his ties with Genesis.

“Don’t You (Forget About Me),” by Simple Minds: This song was written and produced for the movie “The Breakfast Club”.  

“Never,” by Heart: High-kickin’ and guitar-playin’ Nancy Wilson was the star of the video.

“Your Love,” by The Outfield: Lead singer Tony Lewis had one of the distinctive voices of the 1980s.

“We Are The World,” by USA for Africa: Al Jarreau, one of the singers for this charity special, was drunk during the filming of the famous video. Lionel Richie had to repeatedly keep him away from the nearby alcohol.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — If you tell someone to be a leader and not a follower, aren’t they following your advice?

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Is it safe to say that “Don’t You Forget About Me?” is a top-five signature song of the 80’s?