I like fact and figures and trivia -- so here is where I share things with you that might (or might not) be useful or interesting.

The bowling industry, with 69,000 workers, employs more people than the coal industry, which has 51,000.  There are more professional dancers - 20,000 - in the U.S. than actual coal miners - 15,000.

Since the Columbine massacre 18 years ago, more than 135,000 students, attending at least 164 primary or secondary schools, have experienced a shooting on campus. The Washington Post, June 2017

The number of Americans over 50 who cohabit with an unmarried  partner jumped from 2.3 million in 2007 to 4 million in 2016 -- a nearly 75 percent increase.  The New York Times, May 2017.

The last surviving person born in the 19th century died at her home in northern Italy in mid-April 2017.  Emma Morano, 117, was the world's oldest person, and attributed her longevity to her genetics and diet of three eggs a day -- two of them raw -- as well as her decision to stay single.  Violet Brown, who was born in Jamaica on March 10, 1900, is now the oldest person on Earth.

For Earth Day April 22, 2017:
380 billion - number of plastic bags Americans use each year, which requires 12 million barrels of oil.  Carry a reusable bag.
34 million tons - amount of paper thrown away each year. Think twice before printing that email or document, and recycle all paper.
4 pounds - trash each person creates in  one day.  About 75 percent of that is recyclable.
Find out where to recycle anything - paint, cell phones - at search.earth911.com.

Ninety-five percent of American consumers made at least one trip to Walmart last year, and more than 80 percent of consumers spent money at McDonald's and Target.  Amazon only reached 42 percent of U. S. consumers in 2016, even though it has more online sales than any other company.  (April 2017)

"You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit."   Harry Truman

This year (2016) marks the first time that high school freshmen are learning about the 9/11 attacks as a historical event that happened before they were born.

People who take selfies regularly are much more likely to over-estimate how good-looking they are.  When members of the public rated the selfie taker's photos against the photos of those who don't usually snap pictures of themselves, the regular selfie takers were judged to look less attractive than they thought they looked, as well as "significantly more narcissistic" than non-selfie takers.  (University of Toronto study, May 2016)

Just 30 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 are eligible to become soldiers, according to the U. S. Army.  The remaining 70 percent of young people are either too obese or are disqualified because they have a criminal history or didn't finish high school. (November 7, 2014)

"Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all.  They're underused."  Actor Tommy Lee Jones (October 24, 2014)

From 1999 to 2012, the average American's waist grew nearly a whole pants size, from 37.6 inches to 38.8 inches.  White women ages 40 to 49 had a 2.6 inch expansion, while black women ages 30 to 39 grew larger around the waist by 4.6 inches. (October 3, 2014)

"There is nothing more permanent than a temporary government program."  Ronald Reagan

When the U. S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, fewer than 1 million Afghan children were enrolled in elementary schools, and just 5,000 of them were girls.  Today, more than 8 million Afghan kids go to an elementary school, including more than 3 million girls.  (August 1, 2014)

"Good manners can open doors that the best education cannot."  Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (July 25, 2014)

American's confidence in all three branches of government has slumped to record lows, with just 30% expressing confidence in the Supreme Court, 29% in the Presidency, and only 7% in Congress. (July 11, 2014)