November 19, 2015

Today we celebrate:

National Blow Bagpipes Day - Now you may know that the Scottish are not the only ones who like to play the bagpipes, but whenever any of us hear or see bagpipes, we think of the Scottish first.  I think it is a requirement that all Scottish people have to listen to bagpipe music at least once a year or they are no longer allowed to call themselves Scottish.  It looks like a difficult instrument to learn but I enjoy them when I hear them in the local parades.

National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day - There aren’t too many carbonated beverages with caffeine that I am aware of.  I can really only think of soda.  If there are others out there, let me know because I’m thinking that the powers that be could have saved themselves some space if they called this National Soda with Caffeine Day.  Maybe the problem lies in the fact that different parts of the country call soda something different. Would anyone like some pop?

Play Monopoly Day - Is there anyone out there who has never played Monopoly?  I don’t know if you can find a plain old Monopoly game board any more.  They make them all with themes  these days like Harry Potter Monopoly.  Well, whatever kind of Monopoly you have, dig it out because the family is going to be playing it today.

American Made Matters Day – This is a day that is a “Call-to-Action” for American consumers. We can change our economy for the better if more of us buy American made products than imported products. The goal is to encourage everyone to buy at least one American made product today so check those tags and look for American made products when you are shopping.  

Equal Opportunity Day (aka Gettysburg Address Day) – On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Now considered one of the greatest speeches of all time, at THAT time it was just another speech that was thankfully short. Unlike most politicians, President Lincoln didn’t believe in talking just to hear himself talk. This speech was only 272 words.

International Men's Day – Begun in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, this is a day to focus on Men's health (when I say 'men', I mean all males whatever their age), gender equality and promoting positive male role models. We need to celebrate their achievements in life and particularly their importance to their communities and families.

Rocky and Bullwinkle Day – An animated television series that began on this day in 1959 and was originally called Rocky & His Friends. For those too young to remember or to have seen the reruns, this is a show that featured a flying squirrel named Rocky and a moose named Bullwinkle who was his best friend. It was big on puns and satire and was enjoyed by adults as well as children.

World Toilet Day – Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, this is a day to focus on the lack of clean toilets in the world. More than a billion people in this world do not have a toilet at all and more than 2 billion do not have a clean toilet. That's a lot of people living in unsanitary conditions that spread disease.

Great American Smokeout – Celebrated on the third Thursday in November, this is a day to quit smoking. This is an easy day for me because it is very easy to quit something that you don't do to begin with. So I pledge to quit smoking today! Who is going to join me and be healthier for it!

Beaujolais Nouveau Day – Also celebrated on the third Thursday in November by the French, this is a day that celebrates the release of a specific type of wine called....want to guess? That's right! Beaujolais Nouveau! They celebrate this day every year with fireworks, big festivals and music.

Use Less Stuff Day – And another day that is celebrated on the 3rd Thursday in November, this is a day to use less stuff so that you end up throwing away less stuff. Apparently we throw away 25% more garbage between Thanksgiving and New Years than we do at any other point in the year. That is good incentive to create less waste and thereby put less garbage into our landfills. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

International Philosophy Day – This day was created eleven years ago by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is celebrated on the third Thursday in November and we will be sharing our experiences and worldviews with each other with complete respect to each others' cultural diversity.

To celebrate today, quit smoking first thing before you read the Gettysburg Address to your children. Try to do it with President Lincoln's vocal intonations to make it more real for them. Then pledge to use less stuff and instead encourage the males in your house to go get a checkup at the doctor's office. When you use your toilet today, think about how many people cannot do that and be thankful for what you have. If you are so moved, do some research to find a reputable group that works to fix this issue and consider donating some money to them. Then go buy an American made television on which you can watch Rocky and Bullwinkle while you drink a carbonated, caffeinated beverage.  Next, play some bagpipes, because of course you have some in your closet somewhere, while you play Monopoly with your family.  Don’t worry, they won’t mind. Finally, have a philosophical conversation with your family and friends while sharing a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau.