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June 10, 2017

Today we celebrate:


Worldwide Knit In Public Day - This day appears to have been created by Astrid Salling in 2005 and is all about spreading the joy of knitting. According to the website, “it’s the largest knitter run event in the world” and has a mission of “Better Living through stitching together.” As of 2016 it is now celebrated in 57 countries around the world and isn’t just for knitters but for anyone who works with fiber such as crocheters and hook rug enthusiasts to name just a couple. This day is celebrated on the second Saturday in June.

National Black Cow Day - There’s another day just like this one, except that it has a slightly different name, coming up in August. Let’s see if you recognize it when it gets here. But for now, this is not a day for African-American cows. I’m sorry, maybe someone someday will change that, but for the time being...all cows residing in America are just American cows, regardless of what their hair color is. This day, is about root beer floats. I know this will surprise a few of you, perhaps I should have warned you to sit down before reading this. My bad. A root beer float is root beer mixed with vanilla ice cream. However, if you change up that vanilla ice cream and use chocolate instead, you have made yourself a Black Cow Root Beer Float. I will leave you to enjoy this delicious new information.

Iced Tea Day – A delicious, refreshing, cold summer beverage that can be sweetened or unsweetened and practically any flavor at all that you can think of. It's a drink that has been around for quite some time with the oldest written recipes dating back to the mid 1800's in the United States, however it is not found just in the United States. You can get this beverage in almost every country. Just be wary in the countries where you are advised to not drink the water.

National Herb & Spice Day - This is a day to add some flavor to your food with fresh herbs and spices. The dried variety will work in a pinch, but fresh is definitely better and more flavorful. A word of caution if you are new to using one or the other and you want to try something new...they do NOT have a 1 to 1 substitution ratio. For example, 1 teaspoon of dried basil is NOT equal to 1 teaspoon of fresh basil. Check your recipe or search your particular spice on the internet to find out what the substitution ratio should be.

Alcoholics Anonymous (Founders) Day – On this day in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob (I couldn't give you their full names even if I had them due to the whole “Anonymous” portion of the program.). These two men devised and demonstrated the primary purpose of the program which is to stay sober and help other alcoholics become, and stay, sober as well. It is not the only program out there, and doesn’t work for everyone, but it has been successful enough that it is the most commonly known and easily found alcoholic support group around today.

Ball Point Pen Day – Well, it is pretty obvious that this is the day to celebrate the invention of ball point pens. However, I was unable to discover for sure why this particular day was important for the pen. I know that hundreds of people tried to invent a workable ball point pen and the original idea came from John Loud in 1888, but his design was flawed and went nowhere. Hundreds of others submitted, and received, patents for their equally flawed designs. Then, in 1935, Ladislas Biro (sometimes known as Lazlo) and his brother Georg Biro (a chemist) created a better pen with a much better ink. It took some tweeking over a few years to get it right, especially since they lived in Hungary and had to contend with the whole World War II distraction. Ultimately, they moved to Argentina for a little peace to work on it. The idea eventually filtered into the United States and Eberhard Faber Co. which bought the rights and over the next few years the design was refined even more and eventually became the pens we enjoy today. In Europe, these pens are still known as Biros in honor of their original inventors.

Banana Split Days – According to Wilmington, Ohio, Ernest Hazard invented the banana split in 1907 when the winter was very bad so business in his restaurant, named Hazards, was very slow. He decided to boost business by creating a new and totally unique dish. He got all of his employees to participate but he won the contest himself. They hold a banana split festival every year on a Friday and Saturday in June celebrating this delicious combination of tastes. Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on the other hand, contends that the banana split was invented there instead by someone else and they celebrate that event in August. It has been a major bone of contention between the two cities which are only 300 miles apart.

International Young Eagles Day – Celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of June, this is a day to focus on providing introductory airplane flights to children ages 8-17 who are interested in flying. This day is sponsored by the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), which is an organization of people who are passionate about aviation and committed to helping the spirit of aviation soar.

Belmont Stakes – This is a famous Thoroughbred horse race that is held every year at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY. It is a 1.5 mile race for 3 year old thoroughbreds. The the winner gets $1.5 million dollars which is pretty powerful incentive for the owners. I'm not too sure if the horses care. Maybe they are racing for an extra apple. This day is celebrated on the Saturday after June 4th.

National Rosé Day - Another second Saturday in June day, this one celebrates what may be the oldest known type of wine. They are usually made with red grapes and are pink in color. They go well with almost any kind of meal, even waffles. Hmmm...that sort of implied that I drink wine with my breakfast, but I’m sure you also eat breakfast for dinner as frequently as I do, right? I thought so.

World Gin Day - Speaking of breakfast drinks...um, scratch that. If you are looking for a good dinner cocktail, I hear that gin pairs well with tonic and other things to make a very nice evening beverage for those of us old enough to legally imbibe such things. And this is something that you can share with your international friends. Maybe time it so you all have a drink at the same time. Why not, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right? Celebrated on the second Saturday in June.

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