August 10, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National S'mores Day – Celebrated on this day every year, this chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker treat was created by Alec Barnum way back before 1927, although some credit for their popularity belongs to the Girl Scouts.

Spoil Your Dog Day – This is a day to spoil your dog, if you don't do that already on a daily basis. Make today extra special for your pooch with some extra belly rubs, a few treats, and an extra walk today as long as it's not too hot.

National Duran Duran Appreciation Day – This day was chosen to honor this popular band from the 1980's because on this day in 1985, lead singer, Simon Le Bon, survived when his yacht capsized during a race. On this day, Duran Duran generally offers freebies for its' fans.

International Biodiesel Day – Biodiesel is a vegetable oil or animal fat based fuel. I won't get into the technical explanation, I will just say that it is fuel for converted diesel engines. You cannot just put it into any old diesel engine so be careful. Its' use has been increasing since 2005 but you still have to mix it with petroleum diesel in order to use it.

National Garage Sale Day – On the second Saturday of August every year, we celebrate this great way of cleaning out things you don't use anymore from your house. One persons trash is another person's treasure, after all. And instead of filling our landfills, why not let someone else get some use out of your stuff.

National Lazy Day – On this day, don't work too hard. This is a day to just relax and loaf around. I'm not sure how you're going to do that while you're having a garage sale, but that is your problem, not mine.

Skyscraper Appreciation Day – Skyscrapers are an architectural feat. I don't know how they get them to stay up like they do. But sometimes it's better to go up than to spread out along the ground and take up more animal habitat and space for trees. It is celebrated today because this is the birthday of William Van Alen, who was the primary architect for the Chrysler Building in New York City.

Smithsonian Day – On this day in 1846, the U.S. Congress created the Smithsonian Institution. It was made possible by a $500,000 donation by James Smithson, an English chemist and mineralogist. Celebrate today by visiting one of the 19 Smithsonian museums or galleries.

To celebrate today, head to Washington D.C. in your biodiesel vehicle to visit one of the Smithsonian museums, making sure you stop at every garage sale you see on your way. Count how many skyscrapers you see along your route and listen to a Duran Duran CD on the stereo. When you're done touring the museum, head home to spoil your dog, be lazy for the rest of the day and eat s'mores.