August 15, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Lemon Meringue Pie Day – My FAVORITE pie! I eat a diet that is gluten, dairy and egg free right now, but I tell you what. I don't care. When it comes to lemon meringue pie, I will cheat on my diet every time.

Assumption Day – This is a feast day for the Catholic Church. It celebrates the day that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

Chauvin Day – Nicholas Chauvin was a French soldier who was loyal to Napoleon even when it became obvious that any kind of loyalty in that regard was misplaced. He was ridiculed because of that blind loyalty and his dedication to anything French. Chauvinism now refers to intense and unreasonable attachment to any cause. It is celebrated today because it is Napoleon's birthday. Chauvin's birthday is not known.

Julia Child's Birthday – Born on this day in 1912, Julia Child was a chef who revolutionized American cooking. She brought the art of cooking gourmet meals to the average American housewife in the form of cookbooks and television cooking shows.

Victory Over Japan Day – V-J Day, on this day in 1945 (Japanese time). It's sort of odd that the same event happened on two different days. Thinking too hard about the time differences makes my head hurt so I don't go there often. If I did I would get lost in the idea that the United States received Japan's surrender the day before Japan issued it.

National Relaxation Day – This is a day to do whatever you like to do for relaxation. Do you like to lounge on the beach? Sit in a cozy chair and read a book? Get a massage? Whatever it is that relaxes you, is what you should do today.

To celebrate today, examine your life and ask yourself if you are chauvinistic toward any causes and think about whether or not you should reexamine your priorities. Then relax with a great book about V-J Day. When you are thoroughly relaxed, create a gourmet meal in honor of the Virgin Mary and follow it up with some homemade lemon meringue pie.