October 1, 2013

Today we celebrate:

World Vegetarian Day – Created by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, this is a day, “To promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.”

Fire Pup Day – This is a day to celebrate canine firefighters. While not all fire stations have dogs, these honorary firefighters have secured a seat of honor on any firetruck.

International Day of Older Persons – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990, this is a day to focus on honoring the older people in our families and communities. Help them out today so they can continue to lead full lives.

Model T Day – On this day in 1908, the first Model T Ford was completed and rolled off the factory line. A total of 15 million were built in the following twenty years. At an initial cost of $825 (about $18,000 in today's dollars), this was the first car that was affordable for the average person.

National Lace Day – This is a day to learn how to make lace if you don't already know. Done well, handmade lace is absolutely beautiful. It takes a lot of practice to get it right, so start learning today.

Homemade Cookies Day – Cookies bought at the bakery, while delicious, do not qualify today. You must make some real HOMEMADE cookies today. I guarantee you won't be sorry, not only will your children celebrate, your house will smell amazing!

International Raccoon Appreciation Day – This is a day to celebrate raccoons, an animal we normally consider something of a pest. Nocturnal by nature (If you see one during the day, it may very well be sick so keep your distance and if it behaves unusually, get away and call for help.) so we don't usually see them. But all animals have their place in the circle of life.

International Music Day – This is a day to promote music by organizing or attending a free concert or by performing in the streets for passersby to enjoy. The only rule to the day is that all performers must donate their time and all performances must be free to the public.

To celebrate today, teach your children about fire safety or find a fire safety fair to attend. Then make some homemade cookies and a lace cover for the seat of your Model T before you hop into it and take an older person for a ride into town to find a free concert which you can enjoy while you share your cookies. Save some for the kids, please. Next, have a lovely vegetarian dinner and then go out and see if you can find some raccoons.

September 30, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Mud Pack Day – Mud is supposed to be very good for your skin. You can either go to a spa and spend a bunch of money to have them pack your face with mud for a while, or you can go out in the back yard, get the garden hose, make some mud and smear it on your own face. Same benefit, a little cheaper. Just watch out for the bugs and worms.

National Mulled Cider Day – It's apple season, perfect for making mulled cider. One of my favorite hot beverages although it's good cold as well.

Blasphemy Day – This is an atheist holiday during which people are expected to openly express their disbelief in, disdain for, or criticism of, religion. It was created in 2009 by the Center for Inquiry. This day was chosen because it is the anniversary of the publication of Muhammad cartoons in a Denmark newspaper. Be careful where you do this, if you do this. In some countries such as Afghanistan, blasphemy is punishable by death.

To celebrate today, pack your face with mud, enjoy some relaxing mulled cider and have a rousing discussion of your religious beliefs with your children.

September 29, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Gold Star Mother's Day – This is a day that was created by the American Gold Star Mothers Inc. which is an organization that provides support for mothers of children who were lost in a war. It was created just after World War I. Membership is open to any American woman who has lost a child in service to the United States. We celebrate this day on the last Sunday in September every year.

National Attend Your Grandchild's Birth Day – This is a day to encourage grandparents to start bonding with their grandchildren from the very first moment by attending and participating in their birth. I think that sounds great, but in practice it might not be so great. I didn't really want a lot of people in the room with me when I gave birth. I would have found it too stressful. I needed it to be quiet and dark and nobody bother me, please, I'm busy. So in my opinion, whether or not the grandparents attend the birth should be at the discretion of the birthing mother.

National Coffee Day ( also known as Coffee Day or International Coffee Day) – This is a day celebrated by several countries for the purpose of enjoying a good cup of coffee. We are also expected to promote fair trade for coffee and raise awareness of the sad plight of coffee growers. In the short time I had to research this, I was not able to find out what is happening with the coffee growers so if you know the answer, please let me know so I can feel badly for them. I can only imagine that they share the challenges of other agricultural based enterprises. 

VFW Day – Established on this day in 1899, the VFW began as a small group of Spanish-American veterans and has grown to become the nation's largest group of combat veterans. The VFW has, for 114 years, dedicated itself to honoring the dead by helping the living. They do this by spreading good will, patriotism and scholarships for the youth.

To celebrate today, donate some money to the VFW and write a letter of support to a mother who has lost a child to war. Then have a cup of coffee with your pregnant daughter/daughter-in-law and discuss how she would feel about having you attend the birth of her child one day.

September 28, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Ask A Stupid Question Day – Officially celebrated on this day every year. However, since it is usually celebrated by students and teachers, they tend to celebrate it on the last school day of the month instead.

National Good Neighbor Day – This is a day to be the best neighbor that you know how to be. You don't have to do anything extravagant, sometimes it's the little nice things you can do that count the most.

National Strawberry Cream Pie Day – Who doesn't love strawberries? But as good as strawberries are, strawberries and cream are even better.

Family Health and Fitness Day USA – Celebrated on the last Saturday in September, this is a day to encourage families to engage in physical activity together. Face it, your kids will be far more likely to exercise if they see you doing it. I know when my kids were little, I would exercise here in my house and every time I got down on the floor to do pushups or situps or anything like that, they were right there climbing on me either wanting to do it with me ( in their own fashion ), or wanting to make it harder for me.

Love Note Day – This is a day to write a love note to the one you love more than any other. And no, it doesn't have to be to a significant other. If you don't have one of those, perhaps you have a sibling or a friend whom you love more than any other.

National Hunting and Fishing Day – Celebrated on the 4^th Saturday in September, this is a day to celebrate the history and tradition of hunting and fishing in America. http://www.nhfday.org/ 

National Museum Day – Many (but probably not all) museums will have free admission today so take advantage of that and visit your favorite, or take a chance and visit one you've never been to today.

National Public Lands Day – Celebrated by the National Environmental Education Foundation, this is a day to enjoy, and learn how to conserve, public lands.

World Heart Day – Created in 2000, this is a day to teach people about heart disease and stroke since they are the leading cause of death in the world. Many of these deaths can be avoided if you know the risk factors and change your life accordingly.

World Rabies Day – The Global Alliance for Rabies Control which has headquarters in the United States and the United Kingdom, coordinates activities on this day which honors the death of Louis Pasteur, who was a part of the team that developed the first rabies vaccine. They honor him by working to raise awareness of the dangers of rabies for humans and animals, and spreading information about how to prevent the disease. Humans and animals on every continent except Antarctica are at risk although some continents such as Africa and Asia hold the most risk because of the large number of unvaccinated stray dogs.

Confucius Day – At day break this morning, we will honor Confucius as this is considered to be his birthday. Since he was born in 551 BC, I'm not really sure how the powers that be know this for sure. But we do know for sure that he was a very wise scholar and philosopher who is still quoted to this day.

To celebrate today, bring your neighbor a strawberry cream pie and while you're there, make sure you ask a stupid question. Then rattle off some quotes from Confucius to really confuse him/her. Next, work toward having a healthy heart by exercising with your kids before you take them fishing on public lands somewhere. Make sure you have a permit. Then go visit a museum with them. Take your animals for their rabies vaccine and finish up the day by writing a love note to the one you love most.

September 27, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Crush A Can Day – This is an odd day that doesn't seem to have a specific purpose or history that I can find. I can speculate that it is a stress relieving day as some people like to relieve their stress by breaking or crushing things. I prefer to recycle my cans but I guess I can make an exception today.

Ancestor Appreciation Day – This is a day to dig into your family history and find out where you came from so you can appreciate your ancestors, whoever they are.

Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – Created in 2008 by the National Association of People with AIDS, this is a day to recognize that although gay and bisexual men are only about 2 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 61 percent of all of the newly diagnosed HIV infections in the year 2009. Since this is the demographic that is most at risk of developing this devastating disease, it stands to reason that men who are gay and bisexual need to be tested regularly and, even better, take precautions to protect themselves against becoming infected. 

National Chocolate Milk Day – Chocolate fans everywhere, heads up! This is a day for you. Carry some chocolate around with you today so you can add it to your milk at every meal. If you don't usually drink milk at meals, you might want to change your habits today.

Google's Birthday – This date apparently changes depending on when the Google people feel like having some cake. The real first day of opening for Google is probably September 7^th, 1998, but they registered their web domain in 1997 so some may consider that to be Google's birthday.

International Hug A Vegetarian Day – Celebrated on the last Friday in September, this is a day to support the vegetarians in the world.

Save The Koala Day – Created by the Australian Koala Foundation and celebrated on the last Friday in September, this is a day to raise money for the Foundation who has made great strides in protecting the habitat of the Koalas in Australia. The goal, of course, is to save this adorable animal from eventual extinction.

To celebrate today, spend some time researching your ancestors and then celebrate your accomplishment by drinking a glass of chocolate milk. Then find a can you can crush while you are combing your neighborhood looking for a vegetarian to hug. If you have one conveniently living in your house, your search will be short. Next, urge all of your gay and bisexual friends to get tested for HIV and to stay safe in their relationships. Finally, finish up the day with some birthday cake and spread the word among your friends that the Koala Bears in Australia need help.

September 26, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Johnny Appleseed Day – Born on this day in 1774, this is a day to celebrate John Chapman who was known by many as Johnny Appleseed. He was responsible for introducing apple trees to parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia and Indiana. He became a legend in this country even before he died in 1845 mostly because of his conservation skills and his kind and generous way of life.

National Pancake Day – This is not the IHOP Pancake Day that we celebrated back in February, and it is not associated with the “pancake race” that is held every year in England (more about that in April since I missed it last April). This is simply a food holiday that just happens to fall on this day. Have some pancakes for breakfast today.

World Maritime Day – Celebrated by different countries on different days during the last week in September, this is a day to stress the importance of safety on the waters for people and marine life.

To celebrate today, rent a boat and go out on the water, preferably the ocean but a lake will do, and have some apple pancakes.

September 25, 2013

Today we celebrate:

World School Milk Day – Celebrated for the last 14 years, this is a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations created day for the purpose of establishing school milk programs all over the world. Milk is an important part of a child's diet and far too many children in the world do not have access to it. http://www.national-awareness-days.com/world-school-milk-day.html

International Ataxia Awareness Day – This is the day to increase awareness of Ataxia. The word “ataxia” means “without coordination”. People with this disease have malfunctioning nervous systems which make it impossible to control their movements and balance. It could affect just a small part of a body such as fingers, eyes, speech, or it could affect many parts of the body. It is diagnosed based on family history and an MRI brain scan. Genetic tests can be performed to see if someone carries the Ataxia gene. It can begin causing symptoms in either childhood or adulthood. http://www.ataxia.org/learn/ataxia-diagnosis.aspx

Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Kids – Celebrated on the fourth Monday in September, this is a day to have a family dinner with your kids. All too often we eat on the fly with each of us grabbing some food whenever we have time between activities. Slow down today and focus on spending some quality time with your kids.

Math Story Telling Day – First celebrated in 2009, this is a day to tell math stories. You can make it a joke or an anecdote using numbers or symbols. Be creative about it and the kids will enjoy it much more.

National One-Hit Wonder Day – Created by Steve Rosen, this is a day to celebrate and remember those artists who had only one big hit in their careers.

National Women's Health & Fitness Day – This day is considered to be “the nation's largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages.” It is held on the last Wednesday in September with a goal of highlighting the importance of health awareness. Physical activity on a regular basis is an important component of being healthy so look into joining a local fitness center or working on your own to increase your level of physical activity. Many fitness based organizations all over the country will be having special events today.

To celebrate today, check the school milk website to see what you can do to help schools all over the world provide milk for their students, then read up on the symptoms of ataxia so you can make sure you don't have any family members who need to be checked for that disease. Listen to some one hit wonders while you exercise in your living room doing some aerobics, push-ups and situps. Finally, tell your kids a math story over your family dinner.

September 24, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cherries Jubilee Day – A dessert that consists of cherries over vanilla ice cream. Sometimes brandy or some other kind of liqueur is warmed and poured over the top. I've never tried it so I guess I should today.

Punctuation Day – I better proofread my work carefully today because this day is all about proper punctuation. Make sure you use your commas, colons, periods, apostrophes, etc., properly.

National Voter Registration Day – This is the day to register to vote in your local area. If you are not already registered, it is important that you use your voice to participate in deciding who will run our government. Register today.

To celebrate today, register to vote, then write a letter to someone you love, being careful to use proper punctuation, and finish up the day with some cherries jubilee.

September 23, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Dog In Politics Day – This is a day to celebrate the dogs that have been part of presidential families. On this day in 1952, President Richard Nixon gave a speech about not receiving illegal campaign contributions for personal use. He did receive a gift that he intended to keep for his daughters and that was a dog named Checkers. This day is sometimes known as Checkers Day.

Celebrate Bi-sexuality Day – This is a day for bisexual people, friends and supporters to celebrate the bisexual community and culture. It was first celebrated in 1999 and was created by Wendy Curry, Michael Page and Gigi Raven Wilbur.

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day – Celebrated today on Swedish neurologist, Dr. Karl Axel Ekbom's, birthday, this is a day to spread awareness of RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. The most common symptom is an irresistible urge to move in order to stop odd and sometimes painful sensations. Most of the time it affects the legs, but it can affect other parts of the body as well. Moving the body part that is uncomfortable stops the symptoms for a moment, but they keep coming back making it almost impossible for many people to sleep.

To celebrate today, move your legs while you try to name all the presidential dogs from American history. Then call up a bisexual friend or family member and wish them a happy day.

September 22, 2013

Today we celebrate:

World Gratitude Day – This day was created by the United Nations for the purpose of encouraging people to show their gratitude for everything that we have in our lives. We all have something to be grateful for and most of us have a multitude of things if we only stop to think about it. This is a day to be creative about how you express your gratitude today. Write someone a note, post a video, give someone a hug, pay for someone's coffee, wash the dishes for your mother...that last one just kind of slipped out, but it's a really good idea.

American Business Women's Day – On this day in 1949, the American Business Women's Association was founded. The goal of this organization is “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.”

Elephant Appreciation Day – This is a day dedicated to elephants. Elephants are still hunted for their tusks by poachers because the price of ivory is so high. This, plus the fact that their habitat is being deforested at an alarming rate by farmers who are trying to survive as well, means that the number of elephants in the world is dropping pretty quickly. They will soon be considered an endangered species.

National White Chocolate Day – White chocolate isn't my favorite, but it is still pretty darn good so it won't be a sacrifice to eat it today. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Autumnal Equinox (Autumn) – In the northern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs at 4:44 pm EDT. In the southern hemisphere, this would be the vernal equinox.

World Car Free Day – This is a day for people all over the world to give up their cars for the day and use alternative methods of transportation such as mass transit (buses and trains), bicycles, and feet.

Dear Diary Day – This is a day to write in your diary, or if you don't have one then you can start one today. Writing down what happens to you and how you feel about it can be very therapeutic. It is something that was very common place once upon a time. These days it's a little harder to find someone who keeps a diary.

Hobbit Day – Begun in 1978 by the American Tolkien Society, this is the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. If you don't know who they are, you need to read more. Specifically, you need to read the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

National Ice Cream Cone Day – Ice cream cones are commonly believed to have been invented on this day in 1903. I have seen others who have the opinion that cones are older than that, but it doesn't really matter. All that really matters is that everyone loves an ice cream cone. I do too and now that I have found gluten free cones, I plan have it again at my first opportunity.....just as soon as I find a soft ice cream that is dairy free.

International Day of Radiant Peace – There are lots of ideas at http://www.radiantpeace.org/idrp.html to help you decide how best to celebrate this day. The idea is basically to spread your peace around the world.

National Centenarian's Day – This is a day to recognize and celebrate people who have lived for a hundred or more years. It would be a great opportunity to listen to their stories of what life was like back in the day. Maybe you could encourage them to write down their memories.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day – This is a day to protest puppy mills and the deplorable way animals are treated at these places.

Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving Day – I had never heard of the Schwenkfelders so I found their brief history on this page very interesting: http://www.schwenkfelder.com/museum/SchwenkfelderGallery.htm You might want to read it as well. This day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to September 24^th which is the anniversary of the first Schwenkfelder Thanksgiving that took place in 1734, two days after they arrived in Philadelphia. The Schwenkfelders are named after their founder, Caspar Schwenkfeld who was born in 1489, had a different idea about the Lord's Supper, split from Martin Luther and went his own way in 1526. His followers suffered nearly 200 years of persecution but were a stubborn bunch and refused to give in and convert to Catholicism or Lutheranism and finally snuck away from their homes and journeyed for several years until they all finally settled in Philadelphia.

To celebrate today, write in your diary all about how grateful you are for business women, elephants, peace and puppies. If you can eat and write at the same time, feel free to eat white chocolate and ice cream cones while you write. Then leave your car at home and walk around your neighborhood looking for a centenarian to talk to, enjoy the first day of autumn while you walk and keep your eyes peeled for a hobbit wandering around looking for Bilbo and Frodo's birthday party. Finish up your day by reading up on the trials and tribulations of the Schwenkfelders.

September 21, 2013

Today we celebrate:

International Peach Day – We had lots of peach days in August, but this is a day that is for just plain old peaches. Nothing fancy. You don't need to cook them into anything, just bite into a juicy one and enjoy it.

National Pecan Cookie Day – If you like pecans, you'll like these cookies.

Big Whopper Liar Day – Celebrated on the third Saturday in September, this is a day to lie and lie big. Little fibs will just not do today, you need to come up with some big whoppers.

Boys' and Girls' Club Day for Kids – Boys and Girls Clubs all over America are celebrating this Day for Kids in a variety of ways. Check with your local club today.

International Day of Peace – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, this is a day that is celebrated all over the world with festivals, concerts and a moment of silence at noon in every time zone creating “a global Peace Wave”. http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

International Eat An Apple Day – Celebrated on the third Saturday in September, this is a day to celebrate the beginning of fall by eating an apple, the most popular seasonal fruit.

International Coastal Cleanup Day – This is a day that is also celebrated on the third Saturday in September. We honor the day by reducing the amount of trash we throw out and by cleaning up the trash lining our coasts. We need to keep our oceans clean.

World's Alzheimer's Day – This is a day to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia all around the world. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia and someone develops the disease every 68 seconds. It is extremely devastating in so many ways for the family of the patient to watch the slow decline of their loved one.

Wife Appreciation Day – Some say this is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, others say it's is on the third Sunday. Since I didn't see it in time to post it on the third Sunday (which was the 15th), I'm going with the Saturday people. Show your wife how much you appreciate her today.

To celebrate today, have an apple to keep up your energy when you get to the nearest coast to help clean it up. While you are there, have a moment of peaceful silence, when you are done with that, offer up a prayer for the families of Alzheimer's patients. Then head to the nearest Boys' and Girls' Club to share some peaches and pecan cookies with the kids while you entertain them with the biggest whoppers you can think of.

September 20, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Tradesmen Day – Celebrated on the third Friday in September, this is a day to be more aware of professional tradesmen/tradeswomen. We depend upon them for building things and fixing things from houses to cars to lights and running water. There are many different kinds of tradesmen so you should have no trouble finding one today.

National Punch Day – I usually only have punch at parties, but there's no need to wait for one of those to come along. Make some punch to have today.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day – Established by Congress in 1998 to be celebrated on the third Friday in September, this is a day to honor those brave men and women who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.

To celebrate today, make some punch and take it to one of the local tradesmen or women to share in a toast to the POW's and MIA's from our past and present.

September 19, 2013

Today we celebrate:

International Talk Like A Pirate Day – Created by John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995, this is a day to talk like a pirate. Although it started out as a private joke between the two of them, they eventually sent a letter about it to humor columnist, Dave Barry, who liked the idea and spread it around. Dressing like a pirate is optional but encouraged.  http://talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

National Butterscotch Pudding Day – I love to mix butterscotch pudding with vanilla ice cream. But plain old butterscotch pudding is pretty darn delicious as well.

To celebrate today, eat butterscotch pudding all day while you talk to everyone like you are a bonafide, crusty, old pirate. Ahoy!

September 18, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cheeseburger Day – This is a day for burger lovers. Have a cheeseburger today to celebrate.

Air Force Birthday – Officially founded on this day in 1947, the Air Force has been around under different names since 1909 when the US Military purchased its first aircraft.

Chiropractic Founders Day – On this day in 1895, D.D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on Harvey Lillard. Obviously it worked for Mr. Lillard and the practice spread from there.

Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day – We all depend upon greeting cards to say the things that we didn't even know we wanted to say. We have no idea who they are but these writers can make us laugh or cry or feel like someone is really thinking about us. See if you can find one today and give them a hug.

National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day – This day was designated by Congress in 2008 to increase awareness of the issues involved with this disorder. It was intended to be a single event and not a yearly event, but some people still recognize it every year.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day – Celebrated on this day for the last six years, this is a day to focus on recognizing the challenges faced by the older generation regarding HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment. This is a day for people who are more than 50 years old when they get this devastating diagnosis, as well as the people who are grandparents who become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren after their children have died because of HIV/AIDS.

Sukkot – A Jewish holiday that lasts for seven days. It begins this evening at sundown and ends at sundown on the 25^th. For the first two days, work is not allowed. For the last five days, work is allowed but there are restrictions. This holiday is celebrated with pilgrimages, and special blessings and it is intended that people will remember the sukkah, which is the tent structure that the Israelites used for shelter during their 40 years of traveling in the desert after their freedom from slavery in Egypt.

World Water Monitoring Day – This is a day to be aware of where our precious water supply comes from and what is going into it. Find the water supply nearest to you and take a water sample. You can either take it to a local water testing facility or mail it to a facility if you don't have one close by. Share your information with the world by joining the World Water Monitoring Challenge. http://www.monitorwater.org/

To celebrate today, go find a stream or creek or pond and get a water sample. Send it off to be tested while you head to your chiropractor to wish him/her a Happy Founders Day. Keep an eye out for an Air Force plane flying overhead so you can salute it and wish the Air Force a Happy Birthday. Next, head to a restaurant for a cheeseburger lunch. While you are there, make sure you talk to all the other patrons and employees and ask them if they write greeting cards. If they do, give them a hug. If they do not, make sure they are aware of ADD and HIV/AIDS issues. At sundown, stop working and think about how frustrating it was for the Israelites to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years.

September 17, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Citizenship Day or Constitution Day – This day is to celebrate the adoption of our United States Constitution and to recognize everyone who has become United States citizens either by birth or by naturalization. It was on this day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed by the Constitutional Convention.

National Apple Dumpling Day – A pastry filled with apples, cinnamon and sometimes raisins and then baked until it fills your home with its' delicious aroma. And after that, you get to eat it! It doesn't get any better than this.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary Day – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) was given it's name on this day in 1914, although the organization itself was begun in 1899. They work hard on behalf of American veterans in far more ways than I could have time to list here. The Ladies Auxiliary was established at that time as well with the mission of serving “the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform.” http://www.ladiesauxvfw.org/

To celebrate today, honor your citizenship with an apple dumpling. Then sign up to join the Ladies Auxiliary.

September 16, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day – One of my favorite kinds of bread. You can bet I'll be making some of this today if I can just fit it into my busy schedule.

Collect Rocks Day – This is a day for rock collectors everywhere to get out into the world and look for some unusual rocky specimens to add to your collections. If you don't have a collection yet, there is no time like today to get one started.

Step Family Day – Founded in 1997 by Christy Borgeld, this is a day to recognize that step families are a part of life for something like 50 percent of Americans. We can't choose our parents or our siblings, whether we are born to them or they are added later on. Sometimes we are blessed with wonderful step families, and other times they are a challenge. Whatever your situation, do your best to bond with them and give them a chance to bond with you. You just might end up loving them if you let yourself.

Mayflower Day – On this day in 1620, the Mayflower departed from England on it's way to the New World and an adventure that they probably really didn't know they were getting themselves into.

National Play-Doh Day – This is a day to celebrate that multi-colored modeling “clay” that kids LOVE to play with. I love to play with it too. Make some wonderful play-doh creations today.

Working Parents Day – It is not easy for working parents to do everything kids require parents to do from picking them up from school when they are sick to attending parent-teacher conferences to driving them all over creation in the evenings for their extra curricular activities. Sometimes dinner time is whenever you can get ten minutes to throw some food at the kids and hurry them out the door for something. After a full day of work, that is not easy. So kudos to the working parents out there who are doing the best they can do with the time they are given.

Anne Bradstreet Day – Quite possibly the first published American poet. She was born sometime around 1612 in England and came to America with her husband. She had eight kids and still found time to write poetry. She died on this day in 1672.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – Created in 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly, this is a day to honor the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. Last year was the 25^th anniversary of that Protocol. The goal being to stop the depletion of the ozone layer which is a serious protection for us from the sun. Without it, it will be much more difficult to live on this planet and I would need to buy stock in sunscreen companies.

National Woman Road Warrior Day – Road Warriors are people who travel for a living. This day is celebrated on the third Monday in September and honors the traveling businesswomen. Women road warriors often find it a more difficult way of life than the men do because they suffer from the guilt of leaving behind sick children and other family obligations more than men typically do.

Stay Away From Seattle Day – Well, this is different. This is a day for tourists to avoid Seattle. Apparently they get a lot of tourists there all year long and they need a day to themselves. I can understand that, I guess. Everyone needs a break now and then. So if you're traveling today, avoid Seattle. Take the long way around if you have to, just don't go there.

To celebrate today, traveling businesswomen should stay home today to celebrate their special day and working parents everywhere should have some cinnamon raisin bread with their step families for breakfast. Next, have the kids make Mayflower replicas with play-doh, then go out and find some unusual looking rocks for their rock collections. Then you can ride your bicycle to the library (thereby protecting the ozone layer from your vehicle's emissions) to find a copy of Anne Bradstreet's poetry which you can take home and read to the kids while staying far away from Seattle.

September 15, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Felt Hat Day – There was a time when anyone who was anyone had a felt hat. They are not so easy to find these days so if you find one, wear it today.

Make A Hat Day – This is a day to make your own hat of your own special design. The only catch is...after you make it, you have to wear it.

National Creme de Menthe Day – A sweet, minty alcoholic beverage.

Google.com Day – On this day in 1997, Google registered it's domain name. And the rest is history.

Greenpeace Day – Founded on this day in 1971, Greenpeace has become the largest, independent environmental organization in the world. It was begun in Vancouver but has spread to 2.9 million members in over 41 countries.

International Day of Democracy – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this is a day to uphold the principles of democracy and to spread awareness of the benefits of a government and culture based on the will of the people.

International Dot Day – this is a day to connect the dots. The dots are people and we need to connect people all over the world to involve each of us in creative and celebratory activities designed to make the world a better place. http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ 

National Neighborhood Day – Celebrated on the third Sunday in September, this is a day to make your neighborhood a caring community where everyone looks out for everyone else.

To celebrate today, find a felt hat to wear today, then make your own hat to wear on top of the felt hat. Next, call anyone you know who doesn't live in a democratic country (watch those time zone differences) and tell them all of the benefits they would have if they did live in such a country. While you have them on the phone, figure out a creative endeavor you could participate in together. Then make sure you meet all of your neighbors and invite them to your house for a recycling party. 

September 14, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day – This is my favorite kind of doughnut and since I drive by Dunkin' Donuts every day, I guess today I'll have to stop in and get some for the family.

Farmers' Consumer Awareness Day – Celebrated on the second Saturday in September, this day was begun in 1981 when a man named Dennis Higashiyama heard a Paul Harvey radio story that talked about how regular people have no idea how their food gets to the grocery store. He began this day so the farmers can show people what they do and how they do it so we can all have a greater understanding of how hard it is to grow food.

International Drive Your Studebaker Day – Celebrated on the second Saturday in September, this is a day to drive your Studebaker everywhere today. You can go anywhere you want, just make sure you stop often so people can admire your car and so you can tell them all the reasons why you love your Studebaker so much. http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/driveyourstude.asp

To celebrate today, eat a cream-filled doughnut while you drive your studebaker to the nearest farm so you can see what the farmers are up to.

September 13, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Defy Superstition Day – This is a day that is celebrated on Friday the 13^th on purpose. You are to overcome superstition with reason today. Discard all of your old black cat or broken mirror superstitions and any others that you are a victim of and realize that they are all hogwash.

Fortune Cookie Day – This is a day to go to a Chinese restaurant and have a fortune cookie. Many excellent pieces of wisdom have been imparted through those little cookies and many of the fortunes have come true. I can't say how many because I don't know, but we always enjoy reading them.

National Peanut Day – Peanuts are a great protein filled snack to tide you over until dinner time. As long as you are not allergic, have a handful today.

Positive Thinking Day – Any negative thoughts that come into your head today should be promptly cast out. This is a day for positive thinking ONLY! Positive thinking has more power than you realize. Positive thoughts draw positive energy your way and then you will find positive things happening in your life.

Uncle Sam Day – Proclaimed by President George Bush in 1989, this is a day to honor Samuel Wilson, who was born on this day in 1766. I never knew that Uncle Sam was a real person. He was a hard working, self sufficient, honest as the day is long, hero of our country. He worked hard to feed the American Army during the war of 1812. He became known as Uncle Sam by the soldiers during that war because of his name and the U.S. stamped on the boxes of meat that his company prepared for the men. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=1735

Blame Someone Else Day – This day falls on the first Friday the 13^th of the year. Whatever you do wrong today, whether you say something politically incorrect, insult someone, trip, dial the wrong number, or something equally horrifying, you can blame somebody else and get away with it. Unless you've broken the law. Then, I'm afraid, you're on your own.

Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day – This day is a challenge for the children in your household. Today the kitchen is all theirs. Their job is to plan the meals, cook the meals, and clean up after the meals. This could be my new favorite day!

National Celiac Awareness Day – I know some people with celiac (which is an inability to eat gluten) and it is a miserable disease if you don't know that you have it because you're sick all the time with a variety of uncomfortable to downright nauseating symptoms. Then, once you are diagnosed you go through a period of time wondering what on earth you are going to be able to eat. After a while, you get used to it and it isn't so bad until you go out to eat at a restaurant or someone's house and there is gluten hidden in some dish or your food has been contaminated with gluten somehow while it is being cooked. Then you are thrown right back into being sick for days. Be aware of all allergy issues because some, like this one, can make your guests or customers very sick.

Roald Dahl Day – This is the birthday of Roald Dahl, who you have probably heard of if you have children. He is the author of a number of wonderful mischievous children's books. Celebrate today with some mischief of your own. If you need some ideas, read a few of his books.

Yom Kippur - Celebrations for this day begin at sundown today and end at sundown tomorrow. This is a very important holy day for the Jewish people. Most celebrate the day with fasting and prayer that sometimes lasts all day.

To celebrate today, inform your children that the kitchen is all theirs today and they should come up with a meal plan. In fact, give them a real challenge and tell them that they cannot make anything with flour. Fasting for Yom Kippur starts at sundown so make sure all the meals happen early. Next think about what your strongest superstition is and force yourself to defy it by doing something you wouldn't normally do. If you get in trouble while doing that, blame someone else. But think positively, you do not need superstitions any more. Have some fortune cookies and peanuts to tide you over while the kids are cooking. Finally, throw an Uncle Sam/Roald Dahl party have have everyone dress up as either Uncle Sam or one of the characters in Roald Dahl's books.