November 1, 2013

Today we celebrate:

World Vegan Day – Created in 1994 by Louise Wallis, the President and Chair of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, for the purpose of commemorating the Society's anniversary.

National Eat Your Kid's Halloween Candy After They Go To Bed Day – Halloween is a fun time for kids and they get tons of candy that they will want to eat that same night. However, that would not be healthy for them. Besides, parents need a little reward after dragging their kids all around the neighborhood. So after the kids go to bed, there is no reason in the world why you shouldn't help yourself to some of their candy. You can justify it if you need to by only eating the candy that the kids don't like anyway. I don't feel the need to do that. I figure, the more I eat, the fewer cavities they will have later. They'll thank you for it some day. Maybe. But I wouldn't tell them about this day until they have kids of their own.

All Saints' Day – This is a predominantly Catholic day that honors all saints, whether they are known or not. Other churches celebrate this day differently. The Methodist Church, for example, believes the word “saints” refers to all Christians so they honor and remember all of the living or deceased members of their local congregations.

Give Up Your Shoulds Day – Celebrated for the 6^th year, this is a day to give up the “shoulds” that cause so much stress and guilt in your life. For example: I should lose weight; I should clean the garage; I should make more money; I should go visit my parents more often. Pick at least one “should” to give up today and ease the stress in your life.

National Authors' Day – This is a day to celebrate your favorite authors. Writing books is not easy, if it were everyone would do it and no one would be willing to buy books that we could just write ourselves. So honor those who can do what you cannot but whose efforts you enjoy so much. Who is your favorite author?

National Family Literacy Day – This is a day to focus on participating in things with your family that focus on literacy. Set a good example for your kids and find a literacy event today. Check with your school and local library to find a read-a-thon, book signing, book sale or simply give everyone in your family a book and sit down and read together.

National Go Cook For Your Pets Day – This is a day to show our pets how much we love them by cooking them a nutritious meal today. Check this website for tips and foods to avoid: http://cookforyourpets.com/ 

National Medical Science Liaison Awareness & Appreciation Day – Celebrated on the first Friday in November, this is a day that was created for the purpose of educating the public about just what a medical science liaison is and what they do for the phamaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. I, for one, need a day like this because I have no idea what they do. I look forward to finding out.

Prime Meridian Day – Everyone knows that the Prime Meridian is the line of longitude that is 0 degrees. It cuts through Europe and Africa and was first devised by the Greeks way back around 200 B.C. give or take a few years. We celebrate this event because on this day in 1884, delegates from 25 World Nations met in Washington D.C. and established the time zones for the world with every 15 degrees of longitude equaling one hour. That must have been some feat getting everyone to agree to what time it was going to be where. I wonder how long it took.

To celebrate today, check the time and plan your day, hour by hour. Make sure you give up at least one of the “shoulds” weighing down your shoulders. If you saw this early enough, you should have already eaten your kid's Halloween candy after they went to bed, after all, this day started at midnight! Start out your day by going to Church to pray for whomever your Church says to pray for. Look up on the computer what medical science liaisons do, then go to your library to get a book by your favorite author and read it to your family. Make sure you remember to cook for your pets at dinner tonight. I would bet a lot that they will be a whole lot more appreciative than your children will.

October 31, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Girl Scout Founder's Day – On this day in 1860, Juliette Gordon Low was born. She began the Girl Scout organization in 1912. Happy Birthday Juliette.

Halloween or All Hallows Eve – Celebrated on this day every year, it is a time to dress up in a clever disguise and go around your neighborhood extorting candy from your neighbors by threatening them with “tricks” if they don't give you “treats”. Let's all go out and encourage the delinquency of our children.

National Magic Day – This is a day that honors the most famous of magicians, Harry Houdini. He died on this day in 1926 and I would venture a guess that everyone in the country has heard of him. Try some magic tricks in his memory.

National Caramel Apple Day – I have never been tempted to make caramel apples or even eat caramel apples, even though I love apples and caramel. It's probably because it looks so darn messy and getting sticky caramel all over my face just doesn't appeal to me. But kids don't mind that kind of mess so watching them eat one of these sweet treats is just funny.

National Knock-Knock Jokes Day – This is a silly day to tell silly jokes and they don't come any sillier than knock-knock jokes. Drag out your best jokes today.

National UNICEF Day – In 1949, Mary Emma Allison from Bridesburg, Pennsylvania, had the idea that children could collect money for UNICEF instead of candy at Halloween. Her husband, Rev. Clyde Allison, shared her idea with local Presbyterian churches and on this day in 1950, their children and many others in the community collected $17 in nickels and dimes in their decorated milk cartons to help European children after World War II. Three years later UNICEF took that concept and ran with it and by 1960 it became very popular all over the country. My children still do it today. The money now goes to a wide variety of programs that UNICEF supports such as aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Samhain – This is a Gaelic festival that celebrates the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the winter season. It may date back to before Christianity began and is believed (by some) to be a time when spirits and fairies are very active in our world.

To celebrate today, dress up as a fairy, hand out caramel apples to the little ones coming to your door along with some coins for UNICEF, a good knock-knock joke and a magic trick. If you see any girl scouts, wish them a Happy Birthday on Juliette's behalf.

October 30, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Candy Corn Day – It's a good thing that you can't get these things any other time of the year but Halloween because otherwise, I would weigh as much as my car.

Checklist Day – This day is all about organization. You absolutely have to make lists and check things off that are completed if you want to have a successful event. On this day in 1935, an airplane crashed during takeoff at Wright Fields in Ohio because of a gust lock that was still engaged. After this tragedy, a few pilots got together to figure out how errors like this could be prevented in the future. They are the ones that came up with the checklist for takeoff, flight, before landing and after landing. These checklists, although I am sure they have been updated as airplanes became more sophisticated, are still used today. You don't need to fly a plane to find checklists useful, all you need to do is forget something important in order to realize that you too can use checklists to stay on top of things.

Create A Great Funeral Day – Ok, this day is taking the Halloween season a little too far, in my opinion. It is a day that was created by Stephanie West Allen for the purpose of reminding people about how important and beneficial it is to create your own funeral or memorial service. The idea is that it is better to do it yourself so you can have it the way you want it, and so that your family doesn't have to do it while they are grieving for you. I say that I'll be dead and won't particularly care what every one does or doesn't do at my funeral and doing this the day before Halloween is sending a vote of no confidence regarding your expectation of surviving the next day.

Devil's Night or Mischief Night – This is not my favorite night. It is associated with committing acts of vandalism which I won't name here because I don't want to give any youngsters any ideas if they don't already have them. The adults in the room know what I'm referring to.

Buy a Donut Day – This is a day for buying donuts. I have no idea why it's a day for buying donuts but apparently donut sales rise sharply on this day so you better go and see what the big deal is.

To celebrate today, buy some donuts and some candy corn, plan your funeral and go throw some toilet paper in your bushes so the mischief makers will think your house has already been hit. Then check all of that off your checklist and go to bed feeling great.

October 29, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Oatmeal Day – This is a day to eat oatmeal in any form you wish. There are some delicious recipes for oatmeal cookies or oatmeal muffins. I've even put oatmeal in meatloaf, although my husband wasn't a fan and asked me to stop doing that. Some people like to eat oatmeal for breakfast.  I'm not too sure about that, it kind of looks like paste to me.

International Internet Day – Celebrated since 2005, this is a day to commemorate the sending of the first electronic message from one computer to another way back in 1969. That was the beginning of the internet, although at the time, they had no idea where it was going to go.

National Cat Day – This day was created by Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, in an effort to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their lives and to encourage the general public to rescue and adopt a cat today.

World Psoriasis Day – This day is all about supporting people who suffer with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and spreading awareness of this devastating skin disease. It was created by the International Federation of Psoriasis Association (IFPA).

To celebrate today, meet with the local psoriasis support group and offer your support in the form of oatmeal cookies. Then post a picture of your cat on the internet or search the internet to find a cat that you want to adopt.

October 28, 2013

To celebrate today,

St. Jude's Day – This is a day to honor St. Jude, the Patron Saint for the Hopeless and Despaired. He was one of Jesus Christ's apostles and was martyred around 65 AD.

Plush Animal Lovers Day – This is a day to show your stuffed animals how much you love them. Carry them around with you as long as you don't have too many. If you have as many as my daughter does, you'll have to either pick your favorite to hug today or switch them out periodically.

Wild Foods Day – On this day we celebrate raw foods that are gathered outside and eaten without any kind of processing. Examples include nuts and fruit and vegetables straight from the gardens or trees. If you go out to gather your own wild foods, make sure you can identify the edible vs. non-edible (a.k.a. poisonous) varieties.

To celebrate today, find a book about St. Jude and read it to your plush animals over a lunch of wild foods.

October 27, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Mother-in-Law Day – Celebrated on the fourth Sunday in October, this is a day to celebrate your Mother-in-Law. Mother-in-Law's are the ones who raised your spouse, the one special person in your life that you choose to be a part of your family. Honor the one who raised that special person by taking her out to dinner or giving her some flowers.

American Beer Day – On this day, grab an American beer for yourself and a few dozen of your favorite people and celebrate American made beer. No imported beers will work to celebrate today.

Reformation Sunday – Celebrated on the Sunday on or before October 31^st, this is a day to remember the Reformation. This day is typically celebrated by Lutheran and some Reformed churches because it honors Martin Luther in particular.

National Potato Day – Back on August 19^th, we had Potato Day. This one is just like that one except it is National Potato Day so the whole nation will be celebrating by eating some form of potato today.

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage – Our entire world today is dependent on audiovisual recordings. This day commemorates the 1980 adoption by the United Nations General Conference, of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images. That big fancy name just means that they want us to know how important it is to keep the world's audiovisual documentation safe. Particularly the early generations of audiovisual medium because they are subject to the degradation and deterioration that comes with age.

To celebrate today, take your Mother-in-Law to a Lutheran or Reformed Church to attend Reformation Sunday. Then treat her to a lunch of American Beer and french fried potatoes. When you get home, make sure all of your audiovisual materials are safe.

October 26, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Mincemeat Day – Mincemeat used to feature actual meat, but these days it is mostly made up of a variety of brandied fruits and occasionally a little beef. My husband loves mincemeat pie, it's one of his favorites.

Make A Difference Day – Celebrated on the last Saturday of October, this is a day to go out and make a difference in someone's life.....in a good way. I figured that I probably better throw that last part in there just in case there was a question in your mind. 

Day of the Deployed – This day has been celebrated every year on this day since 2006. It is a day for us to honor the brave men and women who put their lives at risk every day to protect our country.

Pumpkin Day – Always celebrated on the Saturday before Halloween, this is a day to celebrate pumpkins in any way you see fit. You can cook with pumpkin, or decorate with pumpkins. Those are the only two options that I'm coming up with so if you think of another, please let me know.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day – This is a day to promote the truth about pit bulls. Pit bulls have a very bad image these days but the truth is that not all pit bulls are as vicious as the ones you hear about on the news. Most of them are wonderful family dogs who would never hurt anyone. Do your research and find out the truth before you make any decisions about them.

To celebrate today, make a pumpkin-mincemeat pie and take it to share with the nearest military base. Your kindness will make a big difference in their lives. While you are there, tell them all how wonderful pit bulls can be.

October 25, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Chucky, The Notorious Killer Doll Day – This is not a real day....yet. Howver, there is a movement afoot to make it so. If you are on facebook, here's a link to the facebook page with 346 likes so far: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-Oct-25th-National-Chucky-The-Notorious-Killer-Doll-Day/145564115486852 I have never seen these movies and don't intend to start now, especially since I just read a brief summary of them and that is disturbing enough for me. 

International Artist Day – Today we honor artists of all kinds and the contribution they make to our society. Without art, this would be a very dull, quiet and colorless world. Do something to support an artist today.

Sourest Day – This is a day for sour people, sour candy, or sour food. It is supposed to emphasize the balance of nature. I don't particularly understand that thought, but I like the occasional sour food.

World Pasta Day – Celebrated since 1995, and created by the World Pasta Congress (who knew that there even WAS a World Pasta Congress?), this is a day to honor the creation of pasta way back in 5,000 B.C, give or take a few years. With over 600 different shapes and sizes, I think you should find one you've never had before and give it a try.

National Breadstix (Bread Sticks)Day – Celebrated on the last Friday in October, this is a day for bread sticks! I love bread sticks and they go with just about any meal you can think of.

National Greasy Foods Day – I'm sure that you are like me and try, for the most part, to eat healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins, cooked in healthy ways. Well, throw all of that out the window today and load up on nothing but greasy food. You don't get to do this very often, so jump at the chance today.

To celebrate today, eat some pasta, bread sticks, greasy food and sour candy while you watch the very artistic movie, Child's Play, which features Chucky, of course.

October 24, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Bologna Day – Celebrate today with a variety of bologna recipes. By the way, I still remember the Oscar Mayer bologna song. My bologna has a first name...it's O S C A R, my bologna has a second name it's M A Y E R. I love to eat it every day and if you ask me why I'll saaaaayyyy...cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B O L O G N A. Yes, I'm that old.

United Nations Day – On this day in 1945, the United Nations came to be. The UN Charter was ratified by a majority of the founding members and the rest is history. This day has been celebrated every year since 1948.

World Development Information Day – Celebrated along with United Nations Day, this day has the purpose of drawing the attention of the public of the world to country development problems and the need to cooperate internationally in order to solve them.

Good and Plenty Day – This candy has been around since it's beginning way back in 1893. It is marketed as America's oldest brand of candy. Some of you might remember it's mascot from back in the 1950's, Choo Choo Charlie, the train engineer. It was originally made by the Quaker City Confectionary Company but now belongs to Hershey's.

To celebrate today, make a bologna sandwich to pass out to everyone you meet today. Along with the sandwich, share some Good and Plenty, information of some kind, and a Happy United Nations Day as well. 

October 23, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Boston Cream Pie Day – I'm not sure why it's called pie when it is really much more like a cake with cream filling. It is one of my all time favorite cakes. Now I'm drooling...very undignified of me, sorry.

iPod Day – On this day in 2001, the first iPod was introduced to the world. A pivotal moment in the technological and musical world. 

Medical Assistants Recognition Day – Celebrated on the Wednesday of the third full week in October, this is a day to recognize the hard work that medical assistants perform every day. 

National Mole Day – This day is celebrated every year on this day between 6:02am and 6:02pm. It is a basic measuring unit in chemistry, 6.02 x 10²³ , also known as Avogadro's Number. This day is an attempt to spread interest in chemistry throughout the world. If you're interested, a mole is equal to the atomic mass of a molecule. There is more to that explanation here: http://www.moleday.org/ 

Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day – On this day, according to the mental calendar that all swallows have in their heads, the swallows will circle the Mission San Juan Capistano in California and fly off to wherever they go for the winter. They will return in March.

TV Talk Show Host Day – This day, which just happens to be Johnny Carson's birthday, is a day to celebrate all talk show hosts. Johnny Carson is the most beloved of them all, followed closely by Oprah Winfrey, but there have been many and will be many more since I don't think talk show's are going away any time soon.

National Canning Day – This is a day to can all the harvest from your gardens. I don't have very much left from my garden and I haven't the slightest idea how to can anything, but if you have the skills and the equipment and the vegetables, have at it.

To celebrate today, watch a talk show, calculate how many moles are in your body, visit a medical assistant when your brain starts to hurt from all that calculating and can some tomatoes from your garden while listening to your iPod and eating Boston Cream Pie. Then say goodbye to the swallows.  Don't worry, they'll be back.

October 22, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Nut Day – This says it's a National day, but it should be an International day because there are many countries that celebrate this day by exchanging an unhealthy protein like burgers with the more healthy protein in nuts. If you are allergic, you have my permission to give this day a pass.

International Caps Locks Day – THIS IS A DAY TO KEEP YOUR CAPS LOCK ON. IT IS MOSTLY CELEBRATED BY CRAZY GEEKY PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY HAVE SPECIAL DAYS FOR EVERY KEY ON THE KEYBOARD.

International Stuttering Awareness Day – This is a day to raise awareness of the speech disorder known as stuttering or stammering. Approximately 1% of the world's population struggles with this disorder. The most important thing to be aware of is that it is not something that stutterers can control and it is NOT funny. Just be patient people, everyone deserves the time to express their ideas any way they can.

TO CELEBRATE TODAY, KEEP YOUR CAPS LOCK ON ALL DAY, HAVE SOME NUTS AND WATCH THE MOVIE, THE KING'S SPEECH, TO INCREASE YOUR AWARENESS AND PATIENCE WITH STUTTERING.

October 21, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Celebration of The Mind Day – Born on this day 99 years ago, Martin Gardner, who died in 2010, dedicated his life to pursuing playful and fun ways of doing Math, Science, Art, Magic, and Puzzles. Exercise your brain cells with a puzzle today.

Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) Prevention Day – We get iodine in our salt generally, but there are quite a few countries that do not. So UNICEF has been working to solve that problem by working with salt producers and governments to promote universal salt iodization. Iodine Deficiency Disorders include brain damage, deaf mutism, dwarfism, and more. 

Reptile Awareness Day – This is a day to focus on reptiles of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some of you have some reptiles living in your house in the form of cute little lizards. Others have bigger and uglier (my opinion) reptiles living with you. My daughter has been after me to let her have a snake. Not going to happen in my house! But whether you love them or hate them, they are important to our ecosystem and just like so many other animals, except maybe mosquitoes, they are dealing with pollution, loss of habitat, climate change and other devastating issues. Be nice to your neighborhood reptiles today.

National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day – Celebrated on the third Monday of October, this is a day to look at your computer desktop. How many icons do you have on there that you don't even use...ever! Can you even see your desktop picture? Can you quickly find what you need when you need it? Depending on your answers to these questions, you may need to take some time today to clean up your desktop so that you can work more effectively and efficiently.

National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day – I love cheesecake and I love pumpkin. Two great tastes that in all likelihood, taste great together. I cannot wait to try a pumpkin cheesecake today.

Celebration of The Mind Day – Born on this day 99 years ago, Martin Gardner, who died in 2010, dedicated his life to pursuing playful and fun ways of doing Math, Science, Art, Magic, and Puzzles. Exercise your brain cells with a puzzle today.

To celebrate today, add some iodized salt to you cheesecake recipe and while that is cooking, feed your lizard or look at some lizard pictures (some of them are fascinating to look at) and clean your computer desktop. While you are eating your cheesecake, work on some brain puzzles.

October 20, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Brandied Fruit Day – A bowl of fruit, some sugar and a little brandy. That's all it takes to get a delicious bowl of brandied fruit.

National Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day – This is a day to show your appreciation for the dedication of your child's Sunday School Teacher. Most, if not all, Sunday School Teachers are volunteers who prepare for class on their own time. Make sure they know you appreciate their efforts on your child's behalf.

Information Overload Day – Celebrated by some on October 21^st, this is a day to back away from the information that bombards us all day long from a plethora of sources. We can't seem to escape it no matter where we are and sometimes it gets to be too much. Shut off your computers, televisions, radios and cell phones. Do not leave your house for a while and just bask in the silence.

Miss American Rose Day – This is a pageant that is focused on achievements and community service rather than beauty for girls and women of all ages. To celebrate this day, treat all the women in your life like beautiful American roses and perform some kind of community service.

To celebrate today, give a bowl of brandied fruit to your child's Sunday School Teacher, then help clean up your Church for a community service project. When you get home, spend some time in information isolation to recharge, then make a lovely dinner for the women in your life.

October 19, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Bridge Day – Celebrated on the third Saturday in October, this day celebrates the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. It's a four lane bridge that was finished in 1977 but on this day, cars are not allowed on it, only pedestrians.

Evaluate Your Life Day – This is a day to look at your life very carefully. Are you working toward achieving your goals, are you a good person, are you depressed and need to make some positive changes? Be brutally honest with yourself and be prepared to change things that need to be changed.

Sweetest Day – This day is also celebrated on the third Saturday in October. It is a day to remember friends, co-workers, family, and anyone else who has been kind and/or helpful to you with a piece of candy. It was first celebrated in 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio.

National Seafood Bisque Day – Creamy and delicious. Try your hand at making some today.

To celebrate today, walk over a bridge while you contemplate your life. Then, pass out candy to everyone you find helpful and have some seafood bisque for dinner.

October 18, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Chocolate Cupcake Day – Cupcakes are the standard treat for school birthday parties and there is a reason for that. Kids love cupcakes. But not just kids, adults love these tasty mini cakes too. Make some chocolate ones today.

Mammography Day – Celebrated on the third Friday in October, this is a day for women to realize how important a mammogram is to their health. I just had mine, if you are due for a mammogram, make sure you schedule it today.

World Menopause Day – The theme for this day is “Oncology in midlife and beyond,” because there is an increased risk of cancer for women after menopause. There are things that you can do to minimize your risks such as stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, lose weight, eat healthy and exercise. Sounds like a lot of fun, I know, but it's worth it because you'll feel better than you have in years.

Alaska Day – This is a holiday in the state of Alaska that celebrates the fact that on this day in 1867, the Territory of Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States for $7.2 million dollars. The actual purchase took place on March 30^th of that year, but this day was the formal Russian flag-lowering and U.S. flag-raising ceremony with all the appropriate pomp and circumstance. Probably because it took them all that long to actually get to Alaska back then.

National No Beard Day – On this day, beards are not allowed for reasons that escape me. So anyone with a beard needs to shave it off today. You can have it back tomorrow.

To celebrate today, have a chocolate cupcake while you are waiting for your mammogram. Then shave off your beard and resolve to eat healthy for the rest of your life, especially while you are on your Alaskan cruise.

October 17, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Pasta Day – My children's favorite food is pasta in any shape or form. And they do come in any shape or form.

Black Poetry Day – This day celebrates Jupiter Hammon. Mr. Hammon was the first African-American man to publish his own poetry. He was born on this day in 1711 and was a slave who lived most of his life on Long Island. He was one of the few who learned how to read and write and was allowed to use his master's library. He published his first poem at the age of 49.

Get Smart About Credit Day – This is a day for bankers to reach out to their communities by going to the high schools and colleges and teaching the kids about budgeting, using credit cards wisely and building a good credit history.

Wear Something Gaudy Day – This is a day to stand out, buck the fashion trends of the day and make up your own wacky outfit. If you are old enough, you will remember a TV sitcom called Three's Company. On that show, one of the actors, Richard Kline, declared this day and it has been celebrated ever since.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – This is a United Nations created day that has been celebrated since 1993. The goal is to spread awareness of the need to end poverty all over the world. Governments need to work to fight against poverty in their own countries and in the foreign policy they create for interacting with other countries. You may see a call for a moment of silence to commemorate this day, or you might be asked to sign a petition or perhaps attend a fundraising concert.

Get to Know Your Customers Day – This is the fourth Get to Know Your Customers Day for the year. Use the opportunity to find out what your customers need so that you can be better prepared to provide it.

Four Prunes Day – I love prunes, but not prune juice. I know, I'm a little odd that way. But there's nothing like a few prunes every day to give you enough fiber to keep you regular.

To celebrate today, pick out a very gaudy outfit to wear today, have four prunes with your breakfast, and spend the work day getting to know as many of your customers as you can. At lunch, take some time to talk with your banker about how you're doing with your credit. This evening, recite some Black Poetry to your kids over a dinner of pasta and then finish the day by going online and donating to a poverty eradication organization.

October 16, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Boss's Day (or National Boss's Day) – This is a day to celebrate your Boss. Maybe give him/her a small, tasteful gift or simply wish them a Happy Day today.

Dictionary Day – On this day in 1758, Noah Webster was born. Mr. Webster, of course, was a teacher, author, rabid speller and the creator of the dictionary. Happy Birfday Mr. Webster! Wait, how do you spell that again? I guess I'll have to look it up.

National Feral Cat Day – Created in 2001 by the Alley Cat Allies, this is a day to raise awareness about feral cats. Many feral cats are cared for by people who worry about their well being. Whenever possible, many people try to capture them, neuter them and then return them to their territories if they are not good candidates for adoption.

National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day – This is a day to take your parents out to lunch and enjoy an afternoon with them. If you get along with your parents, this will be a great day. If you do not, it will be torturous. Good luck with it.

World Food Day – On this day in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded. The goal of this organization is to work to eradicate hunger in the world. Most hunger is not because of a lack of food in the world, but a lack of access to resources needed to thrive. http://www.oxfamamerica.org/campaigns/food-justice/world-food-day 

National Fossil Day – Celebrated on Wednesday of the second full week in October, this is a day to promote the finding and study of fossils. Fossils help us to understand our Earth's history, we can learn a great deal from these remnants of animals past.

To celebrate today, put some food out for your local feral cats, then go dig up a fossil and give it to your boss as a gift. Take your parents out for lunch and then wrap up the day by spending some time looking up words you don't know in the dictionary.

October 15, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Mushroom Day – This is a day to honor edible fungus. Doesn't sound so appetizing when you put it like that, does it? The men in my household love mushrooms. I tolerate them and my daughters hate them. But I suppose I could get some for my husband and son.

International Day of Rural Women – This is a United Nations created day that recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”

I Love Lucy Day – The first episode of this famous television sitcom aired on this day in 1951. I don't think there is an American over the age of 20 on this planet who hasn't at least heard of this series. I certainly loved Lucy, I bet you did too.

National Grouch Day – This is a day to celebrate your inner grouch. Everyone needs to be grouchy now and then so let your misery take over just for today so you can share it with the world.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – This is a day to spread awareness among the Latino community about the symptoms of HIV/AIDS and the best way to protect yourself from being infected or spreading your infection.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day – This is a day to show love and support to the many women who have lost a baby either through miscarriage or in infancy. I cannot even imagine anything more devastating than losing a beloved child so if you know someone who has gone through this, reach out to them today and make sure they feel your support.

White Cane Safety Day – Proclaimed by the President of the United States each and every year beginning with President Lyndon B. Johnson, this is a day to recognize the importance of the white cane as an instrument of independence for blind people. But however much independence the cane affords them, we have to help by remembering that they still cannot see you driving down the road so you have to be vigilant on their behalf and not run them over if they step into the road in front of you.

National Roast Pheasant Day – Pheasant can be a little bit hard to find in the grocery store, but you need to track one down and roast it today, you will not regret it. I assure you that it is delicious. Especially if you can get my husband to cook it for you.

National Chicken Cacciatore Day – This is definitely a fowl day today because in addition to the pheasant, you will be making chicken cacciatore.

To celebrate today, watch for anyone with a white cane while you are out and about finding rural women to wish a happy day to. Then, check in with anyone you know who has lost an infant or had a miscarriage to tell them that you love them. Do some research on the Latino issue with HIV/AIDS and watch I Love Lucy reruns. Then you can let your inner grouch out while you make roast pheasant and chicken cacciatore with mushrooms for dinner.

October 14, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Columbus Day or National Day of Mourning – Celebrated on the second Monday in October, this is a day to remember Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. The Native Americans see this as a Day of Mourning because that arrival was the beginning of the end of their way of life and of millions of their people.

National Kick Butt Day – I was all excited about this day until I discovered that I don't get to kick someone else's butt, only my own. We are to kick ourselves in the butt in order to encourage ourselves to take action on the things we have been meaning to do, but haven't done yet. This can be anything from keeping promises to completing our to do lists. Skip all the excuses and just get your butt in gear and get it done. This day is always celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Native American Day – This is a state holiday in South Dakota since 1989 which honors Native American cultures and heritage. Many other states have a day just like this at different times of the year. This particular one is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

National Dessert Day – This is a good day that I think everyone will enjoy. We celebrate it by having some kind of dessert today. Which dessert you have is totally up to you.

National Chocolate Covered Insects Day – OK, I'll just say this right out front. I will not be celebrating this one because I an disgusted just thinking about it. If you are a brave soul, go ahead and cover some insects with chocolate and chow down....without me.

To celebrate today, kick your butt into gear and get your goals accomplished. Then celebrate your success with a dessert of chocolate covered insects. Before your kids go to bed tonight, tell them all about Christopher Columbus and Native Americans.

October 13, 2013

Due to a very busy weekend ahead of me, I'm posting Sunday's Celebration Days a little early.  If you are still looking for Saturday just scroll down a little bit.  It's there, I promise.

Today, Sunday, October 13th, we celebrate:

International African Penguin Awareness Day – This day is all about raising awareness around the world about the plight of the African Penguin, an animal which is sadly on the endangered species list.

Navy Birthday – This year marks the 238^th birthday of the U.S. Navy. Happy Birthday all you sailors out there!

International Skeptics Day – This is a day to be skeptical and untrusting of anything or anyone. Ask questions and don't believe anything unless you have irrefutable proof.

Fall Astronomy Day – Back in April, we had Spring Astronomy Day. This is the Fall version of the same thing. It occurs as closely as possible to the first quarter Moon in the Fall and it is intended to facilitate interaction and education between astronomy professionals and enthusiasts and the general public, such as myself.

To celebrate today, ask the Navy to take you to Africa so you can check on how the penguins are doing. After all, what proof do you have that they are endangered? Tonight, look at the moon through a telescope and make sure there really isn't a man on it making cheese.

October 12, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Columbus Day – This is the Anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival at the Americas in 1492. This had a upside, which of course is our eventually being able to live in this wonderful country. However, the downside is pretty huge because it also led to the death of an entire civilization of people who already lived in the Americas. This is the official Columbus Day, but the actual celebration is on the second Monday in October.

Free Thought Day – This day is observed by freethinkers as the anniversary of the “effective” end of the Salem Witch Trials. This was basically when rational thought finally began to overcome the hysteria of the times and the people in power began to demand more concrete evidence before condemning an accused person.

International Moment of Frustration Scream Day – This is a day to just let your frustrations out in a cleansing scream today. We will all feel better afterward, believe me.

National Family Bowling Day (or Kids Bowl Free Day) – This is is a fun day that you can spend bowling with your family. Some bowling alleys may even have free bowling for kids today as an extra incentive. It's an affordable activity that you can do as a family and most kids really enjoy it.

Universal Music Day – Celebrated annually for seven years, this is a day to teach people about how important music is for your life. It can inspire and encourage you when you need it and it can ignite your emotions and make you cry or laugh. It can ignite your patriotic spirit or ease your grief over a loved one's passing. Music has power that we don't often think about. See how you feel about it today.

Old Farmers Day – This day honors the hard work of past and present farmers in America. Farmers are the backbone of this country. Without them, our cities could not exist because everyone would need to spread out and own enough land to farm enough to feed their own families.

National Gumbo Day – I'm not sure where this dish was first created, but it's a pretty sure thing that the folks down in Louisiana have perfected it. This dish has a variety of ingredients including okra, some kind of meat and shellfish.

To celebrate today, make up a song about Columbus and teach it to your children while you are bowling. Next, find a local farmer and share some gumbo with him/her while you discuss the end of the hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials. Finish up the day with a cleansing scream to relieve your frustrations.