January 1, 2014

Today we celebrate:

New Year's Day – Today we welcome the new year of 2014 into our lives. And for at least a week, maybe two or three, we will struggle to remember to write it instead of 2013.

New Year's Dishonor List Day – On this day every year Lake Superior State University in Michigan publishes a list of overused words that, in their opinion, should be stricken from the English Language.  You will have to decide for yourselves.

National Bloody Mary Day – On this, the first day of the year, and directly after staying up too late and drinking too much, this is the perfect drink for you. I'm told that it is good for getting rid of hangovers. I've never tried it myself so you will have to let me know if it works.

National First Foot Day – This is a day to celebrate an old Scottish tradition. The first person to visit your home after the New Year begins is called the First Footer, and he/she must bring gifts. A lump of coal for good luck, a coin for happiness and wealth, and a drink of whiskey for the host. Who will be your First Footer? If he/she doesn't have the proper gifts, you should not let them in.

Copyright Law Day – This is a day that promises lots of excitement and enthusiasm....as long as you are a copyright lawyer.

Ellis Island Day – On this day in 1892, Ellis Island was opened for the purpose of processing immigrants to the United States of America. Annie Moore, age 15 years from Ireland, was the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on January 2^nd. More than 12 million followed her over the years.

Euro Day – On this day in 2002, the Euro was adopted by most of the countries in Europe. Latvia legally adopts the Euro today.

Global Family Day – This is a day of peace and sharing to be celebrated around the world.. It is a day where we share food with friends and the needy and make personal pledges of nonviolence and spread a message of peace and sharing by ringing bells and/or beating drums in hopes of making society and the world a safer place to live. This day developed out of the United Nations “One Day in Peace” back in the year 2000.

Mummer's Parade – This parade dates back to somewhere in the mid 17^th century and combines many different European and African heritages. It is believed to be the oldest folk festival in America (I say festival because it is far more than just a parade) and is celebrated in Philadelphia, PA. http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/the-mummers-parade/

Polar Bear Plunge or Swim Day – Celebrated by crazy people who jump into icy waters for no good reason that I can think of. I mean no insult to these crazy people, but I won't even get into pool water in June because it is still too cold for me, so I just can't comprehend why or even how they do what they do.

Saint Basil's Day -Saint Basil the Great was the Greek Bishop of what is now Turkey. He was known for caring for the poor and he created the guidelines by which monks lived for centuries. He died on this day in 379.

Z Day - This is an odd holiday that involves letting people with a name beginning with Z be first in line for the day. Z people are always last, but not today. The day was created by Tom Zager.

Rose Bowl Game – On this day the famous Rose Bowl game is played. This is a football event for those of you who are like me and don't pay any attention to sports at all.

Global Family Day – This is a day of peace and sharing to be celebrated around the world.. It is a day where we share food with friends and the needy and make personal pledges of nonviolence and spread a message of peace and sharing by ringing bells and/or beating drums in hopes of making society and the world a safer place to live. This day developed out of the United Nations “One Day in Peace” back in the year 2000.

Tournament of Roses Parade Day – This famous parade takes place in Pasadena, California but you can watch it all over the world.

Commitment Day – This is a family oriented 5K run/walk with the purpose of starting a conversation about adopting a healthy way of life for your family that will spread around the country. Commitment Day supports the American Heart Association's My Heart. My Life. healthy living initiative.

To celebrate today, check the dishonor list and be careful to avoid those overused words today. Take your polar bear plunge first thing before you lose your nerve, then try to buy a Bloody Mary with some euros to toast the New Year. Go to a family member's house to watch the parades and the Rose Bowl Game and make sure you bring the proper first footer gifts make sure they make the nonviolence pledge. Then get a book about Ellis Island to read to your kids after you explain about how the book is protected by its' copyright. Finally, make a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle and help the poor.

December 31, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Leap Second Time Adjustment Day – Celebrated on either this day or June 30^th, this is a day where scientists adjust our time by a second in order to make sure our clocks are working in accordance with Earth's rotation. They are not adjusted every six months and some years they are not adjusted at all. Sometimes they take away a second and sometimes they add a second based on the speed of Earth's rotation which can vary based on climatic and geological events.

Make Up Your Mind Day – This is a day to be decisive. Whatever you are waffling about, make up your mind to make up your mind about it today.

National Champagne Day – It's no big surprise that today is National Champagne Day. I'm sure that if studies were done on such things, they would find that more people drink champagne on this day than any other day in the year. Not me, champagne gives me a headache.

Unlucky Day – I'm not sure why, but many people consider this, the last day of the year, to be an unlucky day. I think that any day that I wake up breathing and able to get up and do what I need to do is a very lucky day.

No Interruptions Day – This is a day to turn off the phone, ignore emails and instant messages and texts, lock the door to your room or office and just relax and let the stress melt away.

New Years Eve – The is the day before New Years Day. The last day of 2013. Tonight at midnight we say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. Here's hoping that there aren't any catastrophic natural disasters in 2014. The world is still trying to recover from 2013.

Universal Hour of Peace Day – This is an event to which people from all countries, cultures, and creeds are invited to create peace by joining together and dedicating their minds and bodies to peaceful thoughts and actions for one hour beginning at 11:30pm today and ending at 12:30am tomorrow morning. It was created by the School of Metaphysics and the first Hour was celebrated on October 24^th, 1995.

To celebrate today, lock your door to keep out the unluckiness of the day, turn off your phone to discourage interruptions, and make up your mind to have some Champagne at your New Years party where you will encourage your guests to celebrate the hour of peace, then offer a toast to the scientists who keep our clocks in shape down to the last second.

December 30, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Bicarbonate of Soda Day – This is a wonderous food with a million and one uses. No, I'm not going to list all million and one, I promise. You can bake, rid your refrigerator and freezer of odors, rid your laundry of odors and clean just about anything to name just a few.

To celebrate today, incorporate baking soda into everything you do today, cooking, cleaning, deodorizing or whatever else you think of.

December 29, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Tick Tock Day – There are only two days left in 2013. Time is ticking down until this year is just a memory.

National Pepper Pot Day – This is a food, believe it or not. It is a kind of soup or stew that uses tripe, vegetables, pepper (of course), among other things. According to legend, this is the soup that kept our Continental army alive when food was scarce.

To celebrate today, eat pepper pot soup while you watch the seconds tick away on the clock.

December 28, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Holy Innocents Day – This is a day when Christians remember all of the young male children in the Bethlehem area that King Herod ordered executed in an attempt to kill the baby King of the Jews whom he believed would attempt to take his throne. We don't know how many were killed and some historians dispute that it happened at all.

Card Playing Day – This is a day to relax with friends and/or family and play cards together. After the hectic pace of the holidays, you are due for a nice relaxing break.

Pledge of Allegiance Day – On this day in 1945, the United States Congress recognized the Pledge of Allegiance as an American flag salute. The original version was written by Baptist minister Francis Bellamy somewhere around 1900 give or take a few years. It was revised to include the words “under God” in 1950.

To celebrate today, have all the innocents in your house help you to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then sit down and play a great card game.

December 27, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Fruitcake Day – Fruitcake is frequently made fun of and disparaged. However, if you make it with just the right recipe, it is actually quite delicious. Not just any recipe will do, shop around and experiment until you find one that works for your family.

Visit The Zoo Day – I don't usually think of visiting a zoo in the winter time but many of them are open and it's a great activity to do with the kids to show them animals that they wouldn't otherwise get to see in person.

Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day – Whether you get snow where you live or not, cutting out and decorating your house with snowflakes is a great way to decorate for winter time. Enlist the help of the kids if you have some available, they love to do this kind of thing. Get creative and break out the glitter, beads, sequins and anything else that you think would look good on paper snowflakes.

To celebrate today, visit the zoo and then eat some fruitcake while you make snowflakes.

December 26, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Candy Cane Day – This is a day to eat all the candy canes you have accumulated over the holiday season. I hope you are up for the challenge.

Boxing Day – This is a day when traditionally the servants and tradesmen would receive gifts from their employers. This gift was known as the “Christmas box”. Hence the term, “Boxing Day”. It is mostly observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Austrailia, New Zealand, and a few other Commonwealth countries. It is known by other names in other countries. In South Africa it was renamed Day of Goodwill about twenty years ago. 

National Thank-you Note Day – On this day we must sit down and write thank you notes for all of the gifts that you have received over the holidays. And yes, it is important so if you want someone to give you a gift next year, you better write a thank you note this year.

National Whiner's Day – I don't like this day, I hear enough whining from my children on a regular basis, I don't want to hear official whining. But again, whoever created it didn't ask my opinion.

To celebrate today, give a gift of candy canes to your servants or a tradesperson that you utilize the services of, then sit down and whine while you write all of your thank you notes.

December 25, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Pumpkin Pie Day – I usually think of this pie at Thanksgiving, but many people love it at Christmas as well.

A'Phabet Day or No "L" Day – This is a day for people who want to send greetings to their friends but do not want to send Christmas cards. So they send out cards that list the letters in the alphabet, leaving a space where the L would normally be.

Christmas – This is a day when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Every country has different traditions for their celebrations but most involve a star, and giving gifts. Non-religious based celebrations that for many are as much a part of Christmas as the religious traditions involve Santa Claus or St. Nicholas, stockings hung by the fireplace and a Christmas tree.

To celebrate today, have some pumpkin pie while you make a'phabet cards to send out, then share some gifts with your family and friends.

December 24, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Egg Nog Day – This is a special holiday beverage that is made with eggs, oddly enough. The name means 'eggs inside a small cup' and this creamy beverage is commonly mixed with rum, brandy or whiskey.

Christmas Eve – The day before Christmas, this is an important celebration for Christians. We have inherited from the Jewish people, the idea of our important holiday of Christmas beginning at sundown on this day. Most Churches have special Christmas Eve services and many people begin their gift giving traditions on this day as well.

To celebrate today, share some rum spiked egg nog and then go to Church for a Christmas Eve service.

December 23, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Pfeffernuesse Day – These are small round biscuits, called cookies here in America. These particular cookies are filled with ground nuts and spices and rolled in powdered sugar. They almost look like a flatter version of Russian Tea Cakes.

Roots Day – This is a day to celebrate your family history. Teach your children where they come from and help them to learn from the trials and tribulations as well as the successes of their ancestors.

Festivus – Dan O'Keefe, a scriptwriter for Seinfeld, wrote an episode of the sitcom around this day which was a tradition in his family. It has since become a popular part of our culture. It is best described as a “parody holiday festival” that fights consumerism.

To celebrate today, eat pfeffernuesse while you tell your children all about their roots. Then watch the Festivus episode of Seinfeld so you learn all the rules to the day.

A big shout out to my readers in Antigua and Barbuda.  Thank you for taking the time to read my humble blog.

December 22, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Date Nut Bread Day – We celebrated this day back in September as well, I'm not sure why we are celebrating it again but it's pretty delicious so I'm not going to complain.

National Haiku Poetry Day – A short poem of Japanese origin. It's a three line poem that uses a syllable pattern of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables again. Here is my attempt:

Winter snow is fun.

Sledding, sliding, slipping, ouch!

Is it summer yet?

To celebrate today have some date-nut bread while you work to compose your haiku poetry.

December 21, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National French Fried Shrimp Day – I prefer shrimp unfried, but to each his own. I'm sure they are delicious this way as well.

Anne & Samantha Day – Celebrated on the first day of Winter as well as the first day of Summer, this is a day to remember Anne Frank and Samantha Smith and their contributions to our world. Everyone who knew these girls personally will gradually die off and they will be gone from the memories of the living but we can still honor them and continue to spread the lessons they have taught us to our children and their children.

Forefathers Day – This is a day to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts on this day in 1620. It has been celebrated since 1769 but when they changed to the Gregorian calendar, someone goofed and changed it to December 22^nd. You will still find places that erroneously celebrate it on that day. I want to know why no one ever talks about our foremothers.

Kiwi Fruit Day – Not my favorite fruit, but my son loves them. Then again, he's kind of weird so I'm not sure that's a good endorsement.

Look On The Bright Side Day – This is a day to focus on positive things. It's easy to get sad and depressed on this, the shortest day of the year. We are not getting enough sunlight to perk up our spirits so we have to do it purposefully. Whatever happens to you today, look inside until you can find a positive side to focus on.

International Dalek Remembrance Day – This is a day for Doctor Who fans. If you are a fan of Doctor Who, you will know that the Dalek's first appeared on the show on this day in 1963 and the rest is Doctor Who history.

National Hamburger Day – We had one of these back in May which is more of a grilling season than today but nevertheless, this is also a day for hamburgers. You just might want to cook them inside today. 

National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day – This is a day to remember the people who have no home to go home to. How many of them will die this winter with no shelter to keep them warm?

Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day – In the book by Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days, the wager that was made to go around the world in eighty days or less was won by Phileas Fogg on this day in 1872.

National Flashlight Day – The first flashlights were donated to the police department in 1899. They had some issues but overall were a success so others have worked over the years to perfect the technology into the flashlights we have today. I assume that we celebrate this day on this day since there is so much more darkness than daylight today so there are more opportunities to use your flashlights today.

Winter Solstice – The first day of Winter is actually the day when the planet is closer to the sun than on the Summer Solstice, but because of the angle of the planet, the Northern Hemisphere doesn't benefit from many direct rays from the sun and so it is pretty darn cold already but the coldest is yet to come as winter has just begun.

To celebrate today, watch every Doctor Who episode that involves the Daleks while eating french fried shrimp. Then, tell your kids all about Anne Frank and Samantha Smith and focus on how they saw the bright side even in the midst of their situations. Next, bring kiwi fruit and hamburgers to a homeless shelter near you. When you get home, go outside and greet winter by waving your flashlight in the air. Finally, go inside and wager that your kids cannot name even one of our forefathers.

December 20, 2013

Today we celebrate:

International Human Solidarity Day – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 for the purpose of recognizing shared values between people in the world and using those values to fight against poverty and promote human and social development in the poorest areas of the world.

Go Caroling Day – Who wants to wander the neighborhood singing Christmas Carols in the cold and whatever weather is happening in your area? Anyone? Excellent! I'll meet you outside.

National Sangria Day – A delicious, fruity wine that is made like a punch is called sangria because it's red and sangre is Spanish for blood. It is sweet and refreshing and good any time of year not just this season. But it's great if you're going to have a party.

Underdog Day – Celebrated on the third Friday in December, this is a day to root for the Underdog. An underdog is someone who is not expected to win. There can be underdogs in just about any category of life but we hear the term most often in reference to sporting events.

To celebrate today, cheer on the underdog of your caroling group and toast him/her with your sangria in a gesture of solidarity.

December 19, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Re-gifting Day – Celebrated on the third Thursday in December, this is a day to break out the unwanted and unused gifts that you have received over the year and gift them to someone else. This day was chosen because it is the most common day for holiday office parties and coworkers are the most common recipients of re-gifting.

Look For An Evergreen Day – This is a day for those of us who choose to cut a real tree for Christmas. Many of you have your tree already but this is the official day to go hunt down just the right tree for your family.

National Hard Candy Day – This is a day to indulge in your favorite hard candy. Butterscotch is my favorite, my daughter loves Jolly Ranchers. What is your favorite?

Oatmeal Muffin Day – This is a day to make oatmeal muffins for your family or yourself.

To celebrate today, enjoy some oatmeal muffins for breakfast and hard candy all day long while you go and look for the perfect evergreen tree. This evening, re-gift a nice bottle of wine that you would never open because you don't like wine to someone who would enjoy it.

December 18, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Roast Suckling Pig Day – This day is more popular in other countries than in ours but I imagine there are a few people who have been waiting anxiously for this day to come around.

Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day – Have you seen Will Ferrell's movie, Elf? If not, you will want to watch it today so that you are prepared when the phone rings to answer it with the proper amount of enthusiasm.....”Buddy the Elf...What's your favorite color?”

International Migrants Day – This day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 in order to recognize the millions of migrants in the world. They are seeking to protect the rights of the migrants and to recognize their contributions to the economies of the countries they live and work in.

To celebrate today, answer the phone like Buddy the Elf all day today while you roast a suckling pig for the migrants in your area.

December 17, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Free Shipping Day – This day was begun in 2007 by Luke and Maisie Knowles with the intention of extending the online shopping season. There was a time when Cyber Monday was generally the most popular day for online shopping. After that, most people were afraid they wouldn't get their items in time for Christmas so they didn't shop online again. Now, Free Shipping Day is another very popular day for online shopping. I was not able to find out from their web site, http://www.freeshipping.org/, exactly when this day is to be celebrated this year. Some other sites declared it to be on this day, others said it is tomorrow on December 18^th. Still other stores hold their own free shipping deals not related to this specific day.

Pan American Aviation Day – This day celebrates the first successful flight by the Wright Brothers. See Wright Brothers Day below. The purpose of this day is to increase interest in aviation in all of the American countries in order to expand cultural development and increase communication between all of these countries.

Wright Brothers Day – On this day in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright finally succeeded in their endeavor to invent a mechanically propelled aircraft that is capable of flight. History was made and aircraft have made one heck of a lot of progress in just 110 years.

National Maple Syrup Day – Well, if you're going to have maple syrup today, you have to have something delicious to have with it like pancakes or french toast or waffles.

International Talk With A Fake British Accent Day – This day was created by Louise Gale and Derek Nisbet, founders of the Big Apple Brits. They have planned some events in NYC to celebrate this day and everyone is encouraged to talk with a British accent for these events.

To celebrate today, talk with a British accent all day while you shop online for some maple syrup. Make sure that it will be shipped to you free by airplane from another North or South American country.  Good luck finding maple syrup made in a South American country.

December 16, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day – This is a day to cover whatever you want in chocolate and enjoy. Be creative and try nuts, strawberries, raisins, pretzels, candy of all kinds, hotdogs, french fries, lasagna....whatever you can think of.

This is the easiest day to celebrate that I have come across so far since I began this blog in January. Simply cover something in chocolate today and enjoy it.

December 15, 2013

I'm posting this early just in case I lose power on Saturday since we have a snowstorm coming our way.  If you are looking for Saturday's celebrations, just move down the page a little more.

Today, on Sunday, we celebrate:

National Lemon Cupcake Day – I am a big fan of lemon flavored baked goods, even more than chocolate, believe it or not. So I am all over this particular holiday.

Bill of Rights Day – This is a day to celebrate the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution called the Bill of Rights. These rights were written in order to ensure the freedom of all Americans and to make sure that the Government has limited power over the people.

Cat Herders Day – This is not a day to actually try to herd cats from one spot to another. I think we can all recognize how nearly impossible a task that would be. That is the point of the whole day, to recognize the frustration of trying to do the impossible which some of us are faced with on a regular basis whether at work or at home.

To celebrate today, recite the Bill of Rights to your children while eating lemon cupcakes, one tiny crumb at a time.

December 14, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Day of the Horse – Designated by the U.S. Congress in 2004, and celebrated on the second Saturday in December, this is a day to celebrate horses. If you have one or more horses, give them an extra treat or a long rub down or a nice long trail ride. Whatever your horse enjoys doing the most, see that he/she gets it today. This country would still be back in the dark ages without the hard work of horses in our history.

National Bouillabaisse Day – Fish stew that originated in Marseilles, France around 600 B.C. While the recipe has changed some over the last 2600 years, one thing has not changed. There has always been a variety of fishes used in the stew, usually 5-7 different types of “bony fish”.

International Shareware Day – Celebrated on the second Saturday in December, this is a day to appreciate and support the people who create the computer software that is available free or for just a small fee. 

Monkey Day – This is a day for the world to celebrate monkeys and other non-human primates such as lemurs and apes. This day began in 2000 as a joke by Casey Sorrow, an art student but it has since spread internationally and is now celebrated in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.

To celebrate today, ride your horse to the zoo to see the monkeys, then go home and download some shareware while your bouillabaisse is cooking.

December 13, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cocoa Day – This is a day to sit back and enjoy a good cup of hot chocolate. Hmmmm...I can smell that chocolate now. I like mine with mini marshmallows in it.

Asarah B'Tevet – This is a fast that begins at dawn to commemorate the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. The fast ends at nightfall.

National Salesperson Day – Celebrated on the second Friday in December, this is a day to recognize how much we depend on salespeople. They help us decide what we need, answer our endless questions, help us solve problems and offer advice. We depend on them to have all the answers we might ever need so they must keep up to date on the latest technology or fashion which are both constantly changing.

US National Guard Birthday – Today the National Guard celebrates its' 377^th birthday. It was created on this day in 1636 when the Massachusetts General Court mandated that all able-bodied men between 16 and 60 were required to join the Militia. It has since grown into a huge military force that is still firmly rooted in the community it has served for so long.

National Ice Cream Day – This day is a little confusing, Italo Marchiony applied for a patent on a machine that makes ice cream cups on Sept. 13, 1903. He received the patent on December 15^th so whoever decided on this day may have inadvertently mixed the two dates.

National Violin Day – We have been celebrating violins on this day for a while now and on this day in 2010, Violinist Ben Lee broke the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Violin Player. He played 14 notes per second which is pretty darn fast.

To celebrate today, go to a music store and ask a Salesperson for some help to find someone who can give you violin lessons. Then, practice hard so you can go to your local National Guard Recruitment Office and play Happy Birthday for them on your violin. After dark tonight have some hot chocolate and ice cream.

Today I'd like to thank all of my American readers.  I appreciate you giving me some of your time so that I can attempt to entertain and perhaps educate you a little bit.

December 12, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Ambrosia Day – This dish is not called “food of the gods” for nothing. It's pretty heavenly if you ask me. Fruit, marshmallows, whipped cream, do I need to say more?

Gingerbread House Day – This is a day to make a good, old-fashioned gingerbread house with your children. Gingerbread walls, frosting for glue and candy for decorations. Fun to make and really fun to eat.

National Ding-A-Ling Day – I'm not really sure what this day is all about. My research was only able to find a suggestion that this day is about celebrating the internal ding-a-ling in all of us. I've certainly got a little bit of ding-a-ling in me and I'm sure that at least some of you have a little bit in you as well. Of course, I guess that depends on what you consider to be a ding-a-ling.

National 12-hour Fresh Breath Day – This is a day to work on your breath. If you have bad breath, you might want to consider scheduling an appointment with your dentist because it could indicate a problem that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, use some mouthwash and brush those teeth and you should have great smelling breath for quite some time.

Poinsettia Day – On this day in 1851, Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, physician and Minister to Mexico, died. Prior to his death, in 1828, he sent cuttings of the plant we now call Poinsettia from his location in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, SC.

To celebrate today, brush your teeth before you decorate your house with poinsettias. Then eat ambrosia while you make gingerbread houses with your fellow ding-a-lings.

Today I'd like to thank my reader in Israel.  I don't know who you are, but you clearly have good taste in reading material.

December 11, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Noodle-Ring Day – A noodle ring is dish that was very popular fifty or sixty years ago. It was made by mixing ketchup, eggs, noodles, Worcestershire sauce and cheese and then baking it in a mold shaped like a ring. Then before you serve it you fill the center with something like creamed chicken, vegetables or some such thing. I have never had one and it's not something that we see much of anymore but you can go retro today and make one for your family.

International Mountain Day – Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003, this is a day to celebrate and encourage sustainable mountain development. 

UNICEF Birthday – The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established by the United Nations after World War II on this day in 1946. The purpose was to provide support to children living in areas devastated by the War. After that problem was solved, UNICEF branched out to include children in other troubled countries and it is still going strong today.

To celebrate today, take your noodle ring to the mountains, put some candles in it and sing Happy Birthday to UNICEF.

December 10, 2013

Today we celebrate:

Dewey Decimal System Day – Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was born on this day in 1851. Mr. Dewey was a librarian, educator and inventor of the Dewey Decimal system which has been used to organize libraries for many decades now. Although he was a brilliant innovator, he was a difficult person to like for many reasons. Hence the title of his biography by Anna Elliot, “Melvil Dewey: A Singular and Contentious Life.”

National Lager Day – The most common kind of beer except in England, lager is German and ferments and ages slowly at cool temperatures. As opposed to ale which is common in England and ferments and ages quickly at warm temperatures. There is apparently a big difference in the flavor of the two kinds of beer. I haven't yet met a beer that I enjoy so I am hardly an expert. But those of you who are, enjoy your lager today.

Human Rights Day – Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, this is a day to tell the world about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage every country on the planet to adopt it. The United Nations is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights for all.

International Animal Rights Day – This is a day to recognize the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR) and to remember the animals who have suffered at the hands of humans. The goal is to persuade all of humanity that animals deserve the same basic human rights that humans enjoy.

Nobel Prize Day – Alfred Nobel, who was born on October 21^st, 1833 in Sweden, was a chemist, engineer and inventor. In the eve of his life, his brother Ludvig died but the obituary wrongly named Alfred as the deceased. This got him to thinking about what his legacy would be when he did eventually pass and caused him to revise his will several times in his remaining eight years. The final version declared that his considerable fortune should be used to create prizes for those who confer the “greatest benefit on mankind” in the areas of physics, chemistry, peace, physiology or medicine and literature. Mr. Nobel died on this day in 1896 at the age of 63 years old. In 1897, the executors of his will created the Nobel Foundation.

To celebrate today, go to the library and use the Dewey Decimal System to find a biographies of Mr. Nobel and Mr. Dewey and read about these very interesting men while you are enjoying a lager. Next you can tell your kids about the human rights that we enjoy and tell them how you feel about allowing animals to enjoy the same rights.

Today I'd like to give a shout out to all my readers in Serbia!

December 9, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Pastry Day – Pastries are delicious baked items that have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Egyptians made pastries out of flour and honey and dipped them in wine. The ones we have now are more complicated to make and even more delectable. You can either make your own or stop in at your local bakery today.

International Anti-Corruption Day – This is a day to highlight and fight against corruption in public officials and other people in power all around the world. More and more people have had enough and are speaking openly against corruption of all kinds whether you are talking about greedy people who steal money donated for the purpose of helping people after a natural disaster or voting a certain way on a bill because of a bribe of some kind or any number of other ways people find to profit by using their position of power.

Christmas Card Day – This is a day to send out your Christmas cards if you celebrate that particular holiday. Get busy, it's a lot of work for some because they have pretty long lists of people to send cards to.

Weary Willie Day – Weary Willie was the name of a clown character based on the hobos of the Great Depression. He was created and brought to life by Emmett Leo Kelly, a circus performer who was born on this day in 1898. He began his circus career as a trapeze artist but switched to clowning in 1931. One of his more famous routines was an act where he was sweeping up the circus rings after the other performers and he would try, and fail, to sweep up the pool of light made by a spotlight.

To celebrate today, dress up as a clown and have some pastries while you work on getting your Christmas cards in the mail. Then write a letter to your local, state and federal politicians urging them to fight corruption.

December 8, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Chocolate Brownie Day – Oooooh boooooy! Just give me a moment to wipe up my drool. I'll be with you shortly. No, you don't need to come with me, I'm not hiding any brownies in my pantry. Really!

Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day – This is just a fun day. If you are into acting and/or playing pranks on people, this is a day for you. Pick a time period to be from, dress up in clothes from that time period and spend the day pretending to be a time traveler from that time period. Be convincing. Talk appropriately, express amazement at modern conveniences if you are pretending to be from the past, etc. Do not allow yourself to slip out of character for even a moment. And whatever you do, DO NOT tell anyone that you are a time traveler.

Worldwide Candle Lighting Day – Created by the Compassionate Friends, this is a day for the world to join together and light candles at 7pm local time for one hour to honor all those children who have left us to try to live this life without them. This is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world. This day is celebrated on the second Sunday in December every year since 1997.

World Choral Day – Also celebrated on the second Sunday, this is a day for choirs around the world to join together in song. Thousands of choirs and millions of singers from countries everywhere have participated in this event over the past twenty years in the form of concerts, festivals, sing-a-longs and other events. This years theme for the day is Integration.

To celebrate today, pretend to be a time traveler while singing and eating chocolate brownies all day. At 7pm light a candle for an hour and say a prayer for those who have lost a child, sister, brother or grandchild.

December 7, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Cotton Candy Day – Known in other countries by other names such as candy floss or fairy floss, this is a sweet treat that is most commonly found at carnivals or fairs. I find it to be too sweet and sticky, but my children love it, of course. It was first invented way back in the 18^th century in Europe but it was spun by hand and so was expensive and time consuming to make. The first machine to do the trick was invented in 1897 by a dentist, of all people, named William Morrison. You would think that even back then, a dentist would know better than to make sugar more readily available.

International Civil Aviation Day – Begun in 1994 by the International Civil Aviation Organization and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, this is a day to celebrate the fact that we, as average citizens of almost any country, can get on a plane and fly mostly wherever we want to fly.

Earmuff Day or Chester Greenwood Day – Celebrated on the first Saturday in December, this is a day to celebrate Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine, who invented earmuffs in 1873 at the tender age of 15. He came up with the idea because his ears got cold while he was ice skating and his grandmother helped him out by sewing bits of fur between loops of wire for his prototype. He got a patent and improved on his design over the years. He had a factory in Farmington for almost 60 years making earmuffs and supporting his community. He invented a number of other things as well. Farmington celebrates his day with a parade every year. Marchers in the parade are sure to be seen wearing earmuffs.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – This is a day to honor and remember all those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941. The United States Flag is to be flown at half-staff until sunset today in their honor.

SKYWARN Recognition Day – Created by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League in 1999, this is a day to recognize the importance of the volunteer SKYWARN radio operators to the National Weather Service.

To celebrate today, watch the weather forecast and realize that without the SKYWARN volunteers, you would probably still be sticking your head out the window in order to guess at what the weather is going to do that day. Wear some earmuffs today when you go out to take a plane trip with your children to Pearl Harbor so you can show your children where it happened 72 years ago. Before you leave, find someplace that sells cotton candy to get your kids all sugared up for the plane trip home. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

December 6, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Gazpacho Day – Gazpacho is a Spanish soup that is filled with vegetables of all kinds simmering in a tomato base. Delicious!

Miners' Day – Declared by the United States Senate in 2009, this is a day to recognize the contributions of miners to the development and prosperity of the United States.

Microwave Oven Day – This is a day to celebrate our Microwave Ovens. What on earth would we do without them? I know that there was a time when we didn't have these magical warming devices since they were invented after World War II based on technology developed by the military during the war. But really, how on earth did people heat up their leftovers without them?

St. Nicholas Day – Traditionally, this is a day that St. Nicholas would do something secretly kind to others. Such as leaving coins in children's shoes or leaving little gifts on doorsteps. In medieval days, nuns would leave baskets of food and clothes at the doors of needy people which would be attributed to St. Nicholas.

National Pawnbrokers Day – Celebrated on St. Nicholas Day, this is a day to recognize the importance of the pawnbroker to his/her clientele. Pawnbrokers are good to have around if you need a little money and you have something to sell or if you want to buy something and not pay full retail price.

Mitten Tree Day – A mitten tree is a Christmas tree that is decorated by mittens. The mittens are given to children who do not have mittens of their own because in many parts of this country the winters are too cold to go outside without every inch of your skin covered in some way. If you have ever lived in such an area, you are very familiar with mittens.

Faux Fur Friday – Faux fur is man made material that resembles animal fur in texture and appearance. It is cheaper than real animal fur and far less devastating to the animals in question. It was first invented in 1929 but has been increasing in popularity because it is very animal friendly.

To celebrate today, buy some faux fur mittens from a pawnbroker and find a mitten tree to put them on. Then make some gazpacho in the microwave and leave it on the doorsteps of miners as a thank you gift.

Today I'd like to give a shout out to all my readers in Malaysia!