July 1, 2014

This is the first day of July and is also the first day of the:

Second Half Of The Year Day – This is a day to look back on your New Year's Resolutions. What have you accomplished and what do you need to work harder on? Figure out if you were unrealistic with your goals and change, update and renew your goals and dedication to accomplishing them.

National Gingersnap Day – Crispy, crunchy and impossible to mistake for anything else because of the strong smell of ginger.  This is a love it or hate it kind of cookie.

Canada Day – A federal holiday in Canada, this day celebrates the anniversary of the Constitution Act which created Canada from three colonies in 1867.

National GSA Employee Day – The General Services Administration, an independent agency of the United States government, was established in 1949 and helps manage and support federal agencies with transportation, office space, cost cutting policies and other assorted administrative functions. They employ more than 10,000 people and today is their day.

Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day – There are more wacky ice cream flavors that you can possibly imagine. There are the traditional vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry everywhere you go and every ice cream maker has their own special flavors like chocolate peanut butter cup. But then, if you go looking in local ice cream parlors you can find crazy flavors like Lavender Honey Ice Cream, and Sea Salt Dulce de Leche Ice Cream. You can go to a garlic festival and find garlic ice cream. You can even find ice cream that really shouldn't be ice cream.

U.S. Postage Stamp Day – Before postage stamps were created in 1840 in the United Kingdom, mail was to be paid for by the person receiving the mail, not the person sending the mail. Which is ridiculous because if the receiver didn't want to or was not able to pay for it, the postal service didn't get paid. Also the people sending the mail sent whatever they wanted, no matter what it might ultimately cost the recipient. The postage stamp changed all that and made the mail system much more efficient. Over the next twenty or so years, other countries followed suit with the United States issuing their first official stamps on this day in 1847.

Zip Code Day – Before airplanes became a really reliable form of transporting mail around the country, and even for some time afterward, the Post Office used the much slower railroad. With the population booming, the Post Office was having a lot of difficulty delivering the mail in an efficient manner, so in the 1960's they spent quite some time working on finding a solution to that. On this day in 1963, the zip code system began and involved some major readjustments in the method of transporting mail.

International Joke Day – I was unable to find out who created this day, but for a day like this that is not important information. Today is a day for joking all around the world. Laughter is important to us for many different reasons so enjoy the excuse to laugh today. Tell jokes and spread the fun around the world.

To celebrate today, take some gingersnap cookies and interesting ice cream up to Canada to celebrate their Constitution with them.  Then find some GSA employees on the way home and tell them some jokes before you go to the post office to buy stamps and check to make sure your zip code is still the same.  Finally, review your resolutions and renew your dedication to making them happen.

June 30, 2014

Today we celebrate:

Please Take My Children To Work Day – Celebrated on the last Monday in June, this is a day to recognize stay-at-home mothers and the very difficult job they have every day doing pretty much every job there is. On this day, stay-at-home moms can kick back, relax a little and laugh at themselves.

National Meteor Day – Keep your eyes open for meteors tonight. You never know when you're going to see one. Sometimes astronomers can give us a heads up when we will get a meteor shower, but even if there is no shower expected, you could still see a stray meteor.

Descendants Day – This is a day to research your family tree to see if you are the descendant of someone (or a group of someones) important to history. Of course, everyone you are descended from is important to your personal history since you wouldn't be here if it were not for them.

Leap Second Time Adjustment Day – This is a day to make a one second adjustment to our time in order to stay close to the average solar time. Apparently our daily rotation is not exactly 24 hours but is a fraction of a second longer. Therefore, every now and then, at the end of June or December, we need to add a second to the clock so that we don't eventually have days when midnight comes sometime in the afternoon.  There apparently won’t be an adjustment this time, check back with me in December and I’ll let you know if you need to adjust your clock then..

NOW (National Organization for Women) – Founded on this day in 1966, by 28 women, this organization is about fighting for equality for women in all aspects of life.

To celebrate today, working spouses should take the kids to work today to give the stay at home spouses a vacation so they can lay outside in the sun and watch for meteors while they research their family tree and keep an eye on time.  Then tell the kids about NOW and how important it is to fight for equality in all things.

June 29, 2014

For all of the photographers out there, we celebrate:

Camera Day – Joseph Niepce created the first photographic image in 1827 but it faded pretty quickly and he needed 8 hours of light exposure in order to take the picture. In 1839, Louis Jacques Daguerre took the first image that didn't fade and it only needed 30 minutes of light exposure. All that pales in comparison to the pictures we can take with today's cameras, but every new technology starts somewhere.

America's Kids Day – The goal of this day is to teach American children about what it is to be an American. We need to teach them our fundamental values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yes, there is a lot of cynicism out there, but it is still possible for children to grow up to be anything they want to be if they are willing to work for it. That's what it is to be an American.

Hug Holiday – I was not able to find a reliable source for where this holiday came from, so normally I wouldn't include it. However, this is not a busy day and I really like hugs so there you have it.

National Almond Buttercrunch Day – Crunchy, buttery and nutty, if you like that combination, you'll be in heaven today.

Waffle Iron Day – Early, primitive waffle irons date back to the 14th century. They would imprint elaborate patterns on the waffles and were baked over a fire. In 1869, Cornelius Swarthout patented the waffle iron in the U.S. and 1911, the first electric waffle iron was invented.

Log Cabin Day – Celebrated on the last Sunday in June by most people, this day is sponsored by the Log Cabin Society of Michigan and has been an annual event since 1987. Michigan is so far the only state that celebrates this statewide festival where they celebrate by conducting tours of many log cabins in the state.

To celebrate today, hug your kids and give them waffles and almond buttercrunch to teach them the value of bribery so they will sit still for you while you take their picture in front of the log cabin you are visiting.

June 28, 2014

Get the tent and sleeping bags ready today, June 28th.  You might add in some bug spray as well so you are more comfortable during your:

Great American Backyard Campout – On this day, thousands of Americans will gather in backyards all over the country to have their very own campout. Experience the outdoors without having to travel too far. This is a great option for people with young children who don't want to get too far away from indoor plumbing or who think their young children will not be able to last a whole night outside.  http://www.nwf.org/great-american-backyard-campout.aspx

ARRL ( American Radio Relay League) Field Day – The most popular on-the-air event in the US and Canada. Celebrated on the fourth weekend of June every year by more than 35,000 ham radio enthusiasts and their clubs. Some celebrate with a contest, others by practicing emergency radio drills, still others with picnics and campouts. http://www.arrl.org/field-day

Paul Bunyan Day – This is a day for tall tales. You've all heard of Paul Bunyan. Tell your children about him today. Don't forget about Babe, the Blue Ox. Feel free to add your own embellishments to the story, that's what makes a tall tale so much fun.

National Insurance Awareness Day – This is a day for spreading awareness of how important insurance is. Call your insurance company and see if they will celebrate today by giving you a discount on something. We can't get by without insurance these days whether it's car insurance or health insurance or life insurance or homeowners insurance. It's big business and we need it because it saves us from losing everything we have when someone inevitably sues us for something. Make sure your insurance is up to date today.

International Caps Lock Day - This day was created by Derek Arnold in the year 2000.  It is also celebrated on October 22nd and is simply intended to be a fun, goofy day.  Others have created their own Caps Lock Days at various points in the year such as August 22nd.

National Tapioca Day - I love tapioca pudding but I’ve heard that you can also put it in a drink.  I haven’t tried that yet, but perhaps today would be a good day to find a good recipe.  Maybe this one:  http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Raspberry-bubble-tea-297450

Tau Day – I didn't know what this was either until I looked it up so I will happily enlighten you. Tau is double Pi. Pi, of course, is 3.14....therefore Tau is 6.28...Hence the reason it is celebrated today.

To celebrate today, KEEP THE CAPS LOCK ON ALL DAY WHILE YOU TYPE INVITATIONS TO YOUR ARRL FIELD DAY PICNIC THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN YOUR BACKYARD.  BEFORE PEOPLE ARRIVE, CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR INSURANCE IS UP TO DATE.  THEN, LATER TONIGHT, CAMPOUT WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN YOUR BACKYARD AND HAVE PAUL BUNYAN CONTESTS WHILE YOU EAT TAPIOCA PUDDING AND EXPLAIN TAU TO THEM.

June 27, 2014

I hope you know someone who celebrates a birthday today because today is:

“Happy Birthday To You” Day – This song has been around longer than I would possibly have guessed. The melody was composed in 1859 by Mildred J. Hill, a schoolteacher from Kentucky. It was first published in 1893 with the lyrics her sister, Patty Smith, wrote for it and it was called “Good Morning To All”. It was changed to a birthday song and copyrighted in 1935. Find someone who has a birthday today and sing it to them.

Ramadan – This is an Islamic holiday that begins at sundown this evening and lasts until July 27th and involves fasting during the daylight hours. This is a time for Muslims to focus on God and to purify their souls.

Sunglasses Day – This is a day to celebrate eye protection. Even primitive societies have been known to devise some sort of covering that can be seen out of but still protect their eyes from the sun. These days we have a myriad of styles and colors of sunglasses to choose from. You can make them part of your fashion statement if you want to. The important thing is to realize that your eyes do need to be protected from the sun so that your eyesight will last longer.

Decide To Be Married Day – This is a day to celebrate couples who decide to get married. It is based on a poem entitled, “Decide to be Married”. Oddly enough, my happily married husband of 20 years always tries to talk people out of making this decision. Do you think he's trying to tell me something?

National HIV Testing Day – Every year on this day, since 2005, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has promoted an HIV testing day. They want everyone who could possibly be at risk to be tested today. The earlier you are diagnosed, the earlier you can begin treatment and the longer you can live a normal lifestyle.

National Bomb Pop Day – Bomb Pops are a frozen Popsicle type of dessert that is made by Blue Bunny. They were invented in 1955 by James Merritt and D.S. Abernethy in Missouri. They even have a sugar free variety so unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients, you have no reason to not get them for your family today.

National Orange Blossom Day - This is a day to celebrate the flower known as the orange blossom which is ultimately responsible for producing the delicious fruit we all know as oranges.  Citrus fruits are important sources of Vitamin C and we use the flavor of citrus for many desserts and drinks and more.

Industrial Workers Of The World Day – On this day in 1905, The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was formed. The concept of the IWW is that all workers should be united as a social class and that capitalism and wage labor should be abolished. Sounds great in theory, but history has shown us that putting it into practice is difficult and so far has not been very successful.

To celebrate today, wear sunglasses and eat bomp pops while you sing the Happy Birthday song to the one you have decided to marry.  Then both of you should go get tested for HIV while you discuss the plight of the workers of the world and smell orange blossoms.

June 26, 2014

Make sure you look your best today so you can celebrate:

Beautician's Day – This is a day to celebrate the person who styles your hair or paints your nails. Most of us can't do that by ourselves and the people who do it for us help us to look the best that we can be.

National Chocolate Pudding Day – Chocolate pudding is pretty good, especially for a chocolate lover. Add a little vanilla ice cream and whipped cream and you have turned pretty good into delicious.

National Canoe Day – This is a Canadian celebration founded by the Canadian Canoe Museum with the idea of increasing participation in canoeing across the country. Whether you are new to the sport or you have been canoeing for years, get out and find some water to canoe in today. Enjoy the water, the quiet and the animals you find.

International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking – This is a United Nations created day to raise awareness of the serious problems that illegal drugs bring to society. This day is celebrated by people all over the world with awareness programs.

International Day In Support Of Victims Of Torture – Another United Nations sponsored day created in 1997 to condemn the act of torture which is a crime under international law. Sadly, many governments and individuals ignore this law but the United Nations is working toward completely eradicating this horrific act.

National Handshake Day – Celebrated on the last Thursday in June, this is a day for an old fashioned hand shake. No fist bumps or high fives or crazy secret handshake routines. No sir, people have been shaking hands for centuries. There was a time when a handshake was as good as a signed contract. To say hello and to say goodbye, the handshake rules today. You may be thinking that you are experiencing some deja vu today because we just had a Handshake Day back on the 21st, but that was a worldwide event.  This day is only for the United States to celebrate.  The rest of the world can just put their hands back in their pockets today.  Unless you want to come over here and shake our hands, that would be perfectly acceptable.

To celebrate today, shake hands with your beautician before you go for a canoe ride.  When you get back, eat chocolate pudding while you learn more about how to help victims of torture and drug abuse.

June 25, 2014

Did the Beatles sing about strawberry catfish?  No?  Maybe I'm thinking of another band.  Well, no matter, today is a day to celebrate:

National Strawberry Parfait Day – I understand that Parfait is French for perfect, and that is just what this dessert is, strawberry perfection.

National Catfish Day – This day was created by President Ronald Reagan's Proclamation in 1987. This is a day to eat farm raised catfish, the farming of which has become a sizeable industry in America.

Color TV Day (CBS)- On this day in 1951, CBS broadcast the very first color TV program which very few people could enjoy since nearly everyone in America who owned a TV, owned a black-and-white TV since color TV's hadn't taken off yet and wouldn't for another decade. After all, why buy a color TV if most of the shows on it were still black-and-white. Besides, TV was still pretty new at that point and many households had just recently purchased their first one. I'm sure they didn't want to turn right around and buy a new one.

Global Beatles Day – This is a day to celebrate the Beatles and the gifts they gave to the world because of their promotion of peace and love and the expansion of the human consciousness. They started a wave of global changes in fashion and art, among other things. This day was chosen to honor the first live global television broadcast of “All You Need Is Love” by John Lennon which occurred back in 1967 on this very day.

To celebrate today, eat catfish and strawberry parfait while you watch an old (probably black & white) Beatles performance on your color television.

June 24, 2014

Today is a day for all of your senses, including your imaginative ones:

Celebration of the Senses Day - This is a day to celebrate all of your senses: sight, touch, taste, smell and sound.  How you choose to celebrate is left up to you so do whatever is most pleasing to these senses.  It doesn’t need to be all at the same time, although if you can, it would certainly save time.

Museum Comes to Life Day - This day has been celebrated since 2006 and is a day to go to a museum and imagine what it would be like if everything in it came to life.  Take your kids with you and see what scenarios their amazing imaginations come up with.  http://almanacofmerriment.blogspot.com/

2006/06/museum-comes-to-life-day-june-24th.html

National Pralines Day – A sweet pecan treat that is very popular in New Orleans. It originally came from France and used almonds but when those Frenchmen and women arrived in New Orleans way back when, almonds were hard to come by, so they switched to pecans and now no one even thinks of using almonds in this delectable dessert.

International Fairy Day – This is a day that celebrates those tiny, winged, little people who are born on the laugh of a baby. I couldn't find out where this day came from or why we should celebrate it, but if you have children, particularly the little girl variety, you probably already celebrate this day every day.

National Columnists Day – Celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of June, this is a day to send your favorite newspaper columnists a letter to let them know how much you enjoy reading their work.

Swim A Lap Day – This is a day to get a little exercise. Put on your bathing suit, (go ahead, I won’t look) and hop in the pool to swim a lap. Although since you went to all that trouble to get your suit on and find a pool, I don't know why you would stop at one lap. Go ahead and swim as many laps as you can.

To celebrate today, read your favorite columnist before you celebrate your senses by eating pralines, watching the fairies swim laps in the bird bath, listening to your favorite music, wiggling your toes in some sand and smelling the fresh air.  Then take some kids to a museum and imagine what it would be like if the whole museum came to life.

June 23, 2014

Today we celebrate:

National Pecan Sandies Day – A special kind of cookie that may have originated in the medieval Arab world.

National Pink Day – This is a day for people who love the color pink. I can't figure out why pink deserves a special day. I haven't yet seen any other color get it's own day, so go figure. But today you are urged to buy things that are pink, wear things that are pink and decorate things with the color pink.

SAT Math Day – This is a day to share your favorite SAT math problems. It is celebrated today because today is Alan Turing's birthday. Alan Turing, as I'm sure you already know, was a British mathematician, computer scientist, cryptanalyst, and logician who was born in 1912. That's a lot of responsibilities for one man but he was brilliant at what he did. Sadly, he committed suicide just before he turned 42 because of governmental persecution over issues in his private life.

United Nations Public Service Day – On this day the UN Public Service Awards are given out to worthy public servants. This is a very prestigious event that celebrates the value of public service to communities around the world.

Pink Flamingo Day – This day was declared by Dean Mazzaralla in 2007. Mr. Mazzaralla was the Mayor of Leominster, MA. He apparently really liked pink flamingos and felt that enough other people did as well.  If you're a fan of pink flamingos, decorate your yard today with a flock of them. It is my understanding that less than 4 flamingos does not constitute a flock.

To celebrate today, solve some SAT math problems while you eat some pecan sandies then send a thank you note to the public servants in your area, making sure you include a picture of your pink flamingo lawn ornaments to lift their spirits.

June 22, 2014

It's an easy day to celebrate today, as long as you don't mind travelling to the Southern Hemisphere.

National Onion Rings Day - While I don’t understand the joy some people have in eating these since I’m not that fond of onions.  A little bit goes a long way for me.  However, I am in the minority in that regard in my household.  So if you enjoy this particular fried food, feel free to indulge today.

National Chocolate Eclair Day – This delicious treat has everything going for it, a sweet cream filling, a melt in your mouth pastry, and a heavenly chocolate topping. I'll have to get some for the family tonight.

Polar Bear Swim – This is a Southern Hemisphere day today. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates this day on January 1st usually, although I think some celebrate on December 21st, our winter solstice. On this day crazy people jump into the freezing cold water for reasons I cannot completely fathom. That's usually all this day entails because after all, it's too cold for a picnic.

To celebrate today, head for the Southern Hemisphere to jump in the freezing water before you warm up with onion rings and a chocolate eclair.

June 21, 2014

Summer begins today at 6:51 am EDT.  Are you ready?  Does it already seem like summer where you are or is winter hanging on for forever this year?  We are also celebrating:

Cuckoo Warning Day - This is an old wives tale kind of day today, I think.  Apparently if you hear a cuckoo on this day,  your summer will be a wet one.  I can just hear the total silence coming over the southwest states as everyone strains their ears in hope that they will hear one.  Does anyone have a cuckoo clock?

National Peaches & Cream Day – Fresh, ripe, juicy peaches, covered with thick, rich cream. Dessert doesn't get any better than that. I've probably said that before, but I really mean it this time.

Atheists Solidarity Day – This is a day for Atheists to wear a red and black ribbon to show their support to other non-religious people in their community. Some atheists do not feel they can be open about their beliefs because they fear persecution. While I am not an atheist, we do live in a country where we have the freedom to believe or not believe in whatever we want, and I support the right of every adult to decide for themselves what they chose to believe. Not all countries have that freedom and some people are right to be afraid of persecution or even death if it were to become known that they disagree with the beliefs of those around them.

Go Skateboarding Day – Created by the International Association of Skateboarding Companies, the purpose of today is to dust off the old skateboard, put aside normal responsibilities and just skateboard all day. Many major cities are holding skateboarding events today, see if you can find one that you can join.

National Daylight Appreciation Day – This is a day to celebrate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Today will be great for your energy bills (as long as it's not too hot and you're running the air conditioning all day) and for your energy levels as it has been proven that lots of sunlight can increase your mental and physical health and your energy levels.  http://nationaldaylightday.com/

Anne & Samantha Day – This day is celebrated on the solstice each June and December. You are meant to reflect on Anne Frank's and Samantha Smith's contributions to our world before their premature demise. The creators of this day are campaigning to have postage stamps in their honor before the first half of our century is over on Dec. 31st, 2050. http://www.anneandsamantha.com/

World Handshake Day – Created by Ivan Zupa, this is a day to unite the world. He says to “place your hand in the sea and shake hands with the whole world.” It began as a vision for Mr. Zupa after the tsunami disaster (I'm not sure which tsunami disaster he is referring to since there have been a couple in recent memory) and he hopes to make this idea spread to the rest of the world.  http://www.world-handshake.net/worldhandshakeday.html

World Humanist Day – This is a day for Humanist people to share their values with the world. It is a “freethought” holiday that is supported by the International Humanist and Ethical Union, which is a global federation for atheist, rationalist, ethical culture and secularist groups. There will be conferences and proclamations and other activities going on today to spread awareness of their free thoughts. http://www.ihumanism.org/2012/06/world-humanism-day-june-21st.html

Baby Boomer's Recognition Day – This is a day to celebrate the baby boomers and their contributions to society. Many of them became very successful in a wide variety of fields, and our medicines and technology wouldn't be where they are today without this talented group of people.

To celebrate today, get outside every chance you get today to enjoy the sun for as long as possible and listen for cuckoo birds while you eat peaches and cream and skateboard with your neighborhood atheists.  Shake hands with all the Humanists you meet and discuss Anne & Samantha’s legacy’s with the baby boomers in your area.