November 18, 2016

Today we celebrate:

National Vichyssoise Day - This is a soup made from potatoes, cream, leeks, onion and chicken stock. It was apparently invented in 1917 in America by French chef Louis Diat at the Ritz-Carlton in New York where he worked at the time. It is usually served cold, which I’m not sure I would enjoy, but I’ll have to reserve judgement until I try it.  

William Tell Day - According to legend, it was on this day in 1307 when William Tell was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head with his crossbow. He succeeded but the man in charge of the area, Albrecht Gessler, saw that he had a second arrow readily available and asked Tell what it was for. Tell replied that if he had killed his son with the first arrow, he would have killed Gessler with the second. This caused him all kinds of more trouble and shortly thereafter led to a rebellion that eventually led to the Swiss Confederation. Now, the historians dispute that this ever happened and that someone named Wilhelm (or William) Tell ever existed, but I wouldn’t mention that to any Swiss people you might know because I’ve heard that they get somewhat aggravated.

Married To A Scorpio Support Day – I guess that it must be very challenging to be married to a Scorpio because this is the only birth sign that I have found that has a support day for spouses. Kind of bizarre and if anyone who is married to a Scorpio could enlighten me as to why a support group is needed, I would be very interested.

Mickey Mouse Day – On this day in 1928, Steamboat Willie was released for the first time. This is, of course, the beginning for Mickey Mouse....the most famous mouse in the world.

Push-button Phone Day – On this day in 1963, the push button phone (As opposed to the rotary phones of old – one of which still resides in my parent's house on the wall where for years it was our only phone.) was officially introduced. And most of us, except for my parents, have never looked back.

Occult Day – This is a day to celebrate the occult. You may do so by visiting your favorite psychic, reading your horoscope, charting your stars or simply reading a book about it.

International STAND UP to Bullying Day - This day is celebrated twice a year. On the last Friday in February and the third Friday in November during Anti-bullying week. It is a day to sign a pledge and wear a pink pledge shirt in order to publicly announce to the world that you are against bullying. And no, it doesn’t matter if pink clashes with your hair. That is not the point.