January 6, 2017

Today we celebrate:

National Smith Day - Created by Adrienne Koopersmith in 1995, this is a day for anyone with the name Smith. Whether it’s your actual name or it’s part of your profession such as blacksmiths or goldsmiths. It will even work for those of you with a Smith-like name such as Schmidt or Smyth. They say that Smith is one of the most common names there is, but that doesn’t mean that you are common. You are just as unique as anyone else. Celebrate that fact today!

World Day for War Orphans - Created by the French organization SOS Enfants en Detresses, this is a day to recognize the particular problems that orphans have in this world. With no parents to care for them and love them either because they have died or because they have abandoned their children, orphans have a very difficult beginning to their lives. In Afghanistan alone, there are over 2 million orphaned children. In africa, because of AIDS, other epidemics, and various wars, there are over 34 million orphaned children. When parents cannot fulfill their responsibilities, governments must step in and help these children who cannot help themselves.

National Shortbread Day – Traditionally a Scottish dish based on biscuit bread. Quite delicious in fact, especially the homemade kind. If you like to bake, feel free to try this one.

Cuddle Up Day – This is a day to find someone to cozy up with. If you can't find a willing person, try an animal (tame and domesticated preferably). If you can't find a willing live animal, try a stuffed one. If all else fails, you can borrow my dog, he'll cuddle with anyone.

Three Kings Day or Epiphany or Twelfth Night – The twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day and end today with the Feast of Epiphany which is also called “The Adoration of the Magi.” Magi is a fancy name for Wise Men (or kings) of which there were three who went to visit baby Jesus, hence the Three Kings Day. So although they seem like they should be separate celebrations, they are really all the same.

Apple Tree Day – This is a day to focus on the health benefits of apples. You have heard the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I don't know where that came from but there is some truth to it as apples are very healthy for you.

National Bean Day – There are beans in all different shapes, sizes and colors. You can cook with them or craft with them or even make musical instruments with them. I see where your mind went just now, and that's just stinky and not at all what I meant.

National Take Down The Christmas Tree Day - This is the day to take down that Christmas tree if you haven’t already. Pack it up people, it’s time. You might consider taking your outside lights down too, so I don’t have to listen to my children complaining about all the lights up still. When I was a kid we would leave the tree up until February sometimes, but I suppose that many people would consider that to be very bad.