June 4, 2017

Today we celebrate:


Hug Your Cat Day - This is a day for cat lovers. Dog lovers, you’re out of luck. If you have a cat or know someone who does, give that cat a great big, but gentle, hug. If you have a cat that doesn’t appreciate hugs, you should probably steer clear of them and find one that does because you don’t want the consequences of hugging a cat that doesn’t want to be hugged.

Shopping Cart Day - On this day in 1937, Sylvan Goldman invented shopping carts. I never gave a single thought to the fact that there was a time when shopping carts didn’t exist. What did people use to hold their groceries before there were shopping carts? Anyway, Mr. Goldman had a store and wanted something that would help his customers hold merchandise while they were shopping in his store, so he came up with a basket on wheels. Pretty ingenious and probably encouraged his customers to buy more items since they didn’t have to worry about only getting what they could carry.

Mike, The Headless Chicken Day – Celebrated on the first weekend in June, this is a day to learn the story of Mike. Mike was a chicken who was supposed to be dinner back in 1945, but when his owner, Lloyd Olson, chopped off his head (Mike's head, not Lloyd's), Mike just refused to die and carried on his chickenly duties such as attempting to peck for food and preen his feathers. He lived without his head for another 18 months because Lloyd was so amazed, he worked to keep the bird alive by feeding it with an eye dropper. Impossible, you say? Well, apparently Lloyd botched the chop job and left behind the lower portion of his brain that was attached to his spinal column. This is apparently a true story that was documented by scientists and you can read all about it and see pictures here.

National Cheese Day - We had a Cheese Lover’s Day on January 20th, but this is not about the lovers of cheese, it is all about the cheese. Cheese comes in all kinds of different textures and flavors. Some have holes, some do not. Cheese can be made with milk from cows, sheep, goats, and even buffalo. Some cheese even comes with mold on or in it, which I find incomprehensible, but I am not an expert by any means.

Old Maid Day - I don’t like the terms “Old Maid” and “Spinster”. They imply that life is only complete if a woman has a mate to share it with. I don’t think that’s true. I think it is perfectly possible and acceptable to live a happy and fulfilled life without one. But regardless of the name issue, this is a day for unmarried women around the world to revel in their carefree, unencumbered, independent status.

National Cognac Day - This is a famous variety of brandy. This beverage is named after Cognac, France and has traditionally been reserved for rich people because it is expensive.  

Audacity To Hope Day – This is a symbolic day. A salute, if you will, to all Americans who have (or had, if they are no longer with us) a dream. Almost all dreams are achievable if you have enough audacity to hope.

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression – Created in 1982, this is a day that was created by the United Nations and is dedicated to protecting all children, regardless of their nationality. It acknowledges the pain of children all over the world who are victims of physical, mental or emotional abuse whether that abuse is created by wartime activities or not.

Pentecost – This is Greek for Feast of Weeks.  For Christians, this is a feast celebrating the time that the Holy Spirit descended upon the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. This day is sometimes known as Whitsunday because of the white clothing that was worn on this day by those who were baptized during the period of time between Easter and Pentecost.

Children’s Awareness Memorial Day - Today we remember all of the children who have died because of violence. If you know of any personally, visit their graves today. If you don’t or can’t do that, say a prayer for them and for their parents. This is celebrated on the first Sunday of June.

International Frozen Yogurt Day - Frozen yogurt started in the United States, as far as I can tell and please correct me if that is wrong, but it has spread beyond our borders to many other countries. This day may also be celebrated on February 6th or the first Sunday in June.

National Child’s Day - Proclaimed  by President George W. Bush in 2001, and celebrated on the first Sunday in June, this is all about reflecting on our own childhood experiences and doing whatever we can to ensure that the kids around us grow up in safe, happy, and healthy environments.

National Cancer Survivors Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday in June, this is a day to show everyone that cancer is survivable. It was begun in 1988 by Merril Hastings at the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, it seems all consuming and it is difficult to look forward to a time when cancer is no longer the center of everything. But there is life after cancer for more and more people every year. Many places in the country will have events today to celebrate the day. Check with your local hospital, or town clerk to find out more.

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