October 1, 2017

Today we celebrate:

International Coffee Day - Are you a coffee lover? There are a lot of them in the country, I can’t even imagine how many there probably are in the world. I have friends, and a husband, who just cannot start a day without it. Well, rejoice because this is a day to enjoy your favorite coffee anywhere and everywhere in the world. Even better if you have international friends to share coffee with today. This day was begun in 2015, I believe.  

Ashura – Sundown today marks the beginning of this Muslim holiday. It is a day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala.

Less Than Perfect Day - Perfectionism is difficult to live with whether it is a trait that you hold yourself or whether you live with someone with the trait. It can lead to anxiety disorders, eating disorders, alcoholism, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders and more. Today is a day to recognize that as hard as we try, absolutely no one is perfect and we need to give ourselves permission to be less than perfect today.

National Book It! Day - Celebrated on the first weekday in October, this is a day to book a vacation. I know, I know, it sounds like a day about books. But when we schedule a trip of some kind that involves airplanes or cruises or hotels, we call it “booking a room” or “booking a flight” or something like that. So today, book your trip to somewhere fun so you can be sure to have a room or a seat or whatever it is you are scheduling.

National Black Dog Day - It’s hard to believe that in this day and age, people would be superstitious about the color black in animals but it does still happen. Black dogs are not as adoptable simply because of the color of their fur because people think that the color black is associated with evil. But black dogs love their owners just as much as lighter colored dogs so give them a chance today. After all, they don’t care what color you are.

National Walk Your Dog Day - Created by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige, in 2010, this is a day to keep your dogs healthy by taking them for a walk so they can get some exercise. Overweight dogs have lots of health problems, so take them off the chain or let them out of the house and go for a nice long walk today. It will be good for both of you.

CD Player Day - I don’t know where this day came from or why it came from anywhere but it seems to be a day to play your CDs on a CD Player. I’m not sure where else you would be inclined to play them, but it matters not. It’s all about the CD player today.

World Vegetarian Day – Created by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, this is a day, “To promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.” My husband is a dedicated meat lover but I do enjoy a vegetarian dish now and then so I will be sure to prepare one today.

Fire Pup Day – This is a day to celebrate canine firefighters. While not all fire stations have dogs, these honorary firefighters have secured a seat of honor on any firetruck.

International Day of Older Persons – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990, this is a day to focus on honoring the older people in our families and communities. Help them out today so they can continue to lead full lives.

Model T Day – On this day in 1908, the first Model T Ford was completed and rolled off the factory line. A total of 15 million were built in the following twenty years. At an initial cost of $825 (about $18,000 in today's dollars), this was the first car that was affordable for the average person.

National Lace Day – This is a day to learn how to make lace if you don't already know. Done well, handmade lace is absolutely beautiful. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of patience to get it right, so start learning today.

Homemade Cookies Day – Cookies bought at the bakery, while delicious, do not qualify today. You must make some real HOMEMADE cookies today. I guarantee you won't be sorry, not only will your children celebrate, your house will smell amazing!

International Raccoon Appreciation Day – This is a day to celebrate raccoons, an animal we normally consider something of a pest. Nocturnal by nature (If you see one during the day, it may very well be sick so keep your distance and if it behaves unusually, get away and call for help.) we don't usually see them, which is kind of a shame. I find them to be very inventive, intelligent, and clean (since they tend to wash their food when they can before they eat it). They can be annoying if you are camping close the the dumpsters in the campground and have to listen to them banging the lids on their way in and out all night long.

International Music Day – Today we are to promote music by organizing or attending a free concert or by performing in the streets for passersby to enjoy. The only rule to the day is that all performers must donate their time and all performances must be free to the public.

Change A Light Day – Celebrated on the first Sunday in October, this is a day to make a change for the good of the environment. Change at least one of your old light bulbs to one of the new energy efficient light bulbs. Even though they tend to be more expensive than the old bulbs, they will end up saving you money over the long term.

World Communion Day - Celebrated on the first Sunday in October, this is a day for Christians all over the world to come together in faith to remember and affirm Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church.

Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day – Also celebrated on the first Sunday in October, this is a day to celebrate inns, innkeepers and visitors of Bed & Breakfasts in North America. Some of them celebrate this weekend with special rates so if you happen to be enjoying a B&B today, ask about that.

International Blessings of the Fishing Fleet Day - I couldn’t find out much about today but it seems to be a coastal celebration around the world where priests bless fishing fleets in the hopes that they will have a productive and safe year for fishing. I believe it is celebrated on the first Sunday in October.

International African Diaspora Day - This is a day to remember the disbursement of African natives to other countries beginning with the slave trade hundreds of years ago and continuing today because of wars, famine, economic necessity, etc. Other countries have also experienced diaspora (The displacement of natives of a country to numerous other locations when said natives continue to identify themselves as belonging to their original country.). This is observed on the first Sunday of October.