January 27, 2017

Today we celebrate:

National Geographic Day - I think probably everyone in this country has heard of the National Geographic magazine. It was first published in 1888 and has been going strong every month since then. I’m reasonable sure that the graphics involved, if there even were graphics involved in the early issues, were not up to the standards they have today. But that’s not their fault, you work with the technology available to you at the time. But what hasn’t changed is their willingness to cover controversial topics and their desire to teach all of us about places and people we would never have the opportunity to see or learn about.

Earned Income Tax Credit Day - On this day, the IRS teams up with community organizations, state and local governments, schools, employers and anyone else who wants to join in, for the purpose of making sure that low to middle income people get all the tax credits they deserve. This is the 11th anniversary of this day and along with providing information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, they will be happy to talk to you about the Premium Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and American Opportunity Tax Credit, among others. This day seems to be celebrated on the 4th Friday in January, but I’m not 100% sure about that. I do know that it is always right around the end of January.

Aushwitz Liberation Day – On this day in 1945, the Soviet Army liberated Aushwitz (a concentration, extermination and forced labor camp) and its' remaining 7,000 prisoners. Most of whom were very ill and dying which is why they were not included in the 60,000 prisoners who were forced to march to Wodzislaw ahead of the Soviet invasion.

Holocaust Memorial Day – Today is a day to remember the millions of people who were murdered in the Holocaust. It begins this evening and ends tomorrow evening.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day – The United Nations General Assembly created this day and urge all of their member nations to develop educational programs for the purpose of spreading knowledge of the horror of the Holocaust and preventing genocides from happening in the future.

National Activity Professionals Day - Activity Professionals work in nursing homes and other similar places to make sure that the life of the residents of the home is mentally and physically active. They plan activities and special events regularly so the residents can be as involved as they would like to be. Without them, a nursing home or assisted living facility would just be a place to go and sit and wait to die.

Punch The Clock Day – I don't know if anyone uses time cards inserted into a time clock at work anymore. I did when I was younger and I worked at Kmart. We had to punch a clock at the beginning and end of every shift as well as at the beginning and end of every break. This is a day to honor everyone who has to punch a clock at work.

National Chocolate Cake Day – I don't think this day needs any explanation. Chocoholics rejoice! If you like chocolate cake, make one or find one somewhere and enjoy!

Thomas Crapper Day – On this day in 1910, Thomas Crapper died. While he did not invent the toilet, he did improve it by inventing various devices to make it work better like the ballcock (that floating device that stops the water flowing when the water gets to the right height in the tank).  Our toilets would not work nearly as well as they do without Mr. Crapper’s ingenuity.

Vietnam Peace Day – On this day in 1973, the Vietnam Peace Agreement was signed ending the Vietnam War.

National Pre-school Fitness Day – Celebrated on the last Friday of January, this is a day to get those little people into the exercise habit. Get those little arms lifting those weights, take them jogging with you, train them to swim a couple of miles. They're little but strong, they can do it! Right after their afternoon snooze.

January 26, 2017

Today we celebrate:

Clash Day or Mismatch Day – My oldest daughter celebrates this every day but she's a bit of an over achiever. The rest of you might have some trouble with the concept of making sure your shirt doesn't match your pants which shouldn't match your shoes or your socks or anything else for that matter. This day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in January.

International Customs Day - This is a day to recognize the efforts of Customs officials in every country to keep their borders safe. A lot of people don’t realize the dangers of bringing exotic plants and animals to different countries where they could wreak havoc on the ecosystem. Combine this with the ingenuity of smugglers and other criminals who try to get away with all manner of things when crossing borders and you have a very interesting work day.

National Peanut Brittle Day – This is a day to celebrate one of the first kinds of candy ever created. It's a little tricky to make since most recipes say you need a candy thermometer in order to regulate the exact temperature. It makes you wonder how they made it in ancient times, but somehow they managed because most cultures that had molasses, sugar or honey made some kind of brittle type candy.

National Pistachio Day – Pistachios don't last long in this house, almost all of us love them and they disappear almost before I can even get the groceries put away. Make sure you stock up if you have a similar situation.

Spouse's Day – If you have a spouse, this is a great day for you. This is better than Valentine's Day or your Anniversary because you don't have to think about what to get him/her for a gift. Today is all about spending time with your spouse, not spending money. Do something together that you enjoy. If you live in a warm area, go on a picnic. If it's cold where you are, snuggle up under a blanket and watch a movie together. Or just sit in the living room with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and talk like you never usually have time to do anymore.

Australia Day – This is the National Day of Australia. It celebrates this day in 1788 which was when the first fleet of British ships arrived at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, and the Flag of Great Britain was raised by Governor Arthur Phillip. Of course, I am publishing this the evening before in the United States on Eastern Standard Time, which means that it has been January 26th for quite a few hours in Australia.

Lotus 1-2-3 Day – On this day in 1983, Lotus 1-2-3 was launched by the Lotus Development Corporation. I'm going to date myself and tell you I have fond memories of using 1-2-3. I am not old enough to have used the original version, but that's only because my parents didn't own a computer at that time. It was used on IBM PC's and required two disk drives and at least 192K of memory, which seems kind of ridiculous now.

Toad Hollow Day Of Encouragement – There is an 1800's era school house located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and that is where this day comes from. Ralph Morrison organized a nonprofit group to create an 1800's style park for storytelling, Civil War reenactments and classes on candle making, blacksmithing, etc. They called it Toad Hollow and it was staffed with volunteers who called themselves “Voluntoads.” They had a passion for helping others and this day grew out of that passion. Today is all about encouraging others with kind words and supportive actions.

January 25, 2017

Today we celebrate:

Fluoride Day - On this day in 1945, the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the first to add fluoride to their water supply. They did this to try to improve their citizen’s dental health and it has worked. Each successive generation has enjoyed better dental hygiene than the one before. After years of study of Grand Rapids compared to other communities, the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council declared this method to be safe and beneficial in November 1951.

National Irish Coffee Day – Whiskey, coffee, sugar and cream are the necessities of life if you wish to make the perfect cup of Irish coffee.

Robert Burns Day – Born on this day in 1759, Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is well-known beyond Scotland's borders because he also wrote in English. His work has endured through the ages as he was voted the greatest Scot by the Scottish people in a television poll. While you might not recognize much of his work, unless you live in Scotland, you have surely heard of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Opposite Day – Here is yet another day that I can't seem to find agreement on. Some think it's celebrated on January 7th, others say it is on January 24th, and still others name today. I think they are just being contrary. But if you choose to celebrate it today, say exactly what you don't mean to say and do exactly what you don't mean to do.

Macintosh Computer Day – This is the 30th Anniversary of the launch of the Apple Macintosh computer. It had a tiny screen, a keyboard, a mouse and only 128 KB of memory, which at the time was a lot but today is less than you would need to store a single picture. It was revolutionary at the time because it was so different than anything else on the market. Of course, most everything that was happening at that time was pretty revolutionary because technology was growing so fast.

January 24, 2017

Today we celebrate:

National “Just Do It” Day - If there is something that you are thinking about doing, stop thinking and just do it. I’m not sure who created this day but it seems to be a day for action. Stop waffling about and make a decision and then….just do it.

National Lobster Thermidor Day - A complicated lobster dish that is apparently very tasty, although since I've never tasted it, I can't weigh in on that. It uses lobsters, grated cheese, eggs, cream, mushrooms, and sherry, among other things.

National Peanut Butter Day – This is a day to celebrate that which the Aztecs may have created several hundred years ago by crushing peanuts into a chunky, pasty substance. Peanut paste was then turned into more of a peanut buttery type substance similar to the peanut butter we know and love today in the 1890's with various patents by various enterprising people. One of which was Dr. John Harvey Kellogg who served it to his patients at his Battle Creek Sanitarium.

National Beer Can Appreciation Day – On this day in 1935, the first beers were served in cans and the rest is history. I wonder if this is the day when the first beer can was crushed as well.

National Compliment Day – This day is one of the easiest days you will ever celebrate. Simply compliment at least five people today. I don't know who created it but that is less important than the fact that if you celebrate today, you will lift the spirits of at least five people.

National Eskimo Pie Patent Day – Christian Kent Nelson invented the I-Scream-Bar somewhere around 1920. His inspiration was supposedly seeing a child trying to decide between buying ice cream or candy because he didn't have enough money for both. So he created a bar that combined ice cream and candy. It was renamed the Eskimo Pie shortly after he received his patent on this day in 1920 or 1921.

Change A Pet's Life Day – This is a day to change a pet's life. Go to your local animal shelter and find a pet that would be perfect for your family. Change his/her life by rescuing them from the loneliness of a cage and sharing with them the love of a family.

Global Belly Laugh Day - Small chuckles and little teehee's will not do today. Today is a day for big, from your stomach, belly laughs. Join the belly laugh bouncing around the world today at 1:24pm local time.

Talk Like A Grizzled Prospector Day – If you thought Talk Like A Pirate Day was fun, here's another one for you. First, ya gots ta figger out a name fer yersef. Sumthin grizzly like Cactus Pete. On this here day, back there in '48, James Marshall found himsef the first great big ol' nugget up there at Sutter's Mill. Ev'r'one went plumb crazy after that.

Speak Up and Succeed Day - Celebrated on the 4th Tuesday in January, this is a day to do just what the name implies. Public speaking is a skill that not everyone possesses...but it is one that everyone could possess if they practice it enough. I am one of those challenged in that area because I hate being the center of attention. Fortunately I am married to someone who has no difficulty with it whatsoever, because he has had to speak in public many times over the years. I have been able to easily avoid it, probably to my detriment.