March 5, 2017

Today we celebrate:

National Absinthe Day - Absinthe is a very potent alcoholic beverage that is made with anise, sugar, herbs and thujone. It is green in color, and may have been invented in 1792 by Pierre Ordinaire, a French Doctor. It is so potent that about a hundred years ago it was actually banned in many countries. That ban has been lifted in some of them, I’m not sure about America.

Cinco de Marcho - Begun in 2007, this is a tongue in cheek holiday that is here to get you into tip top shape for St. Patrick’s Day coming up soon. By this I mean, those of us (over 21 please) who do not drink alcohol very often, or very much, should use this day and every other day between now and St. Patrick’s Day, to gradually increase your alcohol consumption so your body gets used to it before you get to the party. This way you will be able to consume a reasonable amount of alcohol without falling over and embarrassing yourself and your date.

National Cheese Doodle Day – These tasty, puffed corn treats first appeared in the 1930's. They are sold all over the world under different brand names. But tasty is tasty no matter what name it has. I could not find out who created them but whoever it was obviously had a great idea.

Saint Piran's Day – St. Piran lived during the 6th century and is the patron saint of tin miners. For reasons I don't understand, this day is associated with heavy alcohol consumption along with lots and lots of food.

National Multiple Personality Day – Now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder, this would be a good day to watch the movie Sybil. This also means that it's okay to be caught talking to yourself today. We make jokes about this issue sometimes but we need to remember that for many people, it's a very real and very life altering disorder.

Namesake Day – This day kicks off a whole week of name related days. It might have something to do with the fact that it's Celebrate Your Name Week this week. This week was created by Jerry Hill, a man whose hobby is onomatology (the study of names). Today you can start the week off right by giving some thought to your name. Who named you? Why did that person give you the name you have? Are you named after someone? Who else is using your name? Many things to ponder today.

March 4, 2017

Today we celebrate:

International Open Data Day - First celebrated in 2013, I believe, this is a day for groups all over the world to host local events that highlight the desirability of open data policies for businesses and governments at all levels.

National Snack Day - This is a day to enjoy a snack. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is something you love and that you enjoy it while you are eating it. Are you a sweet or salty snacker, or do you prefer something with a little more substance.  

National Dance The Waltz Day - This is a day to break out the slow music, grab your sweetie, and enjoy dancing a waltz in your living room or kitchen or anyplace where you have a little bit of room.

Courageous Follower Day – Most cultures are more likely to honor the leader than the follower, but there can't be a leader if there aren't any followers and sometimes it takes a great deal of courage to follow where someone else leads. Especially if you are playing Follow the Leader with a Toddler in the Lead.

International Scrapbooking Industry Day – May I just say that scrapbookers tend to be just a little bit obsessed with their scrapbooking activities. I have a scrapbooker in the family so I know what I'm talking about. Well, today is a day for all of you scrapbookers to indulge in your favorite activity. Get a group together today and scrapbook to your hearts content. Not that you need my permission, you know you'll be doing it today anyway.

Toy Soldier Day – Today is a day to have some fun. Dress up as a toy soldier, arm yourself with your nerf guns and invade someplace. Be careful with your choice of location as some places, like banks, tend to not have a sense of humor about things like this. Many people like to invade a theme park as you will see on this link.

March Forth-Do Something Day – This is a perfect day to get out there are do.....something. It doesn't matter what that something is as long as it makes a difference. Volunteer to clean up something or help someone out today. I know it’s in the middle of the week and you are probably busy working, but I’m sure you can find a few minutes if you try.

National Pound Cake Day – This dessert is called pound cake because the traditional recipe used 1 pound each of flour, sugar, eggs and butter. That makes a pretty big cake so you can adjust the measurements down for a smaller cake as long as you keep the 1:1:1:1 ratio. Although today's recipes have altered that ratio a bit for health reasons, the cakes that result are not really pound cakes. Recipes for this delicacy date back to the 1700's and call for beating the ingredients for an hour. And, I'm not sure if you know this but, they didn't have electric mixers back then. Those cooks must have had some muscles.

Holy Experiment Day – Today is a day to try something new with your religion and see what happens in your life. Whatever you do, make sure it is in keeping with your faith. For example, you could increase the amount you usually give to your church or temple for a period of time, or pray more often, or study your Bible. Then reflect on the ways that this small change impacts your life. If you need help figuring out something that you can change, feel free to talk to your religious leaders. I am sure they will have lots of ideas for you.

Hug A GI Day – We need to show our appreciation for the GI's and all that they do to keep us safe. So find one to hug today as a way to thank them. Just make sure you don't try to surprise hug any of them. It's REALLY not a good idea to try to surprise a GI. You could get hurt.

Benjamin Harrison Day – Our 23rd President was sworn into office on this day in 1889. He was sworn into service as a Senator on this day in 1881 as well. Clearly this was an important day of the year for him. He is known for adding more states (6) to our union than any other President in one term.

National Grammar Day – Created in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough, the founder of The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. Make sure that today you are extra careful with your “its”, “it's” and “its'”, and of course, “their”, “there” and “they're”. I know the rules are confusing and plentiful and you’re not alone if your grammar skills need a little refresher course.

Old Inauguration Day – This day was the original day to swear in a new President. It was chosen because it was the day in 1789 when the Constitution first took effect. It was changed to January 20th in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, or to the 21st if the 20th happens to fall on a Sunday. The last inauguration on this day took place in 1933 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term. So he was the last President sworn in on the old date and the first President sworn in on the new date when he was re-elected.

March 3, 2017

Today we celebrate:

33 Flavors Day - I couldn’t find out much about this day but I believe it has a connection to Baskin-Robbins and their beginnings way back in 1945. Perhaps this is their anniversary. But my understanding is that they have 31 flavors of ice cream, not 33. Perhaps someone could educate me on this matter?

National Doodle Day - This is a day created by Epilepsy Action to raise awareness and hopefully some money for Epilepsy research. It’s a United Kingdom day that is celebrated on the first Friday in March, and also in September. I have also seen reference to it being celebrated on other days in the year so perhaps it will crop up whenever someone sees fit to organize another day.

What if Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day - I don’t know who created this day, but the idea is to take time today to contemplate what your life would be like if your cat and/or dog had opposable thumbs. You probably think they get into things they shouldn’t now….just imagine...nothing in your house would be safe unless it was locked in a safe.

National I Want You To Be Happy Day – Today is all about being unselfish and doing whatever will make someone else happy, as long as it is legal. Extreme example: You cannot kill someone just because it would make someone else happy, so don't even think about it.

National Cold Cuts Day – What would our sandwiches be without cold cuts in them? There is such an amazing variety of cold cuts out there to experience and yet, I only ever buy ham and turkey because that is all my children want to eat.

Peach Blossom Day – Peach blossoms are found on peach trees which were first cultivated in China a very long time ago. A beautiful and delicate looking flower, I'm wondering if they smell like peaches.

National Anthem Day – The United States adopted The Star-Spangled Banner as its National Anthem on this day in 1931. A good choice, if you ask me, although they didn't, probably only because I wasn’t born yet. It was written during the War of 1812 by Francis Scott Key who was being detained on a British ship during the attack on Fort Henry.

National Mulled Wine Day – This is a beverage that is made by mixing red wine with mulling spices and raisins. It is usually served warm and the alcohol content is optional. Definitely a drink that will warm you up on this cold winter night.

Dress In Blue Day – Celebrated on the first Friday in March, this is a day to wear the color blue in order to raise awareness of colon cancer. It is difficult to detect colon cancer without an exam because the early symptoms can be easily dismissed since they could be related to something minor that happens periodically, such as diarrhea. So make sure you talk with your doctor about when and how often you should have your colon checked.

National Day of Unplugging – Celebrated on the first Friday in March, this is a day to turn off your cell phone, computer, iwhatever, gaming device and any other electronic device you may have. It begins at sunset today and ends at sunset tomorrow. So get outside, enjoy some sunshine if you can find some, enjoy some peace and spend some quality time with your family and friends. It’s supposed to be almost 31 degrees Fahrenheit where I live today and on Saturday we should get a high temperature of 42 degrees which is positively hot compared to what we have been living with so it’s a great day to get outside, you won’t even have to bundle up much.

National Salesperson Day - Celebrated on the first Friday in March, this day was created in March of 2000 by Maura Schreier-Fleming, president of Best@Selling. On December 5th, we celebrated Salesperson Day, which celebrated the salespeople themselves. Today is a National day that celebrates the salespeople AND the hard work that they do every day. You see the difference? Yeah, I don’t really either, but that’s ok. Salespeople put up with a lot of abuse from people who are tired of standing on line, unhappy about prices, annoyed by the other customers, and frustrated by products that either don’t do what they are supposed to do or that they can’t make do what the customers think they are supposed to do. So they deserve two days.

Employee Appreciation Day – Another holiday celebrated on the first Friday in March, this day was begun in 1995 by Workman Publishing in order to focus positive, appreciative attention on all employees in every industry.

World Day Of Prayer – Yet another first Friday of March celebration, this day is a day to bring together Christian women of all different races, traditions and cultures. The goal is to become closer in fellowship and actions. This year the host country is the Philippines with a theme of “Am I Being Unfair to You?”

March 2, 2017

Today we celebrate:

National Banana Cream Pie Day – My kids are not fans of this kind of pie, but I am. Try out this recipe and let me know how you like it.

National Old Stuff Day – We have some choices in celebrating this day. We can revel in the old stuff we have, find all our old stuff and get rid of it, or forsake the old stuff and try something new this year. I plan to do a little bit of all of that. I certainly have plenty of old stuff that I can get rid of, I have some other old stuff that I’d like to last a little longer so I’ll try to fix it up a bit, and who doesn’t like to get a little something new now and then.

Dr. Seuss Day – On this day in 1904, Dr. Seuss was born. Of course, his parents didn’t name him that. They named him Theodor Seuss Geisel, but when he turned out to be a wonderful author, poet and cartoonist, he chose the name Dr. Seuss. He began publishing cartoons when he was at Dartmouth College. That was the first time he used the alias “Seuss”.

NEA's Read Across America Day – This day is officially celebrated today since this is Dr. Seuss's birthday. However, whenever this day falls on a weekend, most schools and other organizations celebrate on either the Friday before or the Monday after. This year since it is a Thursday, they don’t need to worry about it. This is the 20th year of celebrations of this day.

World Book Day - Created by World Book Day Ltd, and celebrated on the first Thursday of March in UK and Ireland (although this is not set in stone and they will change it if they see the need to do so). Other countries may join in and celebrate at different times. This is a day to promote books and reading especially among school children.