July 23, 2014

Today we celebrate food and grandmas.  That's what I call a perfect day.

National Hot Dog Day - The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council in the United States designated this day as National Hot Dog Day. They give advice on hot dog eating etiquette (who knew there was hot dog eating etiquette?) and encourage the nation to have special hot dog eating contests and family friendly activities like face painting and wiener dog races in order to celebrate. And, of course, eat hot dogs.

National Vanilla Ice Cream Day – Some consider vanilla ice cream to be a rather bland and boring flavor, but I disagree. I love it because it can be paired with almost anything. I personally like to mix vanilla ice cream and butterscotch pudding.

Gorgeous Grandma Day – This is a day to give your gorgeous grandma a call and maybe even a visit if you can. Grandmas are precious and sometimes you don't realize how precious they are until they are gone. You never know how much time you have left with yours. Don't waste a moment of it.

To celebrate everything in one day, have some hot dogs and vanilla ice cream with your gorgeous grandma.

July 22, 2014

Today we celebrate relaxation, sugar, math, mistakes and the absence of rats.  I can't think of a better day to celebrate right off the top of my head.

Casual Pi Day – This day is also known as Pi Approximation Day because if you write the date the European way with the day first, then the month, you get the fraction equivalent of pi (22/7).

Hammock Day – Today is a day to slow down, relax, and spend the day in your hammock. If you need to get some food or refresh your beverage, feel free to get up and do that but work of any other kind is strictly prohibited today.

National Penuche Fudge Day – This isn't really fudge, but it is fudge-like. It uses brown sugar and so it has a tan color and a caramel flavor. Many people like to mix in different kinds of nuts to enhance the flavor.

Rat-Catchers Day – This day, also celebrated on June 26th, is about commemorating the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The difference in dates is because the Brothers Grimm said that the Pied Piper led the children out of town on the 26th of June in 1284, but Robert Browning, who wrote a poem about it, gave it a date of July 22nd, 1376. I suggest that if you have a problem with rats in your home, the rat-catcher is your very best friend and deserves two special days.

Spooners (Spoonerism) Day – This is a day to remember Reverend William Archibald Spooner, who was born on this day in 1844. Rev. Spooner was known for frequently slipping up and mixing up the beginnings of words, such as saying “swell foop” instead of the intended “fell swoop” and “queer old dean” instead of “dear old queen.” He did this so often that his name was used to describe this type of tongue tripping.

To celebrate today, sit in your hammock and make up some spoonerisms while you eat some penuche fudge.  Then teach your kids about pi and read them the story of the Pied Piper while they help you search your house for rats that you can catch.

July 21, 2014

Today we celebrate:

Global Hug Your Kid Day – This is a day that urges every parent all around the world to hug their children today and every day. This day is celebrated on the third Monday in July since 2008 when it was created by Michelle Nichols. Her son, Mark, died suddenly and tragically from brain cancer in 1998 at the very young age of 8 ½ years old. Do not miss one single opportunity to hug your child because with the fragile nature of life, you just never know when it will be the last hug you get or give.  http://www.hugyourkidsday.com/

National Creme Brulee Day – It appears that the British invented this dish at the University of Cambridge. Probably not all of the British, probably just a few of them, but I don't know which ones. So to make sure I don't miss whichever ones are responsible, I'll just thank everyone in this world that lays claim to even a drop of British blood. This is delicious.

National Get Out Of The Doghouse Day – I'm not sure why the doghouse is the designated spot for people in trouble with their family members, but for whatever reason it is. The goal today is for the whole country to get out of the doghouse. Say something nice, do something nice, beg for forgiveness, whatever you need to do, do it and resume your happy life.  This day is celebrated on the third Monday in July.

National Junk Food Day – Normally we try to avoid junk food because we are trying to set a good example for our children. However, today feel free to have all the junk food you want for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tomorrow, it's back to eating healthy.

Legal Drinking Age Day – This day is a celebration of the establishment of the legal drinking age of 21 years old that was signed into law on July 17, 1984. If you are 21 years old or older, you may celebrate with an alcoholic beverage of your choice. However, I implore you to keep in mind that you do not have the right to risk your life or anyone else's life by driving while you are impaired by alcohol.

To celebrate everything in one day, get out of your doghouse by sharing creme brulee and an alcoholic beverage with whoever is mad at you.  Then hug your kids and feed them junk food.  

July 20, 2014

Today we celebrate:

Anne Hutchinson Memorial Day – Celebrated every July on a Sunday near Anne's baptism day, July 20, 1591. This is a day to honor this incredible woman who had somewhere around 15 children, was a religious leader and spiritual leader for women in Boston. She helped lay the groundwork for the free speech and religious tolerance that we, as American's, hold so dear. It didn't go over so well with the Puritans she lived with at the time. Some consider her to be the first American feminist.

National Lollipop Day – Everybody loves a lollipop. It doesn't seem to matter how old you are, they make you feel young again.

National Ice Cream Day – Celebrated on the third Sunday in July, this day was created by former President Ronald Reagan who saw how popular ice cream was (and still is) in this country. His direction was that this day should be observed with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Moon Day – This is the fifth annual celebration of space exploration. Find an observatory or museum near you and see if they have any special events, exhibits, and activities today.  This day honors the first time man walked on the moon way back in 1969.

Ugly Truck Day – Although there is some disagreement about whether this day is celebrated today or June 20th, it seemed that the most reliable looking information I found put it on this day. If you have an ugly, old truck sitting in your yard rusting slowly into nothingness, this is the day for you. If it will run, take it out for a drive and show it off today. If it won't run, take a picture of it and show it off to everyone you meet. Maybe you can join an ugly truck competition today. Depending on where you live you probably won't have to look too hard in order to find one.

To celebrate all these things in one day, take a picture of your ugly truck to share with everyone at the ice cream shop while you are getting your ice cream. Then have a lollipop while you look at the moon in the local observatory and contemplate Anne Hutchinson’s life.