November 21, 2015

Today we celebrate:

Alascattalo Day - An alascattalo is a cross between a moose and a walrus.  This is an Alaskan holiday. Bear with them people, it’s very dark for a long time up there.  They need something to hang onto to keep from going a little batty.  So what if they want to invent new creatures and pass them off as real.  Buy a shirt with a walrus or a moose on it and make them feel good.

National Stuffing Day - Today, just a few days before Thanksgiving, is a good day to try a new stuffing recipe so you know before the big day whether or not it’s going to taste good. It’s up to you whether or not you actually stuff it into a turkey since you’re going to be eating a whole bunch of turkey very shortly so we will understand if you don’t want to overdo it now.

Pumpkin Pie Day - This is a day to make and eat pumpkin pie.  It’s better if you make it from scratch with a real pumpkin, because that gives you bragging rights.  But we’ll accept it if you used canned pumpkin because that tastes good too.

National Gingerbread Day - This is the time of year for gingerbread. Gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, gingerbread bicycles, gingerbread meatloaf, whatever you think of that can be made with gingerbread, go to it today.

International Games Day @ Your Library – On the third Saturday in November we have a day to celebrate games and libraries, so today libraries all over the world are playing all different kinds of games. Check with your local library to see if they are participating.

National Adoption Day - Celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, today we celebrate a day that was begun in 2000 by several organizations including: The Alliance for Children’s Rights, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Freddie Mac Foundation and the Children’s Action Network.  Thousands and thousands of adoptions from foster care have been finalized on this day over the years and we celebrate both the families who adopt and the children who are adopted.

World Hello Day – This is a day that was begun in 1973 because of the problems between Israel and Egypt. Yes, I know, I don't remember what was up with that either. I had to look it up.  I found out that it was called the Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or the October War. Several Arab countries led by Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur.  It also happened to be during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, hence one of the names. The war lasted 20 days before a ceasefire was arranged. One hundred and eighty countries have celebrated this day ever since. The goal is to greet ten people today to spread a message to world leaders and encourage them to talk about their problems instead of fighting.

World Television Day – Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, this is a day that commemorates the anniversary of the World Television Forum that year.

False Confession Day – This is a day to make a false confession to some transgression that you didn't commit. Why, you ask? I haven't the slightest idea.  But I do have some advice:  If you’re going to do it, do it up big, just don’t do it in front of a judge!

Family Volunteer Day – Celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this is a day to get your whole family involved in volunteering. Pick your favorite activity whether it's helping your local food pantry, helping at a local homeless shelter, picking up the garbage at your local park or any other worthy cause and get the family working on it today.

International Survivors of Suicide Day – Also celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this is a day for the friends and family members of those who have died by suicide to join together and share a healing spirit. There will be events happening all over the world for the purpose of uniting these survivors. This day was begun by Senator Harry Reid in 1999 and started out as a National Day but when other countries began celebrating it as well it was changed to an International Day.

To celebrate today, say hello to the first ten people you meet today and invent some dastardly deed that you can make a false confession to before you go home to watch a television program about suicide. Then head to the library to play some games before you volunteer your family to help at the local animal shelter. Investigate adopting a child in need tonight before you make a dinner of stuffing, gingerbread and pumpkin pie. Finally, invent a story about alascattalo for your children.

November 20, 2015

Today we celebrate:

International STAND UP to Bullying Day - This day is celebrated twice a year. On the last Friday in February and the third Friday in November during Anti-bullying week. It is a day to sign a pledge and wear a pink pledge shirt in order to publicly announce to the world that you are against bullying. And no, it doesn’t matter if pink clashes with your hair. That is not the point.

Future Teachers of America Day - Where would our children be without their teachers? And since teachers don’t work forever, we need a constant supply of new ones to replace the ones who retire. So for everyone who wants to be a teacher some day whether you are presently in college working on your teaching degree or you are in Kindergarten wanting to be just like your wonderful Kindergarten teacher, this is a day for you.

Beautiful Day - I’m not sure who created this day or why but do you really need a reason? It doesn’t even matter what the weather is doing today, there is no reason that you cannot find something to appreciate about today and every day for that matter. Yes, life and the world in general is filled with ugliness. There were the terrorist attacks in Paris just last week, and the other terrorist attacks that you may not have even heard about the day before that in Beirut. But even in the midst of disaster of these proportions, there is beauty to behold. Because times like this are when good people shine the brightest and give of themselves the most without expecting something in return. And times like this are when we most need to take a breath and look around us and seek out the beauty that is there in the sunset that lights up the sky, or the smell of the bakery around the corner or the sound of someone telling someone they love them, or the sight of someone giving someone in need a hug of support.

National Absurdity Day - Do not worry about making sense today. This is a day for doing fun and crazy and totally absurd things. It’s also a great day to look at our history and even some of our laws and making note of the absurd things that at some point someone thought was reasonable. Such as in Hartford Connecticut where it is illegal for a man to kiss his wife on Sunday. And in Alabama where it is illegal for a driver to wear a blindfold while operating a vehicle. This website has some pretty good absurd information for you to learn about.

National Peanut Butter Fudge Day – This is a day for fudge, but not just any fudge. Today you must make and eat, or buy and eat, peanut butter fudge. Creamy and delicious, but filled with nuts so I will excuse you from this celebration if you have allergy issues.

African Industrialization Day – Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, and first celebrated the next year, this is a day to encourage the countries of the world to support the industrialization of Africa.  

Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day aka G.O.H.A.R.D. - Begun in 2011, this is a day to support people who are motivated to run. I am not a runner, but I have a lot of respect for those who are. So wrap your arms around a runner today no matter where you are in the world. You don't even need to know them personally. Although, perhaps an hug accompanied by an explanation would be appropriate in that circumstance.

Name Your PC Day – This is another unexplained, odd day. Today is a day to pick a name for your computer. I'm not one to go around naming things. I don't name my car or my stuffed animals (when I was young enough to have them) and I found naming my children to be a difficult proposition so I'm not sure why we need to name our computers. But I don't create the days, I just tell you about them.

Transgender Day of Remembrance – This is a day to remember all those who have lost their lives in anti-transgender violence. It's hard for me to understand why someone who is opposed to a transgender lifestyle would resort to violence. I have never heard of anyone forcing anyone else to be transgender. If it's not for you, just go about your business and let them go about their business. If you are opposed because of your religious beliefs, please remember that killing is a sin in almost every religion I have ever heard of and it’s not our job to judge others. That responsibility belongs to whatever higher power you believe in.

Universal Children's Day – There are many Children's Days celebrated around the world on different days, but this one is the day that was recommended by the United Nations. So let's all celebrate our children today.

To celebrate everything in one day, wear pink and give your PC a name before you head outside to flag down a runner so you can give him/her a hug. Then, have some peanut butter fudge while you go online to find out how you can support African industrialization. Then discuss nonviolence toward those with different lifestyles than yours with your children while you look for beauty in the world. Next, find some future teachers and suggest some absurd things they can do in their classrooms to get their student’s attention.

November 19, 2015

Today we celebrate:

National Blow Bagpipes Day - Now you may know that the Scottish are not the only ones who like to play the bagpipes, but whenever any of us hear or see bagpipes, we think of the Scottish first.  I think it is a requirement that all Scottish people have to listen to bagpipe music at least once a year or they are no longer allowed to call themselves Scottish.  It looks like a difficult instrument to learn but I enjoy them when I hear them in the local parades.

National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day - There aren’t too many carbonated beverages with caffeine that I am aware of.  I can really only think of soda.  If there are others out there, let me know because I’m thinking that the powers that be could have saved themselves some space if they called this National Soda with Caffeine Day.  Maybe the problem lies in the fact that different parts of the country call soda something different. Would anyone like some pop?

Play Monopoly Day - Is there anyone out there who has never played Monopoly?  I don’t know if you can find a plain old Monopoly game board any more.  They make them all with themes  these days like Harry Potter Monopoly.  Well, whatever kind of Monopoly you have, dig it out because the family is going to be playing it today.

American Made Matters Day – This is a day that is a “Call-to-Action” for American consumers. We can change our economy for the better if more of us buy American made products than imported products. The goal is to encourage everyone to buy at least one American made product today so check those tags and look for American made products when you are shopping.  

Equal Opportunity Day (aka Gettysburg Address Day) – On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Now considered one of the greatest speeches of all time, at THAT time it was just another speech that was thankfully short. Unlike most politicians, President Lincoln didn’t believe in talking just to hear himself talk. This speech was only 272 words.

International Men's Day – Begun in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, this is a day to focus on Men's health (when I say 'men', I mean all males whatever their age), gender equality and promoting positive male role models. We need to celebrate their achievements in life and particularly their importance to their communities and families.

Rocky and Bullwinkle Day – An animated television series that began on this day in 1959 and was originally called Rocky & His Friends. For those too young to remember or to have seen the reruns, this is a show that featured a flying squirrel named Rocky and a moose named Bullwinkle who was his best friend. It was big on puns and satire and was enjoyed by adults as well as children.

World Toilet Day – Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, this is a day to focus on the lack of clean toilets in the world. More than a billion people in this world do not have a toilet at all and more than 2 billion do not have a clean toilet. That's a lot of people living in unsanitary conditions that spread disease.

Great American Smokeout – Celebrated on the third Thursday in November, this is a day to quit smoking. This is an easy day for me because it is very easy to quit something that you don't do to begin with. So I pledge to quit smoking today! Who is going to join me and be healthier for it!

Beaujolais Nouveau Day – Also celebrated on the third Thursday in November by the French, this is a day that celebrates the release of a specific type of wine called....want to guess? That's right! Beaujolais Nouveau! They celebrate this day every year with fireworks, big festivals and music.

Use Less Stuff Day – And another day that is celebrated on the 3rd Thursday in November, this is a day to use less stuff so that you end up throwing away less stuff. Apparently we throw away 25% more garbage between Thanksgiving and New Years than we do at any other point in the year. That is good incentive to create less waste and thereby put less garbage into our landfills. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

International Philosophy Day – This day was created eleven years ago by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is celebrated on the third Thursday in November and we will be sharing our experiences and worldviews with each other with complete respect to each others' cultural diversity.

To celebrate today, quit smoking first thing before you read the Gettysburg Address to your children. Try to do it with President Lincoln's vocal intonations to make it more real for them. Then pledge to use less stuff and instead encourage the males in your house to go get a checkup at the doctor's office. When you use your toilet today, think about how many people cannot do that and be thankful for what you have. If you are so moved, do some research to find a reputable group that works to fix this issue and consider donating some money to them. Then go buy an American made television on which you can watch Rocky and Bullwinkle while you drink a carbonated, caffeinated beverage.  Next, play some bagpipes, because of course you have some in your closet somewhere, while you play Monopoly with your family.  Don’t worry, they won’t mind. Finally, have a philosophical conversation with your family and friends while sharing a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau.

November 18, 2015

Today we celebrate:

National Vichyssoise Day - This is a soup made from potatoes, cream, leeks, onion and chicken stock.  It was apparently invented in 1917 in America by French chef Louis Diat at the Ritz-Carlton in New York where he worked at the time.  It is usually served cold, which I’m not sure I would enjoy, but I’ll have to reserve judgement until I try it.  

William Tell Day - According to legend, it was on this day in 1307 when William Tell was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head with his crossbow.  He succeeded but the man in charge of the area, Albrecht Gessler, saw that he had a second arrow readily available and asked Tell what it was for.  Tell replied that if he had killed his son with the first arrow, he would have killed Gessler with the second.  This caused him all kinds of more trouble and shortly thereafter led to a rebellion that eventually led to the Swiss Confederation.  Now, the historians dispute that this ever happened and that someone named Wilhelm (or William) Tell ever existed, but I wouldn’t mention that to any Swiss people you might know because I’ve heard that they get somewhat aggravated.

Married To A Scorpio Support Day – I guess that it must be very challenging to be married to a Scorpio because this is the only birth sign that I have found that has a support day for spouses. Kind of bizarre and if anyone who is married to a Scorpio could enlighten me as to why a support group is needed, I would be very interested.

Mickey Mouse Day – On this day in 1928, Steamboat Willie was released for the first time. This is, of course, the beginning for Mickey Mouse....the most famous mouse in the world.

Push-button Phone Day – On this day in 1963, the push button phone (As opposed to the rotary phones of old – one of which still resides in my parent's house on the wall where for years it was our only phone.) was officially introduced. And most of us, except for my parents, have never looked back.

Occult Day – This is a day to celebrate the occult. You may do so by visiting your favorite psychic, reading your horoscope, charting your stars or simply reading a book about it.

GIS Day (Geographic Information Systems) – Celebrated on the third Wednesday in November, this is a day to demonstrate the real and practical uses of GIS. This technology has expanded the lives of millions of direction challenged people all over the world.  This day was first celebrated in 1999 and was created by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) and inspired by Ralph Nader.

National Educational Support Professionals Day – Celebrated on the Wednesday of the week before Thanksgiving, this is a day to honor everyone who provides services to schools. There are lots of people besides teachers and principals who are involved in making sure your children have a good education. These are the secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, monitors, teacher aides and probably many others depending on the school you are part of.

To celebrate today, watch an old Steamboat Willie cartoon, find an old push-button phone to use to call up someone who is married to a Scorpio and give them some support. While you are doing that, you could tell them their horoscopes for the day.  Next, use your GIS system to find a nearby school so you can thank the Educational Support Professionals who work there.  Then settle in for the evening with some vichyssoise and a biography of William Tell to read.