December 20, 2016

Today we celebrate:

Cathode-Ray Tube Day - The cathode-ray tubes were used in old computer monitors and televisions. They were what we used before there were the LCD and plasma screens that we use today. But before you go thinking that this was lame, remember that if there were no cathode-ray tubes, there would be no LCD and plasma screens today. Technology builds on and improves the technology of the past but everything starts somewhere.

Sacagawea Day - This is a day to honor Sacagawea, the American Indian maiden who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition in 1804 as a Shoshone interpreter at the age of 16. Sadly, like many Native Americans, she died at a young age around 1812. But she was instrumental in the successful expedition that helped map the Northwestern part of what was to become the United States of America.

National Sangria Day – A delicious, fruity wine that is made like a punch is called sangria because it's red and sangre is Spanish for blood. It is sweet and refreshing and good any time of year not just this season. But it's a great beverage to serve if you're going to have a party.

Mudd Day - Dr. Samuel A. Mudd was born on this day in 1833. He was the doctor who helped John Wilkes Booth medically after he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. To be fair, Booth was disguised, it was right after the assassination so the good doctor might not have even known about it, and he was a doctor who was sworn to help anyone who needed it. Any doctor probably would have done the same. Regardless, the good doctor was sentenced to life imprisonment for his deeds. Fortunately for him, he was pardoned after 4 years by President Andrew Johnson.

International Human Solidarity Day – Created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 for the purpose of recognizing shared values between people in the world and using those values to fight against poverty and promote human and social development in the poorest areas of the world.

Go Caroling Day – Who wants to wander the neighborhood singing Christmas Carols in the cold and__(insert whatever weather is happening in your area)__? Anyone? Excellent! I'll meet you outside.

December 19, 2016

Today we celebrate:

Look For An Evergreen Day – This is a day for those of us who choose to cut a real tree for Christmas. Many of you have your tree already but if you haven’t done that yet, this is the official day to go hunt down just the right one for your family.

National Hard Candy Day – Today you have permission to indulge in your favorite hard candy. Butterscotch is my favorite, my daughter loves Jolly Ranchers. What is your favorite?

Oatmeal Muffin Day – This is a day to make oatmeal muffins for your family or yourself. It’s healthy, depending on how much sugar and fat you add, and filled with fiber for the perfect breakfast or snack food. This could be just the thing to start off your day.

Holly Day - This day was created by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway for the purpose of celebrating holly in all forms. The holly bush is one of the most common Christmas decorations, but there are also people named Holly and even a village in Michigan with that name.

December 18, 2016

Today we celebrate:

National Ham Salad Day - Are you throwing or attending a party today? It’s the perfect excuse to make a delicious Ham Salad to share with some crackers. You can try this recipe if you like.

Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day – Have you seen Will Ferrell's movie, Elf? If not, you will want to watch it today so that you are prepared when the phone rings to answer it with the proper amount of enthusiasm.....”Buddy the Elf...What's your favorite color?”

Flake Appreciation Day - This is a day that was probably created by the greeting card industry although I haven’t seen any snow flake greeting cards for sale in the stores. But it is a day for appreciating the beauty of the snowflake. Individually, they are a tiny work of art. In a group, they are a pain in the tuckus.  

National Roast Suckling Pig Day – This day is more popular in other countries than in America, but I imagine there are a few people who have been waiting anxiously for this day to come around. I hope you have some friends to share with, otherwise you are going to have quite a lot of leftovers to deal with.

Bake Cookies Day - This is a day to bake some cookies. If you celebrate Christmas, then it’s the perfect time to bake Christmas cookies. I find that one day is not enough time to bake all of my cookies, so I have to spread it out across what I consider the Christmas cookie season which begins the day after Thanksgiving and ends the day before Christmas. But then, I’ve been told that I take this to extremes.  

Wear a Plunger On Your Head Day - Yes, this is a real day. I know, I was skeptical as well, but then I saw this: http://bugsandbunnies.blogspot.com/2008/12/get-your-plunger-ready.html. My only suggestion here is that you buy a brand new plunger for this celebration. You can either keep it and reuse it for only that purpose every year or use it as it is meant to be used and buy a new one every year.

Free Shipping Day – This day was begun in 2007 by Luke and Maisie Knowles with the intention of extending the online shopping season. There was a time when Cyber Monday was generally the most popular day for online shopping. After that, most people were afraid they wouldn't get their items in time for Christmas so they didn't shop online again. Now, Free Shipping Day is another very popular day for online shopping. Some stores hold their own free shipping deals not related to this specific day.

UN Arabic Language Day - There are six official languages of the United Nations and this is one of them. It is celebrated on this day every year because this is “the day in 1973 when the General Assembly approved Arabic as an official UN language”. So get your Arabic/English, or whatever your native language is, dictionary out and start practicing so you can speak Arabic to your friends today. Unless your friends are Arabic, they will have no idea what is going on and it is always fun to confuse your friends.

International Migrants Day – This day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 in order to recognize the millions of migrants in the world. They are seeking to protect the rights of the migrants and to recognize their contributions to the economies of the countries they live and work in. Migrants, of course, are the workers who travel from farm to farm throughout the growing season working to harvest the fruits and vegetables we depend on for food.

December 17, 2016

Today we celebrate:

Pan American Aviation Day – This day celebrates the first successful flight by the Wright Brothers. See Wright Brothers Day below. The purpose of this day is to increase interest in aviation in all of the American countries in order to expand cultural development and increase communication between all of these countries and territories.

Wright Brothers Day – This day also celebrates the first successful flight by the Wright Brothers because it was on this day in 1903, that Wilbur and Orville Wright finally succeeded in their endeavor to invent a mechanically propelled aircraft that is capable of flight. History was made and aircraft have made one heck of a lot of progress in just 112 years.

National Maple Syrup Day – Well, if you're going to have maple syrup today, you have to have something delicious to go with it like pancakes or french toast or waffles.

International Talk With A Fake British Accent Day – This day was created by Louise Gale and Derek Nisbet, founders of the Big Apple Brits, in 2009. They have planned some events in NYC to celebrate this day and everyone is encouraged to talk with a British accent for these events.