Q’s celebration is for QUICK NOW: It’s HIGH FIVE DAY

Thursday, April 19^th: Give me five; a high five that is. How about 55 of them? Q’s celebration is for QUICK NOW: It’s HIGH FIVE DAY. (Or, as my grandson, Mark, says ‘Hi Five’ and ‘Bump’. Gotta’ love the grandkids and have to inflict the grandma pride on y’all while I’m at it.)

Give 55 high-fives on National High Five Day, April 19th, to raise money for cancer research! National High Five Project (NH5P) believes that when generosity is fun, it can go viral. Register today and agree to give 55 high-fives throughout your day on National High Five Day, April 19th!

See their site for more information: http://www.nationalhighfiveproject.org/

P’s celebration is for PAJAMAS – WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS TO WORK DAY.

Wednesday, April 18^th: P’s celebration is for PAJAMAS – WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS TO WORK DAY. Taxes are done and sent off. It’s time to relax and spend the day in your pj’s. It’s catching on; you’d be surprised who all is going to work in their pajamas. Take a peek here: http://nationalwearyourpajamastoworkday.com/. Now if I were writing from home full time, I could do this everyday. But I’m not. And I doubt my employer would be as excited as some of the fun and innovative employers shown on the sponsoring web site. This one I’ll celebrate from afar and applaud those participating in the festivities.

O’s celebration is for OH MY, OH MY! It’s BAT APPRECIATION DAY

Tuesday, April 17^th: O’s celebration is for OH MY, OH MY! It’s BAT APPRECIATION DAY. Just seeing this daily celebration brings back childhood memories of watching Dark Shadows. Most people shudder at the thought and I probably would have in the past. But to celebrate the day, I’m sitting here contemplating building a bat house to put in the backyard. This thought is probably fueled by the earlier-than-usual mosquitoes in northTexas following our milder-than-usual winter. I’m dreading summer and our mosquitoes this year. Because, ‘I do declah,’ (picture good ‘ole’ Scarlett Ohara here) ‘those dreadedTexas skeeters are large enough to plumb carry me away!’

However, much to my surprise, not all bats eat mosquitoes. I lived inArizonafor a year and one morning I got up and the hummingbird feeders were all dry. Knowing they’d been almost full, I started looking around on the ground, thinking that it had been a windy night and the wind-tossed feeders dripped out on the ground. But the ground below was totally dry. A little confused, I refilled the feeders and went to work. The next morning … the same thing. Stumped, I mentioned my minor dilemma to my co-workers. It was the bats! The bats migrating toMexicoand back are nectar & fruit eaters. They left a swathe of empty hummingbird feeders and barren fruit trees in their wake.

Bat Conservation International, located in Austin Texas, sponsors Bat Appreciation Day on April 17^th, because that’s around the time that bats begin to emerge from hibernation. Their webpage, www.batcon.org, is full of fascinating information about bats. If you’re around Austin, Texas between April and October (with August and late summer being the best viewing times), the bat flights over the Congress Avenue Bridge are supposed to be spectacular. That’s one item on my “must do” list that I haven’t seen yet. This summer. See this page for information at the Austin bats. http://austin.about.com/od/austinattractions/p/Bats_in_Austin.htm

According to Bat Conservation International, there are more than 1,200 species of bats. “They range from the world’s smallest mammal, the tiny bumblebee bat that weighs less than a penny to giant flying foxes with six-foot wingspans.” More than two-thirds of the species hunt insects, consuming up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in a single hour. They also tell us that a pregnant or lactating female can eat the equivalent of her entire body weight in insects each night. Move on in bats, for that feat I’ll set you up in a house. The remaining third of the species feeds on the fruit or nectar of plants (or hummingbird feeders). In their search for fruit and nectar, they are vital pollinators. Y’all can move on it too.

N’s celebration is for NATIONAL CARD & LETTER WRITING MONTH.

Monday, April 16^th: C’mon, you can do it. I double dare ya! N’s celebration is for NATIONAL CARD & LETTER WRITING MONTH. This technological age, ruled by w-w-w, has efficiency reigning supreme. Texting, instant messaging, emails, twitter and Facebook status updates; the digital age has us expecting instant communication born of a new era.

“What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.
You can’t reread a phone call.”
~Liz Carpenter

An instant message or email is quick an efficient, but lacks the flavor and delight of a handwritten, postage stamped letter. Who does enjoy receiving an actual note in their mail box? Especially when the sender conveys personal sentiments, remembrances, or encouraging words, a letter can be a treasured surprise. A note or letter is something that can be pulled out and re-read time and time again.

What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp.
~Author Unknown

April is National Card and Letter Writing Month. (Sponsored, of course, by the post office) I don’t mind spending forty-five cents to send a written piece of correspondence that is personal and tangible. Last month I was overdue in emailing a dear friend. I was so far behind, and had so much news to catch her up on; I sat down and wrote her a letter instead. And yes, it took a few days longer for her to receive, not mere minutes. But she was so surprised to get an actual letter that I got the nicest note back from her. It as worth the time and effort involved.

Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Celebrate life and celebrate your loved ones and friendships. Send them a note and tell them that you love them. Add a mention about what you find special about them. What funny, or touching, memories do you have of them that you will always treasure? Celebrate the month by taking a few moments to sit down and write a note, address it and stick a stamp on it. I think you’ll be surprised – and pleased- about the reception it gets.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK (April 15-21)

Sunday, April 15th: Today marks the start of a week to give back. April 15th to 21st is NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK. Established in 1974, this week is sponsored by Points of Light Institute & Hands On Network. The week may be a national celebration for the past forty years, but it only echoes the spirit of the people making up our country and our communities.

According to http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/calendar/national-volunteer-week-2012, “National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, in unison, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Week is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change—discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation.”

How can we volunteer and help our communities? Are there any ways to help at your church? Your local library? Your child’s school? Your local animal shelter?

What needs are special to your heart? Children? Animals? The plight of the homeless?

Do you have any special talents that could help others? Construction that could help Habitat for Humanity? Organizational skills that could help countless non-profits? Can you walk or run for one of the many benefits, such as for diabetes, cancer or heart?

For a list of how you can incorporate volunteering into a busy schedule, see this site: http://www.handsonnetwork.org/files/resources/A_Ten_Ways_to_Volunteer_on_Your_Own_Schedule_2009_Kathleen_King.pdf

Let’s celebrate life this week by giving something back to others who need a helping hand.

M’s celebration is for MOMENT OF LAUGHTER DAY.

Saturday, April 14^th: They were wrong. The old adage ‘An apple away keeps the doctor away’ is in error. It’s a LAUGH a day keeps the doctor away. M’s celebration is for MOMENT OF LAUGHTER DAY. Created by Izzy Gesell, he encourages people to celebrate and laugh more.

The medical profession is finally paying attention and agreeing that laughter is good for you. According to helpguide.org, “Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.”

They also state:

“Laughter is good for your health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.”

For more, view the entire article at: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

To add some laughter to your day, here are three blogs that are good for more than a few laughs and chuckles. Go take a peek … after all, it’s what the doctor ordered.

Hold onto your seats … and your underwear for this one! Fellow She Writes author, Cindy Brown will have you in stitches as you catch up on her posts:
http://www.everydayunderwear.com/2012/04/warning-consumption-of-this-blog-may.html

From fellow A to Z blogger, here are family tales in a humorous vein: http://collectintexasgal.blogspot.com/2012/04/leatherwood-pittman-myths-debunked.html

Here’s another A to Z blogger you won’t want to miss. Cindy can have you laughing at parenthood and its mishaps, partly in sympathy and understanding, but mostly because of her humorous writing style: http://cynthiadwyer.com/?page_id=4

Wacky and definitely unique, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t run across this blog before. (Language warning on this one, if language offends you, you might want to skip this one.) http://thebloggess.com/

L’s celebration is for LIBRARY WEEK

Friday, April 13^th: Two days left! L’s celebration is for LIBRARY WEEK, from April 8^th to the 14^th. I’ve had a library addiction for most of my life. Books, books and more books; it’s a paradise, filled with millions of pages of printed words. Books for every subject or genre you can think of. Stories to take you away to other worlds and lands, books that teach you (landscaping, interior design, writing, cooking, crafting, automotive … almost anything you can think of), and even books that take you back in time. And they’re FREE … all FREE! It sure helps keep my Barnes and Noble ‘habit’ under control.

Libraries have expanded their collections and most now also stock audio books and DVD’s. Sometimes there’s a $1 or $2 fee for those, but that’s still a nominal amount. Libraries offer a variety of ways to connect with your children. View this page for good family bonding ideas at the library. http://atyourlibrary.org/connectwithyourkids.

For more information on National Library Week, check out: http://www.atyourlibrary.org/national-library-week. The best part about this celebration is you can keep celebrating this one every week, you don’t need for it to roll around a year from now before you celebrate again.

K’s celebration is for KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO. It’s DROP EVERYTHING & READ DAY

Thursday, April 12^th: “Trixie was excited because she was taking her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny someplace very special.” K’s celebration is for KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO. It’s DROP EVERYTHING & READ DAY. Now we’re talking. Drop everything and read; that is MY kind of day! This celebration is perfectly timed since I stopped at the library to return some books this afternoon … and of course, came home with a few new ones. With little ones out of the house, I don’t have any Knuffle Bunny books sitting around to stop and read. But there is a stack of un-read books sitting here staring me in the face. Errands be-gone. Chores be-gone. I’ve got some celebrating (and reading) to do!

For more information, see http://www.dropeverythingandread.com/.

J’s celebration is for JAMMIN’, It’s BARBERSHOP QUARTET DAY

Wednesday, April 11^th: J’s celebration is for JAMMIN’, It’s BARBERSHOP QUARTET DAY. Barbershop quartets; they’re certainly a different sound than the American Idol contestants I’ve been watching. There’s a certain nostalgic sound and feeling that a good barbershop quartet brings. I got spoiled about twenty years ago. Jack, one of the members at the small church I attended inCalifornia, was a member of a barbershop quartet. Every few months, the group would sing at church. Nothing like having great music delivered to your doorstep.

The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing inAmerica(whew! I’d hate to answer their phones) was founded on April 11, 1938 inTulsaOklahoma. Barbershop quartets date back years before this 1938 date, but their founding gives us a good day to celebrate this unusual musical genre. I’ll bet there are some great youtube videos with good quartets. Look up a few and celebrate this special sound!

I’s celebration is for I LOVE MY SISTER & BROTHER, It’s NATIONAL SIBLING DAY

Tuesday, April 10^th: I’s celebration is for I LOVE MY SISTER & BROTHER, It’s NATIONAL SIBLING DAY. Today recognizes the bond between siblings for the special gift it is. Celebrate by hugging, honoring and enjoying your siblings; those who are with us still and honoring the memory those who have passed before us.

So of course, since one of the advantages of writing a blog is that you can write whatever you want … this celebration was picked for my sister Sue, my brother Chuck, and my brother Butch (Luther) who passed much too young from an auto accident. I LOVE YOU ALL!! Yes, Sue, I love you even though you used to throw your stuffed animals across the room at me when you were bored. (a memory she’ll never live down)

Claudia A. Evart founded Siblings Day Foundation, a nonprofit charity, to honor the memory of her sister, Lisette, and her brother, Alan. She lost both siblings too young from accidents. Siblings Day is celebrated annually on April 10^th, Lisette’s birthday. Since 1998, 88 governors have signed gubernatorial proclamations in 40 states.

Siblings Day follows the spirit of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day – a great American tradition and celebration of family-unit values. It is an uplifting celebration honoring people who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals. It is a relationship as equally important as a parent’s relationship. For more information, check their website: www.siblingsday.org