NATIONAL GARDEN MONTH!

NO A-Z BLOG DAY: Sunday, April 8^th: The A to Z blogging challenge has a day of rest today. No alphabets to ponder for the day. But we still need something to celebrate today. I know, today is Easter and much of the nation is either in church, celebrating the resurrection, or out with the children hunting the infamous Easter Eggs. Since not everyone celebrates Easter, I chose another celebration to post. It’s NATIONAL GARDEN MONTH!

No two gardens are the same. No two days are the same in one garden.
 ~Hugh Johnson

The National Gardening Association sponsors this celebration every April. This month is a perfect match with our beautiful spring days warmed by the sun coupled with the beauty of the earth awakening in flowers and greenery.

Individuals, communities and organizations celebrate gardening during National Garden Month. The NGA states, “Gardeners know, and research confirms, that nurturing plants is good for us: attitudes toward health and nutrition improve, kids perform better at school, and community spirit grows. Join the celebration and help to makeAmericaa greener, healthier, more livable place.”

As Linda Solegato said, “Plants give us oxygen for the lungs and for the soul.”

There are so many ways to celebrate this month. Some suggestions from the National Gardening Association are:

• Design and plant a garden to attract pollinators.
• Plant a cutting garden so you can enjoy freshly cut bouquets all season long.
• Plant herbs for making your own herbal tea (try mints, bee balm, or chamomile).
• Plant a peace garden.
• Plant a kitchen garden near your back door with greens and herbs for convenient harvesting.
• Design and plant a bird-friendly garden.
• Grow a “multicultural” garden.
• Grow a fragrance garden; include aromatic plants such as heliotrope, oriental lilies, nicotiana, and stock.
• Plant a wildflower meadow.

For helpful links on how to accomplish some of the above suggestions and the full listing of “101 Ways to Celebrate National Garden Month”, go check out: http://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/index.php?page=101ways

C’s celebration is for CELEBRATE ‘FIND A RAINBOW DAY’

Tuesday, April 3^rd: C’s celebration is for CELEBRATE ‘FIND A RAINBOW DAY’. Here’s a great spring celebration, finding rainbows. Rainbows have meant many things to different people over the ages of time. Mythologies of the rainbow vary with each civilization. Regardless of the meaning, they are beautiful and mesmerizing.

A rainbow is an optical phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the sun shines on moisture in our atmosphere. Rainbows are visible on rainy days, but also around fountains, waterfalls, lakes, in foggy skies, and even sometimes in sprinklers. Although our eyes see rainbows in bands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, they are actually a continuous band of graduating colors.

Our world is filled with beautiful rainbows all over, not just in dewy skies. Look around you today. Where do you see rainbows today?

A Reason to … Celebrate, Remember, Have Fun (Dec 16-22, 2011)

Friday, December 16^th: It’s a great day today, it’s NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED ANYTHING DAY! Any day celebrating chocolate is my kind of day. I think it’s catching on. Today in the store we even saw chocolate covered Ritz crackers. We passed on those, but I’ve heard of worse things being covered in chocolate that will probably never pass my lips. I think I’ll go celebrate the day with a chocolate covered pretzel I got in a gift package. Happy chocolate-covered anything day!

Saturday, December 17th: Today we celebrate twelve seconds that changed our world.  It’s WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY, commemorating the day in 1903 that Wilbur and Orville Wright flew their infamous flight atKitty Hawk. 

The presidential proclamation states “As we pursue progress and prosperity in the 21st century, we remember the key to our success has always been our unparalleled ability to think up new ideas, create new industries, and lead the way in discovery and innovation–just as it was for the Wright brothers over a century ago.”

In the spirit of progress and innovation, here’s a big “thanks” to Wilbur and Orville Wright. Celebrate life, celebrate discovery!

Sunday, December 18^th: Here a cookie, there a cookie, everywhere you look … a cookie. It’s BAKE COOKIES DAY! It’s a perfect day for this holiday time of year. Children adore baking and decorating sugar cookies with mom or grandma. Friends, neighbors and co-workers all appreciate a plate of freshly baked cookies. Stretched for time? The refrigerated, ready-to-bake cookies make it easier than ever. Sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, gingerbread men, peanut butter, snickerdoodles …. So many cookies, So little time! Celebrate the day, celebrate the fresh baked cookie!

Monday, December 19^th: Celebrate today in a healthy way – but it won’t TASTE healthy!  It’s OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY! Yummy; all these food holidays to celebrate in December. At least today’s celebratory feast is filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Oatmeal is good for you in so many ways. And if you make the muffins with whole oats, peaches, bananas, applesauce or pumpkin (Google for more recipes than you can make in a day)…. mmmmm, even better! Happy Oatmeal Muffin Day!

Tuesday, December 20th: “You see George, you really had a wonderful life.”

Sixty-five years ago, December 20, 1946, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE premiered. Initially a box-office disappointment, never coming close to achieving its break-even point on initial release, the movie has become a Christmas classic. Nominated for five Oscars, the film has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. It has also been placed number one on their list of the most inspirational American films of all time.

Yes George (and Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Frank Capra and the rest of the cast), you really DID have a wonderful life! I’ll celebrate tonight by watching It’s a Wonderful Life …. Again.

Wednesday, December 21^st: Will he make it in time? Will he win the money? Tonight’s the deadline, at 8:45 p.m. It’s PHILEAS FOGG WINS A WAGER DAY. Phileas Fogg had a wager, that he could make it around the world in eighty days. Twenty thousand pounds was riding on it. I have to admit that I’ve never read Jules Verne’s 1873 fictional book, Around the World in Eighty Days. Today’s celebration seems like a good time to amend this. Seems I’ll be making a stop at the library on my way home from work.

Thursday, December 22^nd:

winter breeze
seasons passing by
spring memories

Today celebrates NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY. Haiku is a popular Japanese poetry form.  Typically written in three lines, with 5-7-5 syllables, current recommendations have been shortened to 3-5-3 syllables, more in line with the Japanese vs. English content. An internet search of the haiku “rules” provides more than enough information. Beware; you may need some aspirin before you’re done. It’s more complicated than it sounds.

Usually celebrated on the winter solstice, 2011 is the last year of its winter celebration. In 2012, the day moves to April 17^th, to coincide with National Poetry Month. So ‘Haiku it Up’ today, celebrating haiku’s last winter fanfare.

Credit where it’s due

My Sunday comes inching closer to ending the day. The clock says that a portion of the day remains, but the sky outside, dark at 6:30 pm begs to differ. I look around and see reminders of all I wanted to do today, sitting there still not completed. Working retail, I had a weekend of today; one day compared to the four day weekend many had.

There was so much I wanted to accomplish today: work on several various Christmas presents, wrapping soap I made earlier in the week, a little writing on some books that are behind my intended schedule, working on the ‘A Reason to … Celebrate …” for the upcoming week, grocery shopping, and possibly a little cleaning, organizing and sifting of my “piles” in between.

In the sorting and consolidating of three of my “piles”, I discovered something that I’d pulled out several weeks ago to look at. It’s a small paperback booklet called “More Be-good-to-yourself Therapy” by Cherry Hartman. I’ve been carrying it around with me through several moves since around 1993 or 1994.

I opened the booklet up, to a random page. Here’s what it said:

#12  When you have too much to do, don’t drain your energy by worrying about all that’s unfinished. Set priorities and give yourself credit for what you accomplish.”

It’s true. Too often we beat ourselves up for the unfinished projects and tasks, many of them imposed on us by ourselves. We seldom give ourselves credit for the many things we have accomplished.

Some days I find that I am overwhelmed with what I think I need to do. I’m so wiped out from a hectic week at work, that on a day off, instead of running full steam ahead checking things off my “to do” list, I find myself in a lazy mood. But sometimes that is what our bodies and minds need; some relaxation and non-activity. We need to realize that an occasional lazy day is also accomplishing something – it’s taking care of our body, mind and soul.

So for today, instead of worrying about the things that didn’t get completed, I will celebrate the day and celebrate life by saying, “Hooray!  Look at all the things I DID accomplish today!”

A reason to … Celebrate, Remember, Have Fun! (Nov 4 – Nov 10)

Friday, November 4^th: This song echoes throughout my head …. “Walk like an Egyptiannnnn.”  It fights with images of Steve Martin singing “King Tut”. It’s KING TUT DAY. This day, fit for a king, commemorates the day in 1922 that Archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the intact tomb of King Tutankhamen. Play some Egyptian music tonight and celebrate life, remembering this young, royal man from the past.

Saturday, November 5^th. Mmmmm … This is an easy day to celebrate. It’s BANANA PUDDING LOVERS MONTH! This tasty dessert is easy to find everywhere. Finding a GREAT banana pudding is a little harder. Last June, I discovered that the fastest way to get on my sister’s bad side is to hide her banana pudding. But it was so much fun, and the look on her face was priceless. To celebrate today, I’ll work my way through some ofTexas’ best banana puddings. It’s a rough job, but someone’s got to do it. Sue, this day’s for you!

Sunday, November 6^th: Who needs to wait for a special day to enjoy nachos? Today celebrates the cheesy delectable concoction; it’s NATIONAL NACHO DAY!  Back in 1943, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya assembled a spur of the moment appetizer, now a favorite to many. My dilemma is pairing this up with National Guacamole Day on November 16^th. I’ll just have to have my nachos – with guacamole – BOTH days!

Monday, November 7^th:  A whole new week begins today, a special week. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WEEK is sponsored by The International Society of Friendship and Good Will.  Most American’s recognize the phrase “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, from our Declaration of Independence. What creates authentic happiness in your life? Celebrate today; celebrate all week looking at what creates happiness in your life.

Tuesday, November 8^th: Right on the heels of ‘Pursuit of Happiness Week’ this week, is WORLD KINDNESS WEEK. Happiness and kindness are so closely related, it can’t be an accident. Celebrate life and celebrate the week by sharing some kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has great ideas on sharing kindness with others. Check out their page and pick one or two that resonates with you. http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/Kindness-Ideas/Browse/

Wednesday, November 9^th: You think the soon-to-arrive holidays are crazy? Disorder, frantic activity and chaos seem to be the norm anymore. CHAOS NEVER DIES DAY recognizes the turmoil in our everyday life. Recognize, acknowledge and celebrate the chaos. Then … maybe plan a peace and serenity break. The chaos may never die, but it can be abated. Celebrate the chaos and all cycles of life!

Thursday, November 10th: “I will always live in your heart, As long as you Forget Me Not”. Today is NATIONAL FORGET ME NOT DAY. Celebrate life; celebrate your loved ones by telling them that you love them today! Send them a note, give them a call, bring them some flowers, or send an e-card. (And since it’s my mom’s birthday today also, I’ll be saying “I love you” AND “Happy Birthday Iona Mae!)

A Reason to … Celebrate, Remember, Have Fun! (Sept 11-16)

Daily Celebrations

Celebrate life everyday,  from the Average to the Zany

September 11-16, 2011

September 11^th is a date that every American knows and remembers. This date is one like the day Kennedy was shot, where people remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the devastating news.

This day is our modern day ‘date which will live in infamy’, as President Roosevelt said in his speech following the attacks on Pearl Harbor.  September 11^th, as December 7^th, is a date that will always be with us.  Pearl Harbor had 2,403 deaths and 1,178 wounded. These numbers pale in comparison to the nearly 3,000 killed and 6,000 wounded on September 11^th .

What a date to start ‘A Wonderfully Wacky Week’ with, an article about daily celebrations, from the average to the zany.  Many lessons were learned September 11^th, lessons personal, political and national.  One of the lessons that we should take from this is to celebrate life.  Remember those that died and honor their memories.  Yet, celebrate life, it’s the only one we’ve got!

The dates for the rest of the week seem trivial compared with September 11^th. But in the spirit of finding something to celebrate each day, here they are.

September 12:  This day in 1966 a new television show premièred, The Monkees.  It started as a television show about a rock band … and they became a popular band.  Download a few songs to help celebrate. Some of you still may have one of their records laying around in a pile of unlistened-to-anymore vinyl. Whip out some love beads. Pull out the leather fringed vest from the back of your closet. Sing along as you eat dinner …. ‘Hey, hey, we’re the Monkeess’ …. ‘I’m a believer’ …. ‘Take the last train toClarksville’ …  Am I dating myself here?

September 13: Happy Birthday Roald Dahl! Celebrate this author’s birthday with birthday candles in a peach and a chocolate bar. Read (or re-read) one of his books. James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are my two favorites. The man may be gone, but his legacy continues. (see his website for details, http://www.roalddahl.com)

September 14: The Golden Girls premièred in 1985. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty captivated the nation until the final episode in 1992. Betty White, the only survivor of the four ladies, is still going strong. Celebrate tonight with a bowl of popcorn and a Golden Girls DVD.

September 15: In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world, a small team of activists set sail from Vancouver, Canadain an old fishing boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few individuals could make a difference.  Celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Greenpeace.  Participate in a green activity in your community that you believe in.  Write a letter. Get involved. See www.greenpeac.org/USA/en to see more about Greenpeace and ways you can help.

September 16: The Wo-Zha-Wa Days Festival begins today in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Only the flea market and arts and crafts run today with a run on Saturday and a Parade on Sunday.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been to a Wo-Zha-Wa Parade and I’m intrigued!  Curious about the name, I discovered that Wo-Zha-Wa is a Ho-Chunk (or Winnebago) Native American phase meaning ‘to have fun’. You won’t see me inWisconsinfor the festival, at least not this year, but that doesn’t mean that we all can’t have our own little ‘Wo-Zha-Wa’ Day!  What things can you do in your family today to have fun and add a little festivity to your life?