MDBCs 12 Oct 2024

Agriculture and farming today is largely mechanized and very scientific, but these developments would not have been possible without the wisdom and hard work of old farmers. This day is to give them thanks, to listen to them and to their stories, and to learn from them and their techniques.

While the origins of the holiday are unknown, Old Farmers Day is celebrated by many as a throwback to sustainable and farm-to-table farming practices of the old days.

Varied Culture and History

Farming and agriculture have a long and varied history in every culture. Despite the differences on what is grown, how farming is done and what materials are used, one thing remains common to all agricultural societies - the farmer. Farmers are the lifeline of agriculture - they tend to the agricultural product from the time of sowing to the time it reaches the market. It is because of hardworking farmers around the world, that most of us have food on our tables every day.

How to Celebrate?

Learn about old farming techniques.
If you own a farm, farm today using old farmers tools.
If you have an old farmer in your life, take them out for lunch and listen to their stories and ask for their wisdom.
Not a farmer? That shouldn't stop you from celebrating this fun holiday. Visit your local farmer's market and patronize your local farms. Buy only locally grown food and locally raised meat. Get involved in your local farm-to-table movement.

Did You Know...

...that according to scientists, almost 40% of the Earth's land is used for agricultural purposes?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Astronomy Day

Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

In the spring, the holiday is held on the Saturday closest to the First Quarter Moon between the months of April and May, while in the fall (autumn) it occurs on a Saturday closest to the Quarter Moon between September and October.

Created in 1973

Astronomy Day was created in 1973 by Doug Berger, then president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. The unofficial holiday is an attempt to raise the interest of the general public in astronomy by giving them easy access to astronomical instruments such as telescopes.

The holiday also seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by giving the public a chance to interact with astronomers and space scientists.

Observe the Sky

On the day, museums, observatories, universities, and astronomy clubs around the world set up easily accessible telescopes in public spaces including schools, parks, and shopping malls to allow people to observe the skies during the day and night. Other events include lectures and conferences, educational outreach, exhibitions, and essay competitions.

An Ancient Science

Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies and non-Earthly phenomena. It deals with objects like the planets, stars, and asteroids as well as events such as eclipses and meteor showers.

Studied since ancient times, the field of astronomy originated and evolved over millennia due to the need for humans to understand the history and science of the Earth and to comprehend the causes of celestial events.

Until very recently, astronomy and astrology were seen as related fields of study. It was only in the 17th century that they separated ways. Today, astrology is seen as a field that deals with spirituality rather than science.

How to Celebrate?

Attend a local Astronomy Day event. Bring family and friends with you and spend some time gazing at the sky through the lenses of a telescope.
Learn more about astronomy and how to study it as an amateur astronomer. You can start here.
If you have children in your life, today is the perfect day to introduce them to the magic of astronomy. Who knows, they may grow up to become the next Carl Sagan or Carolyn Shoemaker!

Did You Know...

...that we can actually see the past? Light from distant stars take a very long time to reach the Earth, so when we look at a star through a telescope we are looking at the light that left the star several hundred, thousands or even million years ago!

***

When a fellow piano tuner was ill, I took over his assignment of tuning a piano in a girls' boardinghouse. While I was at work, several of the girls strolled casually through the room in various states of undress. The climax came when a young lady in startling deshabille appeared to pay the bill.

As I was writing the receipt, she suddenly gave me a bewildered look, then fled, screaming, "That's not our regular man!"

Their regular man is blind.

***

A panda walks into a bar, sits down and orders a sandwich. He eats, pulls out a gun and shoots the waiter dead. As the panda stands up to go, the bartender shouts, "Hey! Where are you going? You just shot my waiter and you didn't pay for the food."

The panda yells back, "Hey, man, I'm a panda. Look it up!"

The bartender opens his dictionary to panda: "A tree-climbing mammal of Asian origin, characterized by distinct black and white coloring. Eats shoots and leaves."

***

Six guys are playing poker. After losing $500 on one hand, Smith clutches his chest and topples over, dead at the table. To decide who's going to tell his wife, his buddies draw straws. Anderson picks the short one.

"Break it to her gently," they all urge.

"Leave it to me," he says. When Smith's wife comes to the door, Anderson says, "Your husband just lost $500 playing cards."

"How much?" the wife yells, eyes blazing. "Tell him to drop dead!"

***

Two men have been ice fishing  all day. One has had no luck, while the other has pulled out a ton of fish.

“What’s your secret?” asks the  unlucky fisherman.

“Mmmmm mmm mm mmm mmmm mmm mmm,” is the reply.

“I’m sorry; what did you say?”

“Mmmmm mmm mm mmm.”

“I still didn’t understand you.”

The lucky fisherman spits something into his hand and says slowly and clearly, “You’ve got to keep your worms warm.”