sandrewn

May 20th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abercius and Helena Alcuin of York Aurea of Ostia Austregisilus Baudilus Bernardino of Siena Ivo of Chartres Lucifer of Cagliari Sanctan May 20 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of Remembrance (Cambodia) Emancipation Day (Florida) European Maritime Day (European Council) Independence Restoration Day, celebrates the independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002. Josephine Baker Day (NAACP) National Awakening Day (Indonesia), and its related observances: Indonesian Doctor Day (Indonesia) National Day (Cameroon) World Bee Day World Metrology Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Clinical Trials Day Eliza Doolittle Day Flower Day Hats for Headway International Red Sneakers Day National Band Director’s Day National Eli Day National High Heel Day National Jase Day National Pick Strawberries Day National Quiche Lorraine Day National Rescue Dog Day National Rio Day National Streaming Day National Women In Aerospace Day Victoria Day Weights and Measures Day Whit Monday Whit Monday (Martinique) Whit Monday (Saint Barthelemy) Whit Monday (Saint Martin) World Autoimmune Arthritis Day International Academic Freedom Day Lonnie Adolphsen’s Birthday Frank Medrano’s Birthday Doug The Pug’s Birthday Cher’s Birthday Austin McBroom’s Birthday Addy Maxwell’s Birthday Timothy Olyphant James Stewart ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon May 20th, 2024 - Sat May 25th, 2024 Noise Action Week Walk to School Week UK Mon May 20th, 2024 - Sun May 26th, 2024 Epilepsy Awareness Week Learning at Work Week National Safe Sun Week National Vegetarian Week Knife Crime Awareness Week Italian Beef Week Mon May 20th, 2024 - Sun Jun 2nd, 2024 British Tomato Fortnight Fun Observances Be a Millionaire Day Be A Millionaire Day is on May 20. On this day pretend to be a millionaire or start working on your plans that you think will make you a millionaire. A millionaire is someone who is worth a million units in his or her country's currency. According to the 2014 Global Wealth Report, a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, there were about 16 million millionaire households in 2013. The United States had the highest number of millionaires at 7.1 million households, with China coming in second at 2.4 million millionaire households. How to Celebrate? Get started on making your life plans possible. If that means going to school or getting a new degree, why not enroll in school today? If you have ever planned to own a business, maybe it is time to start making your business plans. Did You Know… …that John Jacob Astor was thought to be the first multi-millionaire in the United States? His estimated net worth as a percentage of the gross domestic product of the United States at the time of his death in 1884, makes him the 5th richest American in history. *** When I asked my friend if she was planning to attend church, she just shook her head. "I haven't gone in a long time," she said. "Besides, it's too late for me. I've probably already broken all seven commandments." *** It was time for my dog's annual checkup. Following the vet's instructions, I collected a stool sample and dropped it in a plastic container before we left for his office. When we arrived, I handed the sample to the receptionist, who immediately cracked a smile. The container read "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter." *** One afternoon while I was visiting my library, I noticed a group of preschoolers gathered for story time. The book they were reading was "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." After the librarian finished the first page, she asked the children, "Do you think she'll die?" "Nope," a little girl in the back said. "I saw this last night on 'Fear Factor.' " *** Our elementary school was honoring local veterans. The students were a bit intimidated and didn't know how to approach them. "Start by introducing yourself," I said. "Then ask what branch of the military they served in." One student walked over to a vet and promptly asked, "What tree are you from?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( I'm not sure if I would chuckle or choke, if it was me! ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** OMG, I had those same lawn darts!! A spitting image yellow shirt, but my pants were green striped, not black, bell bottoms. *** ( Been there, done that, got the lumps to prove it. ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Meet The Tiger Spider, Nature's Very Own Nightmare Fuel The Tiger Spider (Linothele fallax) looks a little like someone crossed a tiger with a spider, which is something no one in their right mind should ever consider under any circumstances!

May 19th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Calocerus (Eastern Orthodox Church) Crispin of Viterbo Dunstan (Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church; commemoration, Anglicanism) Ivo of Kermartin Joaquina Vedruna de Mas Maria Bernarda Bütler Peter Celestine Pudentiana (Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church) May 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (Greece) Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey, Northern Cyprus) Remembrance Day (Sri Lanka) Hồ Chí Minh's Birthday (Vietnam) Malcolm X Day (United States of America) National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States) Hepatitis Testing Day (United States) Mother's Day (Kyrgyzstan) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Celebrate Your Elected Officials Day Emergency Medical Services Day Frog Jumping Jubilee Day International AIDS Candlelight Memorial National Barber Mental Health Awareness Day National Chi Day National Devil's Food Cake Day National Mechanical Dry Eye Day Pentecost Plant Something Day Rural Life Sunday Stepmother's Day Take Your Parents To The Playground Day Whit Sunday World Baking Day World Family Doctor Day World IBD Day Ride a Unicycle Day Orlin Home’s Birthday Sam Smith’s Birthday Nikocado Avocado’s Birthday Marshmello’s Birthday Malcolm X’s Birthday JoJo Siwa’s Birthday Albert Fish ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sun May 19th, 2024 - Sat May 25th, 2024 International Heritage Breeds Week National EMS Week Public Works Week Fun Observances May Ray Day On May 19, step out of your offices and homes and soak in the Sun's rays because it is May Ray Day. While the origins of the day are unknown, the day encourages people to enjoy some time under the Sun. Last Month of Spring Or Fall According to meteorologists, the month of May is the last month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is when the temperatures start raising and the anticipation of summer is evident all around us - in stores with summer clothing and agricultural produce, in nature with summer flowers and plants getting ready to bloom, and in our schools where students are getting ready for the upcoming summer vacations. This makes it the best time of the year to get some sunshine and enjoy the Sun before it gets too hot. In the Southern Hemisphere, May is the last month of fall (autumn). If you live below the Equator, then celebrate May Ray Day by spending some time under the Sun before the temperatures fall. How to Celebrate? Studies have shown that time in the Sun can be good for one's physical and mental health. So, wear a hat and your sunglasses and enjoy some May Sun. Be careful, though, too much time in the Sun can be damaging to your skin. So make sure you take sunscreen with you. Did You Know… ...that the month of May is named after Maia, the Greek goddess? In Greek mythology, she is the eldest of the 7 Pleiades and the mother of Hermes. *** Brevity is next to confusion in the insurance business. When a client died, her daughter told our agency that she would cancel the home policy the following week, once her mother's belongings were removed. Simple, right? Here's the note that was placed in the client's file: "Deceased will call next week to cancel moving her things out." *** My husband, a deputy district attorney, was teaching an antidrug class to a group of Cub Scouts. When he asked if anyone could list the gateway drugs, one Scout had the answer: "Cigarettes, beer, and marinara." *** "You need to be careful when writing comments," our principal told the faculty. He held a report card for a Susan Crabbe. A colleague had written, "Susan is beginning to come out of her shell." *** I was sound asleep when the telephone jarred me awake. "Hi!" It was my peppy mother-in-law. She proceeded to rattle on about the busy day she had ahead and all the things that awaited her the rest of the week. "Mom," I interrupted. "It's five in the morning." "Really? What are you doing up so early?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( Ouch, Ouch and Ouch again ) *** *** ** *** *** sandrewn

May 18th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury Eric IX of Sweden Felix of Cantalice Pope John I Venantius of Camerino May 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Baltic Fleet Day (Russia) Day of Remembrance of Crimean Tatar genocide (Ukraine) Independence Day (Somaliland) (unrecognized) International Museum Day National Speech Pathologist Day (United States) Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day (Sri Lankan Tamils) Remembrance Day (Sri Lanka) Revival, Unity, and Poetry of Magtymguly Day (Turkmenistan) Teacher's Day (Syria) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Armed Forces Day Battle of Las Piedras Culture Freedom Day Haitian Flag Day I Love Reese's Day International Heritage Breeds Day National Brock Day National Cheese Soufflé Day National Learn to Swim Day National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day National Marvin Day National River Cleanup Day National Visit Your Relatives Day Plant a Lemon Tree Day Preakness Stakes Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day World AIDS Vaccine Day World Fiddle Day World Whiskey Day International Astronomy Day National Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day Teresa Giudice’s Birthday Tina Fey’s Birthday Mister Cartoon’s Birthday George Strait’s Birthday Ava Pearl’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sat May 18th, 2024 - Sun May 26th, 2024 National Doughnut Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) No Dirty Dishes Day May 18 is No Dirty Dishes Day, a day you could celebrate by either not washing any dirty dishes or by washing all the dishes you can! Dirty dishes, they are part of life. A lot of time, money and energy is spent every day on washing and drying dishes and putting them away. This unofficial holiday with unknown origins encourages people to take a break from doing the dishes for the day and spend the time saved doing things for fun. How to Celebrate? Wash all your dishes so that your sink and kitchen is all clean and sparkly. Or, don't wash any and pile them up. But remember, you will have to clean them sometime soon, even if you take a break today. Or use disposable dinnerware. Just remember to make sure they are environmental friendly. Make No Dirty Dishes Day even more fun by eating all your meals out - make dirty dishes someone else's problem for this one day! Hate doing the dishes day in and day out? Use this day to draw up a schedule and a plan for cleaning dishes every time you use them. That way, you'll never be stuck with a sink full of dirty dishes! If you don't own a dishwasher, maybe today is the day to get one installed. Make sure you get an energy efficient washer and that you use environmentally friendly detergent. Did You Know… ...that the first iterations of dish washing machines were all hand operated? ~~~~~~~ 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! *** After I prosecuted a man for killing a bird out of season with his slingshot, the court clerk suggested setting up a date for him to return with both the money for the fine and proof of community service. "That way," she said innocently, "you can kill two birds with one stone." *** After finishing his meal, my grandfather, a retired Marine captain, asked the waitress for the 15 percent discount the restaurant offered veterans. "Do you need to see my military ID?" he asked. "That's all right," she said. "I know you were in the military. I can tell by your T-shirt." Grandpa's shirt read "Welcome to Gettysburg National Military Park." *** Driving back from Vermont, I stopped at a vegetable stand. It was deserted except for a sleeping German shepherd. I stepped over the dog, helped myself to some corn, then opened the cashbox to pay. Taped to the inside of the lid was this note: "The dog can count." *** A devastated-looking man knocks on the door of a woman known for her charity. "Please, ma'am," he says when she opens up, "can you help this poor, tragic family down the block? The father just lost his job, and his wife is too ill to work. They're about to be turned out into the cold streets unless someone can pay their rent." "That's the worst thing I've ever heard in my life!" says the woman. "May I ask who you are?" "Their landlord." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

May 17th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Birthday of the Raja (Perlis) Christian feast day: Giulia Salzano Paschal Baylon William Hobart Hare (Episcopal Church (USA)) Restituta May 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Children's Day (Norway) Constitution Day (Nauru) Constitution Day (Norway) Feast of ‘Aẓamat (Baháʼí Faith, day shifts with March Equinox, see List of observances set by the Baháʼí calendar) Galician Literature Day or Día das Letras Galegas (Galicia) International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Liberation Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Navy Day (Argentina) World Hypertension Day World Information Society Day (International) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Bike To School Day Endangered Species Day International Child Helpline Day International Virtual Assistants Day NASCAR Day National Bike to Work Day National Cherry Cobbler Day National Defense Transportation Day National Graduation Tassel Day National Idaho Day National Linda Day National Mushroom Hunting Day National Pinkfix Day National Walnut Day NF Awareness Day Pinot Grigio Day Shades Day Walk Safely To School Day Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day National Work From Home Day World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day Karrueche Tran’s Birthday LuAnn de Lesseps’s Birthday Elle Winter’s Birthday Cindy Smock’s Birthday Kandi Burruss’s Birthday Bill Paxton Lisa Brennan-Jobs Nikki Reed ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fri May 17th, 2024 - Thu May 23rd, 2024 International Coaching Week Fri May 17th, 2024 - Mon Jun 17th, 2024 National Smile Month Fun Observances ( 2 ) Pack Rat Day Pack Rat Day is celebrated every year on May 17. The unofficial holiday encourages people to do some late spring-cleaning and to make space for newer, more useful things in their lives. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to collect useless things? Get rid of things that you don't need anymore and de-clutter your house, workspace and your life on Pack Rat Day. Collector of Useless Objects Pack rat is the term used to describe a person who tends to collect objects - useful and useless - and does not easily get rid of them. While many of us can be pack rats in certain areas of our lives, being a hoarder can be a serious issue. In many people, the pack rat behavior can create major mental and physical health issues. Distracted Woodrats The term pack rat comes from the rodent of the same name. Also called woodrats, these rodents are known to be nesters. They collect anything they can find to make their nests. They are known to get distracted by shiny new things - if they see something they like, they will drop what they are currently holding to get the shiny new item for their nest! How to Celebrate? Collecting is not always a bad thing. Whether it is baseball cards, vintage chocolate wrappers or old cars, Pack Rat Day is a reminder that there is a fine line between collecting and hoarding and that sometimes it is ok to get rid of old things to make way for newer things. Here are some ways to observe this holiday: Take the day off to do some organizing. Throw away or donate anything you haven't used for over 6 months. If you know of someone who is a hoarder, get them some help. Hoarding can sometimes become a problem that can have a negative effect on a person's life. Read more about actual pack rats, rodents who pick up shiny objects and leave pebbles and nuts in their place. Did You Know… ...that fossilized pack rat middens are a rich source of information about the history of the environment in the area? Middens are debris piles created by the materials collected by the rodents and preserved by their urine. The oldest middens found were about 50,000 years old. ~~~~~~~ Pizza Party Day Mark our words, the third Friday of May will soon become your favorite holiday of the year. Why, you ask? Because it is Pizza Party Day! It is an unofficial holiday that celebrates the delicious, doughy pie traditionally topped with tomato sauce, cheese, herbs, vegetables, and meat, then baked until cooked. People Pleasing Dish Thought to have originated in Italy, pizza today has become a popular dish served in restaurants and homes around the world. It is often considered by many as the perfect party dish – a single pie can feed a lot of people, it can be easily made at home or ordered from a restaurant, eating it does not require utensils or fancy dishware, and most importantly it is delicious even when consumed cold. How to Celebrate? By hosting a pizza party, of course! Order in pies from your favorite pizza place or make your own. Start off by serving bite size pizzas as appetizers. Offer a variety of pizzas next. May we suggest a selection of cheese pizza, an Indian-inspired pizza made with a naan base topped with curried chicken, and a salad pizza topped with fresh vegetables and arugula? And of course, end the meal with a dessert pizza. Why not have your guests make their own pizzas? Provide the bases and ingredients and let them unleash their creativity on their pie. Who knows, they may end up creating your new favorite pizza? Did You Know... …that the month of October is celebrated as National Pizza Month in the United States? *** Thank you for calling the Weight Loss Hotline. If you'd like to lose a half pound right now, press "1" 18,000 times. *** In honor of our armed forces, the University of South Carolina football team used the backs of players' jerseys to display a little patriotism. They placed words like Duty, Service, Courage, and Commitment where players' names would normally go. During the game against the University of Florida, a fight broke out, prompting the television commentator to announce, "It looked like Integrity threw the first punch." *** I opened the refrigerator at work to get my lunch. Instead of my dessert, I found this note: "IOU one banana cream. Sorry, it was an emergency. Sharon." *** A wife is scrambling eggs when her husband bursts into the kitchen. "Careful," he cries. "Careful! You're cooking too many at once. Too many! Scramble them! Now! We need more butter. They're going to stick! Careful! Now scramble them again! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. Use the salt! The salt!" The wife turns and asks, "What is wrong with you?" Her husband calmly replies, "I wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

May 16th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Aaron (Coptic Church) Abda and Abdjesus, and companions: Abdas of Susa Andrew Bobola Brendan the Navigator (Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church) Caroline Chisholm (Church of England) Gemma Galgani (Passionists Calendar) Germerius Honoratus of Amiens John of Nepomuk Margaret of Cortona Peregrine of Auxerre Simon Stock Ubald (see Saint Ubaldo Day) May 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Martyrs of Sudan (Episcopal Church (USA)) Mass Graves Day (Iraq) National Day, declared by Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan) Teachers' Day (Malaysia) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Drawing Day Global Accessibility Awareness Day International Day of Light National Aperitif Day National BBQ Day National Biographer's Day National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day National Love a Tree Day National Mimosa Day National Notebook Day National Piercing Day National Sea Monkey Day Nickel Day Ride a Unicycle Day Supply Chain Professionals Day Waiters Day Wear Purple for Peace Day International Day of Living Together in Peace International Boys’ Day Horse Rescue Day Tori Spelling’s Birthday Megan Fox’s Birthday Janet Jackson’s Birthday IU’s Birthday Grayson Chrisley’s Birthday H. H. Holmes Pierce Brosnan Danny Trejo ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thu May 16th, 2024 - Wed May 22nd, 2024 American Craft Beer Week British Sandwich Week National Law week *** "Nice 2-bedroom home. The owner has noted that there are termites that have done some damage. Selling house 'as is.' Don't Wait. This Wonderful Property Will Not Last Long." *** A millionaire, a hard hat, and a drunk are at a bar. When they get their beers, they notice a fly in each mug. The millionaire politely asks the bartender for another beer, then proceeds to sip it. The hard hat spills out just enough to get rid of the fly and quaffs the rest. It's now the drunk's turn. He sticks his hand into the beer, grabs the fly by the wings, and shouts, "Spit it out! Spit it out!" *** At our supermarket, I noticed a woman with four boys and a baby. Her patience was wearing thin as the boys called out, "Mommy! Mommy!" while she tried to shop. Finally, she blurted out, "I don't want to hear the word mommy for at least ten minutes!" The boys fell silent for a few seconds. Then one tugged on his mother's dress and said softly, "Excuse me, miss." *** When my insurance company refused to pay for my newborn son’s circumcision, I got a letter explaining its logic. Under the procedure "Circumcision" was written "Unable to locate member." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Manhattan Delis and the Art of Knish *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

(it was worth posting again)

May 15th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto) Army Day (Slovenia) Christian feast day: Achillius of Larissa Athanasius of Alexandria (Coptic Church) Dymphna Hallvard Vebjørnsson (Roman Catholic Church) Hesychius of Cazorla Hilary of Galeata Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning of bullfighting season in Madrid. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Roman Catholic Church) Peter, Andrew, Paul, and Denise (Roman Catholic Church) Reticius (Roman Catholic Church) Sophia of Rome (Roman Catholic church) May 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Constituent Assembly Day (Lithuania) Independence Day (Paraguay), celebrates the independence of Paraguay from Spain in 1811. Celebrations for the anniversary of the independence begin on Flag Day, May 14. International Conscientious Objectors Day International Day of Families (International) La Corsa dei Ceri begins on the eve of the feast day of Saint Ubaldo. (Gubbio) Mother's Day (Paraguay) Nakba Day (Palestinian communities) Peace Officers Memorial Day (United States) Republic Day (Lithuania) Teachers' Day (Colombia, Mexico and South Korea) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Asphalt Day Break The Glass Ceiling Day Bring Flowers To Someone Day Buddha Day HG Awareness Day MPS Awareness Day International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day National Employee Health and Fitness Day National Juice Slush Day National Numeracy Day UK National Nylon Stocking Day National Safety Dose Day National Senior Fraud Awareness Day National Tuberous Sclerosis Day Straw Hat Day TSC Global Awareness Day Turn Beauty Inside Out Day Vascular Birthmarks Awareness Day - 1 VBF Day of Awareness - 2 World Facilities Management Day World Product Day International Customer Support Day Emmitt Smith’s Birthday Chase Hudson’s Birthday Roger Ailes ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wed May 15th, 2024 - Tue May 21st, 2024 International Heritage Breeds Week National Police Week National Stationery Week Wed May 15th, 2024 - Sat Jun 15th, 2024 Tourette Awareness Month Tourette's Syndrome Awareness Month Fun Observances Chocolate Chip Day May 15 is Chocolate Chip Day, a day to celebrate the tiny morsels of chocolate that make any dessert even better. In the United States, the unofficial holiday is also known as National Chocolate Chip Day. An Accidental Invention Also sometimes called chocolate morsels, rumor has it that chocolate chips were invented by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. According to the legend, the creation of the chips was an accident – out of chocolate powder while making cookies for guests, Ruth chopped up some chocolate and added it to the cookie dough. She found that the chocolate did not melt as she had expected, and the chocolate chip and the chocolate chip cookie was born. Named After the Inn After chocolate chip cookies became popular and successful, Nestlé made an agreement with Ruth to add her chocolate chip cookie recipe to the packaging of their chocolate bars. Nestlé's brand, Toll House Cookies, is named after Toll House Inn. Today, chocolate chips are a popular ingredient in a baker's pantry and they are used extensively in cookies, cakes, ice creams and a variety of other desserts. How to Celebrate? Add chocolate chips to all your meals of the day. Start your day by making chocolate chip pancakes or adding chocolate chips to your cereal. For your midday snack, whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies or chocolate chip muffins. Throw some chocolate chips in your lunch yogurt and end the day with some delicious chocolate chip ice cream. Did You Know… …that chocolate was once used as currency by the Aztecs? An avocado in this system was worth 3 cacao beans. *** My grandmother told me how she ended up marrying Grandpa. She was in her 20s, and the man she was dating left for war. "We were in love," she recalled, "and wrote to each other every week. It was during that time that I discovered how wonderful your grandfather was." "Did you marry Grandpa when he came home from the war?" I asked. "Oh, I didn't marry the man who wrote the letters. Your grandfather was the mailman." *** To get his mind off his losing streak at the racetrack, I took my friend horseback riding. Being a novice, he freaked when his mount took off. "How do I stop?" he yelled. "Bet on it!" I hollered back. *** I stole a couple of minutes from work to give my wife a call. She put my two-year-old son on, and we chatted a while before he ended it with an enthusiastic "I love you!" "I love you too," I said, with a dopey grin plastered on my face. I was about to hang up when I heard him ask sweetly, "Mommy, who was that?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( Betrayed ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

May 14th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Boniface of Tarsus Engelmund of Velsen Matthias the Apostle (Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion) Michael Garicoïts Mo Chutu of Lismore (Roman Catholic Church) Victor and Corona May 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Earliest day on which the first day of Sanja Matsuri can fall, while May 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third weekend of May. (Sensō-ji, Tokyo) Flag Day (Paraguay) Hastings Banda's Birthday (Malawi) National Unification Day (Liberia) The first day of Izumo-taisha Shrine Grand Festival. (Izumo-taisha) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Bond With Your Dog Day Children's Day UK Do Dah Day International Chihuahua Appreciation Day International Dylan Thomas Day National Bruce Day National Buttermilk Biscuit Day National Decency Day National Travel Insurance Claims Day National Underground America Day Om Day Online Romance Day Paraguay Independence Day Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day The Stars and Stripes Forever Day International PMO Day Rob Gronkowski’s Birthday Pokimane’s Birthday Miranda Cosgrove’s Birthday George Lucas’s Birthday Cate Blanchett’s Birthday Mark Zuckerberg ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tue May 14th, 2024 - Sat May 25th, 2024 Be Nice to Nettles Week Fun Observances Dance Like a Chicken Day On May 14, is Dance Like a Chicken Day. Also known as Chicken Dance Day, the goofy holiday celebrates the silly dance that is accompanied by the Chicken Song or the Chicken Dance Song. The song, sometimes also known as the Birdie Song, was composed in the 1950s by Swiss composer Werner Thomas. Accompanied by a series of movements, the song soon became popular in the West, especially in the United States, where it was performed at parties and weddings. The dance mimics the movements of a chicken and includes flapping of arms and wriggling of the body. How to Celebrate? Have a chicken dance dance-off. Get together with friends and organize a chicken dance flash mob. Just make sure you get the requisite paperwork and permissions before you do it. Did You Know… …that chickens were originally domesticated for the purposes of cockfighting and not for food? *** After I took a job at a small publishing house, the first books I was assigned to edit were all on the topic of dieting. "Isn't the market flooded with these types of books?" I asked another editor. "How do we expect to turn a profit?" "Don't worry," he assured me. "These books appeal to a wider audience than most." *** An elderly man visits the doctor for a checkup. "Mr. Smith, you're in great shape," says the doctor afterward. "How do you do it?" "Well," says Mr. Smith, "I don't drink, I don't smoke, and the good Lord looks out for me. For weeks now, every time I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he turns the light on for me." Concerned, the doctor finds Mrs. Smith in the waiting room and tells her what her husband said. "I don't think that's anything to worry about," she says. "And on the bright side, it does explain who's been peeing in the fridge." *** My 45-year-old sister was attending the wedding of a childhood friend when she ran into people she hadn't seen in years. How long exactly? One of them shouted, "Kathy, you got your braces off!" *** Mother's Day is nigh, so we're loath to say this: Mothers aren't perfect. Here they admit it: "My son knows he's not allowed downstairs until 9 a.m. Reason? He's been told that between 8 and 9 a.m., Mommy's fighting the monster that lives in the laundry basket." "I just ate a full pint of Häagen-Dazs, and when my three-year-old asked me what I was eating, I told her it was special medicine for mommies, because I didn't want to share." "My son was so excited for his second birthday, but when the day rolled around, I hadn't pulled anything together—so I told him that he had the day wrong and his birthday was actually the following week." "I haven't taught my kids to tell time yet … That way, I can say it's bedtime whenever I want." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The western pygmy possum is the cutest Australian animal *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

May 13th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Abbotsbury Garland Day (Dorset, England) Christian feast day: Our Lady of Fátima Gerard of Villamagna Glyceria John the Silent (Roman Catholic) Julian of Norwich (Roman Catholic) Frances Perkins (Episcopal Church (USA)) Servatius May 13 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Rotuma Day (Rotuma) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Children of Fallen Patriots Day Cough Drop Day Fair Trade Day IEEE Global Engineering Day International Hummus Day Israel Independence Day Israel Memorial Day National Anita Day National Apple Pie Day National Crouton Day National Drew Day National Fruit Cocktail Day - 1 World Cocktail Day - 2 National Leprechaun Day National Women's Check-up Day - 1 National Women’s Checkup Day - 2 Top Gun Day Tulip Day Stephen Colbert’s Birthday Robert Pattinson’s Birthday Quad Webb’s Birthday Morgan Wallen’s Birthday Haru Frenchie’s Birthday Falynn Guobadia’s Birthday Debby Ryan’s Birthday Candice King’s Birthday Zen Shimada’s Birthday Stevie Wonder’s Birthday Sunny Leone Jim Jones Dennis Rodman Bea Arthur Harvey Keitel ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon May 13th, 2024 - Fri May 17th, 2024 Water Saving Week Mon May 13th, 2024 - Sun May 19th, 2024 American Craft Beer Week National Stationery Week Bike to Work Week Coeliac Awareness Week Dementia Awareness Week National Salvation Army Week National Volunteering Week Mon May 13th, 2024 - Sun May 26th, 2024 Foster Care Fortnight Mon May 13th, 2024 - Thu Jun 13th, 2024 National Smile Month Fun Observances Frog Jumping Day May 13 is Frog Jumping Day, a fun day to jump like a frog. According to several sources, the unofficial holiday celebrates a short story named Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog by Mark Twain. In the story, a compulsive better named Jim Smiley trains a frog to jump and bets with a man that his frog can jump higher than any other frog in the town. The man dupes Jim Smiley and wins the bet. It is, however, unclear why the inventor of this day chose May 13 as the date for this “hoppy” holiday. Frogs have great jumping capabilities and are the best jumpers among all vertebrates given their size. How to Celebrate? Jump around like a frog. Make sure you do not do this in a heavily crowded or trafficked area. Go see frogs jump at your local aquarium or pond. And learn more about frogs and their habitats. Read Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog and other works by Mark Twain. Did You Know… …that a group of frogs is called an army? *** Years of smoking finally caught up with my friend John one morning when he keeled over at work, clutching his heart. He was rushed to a hospital and peppered with questions. "Do you smoke?" asked a paramedic. "No," John whispered. "I quit." "That"s good. When did you quit?" "Around 9:30 this morning." *** During Sunday school, the substitute teacher asked my four-year-old what his name was. "Spider-Man," said my son. "No, I mean your real name," pressed the teacher. My son apologized. "Oh, I"m sorry. It"s Peter Parker." *** "As another year rolls in," read an ad in our paper, "we"d like to offer our best wishes to all of you who have given us reason to celebrate." It was signed "Gunter"s Funeral Homes." *** Driving in Ohio, we spotted a sign that said "Wildlife Refuge." Seeing a dead deer lying in front of it, my husband shook his head. "He almost made it." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

@drpaladin You keep a character chapter count until George converts them? Truth be told, I would of been the first to comment on this chapter, but? It took me awhile to backtrack, find and get a count of all the chapters. So the answer is no.

Several points to make. You will probably be the only other person who will say ' Boldog Anyák Napját ' today, thank you. You presented, then proposed and/or solved several problems facing Granger and Calvert. You did so without the death/maiming of any crewmen, especially with regards to midshipmen, lieutenants and a certain captain. It has been 113 chapters since you introduced us to Rafael!! I think he holds the record as the longest holdout on our heroes to do/done to list (not that he had such a list???) Well done, Sir. Thank you,

I am sure I did this once before. So I started scrolling backwards and then decided, screw this and started this new one, here goes. To all of you who are ' Wishing you all, A Happy Mother's Day'. To all of our Mothers, still with us ' Wishing you all, A Happy Mother's Day'. To the memory of those who have passed ' Wishing you always, A Happy Mother's Day'. To my Mom, her birthday was May 1, 1024. She would of been 100 years old for this one ' Wishing you forever, A Happy Mother's Day'. sandrewn

May 12th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Blessed Imelda Blessed Joan of Portugal Crispoldus Dominic de la Calzada Epiphanius of Salamis Gregory Dix (Church of England) Modoald Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras Patriarch Germanus I of Constantinople (Eastern Church) Philip of Agira International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day International Nurses Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases International Day of Plant Health Mother's Day Mothers at the Wall Day National Anthony Day National Hospital Day National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day National Nutty Fudge Day National Odometer Day National Tampon Day National Veal Ban Action Day National YA DIG Day World Topiary Day Vinny Vinesauce’s Birthday Tony Hawk’s Birthday George Carlin’s Birthday Drumsy’s Birthday DraconiteDragon’s Birthday Rami Malek Emilio Estevez Stephen Baldwin ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sun May 12th, 2024 - Sun May 13th, 2024 Yom HaAtzmaut Yom HaZikaron Sun May 12th, 2024 - Sat May 18th, 2024 Christian Aid Week National Hospital Week National Women's Health Week Fun Observances Limerick Day May 12 is Limerick Day. It is an unofficial holiday that encourages people to read and write limericks, a genre of humorous poetry that first originated in England in the 18th century. Book of Nonsense Limerick Day, also sometimes called National Limerick Day honors the birthday of Edward Lear, English poet, and author. Born in 1812, Lear popularized this form of poetry in his 1846 book called A Book of Nonsense. It is believed that the term limerick refers to this specific genre of poetry which comes from the city of Limerick, Ireland. 5 Lines & AABBA Scheme Limerick is a genre of poetry that traditionally has 5 lines and has an AABBA rhyme scheme. A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes in a poem. To identify a poem's rhyme scheme, each line is designated with a letter. Lines that share a letter rhyme have words at the end that rhyme with each other. This means that in a limerick, which has an AABBA rhyme scheme, the words at the end of the first, second and fifth sentences rhyme, while the words at the end of the third and fourth sentence rhyme with each other. Humorous Situations Traditionally, the first line of a limerick introduced a person and a place and the rest of the poem described a humorous and often times obscene situation involving the subject or the place. How to Celebrate? Celebrate Limerick Day by reading some of Lear's limericks. Also, check out other poets' limericks as well. Write your own limericks and share them with your family and friends. Did You Know… ...that the oldest surviving poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is from about 2100 BCE? *** Overheard at the dinosaur exhibit in Disney's Animal Kingdom park: a confused woman complaining to her friend, "How could they possibly know the names of all those dinosaurs if they died 75 million years ago? And another thing, how do we even know they were called dinosaurs?" *** During a visit to our friend's home in Canada, we were feted with a wonderful breakfast. But my six-year-old daughter was not impressed. "Your pancakes are smaller than my mom's," she told him. He replied, "That's because of the exchange rate." *** The highlight of our zoo trip was a peacock showing off its plumage. My four-year-old son was particularly taken with it. That evening, he couldn't wait to tell his father: "Dad, guess what! I saw a Christmas tree come out of a chicken!" *** While I was working security at a football game, a fan spilled beer on a cheerleader's pop-poms. As a favor, I rinsed them off in the men's room. As I shook off the water, someone came out of a stall. Stunned, he announced, "That's the first time anyone's cheered me on while going to the bathroom." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Green crab spider (Oxytate sp.)

May 11th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Anthimus of Rome Gangulphus of Burgundy Majolus of Cluny Mamertus, the first of the Ice Saints Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Archery Day Birth Mother’s Day Brunch for Lunch Day Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Awareness Day Dog Mom Day Hostess CupCake Day Martin Z. Mollusk Day National Babysitter Day National Foam Rolling Day National Mini Golf Day National Technology Day National Train Day National Windmill Day O. Henry Pun-off Day Somerset Day Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day Stay Up All Night Day World Belly Dance Day World Buckfast Day World Ego Awareness Day World Fair Trade Day World Migratory Bird Day World Collage Day Prince Royce’s Birthday Sabrina Carpenter’s Birthday Cam Newton’s Birthday Blac Chyna’s Birthday Arlene MC’s Birthday Richard Feynman Kamaru Usman ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sat May 11th, 2024 - Sun May 12th, 2024 Data Innovation Day (Data Innovation Summit) National Mills Weekend Sat May 11th, 2024 - Tue May 14th, 2024 Westminster Dog Show Sat May 11th, 2024 - Fri May 17th, 2024 Brain Injury Awareness Week Huntington's Disease Awareness Week M.E. Awareness Week Sat May 11th, 2024 - Sun May 19th, 2024 National Bike Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) Twilight Zone Day May 11 is Twilight Zone Day, an unofficial holiday that honors and celebrates the Twilight Zone, an iconic and thrilling television show. Nothing Is as It Seems Twilight Zone was created by Rod Serling, who was also the show's host and narrator. The show is a collection of unrelated stories where nothing is as it seems and the end is usually always bizarre and unexpected. The stories on the show combined the features of science fiction, psychological thrillers, drama, horror, and fantasy and were based in the twilight zone. The Fifth Dimension The twilight zone according to the narrator at the beginning of each episode of the show is a “...fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge...” Most Watched TV Show The show made its debut in the United States in October 1959, to immediate critical acclaim, though it took a few years for it to gain popular success. Today, the Twilight Zone is considered to be one of the best and one of the most watched TV shows of all times. No one knows who created this holiday or why they chose May 11 to honor this creepy, but fun holiday. How to Celebrate? Do a Twilight Zone marathon. It is also Eat What You Want Day, so get all the fun food you can eat, and park yourself in front of the TV and spend the day watching episodes of the Twilight Zone back to back. Gather your friends and have a Twilight Zone themed party. Fancy yourself as a sci-fi writer? Why not spend the day writing some Twilight Zone inspired fan fiction? Did You Know… ...that Rod Serling was not the first choice for the narrator? Orson Welles was initially approached by Serling to play the role, but wasn't able to get him. ~~~~~~~ Eat What You Want Day Break all, but one of your dietary rules on May 11 or Eat What You Want Day. The only rule you must obey is, of course, eat what you want, however you want it, how much you want it! In today's fast-paced world, where time is premium, diets have taken control of people to wish to live a healthy life. All of us have some kind of dish or food that they love but have to stay away from because it is not very healthy. This unofficial holiday allows people to take one day from the year and guiltlessly indulge in their favorite foods. How to Celebrate? Eat whatever you want. Pig out on decadent desserts, stuff yourself with delicious food, go into a food coma feasting on rich, yummy dishes. Ever wondered what ice cream would taste with ketchup? Today is your day to try it! Try out all the oddest combinations of food you can think of. Did You Know… …that the word buffet originates from the French word for the piece of furniture food was served on? *** A patient at the dental office where I work stopped by my desk to pay her bill. She began rummaging through her purse, as so many patients do when they have a check to write. "Do you need a pen?" I asked, offering her mine. "Yes, thank you," she replied. She took it, put it in her handbag, and proceeded to pay in cash. *** After someone stole my brown-bag lunch at work, I complained about it to my wife, who offered to make me something wonderful the next day. But as I pulled into the plant's parking lot, I noticed a guy clearly down on his luck, so I gave him my lunch. I didn't know there was a note from my wife in the bag: "I know who you are, and I know where you live!" *** Playing around with my new iTouch, I decided to get directions to my son's base from my home in Maryland. So I typed "Wahiawa, Hawaii." I got turn-by-turn directions until I hit the coast. Then I was told, "Kayak across the Pacific Ocean entering Hawaii." *** My nine-year-old daughter walked in while I was getting ready for work. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Putting on my wrinkle cream," I answered. "Oh," she said, walking away. "I thought they were natural." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Fish-Eating Spiders Around the World Scientists have found spiders that hunt fish on every continent except Antarctica. In Photos: Fish-Eating Spiders Around the World | Live Science

May 10th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Children's Day (Maldives) Christian feast day: Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus Calepodius Catald Comgall Damien of Molokai Gordianus and Epimachus Job (Roman Catholic Church, pre-1969 calendar) John of Ávila May 10 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Confederate Memorial Day (North Carolina and South Carolina) Constitution Day (Micronesia) Earliest possible day on which Pentecost can fall, while June 13 is the latest; celebrated 50 days after Easter Day.(Christianity) Golden Spike Day (Promontory, Utah) Mother's Day (Guatemala, and Mexico Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Child Care Provider Day Fintastic Friday International Day of Argania Mother Ocean Day National Lipid Day National Military Spouse Appreciation Day National Provider Appreciation Day National Public Gardens Day National Ship Via Rail Day National Shrimp Day National Small Business Day National Washington Day One Day Without Shoes Trust Your Intuition Day World Lupus Day National Golf Lovers Day Stay Up All Night Night Bono’s Birthday Corey La Barrie’s Birthday Mark David Chapman ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fri May 10th, 2024 - Tue May 14th, 2024 Biggest Week in American Birding UN Global Road Safety Week Fri May 10th, 2024 - Thu May 16th, 2024 National Mental Health Awareness Week Fri May 10th, 2024 - Sun May 19th, 2024 National Public Gardens Week Fun Observances Clean Up Your Room Day May 10 is Clean Your Room Day - an unofficial holiday that is bound to be any parent's or roommate's favorite holiday and perhaps every child's, teenager's and lazy person's nightmare. Trash the Trash Also sometimes called the National Clean Up Your Room Day, this holiday of unknown origins aims at keeping the dust bunnies where they belong - the trash. The holiday promotes clean rooms and homes and encourages people to collect their cleaning supplies, don their cleaning clothes and gloves, and spend the day spring cleaning. Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning is a practice in many cultures where people clean their homes thoroughly once a year on the first warm day of spring. It is thought that this practice dates back to the days when people lit fires to keep warm during cold winter months. The first warm day of spring allowed people to open their windows and doors and to get rid of all the soot and ash that collected over the winter. Even though Clean Your Room Day falls towards the end of the Spring season in the Northern Hemisphere, and Fall (Autumn) in the Southern Hemisphere, it is a good day as any to get cracking on the dusting, scrubbing, and organizing. And who knows, you may just find that thing you were looking for forever hiding in some dusty corner of your room. How to Celebrate? Clean up your room and resolve to keep it clean every day. Give away or throw any unwanted items or pieces of clothing that you no longer use. If you have children, teach them about the virtues of a clean room. Help them organize their toys and books and reward them for keeping their room clean. Get the family together and make cleaning a fun chore. Put on some fun music and dance while you clean. Give out rewards for milestones crossed - fastest time taken to clean, best organizer, and room with the least amount of dust. Did You Know… ...that many cultures have a day assigned to cleaning during a year? In Iran, people clean their houses in preparation for the Persian New Year called Norooz, while in India people clean up their homes before the festivals of lights, Diwali. *** I returned home from my ninth business trip of the year with a severe bout of jet lag–induced foot-in-mouth disease. As we prepared to go to sleep that night, I wrapped my arms around my better half, gave her a kiss, and announced, "It's good to be in my own bed, with my own wife!" *** Having grown up in a small Alabama town, my friend James couldn't wait to tell us all about life in California, where he was stationed. "The malls are massive, and the restaurants are great," he said. Then he grinned. "I even went to a topless bar." "Really?" said his mother, surprised. "What do they do if it starts to rain?" *** Recently I sat in a restaurant watching two older men go at it. It quickly grew heated as one of them declared, "I'm so mad, I'm taking you off my pallbearer list!" *** Scene: A conversation between two of my friends. Friend #1: Are you visiting us tomorrow? Do you need directions? Friend #2: I'm all set. I have the address, a GPS, and a GPS override. Friend #1: What's a GPS override? Friend #2: My wife. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn