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February 16th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abda of Edessa Elias and companions Juliana of Nicomedia (Catholic Church) Onesimus Charles Todd Quintard (Episcopal Church (USA)) February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong-il's Birthday) (North Korea) Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania) Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (Alaska) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Friday Fish Fry Day Innovation Day Kyoto Protocol Day National Almond Day National Caregivers Day National Tartar Sauce Day No One Eats Alone Day Tim Tam Day Lupe Fiasco’s Birthday Brittney Atwood’s Birthday Ice T’s Birthday Elizabeth Olsen’s Birthday Ava Max’s Birthday The Weeknd Mahershala Ali ~~~~~~~~~ Fri Feb 16th, 2024 - Sun Feb 18th, 2024 Girl Scout Cookie Weekend Fun Observances Do a Grouch a Favor Day On February 16 or Do a Grouch a Favor Day, make someone’s day by doing something nice for them and getting them out of their funk. How to Celebrate? If you see someone who is grumpy, do something nice for them. Something as simple as a cheerful greeting and a smile can make someone’s day. If you know of someone who is having a hard time, make their day by taking them out for lunch or treat them to their favorite dessert. Be cheerful, remember happiness is contagious and your cheer may just rub off. Did You Know… …that Sesame Street, a children's TV show, has a number of characters called grouches? Grouches are always grouchy and unhappy, and usually live where there is trash. *** My boss yelled at me the other day, “You’ve got to be the worst train driver in history. How many trains did you derail last year?" I said, "Can’t say for sure, it’s so hard to keep track!" *** The public safety officer came up to a large mob of people outside a department store and asked, “What’s happening?” A mall officer replied, “These people are waiting to get the new Barbie doll.” The public safety officer shook his head and muttered, “Who can resist a Barbie queue?” *** Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent. *** Did you hear the news about that Chinese restaurant that got vandalized? It was an act of wonton destruction. *** “What’s wrong, Bubba?” asked the pastor. “I need you to pray for my hearing,” said Bubba. The pastor put his hands on 
Bubba’s ears and prayed. When he was done, he asked, “So how’s your hearing?” “I don’t know,” said Bubba. “It isn’t until next Tuesday.” *** Anyone wanting to take pictures on our base’s airfield needs a letter from public affairs, which happens to be me. One day, while out snapping photos, I was stopped by the military police, who asked for my letter from public affairs. “But I am public affairs,” I said. “Without a letter from public affairs, we’ll have to take your camera.” I did the only thing I could do: I pulled a notepad and pen from my bag and wrote a letter giving myself permission to take photos. The MPs read the letter, saluted, and left. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Frank "Rocky" Fiegel | Popeye the Sailorpedia | Fandom *** *** *** Ancient Egyptian Pregnancy Test Survived Millennia Because It Worked | HowStuffWorks *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

instagram.com (click on the 'instagram.com' to see the actual clip) Camel spider on the hunt Paragaleodes sp. from Egypt This specimen recently molted, now it is hungry and looking for food.

February 15th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Sopoćko Claude de la Colombière Faustinus and Jovita Oswiu Quinidius Sigfrid of Sweden Thomas Bray (Episcopal Church) Walfrid February 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Earliest day on which Family Day can fall, while February 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Monday in February. (parts of Canada) Earliest day on which Washington's Birthday can fall, while February 21 is the latest; celebrated on the third Monday in February. (United States) International Duties Memorial Day (Russia, regional) John Frum Day (Vanuatu) Liberation Day (Afghanistan) National Flag of Canada Day (Canada) Parinirvana Day, also celebrated on February 8. (Mahayana Buddhism) Singles Awareness Day Statehood Day (Serbia) Susan B. Anthony Day (Florida, United States) The ENIAC Day (Philadelphia, United States) Total Defence Day (Singapore) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Annoy Squidward Day Day of Ashakalia International Angelman Day International Childhood Cancer Day Love Reset Day Lui-Ngai-Ni National Black Girl Magic Day National I Want Butterscotch Day National Marcus Day National Wisconsin Day Remember the Maine Day St. Skeletor's Day World Anthropology Day World Cholangiocarcinoma Day World Hippo Day Megan Thee Stallion’s Birthday Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday Jane Seymour’s Birthday Chris Farley ~~~~~~~~~ Thu Feb 15th, 2024 - Wed Apr 17th, 2024 Make Mine Chocolate Fun Observances Gumdrop Day February 15 is Gumdrop Day. Celebrate this day by treating yourself to a bowlful of the colorful, chewy, and delicious candy. This unofficial and fun holiday is also called National Gumdrop Day in the United States. Bright Colored Candy Gumdrops are brightly colored candy or sweets made of pectin or gelatin. The cone-shaped treats are typically covered in sugar and are usually fruit flavored. Gumdrops that are flavored with artificial spices like cinnamon and mint are called spice drops. Decoration for Cakes Generally cone shaped, gumdrops are often used to decorate cakes and gingerbread houses during Christmas time. Similar sweet tooth holidays are Gummi Worm Day and Candy Corn Day. How to Celebrate? It’s easy to celebrate this day. Just get a bag full of delicious gumdrops and enjoy them to your heart's content. Try and make gumdrops in your own kitchen. Share them with your family and friends. Did You Know… …that the world gelatin comes from Latin gelat, which means to freeze? *** My young son declared, “When 
I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mommy.” “You can’t marry your own mother,” said his older sister. “Then I’ll marry you.” “You can’t marry me either.” He looked confused, so I explained, “You can’t marry someone in your own family.” “You mean I have to marry a total stranger?!” he cried. *** We had just finished tucking our five kids into bed when three-year-old Billy began to wail. Turns out, he had accidentally swallowed a penny and was sure he was going to die. Desperate to calm him, my husband palmed a penny that he had in his pocket and pretended to pull it from Billy’s ear. Billy was delighted. In a flash, he snatched it from my husband’s hand, swallowed it, and demanded, “Do it again!” *** My sister is a know-it-all who bristles at anyone's well-intentioned advice. But when our older sister gave her several clever tips, she was impressed. "I have to hand it to Pat," she told me. "She really is smart. Not Jeopardy! smart; more Wheel of Fortune smart." *** As A.J. and his platoon of recruits were marching, their sergeant slipped and tumbled down a ravine. The irate sergeant scrambled back up amid guffaws and barked, “Those who laughed, get down and give me 20!” A.J. and some others fell to the ground quickly and did their push-ups. Meanwhile, the sergeant glared at the others. “As for the rest of you, get down and give me 40 for lying!” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 14th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Cyril and Methodius, patron saints of Europe (Roman Catholic Church) Manchan Valentine (see also Valentine's Day) February 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Statehood Day (Arizona, United States) Statehood Day (Oregon, United States) Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Armenian Apostolic Church) Parents' Worship Day (parts of India) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Ash Wednesday Basant Panchami Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day Frederick Douglass Day Gold Heart Day Have a Heart Day International Book Giving Day League of Women Voters Day Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival Madly In Love With Me Day National Black Literacy Day National Boone Day National Call in Single Day National Chance Day National Christine Day National Condom Day National Cream-Filled Chocolate Day National Donor Day National Football Hangover Day National Impotence Day Organ Donor Day Pet Theft Awareness Day Quirkyalone Day Rafik Hariri Memorial Day Read to Your Child Day Valentine's Day Vasant Panchami World Bonobo Day World Sound Healing Day Tati Westbrook’s Birthday Koharu Sugawara’s Birthday Karol G’s Birthday Companiondish’s Birthday Michael Bloomberg Jimmy Hoffa Frederick Douglass ~~~~~~~~~ Wed Feb 14th, 2024 - Tue Feb 20th, 2024 Random Acts of Kindness Week Wed Feb 14th, 2024 - Mon Feb 21st, 2024 Nest Box Week National Condom Week Love Teaching Week Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff Education Week Wed Feb 14th, 2024 - Sun Mar 31st, 2024 Lent Fun Observances ( 2 ) Ferris Wheel Day February 14 is Ferris Wheel Day, a day to honor the life and time of Ferris wheel inventor George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. Now a mainstay of theme parks and fairs, the Ferris wheel debuted at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, United States. How to Celebrate? Visit your closest theme park and spend time riding the Ferris wheel. Since it is also Valentine’s Day, why not take your loved one with you on a Ferris wheel? Learn more about the science and technology behind Ferris wheels. Did You Know… …that the world’s largest Ferris wheel is 167.6 m or 550 feet tall? The High Roller, as it is called, can be found in Las Vegas. ~~~~~~~ Library Lovers Day February 14 is not only Valentine’s Day, it's also Library Lover’s Day. It is a day to honor libraries, librarians, bookworms, and library lovers in your life. How to Celebrate? Show your appreciation for your library and your librarian by volunteering your time helping out at the library or by donating money to your local library to add to their collections. Visit your local library and check out books or films. If you know someone – a friend or a family member – who does not have a library membership, now is the chance for you to encourage them to get one. Did You Know… …that the Library of Congress in Washington DC, United States, is the largest library in the world? *** My dad used to sing little ditties. This was my favorite: There was a young lady named Mabel. She danced on the dining room table. Her face grew red, When the gentleman said ... “Look at the legs on that table!” *** Here's my favorite dad joke, with me as the dad: Every Sunday on the way to church, we would have to stop at a railroad crossing. And each time, I’d tell my 12-year-old daughter, “A train just went by. Know how I can tell? It left its tracks.” I got a moan the first couple of Sundays. After a while, every time we’d pull up to the crossing, all I had to do was look in the rearview mirror and she would smile. My daughter is now a college graduate and lives out of state, but every time I cross those tracks, I think of her. *** My dad was not a jokester, but his fun side did come out once in a while. When I was 12, he took me to a Chicago White Sox game with a group from a local tavern. The game between the Sox and the Indians was in the ninth inning, with the Sox ahead by a run. I was having so much fun, I said, “I hope the Indians tie the game in the ninth.” The die-hard Sox fans we were with were horrified, but not Dad. He started cheering for the Indians to score, even as the men yelled, “Cut it out; you’re a Sox fan!” The Sox ended up winning, everyone was happy, and my dad and I laughed all the way home. I miss him tremendously. *** (I needed a break from purple, back to normal tomorrow) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Watch A Giant Spider Terrorize People Who Don't Know It's Really A Dog Watch A Giant Spider Terrorize People Who Don't Know It's Really A Dog | News | MTV

February 13th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Children's Day (Myanmar) Christian feast day: Absalom Jones (Episcopal Church (USA)) Beatrice of Ornacieux Castor of Karden Catherine of Ricci Dyfnog Ermenilda of Ely Fulcran Jordan of Saxony Polyeuctus (Roman Catholic Church) February 13 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) World Radio Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Angola Carnival Day Black Love Day Brazilian Carninval Canada's Agriculture Day Desperation Day Dream Your Sweet Day Ecuador Carnival Employee Legal Awareness Day Extraterrestrial Culture Day Fasnacht Day Galentine's Day Get a Different Name Day International Condom Day International Natural Day Kiss Day Mardi Gras National Apology Day National Break Up With Your Carrier Day National Cheddar Day National Crab Rangoon Day National Derrick Day National Internet Friends Day National Jamie Day National Tortellini Day National Wingman Day Qatar Sports Day Safer Internet Day Self-Love Day Travel Africa Day Pancake Day Sockie Norris’s Birthday Jess Hilarious’s Birthday Jerry Springer Randy Moss ~~~~~~~~ Tue Feb 13th, 2024 - Thu Feb 15th, 2024 World AG Expo Tue Feb 13th, 2024 - Mon Feb 19th, 2024 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week *** One day, my physician father treated himself to a plate of raw oysters and offered to share them with me. Just as I was about to dig in, he picked up an oyster, examined it, and commented, “They remind me of infected tonsils.”And that’s the story of how he ended up eating the entire plate of oysters himself. *** My six-year-old loved his pet fish. He watched and fed it faithfully, morning and night. But one day while he was in school, his fish died, so I flushed it down the toilet. I told him when he got home, and he was inconsolable. Nothing I said helped. After a while, I asked, “Why are you crying so much?” Arching his back, he shouted, “I wanted to flush!” *** Two regulars are sitting at a bar when one of them casually points to a couple of drunks across from them. “That’s us in ten years,” he says. His friend takes a sip from his beer, sets it down on the bar, turns to his friend, and slurs, “That’s a mirror.” *** I was working from home, interviewing a famous neurologist for an article, when my three-year-old announced she had to go potty and waddled into the bathroom. After some loud moans, she yelled, “I did it, Mom! I pooped in the toilet! I pooped on the floor too! But I’ll clean it! Oh, I stepped in it!” There was an uncomfortable silence as I realized the doctor had heard every word. “Ha ha,” I laughed nervously. “Do you have kids?” “No,” he said, “and I never will.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 12th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Benedict of Aniane Damian (?) Julian the Hospitaller Martyrs of Abitinae February 12 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Darwin Day (International) Georgia Day (Georgia (U.S. state)) Lincoln's Birthday (United States) Red Hand Day (United Nations) Union Day (Myanmar) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Argentina Carnival Carnival Monday Hug Day International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers International Epilepsy Day NAACP Day National Brayden Day National Freedom to Marry Day National Lost Penny Day National Plum Pudding Day National Poop Day Oatmeal Monday Oglethorpe Day Safety Pup Day Shrove Monday Sick of Food Waste Day Uruguay Carnival National Football Hangover Day Yungeen Ace’s Birthday Gucci Mane’s Birthday Charles Darwin’s Birthday Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Josh Brolin Tony Ferguson Christina Ricci Brett Kavanaugh ~~~~~~~~ Mon Feb 12th, 2024 - Fri Feb 16th, 2024 Love Data Week Mon Feb 12th, 2024 - Sun Feb 18th, 2024 Cardiac Rehab Week Homes for Birds Week National Jell-O Week Student Volunteering Week Random Acts of Kindness Week National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Fun Observances ( 02 ) Darwin Day Darwin Day is held annually on or around February 12, the birthday of Charles Darwin. The unofficial holiday honors the life and work of English naturalist Charles Darwin. Also known as International Darwin Day, the day is a celebration of science and humanity. Theory of Evolution Born in 1809, Charles Darwin revolutionized the field of natural history by putting forth the theory of evolution by natural selection. In his book On the Origins of Species published in 1859, he argued that all present-day life forms on Earth came from a single ancestor and that diversity in the animal and plant kingdom came about due to natural selection, migration, extinction, and genetic mutations. Celebrated Worldwide While initially contested, Darwin's theory of evolution is now widely accepted as fact and theory in the scientific community. Darwin Day has been celebrated off and on since his death in 1882. In 2000, three Darwin fans, Dr. Robert Stephens, Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, and Amanda Chesworth created the Darwin Day Program. The program was later named the Darwin Day Celebration, a non-profit organization committed to science education. Today Darwin Day celebrations are held all around the world. How to Celebrate? Get a crash course on evolution and natural selection. Read Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Species. Visit your local natural history museum and spend the day among dinosaur bones. Did You Know… …that the full title of Darwin’s seminal book is: On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life? ~~~~~~~ Clean Out Your Computer Day Have you been putting off cleaning out those old files on your desktop? Well, today is the day you should do it, because it is Clean Out Your Computer Day. Started in 2000 by the Institute of Business Technology, the day falls on the second Monday in February. A similar holiday called National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day is celebrated in October. How to Celebrate Backup your computer, including all your files, documents, and pictures. Clean out your desktop. Delete or archive files that you have no use of or haven’t used in several months. Organize your folders, files and bookmarks. Uninstall all the programs you no longer used. Did You Know… …that the Perottina was the world’s first commercially marketed desktop? Launched in 1964, the computer was named after its inventor Pier Giorgio Perotto. *** Ed: I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Fred: How bad is it? Ed: Not only is it awful, it’s awful. *** Q: What weighs more, a gallon of water or a gallon of butane? A: The water. Butane is lighter fluid. *** I went to a smoke shop to discover that it has been replaced by an apparel store. Clothes, but no cigar. *** Q: If you're an American in the kitchen, what are you when you're in the bathroom? A: European! *** The new draftee refused to march with his squad. Instead, he rode his invisible motorcycle beside them while making motorcycle noises. After a few weeks of this and several psychiatric exams, he was given a discharge. He rode his Hog to the main gate, propped it up on its invisible stand and walked out. "Hey," called the gate guard. "You forgot your bike." "No," replied the draftee, "I'm leaving it for the next guy who wants to get out." *** As my wife and I prepared for our garage sale, I came across a painting. Looking at the back, I discovered that I had written “To my beautiful wife on our fifth anniversary. I love you … Keith.” Feeling nostalgic about a gift I’d given her 25 years earlier, I showed it to her, thinking we should rehang the picture. After gazing at my message for a few seconds, she replied, “You know, I think a black marker would cover over all that so that we could sell it.” *** *** *** *** *** *** " I'll be calling Ewe " *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 11th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Blaise Eastern Orthodox liturgics Cædmon, first recorded Christian poet in England, c. 680 CE (Anglicanism) Gobnait Gregory II Lazarus of Milan February 11 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) European 112 Day (European Union) Armed Forces Day (Liberia) Evelio Javier Day (Panay Island, the Philippines) Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes (Catholic Church), and its related observance World Day of the Sick (Roman Catholic Church) Inventors' Day (United States) National Foundation Day (Japan) Youth Day (Cameroon) International Day of Women and Girls in Science (UN Women) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Autism Sunday Battle of the Oranges Ivrea Be Electrific Day Fastelavn Get Out Your Guitar Day - 1 National Guitar Day - 2 Grandmother Achievement Day Islamic Revolution Day Man Day Mother's Day Norway National Ava Day National Emergency Number Day National Homegating Day National Latte Day National Marc Day National Peppermint Patty Day National Shut-in Visitation Day National Van Day Pro Sports Wives Day Promise Day Satisfied Staying Single Day Super Bowl Sunday Super Chicken Wing Day White Shirt Day World Marriage Day Sarah Palin’s Birthday Roseanne Park’s Birthday Mehgan James’s Birthday Jennifer Aniston’s Birthday Cody Herbinko’s Birthday Burt Reynolds’s Birthday Yung Miami’s Birthday Thomas Edison’s Birthday Brandy’s Birthday Taylor Lautner’s Birthday Khalid ~~~~~~~~ Sun Feb 11th, 2024 - Wed Feb 14th, 2024 American Association For the Advancement of Science Week Sun Feb 11th, 2024 - Fri Feb 16th, 2024 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week Sun Feb 11th, 2024 - Sat Feb 17th, 2024 Build a Better Trade Show Image Week Chastity Week Children of Alcoholics Week Great American Pizza Bake International Flirting Week National Salute to Veteran Patients Pickle Time Week Take Your Family to School Week Freelance Writers Appreciation Week National Kraut and Frankfurter Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) Make a Friend Day Make a Friend Day on February 11 is an unofficial holiday that encourages people to stop and take stock of their friend list and make new friends. Humans are social animals and we need friends to feel fulfilled and happy. But sometimes in the daily rush of our lives not only do we tend to ignore our old friends, but we also forget to make new friends. Make a Friend Day inspires people to step out their comfort zone and try to meet new people and become friends with them. More Tolerant Making new friends can help people broaden their horizons and learn about different cultures and parts of the society. Research has shown that people with diverse group of friends are more tolerant, open to new ideas, and empathetic than people who have a small or a non-diverse group of friends. How to Celebrate? Say hello to new people and make new friends. Attend events in the city where you can meet like-minded and interesting people. Be adventurous and attend an event that you may never have thought about attending. Who knows you may even meet your future best friends there! Did You Know… …that studies have shown that on average people will remain long-term friends with 1 out of every 12 people they consider to be friends? ~~~~~~~ Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day February 11 is Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, an annual reminder that nothing good ever comes out of holding on to regrets. The name of the holiday comes from the English language idiom crying over spilled milk, which means to be sad over something that cannot be undone. Just like nothing can be done once milk has been spilled, one must not worry about something that is in the past. Learning From Our Mistakes We all make regrettable decisions in life. And while it is important to apologize to people whom our bad decisions may have affected, set things right for them, and learn from our mistakes, we must also ensure that we don’t spend more time than necessary on regret. Regretting Regret Studies have shown that long-term regret – that includes disappointment, remorse, shame, anger, and embarrassment over one’s actions – can have a negative effect on one’s mental and physical well-being. By focusing energy and thoughts on a past event, long-term regret can stop people from re-engaging with life and can often cripple a person’s decision-making process. Holding on to regret can also be stressful to the person’s body by negatively impacting his or her immune system. Regretful people are more prone to being sick, have more mental health issues, and they tend to attract fewer people socially than those who do not hold on to any form of regret. How to Celebrate? If you have any regrets, today is the day to start letting go of them. We won’t tell you that it will be easy, but once you start the process, you won’t regret it! Did You Know… ...that there are 3 types of tears – basal, reflex and emotional? Basal tears are what keep our eyes moist throughout the day, while our eyes secrete reflex tears when dust or a foreign particle irritates them. Emotional tears are the tears we are all familiar with; we shed them when we are experiencing a range of emotions - anger, sadness, guilt, happiness, and joy. *** Our booking office had three phones. One day during lunch, I was responsible for answering all of them. It was a constant repeat of “May I help you?” or “Will you hold?” I guess I got confused because I surprised one man on the other end of the line when I answered his call with, “May I hold you?” *** I’m known as a stickler for good spelling. So when an associate e-mailed technical documents and asked me to “decifer” them, I had to set him straight. “Decipher is spelled with a ph, not an f,” I wrote. “In case you’ve forgotten, spellchecker comes free with your Microsoft program.” A minute later came his reply: “Must be dephective.” *** With the economy improved, 
my son, Pat, finally found a job in electrical engineering. Pat traveled to various locales to analyze and fix problems with his company’s equipment. Yet it frustrated him that his employer gave him little training. One day Pat heard about some training classes coming up and asked if he might attend. “Oh, sure,” his boss said. “You’re going to be the instructor.” *** I went to a smoke shop to discover that it has been replaced by an apparel store. Clothes, but no cigar. *** Q: What is the best way to cook a gator? A: In a crock-pot. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Moriusaq - Wikipedia *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 10th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Austrebertha Charalambos José Sánchez del Río Scholastica February 10 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck (Malta) Fenkil Day (Eritrea) Kurdish Authors Union Day (Iraqi Kurdistan) National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe (Italy) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) All the News That's Fit to Print Day Children's Hospice Day Chinese Lunar New Year's Day Chinese New Year Chinese Spring Festival Global Movie Day International Cribbage Day Korean New Year Losar National Cream Cheese Brownie Day National Flannel Day National Home Warranty Day National Julio Day National Louis Day Plimsoll Day Royal Hobart Regatta Seollal Sonam Losar Teddy Day Tet Eve Tet Holiday Tet Nguyen Dan Tsagaan Sar Valentismas World Pulses Day Emily Bustamante’s Birthday Mia Khalifa Emma Roberts Chloë Grace Moretz Elizabeth Banks Laura Dern Robert Wagner Yara Shahidi ~~~~~~~~ Sat Feb 10th, 2024 - Fri Feb 16th, 2024 National Hero Week Sat Feb 10th, 2024 - Sat Feb 17th, 2024 National Entrepreneurship Week Fun Observances Umbrella Day February 10 is Umbrella Day, so honor the humble umbrella for shielding you from the elements all year long. Umbrellas have always been a part of human history, though in ancient times they were used only by the nobility and by the rich. In many cultures, umbrellas were used as part of religious ceremonies and rituals. Fashion Accessory In the 18th century, umbrellas became a popular women's fashion accessory and by the end of the 19th century, umbrellas had become a household item. It is thought that Englishman Jonas Hanway was the first male Londoner to carry an umbrella and that he was responsible for the popularity of umbrellas as an accessory among men in Europe and elsewhere. More Practical Today, with advances in technology, umbrellas have become smaller, lighter, easier to carry and more resilient to wind and strong rain. A majority of umbrellas on the market these days are manufactured in China. Although umbrellas are sometimes also called parasols, parasols may not always be waterproof and are usually intended to shield people from sunshine rather than rain. The holiday is also known as National Umbrella Day in the United States. How to Celebrate? Check the weather in your location and bring out your coolest umbrella to accessorize your outfit. Go to the beach, and relax under your beach umbrella while having a drink with an umbrella in it. Learn more about the history and the science behind umbrellas. Did You Know… …that some people believe that opening an umbrella indoors is considered to bring bad luck? *** At an art gallery, a woman and her ten-year-old son were having 
a tough time choosing between one of my paintings and another artist’s work. They finally went with mine. “I guess you decided you prefer an autumn scene to a floral,” I said. “No,” said the boy. “Your painting’s wider, so it’ll cover three holes in 
our wall.” *** As the hostess at the casino 
buffet showed me to my table, I asked her to keep an eye out for my 
husband, who would be joining me 
momentarily. I started to describe him: “He has gray hair, wears glasses, has a potbelly ...” She stopped me there. “Honey,” she said, “today is senior day. They all look like that.” *** 5 Lies Job Applicants Tell Gilding the lily is a job seeker’s birthright. Here are a few doozies, where the applicant claimed … ... to be a former CEO of the company to which he was applying. ... to be fluent in two languages—one of which was pig Latin. ... to be a Nobel Prize winner. ... to have worked in a jail when he was really in there serving time. ... he was fired “on accident.” *** A man is at the funeral of an old friend. He tentatively approaches the deceased’s wife and asks whether he can say a word. The widow nods. The man clears his throat and says, “Plethora.” The widow smiles appreciatively. “Thank you,” she says. “That means a lot.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Walmart Sued For Collecting Life Insurance on Employees | WFSU News *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 9th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Further information: February 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Alto of Altomünster Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich Ansbert of Rouen Apollonia Bracchio Einion the King (Western Orthodoxy) Blessed Leopold of Alpandeire Maron (Maronite Church) Miguel Febres Cordero Nebridius Sabinus of Canosa Teilo (Wales) February 9 is the earliest day on which Clean Monday can fall, while March 15 is the latest; celebrated on the first Monday of Great Lent. (Eastern Christianity) February 9 is the earliest day on which People's Sunday can fall, while March 15 is the latest; celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. (Malta) St. Maroun's Day (public holiday in Lebanon) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Brazil Carnival Chocolate Day Gwyl Mabsant International Winter Bike to Work Day National Cut the Cord Day National Develop Alternative Vices Day National Owen Day National Pizza Day - 1 Pizza Pie Day - 2 Read In The Bathtub Day Scout Sabbath Welsh Language Music Day Chung-ha Kim’s Birthday Tom Hiddleston’s Birthday Johnny Suh’s Birthday Jalen Green’s Birthday DJ Prince’s Birthday Craig Conover’s Birthday Bella Poarch’s Birthday Michael B. Jordan Mia Farrow Joe Pesci William Henry Harrison ~~~~~~~~ Fri Feb 9th, 2024 - Thu Feb 15th, 2024 Spring Festival Golden Week holiday Fun Observances ( 2 ) Toothache Day February 9 is Toothache Day. It is admittedly not a fun holiday, especially if you are suffering from, or have bad memories of, a toothache. Today is a good day to remind us that toothaches are never fun and that maintaining oral health is very important to keep painful toothaches away. Created by Dentists? While the origins of Toothache Day are a mystery, we suspect that it was a dentist who created this unofficial holiday to remind people that taking care of one's oral well-being is very important to live a happy, healthy and long life. The holiday is also called National Toothache Day in the United States. How to Celebrate? Celebrating Toothache Day is an oxymoron, but there are ways you can celebrate toothache-free days by giving your teeth and oral health attention on this day. Make an appointment with your dentist for a checkup. Take advantage of this day to resolve to brush and floss your teeth at least twice every day. Avoid food items that are bad for your oral health. Did You Know… …that the phrase I would give my eye-teeth refers to the fact that our canine teeth, also sometimes known as eye-teeth, are incredibly valuable to us? The phrase indicates a person’s want of something. ~~~~~~~ Bagel and Lox Day Bagel and Lox Day is an unofficial holiday dedicated to the quintessential Jewish American dish made of bagels, cream cheese, and lox or cured salmon. This holiday of unknown origins is also often known as National Bagel Day or Bagel Day. In 2018, Thomas', a division of Bimbo Bakeries USA, decided to move the date of National Bagel Day from February 9 to January 15 to avoid competing with National Pizza Day. Despite this, many people still prefer to celebrate this holiday on the original date of February 9. Ring Shaped Bread Popularized first by Jewish immigrants in New York City, bagels and lox is a classic combination and is a dish usually eaten during breakfast or for brunch. Traditionally from Poland, bagels are ring-shaped bread made out of wheat dough that is first boiled and then baked to give it its distinctive chewy texture. The hole in the middle is thought to make it easier for the bagel to cook as well as easier for bakers to transport and store lots of bagels at one time – all they need to do is to string a rope or thread through the bagel holes. Lox and Schmear The word lox is derived from the Yiddish word for salmon, laks. In the United States, lox is brined and cured salmon that has been sliced very thinly. On a bagel, it is usually served with cream cheese, popularly called schmear, from the German word for spread. How to Celebrate This one’s easy. Just go to your closest deli and get yourself a bagel with cream cheese and lox. Don’t have a deli close to you? Make the sandwich yourself at home – all you’ll need is some cream cheese, a bagel, and some lox. Add a slice of tomato or onion and you have a delicious meal ready! Did You Know… ...that the shape of a bagel – a ring with a hole – is technically called a torus? The word torus comes from the Latin word for cushion. *** Hoss drove over to the next county to buy a new bull for the farm. It cost more than expected, and he was left with only one dollar. This was a problem, since he needed to let his wife, Sue, know that he'd bought the bull so she could come get it with the truck—and telegrams cost a dollar per word. Hoss thought hard for a minute. Finally he said, "All right. Here's my dollar. Go ahead and just make it this one word: Comfortable." "How's that going to get your point across?" the clerk asked, scratching his head. "Don't worry," Hoss said. "Sue's not the greatest reader. She'll say it real slow." *** A man is pulled over by a police officer for a broken headlight. The cop looks in the car and sees a collection of knives on the backseat. "Sir," he says. "Why do you have all those knives?" "They're for my juggling act," the man replies. "Prove it," says the cop. The man gets out of the car and begins juggling the knives just as two men drive by. "Man," says one guy. "I'm glad I quit drinking. These new sobriety tests are hard." *** During a business trip to Boeing's Everett, Wash., factory, I noticed several 747 and 777 airliners being assembled. Before the engines were installed, huge weights were hung from the wings to keep the planes balanced. The solid-steel weights were bright yellow and marked "14,000 lbs." But what I found particularly interesting was some stenciling I discovered on the side of each weight. Imprinted there was the warning: "Remove before flight." *** A man goes to the doctor, concerned about his wife's hearing. The doctor says, "Stand behind her and say something and tell me how close you are when she hears you." The man goes home, sees his wife in the kitchen, cutting carrots on the countertop. About 15 feet away he says, "Honey, what's for dinner?" Nothing. He gets halfway to her and repeats the same question. Nothing. Very concerned, he gets right behind her and asks again "What's for dinner?" She turns around and says "For the THIRD time, beef stew!" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** (That's two or three sharks per second) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 8th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Cuthmann of Steyning Elffled of Whitby Gerolamo Emiliani Josephine Bakhita Juventius of Pavia Mengold of Huy Stephen of Muret February 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Parinirvana Day (some Mahayana Buddhism traditions; most celebrate on February 15) Prešeren Day (Slovenia) Propose Day (India) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Fat Thursday Giving Hearts Day Isra and Mi'raj Molasses Bar Day National Boy Scout Day National Iowa Day National Kite-Flying Day Opera Day Paczki Day Klay Thompson’s Birthday Jaden Hossler’s Birthday I.N’s Birthday Shereen Jenkins’s Birthday Charlie Axel Woods’s Birthday James Dean Mary Steenburgen Big Show Fun Observances Laugh and Get Rich Day February 8 is Laugh and Get Rich Day. A day for enriching your life with happiness. While the origins of this unofficial holiday are not known, it seems that the unknown creators of the holiday wanted to encourage people to spend the day laughing and being happy. Happy and Healthy While being happy won't make you laugh all the way to the bank, it will certainly help improve your mood and your health. Studies have shown that people who are happy and laugh often tend to have less stress, lower blood pressure, and a better immune response. Laughing and sharing jokes can also have social benefits. Happy people tend to have more friends and are easily accepted by social groups. More Productive Being happy can also help a person professionally. Joyful workers are more productive and liked by their co-workers compared to cranky and unhappy professionals. Other happy days to celebrate are Happiness Happens Day, Let's Laugh Day, I Want You to be Happy Day, and International Moment of Laughter Day. How to Celebrate? Laugh, laugh, and laugh! Tell jokes and solicit jokes from friends and co-workers to put you in the mood to think up of money making ventures. Watch the 1931 American comedy movie, Laugh and Get Rich starring Edna May Oliver and Hugh Herbert with family and friends. Did You Know… …that laughing can burn calories? Scientists have found that 15 minutes of laughter can burn as many as 50 calories. *** Q: What's a good holiday tip? A: Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter. *** I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up ... they have no holidays. *** A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. *** A Holiday Quiz “Pretend to be someone you’re 
not, and receive candy.” Quick: 
Halloween or 
Valentine’s Day? *** In fourth grade, my son had a huge crush on a classmate. So for Valentine's Day, he bought her a box of chocolates and took it into school. When I returned home from work, I found him on the couch eating the same box of candy. "What happened?" I asked. "Well, I thought about it for a long time," he said between chews. "And I decided that, for now, I still like candy more than girls." *** While shopping for a bathroom scale, I found one that tracks not only weight but also body fat, bone mass, and water percentage. I nixed that one in favor of a low-tech model. As I told the salesperson, “I don’t need to be depressed four ways; one is quite enough.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Arena - Wikipedia *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 7th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Richard the Pilgrim Blessed Eugénie Smet Blessed Pope Pius IX Chrysolius Egidio Maria of Saint Joseph February 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church Typically observed on the Sunday closest to January 25 (O.S.)/February 7 (N.S.) Independence Day (Grenada), celebrates the independence of Grenada from the United Kingdom in 1974. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Global School Play Day Hug an Addict or Alcoholic Day National Ballet Day National Fettuccine Alfredo Day National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Jack Day National Periodic Table Day National Signing Day Rose Day Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day World Read Aloud Day LaToya Forever’s Birthday Sandra Bland’s Birthday John Deere’s Birthday Jun Seba’s Birthday Garth Brooks’s Birthday Jacksepticeye’s Birthday Gabbie Hanna’s Birthday Chris Rock’s Birthday Charles Dickens’s Birthday BabyFace Ray’s Birthday Ashton Kutcher’s Birthday James Spader ~~~~~~~~ Wed Feb 7th, 2024 - Tue Feb 13th, 2024 African Heritage and Health Week National Apprenticeship Week Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week Wed Feb 7th, 2024 - Wed Feb 14th, 2024 CHD Awareness Week Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week Love a Mensch Week Wed Feb 7th, 2024 - Thu Feb 15th, 2024 International Week of Black Women In the Arts Wed Feb 7th, 2024 - Sat Apr 30th, 2024 National Green Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) e-Day e-Day celebrates the mathematical constant e, which has a value of 2.7182818. It is celebrated on February 7 in countries that follow the month/day (m/d) date format. This is because the first two digits of the date - 2/7 - correspond to the first two digits of the constant. People living in countries that follow the day/month (d/m) format celebrate it on January 27. The first three digits of this date - 27/1 - match up with the first three digits of e (2.71). Euler’s Number Also known Euler’s number, after the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler, e is an irrational number that represents the idea that all continually growing systems are a scaled version of a common rate. It is mostly used in logarithms, exponential growth, and complex numbers. It is one of the most important numbers in mathematics, including 0, 1 and pi (π). e is also sometimes called the Napier's Constant and is often incorrectly referred to Euler's Constant. Euler's Constant is denoted by lower case gamma (γ) and has a value of 0.57721. Other e Days Many European countries celebrate Euro Day, sometimes also called e Day. The day is observed on January 1 and celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the Euro, Europe's common currency in 2002. In New Zealand, eDay is a day where people can get rid of e-waste or old electronics such as computers and old appliances so they can be recycled rather than being placed in a landfill. Engineer’s Day is observed in Paducah, Kentucky on February 21, where many people participate in an egg drop contest, create edible cars, and tape people to walls. Other Mathematical Holidays The year is full of mathematical and scientific holidays. Some of these include: Yellow Pig Day, Mole Day, Fibonacci Day, Palindrome Day, and Pi-Day. Use our Date Pattern Calculator to find out other interesting calendar dates during the year. How to Celebrate? Celebrate this fun mathematical holiday by learning more about Euler's number and its importance in mathematics and science. Eat foods that begin with e - make eggs, eggplant, or eclairs. Make eggnog as a before dinner refreshment or eggs benedict for breakfast. Did You Know... ...that there is an island in northern Scotland called Eday? ~~~~~~~ Send a Card to a Friend Day February 7 is Send a Card to a Friend Day. The unofficial holiday encourages people to send a card to a friend to let them know that they haven't been forgotten. Stay Connected While we all love our friends and would like to keep in touch with them all the time, daily life can sometimes make it hard to stay connected. If you are unable to keep up with the lives and times of your friends, then Send a Card to a Friend Day is the prefect excuse to take some time during the day to write a note to a dear friend to let them know you are thinking of them. How to Celebrate? Celebrating this holiday is very simple. Take some time out of your busy day and write notes to your friends. Everyone loves a handwritten note, but if you can’t do that send them an e-card or even an email. No one will judge you as long as they hear from you. Did You Know… …that the earliest known greeting card is a Valentine’s Day card thought to have been sent sometime in the 1400s? *** My dog was my soul mate; we both took naps, we both skipped lunch, we both hated the vacuum... *** Comedian Daniel Tosh is no fan 
of the expression “The worst day 
of fishing is better than the 
best day at work.” “I’ve watched The Deadliest 
Catch on Discovery,” 
he said. “I’ve never once 
been at work, capsized in 
40-degree water, watched all my coworkers die, and been like, ‘Hey, at least we’re fishin’.’” *** It’s important to have a good vocabulary. If I had known the difference between the words antidote and anecdote, one of my good friends would still be living. *** Some sad news from Australia … the inventor of the boomerang grenade died today. —Johnny Carson *** Q: What weighs more, a gallon of water or a gallon of butane? A: The water. Butane is lighter fluid. *** *** *** *** A top-secret government agency who is in charge of all things superhero is set to unveil their newest recruits. —redheads. Based on findings published in various medical journals, scientists have shifted their efforts from creating rings that give the wearer unique powers to the training of redheads on how they can... Redheads Possess DNA Linked to Superheroism - According To Anonymous S – I AM & CO *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 6th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Amand Dorothea of Caesarea Hildegund, O.Praem. Jacut Mateo Correa Magallanes (one of Saints of the Cristero War) Mél of Ardagh Paul Miki and Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan Relindis (Renule) of Maaseik Vedastus February 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (United Nations) Ronald Reagan Day (California, United States) Sami National Day (Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden) Waitangi Day, celebrates the founding of New Zealand in 1840. Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) African American Coaches Day National Ashley Day National Chopsticks Day National Frozen Yogurt Day National Valentine Shopping Reminder Day Pay a Compliment Day Reclaim Social Day Time to Talk Day Safer Internet Day Ronald Reagan’s Birthday Natalie Cole’s Birthday Rick Astley’s Birthday Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Birthday Drita D'Avanzo’s Birthday Bob Marley’s Birthday Babe Ruth’s Birthday Axl Rose’s Birthday Ginny Lemon’s Birthday Aaron Burr Fun Observances Lame Duck Day February 6 is Lame Duck Day. The unofficial holiday honors anyone who is on their way out of their jobs or their elected office. Contrary to popular belief, a lame duck is not an injured or an uncool duck. Political Term Lame duck is a term usually reserved for politics in many democratic countries in the West and in Australia. It refers to a person or a group of people who are nearing the end of their elected term and will not be running for political office again. Risky Decisions Because their time in political office is limited, lame ducks are thought to have a freer hand in making decisions. Studies have shown that elected politicians towards the end of their tenure tend to make risky decisions. This is because they do not need to worry about the political consequences of their actions anymore. Stock Exchange The term lame duck however, originated in a field far from politics. Etymologists trace the first usage of the word to the London Stock Exchange in the 18th century. The term was used to refer to a defaulter - 'someone who couldn't pay his or her debts and then waddled off like a duck'. The usage of the term to refer to an elected official on his or her way out dates back to the late 19th century in the United States. How to Celebrate Honor any lame ducks you may have around you. If you personally know of one, throw them a going away party. If you are in the United States, learn more about the 20th Amendment to the U.S. constitution, also sometimes known as the lame duck amendment. Did You Know… …that a group of ducks is called a team or a raft? *** An exercise for people who are out of shape: Begin with a five-pound potato bag in each hand. Extend your arms straight out from your sides, hold them there for a full minute, and then relax. After a few weeks, move up to ten-pound potato bags. Then try 50-pound potato bags, and eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-pound potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. Once you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag. *** Things I overheard at my health club: “I’m only taking this class so I don’t eat for an hour.” “Who knew 40 years of neglect would have repercussions?” “Does this body make me look fat?” *** Could a ... ... librarian be called a bookkeeper? ... referee be a game warden? ... dairyman be a cowboy? ... cabinetmaker be the president? *** A man came in to give his application to the manager. But the manager asked, "Why is there a four-year gap in your application?" And the man responded, "Yale." The manager hired him and the guy said, "Thanks. I needed a yob." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 5th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Adelaide of Vilich Agatha of Sicily Avitus of Vienne Bertulf (Bertoul) of Renty Ingenuinus (Jenewein) Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson (Episcopal Church (United States)) 26 Martyrs of Japan (in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Anglican Church in Japan) February 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Kashmir Solidarity Day (Pakistan) Observances (click on the day or week for details) Adlai Stevenson Day Disaster Day International Clash Day Leo Day Liberation Day San Marino Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon PA Day National Fart Day National Pork Rind Day National Primrose Day National Shower with a Friend Day National Sickie Day National Weatherman's Day Unity Day Burundi Western Monarch Day World Animal Reiki Day World Nutella Day Neymar’s Birthday Kevin Gates’s Birthday Cristiano Ronaldo’s Birthday Bobby Brown’s Birthday Steven Suptic’s Birthday Hank Aaron’s Birthday Michael Sheen Jennifer Jason Leigh Darren Criss ~~~~~~~~ Mon Feb 5th, 2024 - Fri Feb 9th, 2024 Feeding Tube Awareness Week National School Counseling Week Pride in Foodservice Week Mon Feb 5th, 2024 - Sun Feb 11th, 2024 Freelance Writers Appreciation Week Heart Failure Awareness Week International Networking Week Tinnitus Awareness Week Children’s Mental Health Week National Apprenticeship Week Fun Observances (2) National Weatherperson's Day National Weatherperson’s Day is celebrated every year on February 5. On this unofficial holiday, honor the women and men who keep an eye on the weather so that you don’t get caught unawares by changing or extreme weather. The First Weatherman Primarily celebrated in the United States, the holiday commemorates the birth anniversary of John Jeffries, thought to be America's first weatherman. A physician by profession, Jeffries started collecting weather data in Boston in 1774. Ten years later, in 1784, he became the first person in the world to collect weather data from a weather observation balloon over London. Celebrates the Science This day celebrates the science of meteorology and encourages people to pay tribute to the women and men who forecast and broadcast weather related information and warnings every day of the year. The day also honors volunteers, storm chasers, and meteorologists who sometimes risk their lives in order to collect climate and weather data and to alert the public and businesses about severe weather conditions. The holiday is also known as National Weatherman’s Day. How to Celebrate? Know a meteorologist or a weatherperson? Thank them for all their hard work. If you are a science teacher or have young adults in your life, encourage them to look at meteorology as a career option. Learn more about weather patterns and meteorological events. Visit a weather or meteorology museum. Did You Know… …that the first weather forecast was printed in The Times of London on August 1, 1861? ~~~~~~~~ Chocolate Fondue Day February 5 is Chocolate Fondue Day, a made-up holiday that encourages people to get together with family and friends and enjoy a fondue pot of delicious and gooey melted chocolate. Chocolate fondue is the dessert version of the traditional fondue – pieces of bread and vegetables dipped in melted cheese. In chocolate fondue, pieces of fruit, cake or cookies are dipped into sweetened melted chocolate. Bringing People Together Fondue is a communal dish eaten out of a pot that is kept warm with a candle or lamp. The heat keeps the cheese or the chocolate melted and warm. Diners use skewers, toothpicks, or special fondue forks to dip the bread or fruit in the melted cheese or chocolate. Etiquette requires that the dipping instrument is only used to bring the food from the fondue pot to the diner’s plate and that diners never double dip their morsels of food in the cheese or chocolate. An American Invention With Swiss Roots Thought to be the national dish of Switzerland, fondue is thought to have originated in the country as a way to use up leftover cheese. Original cheese fondue recipes called for the cheese to be mixed with wine and herbs. Rumor has it that chocolate fondue was first created in the United States, where this holiday is also known as National Chocolate Fondue Day, sometime in the 1950s. How to Celebrate? With chocolate fondue, of course! Get your friends and family together and indulge in some delicious chocolate fondue. To keep it healthy, offer an array of fruits – apples, strawberries, oranges, bananas – to the diners. In addition to fruits, you can also serve cake, cookies, waffles, marshmallows, and ice cream cubes for everyone to dip in the chocolate. Have a chocolate fondue party. Set up a fondue station with different kinds of melted chocolates and chocolate flavors. May we recommend dark chocolate with bacon bits, salted caramel chocolate, mint chocolate, and white chocolate with sprinkles? Did You Know… ...that fondue bourguignonne is a type of fondue where diners dip pieces of uncooked meat into hot oil? *** Author Cindy Chupack coined these useful neologisms to help those dating today. Man-me-downs: Men who are passed on from one woman to another after a failed attempt at romance. Cupidity: The faulty logic that leads a well-meaning but clueless third party to believe that two random singles are perfect for each other. DNRR (Do Not Resuscitate Romance): A directive that you are not, under any circumstance, allowed to revive a past relationship. *** I met my husband while I was working in a science library. He came in every week to read the latest journals and eventually decided to take out the librarian instead of the books. After a year and a half of dating, he showed up at the library and started rummaging through my desk. I asked what he was looking for, but he didn't answer. Finally he unearthed one of the rubber stamps I used to identify reference books. "Since I couldn't find the right engagement ring," he said, "this will have to do," and he firmly stamped my hand. Across my knuckles, in capital letters, it read "NOT FOR CIRCULATION." *** Driving through Southern California, I stopped at a roadside stand that sold fruit, vegetables and crafts. As I went to pay, I noticed the young woman behind the counter was painting a sign. "Why the new sign?" I asked. "My boyfriend didn't approve of the old one," she said. When I glanced at what hung above the counter, I understood. It declared: "Local Honey Dates Nuts" *** Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were dining in New York. Ginger was resplendent in a ball gown and pearls, and Fred also sported evening wear. But the meal was marred when the waiter bringing their desserts tripped and covered Fred from head to toe in treacle sponge. “I’m terribly sorry,” said the waiter. “So you should be,” replied Fred. “Thanks to you, I’ve pudding on my top hat, pudding on my white tie, pudding on my tails.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn