sandrewn

March 9th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Catherine of Bologna Forty Martyrs of Sebaste Frances of Rome Pacian Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria (Coptic Orthodox Church) Gregory of Nyssa (Episcopal Church (United States)) March 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Teachers' Day or Eid Al Moalim (Lebanon) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Barbie Day Amerigo Vespucci Day Bang Clang Day International School Meals Day Joe Franklin Day March Full Moon Nametag Day National American Paddlefish Day National Crab Meat Day National Dish Washer Appreciation Day National False Teeth Day National Get Over It Day National Heroes and Benefactors Day National Lina Day National Marcia Day National Meatball Day National Shane Day Popcorn Lover's Day World Kidney Day Panic Day Suga’s Birthday Somi’s Birthday India Royale’s Birthday Matthew Gray Gubler’s Birthday Bow Wow’s Birthday *** As a dentist, I recently tried out a new chocolate-flavored pumice paste on my patients. No one liked it except for a six-year-old boy. While I polished his teeth, he continued to smile and lick his lips. "You must really like this new flavor," I said. "Yep," he replied, nodding with satisfaction. "It tastes just like the time I dropped my candy bar in the sandbox." *** I think my wife's going deaf," Joe told their doctor. "Try to test her hearing at home and let me know how severe her problem is before you bring her in for treatment," the doctor said. So that evening, when his wife was preparing dinner, Joe stood 15 feet behind her and said, "What's for dinner, honey?" No response. He moved to ten feet behind her and asked again. No response. Then he stood five feet in back of her and tried again but still got no answer. Finally, he stood directly behind her and asked, "Honey, what's for supper?" She turned around. "For the fourth time—I said chicken!" *** Bob, age 92, and Mary, age 89, are all excited about their decision to get married. While out for a stroll to discuss the wedding they pass a drugstore. Bob suggests they go in. Bob asks to speak to the pharmacist. He explains they're about to get married, and asks, "Do you sell heart medication?" "Of course we do," the pharmacist replies. "Medicine for rheumatism?" "Definitely," he says. "How about Viagra?" "Of course." "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?" "Yes, the works." "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antacids?" "Absolutely." "Do you sell wheelchairs and walkers?" "All speeds and sizes." "Good," Bob says to the pharmacist. "We'd like to register for our wedding gifts here, please." *** When my Dad got out of the Army, a friend gave him a job as a “diesel fitter” at his ladies’ undergarments factory. On Dad’s first day, the friend took him to the production line where he would be working. The friend explained that as a diesel fitter, my dad’s responsibility would be to pick up each garment as it came off the line, look it over, and then hold it up and announce, “Yep, deez’ll fit ’er!” At least, that’s the story my dad told a thousand times. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( R. I. P. ) *** *** *** sandrewn

March 8th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Edward King (Church of England) Felix of Burgundy John of God Philemon the actor March 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Women's Day, and its related observances: International Women's Collaboration Brew Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Be Nasty Day Discover What Your Name Means Day Learn What Your Name Means Day Fill Our Staplers Day Holi Nari Dibas National August Day National No Smoking Day National Oregon Day National Peanut Cluster Day National Retro Video Game Day Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace World Maths Day Fun Observances Proofreading Day March 8 is Proofreading Day. The day promotes error-free communication and encourages everyone to spend some time updating and expanding his or her proofreading skills. Proofreading is a careful examination and reading of any written text to spot spelling, grammatical, stylistic, and punctuation errors before its publication. Proofreading or Copy Editing While often confused with copy editing, proofreading does not usually include editorial revision. Unlike copy editors, who may receive copies or versions of the text throughout the writing or editing process, proofreaders only get to the see the final proof right before publication. The job of the proofreader is to go carefully through documents and spot formatting and typography errors in the text. In contrast to a copy editor, who can fine-tune the text themselves after spotting errors, a proofreader is expected to send the text back to the writer or the editor for making corrections. Proofreading and Technology In recent years, with the emergence of word processing and typesetting software, the proofreading profession has undergone a sea change. Today, proofreaders do not need to use old-fashioned symbols to indicate errors - they can highlight errors right within the electronic text. New proofreading software has also cut down the time a proofreader needs to spend on a text. How to Celebrate? Celebrate Proofreading Day by combing through all your writings carefully and spotting mistakes and correcting them. It is only human to make mistakes, but it is also human to correct them. Find ways to enhance your communication – proofread your emails and even phone texts and SMSs. Spend some time learning the tools of effective and efficient proofreading. Did You Know… …that a 1631 reprint of the King James Bible was called the Wicked Bible because of a proofreading error? The commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery” was mistakenly printed as “Thou shalt commit adultery.” *** When my wife was about to have our first baby, we brought a tape recorder to the delivery ward to capture the sounds of the birth, the baby's first cry and our doctor's voice saying, "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" We intended to use the tape as a fun message on our answering machine to help announce the birth to friends and relatives. My wife's labor went relatively smoothly and, when it seemed appropriate, I inserted the blank tape and began recording. Shortly thereafter, our baby was born and we all heard the first cry. The doctor held up the baby and, with tape rolling, loudly proclaimed, "Wow, will you look at the scrotum on him!" *** My son is an avid listener to our city’s police frequency, and he leaves the scanner on all the time. One morning while making his bed, I heard the dispatcher say, “Car 34, there is a five-foot boa constrictor in a front yard. The resident wants a policeman to come and remove it.” There was a long pause, then some static. Slowly, a voice said, “We can’t get the car started.” *** According to the Internet: The inscription on the metal bands used by the U. S. Department of the Interior to tag migratory birds has been changed. The bands used to bear the address of the Washington Biological Survey, abbreviated as “Wash. Biol. Surv.”—until the agency received the following letter from an unhappy camper: “Dear Sirs: While camping last week, I shot one of your birds. I think it was a crow. I followed the cooking instructions on the leg tag and want to tell you it tasted horrible.” The bands are now marked “Fish & Wildlife Service.” *** Me: What’s the Wi-Fi password? Bartender: You need to buy a drink first. Me: OK, I’ll have a Coke. Bartender: Three dollars. Me: There you go. So what’s the Wi‑Fi password? Bartender: “You need to buy a drink first.” No spaces, all lowercase. *** The photo is just a graphical recreation of what the passport would've looked like, created first by Heritage Daily, since access to the actual passport’s images haven't been made public. Ramses II's Egyptian Mummy Was Issued A Passport 3000 Years After His Death *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

I'm not sure about this one, appears to be another spider want to be. Live and let live, I say. @Timothy M. Nope - Nope, six legs and the the two he is standing on(total of eight), it's a spider. I finally found the video it came from, 'A human vs spider'. A human vs spider 😉 by (Christian) - YouTube

March 7th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Blessed Leonid Feodorov (Russian Greek Catholic Church) Perpetua and Felicity Siméon-François Berneux (part of The Korean Martyrs) March 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Be Heard Day National Cereal Day Dolyatra Erev Purim Holi Guyana Holika Dahana Jose Abad Santos Day Lailatul Barat Starts National Ben Day National Carol Day National Cooper Day National Crown Roast of Pork Day National Flapjack Day National Library Workers Day National Sharon Day National Sportsmanship Day National Teresa Day National Town Meeting Day Plant Power Day Sock Monkey Day Suriname Phagwah Unique Names Day Fun Observances Alexander Graham Bell Day Alexander Graham Bell Day is celebrated every year on March 7. The unofficial holiday recognizes the day in 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the technology that would later become the telephone and changed the world of communications. Patent Date On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for “transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically.” Three days later, on March 10, Bell uttered the famous words "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you" into a transmitter. His assistant, Thomas Watson, who was in the next room, heard the words clearly and thus, the first telephone was created. In commemoration of the day he was granted the patent, Bell’s fans around the world celebrate March 7 as Alexander Graham Bell Day. It is a day recognized by an official act of the legislature in Nova Scotia, Canada. Prolific Inventor In addition to the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell is also credited with being the inventor of the metal detector and he is known for developing the Hydrodrome, a watercraft that set a world marine speed record in 1919. How to Celebrate? Learn more about the science and technology behind the telephone and the cell phone. Visit your local telecommunications museum. Every time you call a friend or text someone send a silent thank you to Bell. Without him, we would still be using pigeons to send messages. Did You Know… …that Bell was one of the founding members of the National Geographic Society? *** Carol was pregnant with her first child, and her husband was about to leave on a two-week business trip. When Carol went to her doctor appointment, she had some questions. "My husband wants me to ask you something—" Carol began. The doctor interrupted her. "I get asked that question all the time," he said in a reassuring tone. "Sex is fine until late in the pregnancy." "No, that's not it!" an embarrassed Carol confessed. "My husband wants to know if I can still mow the lawn." *** Needing to shed a few pounds, my husband and I went on a diet that had specific recipes for each meal of the day. I followed the instructions closely, dividing the finished recipe in half for our individual plates. We felt terrific and thought the diet was wonderful—we never felt hungry! But when we realized we were gaining weight, not losing it, I checked the recipes again. There, in fine print, was "Serves 6." *** I worked at a boarding kennel where people leave their dogs and cats while on vacation. One morning I had taken a cat out of his cage, and after playing with him and replenishing his food and water, I put him back in. A few minutes later, I was surprised to see the feline at my feet, since the cage doors lock automatically when they’re shut. I couldn’t figure out how the cat escaped, until I bent down to pick him up and spied his nametag: “Houdini.” *** Thinking no one could hear me as I loaded a UPS tractor trailer, I began to whistle. I was really getting into it when a coworker in the next trailer poked his head in. “You know, I always used to wish I could whistle,” he said. “Now I just wish you could.” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

OK, almost back to normal(?). Imagine If This Spider Was In Your Bedroom - YouTube

March 6th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Chrodegang Colette of Corbie Fridolin of Säckingen Kyneburga, Kyneswide and Tibba Marcian of Tortona March 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) European Day of the Righteous, commemorates those who have stood up against crimes against humanity and totalitarianism with their own moral responsibility. (Europe) Foundation Day (Norfolk Island), the founding of Norfolk Island in 1788. Independence Day (Ghana), celebrates the independence of Ghana from the UK in 1957. Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Dentist's Day - 1 Dentist Day - 2 National Dress Day National Frozen Food Day National Oreo Cookie Day Purim Alamo Day Casimir Pulaski Day Day of Memorial And Respect For Veterans Day of the Dude Fast of Esther Fun Facts About Names Day Guam Discovery Day Guam History And Chamorro Heritage Day Iraq Day Of Tolerance And Coexistence Makha Bucha National Brian Day National Damien Day National Ford Day National Heroes and Benefactors Day National Report General Service Administration (GSA) Fraud Day National Shirley Day National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day No Homework Day World Tennis Day Hospitality Workers in HealthCare Day Tyler1’s Birthday Tyler The Creator’s Birthday Shaquille O'Neal’s Birthday Jacob Bertrand’s Birthday Harriet Tubman’s Birthday Biannca Prince’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Mon Mar 6th, 2023 - Fri Mar 10th, 2023 School Breakfast Week Mon Mar 6th, 2023 - Sun Mar 12th, 2023 Butchers’ Week British Pie Week Women in Construction Week National Procrastination Week *** While I was serving as a juror, I chanced to share the elevator one morning with a visiting judge. He asked me where the jurors parked, and I informed him that we had our own lot several blocks away. Then it occurred to me that he might be having a problem finding a place for his car, so I continued, "but, Your Honor, they have a special place reserved for judges down below." "Yes," he said dryly, "I'm sure they do." *** Phil was driving down a country road late one night when he felt a big thud. He got out of the car and looked around, but the road was empty. Since there was nothing else to be done, Phil drove on home. In the morning the sheriff was standing at his doorstep. "You're under arrest for hitting a pig and leaving the scene," the lawman told him with a frown. "Please come with me." Phil couldn't believe his ears. "But how could you possibly know that's what happened?" he asked. "It wasn't hard," the sheriff replied. "The pig squealed." *** One afternoon I was walking on a trail with my newborn daughter, chatting to her about the scenery. When a man and his dog approached, I leaned into the baby carriage and said, "See the doggy?" Suddenly I felt a little silly talking to my baby as if she understood me. But just as the man passed, I noticed he reached down, patted his dog and said, "See the baby?" *** My Dad's favorite joke is indelible: Joe is a new man on a construction crew. The first day on the job, he opens his lunch box and mumbles, “Oh no, peanut butter!” The next day, “Peanut butter again!” This goes on for days, until another worker says, “Why don’t you ask your wife to make a different lunch?” Joe replies, “I’m not married. I make my own lunch.” Whether or not anyone else laughed, Dad certainly did. *** *** Which is why you should always keep your towel handy, I know I do. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Meanwhile...in Japan *** *** *** sandrewn

Yesterday was funnies, today about yummies! This last one, gave even me the shivers.

March 5th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ciarán of Saigir John Joseph of the Cross Piran Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea Thietmar of Minden March 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of Physical Culture and Sport (Azerbaijan) Learn from Lei Feng Day (China) St Piran's Day (Cornwall) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Absinthe Day Arrival Of The First Missionaries Clean Up Australia Day Custom Chief's Day Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day Finisher’s Medal Day International Open Data Day Kyrgyzstan National Hat Day Multiple Personality Day Namesake Day National Cheese Doodle Day National Potty Dance Day National Scott Day Reel Film Day World Information Architecture Day Fun Facts About Names Day mrfreshasian’s Birthday Claire Drake’s Birthday Madison Beer’s Birthday Chloe Veitch’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Sun Mar 5th, 2023 - Sat Mar 11th, 2023 Return Borrowed Books Week Read an E-Book Week National School Social Work Week Dental Assistant Recognition Week National Groundwater Awareness Week National Consumer Protection Week National Professional Pet Sitters Week No More Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) Learn What Your Name Means Day On March 5, or Learn What Your Name Means Day, do some research to find out the out the origin and history of your name - first and last. Maybe you'll find a great tale behind your name! The holiday is part of Celebrate Your Name Week created by American Jerry Hill in 1997. The purpose of the week is to encourage people to celebrate and appreciate their unique names. Types of Names A name is a word used to identify people, places, and things. A person is identified by their name or full name, and this usually consists of at least two words - the given name, which is also known as the first name, and the surname, which is also known as the family name or last name. The purpose of the surname or family name is to indicate that the person belongs to a specific family or clan. In many cultures, people are identified by a single name. Tracing History Because of different naming conventions around the world, a person's name, while not unique, can tell a lot of the person's heritage and family history. For example, many societies in the world use patronymic names - at least one part of a person's name comes from the father's family. By following the chain of shared names back, one can find, if records exist, a lot about one's ancestors. Similarly, some cultures follow a matronymic tradition where part of a person's name comes from the mother's side of the family. How to Celebrate? Talk to your parents or family members about your name. Ask them why they gave you your name and what it means. With a little bit of research you may be able to find out about the lives of your ancestors. How about learning your name in Morse code? Did You Know… …that the study of the history, origin, and meaning of proper names is called onomatology? ~~~~~~~ Cinco de Marcho Day A play on Cinco de Mayo, Cinco de Marcho is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on March 5. The made-up holiday encourages people to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. According to the official Cinco de Marcho website, the day was created in 2007 in the United States. It marks the beginning of a 12-day period when "people train their livers for drinking huge amounts of alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day." A Celebration of Irish Culture Also colloquially known as St. Paddy's Day, St. Patrick’s Day is an annual celebration of Irish culture. It commemorates St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, who was responsible for spreading Christianity in Ireland during the 5th century. Associated with Irish Beer In recent years, with the spread of Irish immigrants around the world, St. Patrick's Day has become a holiday celebrated worldwide. In many parts of the world, people celebrate the day by drinking lots of Irish beer and participating in St. Patrick Day parades. Cinco de Marcho is a way to extend these celebrations to the previous weeks and encourage people to start consuming Irish beers days before the actual event. How to Celebrate? Host a party for your friends and organize drinking games. Visit your favorite bars with your friends and spend the evening drinking your favorite adult beverages. Do not drink? What about just getting together with friends and having a good time? Someone wise once did say that you don’t need alcohol to have fun. Did You Know... ...that Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday celebrated every year on May 5? The holiday celebrates the anniversary of the defeat of the French army during the Battle of Puebla in Mexico on May 5, 1862. *** My mother, a meticulous housekeeper, often lectured my father about tracking dirt into the house. One day he came in to find her furiously scrubbing away at a spot on the floor and launching into a lecture. "I don't know what you've brought in," she said, "but I can't seem to get this out." He studied the situation for a moment and, without a word, moved a figurine on the window-sill where the sun was streaming in. The spot immediately disappeared. *** Over the years, my husband and I have usually managed to decode the cute but confusing gender signs they sometimes put on restroom doors in restaurants (Buoys & Gulls, Laddies & Lassies, etc.), but every so often we get stumped. Recently my husband, Dave, wandered off in search of the men’s room and found himself confronted by two marked doors. One was labeled 'Bronco' and the other was designated 'Cactus.' Completely baffled, he stopped a restaurant employee passing by. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," Dave said. Gesturing toward the doors, he asked, "Which one should I use?" "Actually, we would prefer you to go there," the employee said, pointing to a door down the hall marked 'Men.' "Bronco and Cactus are private dining rooms." *** For years I had been telling my friend Pete that he ate too much fast food, but he always denied it. One day he admitted I was right. "What changed your mind?" "My grandson. When my daughter told him I was coming to visit, he asked, 'Grandpa from Florida, or Grandpa from Pizza Hut?' " *** We Uber drivers never know whom we’re going to end up with as a passenger. One day, I was driving over a new bridge, the design of which was very confusing. Completely confounded, I muttered, “I’d love to meet the genius who designed this mess.” With that, my passenger extended his hand in my direction and said, “Well, today is your lucky day. My name is Mike, I work for the county engineer’s office, and I’m the genius who designed this!” Surprisingly, he still gave me a tip. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

I apologize in advance, only humor for you today. And or a spider I'm not sure about this one, appears to be another spider want to be. Live and let live, I say. Night, night

March 4th 2022 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Adrian of Nicomedia Casimir Felix of Rhuys Giovanni Antonio Farina (Catholic Church) Blessed Humbert III, Count of Savoy (Roman Catholic Church) Paul Cuffee (Episcopal Church) Peter of Pappacarbone Blessed Zoltán Meszlényi March 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) St Casimir's Day (Poland and Lithuania) World Obesity Day Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) National Grammar Day National Hug a G.I. Day National Sons Day Anniversary of The Coronation of The Sultan of Terengganu Benjamin Harrison Day Brain Injury Awareness Day Courageous Follower Day Global Day of the Engineer Holy Experiment Day HPV Awareness Day International GM's Day International Scrap Booking Industry Day Marching Music Day - 1 Marching Band Day - 2 National Backcountry Ski Day National Dance The Waltz Day National Ida Day National Pound Cake Day National Quinton Day National Ray Day National Safety Day National Snack Day Old Inauguration Day Toy Soldier Day World Day of Fight against Sexual Exploitation Open Data Day Moniece Slaughter’s Birthday Dylan Gilmer’s Birthday K Michelle’s Birthday Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Birthday Fun Observances March Forth and Do Something Day March Forth and Do Something Day is a made-up holiday celebrated each year on March 4. The holiday encourages people to do something new that enriches their own lives or the lives of people in their community. March Fourth The name of this unofficial holiday plays on the words, march fourth, which when spoken out loud sounds like march forth - an expression used to convey action and moving forward. Homonyms March fourth and march forth are homophones - words or expressions that are pronounced alike, but have different meanings. Homographs, on the other hand, are words or expressions that are spelled the same way but have different meanings. Examples of such words include bass (a deep sound and a type of fish) and bow (to bend, the front of a ship and a type of knot). Homophones and homographs are both types of homonyms. How to Celebrate? March forth and do something. Volunteer in your community. Start something that you have always wanted to do, but have never had the chance to. Did You Know… …that the word March is a capitonym? Capitonyms are words or expressions whose meaning changes depending on where it's capitalized or not. March refers to the month, while march refers to a walking in a measured way. *** The family was viewing old slides and one flashed on the screen that caught everyone's attention. My father, wearing his favorite golf shirt, was holding me at the tender age of three weeks. The look on his face told all. "There's my prize possession," my father said. Touched, I smiled at him as he continued, "I wonder whatever happened to that golf shirt?" *** Traditional Chinese drugstores are always filled with bizarre remedies for everyday ailments. So while traveling in the Far East, I couldn't resist going into a drugstore to look around. There were rows and rows of jars filled with dried herbs, powders, and exotic oils. But one jar really caught my attention. The label said it was a guaranteed cure for stomachache. The jar was filled with chocolate chip cookies. *** To mail a big package of cookies to my two Air Force sons, both of whom were serving in Saudi Arabia, I was required to attach a label describing the contents. I carefully marked the box "Cookies" and sent it off, but after a month my sons said they had yet to receive my package. Suspicious, I baked another batch, only this time I labeled the contents "Health Food." Within a week my sons reported they had received the goodies. *** Spotted on T-shirts for sale in the Ponce de Leon Coast Guard Exchange: "Support Your Local Coast Guard…Get Lost." *** “Yesterday was my 18th birthday!” a customer said after walking into our convenience store. He then asked for some e-cigarette products and handed me his ID to prove he was indeed of age. I scanned the ID, but it came back expired. Now thoroughly deflated, he asked, “Does that mean I’m not 18?” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

This is a two part(er?): 1- 2- Call me old fashioned, but I think I will stick with my lawn elves and the odd toadstool.

March 3rd 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Anselm, Duke of Friuli Arthelais Cunigunde of Luxembourg Katharine Drexel John and Charles Wesley (Episcopal Church (USA)) Marinus and Asterius of Caesarea Winwaloe March 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Hinamatsuri or "Girl's Day" (Japan) Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, Virginia, USA) Liberation Day (Bulgaria) Martyrs' Day (Malawi) Mother's Day (Georgia) Sportsmen's Day (Egypt) World Hearing Day World Wildlife Day Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) National Day of Unplugging National If Pets Had Thumbs Day - 1 What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day - 2 33 Flavors Day Canadian Bacon Day Caregiver Appreciation Day Denim Day for Dementia Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race International Ear Care Day International Irish Whiskey Day Missouri Compromise Day National Anthem Day National Cold Cuts Day National Dress in Blue Day National Employee Appreciation Day National Jackson Day National Moscow Mule Day National Mulled Wine Day National Rita Day National Robin Day National Soup it Forward Day - 1 National Soup It Forward Day - 2 National Speech and Debate Education Day Navy Reserves Birthday Overseas N.H.S. Workers Day Peach Blossom Day Simplify Your Life Day Talk in Third Person Day World Day of Prayer National Salesperson Day Camila Cabello’s Birthday Buddy Valastro’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Fri Mar 3rd, 2023 - Thu Mar 9th, 2023 Endometriosis Awareness Week Fun Observances I Want You to be Happy Day March 3 is I Want You to be Happy Day, a day to set aside selfish thoughts and to make someone feel special and happy. The anonymous creators of the unofficial holiday wanted to encourage people to do things that cheer up people around them. A Universal Emotion Even though happiness is a universal emotion, it can mean different things to different people. In today's busy world, it is easy to forget this and take on a more self-centric view of happiness. I Want You to be Happy Day inspires people set aside their definition of happiness and to find out what makes their loved ones happy and do those things for them. Happy Days The day is also known as National I Want You to be Happy Day in the United States. Other happy holidays are Let's Laugh Day, Random Act of Kindness Day, International Moment of Laughter Day, and Laugh and Get Rich Day. How to Celebrate? Make someone’s day special. Compliment them or just do something special to make them happy. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and that you will do everything to ensure that they are happy. Having troubles with a friend or a family member? Sit down with them and clear things up and tell them that you want them to be happy. Did You Know… …that many believe that the phrase "happy as a clam" originates from the fact that open clams give an impression of a smiling clam? Other sources, however, suggest that the fuller version of the phrase - happy as a clam at high water - explains why a clam may be happy. At high water, clams tend to have no predators including humans. *** Pointing to a pan of chicken wings and legs disguised in the classic mess-hall manner, a young airman asked the mess sergeant, "What's for chow?" "Air Force chicken," replied the sergeant. "You want wings or landing gear?" *** A couple we know were in Lamaze class, where they had an activity requiring the husband to wear a bag of sand—to give him an idea of what it feels like to be pregnant. The husband stood up and shrugged, saying, "This doesn't feel so bad." The teacher then dropped a pen and asked him to pick it up. "You want me to pick up the pen as if I were pregnant?" he asked. "Exactly," replied the instructor. To the delight of the other husbands, he turned to his wife and said, "Honey, pick up that pen for me." *** After being at sea in the Persian Gulf for 90 straight days, I went to the squadron command master chief to complain. "Chief, I joined the Navy to see the world," I said, "but for the past three months all I've seen is water." "Lieutenant," he replied, "three-quarters of the earth is covered with water, and the Navy has been showing you that. If you wanted to see the other quarter, you should have joined the Army." *** When I was in high school in the ’70s, Dad said he’d just heard my favorite group on the radio, Carrying Grain. The band was Hall & Oates, and this gag perfectly sums up my father’s sense of humor. *** This one put me in a nostalgic mood, so here is a song I really liked and one of my favorite groups from way back when. The Irish Rovers - The Unicorn - YouTube While on that page I found "Celtic Thunder" which I have followed for years, featuring a duet of George Donaldson and a very young, Damien McGinty. IRELAND - 'A BIRD WITHOUT WINGS' - YouTube Sadly, George passed away March 12, 2014 (R.I.P.) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

@beatmopzz First - Welcome to GA and to your first post. Second - That depends? I don't know where you live, soooo. If you live in a rain forest, does it really matter? If you live anywhere near me (Montreal), I doubt it. We had a snow storm on Monday with 15+cm. Yesterday it was 7 above freezing and had to avoid all the puddles, while walking to the store in my running shoes. Forecast is some snow tonight. Some snow Friday evening and flurries all day Saturday. Spring? Bah, Humbug! Take care, sandrewn

@Bill W @Zombie I am not an overly religious person, but I think we can agree to score this one: Spider 0. However I fear his brethren, may now be actively searching for you both.

March 2nd 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Air Force Day (Sri Lanka) Baloch Culture Day (Balochistan) Christian feast day: Agnes of Bohemia Angela of the Cross Blessed Charles the Good, Count of Flanders Chad of Mercia (Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church) John Maron March 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Feast of 'Alá (Loftiness), First day of the 19th month of the Baháʼí calendar (Baháʼí Faith) and first day of the Baháʼí Nineteen Day Fast Jamahiriya Day (Libya) National Read Across America Day (United States) Peasants' Day (Myanmar) Texas Independence Day Adwa Victory Day (Ethiopia) Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) American Citizenship Day International Rescue Cat Day James Ronald Webster Day National Banana Cream Pie Day National Egg McMuffin Day National Hospitalist Day National Walter Day The Toddle Waddle World Teen Mental Wellness Day World Book Day Dr. Seuss Day Luke Combs’s Birthday Savannah LaBrant’s Birthday Jon Bon Jovi’s Birthday Janhvi Kapoor’s Birthday Cindy Mello’s Birthday Becky G’s Birthday Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Fun Observances Old Stuff Day March 2 is Old Stuff Day. Take some time on this made-up holiday to appreciate the beauty of all things old and vintage. Or you can reflect on the same old, and sometimes boring, things that you do every day and take the opportunity to change things up. The holiday is also sometimes called National Old Stuff Day in the United States. Increased Value While people often see old things as something to be replaced by newer, shinier things, not all of them are useless. Wines, for example, are more valuable and tastier as they grow older. Many old items like maps, books, jewelry, furniture, clothes, and artifacts also gain value as they age. This is because they represent workmanship and aesthetics of a previous historical era, as well as technology that may not exist in present times. Much more valuable than old inanimate items is the wisdom and knowledge we can get from old people. From old family members, one can learn their family history, their genealogy, and their origins. Old people can provide us a richer and more colorful account of the past than any history book can. Antique Versus Vintage Not all old things are created equal. Those who study history divide historical items into two groups based on their age. Antiques are items that are at least 100 years old, while vintage items usually have to be at least 30 years or more old. How to Celebrate? Sort out that crammed attic or basement, and throw away any old things you have no use for anymore. Or, start a vintage collection. Visit thrift stores and flea markets - who knows what treasures you may come across? Get together with your grandparents or someone older than you and ask them to tell you stories about their childhood and youth. Learn about what was going on in the world when they were growing up. Take a bit of time today to contemplate your life and to add a few new activities or hobbies to spice up your routine. Continuing on the theme of old things, perhaps you could pick up collecting old rocks? Did You Know… …that earliest known pieces of jewelry made by humans are thought to be about 100,000 years old? Found in a cave in Israel, the pieces were made from mollusk shells. *** I called a video shop to order the war movie Battle of the Bulge. "Hold on," said the clerk. "I'll check our aerobics tapes." *** I was hospitalized with an awful sinus infection that caused the entire left side of my face to swell. On the third day, the nurse led me to believe that I was finally recovering when she announced excitedly, "Look, your wrinkles are coming back!" *** My wife received a credit-card application in the mail that she had not requested. She didn't want it, but I did. So I crossed off my wife's name on the form, entered my own and returned the application. I soon got a phone call from a woman saying my application had been rejected. I asked her why, and she told me the card could only be issued to the person originally solicited by the offer. However, she invited me to reapply, which I did during the same telephone call. A few days later I got another call to tell me my second application had been rejected. Why? The woman told me their files showed that I had previously applied for a card and had been denied. *** At his 103rd birthday party, my grandfather was asked if he thought that he'd be around for his 104th. "I certainly do," he replied. "Statistics show that very few people die between the ages of 103 and 104." *** As my sister and I were counting the cows in a pasture, Dad glanced over at the herd and said, “There are 127.” “How’d you know?” we asked. He replied, “I counted their legs and divided by four.” Decades later, my kids give me the same look I gave my dad every time I pull that same gag. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

March 1st 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Beer Day, marked the end of beer prohibition in 1989 (Iceland) Christian feast day: Agnes Tsao Kou Ying (one of the Martyr Saints of China) Albin David Eudokia of Heliopolis Pope Felix III Leoluca Luperculus Monan Rudesind Saint David's Day or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant (Wales and Welsh communities) Suitbert March 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani's Death (Iraqi Kurdistan) Disability Day of Mourning Heroes' Day (Paraguay) Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992. National "Cursed Soldiers" Remembrance Day (Poland) Remembrance Day (Marshall Islands) Samiljeol (South Korea) Self-injury Awareness Day (international) Southeastern Europe celebration of the beginning of spring: Baba Marta Day (Bulgaria) Mărțișor (Romania and Moldova) The final day (fourth or fifth) of Ayyám-i-Há (Baháʼí Faith) World Seagrass Day Yap Day (Yap State) Zero Discrimination Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) National Barista Day National Peanut Butter Lover's Day Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day Baby Sleep Day Endometriosis Awareness Day International Ideas Month International Women of Color Day Lavity Stoutt's Birthday National Dadgum That's Good Day National Fruit Compote Day National Horse Protection Day National Hotel Slipper Day National March First Day National Minnesota Day National Pig Day National Sage Day National Texas Stress Day National Wedding Planning Day National Welsh Corgi Day Peace Corps Day Public Risk Management Awareness Day Refired Not Retired Day Share a Smile Day Stop Bad Service Day World Civil Defense Day World Music Therapy Day Wonho’s Birthday Ron Howard’s Birthday Sawyer Sharbino’s Birthday Philza’s Birthday Kesha’s Birthday Kenny Redneck Tv’s Birthday Frederic Chopin’s Birthday Justin Bieber’s Birthday ~~~~~~ Wed Mar 1st, 2023 - Tue Mar 7th, 2023 Will Eisner Week Cheerleading Week Write a Letter Appreciation Week Universal Human Beings Week Observances (click on the month for details) National Nutrition Month National Women’s History Month National Hemophilia Awareness Month Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month National Social Work Month National Small Press Month National Kidney Month National Peanut Month National Craft Month International Ideas Month National Caffeine Awareness Month Endometriosis Awareness Month Rising Star Month National Credit Education Month National Cheerleading Safety Month National Umbrella Month National Music in Our Schools Month Fun Observances ( 2 ) World Compliment Day March 1 is celebrated as World Compliment Day, a day that aims to address the “basic human need for recognition and appreciation.” Started in the Netherlands by Hans Poortvliet in 2001, the day is now celebrated in many European countries including Norway and Belgium. Spread Joy and Positivity According to the official website of the unofficial holiday, Poortvliet created the day as a way to spread happiness and increase productivity. The website encourages people to use words instead of gifts as a way to praise and appreciate people. The idea is to create the “most positive day in the world.” How to Celebrate? Pay compliments to everyone you meet. Appreciate family, coworkers, and friends for their hard work and for being there in your life. Did You Know... ...there is a similar holiday, Compliment Day that is annually celebrated on January 24? ~~~~~~~ Plan a Solo Vacation Day Need a vacation and don’t have a traveling companion? Then March 1 or Plan a Solo Vacation Day is the unofficial holiday for you. On this day treat yourself to that vacation you have always wanted, without having to wait for someone to join you on your adventures. Advantages Planning a solo vacation can be intimidating and overwhelming. But traveling alone can have many advantages. Informal studies have shown that those who travel by themselves tend to be more spontaneous and adventurous. Facing unknown situations in new and strange places can help people overcome their fears and anxieties. Friendlier Those who travel solo are forced to interact with locals and fellow travelers, instead of just hanging out with a small group of people. This translates into social benefits in real life - solo travelers can easily mold themselves to fit into any social group and situation. Do Whatever You Want Finally, taking a solo vacation means you can be your own master. You don't have to stick to a plan or follow someone else's lead - you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and do whatever you want to do. No more boring museums or spending countless hours shopping. How to Celebrate? Go on, plan your dream holiday all for yourself! You don’t need a traveling partner to have fun! Don't want to travel? What about a solo staycation? Stay at home, explore your city, catch up on your reading, meet with friends and enjoy your time off from work. Did You Know… …that the earliest guidebooks were called periplus? They were Roman and Greek documents that listed ports and landmarks that ships could encounter on their voyages. *** I had just had my 50th birthday and found the decade marker traumatic. When I went to get my driver's license renewed, a matter-of-fact woman typed out the information, tested my vision, snapped the camera and handed me a laminated card with my picture on it. "You mean I have to look at this for the next four years?" I jokingly said to her. "Don't worry about it," she replied. "In four years it'll look good to you." *** I am a first-grade teacher and a new empty nester. One night I was trying out an art project: making a person with simple materials. I took a coat hanger, attached a paper-plate face, put a shirt on the hanger and stuffed it. Then I sat it on the couch to see how it looked. Later that evening my son walked in the door, home for a surprise visit. Taking one look at my coat-hanger friend sitting on the couch, he said, "Mom, it's not that bad, is it?" *** At 82 years old, my husband applied for his first passport. He was told he would need a birth certificate, but his birth had never been officially registered. When he explained his dilemma to the passport agent, the response was less than helpful. "In lieu of a birth certificate," the agent said, "you can bring a notarized affidavit from the doctor who delivered you." *** My friend Garrick had the solution to forgetting his wife’s birthday and their wedding anniversary: He opened an account with a local florist and provided it with both dates as well as instructions to send flowers and a card signed “Your loving husband, Garrick.” For a few years, it worked. Then one day, Garrick came home on their wedding anniversary. He saw the flowers on the dining room table and said, “What nice flowers. Where did you get them?” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

@Bill W Sell or give it to a spider friendly family. Stressing that the snooze button is like new and has never, ever been used and of course that the spiders are included with the deal. Good luck,

February 28th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: February 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Kalevala Day, also known as the Finnish Culture Day (Finland) National Science Day (India) Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) National Chocolate Souffle Day National Pancake Day 228 Memorial Day Andalusia Day Car Keys and Small Change Day Fasching Floral Design Day Global Scouse Day International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day Linus Pauling Day National Customized Wheel and Tire Day National Essay Day National Time Refund Day National Vegan Lipstick Day Rare Disease Day US Snow Shoe Day World Spay Day National Tooth Fairy Day LunarEclipse’s Birthday Jason Aldean’s Birthday Fun Observances Public Sleeping Day Catch a few winks or take a long nap in public to celebrate Public Sleeping Day on February 28. Definitely one of the more quirky made-up holidays we have seen, Public Sleeping Day or National Public Sleeping Day as it is also known, encourages people to commune with nature by sleeping outdoors in public. Cold in the North Cold temperatures in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere may make observing this holiday a foolhardy venture so make sure you have a sleeping bag. And if you are looking for a restful adventure, this may be the perfect holiday for you to participate in. How to Celebrate? Get your favorite pillow and blanket and find a safe and clean place in public to take a nap. Make sure you layer up if it is still winter in your part of the world. You don't even need to find a special place to take a nap. If you have long commute why not take that time to catch a few winks? Get together with friends and organize a large pajama party at a park. Have everyone bring their sleeping bags, set up an outdoor movie screen, have a picnic and then take a nap. Did You Know… …that humans are the only mammals that can willingly delay sleep? *** In good weather, my friend Mark always let his yellow-naped Amazon parrot, Nicky, sit on the balcony of his tenth-floor apartment. One morning, Nicky flew away, much to Mark’s dismay. He searched and called for the bird, with no luck. The next day when Mark returned from work, the phone rang. “Is this Mark?” The caller asked. “You’re going to think this is crazy, but there’s a bird outside on my balcony saying, ‘Hello, this is Mark.’ Then it recites this phone number and says, ‘I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you will leave a message at the tone, I will call you back.’” Nicky’s cage had been kept in the same room as Mark’s answering machine. *** We brought our newborn son, Adam, to the pediatrician for his first checkup. As he finished, the doctor told us, "You have a cute baby." Smiling, I said, "I bet you say that to all new parents." "No," he replied, "just to those whose babies really are good-looking." "So what do you say to the others?" I asked. "He looks just like you." *** Neighbors of ours had a terrible disagreement over a patio they wanted for their backyard. The wife had rather grand ideas, while the husband wanted costs kept to a minimum. The wife won out, and the construction bill climbed higher and higher. I dropped by one day, when the patio was near completion, and was surprised to find the husband smiling from ear to ear as the workmen smoothed over the surface. I remarked how nice it was to see a grin replace the frown he had been wearing lately. “You see where they’re smoothing that cement?” he replied. “I just threw my wife’s credit cards in there.” *** I grew up hearing my dad tell a joke about a Mrs. Dunn, whose son, Timmy Dunn, had left Ireland for America, never to be heard from again. She discovered that Mike O’Malley was leaving for America and asked Mike to look for Timmy and tell him to write to her. Well, Mike looked for Tim everywhere he went, asking many a man whether he was Timmy Dunn, but to no avail. Then one day in a men’s room, a man walked out of a stall. Mike asked him, “Are you Dunn?” The gentleman said, “Yes.” Mike replied, “Well, why don’t you write to your mother?!” When my 12-year-old brother heard Dad tell the joke for the hundredth time, all of sudden, he started laughing. “I finally got it!” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

February 27th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows George Herbert (Anglicanism) Honorina Leander February 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) The second day of Ayyám-i-Há (Baháʼí Faith) (Note: this observance is only on this date in the Gregorian calendar if Baháʼí Naw-Rúz takes place on March 21, which it does not in all years) Doctors' Day (Vietnam) Independence Day (Dominican Republic), celebrates the first independence of Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1844. Majuba Day (some Afrikaners in South Africa) Marathi Language Day (Maharashtra, India) World NGO Day Observances (click on the day, BD, week or fortnight for details) National Protein day Anosmia Awareness Day Battle of the Oranges Ivrea Clean Monday National Albert Day National Kahlua Day National Pokemon Day National Strawberry Day National Susan Day Orthodox Lent Retro Day Special Operations Forces Day The Big Breakfast Day Play More Cards Day Ten’s Birthday Steven Fernandez’s Birthday JWoww’s Birthday Money Man’s Birthday Elizabeth Taylor’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon Feb 27th, 2023 - Sun Mar 5th, 2023 Cornish Pasty Week Mon Feb 27th, 2023 - Sun Mar 12th, 2023 Fairtrade Fortnight Fun Observances ( 2 ) International Polar Bear Day International Polar Bear Day on February 27 is an unofficial holiday created by Polar Bear International (PBI). It raises awareness of the impact of global warming on Polar Bears. Polar Bear International is a group run by conservationists, scientists, and volunteers working to educate the public about the effects of climate change on the Arctic region. More specifically, they focus on how global warming is slowly destroying the habitat of polar bears and adversely affecting their population. Reduced Food Source Despite being the largest carnivores on land, polar bears largely rely on seals for food. Shorter ice seasons and melting sea ice mean seals, who rely on ice to raise their young, are becoming scarcer. This is leaving polar bears without a ready source of food. Lack of food is also forcing polar bears to venture into areas populated by humans, making them vulnerable to attacks from residents and hunters. Vulnerable to Diseases Rising temperatures, loss of weight, and lack of nutrition due to lack of food has also meant that polar bears are now becoming vulnerable to previously unknown diseases. Scientists believe all of these factors have caused a severe decline in polar bear populations, and if the trend continues global warming could potentially lead to the extinction of the species. Effects of Human Activity Human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, is considered by scientists as the primary cause of global warming. The goal of International Polar Bear Day is to bring light to this fact, and to encourage people around the world to help find solutions to the problem of climate change. How to Observe? Fixing global warming might seem like a daunting task for an individual, but it doesn't have to be. Use this day to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help raise awareness about the importance of polar bears in our ecology, and the effects of global warming on their survival. To reduce your carbon footprint, consider taking the following steps: Walk, bike, take public transport, or carpool to work. Avoid using a vehicle that runs on fossil fuel as much as you can. Reduce plastic usage and waste by carrying your reusable shopping bags to the stores. Plant trees in your backyard if you have space or join a local tree planting drive. Learn more about polar bears, their habitat, habits, and life cycle. Raise funds or volunteer your time for an organization that works to reduce global warming. Did You Know… … that polar bears are black and not white? Their fur is transparent while their skin is black. The transparent fur reflects sunlight such that it looks white to human eyes. ~~~~~~~ No Brainer Day February 27 is No Brainer Day. It is believed that the holiday was created by Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith in the United States as a way to remind people that most things are simple and that many problems we encounter daily have obvious and easy solutions. The made-up holiday, which is also sometimes known as International No Brainer Day, also allows people to stop over analyzing things, second-guessing themselves, and to relax and take it easy. Very Little Thought The holiday gets its name from the English language phrase no brainer, which refers to decisions or choices that require very little effort and thought. How to Celebrate? That’s a no brainer of course! Take this day to relax your brain and stop yourself from over analyzing problems. Leave that for another day. Did You Know… …that in a study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, neuroscientists found that the human brain could process images that had been flashed before the person for as little as 13 milliseconds? *** I was working as a short-order cook at two restaurants in the same neighborhood. On a Saturday night, I was finishing up the dinner shift at one restaurant and hurrying to report to work at the second place. But I was delayed because one table kept sending back an order of hash browns, insisting they were too cold. I replaced them several times, but still the customers were dissatisfied. When I was able to leave, I raced out the door and arrived at my second job. A server immediately handed me my first order. "Make sure these hash browns are hot," she said, "because these people just left a restaurant down the street that kept serving them cold ones." *** The generation gap proved glaringly obvious at the mail-order music company where my wife works as a customer service representative. Some college students, who were working part-time inputting customer information, wrote the following notes regarding some golden oldies: "Customer is looking for two song titles: 'Shovel Off Two Buffaloes' and 'Honey, Suck a Rose.' " *** While I was dining out with my children, a man came over to our table and we started talking. He asked where my kids go to school. I told him we home-school them. With a raised eyebrow he asked if my husband is the sole breadwinner for our family. I said no, I also work—out of our home. Then, noticing our two-month-old son, he mentioned that his daughter had just had a baby, and he wondered what hospital our son was born in. "He was born at home," I answered. The man looked at me, then said, "Wow, you don't get out much, do you?" *** My mother was hard of hearing and wore a hearing aid that she removed at bedtime. My dad would wait till she had put it on her nightstand and say, “Do you want to go to sleep or what?” Not being able to hear, she would inevitably respond with “What?” And that, my dad joked to me on numerous occasions, is the explanation for why I come from a very large family. *** *** *** *** *** *** Pre - Covid *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

(slim pickings, working on it)

February 26th 2023 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Alexander of Alexandria Emily Malbone Morgan (Episcopal Church (USA)) Isabelle of France Li Tim-Oi (Anglican Church of Canada) Porphyry of Gaza February 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre (Azerbaijan) Liberation Day (Kuwait) Saviours' Day (Nation of Islam) Observances (click on the day, BD or week for details) Letter to an Elder Day Black Lives Matter Day Carnival Day Carpe Diem Day For Pete's Sake Day International Tongue Twister Contest Day Levi Strauss Day National Saul Day Orthodox Forgiveness Sunday National Personal Chef Day Johnny Cash’s Birthday Erykah Badu’s Birthday Eva Cudmore’s Birthday Duke Dennis’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sun Feb 26th, 2023 - Sat Mar 4th, 2023 Peace Corps Week Telecommuter Appreciation Week Fun Observances ( 2 ) Pistachio Day Archeologists believe that pistachios were used as food as early as 6000 BCE. Celebrate this ancient and healthy nut on February 26, Pistachio Day. Also known as National Pistachio Day or World Pistachio Day, this unofficial holiday encourages people to add pistachios to their daily diets and take advantage of their health benefits. Happy Nut Called the happy nut in China and the smiling nut in Iran, pistachios are native to the Middle East and Central Asia. Food historians believe that the pistachio tree reached Greece along with Alexander the Great's army. Traders introduced the nut to the rest of the European continent, where it was initially used as an expensive addition to food and baked goods. Dyed Red to Hide Flaws In the United States, the nut was introduced by Middle Eastern immigrants during the late 19th century. Even though, the country now produces most of the world's pistachio crops, along with Iran, Turkey and Syria, the nut wasn't grown commercially there until the mid 20th century. In the initial days of their commercial productions, pistachio shells were dyed red or green by the growers. This was to hide the marks and dents made on the shell during harvesting. Today, with mechanical harvesting procedures, there is no reason to dye the shells anymore. Full of Nutrients Pistachios are a rich source of proteins, fiber, and vitamin B. Research indicates that adding the nut to one's daily diet may reduce the risk of heart disease. The nut is used in many cuisines around the world. In the Middle East, it is one of the main ingredients in many types of sweets including baklava and halva. In Italy, it is used to make spumoni and pistachio gelato – the Italian versions of ice cream. How to Celebrate? Add pistachios to every meal of the day. Start with adding it to your breakfast cereal, substitute peanut butter with pistachio butter for your lunch sandwich, have a pistachio crusted pork chop for dinner and finish the day off with a scoop or two of pistachio ice cream or pistachio cake. Did You Know… …that the Jylgyndy Forest Reserve in Kyrgyzstan was created to conserve the pistachio plant? ~~~~~~~ Tell a Fairy Tale Day Tell a Fairy Tale Day is on February 26. The unofficial holiday encourages celebrators to read, tell, and listen to fairy tales from around the world. Fairy tales are a genre of literature that features fantastical and magical characters. Usually in the form of short stories with fairies, elves, trolls, and witches as central characters, fairy tales are set in a magical world with events that take place "once upon a time." Oral Tradition A form of folk tales, fairy tales have a strong oral and written tradition all around the world - with cultures adopting whole or parts of tales from other cultures. Before the 17th century, fairy tales often had themes unsuitable for children and were written mostly for adults. Children's Genre Today, fairy tales are considered to be a genre of children's literature and the term fairy tale is used to refer to happy events and happenings, such as a fairy tale romance or a fairy tale ending. The holiday is also known as National Tell a Fairy Tale Day in the United States. How to Celebrate? Set your imagination free on this very fantastical holiday and re-read all your favorite fairy tales. If you have children in your lives, why not introduce them to some of the world's most famous fairy tales? Bring out your inner writer and pen down a fairy tale. Who knows, you could be the next Hans Christian Andersen! Watch movies based on fairy tales. Host a fairy tale party. Instruct your guests to come as their favorite fairy tale character, decorate the venue as if you were in an enchanted land of fairy tales and serve foods from all your favorite fairy tale stories. Some ideas include caramel apples (Snow White), pea salad (The Princess and the Pea), pumpkin soup (Cinderella) and porridge or rice pudding (Goldilocks and the Three Bears). Did You Know… … that at least 500 versions of Cinderella have been found around the world? *** One morning a customer entered my flower shop and ordered a bouquet for his wife. "No card is necessary," he instructed us. "She'll know who sent them." The delivery truck hadn't even returned to the store when the phone rang. It was the customer's wife. "Who sent the flowers?" she asked. After explaining that the customer had requested that no card be included, I considered the matter closed—but not so. A bit later, she came rushing in the front door. "You've got to tell me who sent the flowers," she demanded, "before my husband gets home." *** Another man and I share a locker at work. Noticing that it needed a new combination lock, my partner said he would pick one up on his way to work the next day. It occurred to me later that I might not see him in the morning. How would I find out the combination? I needn't have worried. When I arrived at work I found that he had used the locker before me and had left a note reading: "To find the first number subtract 142 from your high score the last time we went bowling. The second number is 16 less than that. To find the third number subtract 1.87 from the amount you owe me." *** Faculty members at Texas Christian university were urged to become familiar with the timesaving machines of the new computer center. Basic courses in their use were given, and research projects were accelerated. The faculty was enthusiastic—except for one veteran professor. Not only did he flunk the primer course, but on his first project, when he asked the machine simply to separate the names of students by sex, the cards came out in three stacks. *** The other day I got carded at the liquor store. While I was taking out my ID, my old Blockbuster card fell out. The clerk shook his head, said, “Never mind,” and rang me up. *** *** *** Grammatical Pedantry Syndrome: Signs That You're Suffering From GPS *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn