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June 6th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Claudius of Besançon Ini Kopuria (Anglican Church of Melanesia, Church of England, Episcopal Church) Marcellin Champagnat Norbert June 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) D-Day Invasion Anniversary Engineer's Day in Taiwan Korean Children's Union Foundation Day in North Korea Memorial Day in South Korea National Day of Sweden, marking the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union and the coronation of King Gustav Vasa National Huntington's Disease Awareness Day in the United States Queensland Day UN Russian Language Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Caves and Karst Day National Applesauce Cake Day National Eyewear Day National Gardening Exercise Day National Higher Education Day National Moonshine Day National Yo-Yo Day Orthodox Ascension Day Savitri Amavasya Visually Impaired People Day World Green Roof Day World Pest Day National Fish and Chip Day Old-Time Player Piano Day Infant Feeding Day Toby Wallace’s Birthday Neha Kakkar’s Birthday Carole Baskin’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thu Jun 6th, 2024 - Wed Jun 12th, 2024 Healthcare Executives Appreciation Week Linggo ng Kalayaan Fun Observances Drive-In Movie Day Get the popcorn and soda, pop, or water and drive over to your closest drive-in theater to watch a movie on June 6, because it is Drive-in Movie Day! The unofficial holiday celebrates the anniversary of the day in 1933 when the first drive-in theater was opened in Camden, New Jersey by Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. A drive-in theater screens movies on a large projector outdoors. Patrons drive on to the grounds in their cars and usually sit in them to watch the movie. Sound is provided either through large loudspeakers or through individual speakers attached to the car. Rise, Fall, and Rise of Drive-Ins Drive-in theaters became popular in the United States and in many other parts of the world in the 1950s and 1960s. They capitalized on the fact that they were convenient for families and romantic for couples. By the 1970s, the rise of conventional movie theaters led to a decline in drive-in movie theaters. In recent years, the improvement in movie screening technologies has led to a resurgence of drive-in theaters in many cities in the US. How to Celebrate? If you have a drive-in theater close to your home, go to one and watch a movie. Take a picnic basket with you to make it more enjoyable. If you don’t have one, what about hosting a backyard movie night? Of course, your guests probably can't drive up to the projector, but they will still get the same experience of watching a movie in the outdoors. Did You Know… …that the first movie ever seen on a drive-in theater screen was the British comedy, Wives Beware? *** While my three-year-old grandson was attending a birthday party, his friend's father sneaked off to take a shower before work. Halfway through, the father heard a tapping on the shower door, followed by the sight of my grandson peering in. Looking around the stall, he asked, "Is my mom in here?" *** On his way to perform at a graveside service, the bagpiper gets lost. After many wrong turns, he finally arrives, but the minister and mourners have already gone. Only the grave diggers remain, and they're eating lunch. Not knowing what else to do, the bagpiper begins to play. The workers put down their lunches and weep as the man plays "Amazing Grace." When he finishes, he packs up his bagpipes and heads for his car. As he opens the door, he hears one of the workers say, "I've never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years." *** A businessman flying first class is sitting next to a parrot. The plane takes off, and the parrot orders a Glenlivet, neat. The businessman asks for a Coke. After a few minutes, the bird yells, "Where's my scotch? Give me my scotch!" The flight attendant rushes over with their drinks. Later, they order another round. Again, the bird gives the crew grief for being slow, and the businessman joins in: "Yeah, the service stinks!" Just then, the flight attendant grabs the pair, opens the hatch, and throws them out of the plane. As they hurtle toward the ground, the parrot says to the terrified man, "Wow, that took a lot of guts for a guy with no wings." *** A young man was planting some flower seeds on a sweltering day, sweating from the hot sun. His neighbor said, “You need to wait until the sun goes down, or plant in the morning when it is coolest.” The man said, “I can’t do that. It says on the package, ‘Plant in full sun!’ ” *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

June 2nd 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Children's Day (North Korea) Christian feast day: Ahudemmeh (Syriac Orthodox Church). Alexander (martyr) Elmo Felix of Nicosia Marcellinus and Peter Martyrs of Lyon, including Blandina Pope Eugene I Pothinus June 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Civil Aviation Day (Azerbaijan) Coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, also Social Forestry Day (Bhutan) Day of Hristo Botev (Bulgaria) Decoration Day (Canada) Festa della Repubblica (Italy) International Sex Workers Day Telangana Day (Telangana, India) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) American Indian Citizenship Day National Bubba Day National Cancer Survivors Day National First Ladies Day National I Love My Dentist Day National Janice Day National Rocky Road Day National Rotisserie Chicken Day Platinum Jubilee bank holiday Willow Sage Hart’s Birthday John Randolph’s Birthday Charlie Watts’s Birthday Beetlejuice’s Birthday Awkwafina Morena Baccarin Wentworth Miller Zachary Quinto Justin Long Wayne Brady ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sun Jun 2nd, 2024 - Sat Jun 8th, 2024 Bed Bug Awareness Week Community Health Improvement Week End Mountain Top Removal Week National Business Etiquette Week National Garden Week National Headache Awareness Week National Week of the Ocean Fun Observances Leave the Office Early Day While we all love our jobs (sure, we do), but nothing is more relaxing and fun than leaving work just a bit earlier than one normally does. So on June 2, pack up your things and get out of the office earlier than usual because it is Leave The Office Earlier Day or Leave The Office Early Day. This unofficial holiday is celebrated annually on June 2, unless it falls on a weekend. When it does, the day moves to the following Monday. The day encourages people to take some time on a workday for themselves and do things that relax them. Another plus side of cutting out of work early? You avoid peak traffic hours! How to Celebrate? Get out of the office early.Make sure you inform your managers and co-workers that you will be leaving early. Do something fun since you are out early from work. Go for a movie or the happy hour at your favorite restaurant or bar with your co-workers. Did You Know… …that according to some sources, an average office worker spends about 50 minutes a day looking for files and other work-related documents? *** I've always been a disappointment. When I was five, I looked down at the crayons I was coloring with and sighed—when I was two, this is not what I saw myself doing at five. *** As I picked out flowers for my mother, I noticed a man next to me juggling three boxes of candy and a large bouquet. "What did you do wrong?" I said with a laugh. He mumbled back, "I got married." *** A fourth marriage meant yet another name change for me. I didn't realize the upheaval it had caused until I asked my father why I hadn't heard from him in a while. "I forgot your phone number," he said. "You could've looked it up in the phone book." "I didn't know what name to look under." *** The nice thing about meditation is that it makes doing nothing quite respectable. *** Boys Will Be Boys *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Road Trip Buddies sandrewn

May 6th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Dominic Savio Evodius of Antioch (Roman Catholic Church) François de Laval Gerard of Lunel Lucius of Cyrene Petronax of Monte Cassino St George's Day related observances (Eastern Orthodox Church😞 Day of Bravery, also known as Gergyovden (Bulgaria) Đurđevdan (Gorani, Roma) Police Day (Georgia) Yuri's Day in the Spring (Russian Orthodox Church) St John before the Latin Gate May 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Earliest day on which Military Spouse Day can fall, while May 12 is the latest; celebrated on Friday before Mother's Day (United States) International No Diet Day Martyrs' Day (Gabon) Martyrs' Day (Lebanon and Syria) National Azulejo Day (Portugal) Teachers' Day (Jamaica) The first day of Hıdırellez (Turkey) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Dr. Mark A. Groh Cardiothoracic Surgeon Appreciation Day Early May Bank Holiday Great Lakes Awareness Day Joseph Brackett Day Melanoma Monday National Aidan Day National Crepe Suzette Day National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day National Nurses Day National Open Farm Day National Tony Day National Tourist Appreciation Day Orthodox Easter Monday Sauvignon Blanc Day No Homework Day Willie Mays’s Birthday Meek Mill’s Birthday George Clooney’s Birthday Chris Paul’s Birthday Bob Seger’s Birthday Orson Welles ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon May 6th, 2024 - Thu May 9th, 2024 Westminster Dog Show Mon May 6th, 2024 - Fri May 10th, 2024 Lawyer Well-Being Week Mon May 6th, 2024 - Sun May 12th, 2024 Deaf Awareness Week Dog Anxiety Awareness Week National Nurses Week Screen Free Week Sign Language Week Sun Awareness Week Children’s Book Week Dying Matters Awareness Week Fun Observances Beverage Day Raise a glass to all your favorite beverages on Beverage Day. This unofficial holiday is celebrated annually on May 6 and is also sometimes called National Beverage Day. While the origins of Beverage Day are unknown, we can all safely assume that the day encourages people to honor their beverages of choice and acknowledge that a humble beverage has the power to make or break many situations. A good beverage can energize you after a long, tiring day. It can also make a long, boring meal go fast, it can bring together two strangers, and it can make a party more fun. Whether your preferred beverage is a hot cup of tea, a delicious and healthy smoothie, or a tall glass of lemonade, Beverage Day is the perfect excuse to indulge yourself by drinking it all day long. Sit back, relax and celebrate the day with your favorite beverage. It could be anything from something as simple as water to a fancy cocktail. Try new beverages. What about tasting the national drink of a country you have never visited? Have a tasting party at home. Pick up a beverage you and your guests like and make or find different versions of it to taste and try. For example, you could do a beer or wine tasting party or a tea or coffee tasting party. Have each of your guests bring their favorite brand of beverage to share and serve foods that pair with the beverage of your choice. Who knows, you may just find your next favorite beverage at one of these parties! Did You Know… …that in common usage, water isn't usually considered to be a beverage? *** I was leading a tour through Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico when a woman asked, "How many miles of undiscovered passageways are there in this cave?" *** A customer called our rental store to ask about rectangular tables. I told him we had six-foot and eight-foot tables. His response: "What's the difference?" *** The night we took our three young sons to an upscale restaurant for the first time, my husband ordered a bottle of wine. The server brought it over, began the ritual uncorking, and poured a small amount for me to taste. My six-year-old piped up, "Mom usually drinks a lot more than that." *** A little boy was brought into our emergency room after ingesting part of a plug-in air freshener. After consulting Poison Control and monitoring him, the doctor wrote on his discharge, "Patient doing well. Ready to go home. Smells good." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( What's the difference between graffiti and historical signatures?) ( 50 Years ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

May 2nd 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Ahudemmeh (Syriac Orthodox Church). Athanasius of Alexandria (Western Christianity) Bolesław Strzelecki (Catholic Church) Boris I of Bulgaria (Bulgarian Orthodox Church) Germanus of Normandy Joseph Luu Van Nguyen (Catholic Church) Wiborada (Catholic Church) William Tirry (Catholic Church) May 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) The last day of the Festival of Ridván (Baháʼí Faith) (this date is non-Gregorian and may change according to the March equinox, see List of observances set by the Baháʼí calendar) Anniversary of the Dos de Mayo Uprising (Community of Madrid, Spain) Birth Anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo (Bhutan) Flag Day (Poland) Indonesia National Education Day Teachers' Day (Iran) (this date is non-Gregorian and may change according to the March Equinox, see List of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar) International Harry Potter Day World Tuna Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Baby Day Brothers and Sisters Day - 1 National Brothers and Sisters Day - 2 International Scurvy Awareness Day National Byron Day National Day of Prayer National Day of Reason National Life Insurance Day National Play Your Ukulele Day National Sandra Day National Truffle Day Take a Baby to Lunch Day World Password Day Dwayne Johnson’s Birthday Black Smurf’s Birthday BamBam’s Birthday David Beckham Ellie Kemper ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thu May 2nd, 2024 - Mon May 6th, 2024 Building Safety Week Dying Matters Week Thu May 2nd, 2024 - Wed May 8th, 2024 Children's Book Week *** Carrying two dead raccoons, a buzzard tries to check in at LAX for the red-eye to New York. "Sorry, sir," says the ticket agent. "We allow only one item of carrion." *** "How was your blind date?" "Terrible! He showed up in a 1932 Rolls-Royce." "What's so terrible about that?" "He was the original owner." *** My friend was at the beauty parlor when she overheard another woman rattle on to the manicurist about the sad state of her marriage. "Things have gotten so bad," she said, "I think I might ask for a divorce. What do you think?" "That's a serious matter," came the reply. "I think you should consult another manicurist." *** Last Thanksgiving, my niece came home with her school project: a beautiful autumnal leaf with the words "I am thankful for my mommy" printed on it. Her eyes tearing, my sister said, "This means so much to me." Her daughter nodded. "I wanted to put ‘Hannah Montana,' but my teacher wouldn't let me." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( I'm not telling, but you can call me Dusty ) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ( Those were the the days my friend, we thought they'd never end ) Mary Hopkin - Those Were The Days - 1968 - YouTube *** *** *** *** sandrewn

September 5, 2004 Escorial Palo Alto, CA Will After dinner I walked out to the garage with my father and Jake, glad to spend some time alone with them. “I was really impressed with the way you dealt with Claire tonight,” Dad said. “Thank you,” I said cheerfully, basking in his praise. “Why do you say that?” “You were right about Jack,” he said. “I remember how pissed off I was at Robbie, and how it was hard to get past that to see that he was struggling

“Bring me back to Mama goddess!” Nunta shrieked at her mother. The goutria blood had worn off, and the two women were alone in the Galaxy Surfer’s kitchen. Alihte tried to take her daughter’s hand. “Don’t touch me!” Nunta screamed. “Mama goddess banished you from the Entry of Ecstasy; I don’t want you contaminating me!” “Nunta, please,” Alihte begged, but her daughter was incensed. She slapped her mother’s hand. “No! You’ve fallen back to the third dimension, and I don’

“Bring me Abernathy!” The Demifae commander, Gilnik, was furious. “How dare he go out on his own without our authorization? He knows we’ve been working in hiding since the fall of the Messiahs and their tower! Who does he think he is?” Gilnik was with two other members of the Demifae leadership, and they were both silent while he raged on. “I want to murder Shift filth again too, but now is not the time. We are on the rise behind the scenes, and Abernathy has focused unwanted attention on

April 6th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Chakri Day, commemorating the establishment of the Chakri dynasty. (Thailand) Christian feast day: Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach (Lutheran Church). Brychan Eutychius of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church) Marcellinus of Carthage Pope Sixtus I April 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace National Fisherman Day (Indonesia) New Beer's Eve (United States) Tartan Day (United States & Canada) Waltzing Matilda Day (Australia) International Asexuality Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Army Day Bohring-Opitz Syndrome Day California Poppy Day Drowsy Driver Awareness Day Every Day is Tag Day Fresh Tomato Day International Firewalk Day International Pillow Fight Day Jump Over Things Day National Acai Bowl Day National Caramel Popcorn Day National Carbonara Day National Employee Benefits Day National Food Faces Day National Gang Day National Handmade Day National Jay Day National Library Day National Love Our Children Day National Pajama Day National Parker Day National Robert Day National Siamese Cat Day National Student Athlete Day National Student-Athlete Day National Taylor Day National Teflon Day National Twinkie Day Plan Your Epitaph Day President Ntaryamira Day National DIY Day Tangible Karma Day Peyton List’s Birthday Mingyu’s Birthday Paul Rudd ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sat Apr 6th, 2024 - Fri Apr 12th, 2024 Week of the Young Child Sat Apr 6th, 2024 - Sat Apr 13th, 2024 National Robotics Week Fun Observances Sorry Charlie Day April 6 is Sorry Charlie Day, a day to recognize that everyone gets rejected sometimes in his or her life. The name of the holiday comes from the phrase Sorry Charlie, popular in the United States. According to some, the phrase comes from a Starkist Tuna commercial in the 1970s. Tasty Tuna In the commercial, the main character, Charlie the Tuna, believes he has good taste and wants to be caught by the Tuna company. The company, however, rejects Charlie by attaching a note to a fish hook that says “Sorry Charlie.” The reason Charlie is rejected by the tuna company is because the company prefers to catch a tuna that tastes good, and not a tuna that has good taste. Rejection Phrase The phrase is now is commonly used as a response to someone who has experienced a rejection. It can be sometimes be seen as an uncaring response. How to Celebrate? Think back on all the rejections in your life – academic, professional and personal – and spend the day reflecting on what you learned from each of them. Treat yourself because you didn’t let any rejections let you down. Did You Know... ...that some schools of tuna fish swim alongside dolphins as a way to protect themselves from sharks and other predatory sea life? *** The college football player knew his way around the locker room better than he did the library. So when my husband's co-worker saw the gridiron star roaming the stacks looking confused, she asked how she could help. "I have to read a play by Shakespeare," he said. "Which one?" she asked. He scanned the shelves and answered, "William." *** Giving a sermon one Sunday, I heard two teenage girls in the back giggling and disturbing people. I interrupted my sermon and announced sternly, "There are two of you here who have not heard a word I've said." That quieted them down. When the service was over, I went to greet people at the front door. Three adults apologized for going to sleep in church, promising it would never happen again. *** We live less than a quarter-mile from the high school, but my son proudly drove there in a car he bought with his own money. A typical first car, it had lots of little problems and was sometimes slow to start. One morning I was surprised to see it still in front of the house, so after school I asked him about it. "I had to get to school early," he said, "so I just ran." *** During an attack of laryngitis I lost my voice completely for two days. To help me communicate with him, my husband devised a system of taps. One tap meant "Give me a kiss." Two taps meant "No." Three taps meant "Yes"—and 95 taps meant "Take out the garbage." *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

June 17th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Albert Chmielowski Botolph (England and Scandinavia) Gondulphus of Berry Hervé Hypatius of Bithynia (Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches) Rainerius Samuel and Henrietta Barnett (Church of England) June 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Father's Day (El Salvador, Guatemala) Icelandic National Day, celebrates the independence of Iceland from Kingdom of Denmark in 1944. National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Forest Fires (Portugal) Occupation of the Latvian Republic Day (Latvia) World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (international) Zemla Intifada Day (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details Bunker Hill Day Commemoration of General Don Martín Miguel de Güemes - 1 Miguel de Guemes Day - 2 Eid al-Adha Eid-e-Ghorban Gerald Day Global Garbage Man Day National Apple Strudel Day National Dump the Pump Day national harrison day National Jan Day National Mascot Day National Mason Day national ralph day National Stewart’s Root Beer Day Nursing Assistants Day Take Your Cat to Work Day World Tessellation Day Paulina Rubio’s Birthday Lisa Mantler’s Birthday KJ Apa’s Birthday KG Crown’s Birthday Kendrick Lamar’s Birthday Venus Williams’s Birthday Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.’s Birthday ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mon Jun 17th, 2024 - Sun Jun 23rd, 2024 Animal Rights Awareness Week GreenCare for Troops Week Learning Disability Week National Week of Making Universal Father's Week Refugee Week Fun Observances Eat Your Vegetables Day Whether you love your veggies or can’t stand them, you should celebrate Eat Your Vegetables Day on June 17. Why, you ask? Because the doctor says so, and because vegetables are delicious! If you can’t stand greens and veggies on your plate at a meal, maybe it is time to start today. Vegetables are healthy and full of vitamins, phytonutrients, fiber, and minerals. Eating vegetables every day can help reduce the risk of a variety of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancers. Doctors around the world recommend that people eat at least five portion or servings of vegetables during the day. How to Celebrate? This is an easy day to celebrate. Eat up your veggies today and make a resolution to add more greens and vegetables to your diet in the future. Here are some more ways you can celebrate Eat Your Vegetables Day: Visit your local farmer’s market and get some locally grown produce. Prepare all your favorite veggies for all your meals. Make your desserts using veggies. Have at least five vegetables today. Did You Know… …that onions are the world's most widely used vegetable? *** "How do you spell toad?" one of my first-grade students asked. "We just read a story about a toad," I said, then helped him spell it out: "T-O-A-D." Satisfied, he finished writing the story he'd begun, then read it aloud: "I toad my mama I wanted a dog for my birthday." *** Not everyone has mastered the art of texting. Case in point: Mom: Stop at dollar store on way home and get lunch maggots. Me: Lunch maggots? Mom: Baffles. Mom: Baggies. Mom: Ziploc lunch Baggies. Mom: Spell-check is not helping me. Mom: By the way, this is Dad. *** Job hunting is stressful enough without having to answer these interview questions posed by hiring managers: "Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten how weird you are." "How many basketballs can you fit in this room?" "An apple costs 20 cents, an orange costs 40 cents, and a grapefruit costs 60 cents. How much is a pear?" "How many bottles of beer are consumed in the city each week?" *** Our six-year-old daughter, Terra, has a need to ask questions … lots of questions. Finally, one day, my wife had had it. "Have you ever heard that curiosity killed the cat?" my wife asked. "No," replied Terra. "Well, there was a cat, and he was very inquisitive. And one day, he looked into a big hole, fell in, and died!" Terra was intrigued: "What was in the hole?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Chapter 17 – Summer Vacation Begins After we discovered that we’d been invited to join the Fitzpatricks for a cookout, Devin stayed downstairs to call his dad to let him know he was planning to spend an extra day with us. He also confirmed that his parents were going to join us for the Fourth of July celebration, and once that had been taken care of, Devin came up to my room as I was getting ready to leave. Since Devin’s swimsuit was packed with his other belongings in the SUV, I of

April 2nd 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Abundius of Como Amphianus of Lycia Æbbe the Younger Bronach of Glen-Seichis (Irish martyrology) Francis of Paola Francisco Coll Guitart Henry Budd (Anglican Church of Canada) Nicetius of Lyon Pedro Calungsod Theodosia of Tyre Urban of Langres April 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) International Children's Book Day (International) Thai Heritage Conservation Day (Thailand) Unity of Peoples of Russia and Belarus Day (Belarus) World Autism Awareness Day (International) Malvinas Day (Argentina) Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) Autism Acceptance Day Children’s Picture Book Day Day of the Veterans International Fact-Checking Day National DIY Day National Ferret Day National Love Your Produce Manager Day National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day National Reconciliation Day National Ride Your Horse to a Bar Day National Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Day of Action Pascua Florida Day SAAM Day of Action Southland Anniversary Union Day of Belarus and Russia Don’t Walk Your Dog Day Quavo Marshall’s Birthday Marvin Gaye’s Birthday Daniel Seavey’s Birthday BadBoyHalo’s Birthday Traci Braxton’s Birthday Shannon Boodram’s Birthday Jesse Plemons Rodney King *** When my wife and I were vacationing in the eastern part of our state, our car's license plate was stolen. We planned to go to a local office for a replacement, but then we discovered that our registration had expired. The new one was at home in a pile of mail. After much thought, we came up with a solution. Taping a sign over the empty license-plate space on the rear of the vehicle, we made the eight-hour trip home safely. Not a single state trooper stopped us, but many passing motorists took great pains to honk and wave at us. Our sign read "Just Married!" *** As a fund-raiser, the chemistry club designed and sold T-shirts. Written across the front were our top "Stupid Chemistry Sayings": • Have yourself a Merry Little Bismuth • What do you do with dead people? Barium • You stupid boron! • We hope your year is very phosphorous. *** My father began teaching business classes at the local prison through a community college. On his first night of class, he started a chapter on banking. During the course of his lecture, the subject of ATMs came up, and he mentioned that, on average, most machines contain only about $1,500 at a given time. Just then a man in the back raised his hand. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful," he told my father, "but the machine I robbed had about $5,000 in it." *** Touring Ireland's countryside with a group of travel writers, we passed an immaculate cemetery with hundreds of beautiful headstones set in a field of emerald green grass. Everyone reached for their cameras when the tour guide said the inventor of the crossword puzzle was buried there. He pointed out the location, "Three down and four across." *** My wife, Dolores, never quite got the hang of the 24-hour military clock. One day she called the orderly room and asked to speak with me. The person who answered told her to call me at the extension in the band rehearsal hall. "He can be reached at 4700, ma'am," the soldier advised. With a sigh of exasperation, my wife responded, "And just what time is that?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

Thursday had been nominated as the day Ollie, Bradley and Tyron would get together to plan their next video. They had been in regular contact with each other, including Jackson, and had researched the new and upgraded features of the editing software that they wanted to demonstrate and discuss. What they wanted to do now was play with those features and plan the video. I had to admit that they were dedicated to preparing the video. I was more than impressed. I was prepared and had all the d

Previously: “By the gods, Garnet!” Xavier replied, as he began casting auto-cleanse spells on everybody. “It is just a story! No need to make a Royal Ass of yourself.” “Yes, but…” “Um, Mentor?” “What, Aegir” “It is not just a story. It is a true adventure from just at the end of the Dragon Wars.” “WHAT!!!” yelled both Garnet and Xavier at the same time. “That’s what I said too…” grumbled Malachi. “It’s history. But would they listen to me? Nooo.” Ch

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

Chapter Seventeen At the Inter Clan Court in Anit’s Taesi, Amu led Cale and Eren through intricate hallways filled with ministry officials and peacekeepers. Cale held his aura tight, aware of the members of the Five Sentinels lurking in the shadows. They watched him with wary intentions. Cale understood their concerns. He was not an easy guest to have in such an independent place. Anit was cautious with his kind. He was sure the sentinels who watched him were from the most powerful of

Carey returned to his study table in the library after returning several books to the stacks. Notebooks and his laptop stacked neatly. Empty coffee cups and power bar wrappers dumped in a nearby garbage can. His last semester as an undergrad. Most students had already left campus for MLK weekend. Carey lagged behind, partly to finish up some loose ends, but mostly to put the finishing touches on his application to the RAND Corporation’s associate program. After a headhunter called him out

Kieran and his friends, returned from the Realms, face troubles of a human kind.

Adga moved up to the cracked open door. It was stuck on the stone floor. Beyond combat, cries of someone injured could be heard. There was no sign of blowing sand. She grabbed the door and yanked. It pulled over the high spot with a screech of protest before fully opening. In front of her, with its back to her, was a bizarre Dragonling. With wings on the sides, much larger bird-like legs and feet, and talons instead of dragonling claws. The appearance caused a momentary pause, because far m

March 6th 2024 - 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) Alamo Day Day of Memorial And Respect For Veterans Day of the Dude Iraq Day Of Tolerance And Coexistence Discover What Your Name Means Day National Brian Day National Damien Day National Dress Day National Ford Day National Frozen Food Day National Oreo Day National Report General Service Administration (GSA) Fraud Day National Shirley Day National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day No Homework Day Stop Bad Service 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 Fun Observances Dentist's Day Celebrate dentists all over the world and honor their role in keeping us healthy and smiling on March 6 or Dentist’s Day. Dentists tend to get a bad rap, but they are essential for keeping us and our communities healthy. Old Job Dentistry is one of the oldest medical specialization. Oral health has always been a source of trouble for people and a subject matter of great interest to physicians throughout human history. The first dentist in recorded history - Hesy Ra - is thought to have lived and practiced his dentistry in Egypt around 2600 BCE. Barbers as Dentists Before dentistry became an organized professional branch of medicine, barbers were part-time dentists, usually entrusted with the unsavory job of extracting teeth. Modern dentistry emerged during the late 17th century, though the lack of anesthesia and sophisticated equipment made going to the dentist a painful proposition. Today, dentists are an important part of any country's medical and health system. In addition to caring for people with tooth problems, dentists also perform surgeries to correct misaligned teeth and other problems affecting the jaw and the oral cavity. How to Celebrate? If you haven’t been to see your dentist in a while, use this day to make an appointment with them. Thank your dentist by sending them a thank you note or maybe some home baked goods – just make sure there isn’t too much sugar in them. Did You Know… …that the world's first dental school was opened by Dr. John M. Harris in Bainbridge, Ohio, on February 21, 1828? *** 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

March 2nd 2024 - 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 Walter Day Toddle Waddle World Teen Mental Wellness Day Open Data Day Dr. Seuss Day Luke Combs’s Birthday Jon Bon Jovi’s Birthday Janhvi Kapoor’s Birthday Cindy Mello’s Birthday Becky G’s Birthday Savannah LaBrant’s Birthday Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Bryce Dallas Howard Method Man Rebel Wilson Desi Arnaz ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sat Mar 2nd, 2024 - Tue Mar 5th, 2024 International Women’s Week Sat Mar 2nd, 2024 - Wed Mar 6th, 2024 Read Across America Week Sat Mar 2nd, 2024 - Sun Mar 10th, 2024 Jewish Book Week Sea Week Sat Mar 2nd, 2024 - Sun Mar 17th, 2024 Iditarod Race 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

April 17th 2024 - Holidays and Observances (click on the day for details) Christian feast day: Kateri Tekakwitha (Canada) Stephen Harding April 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Evacuation Day (Syria), celebrates the recognition of the independence of Syria from France in 1946. FAO Day (Iraq) Flag Day (American Samoa) Malbec World Day Women's Day (Gabon) World Hemophilia Day Observances (click on the day, BD, or week for details) 2A Day Blah Blah Blah Day Ford Mustang Day Herbalist Day International Bat Appreciation Day International Day of Mastering Conversations That Matter National Banana Day National Cheese Ball Day National Crawfish Day National Kickball Day No Limits for Deaf Children Day Ram Navami - 1 Ram Navami Day - 2 There’s Nothing Like a Dame Day World Circus Day Youth Homelessness Matters Day National Ellis Island Family History Day Jennifer Garner’s Birthday Julien Solomita’s Birthday Rooney Mara Fun Observances Haiku Poetry Day April 17 is Haiku Poetry Day. The unofficial holiday honors the short poetry form that originated in Japan. Haiku is a type of short poetry that is usually three sentences long. First popularized in Japan in the 17th century, Haiku as a poetry genre has been adopted by many languages around the world. In English, the genre first became mainstream in the early 20th century. In its Japanese avatar, haikus traditionally have three lines with 17 syllables. The first and last sentences have 5 syllables and the second line has 7 syllables. The syllable rule, however, is not always set in stone. Compared to Japanese, many English words have longer syllables. Because of this, English haikus can often have anywhere from 10 to 14 syllables. Unlike a lot of other forms of poetry, words in a haiku poem do not need to rhyme. Haikus tend to give an interesting insight about something trivial, usually some aspect of nature or the seasons. Haiku Poetry Day is also sometimes known as National Haiku Poetry Day and International Haiku Poetry Day. How to Celebrate? Learn how to write your own haikus. Pick up an anthology of haiku poetry and spend some time reading haikus. Learn more about the history of haiku. Did You Know… …that a monoku is an even shorter version of the haiku? Instead of the traditional 3 sentences, a monoku only has one line. *** I was preparing lunch for my granddaughter when the phone rang. "If you can answer one question," a young man said, "you'll win ten free dance lessons." Before I could tell him I was not interested, he continued. "You'll be a lucky winner if you can tell me what Alexander Graham Bell invented." "I don't know," I replied dryly, trying to discourage him. "What are you holding in your hand right now?" he asked excitedly. "A bologna sandwich." "Congratulations!" he shrieked. "And for having such a great sense of humor…" *** After our parents retired, they moved from a busy city in Rhode Island to a small town in Maine. We didn't realize how small the town was until my sister visited the local video store. She selected a movie and told the clerk that she was going to rent the cassette under her parents' name. The clerk looked at the title and replied, "They already saw that one." *** A talking horse shows up at Dodger Stadium and persuades the manager to let him try out for the team. In his first at bat, the horse rips the ball deep into right field—then just stands there. "Run! Run!" the manager screams. "Run?" says the horse. "If I could run, I’d be in the Kentucky Derby." *** We were discussing the Middle East when my friend asked about the Kurds. "They want their own homeland," I explained. "But Iraq won't give up any land for it, and neither will Iran or Turkey." "So what you're saying is," he concluded, "they won't let the Kurds have their way?" *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** sandrewn

The captain of the interstellar warship Scorched Atmosphere was seated in his command chair. His weapons technician informed him, “The Cometskipper has been disabled, sir, and it’s being drawn in.” The communications officer turned to the captain and added, “Coms are open, sir.” He handed his superior the digital microphone. “This is Captain Disigorth of the Olotarian battleship Scorched Atmosphere. Prepare to be boarded.” Captain Disigorth rose from his chair and hea

WIDDERKIN VOE. *** "I couldn't resist checking, Kieran, and Harris was here for a while but then he left." "Three of the delegates want to talk to the Cultural Centre staff so we’ll be with you soon, Corey. Are there any clues about where he might be now?" "Not really. The receptionist told me he was asked to arrange a minibus tour so that’s one possibility. Otherwise I would suggest checking the accommodation places." "Hmm. That could be anywhere. Any other ideas how we