The Times They Are A Changing

Celebrating April 21 to 30.

April 21

Kindergarten Day

April 22

Administrative Professional’s Day
Earth Day
National Jelly Bean Day
Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day

April 23

Home Run Day
International Sing Out Day
Take your Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Lovers Day
William Shakespeare’s Birthday (1564)

April 24

Arbor Day
Pigs-in-a-blanket Day

April 25

National Telephone Day
National Zucchini Bread Day
World Penguin Day

April 26

Hug a Friend Day
Hug an Australian Day
National Pretzel Day

April 27

Tell a Story Day
Babe Ruth Day

April 28

Poetry Reading Day
Kiss Your Mate Day

April 29

Zipper Day
National Shrimp Scampi Day

April 30

National Honesty Day

April 11

Eight-Track Tape Day
Barber Shop Quartet Day
Jackie Robinson Day (first African-American in major-league baseball)

April 12

Easter
Look Up At The Sky Day
Big Wind Day

April 13

Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday (1743)
Blame Somebody Else Day
Scrabble Day

April 14

Titanic (collided with iceberg)
National Pecan Day
Ex-Spouse Day
Reach as High as You Can Day

April 15

Income Tax Day
Rubber Eraser Day
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Birthday (1452)

April 16

National Eggs Benedict Day
National High Five Day
Slavery Abolished (1862)

April 17

National Cheese Ball Day
Daffy Duck’s Birthday (1937)

April 18

Great San Francisco Earthquake (1906)
Paul Revere Day (“the British are coming.” 1775)
Pet Owner’s Day
International Juggler’s Day

April 19

Humorous Day
Garlic Day

April 20

Cuckoo Day
Look Alike Day
National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
Patriot’s Day
Volunteer Recognition Day

This is a celebration of April holidays, day-by-day.

April 1

April Fools Day
One Cent Day
International Tatting Day
Laugh at the Office (week long)
Debbie Reynolds Birthday (1932)
Ali McGraw’s Birthday (1938)

April 2

International Children’s Book Day
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Reconciliation Day

April 3

Find a Rainbow Day
Tweed Day
Don’t Go To Work Unless It’s Fun Day
National Walk to Work Day
Marlon Brando’s Birthday (1924)

April 4

Tell A Lie Day
Hug a Newsman Day
Walk Around Things Day
School Librarian Day
Post It Day
Robert Downey Jr. Birthday (1965)

April 5

National Read a Road Map Day
Go For Broke Day

April 6

Sorry Charlie Day

April 7

No Housework Day
World Health Day
Caramel Popcorn Day
Billie Holiday’s Birthday (1915)
James Garner’s Birthday (1928)

April 8

Passover (at sundown)
Ponce de Leon Day
Draw a Picture of a Bird Day
Betty Ford’s Birthday (1918)

April 9

Name Yourself Day
Winston Churchill Day
W.C. Field’s Birthday (1879)

April 10

Encourage a Young Writer Day
National Sibling Day
Golfer’s Day

April’s birthstone is diamond and it’s flower is daisy or sweet pea. Although spring begins in March, it isn’t until April that we start to yearn for bright flowers in the yard and birds singing as they form their nests.

April is:

* Stress Awareness Month
* Jazz Appreciation Month
* Autism Awareness Month
* International Guitar Month
* Keep America Beautiful Month
* Uh-Huh Month
* National Child Abuse Prevention Month
* National Flag Month
* National Garden Month
* National Humor Month
* National Mathematics Education Month
* National Poetry Month
* National Welding Month
* Week of the Young Child (3rd week of April)

Tomorrow we will go through celebrations for the days of the month.

The second week in March is Bubble Gum Week. Ever wonder what the flavor of bubble gum actually consists of. It is very distinct, but it’s a combination of vanilla, peppermint, wintergreen and cinnamon. Who’d a guessed? Although “real” bubble gum sticks to your face after a hug bubble has been blown. There are types of it that now come in a “non-sticky” version. That just seems wrong. We think of the main brand of bubble gum as Bazooka, but there is also Dubble Bubble, Hubba Bubba, Bubble Yum, Big League Chew, Bubblicious, and probably countless lesser known brands.

The inventor of bubble gum was Frank H. Feer of Dubble Bubble Gum Company, 1806. But, the idea was abandoned as it was too sticky. It wasn’t until 1911 when it was on the American market, although it was not a hit at the time. After a lot of work, the Dubble Bubble Gum Co. again reintroduced it to the public ad Dubble Bubble. It finally took off and became a popular gum, especially with children.

Today, Bubble Gum contests can be entered and viewed at fairs, festivals and office parties. What? Office parties? Okay, but what fun it would be to get those stodgy, stuffy administrators to join in on the fun.

See a Bubble Gum Contest video here.

Today, March 4, is “Hug a GI Day.“ I’m so proud of us. When I think of the Viet Nam War and how we (not all Americans, of course) fought to end it, yes I’m proud of that. And, yes I was a young teen, but still very aware of the protesting and watching the body bags of dead soldiers coming home (on the news every night). We see no dead soldiers coming home in this war.

I’m not proud that we blamed the soldiers that, many times were forced, fought in that war. I’m proud of us now because we have learned that we can disagree with war policies made by our president and still have respect and gratitude for our military people. We, as a country (the people) have learned a valuable lesson. I’m really not sure how often that happens. It seems that so often countries, including ours, tend to repeat the same mistakes so many times.

When you think about hugging a GI today, if it feels right, go ahead. But, a handshake and a thank you will be just as appreciated. When you do this noble deed today, think back to all the military people who were in the Viet Nam War, if you can find one, thank them now. If not, send your gratitude out to them in a mental thank you. Better late than never, as the saying goes.

In fact hug a veteran from any time on Hug a GI Day.

Send a free e-card to a GI today.

March 21
Children’s Poetry Day
National Teenager’s Day
Single Parent’s Day
Fragrance Day
Kevin Federline’s Birthday, 1978
Rosie O’Donnell’s Birthday, 1962
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Birthday, 1685

March 22
National Goof-off Day
National Sing-out Day
Reese Witherspoon’s Birthday, 1976
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Birthday, 1948
William Shatner’s Birthday, 1931
Chico Marx’s Birthday, 1887

March 23
Toast Day
National Chip and Dip Day
National Organize Your Home Office Day
Chaka Kan’s Birthday, 1953

March 24
Chocolate Covered Raisin Day
Harry Houdini’s Birthday, 1874
Steve McQueen’s Birthday, 1930

March 25
Greek Independence Day
Pancake Day, first made in 1882 (NYC)
Pecan Day
Waffle Day
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Birthday, 1965
Elton John’s Birthday, 1947
Aretha Franklin’s Birthday, 1942
Gloria Steinem’s Birthday, 1934

March 26
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
Spinach Festival Day
Leonard Nimoy’s Birthday, 1931
Robert Frost’s Birthday, 1874
Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Birthday, 1911

March 27
National “Joe” Day (anyone can be called Joe today)
Fergie’s Birthday, 1975

March 28
Something on a Stick Day
Reba McEntire’s Birthday, 1955

March 29
Coca Cola was invented, 1886
Festival of Smoke and Mirrors Day
Pearl Bailey’s Birthday, 1918

March 30
Doctor’s Day
Alaska was purchased, 1867
I Am in Control Day
Celine Dion’s Birthday, 1968
M.C. Hammer’s Birthday, 1962
Eric Clapton’s Birthday, 1945
Vincent Van Gogh’s Birthday, 1853

March 31
Cesar Chavez Day
Tater Day
Bunsen Burner Day
National Clams on the Half Shell Day
First map of the U.S. was published
Al Gore’s Birthday, 1948

The trick is to give something healthy that is still fun to receive. Of course, a gift can always be non-edible. However, everyone likes a special goodie to eat on certain occasions. So, even if you partake in a delicious chocolate brownie, don’t beat yourself up about it. A once-in-a-while treat is good for the disposition and general mental and emotional well being. But, when you try these ideas, you may feel like you are getting or giving a special treat that’s also healthy for Valentine’s Day.

Edible Arrangements: They are cute and who doesn’t like some sort of fresh fruit. You can purchase these fun fruit gifts or you can make your own. Here’s a video that shows how.

Whole Wheat Pancakes: Make healthier pancakes in heart shapes. Kids really love these. It’s not hard. Place two small dollops of pancake batter next to each other and then pull the batter down to a point at the bottom. Try serving them covered in no-sugar-added applesauce with a small bit of whipped cream on top and a piece of fruit stuck in it. Freshly ground peanut butter is another option with sliced bananas on top.

Muffins and Cookies: Personally, I love muffins, especially healthy ones. I make oatmeal muffins quite often and exchange half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Here is a site with healthy (low sugar) recipes - cranberry muffins, applesauce cookies and brownies.

Handmade Cards: I love to get a handmade gift. It’s so much more personal and considered just for me. Handmade cards are not difficult to make and if you have the creative gene, once you get started you won’t be able to stop. If it’s too late to get started on handmade valentine cards this year, consider learning and practicing for next year.

“
Card (tarot) Reading Day is February 21

“And each one there has one thing shared:
They have sweated beneath the same sun,
Looked up in wonder at the same moon,
And wept when it was all done,
For being done too soon.” Neil Diamond

February 21

Card Reading Day (tarot)
Love Your Pet Day
Tyne Daly’s Birthday (1946)
Kelsey Grammer’s Birthday (1955)
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Birthday (1958)
Jenifer Love Hewitt’s Birthday (1979)
Nina Simone’s Birthday (1933)

February 22

Be Humble Day
Walking the Dog Day
International World Thinking Day
George Washington’s Birthday (1732)
Drew Barrymore’s Birthday (1975)
Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s Birthday (1962)
Julius Irving’s Birthday (1950)
Edward Kennedy’s Birthday (1932)
Robert Young’s Birthday (1907)

February 23

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Tennis Day
Dakota Fanning’s Birthday (1994)
Peter Fonda’s Birthday (1939)

February 24

National Tortilla Chip Day
Edward James Olmos’ Birthday (1947)
Enrico Curuso’s Birthday (1873)

February 25

Ash Wednesday
Pistol Patent Day
Paper Currency (introduced by Lincoln in 1862)
George Harrison’s Birthday (1943)
Zeppo Marx’s Birthday (1901)

February 26

National Pistachio Day
Carnival Day
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Michael Bolton’s Birthday (1953)
Johnny Cash’s Birthday (1932)
Fats Domino’s Birthday (1928)
Tony Randle’s Birthday (1920)
Jackie Gleason’s Birthday (1916)
“Buffalo Bill” Cody’s Birthday (1846)
Levi Strauss’ Birthday (1829)

February 27

International Polar Bear Day
No Brainer Day
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Birthday (1807)
Josh Groban’s Birthday (1981)
Chelsea Clinton’s Birthday (1980)
Ralph Nader’s Birthday (1934)
Elizabeth Taylor’s Birthday (1932)
Joanne Woodward’s Birthday (1930)
John Steinbeck’s Birthday (1902)

February 28

Public Sleeping Day
Floral Design Day (acknowledge floral designers for making life a little prettier)
Bernadette Peters’ Birthday (1948)
Mario Andretti’s Birthday (1940)
Gavin MacLeod’s Birthday (1930)
Zero Mostel’s Birthday (1915)

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day (Feb 11)

February 11

White T-shirt Day
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Make a Friend Day
National Foundation Day (Japan)
National Inventor’s Day
Thomas Edison’s Birthday (1847)
Eva Gabor’s Birthday (1911)
Burt Reynolds’ Birthday (1936)
Sheryl Crow’s Birthday (1962)
Jennifer Aniston’s Birthday (1969)

February 12

National Plum Pudding Day
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday (1809)
Lorne Green’s Birthday (1915)
Kirsty Alley’s Birthday (1954)
Charles Darwin’s Birthday (1809)

February 13

Get a Different Name Day
Dream Your Sweet Day
Blame Someone Else Day
Stockard Charnning’s Birthday (1944)
Chuck Yeager’s Birthday (1923)
Bess Truman’s Birthday (1885)

February 14

Valentines Day
Ferris Wheel Day
National Heart to Heart Day
National Organ Donor’s Day
Gregory Hines Birthday (1946)
Jimmy Hoffa’s Birthday (1913)
Jack Benny’s Birthday (1894)

February 15

National Gum Drop Day
National Flag Day (Canada)
Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday (1820)
Jane Seymour’s Birthday (1951)

February 16

President’s Day
Do a Grouch a Favor Day
Family Day (Canada)
Margaux Hemmingway’s Birthday (1955)
John McEnroe’s Birthday (1959)
Sonny Bono’s Birthday (1935)

February 17

Random Acts of Kindness Day
Champion Crab Races Day
Lou Diamond Phillips’ Birthday (1962)
Michael Jordan’s Birthday (1963)

February 18

National Battery Day
Jack Palance’s Birthday (1919)
Helen Gurley Brown’s Birthday (1922)
Cybill Shepherd’s Birthday (1950)
John Travolta’s Birthday (1954)
Vanna White’s Birthday (1957)
Molly Ringwald’s Birthday (1968)
Yoko Ono’s Birthday (1933)

February 19

National Chocolate Mint Day
Prince Andrew’s Birthday (1960)
Seal’s Birthday (1963)

February 20

Cherry Pie Day
Love Your Pet Day
Hoodie Hoo Day (At high noon (which is really just noon) everyone yells “Hoodie-Hoo” to chase away winter and make way for spring)
John Glenn Orbited the Earth (1962)
Sandy Duncan’s Birthday (1946)
Sydney Poitier’s Birthday (1927)