March 31 is National “She’s Funny That Way” Day. It’s a day to honor the women who make us laugh. I can’t think of a better way to end National Women’s History month than with a tribute to women and their humor. Humor often helps us get through some of the darkest of days and makes life more fun.
Celebrate today by reading a humorous book, watching a funny movie, or sharing a good laugh.
Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
~N
If you need an excuse for visiting a park, then “take a walk in a park” day may be just the motivation you need. There’s no better time than spring to take a walk in a park. Whether it’s a national park with thousands of acres or a small park in the city, parks preserve beautiful spaces for us to appreciate nature. Go outside. Breathe deeply. Walk. Observe. Relax. Enjoy!
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…. Ephesians 5:2
~C
March 29, 1848, is the date Niagara Falls stopped flowing due to an ice jam. It was first noticed by a farmer who was walking near it shortly before midnight. He didn’t hear the familiar roar, so he walked over to investigate and found the ice. When people down river woke up the next morning, they didn’t know what had happened. Mills and factories ground to a halt. Fish and water life died. Theories abounded, and thousands filled the churches to pray. Eventually, communication arrived from Buffalo that explained why the river had stopped flowing. No water flowed until the night of March 31 when the sound of a loud rumble came from the river above the falls. A wall of water came roaring down the river and over the falls. Niagara River was running again.
The phenomenon of the frozen falls seems especially appropriate to remember when we hear 24/7 news reports of the ongoing pandemic, as well as out of the ordinary weather events. This too shall pass.
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
_Job 37: 5-6
~N
This is a fun day to try out food on a stick. Food on a stick is reminiscent of good times: roasting marshmallows over a campfire, grilling shish kebabs, cooling off with a popsicle on a hot summer day. Food on a stick is easy to carry around, and that’s what makes it so popular at state fairs and festivals. From savory to sweet, the range of possibilities is enormous. At the State Fair in Shreveport, you can buy cookie dough on a stick, shrimp on a stick, and pizza on a stick, to name a few. A few years ago, the Iowa State Fair became a national sensation for selling fried butter on a stick. At the Farmer’s Market, you can get popsicles in imaginative flavors, like Satsuma and Honey or Chia and Coconut Milk. Try something on a stick today and enjoy the small pleasures in life.
A joyful heart is good medicine…Proverbs 17:22
March 27 is National Joe Day. It’s a day to celebrate everyone named Joe with a cup of Joe! According to Social Security Administration statistics, the name Joseph has held fairly steady as a popular name. It was listed as number 6 from 1893 to 1899, falling behind classics like John, William, James, George, and Charles. It moved up to number 5 in 1910, but then dropped to number 12 or lower from 1911 to 2005. I predict a comeback. Celebrate the Joes in your life today with a comforting cup of Joe.
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
~C
Tennessee Williams led a troubled life, from childhood on. It’s the subject of his books and plays and books written about him. His career had its ups and downs. He won two Pulitzer prizes; his last play closed after only 40 performances. He died in 1983 at a time when he was suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and his plays were not well received. And yet, Williams inspires artists and writers worldwide. This week in New Orleans is the Tennessee Williams Festival, a festival that began in 1986 with 500 attendees and has grown into a international event that attracts over 10,000 annually. It’s a late tribute to a talented writer who captured the soul of New Orleans in his writing. One of the lines from A Streetcar Named Desire is “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers…” We all depend on the kindness of strangers…of friends…of family as we go through life’s ups and downs. Be kind today and every day.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
~C
March 25 is the birthday of James Lovell, astronaut and commander of Apollo 13. He co-authored Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, which was later made into a movie starring Tom Hanks as Lovell. I think his story is so inspiring. He and his crew members showed the world that courage and ingenuity can triumph in the most difficult of times.
When you look at the moon tonight, remember the courage and dedication of those who have been there and the hard work and knowledge of those who made travel to the moon possible.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
~N
If you were watching TV in the mid-80s, you may remember the California Raisins. These bluesy, Claymation raisins singing “Heard it Through the Grapevine” captured the nation’s attention. Soon there were characters, records, and spin off television specials featuring the raisins with VHS and DVD to follow. March 24 is the day we celebrate raisins covered in chocolate. It’s a great day to kick back, grab a box of Raisinets, a brand of chocolate covered raisins dating from 1927, put in a DVD and sing along with the California Raisins.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1
~c
It’s hard not to love this day! Puppies are adorable. To quote Charlie Brown, “happiness is a warm puppy,” and anyone who has held one knows this is true. This is a day to celebrate the happiness that puppies bring us and also to raise awareness. Puppies require special care and feeding, so when adopting a puppy, it’s important to prepare and select the right breed of dog for your situation. Give them love and care, and puppies grow into a lifetime of unconditional love and faithfulness. On this day of puppy love, consider the many dogs and puppies in shelters that need a family or friend, and be appreciative of those who care for them and try to find good homes for them.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Cecil Francis Alexander
March 22 is World Water Day. Water is the most important element on Planet Earth and surely deserves to have one day out of 365 dedicated to it.
There are so many interesting facts about water:
Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it… —Lao Tzu
Like water, many things in our lives can be beneficial or destructive, depending on the circumstances. We can celebrate today by taking a drink of water and thinking of how water connects us to the past…and the future. And we can take time to contemplate the other connections in our lives.
Isiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
~N
Today's Kidlit Book 