World Poetry Day

Hope

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all,

– Emily Dickinson

March 21 is World Poetry Day. Poetry is a means of expression that has intrigued people for thousands of years. Socrates, who lived about 400 BC, said, “I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.” It’s fascinating to think we give meanings to poetry that the poet never intended. We, however, read every poem, every story, every essay and article guided by our own life experiences.

Deuteronomy 32:2  May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb.

~N

Festival of Extraterrestrial Abductions

March 20 is Festival of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day…undoubtedly a day worthy of celebration. I wonder if we’re celebrating the fact that we haven’t been abducted or that we’re safe from extraterrestrial abductions or that some evil being has already been abducted in some out-of-the-world place. Or are we supposed to go beyond the literal – and assume that this is a day designated to celebrate sci-fi? Whatever, it is after all a Festival Day! And we all love festivals.

How can we celebrate today if there isn’t a festival nearby? Read a sci-fi book, watch a sci-fi movie, or eat some out-of-the-world food!

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.

~N

Alice Bernard’s Birthday

March 19 is the birthday of Alice Kearnes, the last known Louisiana Orphan Train survivor who died in January, 2016, at the age 98. Alice was born in 1916 in New York City and lived in an orphanage until she was three. She was then put on an Orphan Train and sent to live with Auguste and Constance Geoffroy, a childless couple who lived near Erath, Louisiana. The Geoffroys spoke only French, as did most people in Cajun French Louisiana. Alice learned to speak French and was fluent in both English and French the rest of her life. She graduated from Mount Carmel Academy in New Iberia and married Reuben Bernard. They had seven children and were pillars in the Erath community. The Acadian Museum declared Alice a Living Legend, and the Orphan Train Museum in Opelousas has an exhibit that includes the little clothes she wore on the train.

I think her life is so inspiring. She helps me see how we can overcome adversity to live a full life. Something to think about as we face uncertainty and adversity with the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

~N

National Awkward Moments Day

Awkward Moments Day is a good time to consider all the awkward and embarrassing moments we experience over a lifetime. We all have them. And, while we often remember the embarrassment we feel at awkward moments, sometimes time lessens the pain. Have you ever waved at someone you thought you knew, forgotten a good friend’s name, sent a text message to the wrong person? We’ve all been there, done that. The important thing is to learn how to laugh it off, make apologies when needed, and move on.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1

~C

 

St. Patrick’s Day

 

Celebrate all things Irish on this day. I have Irish heritage, but whether you do or you don’t, it’s fun to think green and go green. St. Patrick’s Day arrives at a time when spring is near. Hearing the birds, seeing the flowers adds to the celebratory mood. In Chicago, the river is dyed green. New York, Boston, New Orleans and many cities have parades. New Orleans parades roll from the Irish Channel to the French Quarter, downtown and Metairie Road. At one parade, float riders throw not only beads, but also ingredients for Irish stew: carrots, potatoes, and cabbage! Whatever your heritage may be, wear something green today. According to legend, wearing green makes you invisible to fairies who like to pinch anyone they can see. Wear green and avoid the pinch!

St. Patrick’s Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

~C

National Artichoke Hearts Day

 

Did you know that almost every day of the year is set aside as some kind of national food day? Today is National Artichoke Hearts Day. Artichokes are one of the oldest foods known, and in the U.S., almost all of them are grown commercially in California. The hearts are really baby artichokes. I was surprised to discover that artichokes were once grown in Louisiana, brought here by French immigrants in the 18th century. That may explain why Stuffed Artichoke is a very popular dish in Louisiana. Get the recipe here:  http://www.copperirisbooks.com/A_Louisiana_Christmas.html

… “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” Genesis 1:29

~C

Ides of March

I guess many of us know the famous words from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “beware the ides of March.” Those words held ominous meaning for Caesar, foretelling his assassination, but before that warning was spoken, the ides of March meant no more than March 15. The powerful words in the play and the death of Caesar on that day made the ides of March take on new meaning. The Smithsonian Magazine has listed ten disastrous events that have occurred on March 15, including Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, a Samoan cyclone in 1889, world record rainfall in 1952, and the cancellation of the Ed Sullivan Show in 1971. You decide whether or not you should beware the ides of March!

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1 Timonthy 1:7

~C

National Pi Day

March 14 is National Pi Day, as well as Einstein’s birthday. Pi, also written as π, is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi is 3.14159265359…. It never settles into a repeating pattern.

Celebrate today by eating pie. One of my favorites is pecan pie. To make: Beat together 3 eggs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup light Karo syrup, and 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans. Whip in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons bourbon whiskey (optional). Pour into unbaked pie shell, and bake 90 minutes at 225 degrees F and 30 minutes at 300 degrees F. Cool before slicing. –A Louisiana Christmas: Heritage Recipes and Hometown Celebrations, p. 144.

Jeremiah 10:12 It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

~N

 

National K9 Veterans Day

Today is set aside to honor service dogs and all those who train them for duty. It’s not an official day—yet; however many are working hard to make it an official day. Military and law enforcement dogs do so much to help keep us safe, and each year there seems to be greater awareness about their contributions. Dogs have served in our wars and are used to guard our cities and our borders, on land and sea. At home, they guard our homes and our hearts. Appreciate the dogs around you. They do so much to bring us joy, and they serve us faithfully and well. Give your dog an extra treat today!

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”  Matthew 25:21

Girl Scout Day

March 12 is Girl Scout Day. Girl Scouts were organized over a hundred years ago. Their mission statement is Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

I’m really glad I know a girl scout. Not only is she a lovely girl, but she also sells those Girl Scout cookies we all love. Celebrate today by eating a delicious cookie.

Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

~N