National Senior Citizens Day

On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 declaring August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day. It’s a special day to celebrate and honor senior citizens. But, what is a senior citizen? Some businesses offer senior discounts as early as age 50, but most people in their 50s don’t consider themselves senior citizens. Wikipedia defines the term as “an elderly person, especially one who is retired and living on a pension,” but many people work in their 60s, 70s, even 80s. Whatever the age cut off, this is good day to recognize people in their later years. They inspire us through their contributions to the community and the world, their zest for life, their faith, their courage, and their hope. After my dad retired, he and my mom went on over 40 trips with Elderhostel, now called Roads Scholar, learning art, archaeology, history, and science in cities throughout the U.S. and abroad. I loved hearing about their adventures and new discoveries. Appreciate the senior citizens in your life today and always!

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green…Psalm 92:14

~C

National Radio Day

August 20 is National Radio day–a good day for me because I love radio. One of my first jobs was in radio. It is the world’s first electronic medium, and despite technological advances that threaten to make it obsolete, radio plays on.  Nielsen and Pew Research reports show more than 90 percent of Americans listen to traditional AM/FM broadcasting. I’m one of them. A report on the “State of the News Media 2015” from the Pew Research Center” shows more than half of Americans 12 and older listened to online radio in the past month. The online audience has doubled since 2010. One more plug for radio—it will be there for us in time of disaster when other forms of communication are knocked out. I know this for a fact. Hurricanes shut down electricity for days, maybe weeks, and the prime form of communication and connection with the community is through a battery powered radio. Turn on the radio—listen and learn!

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5

~C

Hangings in Salem, August 19, 1692

On August 19, 1692, five people were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. In early 1692, two girls began having seizures and shouting uncontrollably. Soon several other girls exhibited similar symptoms. The girls accused several people of witchcraft, and the Witch Trials began in Salem and nearby towns. Over a period of months, nineteen people were hanged, and one was “prest” to death. In addition, four adults and one baby died in prison awaiting trial. A scientific explanation for the girls’ behavior was offered in 1976. A fungus found on wheat and other grains causes symptoms similar to those exhibited by the girls. We will probably never understand the hysteria surrounding the accusations and trials, and most of us think such events are not possible today. However, I often see false stories circulated on the Internet as fact. Simple research can reveal the true facts, but these stories continue to travel around. I wonder how much human nature has really changed in the last three hundred years. To celebrate today, search for truth. Peter Abelard, Medieval French philosopher, said, “By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.”

 

John 8:13 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

 

~N

Helium Discovery Day

Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, but it wasn’t discovered until 1868. On August 18 of that year, French astronomer Pierre-Jules-César Janssen discovered the gas while studying the sun during an eclipse. It looked like a yellow line in the sun’s rays. Since it was discovered on the sun, the gas was named helium, after the Greek god of the sun, Helios. Janssen had to wait until 1895 before helium was discovered on earth. Now it is abundant and used to inflate blimps, weather balloons, and party balloons. Liquid helium is a cryogenic material used to study superconductivity and to create superconductive magnets. Thanks to Jules Janssen for discovering helium and making our lives a little lighter:)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  Genesis 1-3

~C

National Thrift Shop Day

August 17 in National Thrift Store Day. It is a great day to celebrate whether you need to get rid of stuff or to make some unique purchases. Here are several tips for shopping in a thrift store, aka thrifting:

1. You might find something valuable for very little. I once read about someone who found a Lalique cat.
2. It helps you be a good citizen. Thrift shops give back to the community and keep things out of landfills.
3. Location can be a big factor.
4. If you are a history buff, you’ll be thrilled.
5. Think REPURPOSE!

And here are some questions that will help you get rid of stuff you don’t need:

1. When did you last use it? Chances are if you haven’t needed it for a year or more, you won’t need it in the future.
2. Do you like it? That sounds so obvious, but we all have stuff we don’t really like.
3. Is it something you started, but never finished? Maybe you don’t really need to spend more time working on it.
4. Does it fit – literally and figuratively?
5. Are you keeping it through feelings of guilt?

Happy Thrifting and Happy Decluttering!

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1,6 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens… A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

 

~N

National Roller Coaster Day

August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day. The roller coaster has an interesting history. In 1500s Russia, people made ice slides. That idea made its way to Europe in the 1700s where wood replaced the ice on structures that were longer and called scenic railways. In the 1800s, in America, abandoned coal mine railway tracks were converted to roller coaster type rides. Coney Island was the first place to feature a wooden roller coaster in the style we think of today. Now, roller coasters are a part of every amusement park, and the challenge is to make them higher, steeper, faster, twistier—more thrilling than ever. I’ll never forget the thrill of my first roller coaster ride as a child, and I’m sure it was tame by today’s standards. As we celebrate National Roller Coaster Day, many parks are offering specials on rides. Feel the rush—ride a roller coaster.

Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life.  Avril Lavigne

~C

 

National Relaxation Day

August 15 is Relaxation Day. Sooo, we’re taking a break and relaxing today!

Exodus 33:14 My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

~N

 

National Creamsicle Day

Sometimes we just like to celebrate food, particularly those foods that remind us of childhood. A Creamsicle is one of those foods that remind me of the ice cream truck making its way through the neighborhood each summer. The Creamsicle is a glorified popsicle, and the popsicle derived from a quirky accident by 11-year-old Frank Epperson in 1905. As many young kids, he liked experimenting. One day he mixed together a fruit drink from powder and water, and then left it on the porch overnight. It was cold in San Francisco, and the drink froze. The stir stick was stuck in the icy mix, so Frank grabbed the stirrer, pulled out the frozen drink and ate it anyway. Fast forward to 1923 when Frank was a 29-year-old husband and father working in real estate. One day he served his frozen treats from childhood to friends, they loved it, so he patented the recipe. He called it an Epsicle, but his kids changed that to Popsicle after their Pop. Frank formed the Popsicle Corporation and developed many flavors, including the Creamsicle. This yummy treat has a vanilla ice cream center surrounded by orange ice. Now it comes in many fruit flavors: orange, blue raspberry, lime, grape and raspberry. Enjoy a special treat today!

This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. Amos 8:1

 

International Left Handers’ Day

Future Leftie?

August 13 is International Left Handers’ Day. I like the idea of having a day to honor left handers. After all, they are only about 10% of the population, so they have to live in right-handed world. Being left-handed, however, didn’t stop lot of famous people from achieving greatness. Among well-known lefties, also known as southpaws, are Albert Einstein, Harry Truman, Nicole Kidman, Helen Keller, Mark Twain, John McEnroe, Angelina Jolie, and Oprah Winfrey.

A few people have mixed handedness. They do different tasks with different hands. Even fewer are are ambidextrous, using each hand equally well.

Whatever your preference, celebrate the diversity that makes the human race so wonderful!

Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism.

Vinyl Records Day

August 12 is a great day to get into a groove. It’s Vinyl Records Day, a day to celebrate music. The non-profit group, Vinyl Record Day, wants to establish this day “as a day for friends and family to get together to enjoy favorite music and be reminded that regardless of national news or personal challenges, life always has its goodness.” Vinyl records have lasted through generations and are still being made. Today is a day to reflect on the cultural influences, the music, and the cover art that depicts the fashion, lifestyles, and values of each era.  Find a turntable, dust off some of those old records, and enjoy the day.

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Psalm 33:2

~C