It’s My Party Day

Recipe in A Louisiana Christmas

October 11 is It’s My Party Day! I couldn’t find the origin of this day, but does it remind you of the 1963 hit song “It’s My Party,” first sung by Leslie Gore (and later by Amy Winehouse )? Or Jessie J’s song with the same name? Or the 1996 It’s My Party movie? “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want” aren’t cheery lyrics, and the subject of a man dying with AIDS in the movie is even more depressing. So, I suggest we forget any possible ties to the movie or songs and use this day as a reason to have a party! The perfect party food for a fall party? Beautiful pumpkin pie.

Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.

~N

National Handbag Day

October 10 is National Handbag Day. What a fun holiday! Handbags come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they are made from all kinds of materials. There’s a handbag for every style from simple to glitzy to elegant. Today is the perfect day to buy that handbag you’ve been eying. Or the perfect day to clean out the handbag that swallows your wallet, keys, and other small items.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

~N

Curious Events Day

 

October 9 is Curious Events Day! It is a day to delve into mysteries that have intrigued you or to hold an unusual event. I’m not sure what inspired this holiday, but some curious events that happened in the past on this date are: 768 – Charlemagne and his brother Carloman I are crowned Kings of The Franks; 1000 – Leif Ericson discovers Vinland; 1192 – Richard the Lionhearted leaves Jerusalem in disguise; and 1876 – the first 2-way telephone conversation is held.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

~N

World Octopus day

Consider the octopus today. If you’re like me, you don’t know much about them. My first recollection of the octopus is in the form of the giant squid in Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. After that, there was Ringo Starr’s “Octopus’s Garden”—admittedly, there is so much more to know about these strange sea creatures. Did you know the plural of octopus is octopuses? Octopuses have three hearts; they have blue blood; their ink serves as a shield and also harms their enemies by blinding or confusing them; and they can change their color and texture to blend with their environment. Take some time today to learn more about the ancient octopus.

…ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.  Job 12:7-8

~C

You Matter to Me Day

October 7 is You Matter to Me Day. This holiday began in 2010 after a father and son lost their lives in a tragic accident. A friend of theirs realized he had never let them know how much they mattered to him, so he decided to start a day reminding everyone to let the people in their lives know they matter. Mattering is powerful. The theme of the day is Because everyone matters to someone, and someone matters to you. Take time today to tell the people in your life, “You matter to me.”

Ephesians 4:2: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

~N

National German-American Day

This is a day complicated by war and our reactions to war, in particular WWI and WWII. Back when our country was being formed, on October 6, 1683, thirteen German families landed in Philadelphia and founded Germantown, the first German settlement in the original 13 colonies. Two hundred years later, in 1883, the community celebrated the bicentennial of the settlers arriving. Celebrations continued each year and spread throughout the country. That all changed during WWI because of anti-German sentiment and continued through the next war and years after. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the 300^th anniversary of the arrival of German settlers, and on August 6, 1987, Congress approved a resolution designating October 6 as German American Day. In the heart of French Louisiana, there is a German settlement in Roberts Cove. Since 1995, they have hosted a Germanfest the first weekend in October to celebrate their heritage and culture which dates back to 1867. In honor of my German heritage, I say Danke schön to my ancestors and to all who have contributed so much to our country.

For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Psalm 61:5

Do Something Nice Day

October 5 is Do Something Nice Day. I think celebrating Do Something Nice is especially important with all the bad news we’ve had lately. What to do? Every act of kindness makes the world a better place. Take time today do something nice – for others and for yourself.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

~N