pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 15:22:16 GMT
Professional Speakers day – August 7, 2021
The soft squeal of the microphone can belly many different feelings, but when you are there to listen to someone speak on any number of topics. So this is the day to embrace those that stand up on a stage, and speak about any topic, informing, educating and embracing the very natures they espouse. So help them celebrate Professional Speakers Day by stepping up and learning something today!
HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS DAY One could say this day originally started when people started listening to one another. We have been a race of beings capable of learning for a number of centuries now, and part of that is listening to others’ stories and taking away the lessons they learned. This is the real heart (maybe word is more appropriate!) of Professional Speakers Day; the ability for someone to impart a lesson to us with just the spoken word. Whether it is someone speaking about getting out of debt, or another speaking about faith and the assistance it has provided them.
Maybe it is those that are trying to teach us how to fold an origami crane, or learn to disassemble a combustion engine, every one of these speakers are helping us learn something we did not know before. And that is the hardest part – explaining how to do these things with just the words they speak. Occasionally there are pictures present to assist, but most of the work is done only by the spoken words and a microphone.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 7, 2021 16:48:17 GMT
Mead Day – August 7, 2021
From a glass, or a tankard, mead seems to be a heavier drink than beer. However, like all things, enthusiasts exist that revel in the craft and enjoyment of mead. So raise that glass, hoist that tankard, and drain the cup all way down to the bottom, refill and get another in reverence to Mead Day!
LEARN ABOUT MEAD DAY Mead Day has been created in order to foster camaraderie among mead makers, as well raise awareness regarding the rich craft, long history, and trade of this drink. Mead is actually one of the oldest fermented beverages across the world. It consists of yeast, water, and honey, and it is a craft that we should definitely pay tribute to.
Even if you have never heard of it or never tried it before, we are sure you enjoy a beer or some other sort of drink of this nature, and really we have mead to thank for that. After all, everything that we enjoy today is a development and progression of something that we have enjoyed in the past.
The flavor of mead is going to differ based on the ingredients that are added to the fermentation. Many different types of ingredients can be added. This includes blossoms, herbs, and seasonal fruit. A lot of mead makers carbonate their beverage, like wine, sparkling cider, or beer. Hops can also be added to the recipe for a more hoppy flavor. Mead can also be distilled. This creates more of a liqueur-type mead. As you can see, this drink is very versatile and people have found lots of different ways to create it and enjoy it.
HISTORY OF MEAD DAY Delving into the history of Mead Day is like a trip down memory lane. While it was officially recognized as Mead Day in 2002 by the America Homebrewers Association, it has been around for a lot longer. The fermentation of honey and water, mead has been historically shown as far back as 6500 B.C.
Many cultures also refer to mead as ‘honey-wine’, although various cultures also differ on that very topic. However, mead may also have spices, fruits, grains or even hops added to vary the taste and body of the drink. Occasionally, mead is even carbonated or naturally sparkling, dry, sweet or semi-sweet depending on the recipe.
This means the established mead methods are truly a time-honored tradition, steeped in history and culture. Mead Day itself has garnered a growing reputation, being a way to learn how to make, bottle and even start selling mead for yourself.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 19:44:49 GMT
Dying to Know Day – August 8, 2021
Dying to Know Day, on August 8, is all about fostering deep conversations about the one thing all humans have in common — death. After reading a book called “Dying to Know: Bringing Death to Life,” an Australian organization called The Groundswell Project decided to dedicate an entire day to destigmatizing the topic of dying and educating others on how to die in a way that stays true to themselves and their wishes. The hope, on this holiday, is that we’ll all accept and plan on death so that we can live even better in the present moment.
HISTORY OF DYING TO KNOW DAY When Andrew Anastasios published his quirky self-help book about death and dying in 2010, he had no idea it would spark an entire movement, several organizations, and a widely recognized holiday. The Groundswell Project, which operates to this day in Marrickville, New South Wales, took Anastasios’s ideas about death awareness, normalization, and literacy and decided to make August 8 Dying to Know Day, named after his book.
The first D2KD, as it’s affectionately called by those in the death-education community, hosted only 23 events in the Sydney, Australia area in 2013. Now, there are over 300 gatherings, meetings, and events taking place on August 8 in celebration of this idea.
According to The Groundswell Project and the D2KD USA organization, the practical applications for destigmatizing the topic of death include writing one’s will and obituary, discussing end-of-life plans with loved ones in the case of severe illness, disease, or injury, and even making funeral arrangements. On D2KD, even the healthiest, youngest, and furthest from dying are invited to allow themselves to think about their inevitable end and determine how they’d like to be laid to rest.
Interestingly, Dying to Know Day is devoted equally to the living and the dead. We are not only encouraged to consider our own passing from life but also the already-completed passing of our friends and members. In addition to end-of-life planning, D2KD is also about grief, bereavement, and coping with loss. 364 days out of each year are spent avoiding thoughts of death and dying and feeling unable to discuss such subject matter publicly but, on August 8, the taboo is suspended and people across the world are allowed to ask questions, have conversations, express feelings, and make plans.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 19:50:53 GMT
Happiness Happens Day – August 8, 2021
Read on to see how happiness happens and see how you can make it happen today, on Happiness Happens Day, August 8. Happiness — it’s what people want most out of life. If we aren’t actively looking for it, we are talking about it, spreading it, dreaming about it, or, hopefully, experiencing it. For many, it’s a goal to be happy. Then, there are those who always just seem happy. How do they do it? Is it naturally in them or do they work at it?
HISTORY OF HAPPINESS HAPPENS DAY The Secret Society of Happy People, founded in 1998 by Pamela Gail Johnson, was originally a ‘secret’ society to allow members to talk about everything that made them happy because they were genuinely happy people, but they did so secretly so as not to allow overhearing Debbie Downers to rain on their parade. From this came their slogan, “Are you happier than you admit you are?.”
They created Admit You’re Happy Day in 1999, which eventually evolved to Happiness Happens Day. In 2000, they declared the month of August as Happiness Happens Month because, well, why limit a celebration of happiness to one day? Every year, a theme is chosen for Happiness Happens Month. In 2019, they encouraged everyone to acknowledge people who make them smile, also known as our ‘Smile Starters.’
The Society offers many tools and resources to promote happiness, personally, at work, and in the community. For example, they created a Happiness Counter to help you recognize daily happy moments that tend to be overlooked. It lists 31 ‘types’ of happiness that people often feel or experience throughout the day. At the end of each day, you can reflect on how many of them you experienced and realize you had more moments of happiness than you acknowledged and embraced during the day.
Over the years, more and more people have talked about happiness — how to get happy, be happy, find happiness, spread happiness. With that, the popularity of the Society grew — so much so, they outgrew the need for secrecy! So, in 2019, the group became simply the Society of Happy People.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 19:53:59 GMT
International Cat Day – August 8, 2021
August 8 is International Cat Day — a day to celebrate one of man’s most common and ancient pets. They have even been worshiped as gods (we see you, Egypt.) Well, it is not surprising, Cats are one of the coolest beings on the planet: they are independent, inquisitive, adventurous, have an amazing physiognomy, and the power to heal by themselves — at least most of the time.
WHEN IS INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY 2021? Our enigmatic furry felines are celebrated on International Cat Day 2021 on August 8.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY Cats are carnivorous small furry mammals — for the most part — with four legs, a tail, and claws, that humans have domesticated as pets since ancient times, even though they have descended from the African Wildcat and they used to catch vermin.
The first historical human record about cats could be found in Ancient Egyptian Civilization’s culture. We all seem to relate cats with Egyptians, because of their adoration and consideration of cats as gods. Mafdet was the first known cat deity and was regarded as the protector against snakes, scorpions, and evil during the First Dynasty, so for them, cats were not just deities, but also protectors.
Later, after the Egyptian Dynasty collapsed, Cats became popular everywhere! Greeks and Romans used them as pest control, and in the East, cats were originally owned by rich and wealthy people. But during the Middle Ages, in Europe, Cats became associated with superstition and suspected of carrying the disease during the Black Death of 1348, that is the reason why too many cats got killed in that era, and it wasn’t until the 1600s that cats’ reputation started to recover.
In America, cats were part of the cargo on the colonization ships to minimize vermin and disease, so those cats went ashore and flourished. Nowadays, cats seem to be one of the pop icons in modern society – we have about half of a billion among us. And, since 2002, thanks to the “International Fund for Animal Welfare” cats have their own holiday!
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 19:56:42 GMT
National Braiders Day – August 8, 2021
August 8 is National Braiders Day, an opportunity for reflection, advocacy, education, and celebration of the cultural significance of hair braiding and the professionals who do it. Hair braiding is more than a form of style, it is a culturally significant act with deep roots in many communities. Unfortunately, braiding and braiders are often not treated with the same respect others in the cosmetology fields receive and are burdened by overbearing regulation. Ezbraid is sponsoring National Braiders Day as a chance to recognize the thousands of braiders around the country for their talents, hard work, and contribution to our cultural heritage.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BRAIDERS DAY Braiding has been a form of art for tens of thousands of years. There are examples of early humans enshrined in 25,000 year old artwork depicting figures with braiding. However, many credit the Himba people of modern Namibia, with imbuing braiding with cultural significance since at least 3500 BC. Many different cultures have contributed over the millennia to the growth and importance of hair braiding as well as different styles of braid. Imbued with societal significance, braids in the ancient world (and in some cases today) can indicate certain social status, ethnicity, religion, and more.
National Braider’s Day was founded in 2020 in order to give braiders a platform to raise significant issues plaguing their community. Often seen as lesser professionals by other cosmetological fields, braiders are still subject to overbearing occupational licensing requirements that can be debilitating and often cost braiders work. Ezbraid started the day because they recognized that braiding and the (predominantly) women who do it deserve the same respect and opportunities as others, putting a well-deserved spotlight on the profession and its impact on our culture, past and present.
In 1997, Texas braider Isis Brantley was arrested as part of an undercover operation because she was braiding hair without a cosmetology license, even though braiders are not barbers. Brantley fought the law and after 10 years of effort, saw the Texas state legislature pass reforms that exempted hair braiders from onerous licensing requirements that had no bearing on their work.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 19:59:47 GMT
National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day – August 8, 2021
It’s that time of year when keen gardeners have way too much zucchini on their hands, and so August 8 is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day. Those tasty zucchini plants are so rich in produce that even the most hardcore zucchini muncher will struggle to eat it all. With that in mind, this cheeky day is your chance to sneak up your neighbor’s garden path and leave a little surprise for when they open the door.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SNEAK SOME ZUCCHINI ONTO YOUR NEIGHBOR'S PORCH DAY Whilst we now have such an abundance of zucchini that we can afford, and in fact need, a holiday where we sneak it onto our neighbor’s porch, this hasn’t always been the case. It’s believed that zucchinis never really made their way across to the United States until the 1920s, and were brought across by Italians and then cultivated in California.
Zucchinis originated in Italy and have been traced back as far as the 1850s. The first written record of zucchini can be traced back to Milan in 1901. As global travel has increased so has the popularity of the zucchini. It is now used in cooking all across the world.
We’re not sure exactly when the first National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day was celebrated, but we do know that it was the brainchild of Thomas Roy, who also invented National No Socks Day and Humbug Day. He sounds like our kind of guy.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 8, 2021 20:27:15 GMT
Peace Festival in Augsburg – August 8, 2021
The Peace Festival in Augsburg on August 8 has been Germany’s only municipal public holiday since 1950. Also known as the “Augsburg High Peace Festival,” this annual festival is only celebrated in Augsburg, a city with Roman Catholic roots that once forbid its citizens the right to practice the Christian faith as Protestants. The bitter divide between Roman Catholics and Protestants has a long ignoble history, which makes the festival even more significant in our world where passionate religious beliefs still lead to wars not just between nations, but within families.
HISTORY OF PEACE FESTIVAL IN AUGSBURG Few subjects can turn an otherwise pleasant conversation into a heated argument like religion and politics. Most of us have been well-advised to avoid bringing up either topic at gatherings, in the workplace, or just about any casual setting. Yet the people of “Augsburg, the City of Peace,” demonstrate every year that peace is absolutely attainable when we set aside our differences and instead focus on what we all have in common.
Nearly half of Augsburg’s population today is made up of migrants from all over the world, with a broad swath of diverse religious faiths and practices. Given the city’s early history of religious persecution, it is notable that today the entire city of Augsburg closes shop for the day to participate in the city’s mandate to continue their historic peaceful coexistence based on the pursuit of religious freedom. In a modern world where discussions about religious freedom and tolerance are more often avoided and even excluded from public debate, the people of Augsburg put the right of every individual to practice their faith freely front and center during Augsburg’s annual celebration of peace.
Augsburg, Germany was essentially ground zero for the growing political conflict left in the wake of the Christian Reformation movement in Europe in the early sixteenth century. The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V outlawed the burgeoning Lutheran church in 1521, but the Lutheran movement continued to flourish until 1529 when Charles declared that Catholicism was to be restored everywhere in Germany. German princes and estate owners loudly and publicly denounced the Emperor’s decree. This is where the term Protestant was coined, referring to the princes and estate owners who protested the Emperor’s decree. In 1531 Charles ordered all Lutherans to reunite with the Catholic church, causing Protestants to grow more defiant.
By 1552, Charles acquiesced and accepted the existence of the rapidly expanding evangelical church, promising to settle the controversy. But it was not until 1555 that peace was established between the Lutherans and Catholics with The Augsburg Declaration of Religious Freedom in the city of Augsburg. The declaration guaranteed Protestants the right to practice their faith in the city of Augsburg. But the peace accord only included Lutheran Protestants, although it did permit other Protestant citizens like the Calvinists to relocate their families to other regions where their faith was more compatible with local doctrine.
In 1629, seventy-four years after winning the legal right to practice their faith, Lutheran Protestants were again banned from practicing their faith in Augsburg, until the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648, reinstating the original 1555 Augsburg Declaration of Religious Freedom.
Protestants organized the first “Augsburg High Peace Festival” in 1650, two years after the Peace of Westphalia, as their commitment to carry forward the peaceful coexistence of “Augsburg, the City of Peace,” for future generations. Today the festival is an interreligious and intercultural celebration, preceded by a week of cultural events leading up to the holiday on August 8.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 9, 2021 21:40:36 GMT
Islamic New Year – August 9, 2021
The Islamic New Year — also known as the Arabic New Year or Hijri New Year — is the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The first year of this calendar began in Gregorian CE 622 when the Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina with his companions.
In the Islamic calendar, days begin at sunset. The event falls on a different day every year because the Islamic year is 11 to 12 days shorter. As rituals and prayers mark the occasion, Muharram is known as the month of remembrance and is sacred to Muslims across the world.
The word Hijri is derived from Hijra meaning migration. The starting point of Islamic calendar is migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
Islamic New Year 2021 will be referred as Hijri 1443.
WHEN IS ISLAMIC NEW YEAR 2021? The Islamic New Year — also known as the Arabic New Year or Hijri New Year — begins on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is lunar-based and only 354 days long. Islamic New Year falls on August 9 of the Gregorian calendar this year.
HISTORY OF ISLAMIC NEW YEAR In Mecca and other areas, Muslims of the 7th century CE faced religious persecution for their beliefs. Therefore, the exodus of Muhammed and his followers to the city that would later be called Medina — a movement called the Hijra — where Muhammad would set forth a Constitution that delineated Muslim’s rights and responsibilities. This event is of great importance in the Muslim faith, which is why Islamic New Year commemorates this sacred moment of history.
It’s not just the first day of the month Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar year, that’s important to observe for Muslims around the world. The entire month is of holy significance. For example, it is also in Muharram — second only in importance as a solemn occasion to Ramadan — that the 10th day, Ashura takes place, marking Noah’s leaving the Ark and also Moses crossing the Red Sea.
For Shia Muslims, it’s also the death anniversary of Muhammad’s grandson Hussein. They mark the occasion with mourning ceremonies. Shias, particularly those in Afghanistan, Bahrain, India, Lebanon and Pakistan, take part in remembrance parades called “matam”, where men gather in the street to take part in ritual chest-beating. For Sunnis, Muharram is a time of ushering in the new, with solemn prayer and reflection.
The lunar calendar is 11 or 12 days shorter than the Western solar calendar, so a sort of “cycle” is created around Islamic New Year as it falls back year after year. This is so those of the faith can experience the same range of temperatures and weather events as all the historical figures in their holy books did.
Muharram is an important religious and cultural event, so asking Muslim friends about the significance of Muharram can be an interesting learning lesson. Muslims themselves could also share stories, ideas and feelings with others, to mark the Islamic New Year.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 9, 2021 21:43:09 GMT
National Book Lovers Day – August 9, 2021
Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book and simply read. (Well, an audiobook will suffice too.) From clay tablets to today’s eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling. Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg’s 15th-century printing press, anyone, not just royalty, monks or landed gentry, could read and own books. But, alas, there was no overnight shipping. Today, join a book club or re-read a favorite novel because National Book Lovers Day rocks!
WHEN IS NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY 2021? Book lovers, bookworms, and bibliophiles celebrate National Book Lovers Day on August 9, 2021.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY Book Lovers Day appreciates the medium that has withstood and preserved its importance in time — literature. Our love for books knows no bounds — someday we’ll write a book on it.
The modern book is made by binding paper, but before the invention of paper, books came in the form of tablets, scrolls, and engravings. Every civilization had its own way to document events. Some time in 3500 B.C., the Mesopotamians would make markings on clay tablets using a pointed device, made from the stem of the reed plant, called the calamus. These writings on the moist clay were called ‘cuneiform.’ Approximately 20,000 of these tablets were discovered in modern-day Iraq.
Paper was invented in China in the 1st century A.D. By experimenting with various materials such as hemp, fishnets, and the mulberry plant, Ts’ai Lun invented the first paper. With time, printing on woodblocks also became the go-to way of reproducing books in China. The ancient scrolls dating back to the 4th century B.C. are considered the first ‘books,’ but by today’s definition, the oldest surviving compiled book is “The Diamond Sutra” which was published in China on May 11, 868.
Hardback books ruled the market at the start of the 20th century, with a certain prestige associated with the hard bindings of books. But from 1937 onwards, paperbacks rose in popularity, paving the way for digests, pulp fiction, and pocket-friendly books.
Advancement in computers and technology led to the digitization of books, with the first book sold in CD format in the 1980s, “The New Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia.”
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 9, 2021 21:46:30 GMT
National Women's Day – August 9, 2021
On August 9, 2021 we get to celebrate National Women’s Day. This South African holiday is celebrated every year on a weekday. Women have had a long history of oppression, but every fight gets us one step closer to freedom and equality.
WHEN IS NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2021? Resilient, patient, loving, and strong — women run the world and get their own day on National Women’s Day in South Africa on August 9.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY On August 9, 1956, there was a staged march on the Union Buildings of Pretoria. Over 20,000 women of all races attended the march in order to protest against the Urban Areas Act of 1950 amendments. This law required all South Africans defined as “black” to carry an internal passport that served to maintain segregation, control urbanization, and manage migrant labor during the apartheid.
The protest was led by Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams. The women left 14,000 petitions at the office doors of the prime minister. 100,000 signatures were left outside the prime minister’s door as well as a thirty-minute silent protest. After the silent protest, songs were sung to honor the event, to make sure their voices were heard. The song they sang was composed specifically for the event, titled “Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo” which translates to “Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock.”
It was a peaceful protest but it made a difference, because of it we have National Women’s Day. The day wasn’t actually made a holiday until 1995. The day brings attention to the issues African women faced then and still face today, including domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, unequal pay, girls not being allowed to go to school, and no-help parenting. In 1994, women had very low representation within Parliament, with just nearly 2.7%. Women within the national assembly were at 27.7%. After the creation of this public holiday, the numbers nearly doubled, with women now having 48% representation all throughout the country’s government.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 9, 2021 22:34:56 GMT
Melon Day – August 9, 2021
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Galia Melons, just to name a few. These are the fruits we celebrate on Melon Day, a day dedicated to all forms of muskmelon, and one in particular. If you’re a lover of fresh crisp melon on a hot day, then you already know why it deserves a day of its own. But let us tell you of the Turkmenbashi melon, a melon of pride in Turkmenistan.
LEARN ABOUT MELON DAY Melon Day has been designed to pay tribute to this tasty ingredient. As mentioned, it started off as a holiday in Turkmenistan. However, it has now been honored in many different places around the world. If you are someone who enjoys eating this tasty fruit in any sort of variety, you can definitely celebrate Melon Day. You may even want to use this date as an opportunity to try a variety of melon that you have never tried before.
The Turkmenbashi melon, in particular, has been praised for its large size, taste, and aroma. It is a type of muskmelon. Other varieties of muskmelon include casaba, Crenshaw, and the ever-popular Honeydew. They are characterised by their smooth skin.
There are a lot of different benefits that are associated with eating muskmelons. This includes the fact that they promote good digestion. They also regulate blood pressure, promote hair growth, improve skin healthy, and they are good for eyesight and also immunity. These fruits are also very hydrating and they are filled with different nutrients. So, not only do they taste good, but they are going to add so many benefits to your diet.
This is why it makes sense to use Melon Day as the perfect opportunity to indulge in this super tasty and highly beneficial fruit. You can even spend some time learning a little bit more about different kinds of melons, finding out where they have come from and the sort of benefits they provide.
HISTORY OF MELON DAY Turkmenistan? Where is Turkmenistan we hear you ask, and what does it have to do with melons? Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country on the shores of the Caspian Sea and has spent the majority of its lifespan as the crossroads of civilization. In its time it has served as an important trade stop between the West and the East, and its city of Merv was of great import on the silk road.
In 1994 an auspicious event happened in Turkmenistan, the establishment of Melon Day by its first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. The Turkembashi melon was named for his preferred name “Turkembashi”, which meant “Leader of the Turkmens.” In a speech praising the fertility of the Turkmenistan soil and the farmers who worked it, he raised the Turkmen melon as being a fruit so delicious it was a taste of paradise. Melon Day is your opportunity to share in a taste of paradise and to celebrate this countries unique history, and the fruit that is its pride and joy.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 9, 2021 22:36:48 GMT
Rice Pudding Day – August 9, 2021
Nothing tastes quite as good as a homemade rice pudding from your favourite rice pudding recipe. Rice Pudding Day challenges you not only to indulge in more adventurous rice pudding recipes, from rum’n’raisin to more unusual ingredients like lychees and nuts.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:02:52 GMT
National Lazy Day – August 10, 2021
In today’s plugged-in world, we often find ourselves wishing for a day when we didn’t have to do anything.
Nothing at all. Not even the tiniest bit of work.
In other words, we long for a lazy day. And yet, when we set aside a day to do nothing, we find it difficult to actually be lazy — as if we’re hardwired to do something, even if we don’t really need to do anything.
Let’s put a stop to that. August 10 is the day to do it. Or not do it.
It’s National Lazy Day. And it’s glorious.
Lazy Day 2021 is the best day to celebrate your inner couch potato by just ignoring all your daily work routine and doing nothing the whole day long.
This day, just lay back on your couch, give your T.V. remote control some exercise, and do enjoy a well deserved rest.
WHEN IS NATIONAL LAZY DAY 2021? Couch potatoes, lazy bums, and slackers, we’d tell you to celebrate National Lazy Day on August 10, but you can go ahead and be lazy about it.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL LAZY DAY The origins of National Lazy Day are unknown. We did our research but got lazy and didn’t dig deeper. Perhaps the creators of this holiday were too lazy to pen down the inspiration behind it. The only thing we know is that it is zealously celebrated on August 10 by not being overly zealous.
The whole point of National Lazy Day is to be a lazy good-for-nothing and just relax. Today is the one day nobody can call you out for staying in bed all day or lounging on the couch in front of the television, munching on snacks. We are not telling you to get out of your literal comfort zone but a few add-ons could keep you entertained, like playing the 2010 song by Bruno Mars, titled ‘The Lazy Song,’ or grabbing a copy of “The Myth of Laziness” by Mel Levine to better understand and debunk myths surrounding laziness and its impact on our productivity.
As much as it is frowned upon, laziness can actually be a blessing. At times it is not that a person is lazy, it is that they’d rather prefer to save their energy for things that are really important. Lazy people are usually well-rested and reap the benefits of getting sufficient sleep — this includes improved memory, decreased stress, a greater attention span, and decreased inflammation.
The best part about laziness is that you are less likely to experience burnout. Being lazy allows the body to rejuvenate and restore its balance and energy. Burnout can lead to insomnia, depression, and chronic fatigue.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:05:02 GMT
National S’mores Day – August 10, 2021
We honor the most commonly packed camping snack by celebrating National S’mores Day on August 10. Summertime is finally here and with it comes camping and gathering around the firepit in the great outdoors. Originating right here in the U.S.A., the s’more has us salivating in anticipation of smashing those tasty toasted marshmallows with a slab of chocolate between two graham crackers. Read on for the latest trends in s’more-making and try a new twist on an old favorite tonight.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL S’MORES DAY While the origins of National S’mores Day remain unknown, s’more, the great American camping treat, has a long, delicious history. The first mention of such a treat was in the 1920s in a book of recipes published by Marshmallows, home of the original marshmallow and still in business today. At that time, the recipe was called a ‘Graham Cracker Sandwich’ and suggested the treat had already been made popular by the Boy- and Girl Scouts.
Later, in 1927, the Girl Scouts published a similar recipe in “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” but they called it ‘some more.’ Finally, in the late ’30s to late ’50s, various recipes gave the name as we know it today, s’mores.
The ingredients for the original s’mores are: one marshmallow, milk chocolate squares, and two graham crackers. The traditional method for making s’mores is by a and it’s hard to beat that experience. Part of the fun is each person searching for their own long, sturdy stick capable of holding a mound of marshmallows over the fire for toasting.
Then comes the toasting debate — how toasted do you prefer your marshmallows? Of course, this leads to a full-on psychological evaluation. Do you set your marshmallow on the fire and blow the flame out once it is burnt? Do you allow your marshmallow to hover over the flame and toast to a less than charred yet caramelized state? Do you barely get the marshmallow tan?
Whatever your preference on marshmallow toasted-ness, the end result is the same — huge smiles and full bellies. Enjoy your time today with , friends, and the gooey goodness of s’mores!
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:07:00 GMT
National Spoil Your Dog Day – August 10, 2021
It might be a sickness but we’re stupid in love with our dogs! National Spoil Your Dog Day on August 10, encourages us to buy that $25 “indestructible” toy that we’ve been swearing up and down we would never buy. Granted, dogs can be a little needy but during times when it seems nobody loves us —they always do.
Dogs are hilarious and they don’t hold it against us when we make them wear silly hats and sunglasses. Dogs happily slurp any food we drop on the floor. They only want a warm bed, belly rubs and walks in the park. Today, make Moxie feel special — get her nails painted pink!
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:10:25 GMT
World Lion day – August 10, 2021
World Lion Day aims to raise awareness of the majestic hunter, the ultimate feline, the king of the jungle, the big fluffy kitty of the Serengeti… Hmm, we should have left it at ‘king of the jungle’?
Basically, it’s all about lions, but you’ve probably got that from the name.
HISTORY OF WORLD LION DAY This celebration of the animal kingdom’s most beautiful and fearsome creature was founded by Big Cat Rescue, the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to big cats. August 10th is a day for people to come together from across the world to pay tribute to the mighty lion in as many ways as possible. Though a fun and exciting occasion for all, its foundations are based in a very serious matter: lion numbers have dramatically declined to the point where the species needs to be placed on the endangered list, just like its larger cousin the tiger.
World Lion Day is the brainchild of co-founders Dereck and Beverly Joubert, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for big cats. They began the initiative in 2013, bringing together both National Geographic and the Big Cat Initiative under a single banner to protect the remaining big cats living in the wild.
Lions – with the scientific name Panthera leo – are the second-largest cat in the world, just behind the Asian tiger. These immense creatures, weighing between 300 and 550 pounds, have sparked the popular imagination for centuries, inspiring awe through their speed and muscular power.
Three million years ago, lions roamed all over Africa and the Eurasian supercontinent. But today, various ice ages and changes in the natural environment means that their range is reduced primarily to Africa and select parts of Asia.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, lions are a “vulnerable” species, meaning that their numbers could and should be higher. Currently, researchers estimate that there are between 30,000 and 100,000 lions left on planet Earth. Without significant intervention, there is a chance that they could find themselves on the endangered list alongside other species most at risk of extinction.
World Lion Day, therefore, is an opportunity for lion lovers all over the planet to push back against the decline in the range and habitat of the king of beasts. These giant animals are among the world’s largest land species and an apex predator with a reputation like no other. It would be a tragic loss for both nature and humanity if the species were to disappear entirely from the natural environment.
The threats against lions, however, are all too real. They face the dual specters of increasingly popular “trophy hunting” and human incursion on their traditional wildlands. A reduction in food combined with hunting tourism is making them more vulnerable with every passing year. Over the last four decades, the lion population declined by fifty percent.
World Lion Day, therefore, has three objectives. The first is to raise awareness of the plight of the lion and the issues that the species faces in the wild. The second is to find ways to protect the big cat’s natural environment, such as creating more national parks and reducing the areas in which people can settle. And the third is to educate people who live near wild cats on the dangers and how to protect themselves. Humans and large species like cats can live in harmony together, but only if they understand how to do so.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:14:36 GMT
Vlogging Day – August 10, 2021
Vlogging has become a new and popular way for people to connect over the internet. People upload videos of themselves and talk about their experiences and build viewers and fans that watch and support their vloggers. There’s a whole day dedicated to the act of vlogging and building communities and it’s called Vlogging Day.
HISTORY OF VLOGGING DAY Summer in the City, the UK’s largest online video festival, founded Vlogging Day to celebrate its 10th anniversary of bringing a community of vloggers and fans together. Summer in the City focuses on its creators, viewers, and professionals in the Youtube community by allowing people to make lasting connections with one another. Similar to the United States festival Vidcon, it began in 2009 when Youtube started becoming a popular social media website and millions of people started seeing vlogging as a way to connect with people. Summer in the City hosts its own meet and greets, live performances, award ceremonies, discussion panels, and expos that let everyone involved have a good time.
Because Summer in the City has been successful over the past several years in the United Kingdom, it founded the holiday in 2018 as a way to encourage people to share their stories with the world. It’s also educational, allowing people who don’t understand vlogging to see the benefits of it in online culture. Many who vlog have been able to build confidence and build careers out of their storytelling and as a result, build their own communities that are supportive and caring about one another. Summer in the City hopes to continue to inspire people to try out vlogging and contribute to the global community.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:16:52 GMT
Skyscraper Appreciation Day – August 10, 2021
Skyscraper Appreciation Day is the birthday of the famous architect William Can Alen, who is the genius behind the construction of the Chrysler Building, which is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.
Skyscraper Appreciation Day was initiated and founded by Dr. Tom Stevens. Interestingly, it was created so that the general public could admire the structural and architectural brilliance of skyscrapers. Furthermore, it also celebrates the triumph of reason and man’s ability to construct industrial masterpieces.
|
|
pennmom
Bear
Chief Ranger
[TI0] ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN. THEN ALWAYS BE A UNICORN!
Posts: 18,632
|
Post by pennmom on Aug 10, 2021 20:22:01 GMT
Duran Duran Appreciation Day – August 10, 2021
Duran Duran Day celebrates 80’s rock icons, Duran Duran – a band who pushed the limits of acceptable music video content. Try listening to some Duran Duran at work, in the car, and at home; don’t worry, it’s officially ok for just one day!
LEARN ABOUT DURAN DURAN APPRECIATION DAY Duran Duran Appreciation Day is exactly what you’d expect it to be: a day for fans of the band to appreciate their great music! It’s also a great day for those who’ve never really listened to their music to do so.
On this day, fans across the globe take part in all-day parties and official trivia contests on social media, particularly Twitter. Members of Duran Duran also reflect on the years since the band formed, posting messages to their supporters on the Internet.
SOME THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT DURAN DURAN Like all good things in life, Duran Duran had their own board game. The game was called ‘Arena’ and it was released at the height of their fame during the ‘80s. The aim of the game was to accumulate as many points as possible, collecting band members and video cards. If you are interested, you can still find the board game on eBay today. This would certainly be a cool way to celebrate Duran Duran Appreciation Day.
You may be shocked to learn that Duran Duran was banned from MYV in 1997. This is because of their video for Electric Barbarella, which was deemed too risque for TV. The video was also banned from the BBC.
They have a full album that you may not have heard of before! This is an album called ‘Reportage’ that was recorded in 2006 just before original guitarist Andy Taylor had left the group for the second time. However, the album was shelved. Nick Rhodes has since spoken about the album, stating that it was more political and angrier than their usual music. Because of this, Sony didn’t really like the content, stating that they did not hear any lead single contenders. Because of this, they went in a different direction, creating Red Carpet Massacre in 2007.
HISTORY OF DURAN DURAN APPRECIATION DAY Duran Duran Appreciation Day was the idea of a radio disc jockey in Michigan. He selected the date because it was the same as his birthday. Since then, fans across the world have participated in Duran Duran Appreciation Day.
Of course, when we look at Duran Duran Appreciation Day, we should also look at the history of the band itself. Duran Duran first formed in 1978. The brand is recognized as one of the most successful bands of the ‘80s, yet by the close of the decade, music style changes challenged the band. They weren’t to give up, though, resurging in the early ‘90s.
The band was formed by Nick Rhodes and John Taylor in Birmingham, UK. They became the resident band at Rum Runner, which was a nightclub in the city. At the time, Nick was deejaying at the club for £10 a night and John was working on the door. They started to play more and more frequently at the venue. The first singer for the band was Stephen Duffy. After this, Simon Colley quickly joined the trio as the original bass player. This was the first complete line-up for the live shows played by the band. However, Colley left the band, and there were several changes after this.
Their first album was self-titled, and it was released on the 15th of June in 1981. The album reached number three on the Albums Chart in the UK, and it stayed in the Top 100 for 118 weeks. By the end of 1982, it achieved platinum status. The album consisted of two sides, with five tracks on side one and four tracks on side two. Some of the most popular songs from their debut album included Careless Memories, Planet Earth, and Girls on Film.
After this, they went on to release another 13 albums. This included Rio in 1982, Liberty, which was released in 1990, and Paper Gods, which was released in 2015. They have also done many tours over the years as well. Their first tour was The Faster Than Light Tour, which took place throughout 1981. They then went on several tours throughout the next four decades, and who knows whether there will be more in the future.
|
|