Tra-la-la It’s a beautiful Saturday and is supposed to be beautiful tomorrow too! I have plans . . . let’s see if it all happens. I have a bit left to do on the taxes, but I’m getting there. I spent all day on it yesterday. It probably wouldn’t have taken me so long, but I read something incorrectly, and was in a tail spin thinking that we were going to have to pay a large amount of money, and wondering WHY??? This didn’t make a bit of sense! It was enough of a sum that I felt sick to my stomach, literally was hanging over toilet ready to throw up, had the cold sweats, was in tears . . . and an amazing thing happened. I heard a voice in the back of my head, maybe God, maybe He sent my angel to tell me, but I heard a voice quietly and soothingly say – go back, start over and try it again. The shaking stopped, the nausea went away and after getting a glass of water and giving myself a moment to breathe, I deleted everything I’d done and started over. Sure enough, I’d read Hubby’s boss’s messy handwriting differently than what it was (yes, the man handwrites his W-2’s) and suddenly we no longer had to pay but were getting a modest refund. Oh, Thank the Good Lord in Heaven for talking me through it. There are a few details to do, but the stress while doing it is drastically reduced. Other things are on the agenda, including getting outside for a bit to mow the lawn, but the taxes are my main concern this weekend.
Verse of the Day
March 30, 2019
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
One of the great stories in the Gospel of John is Nicodemus. He came to Jesus at night and Jesus told him that those who love the truth come to the light. Later, Nicodemus spoke up for Jesus even though he was ridiculed for it. Then, at the worst possible time politically and religiously, he showed himself as Jesus’ disciple: he took the broken and dead body of Jesus and helped Joseph of Arimathea place him in a tomb. Nicodemus didn’t stay in the darkness. Neither should we. Jesus is the light of the world; if our light cannot be found in him, how deep is our darkness!
March 31, 2019
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Before Jesus went to the cross, he showed his disciples what it means to live in a cross-centered community: he took the position of a household slave and washed his disciples’ feet. He did it knowing they would run from him, disown him, betray him, and deny him. Incredible! But he also says that I’m to do it, too. “You can’t say you love me,” Jesus is saying, “if you won’t love those I suffered and died for!” (see 1 John 3:14-18 & 1 John 4:7-12)
Finding Peace in Simple Moments
We sleep with the window open from this point in the year until it gets really hot, at which point we hook up the air conditioner in the bedroom and have to have the window closed. I prefer this time of year because I do sleep better with the fresh air coming in the window, but also because the early morning sounds come in as the sun comes up. I woke up around 5:45 – briefly – and as I got myself settled comfortably again, I could hear the birds just waking up and starting their daybreak chatter. As I drifted off again to the song of the birds, and the soft breathing of my Hubby, I can honestly say that a peace washed over me that lulled me back to sleep. Sometimes it really is the simplest of moments that are the best.
March 30 –
Doctors Day – Today marks the anniversary of the 1st use of general anesthesia in surgery (I struggle to imagine surgery BEFORE anesthesia!). I’m sure we all appreciate our doctors. When did National Doctor’s Day get its start? Well, I found out that on March 30th, 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctor’s Day. In 1990, Congress and the Senate approved legislation establishing National Doctor’s Day. The resolution was signed by President George Bush. The first National Doctor’s Day was celebrated in 1991. There are even National Doctor’s Day cards out there – Hallmark of course. If you REALLY care about your doctor, give them one of those cards – they will probably be surprised.
Grass Is Always Browner On The Other Side Of The Fence Day – We always hear how the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence . . . but is it really? People leave good jobs because they aren’t satisfied where they are and are looking for something better. Marriages are destroyed because one in the couple chooses to find a new husband or wife. Financial well-being teeters on the edge of calamity so that new horizons and dreams can be achieved, only to find that things aren’t any better than they used to be. Today’s holiday – The Grass Is Always Browner on The Other Side of The Fence is for anyone who has not been fooled by pastures that appear to be greener from a distance. Maybe they didn’t get a raise but stuck with the job anyway. There’s a little arguing in the home going on, but doggone it, you love each other and will work it out. You didn’t trade in your older car that is paid off for a new one and a big new payment – and it all worked out for the best. What a wonderful thing to remember! Don’t be greedy. Instead be grateful for where you are right now and appreciate the things and people you have in your life.
I Am in Control Day – This one started in an unusual way. On March 30, 1981 – a day many of us remember very well, President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. There was, of course, a lot of confusion. Then Secretary of State Alexander Haig was trying to get things organized and figure out what was going on and when he said “I am in control here” it was taken out of contest. Rather than focusing on the entire statement, and the reason for it, of course the press focused on those few words and the political uproar lead to the Haig’s resignation. Geez, some things never change – a rabid press goes after the conservatives then, and they still go after them now. On that infamous day “I am in control day” was born. As with most things, the focus on certain historical events fades with time, and Haig’s statement was all but forgotten. In spite of that, this celebration continued and evolved and people came to think of it in a different context – personalizing it to get their lives in control. Today is your chance to do just that, if you’re feeling not quite in control of what’s going on in your life.
National Folding Laundry Day – It’s spring, and of course with that comes spring cleaning! The time is here to clean out those closets, dressers and spare room spaces where all of the extra stuff is stored, sort through it and in the process, freshly fold and put away the items you have decided to keep. Yep, I have it on my list. Not today . . . but in April. And maybe May. We have a lot of closets.
Pencil Day – Happy birthday to the pencil! Yep, today is the 161st birthday of the pencil and what a wonderful thing to celebrate! In 1858 Hymen Lipman was issued a patent for the first pencil with an eraser. Today many participating libraries and businesses hand out free pencils in honor of this very significant achievement. Pencils are usually made of wood with a graphite or charcoal center, though the plastic, reusable mechanical pencil is quite popular now. In many cases the mechanical pencils can be used indefinitely! Remember the first day of school, taking in your full pencil box with sharpened, yellow, #2 pencils? There was something about the scent that came from a freshly sharpened pencil that just make you want to write something! Today put down your pen and pick up your pencil. It’s the pencil’s birthday after all!
Take a Walk in the Park Day – Spring in the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous – rain or shine. Puxatawny Phil may be in the groundhog house where HE lives, but here, we’re just fine with him. Today is a great opportunity to get out for some fresh air, exercise and relaxation. Are you stressed out? A walk in the park could be just what the doctor ordered (ironically on Doctor’s Day). A nice walk in the park helps clear our minds and re-energizes us. It could very well be the best part of your entire day! Walk with your eyes open to the beauty of nature, enjoy the flowers, birds and wildlife you may see. Whether alone or with a friend, it’s hard not to be happy after a wonderful walk in the park. Have fun!
Virtual Vacation Day – Vacations are wonderful, aren’t they? And honestly, they are necessary once in awhile to recharge the batteries and give us the break we need from our day-to-day. Let’s face it though, vacations are expensive! Even camping, which we do most often, runs into extra funds. The way to make a bit of an escape without spending the money is easy – not as exciting – but easy. Just decide where you want to go, find a video that goes there, and sit back to enjoy it! We can learn a lot through TV and books, so take full advantage of our virtual options and have a little mini-vacation from your favorite chair.
March 31 –
Bunsen Burner Day – If you loved chemistry in school, then this one is going to bring back great memories. If you were not a real fan of the subject, maybe not so much. No matter your personal feelings about it, the fact is that the Bunsen Burner is a tool that has been invaluable since its creation to people who work in chemistry labs. This tool was created by German chemist Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen, which is why it is called the Bunsen Burner (duh), and it is celebrated today because today was his birthday – born in 1811. So, for those of us who haven’t used one for many, many years – or didn’t care much about them when we DID use them (I admit it – English, Language Arts, Creative Writing, Literature and Home Economics were my favorite subjects) a Bunsen Burner is used to heat substances for experiments. Basically, they are small gas burners with adjustable flames that are controlled at the base to regulate the amount of gas and air that are admitted to the substance being heated. It consists of a vertical metal tube that is connected to a broad base that is weighted so that it isn’t easily knocked over. The base has a nozzle on it to connect with a fuel source, alone with a valve to control the flow of gas and a flue adjuster to control how much air is allowed through one or more small air holes at the base of the tube. The gas mixes with air at the bottom of the tube then rises to the top of the burner where it can be lit with a match or lighter. That either takes you back to good science memories . . . or fills you with happiness that those days are over. I’m happy those days are over.
Mothering Sunday – Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day are two completely different celebrations that are observed in two entirely different countries. We will be celebrating Mother’s Day in May in the United States, so for today we will learn about Mothering Sunday, which is observed in England. Hundreds of years ago in Britain, during the season of Lent, it was a tradition that people would go once a year to worship in their “mother” church. The mother church would be the biggest church, or cathedral, in the area, rather than the smaller parish churches that were in the towns and villages. Children who were working as servants or as apprentices – some of them as young as 10 years old, would get this day off to go to their mother church with their families. It came to be to be known as “Mothering Sunday”, because the children, some of them who hadn’t seen their mothers for a long time, would bring their mothers flowers and cakes as gifts. This tradition died out when church attendance dropped, but Mothering Sunday still remained – the 4th Sunday of Lent in the UK. During WWII, the influence of American military members revived interest in the day. Today they often just call it Mother’s Day, and they celebrate it the same way we do our Mother’s Day in the United States – with cards, flowers, chocolate and eating out.
National Crayon Day – There is something pretty nostalgic that happens to me when I open up a new box of Crayola Crayons and get a sniff of that aroma that is special to this brand. It’s a happy smell, which is the best way I can describe it. I want to dump them all out immediately, and while they are fresh, new and perfect, take in the colors and have a moment remembering the excitement of that new box every school year. The ultimate wish was the giant box with all of the colors, but the 24-pack served the purpose as well. In 1903 a man by the name of Edwin Binney, part owner of Binney and Smith – which produced paint, pigments and pencils – created colored wax crayons for the first time. A year later they created colored chalk! How awesome is that?
National Prom Day –Today has been established as National Prom Day. It was set up as a day to honor friendship, cherish memories, celebrate history and enjoy the fun and excitement that this milestone event brings into teens lives. It should be a special time that is filled with fun, but there are also safety, peer pressure and insecurity issues that go along with it. Building a community for encouraging confidence, empowering positive decisions and focusing on inner beauty is so important as young adults make the transition from childhood to that of a grown-up world. National Prom Day supports Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), an organization that shares values and is a champion in educating young people. Though SADD’s core focus is on traffic safety, it has broadened its mission to include substance abuse, suicide, depression, bullying, violence, body image and more. PromGirl and its partners will donate a portion of the proceeds for every dress sold on March 31st to SADD. Donations can also be made through the attached link. http://www.nationalpromday.org/
National “She’s Funny That Way” Day – Today we pay tribute to the funny women who make us laugh – whether they are personal friends, actresses or comediennes. So, who can you think of who is super funny that makes you laugh every time you see or hear her? Of course, the one who comes IMMEDIATELY to my mind is Lucille Ball. How can anyone NOT laugh at I LOVE LUCY? My next thought went to Lily Tomlin, another truly funny woman who gets straight to the funny bone nearly every time. Betty White – though pretty dirty for an old gal – hits that funny bone too. So, who are the funny gals who make you laugh?
Terri’s Day – This is a serious one – and one that we all should remember always. On March 30, 2005, Terri Schiavo had her last full day of life here on this earth. Her family and Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life will never forget the last moments they shared with the woman whose former husband won a court order to take her life. She was killed on March 31, 2005 when a protracted legal battle between Terri’s former husband and her family was won by the husband, giving him the right to have her feeding tube disconnected. Doctors had examined Terri and said that she was NOT in a persistent vegetative state, and that her condition could have improved had she been given to access to more medical care and rehabilitative treatment. Father Pavone recalled the day before she died, after nearly two weeks of forced starvation and dehydration. He prayed with her and read her a Bible passage, assuring her about how many people loved her. She had not received a drop of water in nearly two weeks. As he reached out his hand to touch hers, he noted that the vase of flowers next to her bed was filled with water, being nourished, as Terri was deprived of nourishment. Court orders saw to it that nobody could give her some of the same loving treatment that the flowers received. Father Pavone said, “In a culture of death, law is divorced from humanity, and we are all victimized in the process”. Terri’s sister, Suzanne Schindler, wrote an email that LifeNews received, reflecting more on her sister’s death, saying that “We must never forget Terri and the premature, unthinkable death she endured. Today is the 14th anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo, starved and dehydrated to death by the same people who value killing the innocent ahead of preserving life, and who put God second to the powers of a corrupt legal and government system, IF they include God in the equation at all. Suzanne Schindler said that “Terry never wanted to die, and in fact told us just the opposite, that she wanted to live. As we look back on all she endured, we realize that Terri did not die in vain. For years the “death cult” lurked in the shadows. Now, through the media coverage and public outcry surrounding Terri’s tragic ordeal, the evil of imposed death on the innocent and vulnerable has been exposed. Our family learned, in the most painful way possible, of the existence of this “pro-death culture” as we fought to save Terri.” After Terri’s death, the Schindler family created the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network to protect the rights of people with cognitive disabilities. It has helped to support more than 1,000 families and has been involved in hundreds of cases where it has helped disabled people get the care and medical treatment they deserve. It is so sobering to think that so many people agree with playing God, taking life, or saving it, as it meets their own whims. Please, value life . . . only God should have the choice of whether we live, or whether we die.
Food Celebrations of the Day –
March 30 –
National Turkey Neck Soup Day – How many of us just toss out the turkey neck when we make a turkey? I know I used to! Not any longer though. I make my own homemade stock, or bone broth, out of the roasted bones from turkeys and chickens that I make, and the neck of the turkey contributes lots of rich flavor to the broth. So, whether you are making the soup or not, just keep in mind that the next time you make a turkey, hang on to the neck so you can add it to the bones for quarts of rich, delicious broth.
March 31 –
National Clams on the Half Shell Day – Well, if you love clams on the half-shell, this is a day you may be thrilled to celebrate! I had to giggle that we are celebrating two different shell fish on the shell and wonder at someone who loves them enough to declare a day just for them. I guess it’s not so odd though – there seem to be days set aside for everything else. If you don’t care for clams, then you may want to skip this one . . . maybe the next celebration will be more to your liking! I’ll take my clams fried or in chowder thank you very much.
National Oysters on the Half Shell – We have oysters all over the place here, fresh every single day in various locations. I’m not a fan, but I know a lot of folks who are. Did you know that an oyster has a lifespan of over 100 years? That is if someone doesn’t pick it off of the beach and eat it of course. The oyster has no head, no biting mouth parts, no arms or legs. Seems rather sad, doesn’t it? If you find an oyster that is 2 or 3 inches in diameter, it is probably 3-5 years old. It takes about 25-28 months for oyster larvae to reach the right size to go to market. Oysters feed year-round, but they feed less in the winter because they don’t need as much energy. Personally, I don’t care for the thought of slurping a slimy creature that appears to be the consistency of snot into my mouth, but to each his or her own!
As I am sitting here writing this today, we have on BBQ Pitmasters on TV. I am making myself really hungry watching this! We have steaks thawing for the grill tonight, so anticipation is making this slightly easier. Time to get my list checked off for the day! God bless you and I’ll see you on Monday/Next Month!
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Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com www.brownielocks.com www.holidayinsights.com www.thenibble.com www.foodimentary.com