Tuesday, April 15, 2014

An announcement suitable for That Sucks Day

I'd like to thank you, loyal readers, for stopping by every day for current holiday news. Creating and maintaining the Holiday Whiz has been both fun and educational.

Now, let's move on to my purpose for writing this post, appropriate for publication on That Sucks Day:

All of us, as responsible adults, should pause now and then to take stock of our lives. So I have to ask, "Does maintaining this blog help me in the pursuit my life goals?" Sadly, the answer is, "Not really." I've worked hard to streamline the processes of discovering new holidays, tracking movable holidays, etc., but when I get right down to it, the Holiday Whiz takes up time that I could put to better use. I need to focus on projects that will better benefit my husband, my daughter, my blog dog, and my own self. In the words of the productivity guru, Peter Drucker, "Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all."

Perhaps I'll revive the Holiday Whiz again in the future, perhaps not. Feel free to search the Holiday Whiz archives for general holiday information from years past - but be aware that some holidays change dates from year to year. Please check my sidebar on the right for a list of other holiday sites.

Thank you, once again, for sharing so many celebrations with me over the past few years.

All my best,

Carolyn Brooks Fleming
The Holiday Whiz

Tax Day, That Sucks Day, Titanic Remembrance Day, more

April 15th, 2014, is Tax Day, Take a Wild Guess Day, National That Sucks Day, Rubber Eraser Day, Palindrome Day, National Library Workers Day, McDonald's Day, Jackie Robinson Day, Titanic Remembrance Day, and National Glazed Ham Day.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you have until midnight tonight to get that envelope postmarked. Be aware, however, that only some post offices will be open late. Have a happy Tax Day!

Today is Take a Wild Guess Day, although I wouldn't recommend taking a guess when filling out your income tax return.

National That Sucks Day is so named because, as mentioned above, U.S. income taxes are due on this date. Also, today marks the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the sinking of the Titanic. Bad karma, to say the least.

On this date in 1770, the rubber eraser was invented. Clean up your errors mistakes on Rubber Eraser Day!

If you're a regular reader, you won't be surprised to learn that today, 4-15-14, is another Palindrome Day.

National Library Workers Day is your opportunity to thank the hard-working people at your favorite library. Consider, for a moment, how lucky we are to have public libraries, bursting with great literature, how-to books, computers, and more. Priceless.

McDonald's Day commemorates the day when the first franchised McDonald's opened in Des Plaines, llinois. Now they're everywhere. As an exchange student in 1980, I was surprised to discover that the German McDonald's offered tartar sauce instead of ketchup and they also served beer.

Jackie Robinson Day honors the man who broke baseball's color barrier.

On this date in 1912 the Titanic sank, after striking an iceberg. Titanic Remembrance Day honors the lives that were lost. A memorial voyage set off on April 10th, 2012, exactly one hundred years after the original ill-fated voyage.

On National Glazed Ham Day, enjoy a lovely ham dinner with all the fixin's. Believe it or not, Coca-Cola (or Dr. Pepper) makes an incredible ham glaze. I learned this from Frank O. Pinion, a well-known radio personality in St. Louis, Missouri.

Click to view all blog posts!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Palindrome Day, Passover, more

April 14th, 2014, is Palindrome Day, Passover, Reach As High As You Can Day, National Look Up at the Sky Day, International Moment of Laughter Day, Ex-Spouse's Day, Pan American Day, Children with Alopecia Day, and National Pecan Day.

4-14-14 is yet another Palindrome Day, when the date is the same forward or backward. 

The Jewish Holiday Passover, or Pesach, begins at sunset today and continues through nightfall of April 22nd. Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. 

Telescope. Image: Idea go; FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Dream big - today is Reach As High As You Can Day. Literally, stretch as far as you can. Figuratively, stretch your creativity. Feels great both ways, right?

On National Look Up at the Sky Day, take time to appreciate the wonders of the heavens. This year, the holiday coincides with a full moon and lunar eclipse! See my separate post.

I've advised my daughter to marry someone who can make her laugh, because laughter makes the tough times easier. Find many, many moments to laugh today, in honor of International Moment of Laughter Day.

I'm so happy to be exempt from celebrating this holiday, Ex-Spouse's Day. If the day has meaning for you, please try to find some peace and common ground, especially if you have children with your ex.

Pan American Day commemorates the date in 1890 when twenty-four American nations agreed to unite in one continental community.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss on the head and body. Learn how you can help on Children with Alopecia Day.

On National Pecan Day, have some pecans. The healthiest way, of course, is to eat your pecans as Mother Nature made them. The decadent way, which I love, is to eat your pecans in the fabulous dessert known as pecan pie.

Click to view all blog posts!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

April 2014 full moon and total lunar eclipse

Full moon. Image: morgueFile.

The full moon for April 2014 takes place on April 14th or 15th, depending on your location. In addition, this full moon features a total lunar eclipse.

Following is a list of full moon names for April, ranging from common to surprising. Which names speak to you?

Sugar Maker Moon - Abenaki
Egg Moon - Algonquin
Full Fish Moon = Algonquin
Full Pink Moon - Algonquin
Full Sprouting Grass Moon - Algonquin
Indian Corn Moon - Algonquin
When They Set Indian Corn - Algonquin
Broken Snowshoe Moon - Anishnaabe
Big Leaves Moon - Apache
Moon of the Big Leaves - Apache
Ice Breaking in the River - Arapaho
Frog Moon - Assiniboine
Growing Moon - Celtic
Egg Moon - Cherokee
Flower Moon - Cherokee
Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs - Cheyenne
Peony Moon - Chinese
Wildcat Moon - Choctaw
Planter's Moon - Colonial American
New Spring Moon - Comanche
Gray Goose Month - Cree
Leaves Appear Moon - Cree
Big Spring Moon - Creek
Moon When Geese Return in Scattered Formation - Dakotah Sioux
Rain Moon - Deborean
Seed Moon - English Medieval
Migratory Geese Moon - Haida
Chaitra Purnima - Hindu
Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
Month of Windbreak - Hopi
Kriblalikvik - Inuit
Time for Pounding Camas - Kalapuya
Bashch'atsishe daawaatra - Keresan
Leaf Moon - Kiowa
"Ipos" Gathering - Klamath
Ring Finger (counting on fingers, beginning with thumb in August) - Klamath
Halanyimcep - Kumeyaay
Black Oaks Tassel - Maidu
Grass Moon - Maidu
Moon of the Breaking Up of the Ice - Mandan-Hidatsa
Budding Time - Mohawk
Big Spring Month - Muscokee
Strawberry Moon - Natchez
Egg Moon - Native American
Full Fish Moon - Native American
Full Pink Moon - Native American
Full Sprouting Grass Moon - Native American
Big Plant Moon - Navajo
Awakening Moon - Neo Pagan
Spring Moon - Passamaquoddy
The Strong Month (When the Trees Begin to Bloom) -  Pima
The Yellow Month - Pima
Flowers Moon - Pomo
Leaf Split Moon - San Juan
Half Moon - Shawnee
Melting Moon - Shoshoni
Bak - Sinhala
Moon of Greening Grass - Sioux
Moon of Red Grass Appearing - Sioux
Ashes Moon - Taos
Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs - Tlingit
Wattsuwim Muattsi - Tumpisa
Hare Moon - UnknownSeed Moon - Unknown Wind Moon - Wiccan
Planting Corn Moon - Winnebago
The 8th Moon - Wishram
Sewa Meecha - Yaqui
Big Summer Moon - Yuchi
Great Sand Storm Moon - Zuni

Sources for full moon names:

More about the moon:

Click to view all blog posts!

Palindrome Day, Scrabble Day, Beauty Peace Day, more

April 13th, 2014, is Palindrome Day, Palm Sunday, Orthodox Palm Sunday, International Plant Appreciation Day, National Scrabble Day, Baisakhi, Beauty Peace Day, National Ask an Atheist Day, Thomas Jefferson Day, and National Peach Cobbler Day.

Today is yet another Palindrome Day in our series - 4-13-14.

On Palm Sunday, worshippers wave palm branches to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Palm Sunday one week before Orthodox Easter.  

Do you talk to your plants? On International Plant Appreciation Day, celebrate by admiring plants, eating plants, or growing plants. Oh, and just breathe the air, oxygenated by plants.

Today is National Scrabble Day. Do you play small words strategically or aim for the eight-letter blitz?

Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of Vaisakh in the Indian solar calendar.

On Beauty Peace Day, ladies, go out and about without makeup. Show off your inner glow!

National Ask an Atheist Day is meant to promote friendly dialogue between atheists and people of faith about atheism and secular matters.

On this date we celebrate Thomas Jefferson Day, honoring the third President of the United States.

Run, don't walk, to your local farmer's market or fresh produce store and stock up on sweet, juicy peaches. Today is National Peach Cobbler Day.

Click to view all blog posts!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Walk On Your Wild Side Day, D.E.A.R. Day, more

April 12th, 2014, is Palindrome Day, Lazarus Saturday, Walk On Your Wild Side Day, Russian Cosmonaut Day, International Day of Human Space Flight, D.E.A.R. Day, Drop Everything and Read Day, Big Wind Day, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, and Licorice Day.

4-12-14 is yet another Palindrome Day.

Lazarus Saturday is observed by the Greek Orthodox Church on the Saturday before Holy Week. 

Be just a little bit daring today, in honor of Walk On Your Wild Side Day. Then report back if you dare!

Russian Cosmonaut Day honors Yuri Gargarin, the first man to experience space travel. His flight took place in 1961.The holiday is known around the world as International Day of Human Space Flight.

D.E.A.R. Day is also known as Drop Everything And Read Day. Please don't celebrate literally, but make time to include the joy of reading in your day.

Big Wind Day commemorates this date, back in 1934, when weather surveyors at Mount Washington in New Hampshire, USA, recorded the highest wind velocity ever measured on Earth. The wind measured 231 miles per hour.

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day is a great opportunity to enjoy a childhood favorite. Add a gourmet touch with a sophisticated cheese and whole-grain bread. Or just go retro and enjoy processed cheese slices on squishy white bread.

You either like licorice or you don't. If you do, celebrate Licorice Day! BONUS TIP: Fennel seed, which has a hint of licorice flavor, helps to make ground turkey taste like Italian sausage.

Click to view all blog posts!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Teach Your Children to Save Day, Cheese Fondue Day, more

April 11th, 2014, is Palindrome Day, Teach Your Children to Save Day, Day of Silence, Global Youth Service Day, Eight Track Tape Day, International Louie Louie Day, National Pet Day, Barbershop Quartet Day, World Parkinson's Disease Day, and National Cheese Fondue Day.  

Today brings the second Palindrome Day in our consecutive series, which runs from 4-10-14 through 4-19-14. Celebrate how you will, number geeks!

There's no better hedge against bad luck or a tough economy than having a nest egg. Teach Your Children to Save Day is the perfect time to explain that to your kids. Lead them by example!
 
The Day of Silence, founded in 1996, is a day when students join together, taking a vow of silence to draw attention to "the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools."
 
Global Youth Service Day is actually a three-day event, running from April 11th to April 13th this year. Young people from the ages of five to twenty-five the world over participate. Check here to see the participation ranking of your state or country.

Were you listening to music in 1964? If so, you're old enough to celebrate Eight Track Tape Day. Although, come to think of it, is there much to celebrate? Eight track tapes broke songs up in the middle and the players clunked every time they changed tracks. Memories!

Are you a member of the LLAMAS? Do you know what comes after "Three nights and days I sail the sea?" Are you a Louie fanatic? If so, raise a glass for International Louie Louie Day!

On National Pet Day, remember - "Adopt! Don't Shop!" We followed that motto when we adopted our Lhasa Apso, Shimmer. She's the Official Blog Dog of The Holiday Whiz.

Hey, Sweet Adeline, today is Barbershop Quartet Day! These days, barbershop has evolved into such things as techno acapella. Check out the incredible Pentatonix (which consists of five people, but who's counting):


Wear a red rose today in support of World Parkinson's Disease Day. Take time to learn more about this neurological disorder and support those who are afflicted.

National Cheese Fondue Day is the day to head to the Melting Pot restaurant nearest you for a cheesy gift.

Click to view all blog posts!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Palindrome Day, Encourage a Young Writer Day, more

April 10th, 2014, is Palindrome Day, National Alcohol Screening Day, Encourage a Young Writer Day, Siblings Day, Salvation Army Founder's Day, Golfer's Day, ASPCA Day, National Farm Animals Day, and National Cinnamon Crescent Roll Day.

Palindrome Day is here again! A palindrome is a word, phrase, or sentence that's spelled the same way forward or backward - "Do geese see God?" for example. Today's date is a numerical palindrome - 4-10-2014. This is your special day, wordsmiths and math geeks!

On National Alcohol Screening Day, college students are invited to learn more about unhealthy drinking habits and receive confidential alcohol screenings.

Encourage a Young Writer Day is a fine time to plant a seed for the future. Have a real conversation with the talented little ones in your life. Ask about their short stories, poems, journals, and blogs.
I'm an only child and so is my daughter, but if you have brothers or sisters, please do something nice for them on Siblings Day.

During the cold holiday season I admire the bell-ringers, wishing everyone a good day, asking passers-by to drop some coins in their red kettles. Thank you, Salvation Army, for everything you do. Salvation Army Founder's Day is always observed on April 10th, to honor founder William Booth.

Enjoy Golfer's Day on the green or on the Golf Channel.

On ASPCA Day, "go orange for animals!"

On National Farm Animals Day, take a moment to learn more about the plight of slaughter animals. Consider a veggie sandwich rather than ham.

Just thinking about cinnamon rolls, can't you smell that special aroma? Enjoy National Cinnamon Crescent Roll Day.

Click to view all blog posts!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Name Yourself Day, Cherish an Antique Day, more

April 9th, 2014, is Youth Homelessness Matters Day, Name Yourself Day, National Cherish an Antique Day, Jenkins' Ear Day, Winston Churchill Day, Bataan Day, Baghdad Liberation Day, National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day, Appomattox Day, and National Cheese Chinese Almond Cookie Day.

To raise awareness on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, Australians are asked to "Go without your bed for the 26,000 young people who don't have one." This is an excellent message for the world, to find a way to help homeless youth.

Name Yourself Day is your opportunity to express yourself. Try on a pseudonym and don't answer to your usual name. If someone feels snubbed, you can explain tomorrow.

On National Cherish an Antique Day, display your heirloom furniture, family jewelry, or yellowing books. Alternatively, call a friend who's older than you and razz them about their age.

On this date in 1743 a Spanish crew attacked a British ship, cutting off the ear of  master mariner Robert Jenkins. Years later Jenkins told his story and presented his detached ear to the House of Commons, inspiring a declaration of war against Spain. Thus, today is Jenkins' Ear Day.

Winston Churchill Day commemorates the day in 1963 when British Prime Minister Winston Churchill became an honorary citizen of the United States.

The Philippines observes Bataan Day, remembering the surrender of American and Filipino soldiers to the Japanese in 1942. Citizens retrace parts of the death march the prisoners endured.

Iraq observes Baghdad Liberation Day on April 9th.

April 9th is National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day. In 2010, President Barack Obama wrote: "America's former prisoners of war gave their freedom so that we can enjoy our own. We may never know the full extent of injuries received nor burdens borne by these heroes and their families, but neither shall we forget their selfless sacrifice and unshakeable resolve."

Appomattox Day commemorates the day in 1865 when Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army  accepted the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and the Confederates.

Today is National Chinese Almond Cookie Day. If you're always hungry an hour after eating Chinese food, add a few of these cookies to your meal.

Click to view all blog posts!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Equal Pay Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, more

April 8th, 2014, is Equal Pay Day, Free Cone Day, Be Kind to Lawyers Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, All Is Ours Day, Hanamatsuri Flower Festival, and National Empanada Day. 

Wear red on Equal Pay Day, to promote equal pay for equal work.

Today only, from noon until 8:00 in the evening, visit your local Ben and Jerry's for free ice cream or Greek Frozen Yogurt! Celebrate Free Cone Day!

You either like lawyers or you don't. Today is Be Kind to Lawyers Day. How will you celebrate?

Gather your art supplies - today is Draw a Picture of a Bird Day.

All Is Ours Day may take on a spiritual tone for some people today, but really, if all is ours, where will we keep it? Consider this great line by comedian Steven Wright: "I have the world's largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world... perhaps you've seen it."

Japan celebrates the Hanamatsuri Flower Festival to honor Sakyamuni Buddha on his birthday.

Visit your favorite Mexican restaurant or concoct your own filled pastries on National Empanada Day. Lavesta at Months of Edible Celebrations recommends filling them with leftovers - brilliant!

Click to view all blog posts!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Snailpapers Day, No Housework Day, more

April 7th, 2014, is International Snailpapers Day, International Beaver Day, Metric System Day, National No Housework Day, Beer Is Back Day, Legal Beer Day, 3.2 Day, Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide, World Health Day, and National Coffee Cake Day.

International Snailpapers Day celebrates the survival (so far) of print newspapers. If you're reading this blog, though, you're part of the getting-your-news-online problem. Thanks, I think! Just for old time's sake, consider picking up an actual newspaper from a newsstand.

I almost forgot that today is International Beaver Day. Dam!

Metric System Day promotes a system of measurement that's much more logical than the avoirdupois system and other customary units we use in the United States. When I'm president, we'll change that!

National No Housework Day is self-explanatory. Just don't do any housework.

While you're busy not doing any housework, have a beer! Beer Is Back Day commemorates the end of Prohibition in the United States, for 3.2 beer anyway. The holiday is also known as  Legal Beer Day or 3.2 Day.

Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide reminds us all of a terrible time in the history of Rwanda, 1994, when 800,000 people were murdered.

World Health Day commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. The theme for 2014 is "small bite, big threat."

What's for breakfast (or dessert)? Well, today is National Coffee Cake Day, so enjoy your favorite coffee cake, whether crumbly, fruit-filled, or topped with nuts. Delicious with a cup of coffee, as the name implies.

Click to view all blog posts!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

New Beer's Day, Plan Your Epitaph Day, Tartan Day, more

April 6th, 2014, is INew Beer's Eve, Plan Your Epitaph Day, Drowsy Driver Awareness Day, Tartan Day, National Student Athlete Day, Army Day, and National Caramel Popcorn Day. 

New Beer's Eve commemorates the feeling of excitement many experienced on the last day of Prohibition in 1930, the eve of the day when the beer trucks would start rolling.

For those whose tastes lean toward the darker side, Plan Your Epitaph Day is a welcome change from holidays of cheer and encouragement. Here are some famous epitaphs and  amusing epitaphs for your inspiration.

California observes Drowsy Driver Awareness Day every year on March 6th. The rest of us should follow their example. Drowsy drivers are a public danger, comparable with drunk drivers.

National Tartan Day honors the contributions people of Scottish descent have made, throughout the history of the United States.

2014 marks the 27th annual National Student Athlete Day. Show some appreciation for the athletes in your life, and encourage young people to be physically active.

April 6th is Army Day in the United States, as proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942.

Sweet and salty snacks are so satisfying. Enjoy a much beloved flavor combo on National Caramel Popcorn Day.

Click to view all blog posts!

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Pillow Fight Day, Deep Dish Pizza Day, more

April 5th, 2014, is International Pillow Fight Day, Tangible Karma Day, National Love Our Children Day, National Read a Road Map Day, Go for Broke Day, National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Raisin and Spice Bar Day, and National Caramel Day.

In 2008, the first Worldwide Pillow Fight Day included the first international flash mob. The event, now known as International Pillow Fight Day, features pillow fights all across the globe. Feathers will fly!

The first Saturday in April is Tangible Karma Day. What kind of karma will pillow fighting get you, do you suppose? The founders of Tangible Karma Day ask everyone - groups and individuals - to set aside an hour today to "purposefully become aware of the needs of those they are in contact with and actively do something to help fulfill those needs." Who could argue with such a sentiment?

The first Saturday in April is National Love Our Children Day, sponsored by Love Our Children USA as a part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

National Read a Road Map Day takes me back to childhood, when phones were attached to the walls and music came on vinyl records. There is a certain charm to planning your route on paper, tracking it with a highlighter. Try it sometime, instead of using your GPS. [Insert obligatory joke about map-folding here.]

On Go for Broke Day, take a risk, put some money on the line, but not more than you can afford.

National Deep Dish Pizza Day makes me think of Chicago, home of deep dish pizza. Have some, if you love it - I'm a St. Louis thin-crust pizza kinda gal.

National Raisin and Spice Bar Day is a very specific food holiday. Somehow, raisin and spice seems more appropriate for fall than spring, but to each his own!

National Caramel Day celebrates a delicious guilty pleasure, fairly easy to make at home.

Click to view all blog posts!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Walk to Work Day, Walk Around Things Day, more

April 4th, 2014, is Walk to Work Day, Walk Around Things Day, Tell a Lie Day, Hug a Newsman Day, Hug an Anchor Day, World Rat Day, Bonza Bottler Day, International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, Victims of Violence Wholly Day, School Librarian Day, Independence Day (Senegal), National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day, and Chocolate Milk Powder Day.   

The first Friday in April is National Walk to Work Day, which coincides this year with Walk Around Things Day. Happy navigating!

Walk Around Things Day is a good time to avoid tricky situations, unwelcome conversations, and holes in the floor. Walk tall, walk proud!

If there's a difficult person you can't walk around today, keep in mind it's Tell a Lie Day. Take advantage of this "permission" to be less than forthcoming.

On Hug a Newsman Day, also known as Hug an Anchor Day, don't violate your favorite journalist's space! A simple letter of admiration or a kind word will suffice!

Are you looking for a pet the neighbors won't like? They'll probably stay away if they know you're harboring rats. Do what you must on World Rat Day.

Bonza Bottler Day comes once a month, when the month and date are represented by the same number. Celebrate on 4/4!

On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes, "The United Nations has a proud record of helping millions of people in mine-affected countries. On this International Day, let us resolve to mobilize the resources, partners and resolve we need to further advance our vision of a planet free from mines."

Victims of Violence Wholly Day is one of three Days of Respect which honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with Humanitarian Day and Dream Day Quest and Jubilee. Dr. King was assassinated on this date in 1968.

Show some appreciation for the professional who helps you find the coolest books in school on School Librarian Day.

Senegal observes Independence Day on this date.

Are you in the mood for something decadent, cheesy, and French? Ooh la la - today is National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day.

Chocolate milk probably isn't compatible with chicken cordon bleu, but please enjoy a chocolaty beverage or pudding at some point on Chocolate Milk Powder Day.

Click to view all blog posts!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

World Party Day, Find a Rainbow Day, more

April 3rd, 2014, is Don't Go to Work Unless It's Fun Day, World Party Day, Find a Rainbow Day, Tweed Day, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, National Day of Hope, and Chocolate Mousse Day.

Today is Don't Go to Work Unless It's Fun Day. Consider carefully before observing this holiday! Even if your job isn't the most enjoyable, keep in mind that getting a paycheck is lotsa fun.

Wooooo Hooooo.....what a geat day to skip work! Today is World Party Day! And yet, this holiday has a deeper, noble purpose - promoting world peace. Who am I to argue with that?

Groooovy...... see the rainbows floating all around? Today happens to be Find a Rainbow Day.

Tweed Day isn't about fashion. It's the birth date of Boss Tweed, a man renowned for political corruption. Not sure how - or if - this day should be celebrated.

After a day of partying, skipping work, enjoying free ice cream, and chasing rainbows, relax with a sweet dessert in honor of Chocolate Mousse Day. Let the sugar rush continue!

Click to view all blog posts!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Great Lovers Day, Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, more

April 2nd, 2014, is Great Lovers Day, Reconciliation Day, Tater Day, International Children's Book Day, National Ferret Day, World Autism Awareness Day, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, National Day of Hope, and National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.

On Great Lovers Day, enjoy my Top Ten Romantic Movie Quotes! Once inspired, get romantic with the one you love.

Reconciliation Day is a golden opportunity to reach out to someone you love - that someone who causes you to feel a pang of regret whenever you hear their name. Let bygones be bygones! You'll both be happier; your lives will be enriched.

International Children's Book Day is meant to foster a love of books in young people. Help your children explore new worlds and develop a rewarding life-long habit.

National Ferret Day celebrates all things ferret. That's great - just not in my house!

World Autism Awareness Day is designed to rasie both funds and awareness about autism, a condition that affects approximately 1 in 88 American children.

The first Wednesday in April is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. Paraprofessionals assist in schools by tutoring, translating, and providing other important services.

The first Wednesday in April is also the National Day of Hope. Do your part to bring hope to the lives of abused children.

Have a classic brown-bag-lunch staple on National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Your personality can shine through in your choice of jelly!

Click to view all blog posts!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

April Fool's Day, Palindrome Day, more

April 1st, 2014, is April Fool's Day, Palindrome Day, International Edible Book Festival, Sorry Charlie Day, Reading Is Funny Day, Saint Stupid's Day, Poetry and the Creative Mind Day, Fun at Work Day, Tatting Day, Athiest Day, Independence Day (Iran), National Lupus Alert Day, and National Sourdough Bread Day.   

Look out - whoopie cushions might be in your future today. Someone might tell you your zipper is down, or that you missed an important meeting. Grin and bear it, or plot your revenge, because today is April Fool's Day.

Palindrome Day is here again! A palindrome is a word, phrase, or sentence that's spelled the same way forward or backward - "Do geese see God?" for example. Today's date is a numerical palindrome - 4-1-14. This is your special day, wordsmiths and math geeks!

April 1st is the birth date of Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. He wrote Physiologie du gout, a celebrated book about food. Combine April Fool's Day with a love of food and books, and the result is the International Edible Book Festival. Impress your loved ones by concocting an edible tome!

Sorry Charlie Day honors the one and only Charlie the Tuna, of StarKist fame. Why he's so eager to be eaten, I can't imagine. That would be a matter for a fish therapist.

Teach your children that reading is not only fun, but sometimes even funny! Visit your library for a great selection of riddle and joke books on Reading Is Funny Day.

2014 brings the 36th Annual Saint Stupid's Day Parade in San Francisco. If you're in the area and not too stupid to find your way, have a happy Saint Stupid's Day.

Let your imagination soar on Poetry and the Creative Mind Day. Feel free to share your work in the Comments section below!

Some say April 1st is Fun at Work Day; others say the holiday occurs on January 25th, January 28th, or January 29th. So have some fun today - but not too much fun.

Try your hand at a retro craft - lacemaking - on International Tatting Day.

Ironically or intentionally, April Fool's Day is also Athiest Day. (Insert your own joke or snide comment here, if you must.) No matter what deity, if any, each of us may embrace, we share the same small blue planet. Our creator, if any, would most likely be pleased if we somehow learn to live in peace.

Iran observes Independence Day on this date.

On National Lupus Alert Day, everyone is encouraged to take the Lupus Quiz. Lupus, which is difficult to diagnose, causes the immune system to attack healthy body tissue.

If you're not feeling too foolish to get near an oven, bake up a loaf of goodness on National Sourdough Bread Day.

Click to view all blog posts!

Holiday Whiz readers are from:

Albania, Algeria, Anguilla, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus. Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia [FYROM], Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia

If you're from somewhere else, please say "Hello" in the Comments!