medicinal??

Once again thanks to my west coast brother who knows what I like, I learned that today is "World Chocolate Day."  Beyond national or international, chocolate definitely deserves a 'world' day.  For me dark chocolate is the very best, but I know there are some milk chocolate lovers out there.

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I think it's interesting that in the Harry Potter novels chocolate is used to make people feel better after run ins with dementors and other types of evil.  Interesting but not surprising.  I know it can make me feel better.

Right now, for example, I am eating a large chunk of dark chocolate as I write this, in hopes that it will lessen the despair I am feeling after being beaten by 27 points in Scrabble this evening.  

I think it's beginning to work but perhaps I will need another piece or maybe two.  Happily chocolate is one of the things we always keep on hand. 

stay alert please

Today, according to my west coast brother, is "National Air Traffic Control Day."  I, for one, am delighted to honor our air traffic controllers.  I had a friend some time ago whose husband was an air traffic controller, or to give him his correct title, an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS).  He worked at Fort Wayne International Airport and found the job very stressful.  I can't imagine if he had worked at Atlanta's airport.  

My wonder spouse used to fly his own plane and I know he agrees with me about the importance of good air traffic controllers. He has flown in and out of many of the major airports in the US and I'm pretty sure he would not have wanted to fly in or our of any of those cities without the help of air traffic controllers.

So the next time you're flying anywhere think good thoughts about those men and women who are choreographing  your takeoffs and landings.

PS today is "International Kissing Day."  My spouse and I agree that after a safe landing is a great time for an international kiss.

a new record?

 My west coast brother told me that today is "International Cherry Pit Spitting Day."  I guess Independence Day was a tough act to follow.

 Not to brag but I once spit a cherry pit over 90 feet.  I believe that might be a world record.  I should check with Guinness (the records people, not the beer people).  Of course I was living in a tenth floor apartment at the time.  Don't worry, I made sure no one was standing below my balcony.

That's it.  That's all I have for the day after the 4th.  I hope you all are enjoying this long weekend.

On a more serious note, today was my oldest brother's birthday.  He died in 2020, an early victim of Covid.  I loved him dearly and I miss him.

The glorious 4th

 Happy Independence Day everyone.  The USA is 249 years old today. It's a day to enjoy picnics, patriotic music and fireworks.  The fireworks are going off all around my neighborhood as I write this.  But most of all, I think it's a day to appreciate that the booms and bangs we are hearing are only fireworks.  When we look up we see bright showers of sparkly colors, not bombs dropping.

It may not be perfect. Nothing ever is, but we are so fortunate to live in this great country of ours.  

Enjoy the fun everyone, and remember to count your blessings.

our great accomplishment...

 A couple of months ago, we think sometime in May, my spouse and I decided, after success with a 500 piece puzzle, that we would tackle a 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  The main reason was because it was here.  Someone had obviously given it to one of us at some time.  We don't know who.  

Well today we finally finished it and here's the proof.

We actually had a lot of fun and good together time.  We listened to audio books or music or watched TV as we worked on it.  And yes, if you're wondering, I'm sure we will tackle another puzzle later this year, but never, never, never a 2,000 piece puzzle.  

By the way, this one can be easily disassembled, boxed and handed on to whoever would like to try it next.  Any takers?

write it down...

 My west coast brother informed me that today is "Made in the USA Day," "World UFO Day" and "I Forgot Day."  My spouse and I celebrated by eating bread and cookies from our favorite Amish bakery, definitely made in the USA, agreeing that neither of us has ever seen a UFO that wasn't ultimately identified.  Thanks to our "Birds of Indiana" book that we keep on the kitchen table most of the flying objects seen from our kitchen windows can be identified.  

These days I try not to forget things by making lists and putting everything on our shared phone calendar. It works most of the time.

But when I think about the phrase "I forgot..." it takes me back to the years when I was teaching and then raising children of my own and eventually helping with grandchildren.  Of course my children and grands were practically perfect, but everybody slips up sometime.

"I forgot my homework." "I forgot to bring that book home."  "I forgot to turn in my assignment."  "I forgot I have to make a shoebox diorama for history class." "I forgot we need to bring in popsicle sticks for an art project." "I forgot to bring my gym clothes home to be washed." "I forgot my boots." "I forgot to tell you I told the teacher that we will take care of the gerbil this summer. Here he is. His name is Rex." "I forgot, I'm supposed to bring cookies for the class picnic tomorrow."   

And my all-time favorite "I forgot I have a science fair project due tomorrow."  

Memories like these make me perfectly satisfied to be beyond the child care years.

yummy...

Once again my west coast brother has inspired me.  He told me that today is "National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day." What a great day.  I know there are lots of great flavors out there so instead of dreaming up my own I decided to research some creative choices.

Here are some I found when I Googled unusual ice cream flavors:  black sesame, durian (a fruit I had never heard of) wasabi, balsamic strawberry, Earl Gray, cheese ice cream, honey lavender, avocado ice cream, sweet corn ice cream, and dill pickle (pregnant women might love that one).  Lobster ice cream is considered the most unusual.  

I think I'll stick with mint chocolate chip.