Build a Scarecrow Day is today. Build him and he will help to keep birds out of your garden… we hope.

When we first started research on this special day, we thought it should have been held in the fall. Our logic was that scarecrows are a big hit in decorating during the fall, and are associated with harvest scenes. But, then we realized the error in the logic…….

We build scarecrows to stand out in the garden through sunshine and rain to scare crows and other birds away. The crops are growing in the field during the summer months. So, if you’re going to build a scarecrow for your garden, the time is now. Hence, a July date.

Sometimes the scarecrow does his job quite effectively. The birds think someone is in the garden, and they stay away. Other times, they know better.  How can you tell that a bird is not scared by a scarecrow? When you see a bird resting upon a scarecrow, you can be pretty certain that the bird has not been fooled.

BTW: If you are having trouble with birds (or deer or bunnies) in your garden……… Check out Pest Control Methods

Today is Buffalo Soldiers Day, a July 28 holiday. This holiday honors black Americans who fought for the Union Army against the South in the Civil War. 

In 1862, the U.S. Congress passed the “Union Army and Military Act of 1862”. The Act allowed black Americans for the first time to fight during the Civil War. They fought for the Union Army. And, they did so admirably.

In 1866, the U.S. Congress passed the Army Organization Act. This law allowed black Americans to enlist in the military and fight for our country. The army formed a military unit comprised of Black Americans. It included black soldiers who fought for the Union army in the Civil War, ex-slaves, and freemen. They served with pride and distinguished themselves for their bravery and fearlessness. These ferocious warriors served in the 9th and 10th Cavalry, as well as in other units. They fought in the Indian Wars and distinguished themselves. Native Americans feared them and nicknamed them Buffalo Soldiers. It is believed that either the Cheyenne or Comanche gave them this nickname for their fierce and fearless performance in the wars. While their performance on the battlefield was remarkable, they suffered from racism.

Did You Know? Buffalo Soldiers went on to fight side by side with Teddy Roosevelt and his Roughriders in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. 

They had two notable mottoes. They are: “We Can, We Will”, and “Ready and Forward”. Buffalo soldiers lived up to these mottoes.

What a beautiful summer day. There’s no place you’d rather be, than out in a sunny field picking your favorite fruit. The blueberry harvest begins in early to mid-July. So, it should come as no surprise, that Pick Blueberry Day is today, a July 10 holiday.

Native to North America, blueberries are delicious, healthy, and nutritious. Over 90% of all blueberries are grown in North America. The U.S. is the world’s largest producer. In 2021, the U.S. harvested a total of 660 million pounds of cultivated and wild blueberries. North American natives called them “Star Berries’, as the blossom end has five points resembling a star.

From a health standpoint, everyone should eat plenty of these plump, blue fruits. They contain the highest level of antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables. They are high in fiber, too. These little berries can have a huge, positive impact on your health. Medicinal benefits include improved memory and brain health, fights or helps to control, Alzheimer’s, and certain cancers, promote heart health, and much more.

Did You Know? Native Americans used blueberry juice for persistent coughs, and for good eyesight.

Today is National Blueberry Day, a July 8 holiday. Flavorful blueberries are one of the most popular fruits and the healthiest that you can eat. Just about every other fruit has its day of recognition. Yet somehow Blueberries have not had a day designated in their honor… up until now.

We think it is bizarre, that Blueberries have just now received its fair and just recognition with a special day. In addition to tasting great, Blueberries are loaded with fiber and rich in antioxidants. Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. The most notable health benefits of blueberries include: helping lower cholesterol to promote heart health, reducing the risk of cancer, and can even help to slow the aging process.

Celebrate this very special day, by eating blueberries for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Make plans to incorporate blueberries into your regular menu planning. You can also celebrate National Blueberry Day by planting a couple of blueberry bushes in your yard. How to Grow Blueberry Bushes

Did You Know? Most blueberry bushes require at least two bushes of different varieties, to pollinate and produce berries.

Today is Body Painting Day, a July 8 holiday. It is also called NYC Body Painting Day, as it originated in New York City. This holiday celebrates the serious work of art and self-expression. Of painting on a nude or largely nude, live human body. Consider the art of body painting. First of all, while it is partially about nudity, it is not about sexuality. It is a 3-D artwork and a form of self-expression and body acceptance, that cannot be captured on a two-dimensional canvas. And, unlike a stone statue, body art captures a unique, live, and moving picture, that cannot be expressed in a piece of stone, no matter how good the artist is. 

New York City artist Andy Golub is the founder and promoter. Golub started the art of body painting on the streets of New York City in 2007. For this first public, non-commercial event, Golub used models in g-strings. In 2011, he used totally nude models, both male, and female, for the first time. The models are ordinary people, not professional models. Along the way, Golub was arrested, but ultimately charges were dropped, as this art was proven to be legal under the Constitution, and a legal expression of art, just like any painting or sculpture you will see on the streets of Rome, or in an art museum.

Body Painting has spread in popularity. Among the cities formally holding an annual Body Painting Day are: Amsterdam (2015), San Francisco (2016), and Berlin (2017) 

Other forms of artistic self-expression include body piercings and tattoos.  

Today is National Blueberry Muffins Day, a July 11 holiday. Now here is a special day you can sink your teeth into. Blueberry Muffins are one of America’s favorite muffins. And, the blueberry harvest is occurring right now!

European settlers brought with them a recipe for “Bilberry Muffins”. Bilberries were not to be found in the New World. Wild blueberries, native to the Americas, were both plentiful and delicious. The wild blueberries were substituted for Bilberries, and the Blueberry Muffin recipe was born.

Did You Know? Native Americans called blueberries “star berries”.

In addition to tasting delicious, blueberries are very healthy for you. They are one of the best foods you can eat. Blueberries can help fight or avoid many ailments, including cancer, and dementia, promote heart health, and much, much more.

BTW: Three of the past four days have a special day with something to do with blueberries. Yet, the creator is not known in any of them. Perhaps, one blueberry-loving person created all three days!?

Have a happy and healthy National Blueberry Muffin Day!

Calling all Geeks. Today is your day. It is Embrace Your Geekness Day, a July 13 holiday. It is a great day to be a Geek. Or, to know one.

A geek is an individual who is highly intelligent, brainy, and technically oriented. Geeks are at home in the world of computers, and computer systems. A geek is usually formal, studious, and into his or her technical environment, often to the exclusion of all else. 

A geek is closely related to a “Nerd”. However, a nerd may or may not possess technical expertise. Some people view the term “Geek” with a negative connotation. Are they jealous of your knowledge and skills? We certainly think so.

Enjoy Embrace Your Geekness Day to the fullest. Spend plenty of time with your computer. Talk computer lingo and jargon. If you are a geek, stand tall and proud. Isn’t it great to be so brilliant and gifted!?

Today is Be a Dork Day, a July 15 holiday. If you are a dork, stand up, be counted, and be proud. If you are not currently a dork, it’s your chance to be one, if only for a day. We are not sure why you would choose to be a dork today or any day. But, if you are so inclined, go for it and certainly enjoy this day along with all it has to offer.

Not sure you want to be a dork? I don’t know about you, but it’s quite alright if you leave me out of this group. The adjectives used to describe a dork include awkward, clumsy, goofy, odd, out of touch, ridiculous, silly, and social misfit. I’m sure we missed a few attributes, but you get the picture.

What a Dork is not: A dork is not a nerd or a geek. Nerds and geeks have a higher IQ, and while quirky, they are held to a higher level of esteem.

 Bastille Day commemorates modern France and French democracy. This July 14 holiday is a French holiday. But, you can celebrate it, too. Celebrate it like you would celebrate the Fourth of July.

Bastille Day symbolizes the end of the constitutional monarchy, and the beginning of the democratic republic of France. To Frenchmen, Bastille Day is viewed as their liberation.

Bastille Day is actually called Fete de la Federation. In France, it is a holiday that is celebrated with military parades.

Happy Bastille Day and “Vive la France!”

Aunts and Uncles Day, a July 26 holiday, honors a very special pair of relatives. They are your mom and dad’s brothers and sisters.  They are also great role models, somone you look up to. We hope you have a lot of Aunts and Uncles. The more, the merrier.

Our Aunts and Uncles mean a lot to us. Among other things, they are most likely:

• The backup caretaker when mom and dad go out or are at work.
• Real characters at family get-togethers and events.
• Someone we can talk to and relate to. Some things we just can talk about with “parental units”.
• Sound counsel and advice.
• Someone who takes you to fun places and events.
• Someone whose house is a great place to sleep over, especially if you have cousins.
• The ones who give you great presents for birthdays, Christmas, and special events.
• And, the benefits of Aunts and Uncles go on, and on, and on, and………

Celebrate Aunt and Uncles Day by spending time with them.