Mischief Night is today, errrr tonight! This October 30 holiday falls on the night before Halloween. This night is a warm-up to Halloween night. It is an evening when people traditionally participate in harmless (please) mischief. We stress harmless or innocent mischief. Regardless of what you do tonight, it must be something that does not cause damage or trouble. Other forms of mischief can lead to big trouble. Even seemingly harmless mischief can be the source of problems.

This night is discouraged by law enforcement organizations. The mischief is sometimes less than funny and can even lead to vandalism or destruction.

Important: We neither encourage nor endorse participation in this day. Why risk getting in trouble??

Have a happy, safe, and harmless Mischief Night.

National Mincemeat Day, an October 26 holiday, celebrates a sweet and tasty meat treat. For those of us that have had it before, we can revel in the great taste. For those of us who have never heard of mincemeat, don’t you think today would be a good time to try it!?

Mincemeat dates back to medieval times. It was a way to preserve food. It was also a treat, mixed with sweet fruits. Somewhere in the last half of the 1900s, it lost its popularity. A whole generation has grown up, not knowing what it is, or having ever tasted it. Today, it is most often served as Minced Meat Pie. Over the years, the amount of meat in the recipes was reduced. In older recipes, you will find meat and/or suet among the ingredients. In more modern recipes, it contains little or no meat and is largely a fruity pie. It remains a traditional pie at Thanksgiving for many families.

So, just what is mincemeat? It is a mixture of minced (or chopped up) meats, suet, and fruits.  The meat is usually beef, either ground up or sirloin. Fruits include raisins, apple pears, and others. Sometimes liquor is added, most commonly brandy or rum.

Moldy Cheese Day is today, an October 9 holiday. Do you have any moldy cheese in your refrigerator? Do you need to have moldy cheese to celebrate this day? And, if you have any, what would you do with it today? Perhaps you’d use it for a cheese mold!?

Every once in a while, we come across a special day that has no apparent rhyme or reason. Today is one of those days. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate this wonderful(?) and special holiday. Au contrare……. scour through the refrigerators at home and work today for moldy cheese. Office refrigerators are a great place to find moldy stuff. See if that moldy piece of cheese is salvageable. And, just enjoy the day.

If you find moldy cheese, take a slice off each side. The insides could still be good.

Did you Know? Mold is common in cheese. It’s part of what gives a particular cheese flavor and character. For example, the blue stuff in Blu Cheese is mold.  

What’s for dinner? I know, let’s have a meatloaf dinner tonight! It’s time to celebrate National Meatloaf Appreciation Day, an October 18 holiday. This humble, if not healthy entree, has a special day all to its own. I betcha can’t wait to make a it and serve it to your family. Meatloaf is a budget-friendly meal, that can use just about any meat. Hamburger is by far the most popular. Some recipes call for pork, veal, turkey, or even deer and other game meat. Use whatever suits your family’s tastes.

Meatloaf is the culinary butt of many jokes. However, we feel it deserves both a lot of respect and certainly a day of recognition and celebration. It may not be the healthiest meal you can eat, but it sure tastes good. And it helps to stretch the family food budget, too. In times of high inflation, more and more people turn to this low-cost meal.

Did You Know? The Performer Meat Loaf’s most prized possession is his rubber duckie collection.

Mad Hatter Day, an October 6 holiday, is a great day to be silly and celebrate silliness. He is a fictional cartoon character depicted in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Hatter is always acting silly and perhaps a little crazy. So, on this day it is only fair and fitting to act a little silly yourself.  

Despite being a silly day, the selection of the date was actually quite logical. The Mad Hatter wears a top hat. On the front of the hat is a slip of paper with “10/6” written on it. The paper is believed to be an order to make the hat, and that it costs ten shillings sixpence. Hence, this is an October 6 holiday.

Now, go grab yourself a top hat and have a very silly Mad Hatter’s Day!

Did You Know? During the 8th Century, mercury was used in hat making in a process called “carroting”. Mercury poisoning drove some hatters crazy (mad).

It’s My Party Day is today, an October 11 holiday. Pull out all of the stops. Spare no expense. Let’s have a grand celebration. Do you really need a reason to have a huge gala? Me neither, so let’s get this party started!

What a great opportunity to have some fun. So, get into a festive mood, as we’re going to celebrate all day, and all night. You can make it simple, or elaborate. Invite family and friends. Being mid-October, a Fall or Halloween theme is in order.

Did you Know? Teen star Lesley Gore sang the #1 pop music song It’s My Party in May 1963. At the time, Lesley was just 16.

Life is too short. So, let’s party on into the night!

Many of the October holidays center around Halloween and pumpkin themes. However, there’s ample room on the October calendar for plenty of holidays and observances celebrating or commemorating other subjects and topics. International Skeptics Day is one of these important and special days. Today is a day to celebrate and be skeptical. It’s the perfect day for you…the “Doubting Thomas”.

Perhaps the earth isn’t round!? Maybe, the sky isn’t truly blue!? Does he(she) love me!? ……..These are the words and questions of the classical skeptic.

 By definition, a skeptic is a person who questions or doubts facts and theories. He, or she, is a misbeliever. A skeptic does not accept the “Given”. If you are inclined to doubt things that you see or hear, then International Skeptics Day is for you. If you practice a little, I’m sure we can make a good skeptic out of you. Go ahead, give it a try. And, what better day to practice skepticism, than  International Skeptics Day?

The first Doubting Thomas was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles. Thomas refuse to believe that Jesus rose from the dead without actually touching his wounds.  

International Walk to School Day is the perfect opportunity to step up and follow the theme of the day. Skip the bus to school today. Instead, put your sneakers on and hike on over to your school. By the time you arrive, you will be a little healthier and wide awake, ready to focus on classes. Encourage your friends to join you in the walk, and you will arrive before you know it.

Walking has many, many advantages. The exercise is easy to do, and great for your health. Walking is easy on your muscles and joints. It’s the perfect “stay in shape” or “get in shape” exercise, enjoyed by almost everybody. Walking is invigorating and wakes you up naturally so you’re ready for the day ahead. Walking on the way home from school is a natural way to decompress from the stress and pressures of the day. It is environmentally friendly, too. If more people routinely walk to school (or work or the store), the air we breathe will be cleaner, and greenhouse gases will be reduced.

The goal of International Walk to School Day is to encourage students to get more exercise, by walking instead of riding the bus, or in a car. In addition, the organizers of this day seek to bring awareness of the need for safe, walkable routes to school and within the community.  

Now that you’ve walked to and from school for one day, don’t stop there. Walk to and from school every day, when the weather allows. You’ll be glad you did!

Song of the Day: “These Boots are Made for Walking”, sung by Nancy Sinatra.

International Day of the Girl Child, an October 11 holiday, is today. Attaining women’s rights and equality has been a long struggle around the world. In many parts of the world, women continue to be oppressed in many ways. As a result, today’s special day brings attention specifically to young girls. A key objective during this day is to draw attention to the challenges girls face. Putting the spotlight on the many problems should help to overcome them. Today also serves as a voice toward true equality. It also encourages and empowers girls to seek rights and equality. One of the early goals of this day has been to end arranged child marriages. While it may be hard for Americans and modern nations to believe, child marriages continue unabated to this day.

Today is International Coffee Day, an October 1 holiday. This day celebrates one of the world’s favorite hot beverages, which is enjoyed and celebrated around the world. Call it what you like: coffee, Java, a cup of Joe, or any of dozens of names. Billions of people around the world drink billions of cups of coffee daily.

Coffee Day and National Coffee Day – Up until now, dates have varied widely across dozens or more countries. International Coffee Day replaces these prior events.

Can’t wake up and be alert without your first cup of Java? You’re not alone. It is estimated that 88.8 gallons of coffee are consumed annually per capita. This author suspects he consumes a whole lot more than the average Joe. How about you!?

Did You Know? On a per capita consumption basis, you may be surprised to know the U.S. is not the top coffee-drinking country, not even close. Depending upon what survey you read, the U.S. ranks between 22 -25. Who is the top coffee-consuming country? Finland.

Origin of International Coffee Day – Eliminating the Confusion

At a meeting on March 3-7, 2014, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) created International Coffee Day and established October 1 as the date to celebrate coffee around the world. The first International Coffee Day was held on October 1, 2015. This allows people and countries around the world to celebrate coffee on the same day.