National Jelly Bean Day, an April 22 holiday, is a time to enjoy gobs and gobs of jelly beans. Anyone who loves jelly beans, knows they are not just for Easter. Sure, they are very popular at Easter. The Easter Bunny knows to put them into Easter baskets. But, they are also enjoyed year-round. The flavors are limited only by the imagination of candy makers. If you’ve never enjoyed the multitude of flavors in a box of gourmet jelly beans, we suggest you head right out to the store and buy some.

Jelly beans date back to at least the 1860s. Advertisements promoted sending jelly beans to Union troops fighting in the Civil War. The original candy maker is unknown.

Do you know how to celebrate National Jelly Bean Day? We thought so!

National Garlic Day, an April 19 holiday, promotes the many uses of Garlic. And, there certainly are many uses. It’s a vegetable. It’s an herb. It is used in recipes around the world. Native to Asia, garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years. And, Garlic is believed to ward off evil spirits. What’s Halloween without a strand of garlic around your neck, to keep the vampires away?

About the only negative thing you can say about garlic is that it can negatively affect an otherwise romantic evening. And, that’s not a problem, if the both of you eat garlic. To counter the effects of garlic breath, make sure to have plenty of breath mints handy.

Zip it or unzip it, for today is National Zipper Day, an April 29 holiday. Zippety Doo Dah, ain’t that great!

Did you ever stop to think about where we’d be without the zipper? We’d be wasting countless minutes every day, using buttons, hooks, clasps, and string ties to open and close our clothing, luggage, and a variety of other items. With the advent of the zipper, one quick zip and your clothes are quickly and comfortably opened or closed.

Thankfully, the zipper was invented in 1851 by Elias Howe. On April 29, 1851, Howe applied for a patent for the “Continuous Clothing Closure”.  Strangely, Howe never marketed it. In 1893, Whitcomb Judson started the Universal Fastener Company and began selling the “Clasp Locker”. It debuted at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and initially received only moderate success. In 1913, Gideon Sundback, a Swedish electrical engineer and scientist invented and marketed the modern zipper, only it had not yet begun to be called the zipper. It wasn’t until 1923 that B.F. Goodrich coined the term “zipper”.

 To this day, metal zippers are by far the most popular fastener. The strength and durability of the metal zipper far surpasses that of plastic zippers. That’s not to say plastic zippers are a little used. For example, plastic zip-lock food bags are extremely popular.

 Velcro versus the Zipper   Velcro, the “hook and loop” fastener, was invented in the 1940s. It is very popular for a wide variety of uses. Some thought that velcro would make the zipper obsolete. This wasn’t to be. Zippers are stronger and more durable. While velcro is a great fastener, it is noisy and can get clogged with dirt, dust, and hair. Hence the military is not overly fond of it in combat situations.

Spring is in the air. It’s time to go outside for some fresh air and a little exercise. Most Americans do not get enough exercise. That makes today the perfect day to get outside and take a walk or a hike on National Walking Day.

National Walking Day was created by the American Heart Association to remind people about the health benefits of walking. The goal of this special day is also used to encourage us to begin, maintain, or expand the healthy habit of regular walks.

We think National Walking Day is a very special event. We hope you get hooked on walking regularly. It can launch you into a new and healthier lifestyle.

We only wonder why this special event was set up in mid-week when most people have work, school, and extracurricular activities pulling them away from taking a walk. But, when you think of it, if you can begin the habit of walking during your busy week, then walking on the weekend, when there are countless walkathons will be a cinch.

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to walk for at least 30 minutes a day. If you are new at it or in poor health, start with just a short walk. For the average person, set your sites on a 30-minute walk today. For the very experienced walkers or runners, make it a goal to walk 10% over your normal walk.

Today’s Motto: Walk as if your health depends upon it… it does.”

Tip: You will find that walking with another person or in groups, will make for a pleasurable walk, and the time will fly by.

National Tartan Day celebrates Scottish heritage and the distinct “tartan” pattern, which is commonly seen in clothing and many other items. When we see this tartan pattern, we think of Scotland, bagpipes, kilts, and other things “Scottish”. On this day in day in 1320, the Scottish Declaration of Independence was signed. You can see people in this attire playing the bagpipes at parades, funerals and many other celebrations.

Let’s Celebrate! You can do so, by watching or participating in a parade. New York City and many other cities hold Tartan Day parades. You can also listen to Scottish bagpipes. Perhaps the most fun of all is dressing in a Kilt. (Is it true what they don’t wear under there!?)

Did You Know? The United States Declaration of Independence was modeled after the Scottish Declaration of Independence.

Raisins deserve to have their day to dry in the warm sun. That day has arrived. It is National Raisin Day. Why raisins are so popular, that one advertiser has dancing raisins in their commercials. Hit songs have been written with raisins and grapes in mind. And, at least one movie has our beloved raisin in its title. Among other things, use this holiday to learn how to make raisins.

Raisins are popularly eaten by themselves as a snack, or as an important ingredient in a wide range of culinary recipes and treats. Healthy, nutritious, and packed with energy, raisins are a basic ingredient for trail mix. They are in cereals, cookies, muffins, and cakes. Sprinkle a few raisins in your salad. You will find raisins in both candy and energy bars. Raisins are in some puddings, too. The list goes on and on.

Humans have been drying grapes in the sun to make raisins for thousands of years. It is believed the practice started around 2,000B.C. in ancient Egypt and Persia.

While many of us love our raisins, not too many people have tried their hand at converting a grape into a raisin. It’s easier than you think. Why don’t you celebrate National Raisin Day by trying your hand at drying grapes into raisins? It makes for a fun school project, or at home with the kids.

Song of the Day: “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”

 Movie of the Day: “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961)

According to Colleen Paige, the creator of National Pet Day, this April 11 holiday event celebrates “the special relationship between humans and pets, and the joy pets bring to our lives”. It also raises awareness, of the plight of all types of animal pets awaiting rescue and/or a permanent home. Maybe, that home will be yours!

Today is a day for both of you. Undoubtedly, there is a special bond between humans and pets. We’re talking about any and all pets. There is a mutually beneficial relationship, for both you and your pet. As you feed, care for, and love your pet, you will gain your pet’s loyalty and mutual affection. It’s hard to be lonely when a pet is at your side. A pet has a way of lifting your spirits. It often knows when you are sick, sad, or worried. Your pet may try to offer comfort or sympathy.

Taking on a rescue animal is a great way to celebrate this day. Rescue animals are defined as any animal that is living in poor conditions, is abandoned, or is abused. There is a huge joy and emotional reward, in taking on an animal in one of these conditions. You bring security, safety, and happiness to your new pet. He or she rewards you in many, many ways.

If you don’t have a pet, consider getting one from a shelter. If the opportunity arises, take on a rescue animal, if you can. 

National Pecan Day is a rather nutty day. This April 14 holiday is a day to celebrate and enjoy popular, tasty pecans. Of course, if you have a tree nut allergy, may want to skip celebrating this day. Instead, celebrate one of the other April 14 holidays.

Pecan trees are native to North America. Commercial growers of are very proud to be growing “America’s Nut Tree”.  Native Americans have cultivated the trees for their flavorful and nutritious nuts for over a thousand years. Even early European settlers first harvested nuts by foraging for them in the woods. By the 1770s, they were cultivated in gardens and orchards. Thomas Jefferson brought some pecan trees from the southern U.S. and planted them at his estate in Monticello. He gifted a tree to George Washington who planted it at his Mount Vernon estate on March 25, 1775. Over the next two hundred years or so, pecan trees have been planted on every continent except Antarctica.  

Well, aren’t we lucky!? Today is National Licorice Day. Licorice is one of the world’s favorite flavors. On this April 12 holiday, it is only fitting that we take a day to appreciate this great-tasting herb… that’s right, Licorice is an herb. Licorice has been used for foods and medicinally, since ancient times. It was found in King Tut’s tomb.

Licorice is best known for the candy that bears its name. But, it flavors many other things, including tea, many foods and desserts, alcohol, and even tobacco products. You will even find licorice in cosmetics. 

Did You Know? Anise and licorice have a similar taste. But, aside from a similar taste there is no relation.

Since ancient times, licorice has been used medicinally around the world, for a wide range of ailments. For this reason alone, licorice earns the right to have a special day of recognition. Medicinal uses include:  It is a natural laxative, relieves menstrual cramps and discomfort of menopause, relieves pain and discomfort from ulcers, is good for the adrenal gland, and cancer treatments for the breast and prostate. It even lowers the effect of aging on the brain.

So, you think you found a fun day to hang out with your friends, did you? Wrong!!! National Hanging Out Day, an April 19 holiday, is about having fun hanging your laundry out to dry. Now that you know what this day is for, you’re probably thinking “I’ve been tricked (Yes, you have). This holiday should be titled “National Hang Your Laundry Day”. You are absolutely right on both accounts. We believe that the creator of this day was using word play, to have some fun on our account.

 Did You Know? Electric and gas clothes dryers consume 5.8% of residential energy consumption.

National Hanging Out Day was created by Project Laundry List as a protest against local laws banning the hanging of clothes outdoors on an “ugly clothesline”. It was created to encourage people to dry their clothes, indoors or out on clothesline, and to fight for the right to do so. Project Laundry List also encourages and promotes the use of washing your laundry in cold water, for energy and environmental reasons.

For the Record:

• The earliest clothes dryers were in England and France in the 1800s.
• Early clothes dryers were called “ventilators”.
• George T. Sampson of Dayton Ohio patented the first clothes dryer on June 7, 1892. It had a rack and used heat from a stove.
• In 1955, only 10% of U.S. households had a clothes dryer, as they were too expensive for most families.
• The average household does 4-5 loads of laundry per week.
• Some communities ban hanging clothes out to dry.