Today is National Chrysanthemum Day. The holiday is over one thousand years old. This September 9 holiday originated in Japan in 910. It is also called the “Festival of Happiness”. The festival celebrates their love of this beautiful, long-lasting flower. Unquestionably, the flower is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. You can find it on pictures, statues, and artwork all over the country. Chrysanthemums are a symbol of the Imperial House of Japan. And, it is on the Imperial Emblem. You will find it on Japanese passports, too. 

If you love flowers, then you’ll love chrysanthemums. The flower is a Fall favorite in the United States, too. So, this is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty of this bright and cheerful hardy flower. However, the holiday is not yet widely known and celebrated here in the U.S. Let’s change that. Add this holiday to your September calendar and take time to fully enjoy it.

The Japanese word for Chrysanthemum is “Kiku”. The holiday is also called The Festival of Happiness. Certainly, the bright blooms make people happy and put a smile on their faces. During the festival, it is customary to drink sake with chrysanthemum petals in it. And, people wipe chrysanthemum dew on their faces. Japanese believe the dew has healing powers.

Did You Know? Mums are hardy annuals. They overwinter successfully in most areas of the United States. If you have them in containers during the Fall season, plant them in the ground before the ground freezes. 

Pierce Your Ears Day is today. It is a fun day for all of us. That’s right, nowadays it is fashionable for both gals and guys to get their ears pierced. So, there’s no excuses. Everyone can participate. People of all ages can do it, too. On this September 2 holiday, you can start on the road to a new and more attractive you. C’mon, be brave and go get your ears pierced. It only hurts a little. And, then you can start your collection of earrings. You can make earrings and other bling from a wide variety of materials, including diamonds, precious gems, bones, feathers, and glass beads to name a few.  

For thousands of years, humans have worn earrings for a variety of reasons. Archeologists discovered a very old mummy wearing them. It dates to 3,000 B.C.! Historically, both men and women have worn them. Wearing earrings is always fashionable for women. Although, for men, wearing them goes in and out of style. However, during different eras, men have worn them for thousands of years. From the early to mid-1900s, they were out of style for men. For a time, people considered them unmanly. But, sailors wear them and there is nothing unmanly about sailors. Currently, they are in fashion for men. So guys, get in the act and get your ears pierced today!

If you already have an earring or two adorning each ear, that’s okay. Add another piercing to each ear. Of course, we won’t object if you do other body piercings today, too. Most importantly, for those of you who have not yet done so… What are you waiting for!?

Trekkie fans rejoice. Today is Star Trek Day, a September 8 holiday. On September 8, 1966, Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek premiered on television. With the airing of the first pilot, the episode titled “Man Trap” launched the creation of one of the greatest television and movie franchises in history. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. are among the most recognizable characters in the entertainment world. On this special day, we honor and celebrate the Star Trek franchise, the characters, and the actors.

Paramount Pictures Studio owns this long-lasting franchise. Surprisingly, the original series only lasted three years on television. But, its fame and popularity have endured and grown over several decades. In the Sci-Fi genre, only War Wars is more popular. However, Star Wars didn’t hit the big screen until 11 years after the first pilot of Star Trek: The Original Series aired on television.

Today is World Bamboo Day. Giant panda bears and their cousin the red panda are not the only admirers of this wonderful Asian plant. People love bamboo, too. Only, we humans use it for much more than for consumption. On this September 18 holiday, we celebrate bamboo and its many uses. If you do not know too much about bamboo, then you will be amazed at how many different ways we use it. Why, after reading this article, you just might try bamboo shoots at your next meal!  And by reading our Bamboo Trivia, you are well on the way to becoming a subject matter expert.

When we think of bamboo, we usually think of Asia, Japan, and the Far East where it is plentiful. But there are native varieties on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. While it is not native to Europe, it is now grown indoors and outdoors in most, if not all, countries in Europe.  Hence, that just leaves Antarctica. And who knows? Perhaps it is grown in a research station on that continent, too. The plant requires little sunlight. So, growing it indoors in Antarctica is not out of the question.

Everyone needs a little encouragement now and then. And, this is especially true for young people. This is exactly the reason why the National Day of Encouragement exists. We all constantly face challenges in our lives. Often, without encouragement, people are not incented or fired up to successfully meet them and reach for the stars. It’s so much easier to do something or reach a goal when people encourage you to succeed. This September 12 holiday nurtures a “Can Do” attitude. It encourages youth to excel, to accomplish their goals, and to be everything that they can be.

Words are a powerful tool. They can discourage people and be counter productive. More often than not, a discouraging word leads to failure or causes a person to not even try something exciting, yet challenging. Conversely, offering words of encouragement has powerful, positive results. Importantly, it creates a positive mindset. Obviously, a positive, highly productive attitude is what we want to instill in our children and the people around us. Without it, a young toddler will still learn to take that very first step. But it will take the child longer to do so. Without encouragement, a grade school student struggles to learn. Inspiring words can energize someone to great accomplishments. A cheering crowd at a High School basketball game is solid proof.

The original intent of this holiday was to offer encouragement to youth. Like all great holidays, and this is a great one, people often expand the goals and objectives of the holiday. While this holiday was originally intended to inspire youth, it now is a stimulus for people of all ages to excel. So, let’s use this holiday to challenge people to be all that they can be!

Do you have a few minutes today to enjoy a fun and sometimes challenging puzzle? Today is International Sudoku Day, a September 9 holiday. Like any other type of puzzle, you get to use your brain to solve it by filling in the missing blank spaces. Millions of people play Sudoku every day. You can find new puzzles in daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and puzzle books. Of course, nowadays there’s an App for that. Just look up “Sudoku” in the App Store and you will find several to choose from.

Solving Sudoku puzzles is a great leisure activity for a number of reasons. First, they are fun to solve. However, we must warn you that these logic puzzles can be addicting. Like any puzzle or game, playing Sudoku is relaxing, and solving them is rewarding. But, that’s not all. Games like Sudoku that challenge your mind is healthy for your brain. It keeps the mind sharp and active. And it is especially good for seniors.

We challenge you to challenge your mind. Play Sudoku today!

Break out your quesadilla maker. Today is National Quesadilla Day, or Dia de la Quesadilla. On this September 25 holiday, we celebrate and enjoy a truly culinary treat. It’s hard to believe today, but quesadillas were largely unknown in many parts of the United States just a hundred (or less) years ago. The ancient Aztecs knew they had a good thing many centuries before Europeans stepped foot in the New World. Aztec tribes in Mexico were the first to make corn tortillas.  It didn’t take them long to begin stuffing cheese and other things in between two of them. Today, almost all of us love this Mexican food staple and consume them often.

What’s for dinner tonight? Go Mexican or Tex-Mex. Make quesadillas for an appetizer, or your main course. There’s no wrong way to make them. So, bring out your quesadilla makers, and let’s eat! We just know quesadillas will have you dancing the Jarabe Tapatio, the national dance of Mexico. This dance is also called the “Mexican Hat Dance”.

We are certain you will have quesadillas as some point during the day. They are popular on Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day, and many other Mexican holidays. But, people enjoy them all year long.

Did You Know? Quesadilla in English is translated to “little cheesy thing”.

Is your life on “Cloud 9”? We hope you’re “livin’ the dream” as today is World Dream Day. If not, use this September 25 holiday to do something about it. According to the creator of this holiday, the goal is to “bring people together and to motivate us to have big dreams”. It also impresses upon us that we have the power to make all of our hopes and aspirations come true. Today is a perfect day to make plans for our future and to take steps to make those dreams come true. While you are doing these things today, share your hopes and aspirations with the special people in your life.

This holiday is also a time to reflect upon the dreams, and sometimes nightmares, you have when you’re asleep. But, do you even remember them? If not, it’s okay. Try as we might, most of us forget them upon awakening. In our sleep, our hopes and aspirations, along with our many fears, often play themselves out during REM sleep only to fade away as we open our eyes to a new day.

Most dreams occur at night in bed. But, they can come to us anywhere and anytime we fall asleep. You may have one while taking a catnap in front of the television or falling asleep at work. If you fall asleep at work, you’ll more likely experience a nightmare that the boss catches you snoozing on the job. You can also be daydreaming as you go about your busy day. This can be a pleasant experience, or you may find yourself bumping into a wall or other object. 

Song of the Day: What a Day for a Daydream by the Lovin Spoonful (1966)

Today is Breakfast in Bed Day. Start the day off right and don’t get up for breakfast. The object today’s holiday is to begin it in a casual and leisurely manner. It sets the tone for how you go about the entire day. Americans lead fast and hectic lives. And Saturdays are often the busiest of them all as we get the kids to and from sports programs, do grocery shopping, and attend to a myriad of chores at home. We are so busy most days that we might not even take the time for breakfast. We grab a cup of coffee and are on our way. This holiday is designed to slow it down for just one day to stop and smell the bacon.

On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, children often serve their parents breakfast in bed. Today everybody gets in the act. We suggest you begin by sleeping in a little. First, don’t set the alarm clock. Next, get someone to bring into your room a tray of pancakes and sausage or your favorite morning fare on a silver platter. If you live alone, quickly hop out of bed, grab a cup of coffee and some bagels or a donut. Then, hop back into bed and chow down.

World Gratitude Day, a September 21 holiday, is your opportunity to show your gratitude and appreciation. The United Nations Mediation Group created World Gratitude Day to express appreciation for the great things that individuals and groups do. This recognition is on a global basis. According to their website: “World Gratitude Day presents an award to someone who we feel has done something outstanding in the spirit of Globalism.” But, you do not have to have some huge global accomplishment. Rather, look for something that fits this description in your local area. 

The United Nations Mediation Group also suggests that you find something to be grateful for, and remember the feeling.

On a smaller scale, seek to give gratitude and appreciation to people in your life who have done good deeds. It could be something as simple as a “thank you” or a card of thanks to someone. Or, you could offer some type of certificate or plaque of appreciation from a group you belong to, for contributions from individuals inside or outside of your group.

When is the biggest day to express gratitude? Why, it’s of course Thanksgiving!

Happy World Gratitude Day!