Father-In-Law Day, a July 30 holiday, honors your loving, funny, and cheerful father-in-law. Okay, so perhaps sometimes he is a little grumpy and intimidating. Regardless of his personality and charms, this day is dedicated to your spouse’s Dad. And, he certainly deserves a little recognition.

Important note: If you gave your Father-In-Law recognition on Father’s Day, it’s okay to give him a little recognition and a show of appreciation today, too.

A day to honor Dad. NO. Rather, it is a day to enjoy time with Dad and appreciate all he does for you. What Dad really wants is healthy, happy and successful kids. And, he wants you to spend a few moments with him on Father’s Day. Today’s life style is busy for both dads and kids. So, a little time with dad on Father’s Day is just what he wants.

A Father is more than the biological paternal source of our being. It is the person who cares and provides for us. It is the man who helps to set the standards, the family values and the example. So, add to this group, step fathers and other men who willingly and eagerly accept and cherish the role. Whether biological, adopted or informally, if they are the father figure to you, give him some recognition today and don’t hesitate to call him “Dad”.

Remember all those famous quotes and sayings dad had when you were growing up? See Dadism’s

The Autumnal equinox signals the official beginning of Fall. It is the point where there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness at the equator. If you live anywhere else, however, you will see a little bit more or a little bit less than 12 hours of daylight. The daylight hours are dwindling and will continue to do so until we reach the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the start of winter.

In ancient times, the Autumn Equinox was cause for a variety of pagan festivals, among them the celebration of the birth of Mabon, the son of Mordon, the Goddess of the earth.

It is also a time to celebrate with a variety of Fall and Harvest Festivals. People enjoy fall festivals as they sense the closure of a great summer season and the coming of a long winter. The fall festivals are the last of the great outdoor events until spring. Just getting there is half the fun as you drive through hills and forests ablaze in fall color. So, get out and enjoy them.

Speaking of Fall festivals, the Pumpkin Festivals and weigh-offs are among the best and biggest. Find more on Pumpkin Festivals.

By the way, you will find it interesting that in the pagan sites you surf through, they talk about altars and sacrifices to the gods. In the literal definition, pagans do not believe in God. Hmmm……..

Leif Erikson Day, an October 9 holiday, gives recognition to the first European to set foot on North American soil. Christopher Columbus didn’t arrive in the New World until 500 years later. There is no dispute about this event in an of the history books. Historians have been able to put this together based on records at the time. However, Leif Erikson made no maps of his journey. And, physical evidence of his travels is scarce.

How’s that Spelled!?: In some writings, his first name is spelled Leif, Leifur, or Leiv. His last name is sometimes spelled as Erikson, Ericson, Ericsson, or Ericksson.

Around 1002 A.D., Leif Erikson sailed to North America from his home in Greenland. He went in search of land seen(but not visited) by a Norse Sea Captain. During the voyage, he landed in several places. The landings were never documented on a map. It is believed he landed along the coast of New Foundland, and perhaps as far south as near Cape Cod. Erikson and his men spent the winter in North America. They built a large house for lodging, and a shed to shelter the boat over the long winter.

Setting off from Greenland, Erikson and his companions explored all the way down to what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts. These Norsemen left little trace of their explorations. Importantly, they never made permanent settlements. Just imagine how significantly, history would have changed, if these Northern Europeans had made permanent settlements and populated some of the New World.

Leif Erikson never returned to further explore North America. Several explorers, including his brother, traveled to North America. His brother was killed by Indians.

International Day for the Elderls is today. Also called the International Day of Older Persons, this October 1 holiday is dedicated to honoring, respecting, and caring for the world’s elderly. Unfortunately, they are sometimes forgotten. They may need support in some way. Most of all, they just need a little of your time and attention. So, give an elderly person that you know some of your time and care. Remember, someday you hope to be included in this group!

In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st as the International Day for the Elderly, also known as the “International Day for Older Persons”. The holiday is the result of the UN World Assembly on Aging. Formed in 1982, this organization seeks ways to explore and tend to the needs of the elderly in the world.

Did you Know? According to the United Nations, “one of every 10 persons is now 60 years or older. By the year 2050, one of five will be 60 years or older; by 2150, it will be one of three persons”.

Eid ul-Adha is a Muslim holiday beginning on the tenth day of the Islamic month, the month of Hajj The first 10 days of the month are special times of religious prayer and recitation. Then, on the tenth day, the four-day holiday of Eid al-Adha begins. It is a time for prayer and sacrifice, but not a time for fasting.

This June 17 holiday will change your life for the better. Strategically created in the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, this day is the perfect opportunity to re-introduce a healthy portion of veggies into your diet. No doubt about it, Eat Your Vegetables Day exists to promote a healthier diet…….for life! So, plan to eat veggies today, and every day. And when you do, you are certain to have a happy Eat Your Vegetables Day!!

On this day, we encourage you to eat veggies at every meal, and a snack. Better still, try to be a vegetarian….for the day. Short of that, any additional vegetables at meal time today will honor the event, as well as make you a little healthier.

We encourage parents to let the kids help with dinner, preparing the salad and vegetables. Along the way, you tell your kids a little about the importance of vegetables for long and healthy life.

Happy Eat Your Vegetables Day!

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the “Father of Earth Day”, initiated and promoted eco-friendly environmental actions and activities beginning in 1962. He convinced then President John F. Kennedy to tour the nation in support of environmental concerns. This initial effort did not spark national concern at a political level to effect change.

 But Senator Nelson continued his pursuit of increased environmental concern and action. He proposed a National Earth Day in 1970. It was to be the first nationwide environmental protest “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda”. On April 22, 1970, the timing was right and the first Earth Day protest received astounding support.

On that first Earth Day, an estimated 20 million Americans took to the street in support of the environment and in protest of harmful environmental practices. Never mind that “protests” were in vogue at the time. This effort produced a lasting impact on the environment and brought about greater awareness that our planet had limited resources and that our ecosystem was self-contained and finite. The things we are putting in the air, water, and earth were impacting us.

Did you know? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed as a direct result of the first Earth Day in 1970.

Important Note: The Earth Day celebrated in the U.S. is different from yet related to International Earth Day.

International Earth Day exists to bring awareness to the inhabitants of our planet of our responsibility to care for it This care includes environmental and natural resources. Everyone needs to take an active role, big or small, in preserving the earth and its resources.  John McConnell, of Davis City, Iowa founded International Earth Day. In September 1969, he proposed the establishment of Earth Day to the San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors. After approval, he gained support from many others, including then UN General Secretary, U Thant.

In 1970, McConnell wrote an Earth Day Proclamation which was ultimately signed by UN Secretary-General U Thant on March 21, 1971.

This day is also called Sun-Earth Day. This holiday is an annual, worldwide celebration.

Important Note: International Earth Day is different from  U.S. Earth Day.

Listen, give me your ear, as today is Take it in the Ear Day, a December 8 holiday. This is a bizarre day of unknown origin. Our research found absolutely no documentation about the origin of this day. And, we have not uncovered any information around the meaning or purpose of this day. Yet, references to this day abound on bizarre and fun internet calendars.

Perhaps December 8 was without a holiday or day of celebration. Perhaps, someone created it because they were having a rough day. Or, maybe, just maybe, the word ear was misspelled. (We won’t go there)

Well, in any event, however and whatever you want to take to your ear…. we hope you thoroughly enjoy Take it in the Ear Day!!!