For the Polish culture, Easter is the highest holy day of the church year. After all, it is a celebration of Christ rising from the dead, and our promise of eternal life in Heaven. The Polish Blessed Breakfast on Easter morning is a very special event. After fasting for 40 days during lent, the enormous breakfast is an inviting feast, that’s certain to put back on some of the weight loss in fasting.

But first, let’s dial back to the day before… Holy Saturday. On the morning of Holy Saturday, families fill a basket with portions of items for serving at the breakfast on Easter morning. This includes bread, meats, eggs, sweet bread, and more. It even includes salt, pepper, butter and horseradish, and wine. Yes, breakfast includes wine!

In Christian churches with large Polish communities, there is a special Holy Saturday morning ceremony. If you have never attended, it is a sight to behold. Just prior to the ceremony the church is abuzz with cheerful conversation and laughter. After all, the long Lenten season is past, and the celebration of tomorrow’s Easter  is truly something to put you in a celebratory mood. In addition, outside of the church walls, spring is breaking out all over. As the ceremony is about to begin, the participants open all of the items in their baskets, in preparation for their being blessed. The pleasant aroma is all but overwhelming.

The ceremony is relatively short. A priest says a few prayers and blesses the baskets with holy water. Upon completion of the ceremony, the congregation re-wraps the food and takes the now-blessed basket home.

Polar Bear Day, a February 27 holiday, celebrates the world’s largest carnivore. These hardy bears can grow up to nine feet tall when standing and 1400 pounds. They are a favorite at zoos around the country. Polar bears live in the North Pole region and are native to Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia.  They also live in Antarctica.

Need some ideas on how to celebrate today?  Tops on my list are visiting the local zoo to see live polar bears. Teachers like to use this day to teach about polar bears and other bears, as kids are fascinated with all kinds of bears. Also, check the nature channels on cable TV. The networks often pick up on holidays like today and run documentaries.

Did you Know? It is believed that all polar bears are left-handed. See Left Hander’s Day

The Polar Bear Boy Scouts and other groups hold this event at summer camps. First thing every morning at camp (and before breakfast), they go down to the lake and jump in the water for a swim. If they complete the swim every day while at camp, they receive a certificate.

I’ll bet you’re tickled purple, that today is Plum Pudding Day. It’s your chance to eat some of this pudding. Doesn’t this make you happy!?! You must admit, if it wasn’t Plum Pudding Day, you probably wouldn’t even think about it, let alone eat some. And, that’s a shame. They are sweet tasting and healthy for you. Plums have a high level of antioxidants, soluble fiber, and vitamin C.

Participating in this holiday might take a little work. You will find vanilla and chocolate pudding on store shelves. You’ll find banana and tapioca pudding, too. Unfortunately, we do not believe there is a packaged plum pudding on the market. That means you get the joy of finding a recipe and some fresh plums in the middle of February and making it from scratch. You can also seek out a restaurant that serves it. Tip: call and check before you go.

This tasty fruit is popular in Chinese and Asian cuisine. It is entirely possible that this day originated either in Asia or by someone enjoying a Chinese plum pudding for dessert.

Did You Know? The plum tree is one of the few trees that grow around the world.

“Shoot! I don’t have a Pistol Patent.” If this thought is going through your mind right now, then this day is for you. You should aim to get a patent today. But first, rifle through your desk to find documentation about the gun you want to your patent and blueprints of it. Why you ask!? Simply because today is Pistol Patent Day, a February 25 holiday.

To get a pistol patent, you must have a new design for a gun. Pull out your pistols from your locked gun safe, and examine them closely. Is there some way they could be improved, or altered? I’m sure you can quickly whip up an original design for a pistol, and lay down the permit application fees and such, right? If not, how can you participate in this day? …. Absolutely! Celebrate your right to bear arms.

Americans have always owned arms. In early American history, guns were a necessity to hunt for food as well as protection. Back in the days of the Old West, everyone was “packing”, including many of the ladies. When we think of Pistol Patent Day, we think about the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This amendment provides Americans with the “right to bear arms”. It also reminds us of the National Rifle Association (NRA), an organization that staunchly supports gun rights. It is a huge issue in America today with strong emotions on both sides of the issue.

Did you Know? Samuel Colt invented the revolver, a pistol with multiple chambers for bullets.  He patented this gun in Europe in 1835, and in the United States in 1836.

National Pistachio Day is a nutty day. You can celebrate this February 26 holiday by eating them and learning more about them. We’re going to help with the learning part…….. read on.

Nutty Pistachio Facts:

• Pistachios grow on trees. They are native to the Middle East.
• It’s a long wait to get the first nut. A pistachio tree takes 7-10 years to mature.
• California is the major producer in the U.S.
• Pistachios are harvested in September by machines that shake the trees. It less than a minute.
• The red dye added to the nuts is only due to consumer demand for the color.
• Its open hull is unique. The nut is ripe when the hull splits open.
•  People in the Middle East call it the “smiling nut” and in China, its called the “happy nut”.
• Pistachios are nutritious, so eat them up!

Did You Know? A business case in the early 2000s considered whether it was economical to sort out unopened nuts and ship them to China so low-cost workers there can saw a slit in the nuts. Then, they would be back to the United States for sale. The business case found it too expensive.

Celebrate today by eating Pistachios. They are great plain as a snack, in ice cream, and a wide range of desserts.

Today is Polish Paczki Day. The Paczkek has been around for a long time. It was created in the Middle Ages when the King of Poland brought French chefs into his castle to make pastries for Shrove Week. Shrove Week began on Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, and the start of Lent. The week ended on Fat Tuesday, the Day before Ash Wednesday. This super sweet treat became instantly popular in Poland, and it almost immediately became a tradition to eat Paczki on Fat Thursday in Poland. Fat Thursday soon became also known as Paczki Day.

How to pronounce it: Punch-Key

Did You Know? The largest Paczki Day celebration is held in Buffalo, NY., complete with a parade.

National Organ Donor Day encourages people to sign up to donate their organs. It may save a life. As a matter of fact, one person who donates his organs can save up to 8 lives! On this February 14 holiday, we encourage you to officially become an organ donor. We also encourage you to become a tissue donor. Doing so helps to improve the lives of others.

Let’s talk about your untimely death. Sure, it is uncomfortable to think of our own death, especially an early one. But, if it was to happen, you could save other lives. You are giving the gift of life to other people. So, please consider seriously signing up to donate your organs and tissue.

Open That Bottle Night is one of the few special events, that is proclaimed as an evening event. This means that you can begin to celebrate at 5:00 pm. Now, as I recall, “It’s five o’clock somewhere!!”Importantly, don’t drink alone. Enjoy a glass or two with friends, or that special someone. It’s certain to be a fun night. It will be a fun night.

Open That Bottle Night has a very special purpose. Dorothy Gaither and John Becher created this day to encourage people to reconnect with each other over a good bottle of wine or champagne. Short of that, a bottle of Scotch or Bourbon will certainly suffice. But importantly, it is not a day to drink alone or to binge drink. Rather, you should open a bottle with your spouse, lover, family members, or good friends, especially those whom you may have lost touch with over the years. Having a spat with someone? Share a bottle of wine with them and iron out those differences. After all, life is too short to argue or fight.

Tonight’s Slogan: Live Simply, Laugh Often, and Wine a lot!

Important: Please drink responsibly. And, if you do drink, don’t drive.

No Brainer Day -Now this day February 27 holiday is for me! Someone certainly was using her brain, when she created this special day. It’s a day for easy and logical decisions. We all know the old saying “never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Well, follow this saying for the no-brainers you encounter today.  s for the difficult issues, you make the call.

By definition, a “No brainer” is doing something that is simple, easy, obvious, and/or totally logical. Therefore, today is the day for you to do all those “no-brainer” tasks and activities. If a project requires thinking, study, or analysis of any kind, then it’s not a chore to do today.

Some people think that Christmas should be every day of the year. They even sing that theme in popular holiday songs. But, we think that No Brainer Day should be every day of the year.  

If you simply use your brain, you’ll quickly get the hang of the concept of the day. And, we’re certain you will excel at No Brainer Day!

Thought for Today: A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Isn’t it about time somebody said …. “Give it a rest!!” After all the angst, bitterness, and negativity of recent elections, and the protests over the installation of newly elected officials at just about all levels, normal Americans have had it with both politicians, and the political rancor. Isn’t it time to take a break from politics? I think one thing we all can agree upon, is that a break from politics would be refreshing, if only for a day. So, therefore, No Politics Day, a February 1 holiday, is just what the politicians called for. 

No Politics Day means no political activities and no political statements of any kind whatsoever…. no Facebook or Twitter posts, no discussions or debates, and no sharing or spreading political articles, comics, or other materials. And, certainly, no fake news today. The news media should also participate in this special day. We have little faith that the media will comply, as all the negativity sells TV, radio, and print ads. 

It was quickly decided not to make this a national day, as that would require an act of congress or a presidential proclamation. There is no way politicians would do this, without a whole lot of political lobbying. And, could you imagine any politician voting for no politics, even if only for a day?

So, let’s all celebrate this refreshing and relaxing day. There will be plenty of time for politics tomorrow.

Deep Thought for Today: It is rather ironic to realize that a successful No Politics Day would be a political victory!