Happy “National Vanilla Ice Cream Day” (if you’re reading this on July 23th).  It’s also “National Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day”, which sounds like a pretty good combination for a milkshake. 

Personally, I’m holding out for “National Internet Service is Fully Restored Day”.  It has been a full week now of an internet that has been working for random 10-minute intervals here and there or just plain non-existent.  The “repair estimates” have alternated from “soon” to “sometime on Saturday.”

Thank goodness for my cell phone and for being able to work from the office instead of home–though that does mean I’ll have to actually wear shoes and something other than yoga pants.

Ah well, this too shall pass.

Other than wishing for internet service so I can go back to randomly Googling things, I plan to work on perfecting my mixed-drink skills and take a shot at today’s writing prompt and random words after work today–though possibly not in that order.

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Happy “National Spinach Day” (if you’re reading this on July 16th).  It’s also “National Corn Fritter Day”, which is not quite so healthy, but they definitely something I remember loving when we had them on “Fish Fridays” when I was a kid.   

It’s also both “World Snake Day” and “Guinea Pig Appreciation Day”.  I’m guessing it might be best to celebrate those separately, just to be on the safe side.  

Frankly, I’m holding out for “National Lay Around the House Reading and Watching Television Day,” but I haven’t been able to find that on any list.  Instead, what I’ve found is a ToDo list that never seems to get any shorter; probably because I keep ignoring it.

Today’s another regular work day for me, so there’s not likely to be a great deal of celebrating to do.  On the plus side, a number of my co-workers are off on vacation, so it is at least likely to be a relatively quiet day.  Our crazy weather has been quite chilly this week (the heater even kicked in one morning!), so whatever I do, I’m not likely to wind up sweaty.  Well, except during my time on the elliptical.  After that I plan to work on perfecting my Gin & Tonic skills and to take a shot at today’s writing prompt and random words.

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Happy “World Kebab Day” (if you’re reading this on July 9th) as well as “National Sugar Cookie Day.”  Now if only there was something beverage-related on the list, you’d almost have a meal.  

Looking outside, it appears to be “Summer is Definitely Here” day.   After a few weeks of very temperate weather, Mother Nature has slowly been during up the heat these past few days.  Nothing like the blast-furnace temperatures that other places have been experiencing, but just enough to mark the end of some of the less hardy flowering potted plants that sit on my back deck. 

Apparently those “likes full sun” indicators on the pot labels were not completely accurate.  Time to move the remaining pots into the shade out under the trees for a bit and see how that goes.  I won’t be able to see them from my desk as I’m working (which is why they were on the deck), but at least they’ll still be alive.

Today’s a regular work day for me, with a dentist appointment this afternoon (ugh!), but somewhere along the line I definitely plan to spend some time on the elliptical and to take a shot at today’s writing prompt and random words.

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Happy “National Anisette Day” (if you’re reading this on July 2nd), which seems like a pretty odd thing to have a national day for.  On the other hand, yesterday was “National Gingersnap Day,” so the bar isn’t that high.

According to Wikiedia, July 2nd is also”

“. . . the first day of the second half of the year, as well as the midpoint of a common year because there are 182 days before and 182 days after it in common years. . . “

So there you go; stuck in the middle.  If the first half of the year hasn’t been quite what you planned, you have the whole second half to straighten things out.

As for me, I’ll be enjoying 5 whole days off of work and doing my best to make them all “Don’t Check Work Email” days.  Although other parts of the country seem to be close to bursting into flame, I am lucky enough to be in an area that has been beautiful and temperate for the past week.  I’m hoping that continues, since my plans include repotting a few plants and removing some “volunteer” shrubs before they take over the back hillside.

Whatever I wind up doing with my time off work, I definitely plan to spend some time on the elliptical (ugh!) and to take a shot at today’s writing prompt and random words.

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Happy “National Strawberry Parfait Day” (if you’re reading this on June 25th).  It’s also “National Catfish Day,” so if you fry up some catfish and have a strawberry parfait for dessert, you can celebrate two things at once.

If you’re looking to celebrate something non-food related, it’s also “National Take Your Dog to Work Day.”

“A celebration of the companionship between canine and human, National Take Your Dog to Work Day hopes to inspire others to adopt from shelters and humane societies.”

Those dog owners who are currently working from home, especially those who adopted a dog during the pandemic, should be able to celebrate with no trouble.

Personally, I’ll be celebrating “Ignoring the Things I Should Do and Reading Instead Day.”  I feel like I’ve earned the right to do that, after suffering through both a phone and a computer upgrade this week at work, and making it through with two fully functionally devices and only a small amount of angst.  

The garden may also have some demands on my time–how can those weeds grow so fast?  I swear the bamboo-shoot from the neighbors yard grew six-feet this week alone.  Rounding things off with some time on the elliptical and a shot at today’s writing prompt and random words sounds like a good plan.

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Happy “National Cherry Tart Day” (if you’re reading this on June 18th).  It’s also “International Picnic Day,” so if you pack your picnic basket with charry tarts, you can celebrate two things at once.

If you’re looking to get out of the house and to something a little more active, June is also “National Great Outdoors Month.”

“National Great Outdoors Month in June reminds us to explore our nation’s abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty.  No matter our preferred mode of enjoying the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking to name a few – nature is calling. Pursue the beauty and majesty of the big skies and open spaces the outdoors offers.  This month also raises awareness of the accessibility of the great outdoors.”

For me, today will be “Preparing for Tech Changes Day” as I get ready to have both my laptop and my phone from work “refreshed” next week.  Thus, I’ll be spending the day making backups-of my data backups, in an attempt to minimize unexpected disruptions.  Fingers cross that all works out well.

After my fun-filled day in the office, my Friday will also include spending some time lounging around the house while trying not to melt; spending some time on the elliptical (once it cools down a bit); and giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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Happy “National Corn on the Cob Day” (if you’re reading this on June 11th).  Judging from the number of people loading up their grocery carts with ears of corn the last time I was at the grocery story, many people are planning to celebrate, and not just for one day.  It’s also “German Chocolate Cake Day”–in case you’re not a corn fan.  

Fun fact:  German Chocolate Cake is not German at all, but rather named after the American Baker’s Company German Sweet Chocolate, which in turn was named in honor of Sam German.  Personally, I think of German Chocolate Cake as more of a fall/winter dessert, so I may substitute a more seasonally appropriate choice like strawberry pie.

On a non-food related note, it’s also the “National Making Life Beautiful” day.  

“National Making Life Beautiful Day on June 11th dedicates a celebration to those who make life beautiful. Whether you’re creating beauty by building relationships or helping others achieve personal success, your actions create a ripple effect, making life beautiful not just for yourself, but for those around you, too..”

For me, today will be “Family Day” as I get the chance to see some family members in person for the first time in quite a while.  The visiting will be good, though the fact that we’ll be at a funeral will not. Fortunately, the life we’ll be celebrating was a long, well-lived one, so there’s that.  The biggest concern at this very moment is whether any of my “going to a funeral” clothes still fit; I’m pretty sure black yoga pants won’t quite cut it.  My Friday will also include spending some time on the elliptical machine  (increasing the time from 35 to 40 minutes), and giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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Happy “National Donut Day” (if you’re reading this on June 4th)–definitely one of my favorite days.  I’m pretty sure I know what I’ll be doing in the morning.   If you’re not a fan of donuts (crazy, but possible), it’s also “National Cheese Day” and “National Cognac Day”, so there are definitely options.

On a more serious note, it’s also the “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” along with “Wear Orange Weekend.”

“The effect of gun violence on our communities is pervasive, long lasting, and impacts everyone uniquely. Wear Orange is an opportunity to demonstrate our collective power as members of the gun violence prevention movement, bringing together a broad spectrum of organizations, brands, and influencers working in different ways to curb gun violence.”

For me today will be a regular work day–a bit of a change after several weeks of taking Fridays off.  I’m hoping to be able to fit in a visit to my favorite donut shop before work–to help them stay in business, of course.  Whether or not that plan turns out, I’ll definitely be increasing the resistance setting my elliptical machine another notch (I’m at 6 out of 10) and giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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Happy “National Hamburger Day” (if you’re reading this on May 28th)–it’s also “National Road Trip Day” and “National Cooler Day.”  Sounds like the perfect combination for friends getting together for a holiday barbeque (taking appropriate safety precautions, of course). 

On a more serious note, it’s also the “International Day of Action for Women’s Health.”  

May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, which for over 30 years, women’s rights advocates and allies in the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) movement worldwide have commemorated in diverse ways. Year after year, women, girls, advocates and allies have continued to take action and stand up for sexual and reproductive rights for what they are: an indivisible and inalienable part of our human rights.

I’m guessing people (at least those in the U.S.) will be busy planning what they will be doing for the upcoming long Memorial Day weekend.  With many cities and states opening up and doing away with masks and distancing, there will be a lot more options than there were last year.  Judging from the steady stream of highway traffic I’ve encountered whenever I’ve had to drive anywhere recently, folks are definitely making up for lost time.

For me, it is likely to be a lazy day around the house.  My only definite plan is to leave my work-computer turned off.  I’ve only been moderately successful at that in the past, but I hope springs eternal.  Regardless how that plan turns out, I’ll definitely be adding another minute to my elliptical workout routine (I’m up to 35 minutes) and giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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Happy “National Bike to Work Day” (if you’re reading this on May 21st)–a day that probably received more activity when there were more people actually having to commute to work.  It’s also “National Strawberries and Cream Day” and “International Tea Day”, which seem to go together quite nicely. 

Great, now I’m craving a cup of tea and a bowl of strawberries and cream.

For those who missed it, yesterday was “World Bee Day.”  

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.  The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.  We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.

I’ve been doing my part by choosing bee-friendly plants as I’ve been populating my backyard garden, and trying to carefully waft the bees back outside when they randomly wander into the house  So far, that’s worked out well for all of us.   For now, I’ll be continuing to work on “Stay Away from the Computer Day” on my Friday off along with “I hope the plumber doesn’t find any terrible problems” day. 

Fingers crossed on that.

Whether Friday brings a bowl of strawberries, good news from the plumber, or visiting bees, I’ll definitely be adding another minute to my elliptical workout routine (I’m up to 32 minutes) and giving today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

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