Happy “National Taxes Aren’t Due Today After All Day” (if you’re reading this on April 16th) or, if you prefer something a little tastier, how about “National Eggs Benedict Day”.  I’m a big fan of Eggs Benedict.  It is my traditional Christmas morning breakfast treat, although I make it with Béarnaise sauce instead of hollandaise and, in a name leftover from childhood, call them “saucy eggs.”  Some of the local restaurants offer a wide variety of fancy eggs benedict styles on the menu, but I’m a traditionalist at heart.

Oh great, now I’m craving eggs.

Today is also “World Semicolon Day” which is not, as you might think, a day to celebrate an underappreciated punctuation mark. 

“World Semicolon Day is “a day to celebrate those who chose not to end their lives because their stories are not over yet.” It pays tribute to those who have thought about or attempted suicide, and it informs people about how common suicide is.”

For now, since it’s NOT my Friday off, it’s time focus on some Day Job tasks.  I’m hoping to clear out the work email inbox so I can go into the weekend with a clear conscience.  Fingers crossed on that.  Whether the email box is cleared out or not, I definitely plan to grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try after diner.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Dive Bar Day” or, if you prefer something a little more specific, how about “National Gin and Tonic Day”.  I’m not much of a drinker, but I’ve always like the sound of a G&T.  I remember a series of mysteries I read when I was much, much younger, where the characters always seemed to be sitting on the porch sipping G&T’s, which sounded both relaxing and refreshing. 

Now that I think about it, they probably should have been off solving mysteries, but who knows.

These days I’m more likely to be sipping a cold-brew coffee while working away on the computer, which sounds far less relaxing or refreshing.  Ah well, it’s apparently also “National Almond Cookie Day”, so maybe I’ll put down my coffee, step away from the computer, and whip up a batch.  That sounds like a delicious alternative.

For now, since it’s my Friday off, I’m going to be focusing on a bit of relaxation for at least part of the day.  There are still those pesky backyard sprinklers that need to be repaired, but I think I’ll need to build up to that much activity by reading a book (or two?).  Somewhere between the almond cookies and the backyard sprinklers I plan to grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy Friday.  Congratulations if you made it through April 1st (April Fool’s Day) without being taken in.  I will admit to falling for a post from a local city.  To be fair, the council there has voted in some pretty strange regulations, so their April 1st post wasn’t outside of the realm of possibility.

Today, (if you’re reading this on the 2nd) is Good Friday for those who celebrate.  For those who don’t there are a variety of other things to celebrate, including “National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day” and “World Autism Awareness Day.”

“April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. Did you know that CDC statistics revealed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls? This is because girls “often go undiagnosed because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they mask symptoms better than boys do,” according to the Child Mind Institute. There is no better way to celebrate this day than by becoming aware of the characteristics of people with this condition and how all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and promote kindness..”

Whatever you’re celebrating, “increasing understanding” and “promoting kindness” seem like good all-around choices.

I’m off work today and am quite likely to celebrate “Doing Nothing but Reading Day”, though who knows.  The beautiful weather may motivate me to leave the house and do something a bit more energetic.  I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  Somewhere along the line I plan to grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “Solitude Day” (if you’re reading this on the 26th).   Though frankly, after a year of the pandemic, I’m pretty sure many of us have had our fill of solitude.

It’s also “National Nougat Day”

“This holiday offers an opportunity to become a nougat aficionado. Or perhaps try learning the nuances of nougat. No matter how you spend the day, be sure to get a sample or two. Whether it’s a big bite or small, enjoy some nougats. Be sure to share a piece, too! Use #NationalNougatDay to post on social media.”

Since I’m not much of a nougat fan, I’ll be celebrating “Organize the Garage Day” on my Friday-day-off instead.  There is a whole stack of things in the garage waiting to go the local charity shop, as well as another stack waiting to go the recycling facility.  My plan is to get rid of everything that doesn’t belong in the garage so that I can make a little exercise area.  I had a spot in the living room, but it’s time for a change.

Of course I may just wind up spending the day reading.  Who can tell?  As long as I take a break from the day job, it will be a day well spent.

Somewhere along the line I plan to grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day” (if you’re reading this on the 19th). 

“The miracle of the “Swallows” of Capistrano takes place each year at Mission San Juan Capistrano, on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day. Swallows migrate 6,000 miles from Goya, Argentina to San Juan Capistrano in large groups.  The town of San Juan Capistrano welcomes visitors from all parts of the world to witness the return of the swallows, a tradition that has been celebrated since the early 1930s.”

This holiday has always tickled me.  I picture the swallows with little calendars, checking off the days until it’s time to leave Argentina and fly north.   There may not be crowds celebrating this year’s arrival in San Juan Capistrano, but I hope the swallows arrive nonetheless.

Closer to home, I had plans to celebrate “National Relaxing with a Book Day,” since I have the day off work.  Instead, I’ll be taking the car into the shop for “Check Engine Light Day.”  Apparently the car isn’t happy that it has spent so much time just sitting in the driveway during the past 369 days of pandemic-stay-at-home.  On the bright side, the light came on when I was just taking a short trip to the grocery store and have a day off to deal with it, rather than when I was on the highway.  Still, not what I was planning to do.

Here’s hoping the problem is quickly resolved and I am able to follow through with the rest of my weekend plans.  After all, I have a pile of unread books awaiting my attention.

While I’m waiting for the car to be repaired I think I’ll grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Working Mom’s Day” (if you’re reading this on the 12th). Wait – isn’t that everyday?  It’s also “National Girl Scout Day.”

“As part of Girl Scout Week, National Girl Scout Day on March 12th honors the history and legacy of Girl Scouting in America each year. The motto of the organization, which was originally named the Girl Guides of America, is Be Prepared and their slogan is Do a Good Turn Daily.”

All I remember from my (fairly brief) time in Girl Scouts was making chocolate chip cookies, learning to play Heart & Soul on a battered old piano, and a disastrous camping trip.

Here in California, it has been alternatingly rainy and sunny, with crazy winds thrown in for good measure.  The flowers and shrubs I put in the ground last week are thrilled by the rain, but it did make my evening walks a little chilly.  Having emerged unscathed from last week’s “Still Digging in the Yard but now with Dangerous Tools” day, I’ll be moving on to “Finally Refinishing those Kitchen Cupboards Day.”  I’m guessing that may be more of a month-long celebration, but at least Friday is a day off work for me, so I should be able to make a good start.

Perhaps I should just read a book instead.  

Before I start on the cabinets I think I’ll grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Multiple Personality Day” (if you’re reading this on the 5th).   With all of the characters writers keep playing around in their heads, this holiday seems custom made.

“Some people look at National Multiple Personality Day as a day to look at yourself and connect with who you are.  Exploring your own  personality traits and examining the roots of those traits.  Each one of us shows a different side of our personalities at different times and in different places.  Sometimes our personalities appear to be altered, depending on whom we are with and what we are doing.   With these things in mind, National Multiple Personality Day is a day to focus your thoughts, on yourself and your own personality.”

If you’re hungry instead, we’re also in the middle of  “British Pie Week,” which is right up my alley.  There is a Pie Shoppe not too far away that makes great hand pies.  I had their Corn-ish Pastry for lunch just yesterday and it was delicious.  The make a mean apple-pecan crumble too.  The shop–The Petaluma Pie Company–is running a Piku contest:

Pi Day is coming 3-14 ! It is time for our annual piku contest!  Write a haiku about pi, the number, pie, the food or both. The format is three lines. 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables.  The deadline to enter is noon on Sunday March 14th. We will announce winners on Monday March 15th on Instagram, Facebook, and twitter and contact you directly if you are a winner. You could win prizes ranging from gift cards to t-shirts to coffee cups. 

Here in “it’s rainy, no wait, it’s sunny” California, I’ll be celebrating “Still Digging in the Yard but now with Dangerous Tools” day.  When attempting to plant a lavender bushes last week, I encountered a mass of roots in the ground that kept me from digging a proper-sized hole.  After watching random guys on YouTube, it seemed that a reciprocating saw was the answer.  We’ll see.  I’ll either get my lavender successfully planted or end up in the emergency room. 

Perhaps I should just read a book instead.  

Before I get started in the yard I think I’ll grab my favorite notebook and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Bacon Day” (if you’re reading this on the 26th).  If you’re feeling environmentally friendly, it’s also “National Skip the Straw Day” as well.

“In 2017, a group of teenage activists called the Coral Keepers established National Skip the Straw Day to recur every fourth Friday in February. Amid frequent and intense conversations about the state of the planet and the potentially fatal effects of plastic waste for creatures in the world’s largest oceans, these high school students from Whitehall, Michigan decided to establish the day in order to educate others about the many biodegradable alternatives to these small but potent cylindrical sippers.”

Whatever you choose to celebrate, I hope you have a good day.

Here in “feels like Springtime” California, I’ll be celebrating “Digging in the Yard” day.  The local garden centers are flush with new plants, just the thing I need to brighten up my yard, which is still looking a little winter-bland.  I’ve got some climbing roses and lavender plants that need to get out of their plastic pots and into the ground while they’re still alive and flourishing.

After I get my yard taken care of I  think I’ll take a break, grab my favorite notebook, and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Chocolate Mint Day” (if you’re reading this on the 19th).  If you prefer, it’s also “National Caregiver’s Day” as well.

“National Caregivers Day on the third Friday in February honors the health care professionals across the country providing long-term and hospice care.  The celebration recognizes caregivers who provide quality, compassionate care every day.”

This seems like an especially relevant celebration, considering the critical work of caregivers and other health professionals during what seems like the unending pandemic.  Cheers and hats off to all of them.

Here in chilly but lovely California I’ll be celebrating “Thank God I don’t live in Texas” day.  Frigid temperatures, power outages, and water outages too – what an awful, deadly combination.  I can’t imagine what the clean up and death toll will be once all is said and done.  Much of the rest of the county appears to be covered in a swath of cold and snow as well.  I feel the urge to put on another sweater every time I see the news.

Here in the writing castle where the trees in the backyard are beginning to bloom and the grass is green and growing, I’m still plugging away on home repairs.  The drywall in the living room and dining room have been repaired, and I painted the kitchen over the weekend.  Next up:  giving the kitchen cupboards and deep-clean and a bit of re-staining.  I’d hoped that my kitchen floor replacement would be complete by now, but the flooring contractor is currently missing in action.   I REALLY don’t want to have to install my own kitchen floor, so I’m hoping he reappears soon.

While I’m waiting for the reappearance, I think I’ll take a break, grab my favorite notebook, and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →

Happy “National Plum Pudding Day” (if you’re reading this on the 12th).  It’s also “National Darwin Day,” though that doesn’t sound nearly as tasty.

“Darwin Day is a celebration to commemorate the birthday of Charles Darwin on 12 February 1809. The day is used to inspire people throughout the globe to reflect and act on the principles embodied in Charles Darwin”

Yeah, maybe not.

February 12 is also the day, in 1994, when four thieves broke into the National Gallery of Norway and stole Edvard Munch‘s iconic painting The Scream.  They hardly sound like “Darwin Day” award winners.

Here in rainy (oh, wait, now it’s sunny) California I’ll be celebrating “Wash Down the Kitchen Walls before Painting” day, having successfully made it through “Learn to Drywall Day” last weekend.  I spent days this week deciding on just the right shade of not-quite-white for the kitchen walls, to give it a brighter, fresher look.  Got a small paint sample, brushed some on the wall . . . and it looks just like what’s there.  How does that always happen?

Ah well, if nothing else the walls will be clean and spider-web-free, even if their color doesn’t really change.

While I’m waiting for things to dry, I think I’ll take a break, grab my favorite notebook, and give today’s writing prompt and random words a try.

Care to join me? Continue reading →