Days & Ways to Celebrate – May 14–May 20, 2020
/I know… the social distancing and masks and staying at home for so many people is really getting old. They even have a name for it: pandemic fatigue. I may be sick of the coronavirus, but I never get sick of holidays and ways to celebrate life. Check out this weeks’ range of celebrations… from dancing like a chicken (bok, bok, bok) to pizza to packrats… there’s something for everyone this week. Check it out and, for gosh sakes, celebrate!
May 14th
Dance Like a Chicken Day
A rare and priceless opportunity to do the chicken dance. Go ahead, no one’s watching. Rusty on exactly how to do it? Believe it or not, there’s a WikiHow to refresh your memory. And just an extra thought … what IF the Hokey Pokey really is what’s it’s all about?
May 15th
National Pizza Party Day
Aboard Nine of Cups, David was my pizza man. Now Domino delivers!
In Siena, Italy, we did pizza take-out regularly.
Each year on the third Friday in May, millions of pizza lovers across the nation join in extolling the qualities of pizza on National Pizza Party Day. What are your favorite toppings? I’m an all veggie girl myself. Celebrate virtually by inviting friends and family to share a night of fun and pizza on FaceTime or Zoom. Another way to celebrate is with homemade pizza with fresh toppings or, better yet, support your local pizzeria by ordering one for pick-up or delivery. And while you’re eating, I’ve borrowed a little pizza trivia from National Days to entertain you.
In ancient Greece, Greeks enjoyed bread covered with oils, herbs, and cheese.
In Byzantine Greek, the word was spelled “πίτα”, pita, meaning pie.
A sheet of dough topped with cheese and honey, then flavored with bay leaves was developed by the Romans.
The modern pizza had its beginning in Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread.
The original pizza used only mozzarella cheese, mainly the highest quality buffalo mozzarella variant which was produced in the surroundings of Naples.
It was estimated that the annual production of mozarella cheese in the United States in 2019 was about 4.5 billion pounds.
The first United States pizza establishment opened in 1905 was in New York’s Little Italy.
Pizza ranks as the second most popular fast food in America behind hamburgers.
Za is short for pizza and it’s a legit Scrabble word!
May 16th
Love a Tree Day… a bush or shrub will not do. Spend time with your favorite tree… experience its shade, give it a climb if you’re game, read Trees by Joyce Kilmer. But wait… there’s more!
It’s also National Mimosa Day… WHAT? Stop everything… I’m celebrating. Champers and OJ, here I come!
May 17th
Packrat Day
Meet Mr. or Ms. Packrat Photo credit: Journal Register
Yup, a day for all you hoarders out there and let’s face it, we all have a little hoarder in us. Those shoes you haven’t worn in 5 years; the tools in the garage that haven’t been used since you stored them there, but might come in handy some day; all that wrapping paper and tissue that you thought you didn’t have enough of so bought more of and will forget you have any of by next Xmas and buy more of. Today is the day to think about it all and that’s it. Clean out the basement, the garage, your closet, under your bed another day. Enjoy your hoard today.
May 18th
International Museum Day
Many of the world’s greatest museums now offer virtual tours.
ICOM (International Council of Museums) is a ‘worldwide network of … twenty thousand museums in more than 138 countries and today celebrates their diversity and wonder. So many museums are now offering digital tours… visit a museum for free in the comfort of your home. British Museum, Louvre and so many more. Take a look at the 10 best virtual museum tours posted by The Guardian, view the 10 most beautiful museums in the world or maybe read a JALF blog on 9 Museums that knocked our socks off. Up to you… just celebrate.
May 19th
World Plant A Vegetable Garden Day
My Aunt Bette (far left) was the most awesome gardener ever and her annual lush veggie garden was proof!
If you have access to a garden plot in your backyard and the plants, this is an easy day to celebrate. If you don’t, consider using one of these free garden planner tools to plant a virtual garden and you won’t even get your hands dirty.
May 20th
Homestead Day
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the original Homestead Act on May 20th. The Homestead Act gave an applicant freehold title to up to 160 acres (1/4 section, 65 hectares) of undeveloped federal land outside the original 13 colonies. There’s even a national monument in Beatrice, NB which pays tribute to the hardy, brave souls who ventured west during the US great expansion. How about watching a PBS documentary, Keepers of the Land, about three Montana families who continue to work the land their ancestors homesteaded.
It’s also Lucky Lindy Day
On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in Long Island, NY piloting the "Spirit of St. Louis" on an epic flight from New York to Paris. A milestone in flying aviation history, Lindbergh completed the 33-hour, 30-minute flight and landed at Le Bourget Airport, Paris on the evening of 21 May. For a little nostalgia, you can buy or rent the 1957 flick Spirit of St. Louis starring James Stewart on Amazon.
It’s also Cher’s Birthday… she’s 73. Yikes!