Days & Ways to Celebrate – May 21 –27, 2020
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Sometimes finding a reason to celebrate is harder than others, especially when you’re tired of the current situation. Making the best of the worst of times isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to maintain your equilibrium. Come on, cheer up. We’re all in this together and we’ll get through it all together… celebrating one day at a time.. Here we go… another week of reasons to be thankful for just being us.
May 21st
National American Red Cross Founder’s Day
Clara Barton (1821-1912), founder of the American Red Cross
Clara Barton is a name familiar to me. She was born in North Oxford near where I grew up and we passed her unassuming little house many, many times on our way to visit to my aunt and uncle when I was young. May 21st marks the anniversary of the American Red Cross, which was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, a pioneer in nursing who practiced during the Civil War. How to celebrate? Give blood today.
It’s also National Waitstaff Day. With most restaurants closed down for the past two months, it’s been a rough time for waiters and waitresses. Got a favorite waiter or waitress at your local watering hole or cafe? Now that things are easing up, it might be a generous idea to overtip for a change. They could really use the support… both financial and emotional.
May 22nd
Bikes in America Day
The first bicyc was the innovation of Baron Carl von Drais of Baden, Germany in 1818 propelled by foot power.
On this day in 1819, the first bicycles called swift walkers, by the way, were introduced to the USA in New York City. The first bicycle, however, was the innovation of Baron Carl von Drais of Baden, Germany in 1818 who patented the design for a two-wheeled Laufmaschine, or “running machine.” It consisted of two in-line wheels beneath a seat and handlebars and the rider propelled himself by pushing off the ground with his feet. His invention inspired other manufacturers in England and France, who created their own two-wheeled versions and called them velocipedes or “dandy horses.” The actual term, bicycle, was coined in France in the 1860s. And in the 19th century, another version was called the penny farthing.
Oh yeah and on this day in 1906, two brothers from the Midwest, Orville & Wilbur Wright, received a patent for ‘Flying Machine’ with a motor. Sounds crazy! What’ll they think of next?
May 23rd
National Lucky Penny Day
"Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck." - Image credit: Foreverseptember
The first U.S. one cent piece aka the penny, was produced in 1787. Though they appear to be copper, in actuality, copper pennies were originally ‘an alloy of copper and zinc with 5% Zinc - known as guilding bronze. Since 1983, US pennies are 97.5 % zinc with 2.5 % copper and plated with copper so they look like copper’ .President Abraham Lincoln has appeared on our pennies since 1909, the centennial of his birth. So when was the US penny not copper? In 1943, during WWII, production of copper pennies was stopped since the copper was needed for the war effort and pennies were made of steel and plated with zinc to make them look shiny on the outside. Why we still produce them is a mystery since most countries have discontinued pennies since they cost more to produce than they’re worth. Still, I never miss the opportunity to pick up a lucky penny on the sidewalk. Do you?
May 24th
Scavenger Hunt Day
This is a great idea for treating cabin fever. Typically, participants are given a list of items to find but since many are still homebound, you need to be a little more imaginative. How about setting a time limit for collecting items around the house… a button, a sponge, a cotton ball, etc. Or better yet, make up clues and hide them so the participants can find the clues and hunt for items or special treats. There are lots of ideas on line.
May25th
Memorial Day
It’s always been so much more than a long 3-day weekend. Memorial Day is a traditional day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. As I kid I remember marching in the annual Leicester town parade clutching a bouquet of freshly picked lilacs to place on a fallen soldier’s grave. Danny Smith always recited Lincoln’s Gettysberg Address. Here are 10 things to know about Memorial Day. Do you have any special memories of Memorial Day?
National Wine Day
It’s also a day to celebrate that delightful drink of fermented fruit of the vine… wine. Whether it be sauvignon blanc or cabernet sauvignon, merlot or chardonnay, pinot gris or malbec… what’s not to like? Oh, and by the way, don’t you love that Three Buck Chuck still has a cork?
May 26th
National Paper Airplane Day
Aha… now this is a holiday that can really fly! (Sorry, I’ve been sheltered in place for too long!). Really, this is an easy, inexpensive activity to do at home and try out in the backyard. How far can your plane fly and for how long? There are oodles of designs on the internet, but here’s one to get you started.
May 27th
It’s Scotch Tape Day
Obviously, finding a holiday to celebrate on May 27th was a stretch, but lo and behold, I came up with one. Who could ever make it through the holidays, mend that torn dollar bill or remove lint from your jacket in a pinch without Scotch tape. It’s got a million uses. Ever wonder how it got its name or who invented it. Well, Dick Drew was the banjo-playing inventor (for masking tape and Scotch tape) and 3M was the company but how it got its name… here’s one version of the story.
It’s also Grape Popsicle Day, but I won’t go there. It makes my tongue purple.
Another week gone, another week to celebrate. Enjoy your week… enjoy every single day. Check in next week for more reasons to celebrate.