Days & Ways to Celebrate - June 11- 17, 2020
/Since we’re in countdown mode, it’s hard to concentrate on other daily celebrations. Each day of progress becomes a personal celebration in itself… something it’s important to remember. Try to take your mind off all the bad things that are going on for just a minute and appreciate all the good, too. Progress is never easy and it takes lots of work.
June 11th
Corn on the Cob Day
What better way to herald the beginning of the summer months than to savor corn on the cob? First domesticated by the Native Americans of Mexico nearly 10,000 years ago, it was the Mexicans who taught the invading Europeans about the crop. The Mayans ate sweet corn on the cob either boiled or grilled as part of their main diet. Do you like your corn slathered in butter? With salt and pepper? Some prefer it with mayo and chili pepper. What’s your preference? I’m a butter and S&P girl, myself.
Hey, have you ever been to the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD? We visited in 2012… corny, but cool! Them South Dakotans, know their corn… and their palaces! Check it out while you’re nibbling your niblets!
June 12th
National Flip Flop Day
A flip-flop tree in Reedville, VA… Bet you didn’t know they grew on trees!
Who hasn’t ever owned a pair of flip flops? Why do they call them flip-flops? Take a wild guess… or just walk around in them for a couple of minutes and listen to the sound they make. Interestingly, however, they’re not called flip-flops in other parts of the world we’ve visited. In Australia, they call them ‘thongs’. In New Zealand, it’s ‘jandals’ and in South Africa, they are called ‘plakkies’. Hawaiians just call them slippers. According to Wonderopolis, ‘Experts believe flip-flops have been around for at least 6,000 years. Ancient Egyptian murals on tombs and temples show flip-flops were worn around 4,000 B.C.’ So there you have it. You don’t have to do anything more than wear your flip-flops today and you’re celebrating!
By the way, remember those pink and white candy-coated licorice bites known as Good and Plenty? ‘Good & Plenty, plenty good’, one of those ‘classic’ candies and now manufactured by Hershey, was trademark registered way back on this date back in 1928. It’s Good & Plenty Day!
June 13th
Weed Your Garden Day
Talk about weeds… dandelions are ubiquitous. We found them everywhere we traveled in the world. The photo above was taken in the shade of the Moai… on Easter island.
A day to spend a little time with your garden and get rid of all those weeds that are sprouting up or threatening to overtake the whole plot. Okay… so how do you celebrate if you don’t have a garden? Well, you can weed with someone who needs help OR you can give your houseplants a little revitalization OR you can pass on celebrating this day, but what fun is that?
June 14th
Flag Day
Flag Day 2012 at Mount Rushmore - We witnessed 113 people become US citizens in a swearing-in ceremony which was inspiring and emotional.
On June 14 we commemorate the adoption of the red, white & blue United States flag on June 14, 1777. There’s dispute as to whether or not it was actually Betsy Ross that stitched the first flag as there were several designs by several different people in competition. Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect… a white star for each state and 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies. In January 1959, when Alaska became the 49th state, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on August 21, 1959 when Hawaii became a state.
Whether you call it Old Glory, the Stars & Stripes, Red, White & Blue, the Star-Spangled Banner or simply the American flag, fly it proudly today.
June 15th
Nature Photography Day
Today, the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) along with millions of photographers and photography lovers across the the country observe Nature Photography Day. What’s your favorite nature photo? Share it on social media today! See a few of my favorites above… just click on the thumbnail to enlarge them.
June 16th
Tupac’s Birthday
Tupac “2Pac” Shakur played a key role in the development of hip hop music, sold 75 million records, acted in several movies, and was a voice for social and racial justice. He died in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting in 1996 at age 25. According to Wiki, he is considered by many as one of the most significant rappers of all time. Much of his work has been noted for addressing contemporary social issues that plagued inner cities. He is still considered a symbol of resistance and activism against inequality.
I’m not a HipHop nor Rap fan, but give a listen here to Tupac’s ‘Changes’… it really hits home in this day and age with a clear and resounding message.
June 17th
Eat Your Veggies Day
It’s a great time of year to celebrate and eat fresh veggies. They’re good for you, taste great, provide lots of great nutritional value and they’re in season which makes them fresher than ever! Take the veggie challenge… at least one veggie a day for the whole month. Better yet, how about doing only veggies for one meal a week! Can you do it?
Okay… another week gone forever. But there’s always next week. See you then for the last week of Days and Ways as we head out for on our long-awaited road trip.