Halloween Inspiration – Linus
This Halloween may your pumpkin patch as well as Linus’ patch be found without a sign of hypocrisy.
31
10, 2018
29
10, 2018
Black Cats, Black Dogs, and Bad Luck
Around Halloween time, black cats and black dogs get a bad rap for their reputation of bringing bad luck.
Black cats have had a major role in folklore and mythology for centuries. Some of it good, some of it not so good.
In some places owning a black cat is considered lucky. In others, a black cat that crosses your path signals misfortune will come your way. This illustration from thesprucepets.com shows more folklore connected to black cats.
Illustration: Hugo Lin. © The Spruce, 2018
Then there’s all the black cat connection to sorcery, witchcraft, and devil worship. Cats are nocturnal and roam at night. Folklore says witches often take the form of black cats to carry out their nefarious schemes. Satanic cults use animals for ritual sacrifices, particularly black ones. Around Halloween many shelters will not permit black dog or cat adoptions because they fear for the animals’ safety.
But black cats aren’t alone with their associations to ill luck, black dogs also have the reputation. Folklore stories tell of a huge black dog with glowing red eyes that roams the countryside as the embodiment of the devil and warns that meeting a black dog at night is an omen for death.
Big, frightening black dogs appear in The Hound of the Baskervilles, the Harry Potter series, movies like The Omen and even on “Beware of Dog” signs.
Superstitions surround black dogs too. The Irish claim if a black dog visits the grave of a priest that priest was untrue to his vows. In Germany, if a black dog visits a woman’s grave it means she committed adultery. And, if a black dog follows you home, it brings good luck.
All this superstition and folklore has led to the Black Dog/Black Cat Syndrome. Animal shelter workers note that dark colored cats and dogs are overlooked for lighter colored companions. Campaigns to promote adoption of black animals help diminish the phenomenon. However, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) tends to discount the syndrome. In fact, this 2016 ASPCA blog shows that black animals are actually adopted more.
To me, a dog or a cat is a good dog or a good cat, regardless of appearance. Color has nothing to do with character.
So should you come across a black cat or black dog in your wanderings this Halloween, don’t run away.
It could be they’re not out to cast a spell or bring you bad luck—they’re probably looking for a little love.
3
09, 2018
Labor Day Rest and Rainbows
Today is Labor Day. Unlike most U.S. holidays, it is a strange celebration without rituals, well, except for shopping and barbecuing. Interesting to note that Labor Day is also celebrated in Canada.
Peter J. McGuire, founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, and Matthew Maguire, secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, are considered founders of the U.S. Labor Day. They sought a means of unifying union workers and a reduction in work time.
Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal in the 1882 and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. Workers agreed and staged a strike to get a day off work on the first Monday in September.
Twelve years later, in 1894, Labor Day became an official federal holiday though the bill did not give everyone a holiday. Only federal employees are authorized the day off by the law.
Over the years, emphasis changed from protests and demands and Labor Day shifted to honoring the labor movement and the social and economic achievements of all American workers.
Though the holiday has no rituals, addresses by union officials, industrialists, government officials, and others do receive coverage in social media, newspapers, and television.
Nowadays Labor Day mostly signifies a three-day weekend filled with retail sales, an extra day away from work, and the unofficial end of summer and hot dog season. A day to laze around the house and watch the kickoff of the NFL season.
It’s a weekend to play and relax unless you work in retail then you’ll have some long working hours. Police, firefighters, nurses, etc. will also experience heavy workloads because Labor Day is the second most dangerous holiday weekend to drive on U.S. highways.
Taking a day for relaxation is a good thing according Douglas Pagels.
"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow."
If you’re one of those people who works all the time, why not follow Pagels’ advice today. Pick a rainbow color, grab one last hot dog, and slide down your rainbow beam.
4
07, 2018
Words of Wisdom for the 4th of July
Happy 4th of July!
2
07, 2018
Ten Fun Facts and Trivia for the 4th of July
The American Revolution began with the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord in 1775. One year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
This week Americans will take time to celebrate the birth of our nation, remember those who fought for our freedom, and honor those who actively guard our freedoms today. Celebrations will vary across the country, but parades, fireworks, and outdoor fun are sure to be found.
Here are some fun facts and trivia to share at your backyard celebration.
- The first White House Fourth of July party was held in 1804.
- Fifty-six people signed the Declaration of Independence although most didn’t formally sign until August 2, 1776.
- John Hancock was the only member of the Continental Congress who formally signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- In 1776, the population of the country was 2.5 million people. Now, 242 years later, our population is 326+ million people.
- Congress didn’t make the Fourth of July and official federal holiday until 1870.
- In 1938 the Fourth became a paid legal holiday for employees of the federal government.
- Three United States presidents have died on the Fourth of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.
- Yankee Doodle, the celebrated patriotic song, was written by British army officers to make fun of backwoods Americans.
- Around 155 million hot dogs are consumed on the Fourth of July. That’s enough hot dogs to make a line from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
- Americans spent more than $800 million on fireworks in 2016.
On that note, I’d like to remind you that many PTSD veterans and pets will be cringing with every blast of those fireworks set off in your driveway. You might want to save money and watch fireworks display on the television instead.
28
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Abraham Lincoln
All month we’ve honored Presidents Day with Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom from the Mount Rushmore presidents. Today’s words come from President Abraham Lincoln, the last face on the right.
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
21
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Theodore Roosevelt
In honor of Presidents Day, February 19, Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom will be from the Mount Rushmore presidents this month. Today’s words come from President Theodore Roosevelt. He’s between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
19
02, 2018
Why I think President’s Day is a Strange Holiday
Three things strike me as making Presidents Day holiday strange.
1. There’s no universal agreement on the actual name of the holiday
Most American holidays are clear-cut in what we are celebrating or honoring, i.e. 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Martin Luther King Day.
Not so with Presidents Day. Ask several people what President’s Day recognizes or why we celebrate, and you’re likely to get totally different answers.
Fact is, President’s Day originated to recognize George Washington’s actual day of birth, February 22. It was the first federal holiday to celebrate the life of an individual and joined only four other national bank holidays – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
Then under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, which was passed to create more three-day weekends and increase retail and tourism revenue, it became known as Presidents’ Day and included President Abraham Lincoln whose birthday is February 12.
2. There’s no clear clarification of which presidents are being honored
Popular culture gradually shifted the emphasis from recognizing Washington and Lincoln to a day to recognize the lives of American presidents generally.
Interesting to note that the Federal government still labels the third Monday in February on official calendars as Washington’s Birthday.
3. There’s no agreement about whether to use an apostrophe or not
Sometimes the apostrophe isn’t used at all (as in Presidents Day), sometimes it is placed between the last two letters (President’s Day), and sometimes it is after the last letter (Presidents’ Day).
No specific title for the holiday is a little confusing, especially if you happen to be an English teacher.
Seems reasonable to say those three things make Presidents’ Day or President’s Day or Presidents Day a slightly strange holiday.
Wouldn’t you agree?
14
02, 2018
Words from Mount Rushmore – Thomas Jefferson
Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.
Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.
Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.
In honor of Presidents Day, February 19, Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom will be from the Mount Rushmore presidents this month. Today’s words come from President Thomas Jefferson. His face is to the right of George Washington.
12
02, 2018
Valentine’s Day Random Facts
The origin of St. Valentine’s Day is found in the story of Saint Valentine, who, on the evening before his execution, wrote the first valentine, addressed to the daughter of his jailer, and signed the greeting “Your Valentine.”
That was in the 5th century. Since then Valentine’s Day has become a major commercial holiday.
The National Retail Federation anticipates over $18.2 billion will be spent on Valentine gifts this year. Of that amount, the Greeting Card Association expects $1 billion to go for greeting cards. Flowers will account for $2 billion and candy for $1.7 billion.
Cards, flowers, jewelry, and fine dinners are all very romantic gestures to express love for one’s sweetheart on this special day. But, gifts don’t have to involve great expense. Nothing’s better than a homemade Valentine card or a home cooked meal served by candlelight.
2018 will be a very unique Valentine’s Day because February 14 also happens to be the first day of Lent 2018, Ash Wednesday.
Interesting to note that Easter and April Fool’s Day will also fall on the same day this year. It’s the first time in 73 years.
Stop and think about it though, we shouldn’t be surprised.
We experienced a Blue Moon in January and unique things always happen once in a blue moon.
Have a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!