International Earth Day

March 20th is International Earth Day

International Earth Day was initiated to make earth inhabitants aware of their responsibility to care for the planet. This care includes environmental and natural resources. International Earth Day was founded by John McConnell, of Davis City, Iowa. In September, 1969, he proposed  the establishment of Earth Day to the San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors. After approval, he gained support from many others, including then UN General Secretary, U Thant.
In 1970, McConnell wrote an Earth Day Proclamation which was ultimately signed by UN Secretary General U Thant on March 21, 1971.

This day is also called Sun-Earth Day

NOTE: International Earth Day is different from the U.S. Earth Day, April 22nd.

Legend of the Shamrock

Symbol of the Holy Trinity

Legend of the Shamrock

The shamrock is a symbol of the Trinity and the Cross for most Irish-Catholics. This is due to the most famous shamrock legend, starring St. Patrick. The story basically says that he used the shamrock to help the pagan Druid High Priests and their followers comprehend the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - All in One Almighty God.

But we know the shamrock was already considered a sacred plant to the Druids long before St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. Perhaps that is why, according to the shamrock legend, he chose this common little clover to illustrate the Trinity concept to them.

The wisdom of St. Patrick's mission was to take ancient pagan Celtic ideas and beliefs and use them to explain the concepts of Christianity in such a way that the Druids and their followers would embrace Christ and the Trinity.

Knowing that it was considered a sacred plant to them already, the shamrock legend says he plucked one right out of the ground he was standing upon. Then he held it up high so everyone could see, and proclaimed,

"Do you not see how in this wildflower three leaves are united on one stalk, and will you then believe that there are indeed three persons and yet one God?"

According to Irish folklore, this effective demonstration secured the approval of the Druid High Priests of St. Patrick's missionary work in Ireland, and even led many of them to convert to Christianity and become Bishops themselves

Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party

- To protest the British taxes on tea in 1773, American women in Boston, Hartford, and other New England cities vowed to drink teas from indigenous weeds instead of imported teas. The brews they came up with were called Liberty Tea. VICTORIA ZAK, 20,000 SECRETS OF TEA

- The Boston Tea Party hastened the approach of the American War of Independence.

- In April of 1773, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act to grant the East India Company a monopoly on the American tea trade. This ignited frustrations among Americans and eventually led to the Boston Tea Party.

- In the early evening of December 16, 1773, a band of men, some disguised as Mohawk American Indians, assembled on a hill near the wharf. Whooping Indian-style war cries, they marched to the wharf, where they boarded the ships one after another, hoisted the tea on board deck, split open the chests- 342 in total-and threw all the tea into the sea. The whole affair took about three hours, and it was not a violent protest-the ships’ crews attested that nothing had been damaged or destroyed except the tea-and the protesters swept the decks clean afterwards.
UNITED KINGDOM TEA COUNCIL, LONDON

==============

Boston Tea Party Time Line

1765-1773
The British Parliament bypasses colonial assemblies and imposes several internal and external taxes on the outraged colonists.

Dec. 16, 1773
The colonial response to taxation without representation culminates in the Boston Tea Party. The Sons of Liberty dump 342 chests of tea into Boston harbor.

Sept. 5, 1774
Delegates begin meeting for the First Continental Congress and agree to send grievances to King George III.

April 19, 1775
Armed conflict between the colonists and British redcoats begins in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.

May 10, 1775
A Second Continental Congress begins meeting in Philadelphia.

June 11, 1776
The Continental Congress appoints a five-man committee, including Thomas Jefferson, to draft a declaration of independence.

June 28, 1776
The committee presents the declaration for debate and revision.

July 4, 1776
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence without dissent.

National Teddy Bear Day

National Teddy Bears Day takes place in the United States on November 14th

National American Teddy Bear Day

Happy Birthday

November 14 marks National American Teddy Bear Day, when we celebrate the flurry, furry, cute stuffed animals that delight us as children, and continue to hold our hearts when we grow up.

Since 1902, teddy bears have remained an extremely popular gift for children (and sweethearts). A couple of the world;’s most famous teddy bears are Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear.

The Teddy Bear Cops program provides the stuffed animals to police, other emergency responders, and firefighters to give kids during crises. Other charities collect donations of new teddy bears to give to children with cancer, patients in the hospital, and other worthy causes.

A teddy bear is a faithful friend,
You can pick him up at either end.
His fur is the colour of breakfast toast,
And he’s always there when you need him most.
—–Anonymous

Sadie Hawkins Day

Every year on November 13th, a girl can ask a guy out for a date.  If it is a Leap Year, a girl can propose a guy during Leap Day.

Veterans Day Day

Today in America we celebrate Veteran's Day!


"A heartfelt thanks of gratitude to the veterans of this great country of ours. If it wasn't for their sacrifices we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today. God bless every serviceman who has served this country and their loved ones who have stood by them and God bless every serviceman who is currently serving our country. You have and will always have made this world a better place."

The Joy of Being a Pumpkin

 The Joy of Being a Pumpkin

There is a great joy that comes when Jesus makes our life like that of a pumpkin.  Just consider these instructions:

Take a pumpkin – All of us are like that pumpkin.  The outside that people see is often fairly neat and nice, but the inside is a gooey mess.  Some people just take the pumpkin and wash off the outside and it looks fine.  Others take the pumpkin and transform it into something that is still a pumpkin and yet so much more – that’s what Jesus does with us if we let Him.

Cut open the top of the pumpkin and you see the messy insides.  In order to fully transform your pumpkin you have to take all the messy inside out.  Inside of us are the scars of past hurts and the mess of our own mistakes.  We can try to move beyond those things, but until we let God clean it out we’re never really free of all that mess.
“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  (1 John 1:9)

Put in your hand and pull out the insides.  If we put ourselves in God’s hands, God will scoop out all the yucky stuff inside of us.  He removes the seeds of fear, doubt, despair, hate, impurity, and greed.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13)

The next step is to begin carving an imagine into the pumpkin – some do faces others do words or pictures.  In this process the pumpkin becomes something more than it was, and yet is is still the same pumpkin.  When we begin to follow Jesus the same is true.  We become different and yet we are still the person God made us to be.  “And we…are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  (2 Cor. 3:18)

The last step for the pumpkin is toput a light inside so that others can see the beauty of what has happended to it.  The same is true for us.  God puts His light within us so that others can see that we have been changed – our lives become brighter and more beautiful because of what God does for us.  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)

If you have never discovered how God can and will change your life into something brighter and more beautiful.  Encourage you to visit church and find the greater life Jesus can give to you.

Happy Sweetest Day!

Sweetest Day is the third Saturday in October. Be sure to remember candy and a sweetest note or card for the one you love.

Happy Sweetest Day to you all!!

Good Neighbor Day

Good Neighbor Day
Always meet 4th Sunday in September

"Happy Neighbor make a Happy World"

An End of the Summer FUN

As you gear for the "last weekend of Summer" I just want to remind you to HAVE FUN, ENJOY and BE CAREFUL! Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day weekend!

Happy Friendship Day

First Sunday of August every year is Friendship Day.

Friendship Day is to honor the special meaning of friendship. On this day, friend spend time with their friends and express love for them. Exchange of Friendship gifts like flowers, gifts and more.

Cheer UP

July 11th is National
Cheer Up the Lonely Day

Cheer Up the Lonely Day is an opportunity to make a lonely person happy.  Any time you can make someone happy, you've done a good thing, and should be proud of yourself.

Lonely people have few friends and loved ones  They may have lost loved ones over the years.  They may be elderly.  They see people on an infrequent basis.

Spend some time today cheering up lonely people.  It's easy to do…just spend some time with them.  When you visit, bring happy things to talk about.  Keep the conversation upbeat, and lively.  When you leave, give a big hug and let them know you enjoyed the stay. Sending cards or making a phone call is okay, only if they live too far away to visit.  What a lonely person really needs, is face to face time with other people.

"Cheerfulness prepares a glorious mind for all the noblest acts."

 ~~ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

“Something to remember on Cheer Up The Lonely day: Just by looking at someone with a big grin you can make their day. Blessed Mother Teresa used to talk about a ministry of presence. You can be the hands and feet and smile of Jesus for someone today." –  Unknown

“…God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:

Flag Day

Flag Day - June 14th ever year.

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!


Properly Display Our Flag
There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:

-The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
-In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
-The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
-The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
-After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
-When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
-The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
-The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
-Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
- Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
- When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.



Famous Flag People:Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

Francis Scott Key Inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the event as British rockets whizzed in the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze

Did you Know?

- There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.

- If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

More information:

Learn how to fold a flag - USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America -

Flag - Flag Day in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shamrock

The shamrock is a symbol of the Trinity and the Cross for most Irish-Catholics. This is due to the most famous shamrock legend, starring St. Patrick. The story basically says that he used the shamrock to help the pagan Druid High Priests and their followers comprehend the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - All in One Almighty God.

Four Leaf Clover Stone

The Good Luck
Four-Leaf Clover Stone

Have faith in this four-leaf clover and it's luck will guide the way, good fortune will be yours each and every day.

The four-leaf clover may be carried in a pocket or purse, held, or placed in a shelf.

Irish Blessing Tea Time

Tea-time Blessing
God willing, may our tea
be steeped in serenity,
sweetened by sharing,
and surrounded by the
warmth of your love.

For each petal on the shamrock.

This brings a wish your way

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

 ***************

3 leaves of the clover is like God the Father, His Son, and The Holy Spirit. 

The extra leaf clover - God's Grace. 

****************

Celebrate St. Patrick's day with drinking of the (Green) Tea.

Plant a Flower Day

 

Plant a Flower Day is always celebrated on March 12.

Today is the day to get down and get a little dirty! It’s time to get your green thumb on!

How to Celebrate Plant a Flower Day

• Check out this listing of favorite annuals and perennial flowers from Better Homes and Gardens.
• Seed Starting 101 provides a slew of helpful tips to get your seeds started.
• Southern Living will help you learn How to Plant Flowers.
• Learn how to Create a Herb Container Garden. 
• Learn how to Plant a Wildflower Garden
• Add some color to your boring computer desktop by downloading and installing these free flower-themed wallpapers.
• Send a free Plant a Flower Day greeting card.  

Floral Design Day

Floral Design Day

When : Always February 28th

Floral Design Day is the perfect day to appreciate and create floral arrangements. Flowers are loved by all, especially the ladies. It seems only fitting that we have a day set aside to appreciate the creativity and artistic quality of flower arrangements.  
The perfect activities for today include:

• Create a floral design with real, live, or dried flowers
• Take pictures of floral designs.
• View floral designs.
• Draw pictures of floral designs.
• Have the kids get in on the fun. Get out the crayons and let them draw floral designs for an aunt or a grandmother.

Guys: Get in touch with your feminine side and make some floral designs today. If you just can't bring yourself to do this, you will be happy to know that today is also Public Sleeping Day.

Happy Groundhog Day

Feb. 2nd is Groundhog Day

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.” - Helen Keller

If your shadow could write about you, what would it say?

I enjoy dancing. I dance with my shadow.