A look back and forward to some holidays we may have missed. April

April 1^st The origin of April Fools Day is rather uncertain. However, the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1 to January 1. During that time in history, there was no television and no radio, so word spread slowly. There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change altogether and those who merely forgot. These people were considered “fools.” Invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them. Some suggest that the origin began with the celebrations of the Spring Equinox. While some believe it has to do a Roman festival known as Hilaria, the end of the Celtic new year.

“All Fools’ Day” is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes, hoaxes, and sending people on a fool’s errand. In Scotland, April Fools Day lasts 48 hours. Foolish people are called gowks, an extinct cuckoo bird. “Hunting the gowk” refers to a traditional prank played on foolish people. Day two is know as Taily Day, and pranks involving the posterior are played.

April 2 Also known as Ramazan and Ramadhaan, Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Holy Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and begins with the sighting of the crescent moon after a new moon. It’s observed with a month of fasting, giving alms, prayers, reading the Quran, abstaining from bad deeds, and staying humble.

In 610, Allah gave the first chapters of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. It’s told that Muhammad was alone near Mecca when the Angel Gabriel came to him. The angel told Muhammad to read but Muhammad was unable to read. The angel taught Muhammad some verses over the next ten days. These verses are known as the Holy Quran.

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of the greatest devotion. Some Muslims spend those days in a mosque. Lailat ul-Qadr or the Night of Power is the night that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. It’s generally the 27th night of the month. It’s a night of blessings and mercy from Allah, sins are forgiven, and supplications are accepted.

The end of Ramadan is a joyous occasion known as Eid al-Fitr, typically lasting three days. Muslims are not allowed to fast this day. It’s celebrated with special prayers, feasts, sweets, and gift giving. Muslims in Turkey celebrate the end of Ramadan with Seker Bayrami, The Candy Festival. New clothes are worn, gifts are given, and families gather at the home of the eldest family member. Candy, small cakes, sweetened coffee, and fruits are served.

April 4 ands 5 The Cold Food Festival is known as the Hanshi Festival in China, the Hansik Festival in South Korea, and Tết Hàn Thực in Vietnam.

The Hanshi Festival, China. The Hanshi Festival is an ancient Chinese holiday that’s no longer celebrated. However, the activities and traditional foods have been incorporated into the Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Festival. The origin comes dates back to the 2nd century. It was taboo to start a fire during this time. During this time of year, the spring is dry, making things ignite easily. There was a ritual putting out last year’s fire for cooking, having no-fire days, and starting a new fire. The no-fire days lead to cold foods. Additional activities included visiting ancestral tombs, cockfighting, and beating blankets.

April 15 Passover or Pesach commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It’s observed from the 15th to the 22nd (eight days) of the Hebrew month of Nissan (March or April). During this time, leavened foods are avoided, and Seder meals include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.

After decades of slavery, God sent Moses to the Pharaoh with a message, “Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me.” The Pharaoh paid no heed to this. In return, God sent ten plagues: water into blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, diseased livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn. On the eve of the last plague, the Israelites marked their doors with lambs’ blood so that the avenging angel would “pass over” each Jewish household.

Pesach, which means to pass over, refers to this passing over on what is now Passover eve. The Pharaoh finally released his former slaves, chasing them out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry that the bread they baked as provisions did not have time to rise.

April 17 Easter is an important religious event for Christians. They celebrate the day that Jesus rose from the dead, three days after his crucifixion. It’s the culmination of events during Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reflects the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Christ, and Good Friday remembers the crucifixion of Jesus. Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection after his death. Easter falls on the first Sunday on or following the spring Equinox after the full moon (March or April, occasionally slipping into May for Eastern Orthodox). The date has been calculated in this way since 325 CE.

Many non-Christians also celebrate this holiday, focusing on ancient customs and traditions as well as welcoming spring. Easter, like Christmas, is a blend of paganism and Christianity. The word Easter is derived from Eostre (also known as Ostara), an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess. She symbolized the rebirth of the day at dawn and the rebirth of life in the spring.

Today, children wake up to find that the Easter Bunny has hidden a basket filled with candy and toys. Children colour and decorate hard-boiled eggs either on Easter or the day before. Egg hunts are popular at home as well as community egg hunts at the local park. At home, the eggs made be the hard-boiled decorated eggs or plastic eggs filled with treats. Community egg hunts typically use plastic eggs or chocolate eggs spread out in a grassy area. Easter dinner is a feast with lamb, ham, fish and spring vegetables, potatoes, and special bread. Deviled eggs are a favoured appetizer. Easter brunch is also quite popular. Christians might also attend church services.

April 22 The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. The goal was to set aside one day to look at the environment we live in, promote ecology, and bolster awareness of global air, water, and soil pollution. Today over 140 countries participate in Earth Day.

US Senator Gaylord Nelson was the driving force behind this day after seeing the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA, in 1969. Inspired by the teach-ins dealing with the Vietnam War, the first Earth Day drew 20 million participants. The American Heritage Magazine called it “one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy.”

On April 22, fairs and outdoor events are held to encourage people to help our planet thrive. Individuals make special efforts to conserve water, paper, and electricity.

Take time this day to learn what you can do to conserve energy and reduce, reuse, and recycle products in your neighbourhood. Although Earth Day is celebrated once a year, we encourage you to celebrate the gifts our planet has to offer every day from the little wildflower growing outside your home to the black sand beaches of Hawaii and the majesty of the giant sequoia and redwood trees.

April 25 ANZEC Day ANZAC is an acronym for Australia, New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day is a national day in Australia and New Zealand. Originally, it honoured those who fought in Gallipoli during World War I. Today, it honours all soldiers who have died in the war.

Great Britain joined the war against Germany on August 4, 1914. Australia sided with Britain and was ready to fight. In 1915, an attack was planned on Turkey through the Dardenelles with hopes of providing safe sea passage to Russia. The British Navy attacked first. They were defeated and casualties were high. Then, on April 25, 1915, the battered British soldiers, the French troops, and ANZAC stormed the shores of Gallipoli. The Turks were fierce and forewarned by the previous attack, but when the dust finally settled a foothold had been established at what is now known as the ANZAC Cove.

The two days that followed were bloody and savage as they held on to the foothold. After a brief reprieve, the fighting continued with heavy casualties on both sides. Finally, in December an evacuation was ordered.

 After eight months of fighting, ANZAC suffered a loss of 8,587 soldiers and 19,367 wounded. But with their heads held high the weary soldiers returned to Europe singing:

“We are the ragtime army the A.N.Z.A.C.

We cannot shoot, we won’t salute, what bloody use are we?”

Today, flags are flown at half-mast until noon, then they are raised high until the end of the business day. Wreaths of poppies are displayed at memorials. –During WWI the trenches could be seen across fields of brilliant poppies. Wearing a sprig of rosemary on your lapel or pinned over your heart symbolizes the commemoration of deceased soldiers.

Everyone partakes of an ANZAC biscuit or two.

ANZAC Biscuits

makes: 2-1/2 dozen

1 cup all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup shredded coconut

1 cup rolled oats

pinch of salt

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 cup butter

4 tablespoon golden syrup (or dark corn syrup)

2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, coconut, oats, ginger, and salt. Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir the corn syrup and water into the butter. Stir butter/syrup mixture into the dry ingredients. Drop by the spoonful on to cookie sheets about 2″ apart. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Welcome to February

February is one of the darkest months in the Northern Hemisphere. In January we welcomed in a better (hopefully) new year and made New Year resolutions. By the end of the month, we had set them aside as being too ambitious or we had moved on to other goals and dreams. 

February is the last month of winter and in my area usually brings the most vicious winter weather, To make up for the dismal weather we face during this month there are a number of special days, in fact, one special day for every day of the month. Pick your day to celebrate.

February Daily Holidays and Observances

1.  February 1: National Freedom Day, National Dark Chocolate Day, National Serpent Day, National Baked Alaska Day, National Get Up Day

2.  February 2: Groundhog Day, National Hedgehog Day, National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day

3.  February 3: Four Chaplains Day, National Missing Persons Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Golden Retriever Day

4.  February 4: USO Day, World Cancer Day, National Homemade Soup Day

5.  February 5: National Weatherperson's Day, World Nutella Day

6.  February 6: National Lame Duck Day, Pay a Compliment Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day

7.  February 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day, Rose Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, National Bubble Gum Day* (first Friday), National Wear Red Day* (first Friday), Give Kids a Smile Day* (first Friday)

 

8.  February 8: Take Your Child to the Library Day* (first Saturday), National Kite Flying Day, Opera Day, Read in the Bathtub Day

9.  February 9, National Pizza Day, World Marriage Day* (second Sunday)

10.February 10: National Umbrella Day, Teddy Day, National Clean Out Your Computer Day* (second Monday)

11.February 11: National Inventors' Day, National Make a Friend Day, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, National Make a Friend Day, Get Out Your Guitar Day, International Day of Women and Girls in Science

12.February 12: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, International Darwin Day

13.February 13: World Radio Day, Galentine's Day, National Tortellini Day

 

14.February 14: Valentine's Day, National Organ Donor Day

15.February 15: Family Day (Canadian National Holiday)  National Gumdrop Day, Susan B. Anthony Day, National Bagel Day, Singles Awareness Day

16.February 16: Do a Grouch a Favor Day, National Almond Day

17.February 17: Presidents' Day* (third Monday)

18.February 18: National Battery Day, National Drink Wine Day

19.February 19: National Chocolate Mint Day

20.February 20: National Love Your Pet Day, National Muffin Day

 

21.February 21: International Mother Language Day, National Sticky Bun Day, National Caregivers Day* (third Friday)

22.February 22: George Washington's Birthday, Be Humble Day, World Thinking Day, National Margarita Day

23.February 23: National Banana Bread Day

24.February 24: National Tortilla Chip Day

25.February 25: National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, Let's All Eat Right Day, National Clam Chowder Day, National Pancake Day, World Spay Day* (last Tuesday)

26.February 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day, National Pistachio Day

27.February 27: No Brainer Day, International Polar Bear Day, National Chili Day, Digital Learning Day* (last Thursday)

 

28.February 28: National Public Sleeping Day, National Chocolate Souffle Day, National Science Day

29.February 29: Leap Day (every four years), World Rare Disease Day* (either 28 or 29 depending on the year)

 

Special Holidays

We as Boomers, like to celebrate, any excuse for a party.  So to get you in the mood to celebrate on this fine Friday in July, here are three little known holiday ideas. Did you know that today is 

Peach Ice Cream Day.  I love this idea especially on a a cool, peachy keen day.

Peaches are one of the best flavours of the summer season. People wait for about 48 weeks for the peach harvest to ripen. And, when it does, for a few short weeks, its  "peach everything"! In celebration of the harvest, the ice cream companies make peach ice cream. Its hard to find other times of the year. Most major ice cream makers only produce it during the summer. (It kinda makes you yearn for the old days of HOJO's 28 Flavors!)

Peach Ice cream is the way to go today. Enjoy it on an ice cream cone, in an ice cream soda, in a sundae, or simply in a dish.

You'll find Peach Ice Cream Day is the real scoop!

The Origin of Peach Ice Cream Day:

I did not find the creator, or the origin of this day. So, I have yet to discover the real scoop over this ice cream day. My money is on the ice cream makers,. probably Ben and Jerry as the originators.

No wonder over the creation of this day sometimes overlaps with National Ice Cream Day. I love peach ice cream, and I agree that it is so good, that it always should always be on a day apart from National Ice Cream Day.

For those of you who do not like to celebrate with ice cream, today is also

Wrong Way Corrigan Day

Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan … was an American aviator … (who) In 1938, after a transcontinental flight from Long Beach, California, to New York, he flew from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, to Ireland, even though he was supposed to be returning to Long Beach. He claimed that his unauthorized flight was due to a navigational error, caused by heavy cloud cover that obscured landmarks and low-light conditions, causing him to misread his compass…

Corrigan’s “error” caught the imagination of the … American public and inspired many jokes. The nickname “Wrong Way’ Corrigan” passed into common use and is still mentioned (or used as satire) when someone has the reputation for taking the wrong direction

And if that was not enough to get you in the mood to celebrate, today is (for all you math people out there):

Yellow Pig Day 

The Yellow Pig is believed to have originated with mathematicians Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly, while they were students at Princeton University in the early 1960s. They began listing interesting properties of the number 17, and somehow the 17-eye lashed yellow pig was born.

Yellow Pigs Day events have been held by mathematicians since at least the 1960s. Most celebrations occur on July 17, although others are held on May 17 (May being the "17th month" of the previous year) and September 17 (a convenient time for college students).

The most elaborate festivities are held at (Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics) HCSSiM, where the holiday has been celebrated annually for roughly 34 years. In preparation for the event, students decorate shirts (often mathematically themed) with yellow pigs on them. 

On Yellow Pigs Day students, staff, and visiting alumni wear these shirts. Ultimate has long been the official sport of the day, and a competitive student/alumni game is held. In recent years, origami yellow pigs have been folded

Happy Independence Day to my US friends!

Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. 

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.” 

On July 4th, the Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees. Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence  Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States.

How did B.C. Day come to be a holiday?

Have a happy BC Day. Why do we have this holiday, basically just because someone thought it would be a good idea to have a holiday for the worker in August. The official version is below.

The British Columbia Day Act, R.S.B.C. 1996 c.34 was first introduced in 1974 as Bill 61 by the Hon. Ernie Hall, the Provincial Secretary under Premier Dave Barrett. The explanatory notes prefacing the bill states: "The purposes of this Bill is to recognize the pioneers of British Columbia by declaring the first Monday of August in each year to be a public holiday known as British Columbia Day."

From the B.C. Debates, 4th Session, 30th Parliament, May 1, 1974, the Hon. Hall states, "August 1, or the closest working day to it, is a statutory holiday in every other province in Canada. By coincidence, an Act to provide to the Government of British Columbia, which changed us from the Colony of British Columbia, was passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom on August 2, 1858....

"We feel that British Columbia, like every other province could benefit and should have a holiday around August 1. We feel that the holiday should be dedicated to the pioneers who built the colony of British Columbia into the great province it is today..."

Happy July 4th to my American Friends

A brief history of the day, thanks to Wikipedia
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.

In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only President to have been born on Independence Day.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's

I lost my father when I was in my early 20's but I still miss him. Fathers day is a wonderful day for many men. The date when Father’s Day is celebrated varies from country to country. It is celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the third Sunday of June. It is also observed in countries such as Argentina, Canada, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, and Venezuela.  In Australia and New Zealand Father’s Day is on the first Sunday in September. In Thailand it is celebrated on December 5, which is the birthday of the country’s king. Brazilian dads are honored on the second Sunday of August.

On Father’s Day many people make a special effort for their fathers or father figures. Some people visit their fathers, while others give cards, flowers or other gifts, such as clothing or sporting equipment, or luxury food items. Father's Day is a relatively modern holiday, so different families have different traditions. These can range from a simple phone call or greetings card to large parties honoring all father figures in an extended family. Father figures can include fathers, step-fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers, great-grandfathers and even other male relatives.

Father's Day in India is a relatively new concept but it is celebrated in similar ways as in the United Kingdom or the United States, although on a smaller scale. There is a greater awareness of Fathers Day events in metropolitan cities and bigger towns due to the greater exposure of people to the western cultures in these areas. In Mexico Father’s Day is referred to as “Día del Padre”, where many families get together, prepare meals and distribute gifts to fathers or father figures. In South Africa, many social and cultural societies host Father's Day celebrations to stress the important role of fathers in nurturing children and building stronger society.

Many people in Canada celebrate Father’s Day in a variety of ways to express their love and gratitude to fathers or father figures. Father’s Day activities include (but are not limited to):

• Participating in Father’s Day fun runs and other events in which the proceeds go towards charity or prostate cancer research.
• Buying presents such as neckties and other items of clothing, chocolates, books or equipment for various types of hobbies.
• Giving handmade or purchased cards.
• Breakfasts, brunches, lunches, or dinners either at home or in restaurants.
• Taking fathers or father figures out to the movies, the park, the zoo, or another place of interest.

Some people organize joint Father’s Day parties and activities with close friends and family. Those who live away from their fathers or father figures may make long-distance phone calls, send an email or online card, or arrange for gifts to be delivered on Father’s Day.  Some museums and other venues open to the general public may host special Father’s Day celebrations where fathers and father figures can enter free of charge.

There are some suggestions that the idea of Father's Day may originate in pagan sun worship. Some branches of paganism see the sun as the father of the universe. The June solstice occurs around the same time of year as Father's Day so some people saw a link between the two.

The idea of a special day to honor fathers and celebrate fatherhood was introduced from the United States. A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by the American Mother's Day celebrations and planned a day to honor fathers early in the 20th century. The first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. Father’s Day has become increasingly popular throughout North America and other parts of the world over the years. 

Merry Christmas

A time for family and friends, may you be enveloped with the warmth of family, and friends on this special day. No matter what the history of the day, we celebrate the day with hopes of a new and better time. For those who cannot be with family or friends, my you have a day of peace and love. Best wishes for the day and for the upcoming year from my family to you and yours.

Enjoy this wonderful video from the Elkhorn, WI firefighters who are raising money for their local fire department. The animated light show features 40,000 lights, professional voiceovers, and over 50 strobe lights. 

The Little Drummer Boy

As well enjoy the following The 7 best Christmas lights shows, these are amazing works of love and caring 

Maui Bound

We are heading for a two week vacation in Maui and I am looking forward to spending some quality time in the sun.  It has been a slow summer as I have been in recovery from my knee operation and have not had the energy to enjoy the sun on the west coast. So I am looking forward to enjoying Maui. When I come back I will be back into the hospital for hip replacement surgery, which I hope will go better than my Knee replacement surgery.

 One of the best newsletters I have found about Maui is Jon's Maui Newsletter. This independent newsletter, which I subscribe to gives great impartial advice on what to do, where do go, best places to stay as well as just interesting and informative information about Maui.

We went to Maui for the first time two years ago, and I fell in love with the island and I hope to make it part of my travel plans for the foreseeable future.

The best place to rent a car when you are travelling to Maui is Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. They were recommended to me by a friend of mine and I found their prices to be lower than other car rental shops in Maui even with coupons. 

Happy Victoria Day!

Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25. It honours Queen Victoria's birthday.

Victoria Day is also commonly called the May 2-4 weekend (as in May 24th).

Canadians observe Victoria Day on May 24th or on the preceding Monday. For most of us, the arrival of this day means we can start planting our vegetable and flower gardens and put the long winter behind us. It also marks the unofficial start of the cottage season where cases of beer (as in 2-4 cases) are consumed by hard working Canadians. For the majority of Canadians, it also means a welcome long weekend.

But how did Victoria Day come about, and why do we celebrate it?

Origins

This holiday is named after the British monarch who gave royal assent to Confederation. Queen Victoria, who reigned over Great Britain, was born on May 24, 1819. She enjoyed the longest reign in British history, ascending the throne in 1837 and ruling until 1901—a period of over 62 years!

The Parliament of Canada first declared her birthday a holiday in 1845, well before Confederation! The May 24th celebration was a popular one—if you had been a resident of Canada West (Ontario) in 1854, you might have joined a crowd of thousands that gathered in front of Government House in Toronto to shout a cheer to the Queen.

In 1901, the year of Victoria's death, the holiday officially became known as Victoria Day. Since that time, Victoria Day has commemorated two royal birthdays: the birthday of Queen Victoria and that of the current monarch.

May 24th is a statutory holiday in all Canadian territories and in seven out of ten provinces. (In Quebec, this date is celebrated as La Journée nationale des Patriotes, or National Patriots' Day, in memory of Anglophone and Francophone activists who fought for democratic government in 19th-century Quebec.)

Traditions

What traditions are upheld on Victoria Day? Well, if you're enjoying a downtown stroll at noon in the nation's capital or in any provincial capital, you'll hear the firing of a 21-gun salute. You'll also see the Royal Union flag (the “Union Jack”) flying alongside the National Flag of Canada, the “Maple Leaf,” from sunrise to sunset at federal buildings and properties.

If you're in downtown Victoria, British Columbia—a city named for the Queen—you may join over 120,000 spectators watching marching bands, floats and clowns performing during the annual Victoria Day Parade.

Finally, you might be one of many Canadians ooohing and aaahing over dazzling firework displays that light up the evening sky of most Canadian cities. You might even choose to set off your own firecrackers and sparklers.

Synonyms

The Victoria Day celebration is also known by many other names. Some refer to it as the May Two-Four Weekend, the May long weekend (or just the May Long), the Victoria Day weekend and even Firecracker Day.

But no matter what you call it, have fun celebrating this patriotic Canadian holiday

Boxing Day What is it for?

If you are looking for something that explains the origins of Boxing Day, well, you are not going to find it here. The day-after-Christmas holiday is celebrated by most countries in the Commonwealth, but none of them are really sure what they're celebrating, when it started or why. 

So here are some ideas presented for your pleasure on this holiday best spent lounging around in brightly colored sweaters, wondering, lazily and lethargically, what to do next

During the Age of Exploration, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, A Christmas Box was used as a good luck device. It was a small container placed on each ship while it was still in port. A priest put it there, and those crewmen who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box. It was then sealed up and kept on board for the entire voyage.

If the ship came home safely, the box was handed over to the priest in the exchange for the saying of a Mass of thanks for the success of the voyage. The Priest would keep the box sealed until Christmas when he would open it to share the contents with the poor

Another explanation is that in England an 'Alms Box' was placed in every church on Christmas Day, into which worshippers placed a gift for the poor of the parish. These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, which is why that day became known as Boxing Day. A variation on this idea is that during Advent, Anglican parishes displayed a box into which churchgoers put their monetary donations. On the day after Christmas, the boxes were broken open and their contents distributed among the poor, thus giving rise to the term Boxing Day..

There's another possible story about the holiday's origin. The day after Christmas was also the traditional day on which the aristocracy distributed presents (boxes) to servants and employees — a sort of institutionalized Christmas-bonus party. The servants returned home, opened their boxes and had a second Christmas on what became known as Boxing Day.

Finally, some believe that the following is the most plausible reason for the day being a holiday. Many poorly paid workers were required to work on Christmas Day and took the following day off to visit their families. As they prepared to leave, their employers would present them with Christmas boxes. 

Boxing Day has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland, and Canada since 1871. For years in which the holiday falls on a weekend, the celebration is moved to make sure workers still get a day off (except in Canada, where it remains Dec. 26), but since visits to Grandma and other family obligations are fulfilled on Christmas, there isn't anything left to do on Boxing Day except eat leftovers, drink and watch TV.

The Irish still refer to the holiday as St. Stephen's Day, and they have their own tradition called hunting the wren, in which boys fasten a fake wren to a pole and parade it through town. Also known as Wren Day, the tradition supposedly dates to 1601, to the Battle of Kinsale, in which the Irish tried to sneak up on the English invaders but were betrayed by the song of an overly vocal wren — although this legend's veracity is also highly debated.

The Bahamas celebrate Boxing Day with a street parade and festival called Junkanoo, in which traditional rhythmic dancers called gombeys fill the streets with their elaborate costumes and headdresses.

In addition, of course, there is the shopping. England and Canada's Boxing Day evolved into a major shopping event in the 1980s — the equivalent of post-Thanksgiving Black Friday. Every year for the past three years many of the sales started earlier in an effort to boost the slumping economy.

Boxing Day has evolved to an extended Christmas afternoon. It is a holiday with presents that have already been opened and a dinner that has been eaten and another day to visit with friends and relatives. 

Enjoy your day!

Think like an optimist

Many experts will tell you that when you change the way you look at things, you will change your life – and it’s true. If you’re sitting around expecting the worst of things, you’ll be certain to find the worst of things. You’ll find all of your mistakes along the way to your goals. You’ll notice all of the problems with your plan. And then you’ll stop trying because you’ve noticed that everything is going wrong.

Optimists look at the world as though it only has good things to offer and in that thinking, they see the opportunities for learning and growth, rather than the obstacles in their way. Instead of getting upset about the car that cut them off in traffic, they hope that there wasn’t an emergency that caused the driver to need to go so fast.

Optimism takes practice. What you might want to do is start thinking about your life as though it were the life of a good friend that you have.

When you start treating yourself and your life the way that you would treat a good friend, you start to see possibility in life, rather than problems. An optimist is simply someone that strives to look for the good in everything. Just for today, you can try to do the same. Is it a realistic way to be every day?

Don’t have any expectations

How many times have you been disappointed? Probably hundreds of times, right? However, if you think back to your times of pain and loss, many of these instances were the direct result of having some goal in mind that wasn’t reached or some expectation that wasn’t met. What if you gave up your expectations for a day? For one day, what if you said that you don’t really care about what happens?

There’s nothing wrong with having goals and wanting certain things, but when you start relying on the outcome to derive any happiness from it, you can actually be stifling change and growth in your life. In truth, expectations are just wishes and hopes.

The point of eliminating expectations is to start focusing on what’s happening right now – what you can control and what you can’t. If you’re in a bad situation at work and your boss is yelling at you, you can’t control that. However, you can control how good of a job you do – though your boss might still yell at you anyways.

Just for today, try to remember that all that you have in your life is what is right in front of you. Step back and recognize that true change can only come when you stop making it the end all, be all of your existence. 

Happy BC Day

Some background on this day:

The first Monday of August is known as British Columbia Day, BC Day or B.C. Day, in the province of British Columbia. It is a statutory holiday and gives Canadians in the province the chance to celebrate their achievements or relax with friends and family members.

The British Columbia Day Act, R.S.B.C. 1996 c.34 was first introduced in 1974 as Bill 61 by the Hon. Ernie Hall, the Provincial Secretary under Premier Dave Barrett. The explanatory notes prefacing the bill states: "The purposes of this Bill is to recognize the pioneers of British Columbia by declaring the first Monday of August in each year to be a public holiday known as British Columbia Day."

From the B.C. Debates, 4th Session, 30th Parliament, May 1, 1974, the Hon. Hall states, "August 1, or the closest working day to it, is a statutory holiday in every other province in Canada. By coincidence, an Act to provide to the Government of British Columbia, which changed us from the Colony of British Columbia, was passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom on August 2, 1858....

"We feel that British Columbia, like every other province could benefit and should have a holiday around August 1. We feel that the holiday should be dedicated to the pioneers who built the colony of British Columbia into the great province it is today..."

The aim of the Bill was to create a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August to recognize the pioneers in the province and the act gained royal assent in 1996.

Enjoy the day, as we remember the pioneers who built this beautiful province

Proper Care of Your Fish Pond during Summer

Summer is such a perfect time to sit by a body of water and relax. Summer is also equated with times when you can pull your favorite chair, drink your favorite ice cold drink and enjoy the wander of your yard because of your labor. A scenario like this is such a bliss that nobody can ever resist. Although, these wouldn’t all be possible without the proper care of your pond especially during summer.

There are a lot of things to consider from the inside to the outside environment of the pond. Before you sit on that favorite chair of yours, embracing the fruit of your ecstatic labor, perform the required labor first. Get up and gather your tools. Work begins here.

Give your fish sufficient air
Who can live without air? Aside from anaerobic bacteria and creatures living in water, approximately, there are about 80-90 percent of creatures living inside planet earth that is in need of air. This principle includes your pond fishes. During summer, it is inevitable that water has the tendency to become warm. And as it gets warmer and warmer, the lesser and lesser the oxygen content becomes. Furthermore, another effect of the heat of summer is that the metabolism of fishes are increased. One very good reason why oxygen is badly needed. If you have a wide pond with only a couple or a small number of fishes, this wouldn’t be a problem. But, if you have a crowded pond, oxygen can soon be depleted. If the owner has allowed something like this to occur, his fishes can suffer severe levels of stress which can occasionally lead to acquiring diseases. Fishes can die overnight if put under extreme situations and the owner neglected it.

To solve this problem, the owner can use aerating devices, he can also choose to clean-up the fish pond making it free from debris and algae or, if worse comes to worse, he can lessen the population.

Feed them right

Since the heat of summer contributes to faster metabolism, it is advisable to provide fish food that is high in protein. This will help them grow faster and live healthier. This is the best time to feed them with protein to enhance rapid, beautiful growth and development. And as the fishes store fat, they are preparing themselves when winter comes. Body fat can get your fishes through long, cold nights of winter.

When feeding, always see to it that fishes are given only minimal but frequent servings. It is better to give them several feedings a day than one big serving. Fishes tend to die when given large amount of food. If you wanted to introduce something different, mix it together with a small amount of their standard meal. This will make their unfamiliar taste of food become more acceptable.  Keep the pond clean

Always see to it that their pond is without algae, fallen leaves or wasted food. Keep your pond filter running to ensure the filtering of debris and maintain the cleanliness of the water inside the pond. Fishes can be more irritated with their environment and experience sickness. Furthermore, a dirty pond can cause bacteria to grow and contribute to your fishes’ disease.

If all these are properly set and arranged, you can be more confident in watching your fishes swim happily. Proper caring of your fish pond not only contributes to your fishes but to you, as an owner, as well

Ideas for an interesting holiday

I always thought storytelling was a lost art, however it is alive and well and growing, just listen to many of our songwriters and popular songs. We all love a great story, and a great way to sample the incredible diversity of stories and storytellers in the world is to visit one of the growing numbers of story-telling festivals. At these two- or three-day gatherings, hundreds of people-some professionals, some not-take the stage to tell tales. Some of the storytellers at these events are a bit shellacked-in a twangy corn pone kind of way. But you're almost certain to stumble upon some amazing stories and some fascinating people record them. Here are seven of the best festivals.

• Bay Area Storytelling Festival-This weekend of outdoor s telling is one of the best festivals in the western United States
o Where: El Sobrante, California When: May

• Yukon International Storytelling Festival-Now in its seventh decade, this festival features storytellers from the "circumpolar world"-the Yukon, Greenland, Iceland-telling stories u the endless sun of early spring. Some of the participants tell dying stories in dying native languages in an effort to keep those languages alive.
o Where: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada When: June

• Digital Storytelling Festival-A wonderful gathering with an array of speakers and entertainers using computers and other digital tools to craft compelling tales. (See "Experiment with Digital Storytelling".) The festival was launched by digital storytelling pioneer Dana Atchley, who died well before his time
Where: Sedona, Arizona When: June

• Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival-Held on Ireland's southernmost island, this festival attracts an eclectic mix of storytellers from all over the world. Most of the stories are in English, but some are in Irish.
o Where: Cape Clear Island, Republic of Ireland o When: September

• Sharing the Fire, New England Storytelling Conference-One of the oldest regional festivals in the United States, this event draws the best storytellers in the eastern United States.
o Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts  o When: September

• National Storytelling Festival-The granddaddy of American s telling festivals attended each year by more than ten thousand people.
o Where: Jonesborough, Tennessee When: October

Have a wonderful Xmas day

For many of us this is a day of family, celebration and joy, I hope your day is joyful and full of wonder and delight. My grandson are spending this day with us along with his parents. While we are joyful to have them with us, I am most thankful for the opportunity to again see the world through a childs eyes.
For those of you far from family, may the day be filled with joy and friendship and may you capture, the feeling and spirit of the day and continue to hold that feeling for the full year

For those of you who are missing a loved one because of illness or a recent death, may you focus on the good that person has brought you and remember their spirit and may you have friends and family with you to help the day go better.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY

NEW YEAR FROM MY FAMILY TO

YOU AND YOURS

Random Thoughts

A friend of mine and his wife just returned from 10 days in Maui, and since we are going there over the Christmas break, I wanted to find out what to do and what to see. So last week he, I and a few friends went out for supper at a local pub to talk, catch up and just hang out. One of my friends who came is suffering from Alzheimer's. He looked good when he came in, but his first words to me were, "You look vaguely familiar." So I reintroduced myself and talked about when we had worked together and he nodded.

As the evening wore on, I noticed that my friend was in and out of the conversations, and at times looked confused. I am not sure if his confusion was related to the conversations or the company, but I reflected that through all of the discussions he did attempt to stay focused, and we worked hard to include him. At the end of the evening he asked, "Are doing this again next month?" My immediate response as was my other friends was yes and we put someone in charge of making sure that the event would occur.

I am looking forward to the break and going to Maui and we are in the process of planning and getting ideas together, so if there are any ideas of what to do and what to see, please let me know. We are particularly interested in attending a luau in Maui so ideas on this and snorkeling spots would be helpful.

Friday's on my mind

Coming up to the end of the work week and the start of summer and I am thinking of the Friday song by ZZ top, as the day winds its way down. Fridays seem to be a bit more relaxed as people move into the weekend and have the time to recoup their energy. I think this is one thing that Boomers who retire will miss. The charm of having a Friday and the ability to look forward to a weekend of fun and relaxation. When retired that joy of Friday is gone as everyday is a holiday