May 27th Sun Screen Day

Well among those things starting to open up first after months of “Stay at home” are the beaches. In our hurry to get back outside we need to remember to bring the sun screen with us. After having been inside for so long our skin needs the sun screen to protect it from the Ultraviolet Rays that can cause us so much damage. The higher the SPF the more protected we are. It is suggested we start with at least an SPF15. Some of us have been going outside every day but for those who haven’t been able to, remember you will burn much easier than before we were forced to stay inside. Enjoy the sun, get that vitamin D, but be safe!

How to celebrate – Get out and enjoy the sun. Protect yourself from the sun. Hit the beaches!

May 26th Sally Ride Day

Today we celebrate the accomplishments of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. She was a part of the “Challenger”, STS-7, in 1983. Most of the American Astronauts had been men serving in the military prior to Ms. Ride. She went through the same training as men and had to become as qualified to be a part of the crew as anyone else. She was the Challenger’s physicist for STS-7 and STS-41-G. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1951 she unfortunate died of cancer in 2012.

How to celebrate – Learn more about Sally Ride. Read about NASA. Learn about the requirements to become an astronaut.

May 25th National Towel Day

It’s National Towel Day in the UK. Apparently there are a lot of uses for a towel in Douglas Adams’, “The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. For those of you too young to remember it, it was a book and radio series back n 1978 which became one of the most popular series ever. It is, and was, a little strange but people really, really liked it. I remember reading it but I have to be honest, I don’t really remember much of it except the towel was a more important item for the traveler. The first National Towel Day came in 2001, two weeks after Adams passed away.

How to celebrate – Read “The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. Look for recordings of the Guide on You Tube. Wash your towels today.

May 24th National Escargot Day

Eating snails maybe a real treat, I will never know. The idea of eating something that crawls along the ground has never appealed to me. To others though, snails are a delight. I believe the French, who were among the first to see this creature crawling on the ground and said, to themselves, “Yum”. However, leaving them entitled “Snails” may have turned others off so they named them Escargot instead. (That’s probably not true but I don’t really want to find out) If you eat snails remember to extend your little finger so people know you have class cause otherwise they might just think you are weird.

How to celebrate – Have some escargot. Go out and see if your supper is climbing your walls. Visit France.

May 23rd Lucky Penny Day

The penny isn’t what it use to be, but then who of us are? The penny use to have a lot more value than it does today. In fact, governments are eliminating the penny in many economies because they aren’t worth the money the materials cost to make it and even penny candy that use to make children happy is lie 50 cents now! (If you are lucky enough to find it!) There are many theories of what makes a penny lucky, the one most common to me is when you find a penny on the ground. If the penny is on heads, pick it up and it brings you luck. (But you can’t spend it) If it is on tails, just leave it where it lay.

How to celebrate – Go around looking for pennies on the ground. (Have a partner watch that you don’t run into anything.) “A penny saved is worth a penny earned”. “A penny for your thoughts”

May 22nd International Day for Biological Diversity

May 22^nd International Day for Biological Diversity

Wow, that’s a mouthful! Today is used to study and utilize all that is biological, which covers practically everything! This year’s theme is “Our solutions are in nature.” The subject matters will include the ecosystems, water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, among other things. Doesn’t that just about cover it all!?! This day was created by the General Assembly in the UN in 1993. Since it seems to cover everything on the face of the earth I wish them luck with just one day to deal with it all!

How to celebrate – Visit the UN. Learn what biological diversity actually means.  Come to an understanding of how everything on the face of the earth must work in unity.

May 22nd National Maritime Day

May 22^nd National Maritime Day

Most countries economic development originated with the ships, and the men and women who sailed them, to grow. When there were no airplanes the only way to build trade with other countries was by what could be shipped out, and shipped in. With the world connected by merchant ships, there needed to be a strong navy to protect them. In World War 2 the allied countries were held together by their ability to ship war materials, and food, to those countries under siege. 250,000 Merchant Marines served during World War 2 with 6,700 (At least) perishing to get those needed supplies through. Today was created by the US Congress in 1933.

How to celebrate – Learn more about the foundations of our economy. Thank any sailors you see. Learn more about the maritime services.