Category: Nonfiction

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National Pie Day

National Pie Day is unique because it happens twice a year. January 23 and December 1. Pie is so amazing it needs two days of celebration. Or you could celebrate every day because pie. That’s the only reason you need. This celebration was created back in 1986 by the American Pie Council. It is believed that the first pies appeared in 9500 BCE in the Egyptian Neolithic period. So, pies have been a staple for several thousand years. Maybe I like pie because it’s been encoded in my DNA over thousands of generations.

I’m down for just about any kind of pie, but my favorite is pumpkin pie. After that, I enjoy cream pies and sometimes fruit pie. Pot pies are good too when I want some meat and vegetables. Despite this love for pie, I’ve never baked one on my own. I helped a friend make a pie from scratch once but never again. I’d be more willing to bake pies more often if I had more counter space in my kitchen. I’ll get there one day, and I’ll only eat pies from that point on. I’ll get fat on pies. That’s the real American dream.

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Wacky Wednesday: January 20

This week’s wackiness is a little light with only a few holidays to observe. I’m sure most people are interested in the US Presidential inauguration. Continuing our look into old English insults we have Roiderbanks. This refers to someone who lives beyond their means or seems to spend extravagantly. I’ve met many folks who spend more than they appear to have. Next up we have Saddle-goose. This is a fun word, and the definition is even more fun. Saddling geese is a proverbially pointless exercise, so anyone who wastes their time doing it, namely a saddle-goose, must be an imbecile.

We have two token food holidays today. The first is National Buttercrunch Day. Buttercrunch is a combination of toffee covered in chocolate. There are many variations to the caramel flavored treat including toasted almond sprinkles. Next, we have National Cheese Lover’s Day. The earliest record of cheese making is from 5,500 BCE in what is now Poland. There are over 1,400 varieties of cheese today. Today is also National Disc Jockey Day. Be sure to contact your favorite radio DJ or local club DJ and tell them how much you appreciate them. If you ask them their favorite kind of cheese they may become your best friend or stare at you like you have three heads.

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Coffee and Contemplation: Hunt for Happiness Week

Hunt for Happiness Week is the third week of January. It was founded in 2001 by The Society of Happy People. The society often has events, but the purpose of the week is to get people to look at what things make them happy. This might include activities or people you enjoy being around. This might seem like a strange idea, but have you actually thought about what makes you happy? Happiness is an attitude or mindset you create for yourself. It doesn’t just happen. You have to work at it everyday. For some, this is an easy task. For most of us, it can be difficult. 

There are a few things I’ve been doing for the past few years to help with my happiness. I don’t identify with any one religion, but I do like the practices of Buddhism. I don’t mean this as a religion but only as spiritual practice. One practice is being kind whenever possible; it’s always possible. Another thing I’ve done is keeping a ‘hunt the good stuff’ journal. Everyday before bed, I write down at least three good things that happened to me that day and why they were important to me. I’ve done this everyday for almost 18 months. The point is, think about what makes you happy or unhappy. Then try to do the things that make you happy and don’t do the things that make you unhappy. Easier said than done. Enjoy Hunt for Happiness Week.