Tag: holidays

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National Thank You Note Day

December 26 is National Thank You Note Day. The idea is to thank people for their gifts, hospitality, and generosity.  This doesn’t have to be related to Christmas or other holidays. Last year, I sent out cards thanking people for all the help they had given me during the previous year. It was an important step for me to not only appreciate others but for me to show more gratitude. That’s not something I had done well before. Gratitude is another part of being kind to others. They say it’s better to give than to receive. And it’s better to give gratitude and appreciation than anything else.

Many people will complain they didn’t like a gift from someone. Others will say it’s the thought that counts. Even if you didn’t like a gift, write a thank you note anyway. Thank the person for thinking of you. Thank them for the thoughtfulness. You don’t have to mention whether you liked the gift or not. But don’t be a Negative Nancy. Appreciate the person’s kindness. Appreciate getting a gift at all. Some people don’t have families or friends. They don’t receive gifts or celebrate. So, thanks others for gifts they sent. And keep an eye out for those who might feel alone. Thank them for being around.

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Wacky Wednesday: October 14

Today is extra wacky with all the things we have to talk about. Our first word for the day is a noun with an unusual meaning. Yarborough is a term used in card games like bridge or whist referring to a hand with no ace and no card higher than nine. It is said to be named after an Earl of Yarborough, who bet 1000 to one against the occurrence of such a hand. Zoanthropy, another noun, is a monomania in which a person believes they have changed into an animal and act like one. This is similar to lycanthropy where someone believes they are a werewolf. 

For our holidays today, there are so many. There are several which fall only on the second Wednesday of the month; National Curves Day recognizing plus sized women and men, National Emergency Nurse’s Day, National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day, and National Stop Bullying Day. The Wednesday of the second full week of October is National Fossil Day. Today is also National Dessert Day, Be Bald and Be Free Day celebrating people rocking the no hair look, and National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. That’s a lot of things to celebrate but I have faith in all of you. But let’s be honest the most exciting celebration is fossils. Who doesn’t like fossils?

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World Beard Day

Yes, that’s my beard in the photo.

The first Saturday of September is World Beard Day. The description on WBD website is humorous to say the least. As a member of bearded community, this is the first time I’ve heard about this international holiday. I’ve grown a beard for many years. I prefer how my face looks with one versus cleanshaven. In recent years beards and manbuns have become trendy. But I remember a time when beards where no so popular. People still had then but it wasn’t trendy. I had facial of some kind since I was about 14. I had a full beard by 16 and it looked nice and thick by 18. 

Fast forward to 2014 when beards became trendy. Everyone accused me of trying to be hip by having a beard. Never mind that I had grown a beard for the last ten years. I like to tell people I had a beard before it was cool. I do think everyone should try growing a beard once in their life. Try different versions as they are so many. More often than not I keep my trimmed short. I may grow it slightly longer by fractions of an inch. But I’ve never had the ZZ Top beard. As I write this, I realize I need to trim my beard again.

Face masks have made me lazier with beard grooming as most people never see it. That is the only negative thing I have to say about face masks. If you partake in the bearded-ness, share some photos. It can be a fake beard. I don’t care. As long as it’s not a glitter beard. This is a glitter beard free zone.

Here’s a link to a poem I posted a few weeks ago about my beard.
I Grew a Beard Before it was Cool