Valentine's Day is Over, But...

This video of a woman named London Kaye yarn bombing the L train in New York on Valentine's Day was too good to pass up. I would never have the nerve to do something like this, but I'm glad that she did. Living near a big city as I do, I've had my share of boring trips on the L. The trains usually back onto less scenic parts of the city, and the rides can be long. So, as a passenger, I would have enjoyed this attempt to dress things up and make people smile.

Have a great day with lots of smiles!

Myrna

Valentine's Day is Coming: Let's Have Some Red

Red is one of my very favorite colors. I wear it a lot (no pastels for me, at least not often). So, I'm constantly on the lookout for fun red things.

This first item is from my house (hence, my poor photography). I bought it from a card shop one Valentine's Day years ago. I have no idea what you would call it, but it's a clear acrylic cylinder about 2 inches high and similar to an hour glass in design. There's a horizontal divider down the middle. Half the cylinder is almost filled with sand and when you turn it over, the sand pours through the black divider with holes punched on each side, and you end up with either a heart or the message "You're Very Special," depending which side you've flipped it to. Simple as it is, it has turned into a conversation piece for guests.

Red rain boots are always fun.

Amazon

A  crab-shaped purse

Amazon

Ruby Slippers

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Or a vintage Valentine

Enjoy the day! Think red.


Myrna

Animated Love is in the Air

It's getting very close to Valentine's Day. Time for some animated romance!

This one, George and Rosemary, is from The National Film Board of Canada.

George and Rosemary by David Fine & by Alison Snowden, National Film Board of Canada

And Cupidon tells the story of what happens when Cupid gets a little lazy.

What is Labor Day All About?

Today is Labor Day, but...what exactly does that mean? We (here in the United States at least) get so used to the Labor Day sales, picnics and family gatherings that we often forget its significance. We tend to think of this weekend as the official end of summer, even though summer really doesn't officially end then and while we enjoy having the day off, very few people stop to contemplate the reason for the day off.

But it is a significant day. It's a national holiday, and those days are not chosen lightly. So, what's it all about really? Here's a TEDEducation video that explains why Americans and Canadians celebrate this day.

On This Day...

On this day in 1845, the first issue of Scientific American was published.

And in 1958, figure skater Scott Hamilton was born.

Happy Birthday to all those born (or invented) on August 28th!

It's National Sunscreen Day

And it's also graduation season, so it's a fitting time to run the video Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen. The 1998 song, by Australian director Baz Luhrmann is based on a 1997 Chicago Tribune column by 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Schmich. Schmich said that it was the commencement speech she would have given had she been asked to give one and is often incorrectly attributed to Kurt Vonnegut.

It's National Waiter/Waitress Day!

Thank a waiter or waitress today, and remember...in the United States, the federal minimum wage for tipped employees is still only $2.13 per hour (unchanged since 1991). So, tips are a lifeline for your wait-staff (and no, I have no vested interest, but I've known my share of struggling waiters and waitresses).

Source is John Althouse Cohen

This Was Supposed to Be a Post About Limerick Day

Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of  Edward Lear who popularized the limerick in his A Book of Nonsense in 1846, but on my way to finding a visual to go with this post, I came across several lovely images totally unrelated to Limerick Day.

For example, this photo has nothing to do with the word limerick as a form of poetry but was taken not far from the city of Limerick in Ireland.

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And then there's this gorgeous image:
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And this wonderful signpost (only 6k to Limerick):

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So...I lost sight of my goal, but not for long. This day, after all, is about Edward Lear and his limericks. And to that I say, Happy Birthday, Edward Lear! And thank you for your contribution to literature.

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One of Edward Lear's limericks (I'm sure you know this one):

There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, “It is just as I feared!—
Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”

For more of Edward Lear's poems or to read biographical material, go to Poem Hunter.

It's Clean Up Your Room Day!

I didn't know that until a few moments ago, so it was a bit odd that I spent a lot of time today shoveling out my office (I found--gulp--correspondence I had lost. It was over a year old. I'm going to have some apologizing to do). It was so bad that I almost needed one of these.

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Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad. Other than the unanswered letter (stuck between two folders rather than inside a folder where it should have been), most of my cleaning simply involved filing and recycling. But it feels so good to have it done. Enjoy the day, whether you bulldoze anything or not!

Time for Some Irish Music!

It's the annual post featuring Danny Boy (sung by the Lyons Township High School Varsity Choir in 2004).

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Love Story...of Sorts

I confess that I'm terribly fond of those anniversary photos in the newspapers (you know, the ones that show the couple on the day they got married and then as they are now). There's just something so touching and wonderful about seeing a couple when they were young and knowing that they're still together years later.

This video is the story of a couple having their 60th anniversary and of a son who wanted to do something special for them. And even though I'm not particularly enamored of cars (and this is also a car story), it was a warm and touching story. I hope you enjoy it, too.

It's Panic Day

I have no idea what the origin of this day is, but supposedly it's panic day (don't we all have our own individual panic days?), so...no, don't panic. Instead, find a calming place, some special place. And relax. Think nice thoughts. Read a book. Enjoy the day.

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History of Blood Transfusions meets Random Acts of Kindness Day

Two of my favorite bloggers are the Green brothers (Hank and John). Here Hank discusses the history of blood transfusions (which, yes, is fascinating). Combine that with the fact that today is Random Acts of Kindness Day and...I think you know where this is going. It's a good day to think about donating blood if you're able.

It's Do a Grouch a Favor Day!

And of course my favorite grouch is Oscar, so here are some appropriate cupcakes:

from Angelina Cupcake

from Frosted with Emotion

And, of course, here's the green grouch himself.

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day just wouldn't be the same without conversation hearts. You can buy the commercial variety (below):

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...or, here's an Instructable on how to make your own.

A Most Special Wedding Dance

Keep some tissues handy while you're watching this. It's sweet and sad (but also says something wonderfully positive about family). The bride's father passed away from pancreatic cancer a few months before the wedding, so her brother recorded the song Butterfly Kisses, and her grandfather, brothers and father-in-law danced the father/daughter dance with her.

It's World Hello Day!

Hello!
            Hello.  Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello!, 
       Hello, Hello, Hello...Hello!!!

World Hello Day is all about promoting world peace. It began in 1973 and is a global event. So say hello to the people you meet. Communicate. That's what the day is for. 

What a fantastic idea!

It's "Take a Hike" Day

Admittedly, when I first saw this, I couldn't decide if it was a suggestion ("get lost"), or if literally meant get out and walk. I vote for get out and take a walk. Because that is, in fact, what the day is about and also because it's a much nicer sentiment. So enjoy the outdoors and an invigorating walk!

On this Day in History: Crayola Crayons Were First Sold

There were only 8 in a box back then (1903), and a box of crayons cost five cents.

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A man who loves Crayola Crayons and has lots of historic boxes:

And a very interesting video (The Crayola Monologues) using crayon colors as "a human metaphor for exploring color and identity in the United States." What I considered most interesting were the (very good and legitimate) reasons for dropping several colors.

Lantern Floating in Hawaii

I'm a few months late (4 months late, to be exact) since the Lantern Floating Ceremony takes place on Memorial Day in Hawaii. I hadn't heard of it before, but it looked so beautiful that I wanted to include it. This is something I'd like to see up close, but for now a video will have to suffice (this first video had music by Cat Stevens substituted for the native music, and while I love that music, I've also included a second, longer one with the original music and a bit more detail).






From the Lantern Floating Hawaii site:
Every year on Memorial Day, tens-of-thousands of people gather on Oʻahu’s south shore joined by many from around the world via live streaming and telecast to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in war, for loved ones who have passed away and to generate hope toward a harmonious and peaceful future.

Visit the website to read more, to watch the official video and to see more images.