January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when many individuals and organizations highlight the urgent need for volunteer blood donations. Most healthy people are eligible to give blood, but less than 10% of eligible potential donors actually do so. Every day, patients in hospitals and treatment facilities receive blood transfusions. Without the donations of … Read more
January is Celebration of Life Month, a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Everyone is encouraged to find ways to celebrate the positives while looking for ways to change the negatives. To appreciate your life and the years you’ve lived, the times you’ve shared with loved ones and friends, and learn to take things … Read more
Around the world and throughout history, many civilizations have observed celebrations for the New Year. The oldest recorded festivities were held in Babylon 4,000 years ago. Today, countries around the globe mark the end of the old year and the beginning of the new on December 31, New Year’s Eve. In America, it’s customary to … Read more
The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without some last minute scrambling. Despite my best planning and intentions, there was someone overlooked, a special teacher. I thought our standard family Christmas card would suffice but my daughter felt otherwise. “But mom, she’s my FAVORITE teacher!” she insisted. Okay, okay, I get it but with … Read more
Everyone has good intentions when it comes to the holidays. We make our lists, check them twice, organize and prioritize, and sure enough, despite our care, we sometimes forget to buy Christmas cards the special people in our lives. A coach, teacher, hairdresser, personal trainer, nail technician, babysitter, pet groomer, house cleaner … even the … Read more
December 12 marks National Poinsettia Day, an observance dedicated to the flower that has become a popular symbol of the holiday season. Close to $200 million is spent on decorative poinsettias every year. But why do we associate the bright red (or white variety) poinsettia with Christmas? During a trip to Mexico in 1828, American … Read more
Sift the flour, mix the butter, Roll the dough for the cookie cutter. A white sugar star, a red Christmas bell, A brown teddy bear with a gingery smell. Christmas cookies taste so sweet – They’re fun to make and good to eat! —–Anonymous December 4 marks the observance of National Cookie Day! There’s no … Read more
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah (alternatively spelled Chanukah) is a Jewish religious holiday celebrated annually for eight days. The holiday commemorates a miraculous event which occurred in the second century B.C. during the Maccabean Revolt. When the Second Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated, the menorah candles burned for eight days even though there was … Read more
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. —–Ralph Waldo Emerson In the United States, Thanksgiving falls annually on the fourth Thursday in November. The celebration of family usually includes a traditional feast of turkey with … Read more
November 14 marks National American Teddy Bear Day, when we celebrate the flurry, furry, cute stuffed animals that delight us as children, and continue to hold our hearts when we grow up. Since 1902, teddy bears have remained an extremely popular gift for children (and sweethearts). A couple of the world;’s most famous teddy bears … Read more