Happy Labor Day & Grandma Moses Day

 In this time of testing, those of us who have a job need to be thankful because many jobs have been lost due to pandemic-related closings.

Proverbs 16:26  The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

It's Grandma Moses Day, an example of someone who never ceased from labor.  I am unclear why NY Governor Nelson Rockefeller created Grandma Moses Day on her 100th birthday.  (She lived to be 101.)  Mrs. Moses started painting in her 50's but really focused on painting in her mid-70's when she could no longer do needlework.  In 1938, a collector bought all of her finished paintings and they were displayed the following year at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.  Grandma Moses was "born."  She painted almost 1500 paintings before her death in 1961.  She is quoted as saying, "Painting's not important.  The important thing is keeping busy."  She would want us to remember that it's never too late to start something new, learn something, do something.

Celebrate Google Commemoration Day, Google's birthday, by searching for paintings by Grandma Moses.  Google.com is the most visited website in the world.  I know all my Web searches start there.

The picture is of a painting, Country Fair, by Grandma Moses.

It's Read a Book Day & Great Egg Toss Day

 I do a lot of reading, or rather my Kindle reads books to me.  My favorite genre is cozy mysteries.  One of my favorite series is The Cat Who books.  Cynthia Martinez, a co-worker & friend, introduced me to these books a long time ago and I'm so glad she did.

For a different diversion when you're tired of reading, find someone to play Egg Toss with you.  You can toss an egg back and forth, taking a step back each time or see who can toss an egg the farthest.  Although, I have to say this is a very messy game and a waste of good food.  Maybe, go back to reading.

What are some of your favorite books and authors?

John 21:25  Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

It's National Hummingbird Day & National Cheese Pizza Day, Plus More

 My friend, Chrissy, has a love for animals and nature.  One of her joys is to have a hummingbird feeder and watch the antics of these amazing tiny creatures.  Celebrate National Hummingbird Day by learning some Fun Facts About Hummingbirds on Kaytee's webpage.  Then go over to Popular Mechanics (yes, really) and check out 16 Ways Hummingbirds Continually Amaze Us.  Did you know the normal temperature of a hummingbird is 105 degrees?

Matthew 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?

Speaking of feeding, I wish I had taken a picture of the cheese pizza we bought from Boulevard Pizza in Wendell, NC on Wednesday.  We love their pizza and subs.  If you're in the area, check them out and celebrate National Cheese Pizza Day with them.

You can put bacon on your pizza but I'd rather have crisp bacon on my cheeseburger or on a biscuit with cheese.  Celebrate International Bacon Day and Franchise Appreciation Day by getting bacon on a breakfast sandwich at a fast food franchise, like McDonald's or Bojangles, or get a bacon cheeseburger later in the day at a restaurant franchise, like Red Robin or Chili's.

While we're talking about McDonald's, did you know they maintain a charity to help provide families temporary lodging near hospitals - Ronald McDonald Houses?  Celebrate International Day of Charity by giving to a non-profit that is close to your heart.  There are lots to choose from.

It's National Wildlife Day & Wear Teal Day & so much more

There are so many options to celebrate today!

It's Wear Teal Day but it's also College Colors Day.  You or your parents paid a lot of money for that college degree.  Proudly wear your college colors today; they cost enough!

Before we celebrate Eat an Extra Dessert Day, participate in National Food Bank Day by donating food to your local food bank to help those struggling to make ends meet right now.

It's also Bring Your Manners to Work Day.  I need to focus on this one because I don't want to be back in the office.

Take a ride in the country and celebrate National Wildlife Day.  Did you know there's a Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, NC?  They also have a Facebook group you can join.

Mark 1:13  and Jesus was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals, and angels attended Him.

Here are a few other things that happened on this day.

In 2002, Kelly Clarkson became the first American Idol winner.

Google was founded in 1998.

It's National Skyscraper Day

 I love the Raleigh skyline.  It's not overwhelming, with just enough tall buildings.

I've never lived in the city, but I've lived near cities with tall buildings.  Honestly, being surrounded by buildings makes me feel claustrophobic.  

When I think of skyscrapers, I think of the opening scene in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  Did you know there's a bronze status depicting Mary tossing her hat in the air at the corner of Nicollet Mall and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis?

Here are some shows that took place in cities, submitted for your viewing pleasure.  Watch for tall buildings.

I Love Lucy (1951-1957), starring Lucille Ball, took place in New York City

That Girl (1966-1971), starring Marlo Thomas, also took place in New York City

The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977), starring MTM, took place in Minneapolis

Rhoda (MTM spinoff #1) (1974-1978), starring Valerie Harper, again in New York City

Phyllis (MTM spinoff #2) (1975-1977), starring Cloris Leachman, took place in San Francisco

Lou Grant (MTM spinoff #3) (1977-1982), starring Ed Asner, took place in Los Angeles

Lois and Clark took place in Metropolis, a stereotype of any city with tall buildings

Spiderman also took place in New York City

Here is a picture of the Raleigh skyline.

And here's a picture of The Mary Tyler Moore Show statue.

Celebrate World Coconut Day & Calendar Adjustment Day

 I bought a coconut cream pie to celebrate World Coconut Day.  It's one of Denny's favorite pie flavors.  Once when Rebecca and her hubby, Palu, visited, Palu made us several Polynesian dishes native to his homeland, Tonga.  Many were made with coconut milk and they were so rich and yummy.  

Coconut is a good source of B-complex vitamins and several minerals.  Coconut is in lotions and cooking oil and salves.  It's good for you, inside and out.

I don't think they are referring to coconut milk but...

Numbers 14:8  If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.

Fun coconut fact 1:  Coconuts can be used as a flotation device.  I guess that's because they're pretty hollow but I wouldn't want to be at sea with only a little coconut to keep me afloat.

Fun coconut fact 2:  Coconut milk is non-dairy.

Visit The Spruce Eats for 30 Delicious Recipes to Make with a Can of Coconut Milk.

Moving on to some other little known facts or at least something else to think about, Great Britain passed the British Calendar Act in 1851.  They switched from using the Julian Calendar to using the Gregorian Calendar.  When they changed, they lost eleven days - days, not hours!  They went to sleep on September 1st and when they woke up the next morning, it was September 14th.  And we complain about losing an hour for Daylight Savings Time!  This calendar change also changed New Year's Day from March 25th to January 1st.  Why would the new year start in the middle of a month anyway?  And I thought I had a hard time keeping up with what day it is this year.  That year had a lot of adjustments too.

Happy American Chess Day & World Letter Writing Day

Both of today's celebrations are things that take time and thought.

Chess is not an easy game to learn.  Matthew used to like to play chess; my dad did too.  Personally, I prefer more mindless games you can chat through.

The other timely celebration is letter writing.  How exciting it was to receive a letter in the mail.  Sadly, it's a lost art nowadays.

If you aren't interested in either of these activities, do something else that causes you to slow down and be mindful about what you're doing.

I want to kick off a new month by celebrating National Mortgage Professional Month.  We are so thankful that Dan has a job he enjoys with a company he likes in this venue.  Staci and Dan are both in the banking profession area of helping people get the houses and luxuries they want.  It's not easy to work with the public, us, and it's difficult to understand the law too.  I appreciate the assistance and knowledge of those who help us make our dreams a reality.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.