Today, April 21, is "Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day." This is clearly proof that beauty is in the eye of the beholder: "beauty" is not the first word that comes to my mind when I see a bulldog. Of course, I've never had a bulldog, as our family always got its dogs either by taking in strays or getting a mutt from the dog pound. These days, however, it is not politically correct to say "mutt" or "dog pound," but rather "We got our rescue dog from the humane society."
It is also "World Creativity and Innovation Day," something that is right up all our alleys these days, as we are trying to find new ways to meet needs during this disruptive pandemic. We not only need to innovate during a crisis, but we need to innovate and create if we are ever to move beyond the nagging problems that plague us during ordinary times. In observance of this day, think up one new way to do something you do every day. If it works out, send me a note. If your innovation fails, please forget where you heard this from.
Today is also "Chocolate Covered Cashews Day" and "Tea Day." I know you all have crumpets with your afternoon tea, but just for today, throw in a few chocolate covered cashews...unless you are allergic to nuts. In that case, observe the day by learning something interesting about cashews: such as, the cashew tree is an evergreen that grows in Central and South America and features apples. At the end of each apple is a "drupe," which contains a single seed. This seed is protected by two layers of poisonous (like poison ivy) shell. So, the next time you eat a cashew nut...it has already been on a long journey before arriving at your lips.
Today is also "American Red Cross Giving Day." We continue to appreciate their work during this pandemic, both as they collect blood for patients (harder to collect these days!) and respond to other emergencies. After all, the tornado season doesn't let up just because there is a pandemic.
Finally, today is also "Kindergarten Day" and "Library Workers Day." When we think of what is essential in life, the mind and mental growth are often overlooked: but not by Kindergarten teachers and Library workers. Hats off to these two wonderful institutions that grace our lives.
