Utah s Majestic Lakes and Streams by Melanie P. Smith

Utah’s Majestic Lakes and Streams

by Melanie P. Smith

Things to Celebrate in October

by Poppy Flynn

Every day of the month has some kind of official celebration and usually more than one! It might be big, it might be small…it might be wacky or downright bizarre! There are over 1500 National Days throughout the year, here’s just one observance of the many for each day in October 2020.

October 1 st International Coffee Day

In March 2014, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) created International Coffee Day and chose October 1 st as the date to celebrate coffee around the world. The first International Coffee Day was held the following year.

October 2 nd World Smile Day

Celebrated on the first Friday of October, World Smile Day is not the invention of dentists but is actually dedicated to the smiley face emoji with the intention that people perform an act of kindness to help people smile.

October 3 rd

Virus Appreciation Day

I’m not sure anyone appreciates Coronavirus so maybe Virus AwarenessDay might be more apt. Unlike bacteria, viruses are not alive, they’re more like random bits of DNA which wander around with a bad attitude and a protective suit. But the truth is that many life-saving vaccines are born from viruses and that is the true purpose of this day.

October 4 th World Animal Day

Mission Statement: To raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.

October 5 th World Teacher's Day

Launched in 1994, World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.

Mad Hatter Day

Created in 1986 and inspired by the John Tenniel illustration of the tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Celebrate by reading the book, watching the movie, wearing a hat or hosting a tea party.

October 7 th National Frappe Day

Celebrate with the iced drink of your choice.

October 8 th Pierogi Day

What is a pierogi, I hear you say. Well, that was my first question anyway. And for those of you who need to know, the answer is a semicircular dumpling made from unleavened dough originating from Poland. First they are boiled, then either baked or fried in butter to finish and stuffed with a variety of fillings such as cheese, ground meat or fruit.

October 9 th Curious Events Day

A day to celebrate all those curious events whether they be big or small. Does Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster really exist? Where do all the odd socks go that get lost in the laundry? Crop circles, the Bermuda Triangle, Ghosts, UFO’s, Roswell and all of those conspiracy theories.

October 10 th World Mental Health Day

First celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma

October 11 th Child International Day of the Girl

Every year on this day, since 2012, UNICEF launches an annual campaign to amplify the voices of girls and stand up for their rights. This year the theme is ‘My voice, our equal future’.

Moment of Frustration Day

Sometimes referred to as ‘Scream Day’ the concept is that at 1200 hours - Greenwich time, people from around the world will go outside and scream for 30 seconds to let out all their frustrations. Apparently screaming makes you feel better.

October 13 th No bra day

Established in 2011 and originally celebrated on July 9 th , this day, designed to increase awareness of breast cancer, was later moved to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October 14 th Be Bald and Free Day

A day for celebrating those without hair everywhere. Don’t cover up - embrace the baldness.

October 15 th National Grouch Day

This Sesame Street inspired celebration has been observed since 1976. If you identify as a grouch, today is your day.

October 16 th Global Cat Day

Originally called National Feral Cat Day from its inception in 2001 through to 2016, this day is now dedicated to protecting the lives of all cats but with a specific focus on outdoor cats.

October 17 th Wear Something Gaudy Day

Be bright and wear something loud today.

October 18 th Chocolate Cupcake Day

No prizes for guessing todays treat!.

New Friends Day

Does what it says on the tin. Celebrate today by getting to know someone new.

October 20 th International Sloth Day

International Sloth Day was established in 2010 to raise awareness of these shy, tender hearted creatures and to try and prevent them becoming extinct. Fans of the film should recognise this as the date from the digital dashboard reading. Created by the Liberation Foods Company to encourage the public to choose healthier snack options; treat yourself to some almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts today.

October 23 rd Day

Yes, this really is a genuine day - but best be careful you don’t get yourself fired! It originates from a 2009 episode of the TV show, ‘The Office,’ where Pam slaps Michael Scott for having the cheek to date her mother.

October 24 th United Nations Day

Observing the anniversary of the date the United Nations officially came into existence in

October 21 st

Back to the Future Day

October 22 nd National Nut Day

1945.

October 25 th

World Pasta Day

Forty International pasta producers joined together to establish World Pasta Day during the inaugural World Pasta Congress in Rome, Italy, on October 25, 1995

So, what’s for dinner tonight? Spaghetti? Lasagne, Ravioli? Cannelloni? Tagliatelle? The options are too many to list!

National Day of the Deployed

Recognising all of the brave military personnel who have been deployed or have sacrificed their lives to defend their country.

October 27 th Black Cat Day

Created in 2011 by Cat’s Protection to promote black cats and explode the myths surrounding them as being ‘bad luck’, something influenced by their ancient folklore heritage as being a witch’s companion. In fact, black cats take longer to be re-homed than any other type of cat. I don’t think any more needs to be said - enjoy that chocolate treat without guilt today.

Internet Day

Where would the world be without the internet? On this day in 1969, Charley Kline, a student programmer at UCLA successfully transmitted the first ever message from one computer to another. The rest is history.

October 30 th Mischief Night

Known by a variety of names including Devil's Night, Gate Night, Goosey Night, Moving Night, Cabbage Night and Mat Night, this is a date when kids and teens traditionally engage in pranks.

October 31 st Carve a Pumpkin Day

No prizes for guessing how this celebration originated. Happy Halloween! Monthly observances include: Fair Trade Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vegetarian

October 28 th National Chocolate Day

Month and World Menopause Month.

Poppy Flynn was born in Buckinghamshire, UK and moved to Wales at eight years old with parents who wanted to live the 'self-sufficiency' lifestyle. Today she still lives in rural Wales and is married with six children. Poppy's love of reading and writing stemmed from her parents' encouragement and the fact that they didn't have a television in the house. "When you're surrounded by fields, cows and sheep, no neighbors, no TV and the closest tiny village is four miles away, there's a certain limit to your options, but with books your adventures and your horizons are endless." Discover more

about Poppy on Mom's Favorite Reads website:

Zoey

by Keith Guernsey

When our four-footed son Harley went over the Rainbow Bridge in May of last year, Susan and I were heartbroken. He had been the love of our lives for 10 years and he left a tremendous hole in our hearts that we didn't think could ever be filled. After grieving for nine months we started talking about possibly getting another companion. Susan was ready but I still wasn't sure but decided to go along with the process and see where it led us. We realized after sheltering-in-place for so many months that we had grown tired of staring at our computer screens (and each other!) and got serious about finding another companion. Susan spent many hours on the internet searching for a dog that met our requirements (potty trained, house-broken, and fewer than 20 pounds). She found several that we thought would be a nice addition to our home but the time she submitted our application they were already adopted. But then we finally caught a break. She found this adorable little brown and white Chihuahua at the Gwinnett Jail House Dogs Program. Susan submitted our application but again by the time they received it, she too had been adopted. A couple of weeks later Susan received a call from the program, and as it turns there was another dog already in the house and the two dogs did not get along. So we had a second chance. We made an appointment with Deputy Walker of the Gwinnett Jail House Dogs and agreed to meet him at Society of Humane Friends in Lawrenceville. They filled us in on her past. She was a stray roaming the streets of Cumming, Georgia where she was hit by a car and suffered a broken right rear leg and dislocated hip. Fortunately the wonderful staff at UGA veterinary program was able put her back together and she is now healthy as can be. We met Yonah (her name at the time) and took to each other right away. The young lady we metwith told us it would take us three days to get used each other. It didn't even take three minutes! We rode home, let her out of her carrier and let her roam around the house.

She has been a wonderful bundle of joy for the two months she has lived with us. Rambunctious, funloving, and the best 10 pound protector dog of all time. The only issue (and it is admittedly a minor one) is she barks loudly and continuously whenever anyone comes to the house. We are working with her constantly to teach her the difference between friend and foe. Every time I walk by her, she constantly rolls on her back and wants her belly rubbed and I am more than happy to oblige! Zoey has been with us for two months and it has been a blast! We are loving every minute of our time together and can't wait to se what the future brings! For more, please visit us on the web at; http://tinyurl.com/y6ut57ms

We are honored to announce a joint promotion with the American Cancer Society where we will be donating 25 cents/copy for any of our books (including our newest "Overcoming the Odds") ordered between 8/26/2020 and 10/31/2020 to this wonderful organization.

Will you help us cure this dread disease today? Many thanks, Keith and the ACS 2X cancer survivor, Twitter=@thegurns #cancer #cancer cure

Keith D. Guernsey is retired and living on Lake Lanier with his lovely wife Susan and Zoey, his four-footed daughter

thegurns2005@yahoo.com

Twitter=@thegurns https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Keith-D-Guernsey/e/B00PR51Q7Y

A Sting in the Tail

by John Greeves

Pedro Mendoza will sit with a glass of wine and explain how he’s become a wealthy man. His success is down to the Apis Mellifera, the honeybee. It has given him everything in life. You detect a mocking smugness in his voice since he has become one of life’s philosophers. Bees have taught him all he needs to know. The division of labour, the stratification of society into castes, market liquidity and of course protecting your assets from imminent take over.

He believes in despotic altruism only as far as it suits his purpose and ensures the survival of his bees. There can be no room for sentiment and like the drone the unproductive of society must be purged from the hive. On a lighter note he swears by the medicinal benefits of honey believing it to be the elixir of life, prolonging youth, protecting the skin’s elasticity and sheen, a tonic better than viagra, natures antiseptic and continued sweetener of his life.

Pedro Mendoza has built a spectacular house in his mountain village where he rules as king with his many queens. A great architect from Mexico City designed it for him with hexagonal cells, a structure so strong it will resist the one thing he fears in life –earthquakes. He says it with a whisper so not to wake the mountain spirits. He will show the superstitious peasants that by copying the bee he can resist the wrath of the gods, after all wasn’t it he who stole their ambrosia. He has surrounded his enormous house with beehives on every wall.

Last month I learnt of Pedro Mendoza’s death not from the earthquake but from something I believe he said. His house stood firm just as he supposed, while the village around him was flattened.

When the last tremor ended Pedro Mendoza ran out shouting, “Didn’t I tell you,” for everyone to hear, when he was stung to death.

John Greeves originally hails from Lincolnshire. He believes in the power of poetry and writing to change people’s lives and the need for language to move and connect people to the modern world. Since retiring from Cardiff University, Greeves works as a freelance journalist who's interested in an eclectic range of topics.