US Holiday

Indigenous Peoples' Day 

Basket with Game Pieces: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am taking another day off by referencing something that I previously wrote about this contentious American holiday.

National Chili Week

 Another Food Holiday

A Bowl of Chili: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Chili Week is observed during the first full week of October. The intent is to  encourage people to cook their favorite version of the historic red stew. Chili is made with spices and meat. Beans or other ingredients can be added according to the cook’s predilection.

My relatives in Texas say that the addition of beans is a nonstarter. I can go either way depending on how I feel when I decide to cook it. I always serve it with cheese and onion; and, most often, saltine crackers.

By the way, if you are really into the dish, the month of October is National Chili Month.

National Eat a Hoagie Day

National Eat a Hoagie Day 

Shrimp Po' Boy: photo by Cliff Hutson

My calendar says that September 14 is National Eat a Hoagie Day; and that grinders, subs, hero sandwiches, and po' boys are included.

#NationalHoagieDay

Labor Day (USA)

 A fun fact:

September 2026: photo by Cliff Hutson

September 7 is the latest date Labor Day can mathematically occur under its statutory definition, i.e., the first Monday of September.

Workshop Companion Notebooks: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am making a very long weekend of this holiday; so rather than natter on I am going to refer you to what I feel is the best post I have written about it.

A fun quote:

“One is not idle because one is absorbed. There is both visible and invisible labor. To contemplate is to toil, to think is to do.”

- Victor Hugo

National Waffle Day

 Happy National Waffle Day!

National Waffle Day is celebrated in the United States on August 24 to commemorate the issuing of a patent for a waffle iron in 1869. 

It should not be confused with International Waffle Day which is observed in March.

But, when you get right down to it, any day is a good day for a waffle.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Thrift Shop Day

Shop more sustainably and save money:

Thrift Store: photo by Cliff Hutson

Every August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. Also known as thrift stores, thrift shops sell used goods from clothes, household items, to watches. This day is supposed to remind us that it is a great day to do some sustainable shopping or to donate things that we have in our home that we no longer need nor use.

Eat a Peach

 History repeating itself:

Mini with Peaches: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am kind of behind the eight ball this weekend; so I am just going to refer you to last year's post.

Note to self:

One way to keep promises is not to make very many.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Scotch Day

 But, not for me

Gin and Tonic: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am told that National Scotch Day is observed every year on July 27 as a celebration dedicated to one of the world’s most iconic and respected spirits—Scotch whisky. I could not find a source as to why this day was chosen and find it particularly strange as I thought there is a rule - clear liquors in the summer, brown liquors in the winter.

Truth be told, I don't even like Scotch. That is why I do not have a photograph that actually works for this theme. However, I’m all about the perfect gin and tonic when the weather’s warm. And a nice bourbon when it isn’t.

Bourbon and Fried Chicken: photo by Cliff Hutson

Have a nice day, and whatever your beverage of choice  -  drink responsibly.

National Fortune Cookie Day

Each year on July 20, Americans celebrate the cookie that is a traditional part of meals at old school Chinese restaurants, and some take out places.

Sometimes you get two fortunes for the price of one. And, these two seem well matched.

Other times it looks like that your future is all used up; like Hank Quinlan's in "Touch of Evil".

I am recommending this book as an added bonus to my trove of perhaps not so useful information.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Fortune Cookie Day

International Rock Day

Today, July 13, is International Rock Day 

Cairn: photo by Cliff Hutson

And a rock feels no pain

On the Rocks: photo by Cliff Hutson

Two Days (in One)

World Rainforest Day 

Rainforest Leaf: photo by Cliff Hutson

Some say that “luck” is when preparation meets opportunity. So, luck or not I always appreciate it when a Monday rolls around, it is a notable day, and I have a photo in my archive to go with it. It makes that week’s blog post easy-peasy. This week I am going with a twofer. 

June 22 is World Rainforest Day. A rainforest is not my favorite environment - too humid, too buggy. But, I do recognize their importance; they support more than half of all known plant and animal species and play a crucial role in regulating the world’s climate; and was once in a place where I took a photograph that is a personal favorite. It just captures that day for me.

National Chocolate Eclair Day

Eclair: photo by Cliff Hutson

On the other hand, I love eclairs, and thought that I would have several images from which to choose. But, when I ran my search of the archives the one photo that came up as not the one I had in mind. I guess it is on a drive to which I no longer have access to or otherwise has become lost in the mists of time. This one will do nicely though.

National Chocolate Eclair Day is also observed on June 22 every year in the United States to celebrate this delicious dessert.

World Ocean Day

 A Not So Deep Dive

A Dive Watch: photo by Cliff Hutson

World Ocean Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8.  The day is supposed to  highlight the ocean's vital role in life, this year's theme focuses on reimagining humanity's relationship with it.  Oceans form an integral part of the Earth’s ecosystems as well as human culture. 

Casio Duro (MDV106-1A)

Some might think it strange, given my background, that I have long had a love of the ocean. For many years, I once spent as much time as I could near it, in it, and on it as I could. However, it has been a while since I have the ocean. It was May 19, 2024 to be exact. It has longer since I did any diving. That may be as far back as 1979.

Bulova Snorkel: photo by Cliff Hutson

Back then, we called it "skin diving".  Wearing just flippers (or fins), a swim mask and snorkel it was fun to swim with the fishes down at the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  There was no need to wear a watch as there was no air supply to track nor decompression time to calculate. 

Today, I have even less excuse to have a "dive watch"; yet, somehow I own two of them as pictured here.  However, I am not alone in this. I have read that arguably dive watches are almost certainly the most popular style of traditional men’s watches today, and it’s an open secret that the vast majority of those who own one don’t actually take them diving.. Some refer to them as “desk divers”, as that is where they are more likely to be worn.

So, at my age, while I have no plans to go diving again, it's been so long since I've seen the ocean I guess I should.

British Sandwich Week (18–24 May 2026)

 Seven Days, Seven Sandwiches

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

National Eat What You Want Day

A Day of Indulgence

Observed annually on May 11th, in the USA, National Eat What You Want Day is a day of indulgence. It is all about setting aside dietary restraint to enjoy the foods you crave. Though, for many of us it is a day much like any other day. I try to  make wise choices, but I don't always succeed. 

Poking around the Internet I found out that it was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy who have invented at least 80 American "holiday" observances. 

I also came across a list, created by a Vancouver marketing agency, of the foods Americans would mostly eat everyday if they were not worried about the consequences. The list of these foods accompanied by photographs I took - because of course I would have at least one of each - is as follows:

#1: Pizza (13%)

#2: Pasta (12%)

#3: Burgers (11%)

#4: Ice cream (11%)

#5: Tacos or burritos (9%)

#6: Chocolate (9%)

#7: French fries (9%)

#8: Donuts (7%)

#9: Cake (6%)

#10: Chips (5%)

#11: Cheese (4%)

#12: Cookies (4%)

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Artemis II / Trombones

Moon Watches

MoonSwatch: photo by Cliff Hutson

My father was born in 1889 and passed away just about a month short of his 99th birthday. One of the things he enjoyed most about his long life was that he could remember reading about the Wright brothers' first flight and that he lived to watch men walk on the moon when he was eighty years of age. I will turn eighty in a few months and am not sure that I will mark my life with such momentous events.

But, it was with some eagerness that I watched the lift off and splashdown of the Artemis II mission as humankind once again ventures into the further reaches of space. I wore my MoonSwatch "Mission to the Moon" watch for the ten day duration of its journey to the moon and back as an admittedly silly way to commemorate the occasion. 

Some readers might realize that this watch is a nod to the Omega Speedmaster that was so essential to the successful return of Apollo 13 after it ran into trouble on its voyage. There were Omegas onboard Artemis II as well. But, some of the technology has changed over the years. One can find what is old and what is new here and here. 

There is other big news this week:

International Trombone Week

This year’s official International Trombone Week is April 12-19. Find out more about it at the International Trombone Association site.

Take a Walk in the Park Day

 Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day

Take a Walk: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Take a Walk in the Park Day" is observed every year on March 30. So, today may be special. However, any day is a good day to take a walk in a park, Research suggests that walking in natural settings offers added benefits compared with more built‑up environments.

Save the date!

National Toast Day is celebrated on the last Thursday in February:

You can check it out here.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.