Reading Log: April 2026

 The books that I finished reading in April 2026:

April 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Extremely Happy Holidays,” Devin C. B. McEwan

“The Spy Coast,” Tess Gerritsen

“The Summer Guests,” Tess Gerritsen 

“Smiley’s People,” John le Carré 

“Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: 10/13/2025

Bay Leaves and Chiles: photo by Cliff Hutson

 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed on the second Monday in October, in many parts of the United States, in recognition of the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, and their ancestors, who live in what is now known as North America. 

I have written about this holiday several times before; here, here, and here. So, I am taking the day off to mark this occasion. 

Memorial Day - 2025

 A day of remembrance: 

Flag and Rainbow: photo by Cliff Hutson 

The Memorial Day observance in the USA honors those who died as a result of battle while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. I have written about it before here and here.

Memorial Day is also colloquially considered the start of summer; so it’s safe to break out your white clothing.

National Tea Day

 Drink up!

Earl Grey Tea: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Tea Day, observed every year on April 21st, celebrates the drinking of tea with the hope of inspiring the world to drink more tea and to drink it throughout the year.

The day was founded by The Tea Group in 2015. Their goal was to establish a special day just for tea, bringing together a community and to unite the tea lovers of Great Britain. But, all of us are now welcome to participate.

By the way, my preference for Earl Grey tea predates that of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's. 

Saint Patrick's Day

 Don’t miss out – let’s eat, drink & be lucky!

It said that, "Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day", which falls today this year. But, some of us may be a little bit more Irish than others, due to actual ancestry. That could include me. I'm really not sure how much Irish is in my family tree, if any. 

Family lore maintained that we had Irish heritage. The belief is that my maternal great-grandfather, Newton Isaac Collins was biracial. His mother was a slave and his father was her master, an Irishman. However, my DNA analysis indicates that he may have been more Scotch than Irish. 

However, I do like to observe this day by eating soda bread, and perhaps having a sip of whiskey or Irish Stout.

 

Éirinn go Brách!

Note:

I tend to take much of DNA analysis with a grain of salt. Is someone with whom I share just 0.42% of DNA really a relative, or is it merely statistical noise?

But, 23andMe says that I have a great-grandparent who was 100% French. This totally jibes with another of my family's stories. So, there is that. And, it is a good excuse to go all out on Bastille Day.

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

National Carrot Cake Day

A Foodie Holiday

I can not find a reference on how it got started; but National Carrot Cake Day is celebrated annually on February 3rd in the USA. One can only hope that the practice is not declared "woke" and that it can continue in the future.  

Enjoy a slice of carrot cake while you can.

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

An Oldie but a Goodie

A blast from the past: This year the family was able to gather together for the holidays. But, I am too sated to write about it.  So, I am rerunning this post from a year we could not.

Tamales

Tamales de Bruce: photo by Cliff Hutson

The word “tamale”, or tamal in Spanish, derives from the Aztec word of the Nahuatl language, tamalli, meaning “wrapped food.”  In most versions, tamales are made from a mixture of corn dough (masa) and filling, then wrapped in a corn husk (or perhaps a banana leaf), and then steamed. The tamal is unwrapped before being eaten.

While store-bought tamales, or those from vendors (tamaleros), are available year round, Homemade ones, as they are very labor intensive, are usually reserved for big occasions like Dia de los Muretos, Christmas,  New Year's Day, or other special celebrations. Indeed, many of us think of tamal season as starting in November and running to January.

In The Time Before, many us would gather at my son's home for a tamale making party, a tamalada, or he would bring them to some other family gathering. Sadly, that was not in the cards this year, of course. But, I am fortunate enough that he was willing to make a one hundred mile round trip just to drop off some off on my porch. So, while this dinner was with just me and my cat, I was still with family in a way and the tradition continued. 

Presidents' Day

Or,  Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday

Flag with Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am more than old enough to remember when most of the USA celebrated two separate presidential birthdays  -  Abraham Lincoln's on February 12 and George Washington's on February 22. Nowadays, the third Monday of the month is a day to honor one or the other, both, and/or any other president. 

Additionally, it seems that some of the traditional observances have fallen by the wayside. No longer do we hear much talk of splitting rails or honesty. Nor, are there as many sales on cherry pies. I might miss that the most. 

Cherry Pie: photo by Cliff Hutson

Juneteenth 2023

 

Independence Day

On Juneteenth: photo by Cliff Hutson

For many African Americans, June 19 is considered as independence day (we were not free in 1776). It commonly referred to as Juneteenth. It marks the date in 1865 when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order Number 3, which ended the enslavement of Black people in Texas — a full 2½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Long celebrated in Texas, and some other Black communities across the country, the day became a federal holiday in 2021, and is observed with offices and schools closing.

I have to admit that I am surprised that all 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, recognize Juneteenth as “a holiday or observance.”  There is, of course, some push back from that sizable element of American society that I characterize as being ashamed enough of our history that they do not want it taught in school. Observing Juneteenth just adds to their discomfort. But, I was a bit taken aback when I read that some Black Texans feel that having the day as a nationwide event cheapens it for them. While I agree that the crass commercialization of the holiday is dead wrong, I feel that the increased awareness is a good thing and honors our culture.

Although born and raised in California, I feel that I have a more than legitimate claim to Juneteenth as my mother was a Texas native. My family never made a really big deal out of the day, but would mark it with a meal of Southern dishes such as fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni & cheese, and greens. And, yes, watermelon. 

Fried Chicken Dinner: photo by Cliff Hutson

Save the Dates

National Margarita Day

Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Margarita Day returns on February 22, 2020, are you prepared? The limes may cost you more this year. And, remember to drink responsibly!

Washington's Birthday

Not Really a Pie: photo by Cliff Hutson

Tomorrow is also said to be George Washington's birthday.

Traditionally, Washington is said to have been born on February 22. But, funny story, he was actually born on On February 11, 1731. There was a switch from the Julian calendar, to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. This adjustment eliminated the days between September 3 and September 13.  The missing eleven days resulted in many people adjusting their birthdates to the new system.

Thus February 22 became a Federal holiday, schools and offices closed. Eating cherry pie was a common ritual in remembrance of the oft told tale of his chopping down a cherry tree as a young lad. However,  we do not observe that date any longer, some of you may never have.

Presidents' Day

Today,  Monday, February 21, is Presidents' Day in the United States. Celebrated every year on the third Monday of February, it is designated (depending on which state you live in) to honor the first president (Washington), the first and third (Jefferson) presidents, or, the first and 16th (Lincoln).

Once upon a time, in the state I grew up in, Abraham Lincoln had his own holiday, February 12. Thus many  people got two days off in the shortest month of the year. But, there has never been a federal Lincoln-birthday holiday. I am certain that at least eleven states would have ignored it anyway, just as most have no use for Jefferson Davis Day.

I am probably in the minority in my feeling that we have lost a little something by having moved our traditional observances from the actual dates to Mondays in order to have more three day weekends,  However, it is good that we still remember some of our past. 

Paper Bag Day

A Celebration 

Paper Bag: photo by Cliff Hutson

Paper Bag Day (also known as World Paper Bag Day) occurs on July 12 each year to celebrate the item we use to carry our groceries, our lunches, or take away meals.

Save the Date

This week also contains le quatorze juillet or la fête nationale.

Tamal Season

Tamales

Tamales de Bruce: photo by Cliff Hutson

The word “tamale”, or tamal in Spanish, derives from the Aztec word of the Nahuatl language, tamalli, meaning “wrapped food.”  In most versions, tamales are made from a mixture of corn dough (masa) and filling, then wrapped in a corn husk (or perhaps a banana leaf), and then steamed. The tamal is unwrapped before being eaten.

While store-bought tamales, or those from vendors (tamaleros), are available year round, Homemade ones, as they are very labor intensive, are usually reserved for big occasions like Dia de los Muretos, Christmas,  New Year's Day, or other special celebrations. Indeed, many of us think of tamal season as starting in November and running to January.

In The Time Before, many us would gather at my son's home for a tamale making party, a tamalada, or he would bring them to some other family gathering. Sadly, that was not in the cards this year, of course. But, I am fortunate enough that he was willing to make a one hundred mile round trip just to drop off some off on my porch. So, while this dinner was with just me and my cat, I was still with family in a way and the tradition continued.