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 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.

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

A Festive Week

 Happy Birthday, America

American Flag: photo by Cliff Hutson

The 250th anniversary of the United States of America is this coming Saturday and observances will take place all week long leading up to it. I don’t feel celebratory at all. I am not going to write about that as my horoscope says - "This is a poor day to get involved in controversial discussions about politics, religion, racial issues or even plans about travel, legal or medical matters or higher education. Whatever the issue - there will be a sense of conflict and above all, there will be confusion . .  . ' 

Classic American Lunch: photo by Cliff Hutson

However, I will probably have at least one traditional meal over the weekend.

Floral Fireworks: photo by Cliff Hutson

I  hope that you all enjoy what ever it is that you are doing..

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.

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.

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.

A Long Weekend

 Bookended by two holidays:

It is a long weekend here in the USA and it includes two holidays. Last Saturday was Valentine's Day and today is Presidents'  Day, which gives us an extra day off.  I can't recall ever having written about the first. However, what I wrote about the second last year works just as well this year. So, I am going to leave it at that.

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

National Pizza Day

 National Pizza Day is held every February 9:

There seems to be no actual recorded history for the birth of National Pizza Day. But, apparently it has been a thing since about the year 2000.

Pizza, itself,  originated in Naples, Italy, some time in the 1700s. It seems to have arrived America in the late 1800s. It, obviously, became very popular;

I can't recall eating one until I was in high school in the early 1960s. While I may have missed out in my preteens I have made up for that lack in the ensuing years.

My favorite pizza is mushroom and green pepper. What is yours?

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

National Irish Soda Bread Day

National Irish Soda Bread Day

Some say that January 26th is National Irish Soda Bread Day. But, it seems that most have never heard of it. However, in any event, the bread has an interesting history.  

I really like it. But, I only have it once a year as a part of my small celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day.

By the way, Martha Stewart recommends that it be eaten with butter. I happen to agree.

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

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

An ellusive dream 

We Can All Dream: photo by Cliff Hutson

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day did not become a reality as a federal holiday until nineteen years after he won the Nobel Prize, and fifteen years after his assassination. But, now, each year on the third Monday of January, many Americans honor his birth, life, and dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal."

Sadly, there are people who are actively trying to diminish his memory, if not history itself, and what he hoped to accomplish. Recent events illustrate that much work needs to be done to protect the gains that were made and to move forward to ensure that all people receive due process and have the opportunity to live their lives in freedom and strive for happiness. Otherwise, America could become the kind of country that they used to say we were not.