Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 63
October 18, 2023
International Leggin’ Day
Seeing three well-dressed men hosting a TV sports program the other evening, I couldn’t help but comment out loud that I was not impressed with the new men’s suit craze that has the pants so tight they look like leggings. A man sitting near my husband overhead and interjected that the style is called “trim.” Someone else said they are called “meggins.” Ummmm. Nope. And it’s not just skinny jeans. We’re talking expensive suits. They’re “leggins,” and I hope the fad fades sooner rather than later.
October 17, 2023
National Mulligan Day
‘Tis beautiful to turn the page to a clean sheet of paper. Reset. Realign. Restart. Redo. Just breathe.
October 16, 2023
Global Cat Day
Purrrrrfect! Cats are family, friends, and neighbors for many of us. Celebrate the feline and help protect kitties, too! In recognition of Global Cat Day, the writer in me invites you to share.
May I include a cat story or picture of your beloved feline in an upcoming book? If so, please email CathyBurnhamMartin@gmail.com with your cat’s photo and/or story, the kitty’s name, and how you would like the kitty’s human to be identified, along with the name for the photo credit.
And I will keep you posted when that book is ready in 2024!
October 15, 2023
Global Handwashing Day
Most folks likely see this as a day to emphasize washing our hands to prevent the spread of germs. Important for me is a twist on Global Handwashing Day that suggests we all wash our hands of hatred, bigotry, jealousy, violence, anger, divisiveness, control freakishness, intolerance, terrorism, political self-righteousness, disrespect, animosity, and all the other crap that makes society seem lost and crazy.
“Remember, kidnapping, raping, and torturing women and children is probably not the best way for ‘peace to prevail.’”
— Dan Bongino on October 8, 2023
Host of “The Dan Bongino Show”
October 14, 2023
Celebrate Life!
At whatever age we find ourselves, we should celebrate the opportunity to live and be free daily. Take nothing for granted. We don’t have to look very far to see how fragile and precious both life and freedom truly are.
Today we are especially grateful for our two beautiful granddaughters… Adaline and Ayla. Ada is 3 and Ayla is 1. Today’s celebration of their October birthdays brings the gift of many smiles and much love.
October 13, 2023
Count to Ten
“When angry, count ten before you speak. If very angry, a hundred.”
— Thomas Jefferson 1743 – 1826)
3rd president of the United States; diplomat, architect, and philosopher
(in a letter to T.J. Smith on February 21, 1825)
October 12, 2023
October 12 Is National Vermont Day
Vermont, the Green Mountain State, was the 14th state, joining the U.S. on March 4, 1791 as the first state following the 13th original colonies. On November 25, 1858, Vermont became one of the first states to abolish slavery.
At 160 miles long and 80 miles wide, people consider Vermont to be a small state, but it is the 2nd largest state in New England, behind Maine. It is the 2nd smallest state in population, just behind Wyoming. Vermont is big on raising cows and is home to nearly half of all New England dairy farms. And it has the nation’s highest human to cattle ratios, coming in at 0.41 humans to every cow.
With all those dairy farms, it is little wonder that Vermont is known for some of the nation’s finest cheeses. Also, Vermont is home to the famed Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (founded in 1981). Ben & Jerry’s donates ice cream waste to local farmers, who feed it to their hogs. (Reportedly, the hogs like all flavors except Mint Oreo.)
(You just knew I would have to talk food!)If you have a sweet tooth, you likely already know that Vermont is the nation’s largest producer of maple syrup, producing more than 500,000 gallons each year.
And here are a couple of little-known facts about Vermont. To preserve the scenic beauty, the Green Mountain State is one of just 4 that forbid billboard advertising (along with Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine). Norwich University, the oldest private military college in the U.S. calls Vermont home. Vermont has the least violent crimes out of all 50 states. Until 1996, Vermont was the only state without a Wal-Mart, and Montpelier remains the only state capital without a McDonald’s. Vermont-born U.S. President Calvin Coolidge is the only President born on the 4th of July.
October 11, 2023
Blooming Now
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
— Albert Camus (1913 – 1960)
French philosopher and writer
October 10, 2023
Virtues
“It is inaccurate to say I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.”
— H.L. Mencken (1880 – 1956)
American journalist and cultural critic
October 9, 2023
War
Image by Brigitte Werner
“When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”
— Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962)
American First Lady (1934 – 45)
