Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 77
June 3, 2023
Volunteerism
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
— Muhammad Ali (1942 – 2016)
American professional boxer
June 2, 2023
National Go Barefoot Day
I love going barefoot! I recall even running through snow with bare feet… although I was always grateful to get back inside. Barefoot on a sandy beach is awesome with fine sand sifting between my toes. And, whenever the temperatures are suitable, I live in a personal feeling of the “no shoes” zone. Sooooo… I never knew there was just one official day to go barefoot. If you are not typically a barefooter, today is your day to break free!
June 1, 2023
National Doughnut Day
As the first Friday in June, officially this is National Doughnut Day. Okay, for all my friends in law enforcement, that there’s only one such official day may come as a great surprise. (Sorry ‘bout the stereotyping.)
But who doesn’t like a great doughnut!!!???!! I’m not into sweets, but for a fresh, perfect doughnut, I have been known to bend my “rules” gleefully.
Back in the years of hosting the Easter Seal Telethon, I would slightly warm up those little chocolate Munchkins in the microwave during a middle-of-the-night break. Ooooh-la-la awesomeness. And yes, that works with whole donuts, too.
Anyway, whether you like them raised, frosted, or filled, this is a day of indulgence.
May 31, 2023
Utah Day
Utah, the 45th state is famous for its thriving Mormon community, but it’s also known for fabulous pastrami and for hosting the Sundance Film Festival.
Also known for dinosaur fossils, some 75 million years ago, Utah was part of a landmass called Laramidia. It was hot, swampy, and full of dinosaurs.
Now it’s the 2nd driest state in the US, after Nevada. Utah averages 300 sunny days a year.
Other tidbits include the fact that Utah is the only state where every county contains some part of a national forest. With its 84,900 square miles, Utah ranks as the 11th largest state.
May 30, 2023
National Hole in My Bucket Day
This day pays homage to an old German children’s song from the 1700’s. “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” lilts laughingly as “dear Henry” and “dear Liza” exchange challenges and solutions, always met with yet another challenge. “Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry…” is met with “With what, dear Liza, dear Liza…”
Funny how a simple childhood song can parody adult life. Many of us find ourselves caught up in a seemingly endless barrage of challenges. These are the holes in our buckets. Usually, our perspective widens, and we can often implement workable solutions once we stop throwing objections into our own pathways.
Whatever the hole in your bucket may be today, try singing a few stanzas. And fix it, dear friend, dear friend, dear friend. Then fix it, dear friend, dear friend. Fix it. (And smile.)
May 29, 2023
Observe Memorial Day
“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
— Adlai Stevenson II (1900-1965)
American politician and diplomat
Today, especially, we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home. If you can spend time today with friends, family, and other loved ones, give them an extra hug… as we appreciate and recognize the ultimate sacrifice of those who have died in the fight for the freedoms we have today.
May 28, 2023
Time-Tested True Wealth
“Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time.”
— Stephen Swid (1940 – 2019)
American music licensing entrepreneur
May 27, 2023
My Truth, Your Truth, and The Truth
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
— Aldous Huxley (1894-1963)
English author and philosopher
May 26, 2023
National Road Trip Day
The Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day. Thus, today we officially kick off the summer road trip season on this day. Millions of Americans hit the road for the long weekend to visit friends and family while paying tribute to our American military heroes.
With a grateful nod to all those who gave their lives in service to this country, I say a never-ending “thank you” for sacrificing time, health, wealth, and lives to help all of us enjoy the opportunities that freedom provides.
One of them is travel and time with friends. So, I happily share photos from our little road trip to Lake Lure, North Carolina with great friends Janice Gilbert and Jim Lurvey.
We enjoyed a splendid day on the water amidst the stunning scenery in one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ gorgeous gorges. No wonder that “Dirty Dancing” filmmakers among many others have selected this lake and area to serve as backdrops.
And seeing Chimney Rock is always sweet. I also enjoy how much the area reminds me of home in New Hampshire.
Historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn
Enjoy wherever your next road trip takes you. Travel safely. Appreciate freedom.
May 25, 2023
Proverbial Experience
Photo by Pascal Habermann
“A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.”
– Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
Spanish writer
