National Bubba Day

Yes, June 2, 2014 is National Bubba Day. This day honors anyone named or called Bubba. To qualify to be honored today, your name can be formally, or informally "Bubba". You can even take on the name "Bubba" for just the day. That way everyone can celebrate this day.

There's a lot of ways to celebrate National Bubba Day. Acting like a "Bubba" is your starting point. Cards, parties and other celebrations are definitely in order. Gift giving is optional.  . I have been Bubba to my sister for years and love every time she calls me Bubba...

On Friday, June 4th it is Hug Your Cat Day. Go ahead and give your cat a big, furry hug.

Cat lovers can really get into this day. If you're a cat lover, you can really appreciate the warm, cozy feeling you get when you curl up on a couch or chair, and hug your cat. The only problem is, your cat will most likely only allow a brief hug before sauntering away. If your cat is a true hugger, count your blessings.

Dog lovers...sorry, giving hugs to our kids will not suffice.  If you are going to be "into" this day, you simply must hug a cat...your cat.  Don't have a cat, don't fret, June is "Adopt a Cat Month".

Also on the first Friday of June, June 6, 2014 is National Doughnut Day. This day honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of WWI. It is also used as a fund raiser for needy causes of the Salvation Army.

The original Salvation Army Doughnut was first served by Salvation Army in 1917. During WWI, Salvation Army "lassies" were sent to the front lines of Europe. These brave volunteers made home cooked foods, and provided a morale boost to the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside of the metal helmet of an American soldier. The American infantrymen were commonly called doughboys. Salvation Army lassies were the only women outside of military personnel allowed to visit the front lines. Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance is considered the Salvation Army's "first doughnut girl".

On National Doughnut Day, look to see if your local doughnut shop, or other organizations, are offering free donuts to solicit donations for the Salvation Army or for another needy cause. If you find them, please be generous.

The term "Doughboy" was popular in referring to U.S. Army infantryman during World War I. American foot soldiers were occasionally called doughboys during the Civil War. The earliest references to the term, comes from the U.S-Mexican war.

I close this entry with one of my favorite days... June 8 is Best Friends Day. Best Friend Day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your best friend. It's a day to honor and cherish the relationship.

If you're lucky, you have a best friend. If you are real lucky, you have a number of best friends. Best friends are very, very special people. You spend countless hours with your best friend going to events and activities, or just hanging out. You share secrets, hopes, dreams, aspirations, and disappointments with your best friend.

Some folks say you can only have one best friend. This author disagrees. You can have a couple at the same time, or several over time. Friends come and go for a variety of reasons. It's the result of many things, including moving, changing schools or jobs, and more. We hope that you are lucky enough to have a number of best friends over the years.

I know I will be thinking of one Very Special Best Friend this year and wishing he was still here to celebrate with me...

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

First Road Trip of 2014

I spent last weekend doing something I have not done since 1978, I spent the day at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. It had been when I was a senior in High School the last time I visited this park.  So when Paul and I decided we needed a mini vacation and escape from the everyday routine. We decided to contact our friend Joe and the three of us took a few days to act like tourist.

 Paul had never been to that part of Missouri and since Joe lives just a few hours from Branson. We did a road trip, picked up Joe and the three amigos had a weekend of fun and relaxation.

I can tell you Branson Missouri and Silver Dollar City have changed a lot in the past 36 years. Talk about Tourist explosion, last time I was there Branson was still a sleepy little mountain town with an amusement park outside of town.

Now it is a busy tourist town with live show theaters, museums, miniature golf courses, T-shirt shops, craft stores and of course the ever present discount shopping centers. There are still the mom and pop hotels and establishments but the commercialized tourist establishment has taken over the area.

Just so you understand if you have been to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN or Orlando/Disney FL, you know how the terrain looks like.

Still being a farm boy from Missouri and being back in the Ozark Mountains, it was nostalgic for me not matter how commercialized the area has become. Just driving up in the mountains and seeing the beauty of the area took me back to my childhood.

We had a great day at Silver Dollar City, exploring Marvel Cave, and watching the shows. Joe and I did our best to hit every rollercoaster at the park, while Paul watched from the observation deck with our hats and glasses.

We were able to find restaurants that the locals frequent and had some great food. We also were able to get in some of the live musical shows with the aid of our hotel concierges who got us fantastic seats; so good that I was pulled from the audience to dance on stage at one of them.

As our weekend winded down the three of us agreed that one weekend was not enough and have planned another get away for October. There is an extreme Zip line course that has Joe and Larry’s name on it along with one rollercoaster that we somehow missed. There are several more shows we want to see and an auto/farm museum.

Plus there is a dancing bear wood statue that I have to go back and purchase. So now I can’t wait for October to arrive so the three amigos can have another great road trip.

Keep dancin’ Larry B

 

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday during the month of May. Memorial Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. The roots of Memorial Day go back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War.

Memorial Day was traditionally held on the 30th of May. In 1971, Congress changed it to the last Monday in order to afford a three day holiday weekend. Regardless of the date, I encourage you to attend a parade, visit a cemetery to honor and remember our servicemen.  Take time to remember lost loved ones in whatever way you feel appropriate.

Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.

 It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of the gardening and summer seasons, even though summer will not occur for a few weeks later. It is usually marked by holding the first family picnic of the year.

Keep  Dancin' Larry B

Vacation Time

As time approaching to an upcoming vacation, I got to thinking about what needed to be completed to just get us out the door and on the road for a few days. I was amazed at the list I came up with and thought how does a family ever get out the door and to a relaxing time away from home.

Work alone causes a whole set of stressors.  Think about it, you work very hard to get time away to relax.  If you are in a position that requires certain monthly items completed, you work twice as hard to get those items completed just so you can take time off. Working out coverage and knowing that upon your return you will still be playing catch up.  I wonder sometimes if it would not be easier just to take the computer with me and work off hours to keep caught up.   Quick, someone hit me on the back of the head for that thought.  Time away from the work stress is a necessary challenge and mental health requirement in today's world.

Now I take pride that I am an organizer and start a month in advance for any plan to be away from home. Yet it still stresses me out to ensure that everything is covered for myself, partner and pets along with the house.  I do find though that planning a few weeks out and at the end of each week have a certain about of items check off, it just makes the stress less of an issue and actually builds the excitement of the upcoming time away.  If you have kids this can be a great way to get them involved in the preparation and teaching them how to be responsible individuals. Give them the task of preparing their rooms, luggage, pet essentials or even straightening up the yard to ensure all their toys and bikes are put away.

Pets add another element to the preparation of vacations. Whether you are leaving them behind with a sitter or taking them along, you have to ensure you have all elements in place for their well being and enjoyment while you are on vacation.  Print up instructions with vet numbers and emergency numbers for the sitter.  Give a brief description of your pets personality with likes and dislikes to assist the sitter in taking care of them while you are away. Taking them with you, get a collapsible kennel, ensure you have plenty of water, treats and food.  If you are driving, a few weeks in advance take your pet in the car to the gas station or just take drive and let the pet get use to being in the vehicle without going to the vet.

Whatever your vacation plans may be this year, do yourself a favor and make out that preparation list as I have done. Start that count down and check off those tasks in preparing for a relaxing time away from the normal daily routine. Enjoy every minute from the prep to the execution of the trip and turn the stress into a game to achieve the upmost enjoyment this year.

Now did I stop the newspaper? Did I put the out of office message on the work computer?  Just keep checking off those tasks.  Now is it one week or two weeks away?

Of course, I have found over the years, the best part of the vacation is the home coming. It is wonderful to get away from the house and daily routine, but returning home is just the icing on the cake. You have all the memories of the vacation yet there is no place like home.  At least till next vacation..

 Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Please note no article next week while traveling..

May 2014 More than just Mother’s Day!

Five years ago, I hated the Month of May, not only because of losing my Mom and not having our Mother’s Day tradition but also because it is her Birthday month.  I was losing out on two my favorite gift giving dates in my personal life, Mother’s Day and Mom’s Birthday so to say the least May was not a good month in my opinion.

No matter how you remember your MOM this Mother’s Day, taking her out to a special dinner or sending an unique gift for her to remember for years, the most important thing is to be in her life every day.

We also want to honor our brothers and sisters that are in the armed forces this month.  Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of May to salute all the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

So how did this special day start to honor those in the services. Well, each branch of the military had their own day of celebration. But, on August 31, 1949 then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman also announced the holiday in a presidential proclamation on February 20, 1950. All branches of the military were asked to celebrate on this day and they complied on the first Armed Forces Day which was held the following year on May 20, 1950.  Now you know!  So if you have a loved one currently serving in the service let them know you are thinking of them and proud of what they are doing for you and the country.

Also the month of May ends with Memorial Day. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead". While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in General Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

So even though the Month of May was not one of my favorite a five years ago. I have regained what the different Holidays truly mean during this Month.  Honoring those that have served you and your country. Mothers to Soldiers all are due our respect.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B