A to Z Challenge: G is for Good Golly Gee

And good gracious.

We had a great prayer meeting last night.  In some churches i've attended, prayer meeting was a chore, a drudgery.  At this church, it is a delight, you can't believe it's over so fast, and, in fact, many of us wished it had lasted longer!

As for good, and giving, there is a fascinating article from the New York Times here.  It is called, "Is Giving the Secret to Getting Ahead?"  Adam Grant makes a good case that it might well be.

In fact, i hope it is.  There's been recent science showing that money buys happiness when you are giving it away or using it to buy things for others.  So maybe giving is the secret to living life fully and well.

And in honor of National Humor Month:

What is heck?

It's where you go if you don't believe in gosh.


Today is

All is Ours Day -- an internet holiday to remind us of what we do have

Buddah's Birthday -- Mahayana Buddhism in Japan (based on Gregorian Calendar, other Buddhists use a different dating system)
     Hana Matsuri Flower Festival

Counter Stool Memorial Day -- when was the last time you got to sit on the stool at a diner counter and spin?  if you can find such a place, go take a spin today

DAB(Draw a Bird) Day -- a movement begun in Britain in the 1940's, encourages everyone to draw a picture of a bird, and share it with friends

Feast of the Hummingbird -- Ancient Aztec Calendar (date approximate)

Hammerin' Hank Day -- anniversary of his 715th homer in 1974, breaking Ruth's record

International Day of the Roma -- a celebration of Romani culture

Invocation of Lumps and Cysts -- Fairy Calendar (Goblin Celebration)

Milk in Glass Bottles Day -- prior to this day in 1879, milk was sold in the container you brought with you to the seller

National Arts Advocacy Day -- US; through tomorrow

National Empanada Day

Sealing the Frost -- Guatemala (Cuchumatan Indians ritual to protect their corn from frost; date approximate, always early in April)

St. Julie Billiart's Day (Patron against bodily ills, disease, and poverty)

Tutor Appreciation Day -- because some people need that extra boost

Yom HaShoah -- Judaism (Holocaust Remembrance Day; began sunset yesterday, ends at sunset today)

Zoo Lovers' Day -- go support your local zoo



Birthdays Today:

Kirsten Storms, 1984
Patricia Arquette, 1968
Julian Lennon, 1963
Kofi Annan, 1938
Shecky Greene, 1926
Betty Ford, 1918
Sonja Henie, 1912
Mary Pickford, 1893


Today in History:

Sultan Baybars conquers the Krak des Chevaliers in Syria, 1271
The first Jewish congregation in the US forms the Shearith Israel synagogue in NYC, 1730
The first fire escape, a wicker basket on a rope and pulley system, is patented, 1766
The statue Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo) is discovered on the Aegean island of Melos, 1820
John D. Lynde patents the aerosol dispenser, 1862
William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons, 1886
The first recorded college basketball game occurs in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 1893
Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan is renamed Times Square after The New York Times, 1904
Auguste Deter, the first person officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, dies, 1906
The last meeting of the League of Nations is held, 1946
Hammerin' Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, beating Babe Ruth's record, 1974
Retired tennis great Arthur Ashe announces that he has AIDS, acquired from blood transfusions during one of his two heart surgeries, 1992
The Republic of Macedonia joins the United Nations, 1993
The construction of the world's first building to integrate wind turbines is completed in Bahrain, 2008