G for Gratitude

Gee, but i am thankful!


It's Saturday, so once again time to post my Ten Things of Thankful list.  Because it's A to Z month, and it worked last week with A, this week i'll post things i'm thankful about that start with the letter G.

Government.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Yes, there's a lot to complain about, yes there are wrong things that should be made right.  It doesn't change the fact that in most countries, we wouldn't have the life we live without rule of law and government.

Grandma and Grandpa.  They are one of the biggest blessings in my life, and i'm grateful i can go see them today.

Get-togethers.   It's nice to have gatherings, and one of my favorites was last night, rEcess.  That's the night a group of volunteers show up at church and babysit special needs kids and their siblings for free so the parents can have a night out.

Our board to tell us who is participating.

Generous people.  We couldn't do rEcess without the generous people who provide a meal for the volunteers.

A very generous dinner.

Games.  While the more active children get to go to the gym and play, my special partner Erin and i play board games.

For this special game, we made up our own rules!

Gifts.  We all have gifts and talents, and i'm thankful we got to show them off at the rEcess talent show.  Everyone got to take home a prize gift, too!

Gift prizes for talented children.

Goldfish crackers.  They are the mainstay of every nursery or day care i've ever worked with, and i am thankful almost every child likes them. 

Guitars.  My Sweetie plays, and i'm thankful to be serenaded often.

Garlic.  Too much is just about enough.

Giraffes.  They are among the most fascinating creatures on the planet.  Seeing them always makes me smile.

There we are, ten things that start with G for which i am thankful.  Get your own thankful on and link up at Ten Things of Thankful.  You will be glad you did!


Today is:

Aerosol Day -- John D. Lynde receives a patent for an early aerosol dispenser on this day in 1862

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

Baby Massage Day

Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival -- Bodega Bay, CA, US (fun, fish, wine tastings, and more; through tomorrow)

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

Cimarron Territory Celebration and World Cow Chip–throwing® Championship Contest -- Beaver, OK, US ("a highly specialized organic sporting event", as well as poker fun, food, crafts, and a parade; through next Saturday)

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

Houston Art Car Parade -- Houston, TX, US (the world's oldest and largest art car parade is on Saturday; festival through Sunday)

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 Empanada Day

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

Slow Art Day -- a global all-volunteer event with the simple mission of helping more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art 

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

Trading Cards for Grown-Ups Day -- sponsored by Wellcat Holidays, and i got this out of my system dealing with Pokemon cards when my kids were young

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

Yasurai Matsuri -- Imamiya Jinja, Kyoto, Japan (festival to prevent ill health)

Zoo Lovers' Day -- go support your local zoo


Anniversary Today:

Voyageurs National Park established, Minnesta, US, 1975



Birthdays Today:

Kirsten Storms, 1984
Katee Sackhoff, 1980
Patricia Arquette, 1968
Robin Wright, 1966
Julian Lennon, 1963
John Schneider, 1960
Gary Carter, 1954
James Augustus “Catfish” Hunter, 1946
Stuart Pankin, 1946
Kofi Annan, 1938
Seymour Hersh, 1937
Shecky Greene, 1926
William D. Chase, 1922
Carmen Mcrae, 1920
Betty Ford, 1918
Sonja Henie, 1912
Mary Pickford, 1893
O. Raymond Knight, 1872
William Williams, 1731
Lewis Morris, 1726


Debuting/Premiering Today:

"Falsettos"(Musical), 1992
"Twin Peaks"(TV), 1990
"White Horse Inn"(Musical), 1931
"The Bolt"(Shostakovich ballet), 1931 *Note: sometimes translated as "The Arrow"
"La Gioconda"(Ponchielli opera), 1876


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
The U.S. Department of Justice admits that it has probed WikiLeaks-related Twitter accounts, defending the practice and dismissing privacy and freedom of speech concerns, 2011
Wikileaks released 1.7 million U.S diplomatic and intelligence documents from 1973-1976 when Henry Kissinger was U.S. Secretary of State, 2013