Cuties (Feline Friday) and Friendly Fill-Ins

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Feline Friday was started by Steve, The Burnt Food Dude, and i'm going to believe it's because he likes cats.

He has handed hosting duties off to Sandee, of Comedy Plus, and it's simple to join, just follow the link to Sandee's page for the rules and the code.

These two cuties are up for adoption:

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Friendly Fill-Ins are easy to do. There are four statements: the first two statements are provided by Ellen of 15AndMeowing, and the final two are offered by Lorianne The Menagerie Mom of Four-Legged Furballs. They try to make sure the statements will be fun to both answer and share. The linky will be posted at or about 12:00 AM on Friday. Please head over to one of their sites, link up, and share your thoughts!      

Here are this week's statements with my responses underlined:

1. Never have I ever _________.

2. I won't _________ again.

3. I believe I have good knowledge of _________.

4. _________ is my worst enemy.

1. Never have I ever been able to learn to use a sewing machine.

2. I won't ever try to ski again.  (Once almost breaking my neck was enough.)

3. I believe I have good knowledge of how to clean.

4. Lack of time is my worst enemy.

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Today is:

Applejack Festival -- Nebraska City, NE, US (parade, food, fun, and a celebration of the orchards; through Sunday)

Birthday of the Sun -- Inca (date approximate; a few days before the Autumn Equinox, all fires, including that at the Temple of the Sun, were extinguished and 3 days later ceremonially relighted using only glass to concentrate the sunlight on cotton; followed by 8 days of feasting)

Chästeilet im Justistal -- Merlingen, Switzerland (dividing of the summer's cheese between the dairy farmers of the area, a weekend celebration that must be tasted to be believed!)

Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days -- Creston, IA, US (hare and hound races, parade, marching band contest, balloons and more; through Sunday)

Egremont Crab Fair and Gurning Championship -- Egremont, Cumberland, UK (ancient fair given a charter in 1267, includes throwing crabapples from a cart for children to catch and the gurning [making ugly faces] competition; through tomorrow)

Eleven Days of Global Unity -- Day 10, Disarmament (sponsored by We, the World) 

Feast of Orlog -- Scandinavian Deity of Destiny (date approximate)

Feast of Zywie -- Poland (goddess of longevity and health; date approximate)

Genesia -- Ancient Greek Calendar (festival to honor the dead, especially those who died in wars)

Jeans for Genes Day -- UK (convince your school or workplace to let you pay for the privilege of wearing jeans today, with the money going toward research of genetic diseases)   

MOFGA Common Ground Country Fair -- Unity, ME, US (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association sponsors an old-time country fair that revives forgotten skills and has something for everyone; through Sunday)

National Farm Safety Day -- US (can't find a sponsor, but farming is hard, and dangerous, work, so it's a good idea)

National POW/MIA Recognition Day -- US 

National Rum Punch Day

National Tradesmen Day -- US

National Youth Day -- Thailand

New Hampshire Highland Games -- Loon Mountain, Lincoln, NH, US (everything highlands you can think of, and those of Scottish descent can even look up their clan connections; through Sunday)

Okuma-kabuto Festival -- Nakajima, Japan (Noto Peninsula's top autumn festival)

Pause the World Day -- because we've all wanted to do this at one time or another

Riverfest -- Eden, NC, US (a celebration of art, history, and river heritage; through tomorrow) 

St. Eustace's Day (Patron of difficult situations, fire prevention, firefighters, hunters, torture victims, trappers; Madrid, Spain; Poli, Italy; against fire and torture)

Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival -- Wisconsin Dells, WI (fall festival; through Sunday)

Birthdays Today:

Kristen Johnston, 1967

Guy LaFleur, 1951

Taro Aso, 1940

Sophia Loren, 1934

Anne Meara, 1929

Donald A. Hall, 1928

Dr. Joyce Brothers, 1928

Red Auerbach, 1917

Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, 1890

Maxwell Perkins, 1884

Upton Sinclair, 1878

Rama V, King of Thailand, 1853 (eldest son taught by Anna, of "The King and I" fame)

Emperor Takakura of Japan, 1161

Debuting/Premiering Today:

"The Cosby Show"(TV), 1984

"Eubie"(Revue), 1978

"The Phil Silvers Show"(TV), 1955

"The Corn is Green"(Play), 1938

Today in History:

Atilla the Hun defeated at Chalons-sur-Marne by General Aetius, 451

Saladin begins the siege of Jerusalem, 1187

Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda with about 270 men on his expedition to circumnavigate the globe, 1519

Galileo Galilei is tried before the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for teaching that the Earth orbits the Sun, 1633

Maryland passes the first "anti-amalgamation" law to stop English women from marrying black men, 1664

The Negro Convention of Free Men agrees to boycott slave-produced goods, 1830

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is created, 1848

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company, 1857

The first gasoline-powered car debuts in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 1891

The Otis Elevator Company unveils the first escalator at the Paris Exposition, 1900

Cunard Line's RMS Mauretania is launched, 1906

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, 1946

James Meredith, an African-American, is temporarily barred from entering the University of Mississippi, 1962

The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched, 1967

Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in The Battle of the Sexes tennis match, 1973

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam joins the UN, 1977

Walt Disney World hosts its 200 millionth guest, 1985

U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "war on terror", 2001

The US Military ends its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, 2011