Siily Sunday: Imitation

Silly Sunday is hosted by Sandee, of Comedy Plus.

Silly Sunday is the place to come for weekly laughs.  The rules are simple, just have fun.

This is a great opportunity to get to know other bloggers and have a laugh or two in the process.

Here is how it works: Laugh and Link Up!

Quite often when i am cleaning other people's homes, i see designs i would enjoy having in my own home, or things i absolutely would not want if i ever remodeled this place.  (No stainless steel appliances or glass cooktops, they are too hard to clean!)

Boudreaux an' Thibodeaux be such good friend dat when Boudreaux done remodel his shotgun house, Thibodeaux see it an' decide he want to do his own jes' de same.  So he ax Boudreaux, an' Boudreaux tell him jes' how much material to got, an' den he done got it an' remodel.

After Thibodeaux be done, Boudreaux come over to see, an' Thibodeaux say, "Mais, you can see my house be de same size as yours, an' I done got de material jes' like you say, an' now my house look real good like yours, but I gots me a whole box o' tile an' lots of wallpaper an' paint left over!"

An' Boudreaux say, "Me too!"

Today is:

Asalha Puja Day -- Buddhism (Buddhist "Lent" begins)

Blessing of the Boats -- Whitby, North Yorkshire, England

Call of the Horizon Day -- can't find any history on this one, but if the idea of following your dreams over the Horizon has ever called you, take the time to follow today!

Constitution Day -- Australia; Palau

Constitutionalist Revolution Day -- São Paulo, Brazil

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Omelet Day

Feast of Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Patron of Colombia; the Venezuelan National Guard)

Full Buck Moon a/k/a Full Thunder Moon or Full Hay Moon; related observances

     Adhi-Esala Full Moon Poya Day -- Sri Lanka

     Waso Full Moon / Dhamma Cakka Day -- Myanmar

Independence Day -- Argentina(1816); South Sudan(2011)

Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta -- Republic of Ireland (National Day of Commemoration, honoring all Irish people who have died in war or as part of a UN peacekeeping mission)

Martyrdom of the Bab -- Baha'i

Muffler Appreciation Day -- if you've ever had a loud vehicle, you will understand why someone started this one

National Sugar Cookie Day -- what could be simpler or more versatile?  make them plain or make them fancy, but be sure you make enough!

Nunavut Day -- NU, Canada

Offerings to Heru and Amun -- Ancient Egyptian Calendar (day Heru hears prayers in the presense of the Netjers; date approximate)

Shiman Rokusen-nichi -- Sensou-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo (Day of 46,000; a visit to the temple on this day through tomorrow credits you the same as visiting 46,000 times on ordinary days)

St. Mary Hermina Grivot's Day (Patron of martyrs)

Anniversary Today:

Steven Cauble marries Lisa Whelchel, 1988

Birthdays Today

Mitchel Musso, 1991

Kiely Williams, 1986

Fred Savage, 1976

Jack White, 1975

Courtney Love, 1964

Kelly McGillis, 1957

Tom Hanks, 1956

Fred Norris, 1955

Jimmy Smits, 1955

Margaret Gillis, 1953

John Tesh, 1952

Chris Cooper, 1951

Mitch Mitchell, 1947

O.J. Simpson, 1947

Richard Roundtree, 1942

Brian Dennehy, 1938

David Hockney, 1937

Vince Edwards, 1928

Ed Ames, 1927

Mathilde Krim, 1926

Ottorino Respighi, 1879

Elias Howe, 1819

Anne Ward Radcliffe, 1764

Today in History

Roman  military commander Avitus is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Empire, 455

Henry VIII annuls his marriage to Anne of Cleves (his 4th wife), 1540

In Versailles, the National Assembly reconstitutes itself as the National Constituent Assembly and begins preparations for a French constitution, 1789

The Act Against Slavery is passed in Upper Canada and the importation of slaves into Lower Canada is prohibited, 1793

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified guaranteeing African Americans full citizenship and all persons in the United States due process of law, 1868

In Provident Hospital on Chicago’s South Side, black surgeon Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performed the first successful open-heart surgery, 1893

Queen Victoria gives royal assent to an Act creating the Commonwealth of Australia thus uniting separate colonies on the continent under one federal government, 1900

Johnny Weissmuller swims the 100 meters freestyle in 58.6 seconds breaking the world swimming record and the 'minute barrier', 1922

The Russell-Einstein Manifesto is released by Bertrand Russell in London, 1955

In a seminal moment for pop art, Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans exhibition opens at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, 1962

Margaret Thatcher begins her second term as British prime minster, 1982

South Africa is readmitted into the Olympic movement after 30 years of exclusion, 1991

The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2002

South Sudan gains independence and secedes from Sudan, 2011

Typhoon Rammusun begins its path of destruction, ultimately causing 151 fatalities, 2014

Thank Heaven for Young People!

There's always something going on around this place, even when it feels like work and sleep is all i do.  Most of it is great stuff, the things for which i am thankful.

This week, it's the thankful for young people edition.

#1 Son loves to come have a conversation most days.  Yesterday his topic was "Death Star versus Borg Cube, which would win?"  It was fun talking that one out and hearing his arguments.  (Death Star, at least the way he sees it.)

Bigger Girl is feeling better over these last few days.  Last weekend was so difficult for her, i'm thankful she is smiling again.

#2 Son has been over a bit more often lately, and it's so nice to see him, even if it's just that he's here to take a nap between shifts at work.

Daughter-in-Law Becky has come over more often, too.  She likes the kittens, and she seems to be, i don't know, maybe a bit more mellow?  It can't be easy having a mother-in-law sometimes (i never had one, she died long before i met my Sweetie) and i am grateful she feels comfortable coming over here, and just seems friendlier.

Little Girl is gone on her two weeks of military training.  She is loving her military work, and is more certain than ever that she wants to be an army nurse.  It's such a treat watching her bloom.

Niece Bryn is now 17!  She is lovely and outgoing and it was such fun watching her joke around with my kids at the restaurant after the wedding.  Many families don't have such fun times, and i'm thankful we get along so well.

Nephew Dre is such a handsome chap, well behaved, he even cooperated with all the picture taking after the ceremony when he was hungry and could have gotten cranky and whiny.

Friend Chris is down on his luck again, and i'm thankful Mr. B, whom i help in his workshop every other Saturday, has agreed to hire him today along with me.  He will be cleaning out the "greenhouse" area, earning $10/hour, which he desperately needs.

Mike-Next-Door, who no longer lives next door but shares an apartment with friends, continues to be the best lawn person ever.  

Red-headed Alec, Sweet Sue, and yet-to-be-named baby boy are doing well.  Baby boy's due date in some time around Thanksgiving.  Alec is so very solicitous it's a delight to watch him, and he's working hard to learn as much as he can so he can move up at the store.

The young people help keep me young, and i'm thankful for every one of them, they enrich my life.

Why not list the people for whom you are thankful today and link up at Ten Things of Thankful.  You will find that gratitude makes a not-so-good day better and a good day great!

Today is:

Abbotsford Berry Festival -- Abbotsford, BC, Canada (enjoy berries at the height of the season, as well as music, clowns, games, a "berried" treasure hunt, and more, through tomorrow)

Art Fair on the Square -- Madison, WI, US (one of the Midwest's largest juried art fairs; through tomorrow)

Bald In - Bald Out Day -- sponsored by Bald Girls Do Lunch; if men can be bald and brazen, then women and children who cannot grow hair should bring bald INto their lives, and never feel on the OUTs!

Bohemian Club Annual Rites begin -- Bohemian Grove, CA US (if you are into conspiracy theories, this is supposedly when and where the male movers and shakers of the world meet for two weeks and decide the fate of the world for the next 12 months; the members of the club, including former presidents and other high level officials, do meet for a couple of weeks this time of year to have, among other things, a Cremation of Care ceremony)

Carver Day -- George Washington Carver National Monument, Diamond, MO, US

Celtic Tree Month Tinne begins (Holly)

Feast of St. Sunniva (Ancient Norse solar maiden Sunna's worship around this time of year was merged with the story of this medieval saint; Patron of Bergen, Norway and the Norwegian west coast)

Galicnik Svadba -- Galicnik, Macedonia (wedding festival, when one lucky couple gets to be married in a traditional "Galichka" style wedding, through tomorrow)

Harrison Festival of the Arts -- Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Canada (a celebration of the world of music, dance, theater, and visual arts; through the 16th)

Math 2.0 Day -- celebrating the intermingling of math with technology 

Nagoya Sumo Tournament -- Nagoya, Japan (one of the 6 major tournaments; through the 22nd)

National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day

Old Crafts Day -- it's listed in a few places, but i can't find the history; Old time crafts, or old crafts you've had sitting around the house and never gotten done? If you have the latter, do them or toss them!

Olive Branch Petition Day -- the final attempt, by the 13 Colonies, to avoid a complete break with England in 1775

Pori Jazz Festival -- Pori, Finland (a major international music event with world class performances; through the 16th)

SCUD Day (Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama) -- a good habit, on every day

Soapy Smith Wake -- held simultaneously in 5 locations from this evening through noon tomorrow, local time: 1.) Eagles Hall, Skagway, AK, US; 2.) Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA, US; 3.) The Tivoli Club (a reproduction of Soapy's Saloon in Denver, Colorado, US), Whitehorse Ranch movie lot, Landers, California, US; 4.) The Wizard's Club, Chicago, IL, US; 5.) The Lumber Baron Inn, Denver, CO, US (held by Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith, preserving the memory of one of the Wild West and Alaskan Gold Rush's most notorious con men, killed in a gunfight this day in 1898)*

Sodbuster Days -- Fort Ransom, ND, US (learn how rural North Dakotans lived in the early 1920s; through tomorrow)

Sts. Aquila and Prisca's Day

St. Kilian's Day (Patron of people with gout or rheumatism, whitewashers; Bavaria, Germany; Paderborn, Germany; Tuosist, Ireland; Wurzburg,Germany)

Stone House Day -- Hurley, NY, US (tour of several 250+ year old stone houses within 150-yards of each other)

Stroud International Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Contest -- held simultaneously in the 4 cities called Stroud: Gloucestershire, England; Oklahoma, US; Ontario, Canada; and New South Wales, Australia (results are compiled internationally following the event)

Thangka Unveiling at Tashihungpo -- Tibet (Buddha Exhibition Festival, in which the large Thangka with the image of Buddha on it is unfolded in public) related observance

    Zamling Chisang -- Universal Prayer Day (to the Tibetan Deities, especially Samye Dolde)

Video Games Day -- do they really need a day?

Vitulatio -- Ancient Roman Calendar (when Vitula was given the first fruits of the earth)

White Cloud's Birthday and Tatanka (Bison) Festival -- National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown, ND, US (annual 3 day celebration of bison and their role in American history, near the birthday of White Cloud, the true albino bison born in 1996)

Ziegfeld Follies Day -- his first "Follies of 1907" opened on this day

*If you cannot make it to the Soapy Smith Wake in one of these locations, please at 9:15pm, your local time, have a glass of something grown-up and offer the traditional toast: "Relatives and friends, raise your glass.  Here's to Soapy's Ghost!"

Anniversary Today:

Prince Richard of Gloucester marries Birgitte Eva van Deurs, 1972

Birthdays Today

Jaden Smith, 1998

Sophia Bush, 1982

Milo Ventimiglia, 1977

Kathleen Robertson, 1973

Beck Hansen, 1970

Billy Crudup, 1968

Toby Keith, 1961

Kevin Bacon, 1958

Christopher G. Moore, 1952

Marianne Williamson, 1952

Anjelica Huston, 1951

Wolfgang Puck, 1949

Kim Darby, 1948

Raffi, 1948

Cynthia Gregory, 1946

Jeffrey Tambor, 1944

Steve Lawrence, 1935

Marty Feldman, 1933

Roone Arledge, 1931

Billy Eckstine, 1914

Nelson Rockefeller, 1908

Louis Thomas Jordan, 1908

Philip Cortelyou Johnson, 1906

Alfred Binet, 1857

John D. Rockefeller, 1839

Ferdinand von Zeppelin, 1838

Etienne De Silhouette, 1709

Today in History

Vasco da Gama sets sail on first direct European voyage to India, 1497

Charles II of England grants John Clarke a Royal Charter to Rhode Island, 1663

Battle of Restigouche – British defeat French forces in last naval battle in New France, 1760

The Olive Branch Petition is drafted by the Second Continental Congress as the Congress' last attempt to get King George III of Great Britain to reason with them, 1775

The Declaration of Independence has its first public reading, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Liberty Bell is rung, 1776

Chippewas turn over huge tract of land in Ontario to the United Kingdom, 1822

Commodore Perry sails into Tokyo Bay, 1853

The initial force of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police begin their March West, 1874

The first issue of the Wall Street Journal is published, 1889

St. John's, Newfoundland is devastated in the Great Fire of 1892

The Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches its lowest level of the Great Depression, bottoming out at 41.22, 1932

The United States Air Force accepts its first female recruits into a program called Women in the Air Force (WAF), 1948

Richard Nixon delivers a special congressional message enunciating Native American Self-Determination as official US Indian policy, leading to the Indian Self-Determination Act, 1970

The Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe creates the office of High Commissioner on National Minorities, 1992

NATO invites the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland to join the alliance, membership to become effective in two years, 1997

The Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched in the final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, 2011

Pope Francis condemns the 'global indifference' to the plight of immigrants who have drowned trying to reach Europe, 2013

The mission of the NASA Curiosity Mars rover begins, 2013

Feline Friday Close Up and Fill-In Fun

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

Feline Friday is simple to join.  Follow the link above to Steve's page to see how to be a part of this fun meme.

Kitten wants a close-up:

Mama, I said a close-up!

There you go!

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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 McGuffy Ann Morris of McGuffy's Reader. 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! 

My fill-ins for the statements are underlined:

Week 61: July 7, 2017

1. My favorite line from a film is _______________.

2. Other than blogs, a website I visit often is _____________.

3. When I feel down, I                              .

4. If I could                         , I would                           .

1. My favorite line from a film is a tie between "Well the thing's gotta have a tailpipe!" and "Arsenic?  Fester, as if we'd run out!"  The first is Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek V, and the second is Morticia in The Addams Family Movie.  A close third is President Skroob in Spaceballs when he yells, "Why didn't somebody tell me my A$$ was this big?"

2. Other than blogs, a website i visit often is Wikipedia.  After all, i have to get information for my blog from somewhere.  Yes, after i've checked there, i try to check other places to confirm a good bit of it.

3. When i feel down, i pray, then check to see if i need anything.  Am i well hydrated?  Am i over tired?  Is my mind buzzing with too much to do?  If i need to, i get some water, sit down, and figure out what i should be doing next.  Sometimes i realize i'm just ready for a nap, so i take one if i can.

4. If i could afford it, i would retire and spend the time and money it will take to properly repair this house.  That would take about a year.  Once i'd done that, i'm not sure what i would do.

Today is:

Aphrodisia -- Ancient Greek Calendar (bathing festival of Aphrodite and Peitho [Persuasion]; date approximate)

Bear Lake Days --Bear Lake, MI, US (the fun even includes a Venetian boat parade; through Sunday)

Blissfest -- Harbor Springs, MI, US (three music stages, workshop areas, and the preservation of folk and roots music; through Sunday)

Bonza Bottler Day™

Calgary Stampede -- Calgary, AB, Canada (The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth; through the 16th)

Chocolate Day  -- no one knows why today, so why not?  Enjoy chocolate cereal with chocolate milk for breakfast, some chocolate covered raisins and nuts as a midmorning snack, chocolate milk with lunch, chocolate truffles as a midafternoon snack, chocolate liquer before dinner, chocolate cake for dessert, and sip chocolate coffee any time through the day!

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival -- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (the finest street performers anywhere; through the 16th)

Fishermen's Day -- Marshall Islands

Global Forgiveness Day -- encouraging "citizens of this global village" to forgive and be forgiven; sponsored by the CECA 

Father-Daughter Take a Walk Together Day -- encouraging fathers to take some special time out with their girls today

Independence Day / National Day -- Solomon Islands(1978)

Kilburn Feast -- Kilburn, North Yorkshire at The Square, England (dating back hundreds of years, it's no longer a horse-fair, but a great many fun events for villagers; the Mayor and Mayoress, both men in costume, are the highlight, handing out "fines" for "crimes" such as carrying an umbrella or having a moustache, with money going to a local charity; through Sunday)

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant -- DeSmet, SD, US (get a taste of pioneer life, this weekend Friday-Sunday plus the next two weekends, in the original Little Town on the Prairie she wrote about)

Macaroni Day -- it goes with more than just cheese!

National Strawberry Sundae Day

Nones of July -- Ancient Roman Calendar; celebrations on this day included:

     Festival of Feriae Ancillarum -- "Feast of the Serving Women", when female servants dressed up and "attacked" men of free birth with fig boughs; in honor of the serving women who helped free the city of Rome from the Gauls

     Nonae Caprotinae -- "Nones of the Wild Fig", honoring Juno Caprotina with a sacrifice under a wild fig tree

     Parilia -- festival for Pales, god of the herds

Pictou Lobster Carnival -- Pictou, NS, Canada (a tail gate party and more; through Sunday)

Saba Saba Day -- Tanzania (literally "Seven Seven" Day, a/k/a Peasants' Day or Workers' Day, and the biggest day of the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair)

     Maonyesho ya Saba Saba -- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam Trade Fair, through July 8)

Savonlinna Opera Festival -- Savonlinna, Finland (one of Finland's most illustrious and internationally significant cultural events; through Aug. 4)

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri -- Shounan City, Kanagawa Prefecture (one of Japan's largest Tanabata festivals; through Sunday)

St. Willibald's Day (Patron of Eichstatt, Germany)

Tanabata -- Japan (star festival, 7th day of 7th month; some areas go by lunar calendar, but most larger cities celebrate by the Gregorian Calendar now)

Tell The Truth Day -- a yearly challenge frm Kepa Freeman of Teens Express to go the whole day without telling a lie or saying or doing anything misleading or dishonest

Three Rivers Festival -- Ft. Wayne, IN, US (Fort Wayne's biggest summer party; through the 15th)

Turkey Rama -- McMinnville, Oregon (family fun on "Oregon's Favorite Main Street" that includes the "World's Largest Turkey BBQ"; through Sunday)

Unity Factory Day -- Yemen (all workers are encouraged to play at work today, to build team and national unity)

Wayne Chicken Show -- Wayne, NE, US (this year's theme is "Good Life...Great Place to Roost!", and the family friendly fun includes a rubber chicken chuck and National Cluck Off; through Sunday)

Ways with Words -- Dartington, Devon, England (The UK's most stylish literature festival, through the 17th)

Anniversaries Today

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., marries Eleanor Rosalynn Smith, 1946

Birthdays Today

Michelle Kwan, 1980

Cree Summer, 1969

Jorga Fox, 1968

Billy Campbell, 1959

Shelley Duvall, 1949

Ringo Starr, 1940

Doc Severinsen, 1927

Pierre Cardin, 1922

Gian Carlo Menotti, 1911

Robert Heinlein, 1907

Satchel Paige, 1906

Marc Chagall, 1887

Debuting/Premiering Today:

"Ryan's Hope"(TV), 1975

"All You Need is Love"(Single release), 1967

Waverly(Novel, publication date), 1814

"Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate"(Canticles, HWV 278 & 279), 1713

Today in History

A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death, 1456

Raid of the Redeswire, the last major battle between England and Scotland, 1575

United States begins first military draft; exemptions cost $300, 1863

An International Railway trolley with an extreme overload of 157 passengers crashes near Queenston, Ontario, killing 15, 1915

Sliced bread is sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri; it is described as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped", 1928

Alleged and disputed Roswell UFO incident, 1947

Venus occults the star Regulus. This rare event is used to determine the diameter of Venus and the structure of the Venusian atmosphere, 1959

In Canada, the Official Languages Act is adopted making the French language equal to the English language throughout the Federal government, 1969

Sharia is instituted in Iran, 1980

Samantha Smith, a U.S. schoolgirl, flies to the Soviet Union at the invitation of Secretary General Yuri Andropov, 1983

The Western Black Rhinoceros is declared extinct due to poaching, 2006

In efforts to avoid food shortages and political oppression, South Korea begins work on a new facility to house North Korean refugees, 2011