June 30: National Meteor Watch Day

If you’ve never watched a meteor shower, you are missing out. “Shooting stars” are just gorgeous.

Sadly, with the next big meteor shower expected at the end of July, you probably won’t see much tonight, but you can still step outside (and out of the city) to look at the constellations or visit a museum with information on meteorites.

“When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?”

Psalm 8:3-4

June 29: Camera Day

June 29 is Camera Day, so be sure to grab yours on the way out today.

You can get your friends to pose, snap candids when no one expects it, photograph a great landscape, or zoom in for an artsy close up of whatever’s nearby. Great photographers see everyday things in beautiful ways and know how to capture it.

You can celebrate today by taking lots of pictures, trying out different cameras, sharing photos with friends, or scrapbooking. Or, you could pull out Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” and sing along!

 

One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:4-5

 

June 28: Paul Bunyan Day

Happy Paul Bunyan Day!

I hope we all know at least a little of this American folk hero, lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his trusty blue ox, Babe. Most historians think that the story was passed around campfires for years, first getting published in 1906 near Oscoda, Michigan. Then, in 1914, a logging company decided to use his story for advertising. As his popularity grew, so did the stories

Today, you can celebrate Paul Bunyan Day by

• sharing his stories (it’s folklore, so go ahead and add a little!)
• visiting any of the statues of him scattered across the northern U.S. and Canada
• eating his favorite food, pancakes (or flapjacks)
• watching Disney’s version of his story (it’s a short on “Disney’s American Legends”)
• doing some woodwork yourself
• wearing flannel shirts and boots (it’s definitely the wrong time of the year for this!)

“He cut down cedars,
or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.”

Isaiah 44:14

June 27: Sunglasses Day

Celebrate the summer – and good eye health – and sport your sunglasses all day today. Whether they’re shades, sunnies, or something else entirely, you’ll be looking good and protecting your eyes all at once.

Happy Sunglasses Day!

“Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean . . . 
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.”

Job 37:21, 23

June 26: Forgiveness Day

There’s no doubt in my mind that we all need Forgiveness Day, both to be forgiven and to forgive. Maybe that’s why there’s Forgiveness Day on June 26, Global Forgiveness Day on August 27, and International Forgiveness Day on the first Sunday in August.

Forgiveness is outrageously important, yet I think there’s very little to say. The problem is not that we don’t know how or that we don’t think it’s worthwhile. The problem is that it’s difficult. (If you disagree, there’s a wikihow article, a Mayo Clinic article, and many more full of instructions, advice, and reasons why! Seriously! It’s kind of ridiculous!)

So, take a moment today and think through your life. First, consider who you might have wronged, and ask for forgiveness. Second, check yourself for any grudges, forgive, and move on. Now that’s something worth celebrating!

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13

June 25: National Catfish Day

Twenty-five years ago, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation making June 25, 1987  the first National Catfish Day.

In my research, I can’t determine if every June 25 is technically a “national” day, or if it was just officially recognized in 1987, but, either way, today is the perfect day for to go fishing and eat some great fried catfish. I suppose you don’t have to fry it, but, seriously, it’s catfish!

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:19

6/24/12: Museum Comes To Life Day

Hear that? It’s your museum coming to life! On June 24, museums across the globe, or at least across the U.S. are supposed to become even more exciting and interactive to celebrate Museum Comes To Life Day.

Sadly, it seems that few museums actually celebrate this on June 24, while others pick random days throughout the year to pull out all the stops. (Actually I couldn’t find any celebrating June 24, 2012, which is just awful! If you know of one, please comment and let me know!)

So, if no museums near you are holding special parties, how can you celebrate? I suggest visiting a favorite museum anyway, or exploring one you’ve never been in. You can choose anything, from a local city/county history museum to a modern art gallery. Then in the evening, grab the popcorn, because I know you want to watch “Night At the Museum.”

“Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’
Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’
Can it give guidance?
It is covered with gold and silver;
there is no breath in it. “

Habakkuk 2:19

June 23: National Pink Day

I hope you like pink, because today is National Pink Day! I did a good bit of research into this holiday and found . . . not much.

The oldest records we have have nothing to do with breast cancer awareness, so it probably wasn’t intended for that. However, so many recent celebrations have centered on encouraging breast cancer patients, rejoicing over breast cancer survivors, and urging everyone to get regular mammograms that breast cancer awareness now seems a legitimate purpose for the holiday.

National Pink Day may be related to a “New Years” celebration held in the Italian Riviera every summer called la notta rosa, or, the pink night. However, as nearly as I can figure out, that’s held the first few days of July, so that seems a bit of a stretch to me.

Either way, we all know how to celebrate something like National Pink Day: wear pink, eat pink, watch pink, or even drive pink! Pink clothing or accessories are a must, and will go perfectly with a glass of strawberry lemonade and an episode of the Pink Panther. I’d also suggest a nice pair of rose colored glasses! Have fun!

“Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
Psalm 113:2-3

June 22*: Take Your Dog To Work Day

*always held on the Friday after Father’s Day

I hope you’re reading this early in the morning, with plenty of time to check in with your boss before heading to work, because today is Take Your Dog to Work Day!

I’ve got to admit that I’d never heard of this until about 20 minutes ago, but it sounds great!  It turns out that in 1999 Pet Sitter’s International created Take Your Dog to Work Day in order to bring attention to great human/dog relationships and to encourage people to adopt a dog.

We all know that a dog is man’s best friend; so, unless there’s a problem, go ahead and take Fido with you today. At least work won’t be boring today.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. “
1 Chronicles 16:34

P.S. Cat lovers can pick any day earlier in the week and celebrate Take Your Pet to Work Week.

P.P.S. You can also celebrate the week with your pet parrot, ferret, iguana, or whatever you’ve got.

June 21: Go Skateboarding Day

Every June 21 people from all walks of life grab their skateboards and head to local parks to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day together. Go Skateboarding Day (sometimes just called Go Skate Day) is simply a day set aside to go skateboarding, no matter how busy you are.

Around the world people gather to watch each other skate, share picnics, or compete against each other. Some groups have highly organized celebrations, often raising money for charity, while others simply select a place and time to go skateboarding together. You can check here at Go Skateboarding Day’s official website to find an event
in your area.

If you’re like me and have never really given skateboarding a try, here’s your chance. Some shops even have rental boards and beginners classes if you’re really serious. Just be sure to have the bandaids ready!

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep. “

Psalm 36:5-6a