March 31: Eiffel Tower Day

On this day in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was completed (more or less) in time for the Exposition. Several officials and journalists climbed to the top with the engineer Gustave Eiffel to tour the new structure, even though the elevators and some of the guest facilities weren’t quite completed yet.

Today’s verse comes in honor of the City of Lights.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

Philippians 2:14-16a

Now, some people will try to convince you that the Eiffel Tower is too popular and not actually worth the visit. Seriously? It’s the Eiffel Tower. You can’t have bacon without eggs, there’s no Batman without Robin, and if you’re going to say you’ve seen Paris, then you’ve got to visit the Eiffel Tower at least once.

Of course, afterwards there’s the Louvre to visit, crepes to drip on your shirt, plenty of shops to browse, and a host of other things to do.

 

 

March 30: I Am In Control Day, et al.

I Am In Control Day

I am in control. Yep. Just in case you missed the memo, I got it.

Yeah, right.

This day exists because of a political slip of tongue back in 1981. In the chaos after President Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt, Secretary of State Alexander Haig held a spur of the moment press conference while they waited for vice president to arrive. It seems that Haig was trying to explain that he was temporarily, unofficially taking care of the White House, while they waited to figure out what should happen next.

Self control is very important, but, on the other hand, most of us need to remember that we aren’t actually in control.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-23b

National Doctor’s Day

Today is also the day to stop and appreciate all the doctors in your life – those men and women who have made your life better, and maybe saved it a time or two, even though we don’t always like what they have to say.

Take a Walk in the Park Day

I love our local parks. A picnic, round of basketball,  paths to walk, even a playground to goof off in – it’s great. Now that it’s officially spring, stop by sometime today and enjoy being outside.

Possibly the coolest park I've ever seen! (located in Poland)

March 29: Festival of Smoke and Mirrors

The Festival of Smoke and Mirrors every March 29 remembers the old magician’s technique, as well as a favorite debating technique for a lot of people who might not win the argument otherwise.

Old magic shows (such as “Pepper’s Ghost” in 1800s London) used carefully placed mirrors to produce the illusions for the audience. Bursts of smoke at certain times would cover any sudden changes and distract the audience.

Today the phrase “smoke and mirrors” is used for any thing that distracts from the real issue (in other words, it’s the perfect description of just about every political statement! )

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

1 Corinthians 13:12

 

March 28: Weed Appreciation Day

Happy Weed Appreciation Day!

.

“The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

 

 

For years I tried to convince my mother, “They’re not weeds!” Later, I changed my tactics to “Weeds are beautiful! Why should we pull them out?” Beautiful, determined, survivors . . . shouldn’t we be trying to imitate them? 

As Five Iron Frenzy sings in “Dandelion,” see a flower, where others see only weeds. Or, if you’d rather, you can see food like this fun article here about the benefits and uses of weeds.

Obviously, I couldn’t let Weed Appreciation Day pass me by. At some point today, stop and smell the flowers, even if they are weeds.

March 27: Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day

Happy Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day!

This day hardly needs any explanation, since we all know how amazingly hilarious country music lyrics can be. There are dozens of lists across the internet of strange country music titles, so I just compiled a list of a few of my favorites. I know most of these are old school, but the titles are just too good to pass up.

Make sure you celebrate today with some crazy country music (and turn it up loud for all those who can’t stand it!)

• “I’m Just A Bug On The Windshield Of Life” (I’ve only found 1 version, here)
• “You Can’t Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd” (by Roger Miller here)
• “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart” (by Johnny Cash here)
• “You’re the Hangnail in My Life” (Hoyt Axton)
• “Drop Kick Me Jesus (Through The Goal Posts Of Life)” (by Bobby Bare here)
• “I’d Like to Check You For Ticks” (Brad Paisley)
• “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna be a Diamond Someday)” (written by Billy Joe Shaver, you can hear it here)

In honor of the last song, today’s verse is about persevering and growing better every day:

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

2 Peter 1:5-7

March 26: Make Your Own Holiday Day

March 26 has got to be one of my favorite non-traditional holidays (nothing can beat Thanksgiving or Christmas, but this has knocked holidays like National Chocolate Raisin Day and National Battery Day down for the count!).

Happy Make Your Own Holiday Day everyone!

Here’s the plan:

• pick something you love or a cause you care deeply about
• see if there’s already a holiday for it (hint: there probably is!)
• make plans to celebrate it with friends and family
• if you’re really into this, you can contact city officials, local restaurants and shops, or your newspaper and try to convince them to publicize and support your new holiday

So, what are you going to celebrate? A special someone? A fun activity? A favorite . . . something? I’m thinking, in view of my clutter, I’m going to have to “celebrate” a long spring cleaning day.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his                   .      pasture.

 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

 

Psalm 100

March 25: Tolkien Reading Day

March 25 is Tolkien Reading Day, so, go celebrate! Take your pick of books, get settled in, and read some Tolkien!

In 2003, the Tolkien Society selected March 25 as Tolkien Reading Day. They chose March 25 to celebrate the day that Sauron was defeated in The Return of the King.

Sauron, a.k.a. The Lord of the Rings, is the main villain in the trilogy. He also appears as “the Necromancer” in The Hobbit. He is finally defeated on March 25 near the end of The Return of the King when Gollum falls into the fires of Mt. Doom with the Ring of Power. When Sauron made the Ring many centuries before, he put much of his power into it. Therefore, when it was destroyed, Sauron’s power was broken.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

March 24: National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

If it’s March 24, happy National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day!

While chocolate covered raisins are tasty, personally, I’d prefer a handful of plain raisins followed by a piece of chocolate. Maybe I just don’t get this day. : )

RAISINS

and

CHOCOLATE . . .

perfect!

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

Matthew 7:16

March 23: Near Miss Day

Have you ever noticed how many holidays commemorate times that someone almost died? March 23, Near Miss Day, is no exception.

Near Miss Day commemorates the day in 1989 that a “mountain-sized” asteroid slid by the Earth, with only 500,000 miles of wiggle room. Personally, after having driven in Detroit and Houston, that sounds like a lot of room (I hear Chicago is worse!), but when you’re dealing with planets and asteroids, that’s like parallel parking with less than an inch on either bumper.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

Psalm 8:3-4

"Missed it by that much!"

P.S. Since the world isn’t destroyed, why don’t you also take a little time today to play with a puppy today, or even adopt one from a shelter, since it’s also National Puppy Day!

March 22: International Goof Off Day

Break out the karaoke machine! March 22 is International Goof Off Day!

Now, I don’t want anyone to get fired, but today is the day to goof off. Karaoke, gag gifts, and funny hats are par for the course. Instead of squeezing a stress ball over and over, today you can use it to destress with a round a water cooler hacky sack, or maybe you should grab the packing tape for a hallway hockey puck. Just make sure that you’re not the only one celebrating.

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22