National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6th. On August 9th, we all celebrated National Book Lovers Day. While these bookish days may seem similar, National Read a Book Day invites us ALL to grab a book we might enjoy and spend the day reading.
Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the experience! Read aloud either to children or to grandparents. Read to your pets or to your stuffed animals and plants.
Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetime. Books are an inexpensive entertainment, educational tool and time machine too!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – Set during the Civil War, Little Women follows the life of the March family. Loosely based on Alcott’s life, she cast herself as talented the Jo March.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens – David Copperfield tells the story of a young boy’s life as he struggles to become a writer. From an abusive start and many trials, the author relays the memories of his life.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling – The 7th book in the Harry Potter series brings Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger back to Hogwarts for a final standoff with Voldemort and his Deatheaters.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George – This is the story of nine-year-old Miyax and her transition from an Inuit culture to an American one in San Francisco.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls – Loved by generations, this classic story tells of the bond between a boy and his dog in the Ozarks.
The Three Muskateers by Alexander Dumas When young d’Artagnan travels to Paris to join the ranks of the Musketeers, he soon finds himself challenged to three duels with Athos, Porthos and Aramis. However, the foursome is abruptly attacked by the evil Cardinal Richelieu’s guards, and d’Artagnan fights alongside them, proving his skills with a sword and his honour. The three Musketeers enfold d’Artagnan into their ranks, and what follows is a swashbuckling tale full of intrigue, friendship and revenge.
HOW TO OBSERVE #ReadABookDay
Sit back, relax and read a book. Whether you prefer to escape into the world of fiction or learn something new, celebrate with your favorite books. Visit the library or the local book store. Pick up a new book or read an old favorite. Explore the past in history books and memoirs or dive into the mean of terrific poetry. Read aloud to a child or give them a new book. Share the stories you’re reading using #ReadABookDay to post on social media.
If you need any suggestions or just looking for something new these are some of my favorite authors.
On August 21st, National Senior Citizens Day recognizes the achievements of the more mature representatives of our nation. The day provides an opportunity to show our appreciation for their dedication, accomplishments, and services they give throughout their lives.
According to the 2017 census, 47 million seniors live in the United States. By 2060, that number will nearly double. Their wealth of knowledge, skill, and experience offer so much to the next generation. As technologies advance, these are the people who’ve experienced each step of change. Not only have they contributed to it, but they understand first hand the benefits and the drawbacks. They know life without the advancements that exist today.
By the time you’re eighty years old you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it. ~ George Burns
Our senior citizens are pioneers of science, medicine, psychology, civil rights and so much more. Their valuable contributions to our communities create better places to live. They deserve the respect and dignity their achievements earn them. The day encourages supporting senior citizens to live their lives to the fullest and as independently as possible.
Spend time with the senior citizens you know. Let them know they are appreciated and loved. It may also be a good day to volunteer at a retirement home. Share your smile with those who may not otherwise get a visitor today.
As Covid19 is still a great concern for these age groups, take it virtual. Video chats, telephone calls, even a special care package direct from Amazon will seriously brighten someones day. With lockdowns being reimposed, communication becomes more important.
Lockdowns mean in some cases they are confined to thier rooms. They cannot speak to or see each other. They can no longer have activities and social meals. No physical therapies room, and no exercise in the halls. While these measures are ment to protect them, they still fall short as we have seen by the numbers reported from facilities. Some do a very good job and some are still struggling.
The biggest danger is the isolation many feel. With no visitors allowed they have been cut off from family, community outreach and as I said even each other. I’ve worked with seniors for many years, that social interaction helps prevent both mental and physical decline. Some more than others profoundly feel the effects. No one wants to be forgotten.
Send a card, chat, patiently endure teaching about technology if possible. Remember when you get frustrated, they may have taught you how to use a spoon.. among other things.
Celebrated each year on June 27th, National Sunglasses Day is becoming more and more popular, especially as organizations like The Vision Council inform people about the dangers of UV exposure and why wearing sunglasses should be more than to just make a fashion statement. So in honor of the holiday—and to help you pick out a pair of your own—we present the top 10 sunglasses styles that have stood the test of time.
Most known for their appearance in the 1963 Academy Award-winning Italian film 8 ½, these glasses are anything but old-fashioned. They were first introduced by Prada as Prada model SPR07F, but the design has undergone some changes since the 60’s. Regardless, these sunglasses might be one of the only designs that can not only be worn with a suit, but that makes a suit look so good.
The original folding glasses, the Persol 714 sunglasses were introduced in the 1960s when the iconic actor Steve McQueen wore them in the film The Thomas Crown Affair. These glasses were based on the Persol 649 model and adapted with 10 additional manufacturing steps to allow them to fold. In 2006, a pair of Persol 714’s from McQueen’s personal collection were auctioned off at nearly $70,000. Get suave with a—perhaps less expensive—pair for National Sunglasses Day.
These yellow-tinted aviator shooters were not first worn by Johnny Depp in the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but that is where they first became famous. The sunglasses, which have a small circle in between the lenses that is said to aid in hunting or shooting, were regularly worn by Hunter S. Thompson, the author of the novel that inspired the film. Shooters come in different color tints.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer
At their introduction in 1956, Ray-Ban’s Wayfarers were almost instantly popular because of the revolutionary plastic frame, a distinct diversion from the metal-framed sunglasses that were popular at the time. The sunglasses continued to be popular throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s but then slumped in popularity until the late 2000s when artists like Katy Perry and Bruno Mars wore them in their music videos.
Round and Oversized
Often known today simply as Jackie O’s, these sunglasses were popularized by former First Lady and fashion icon Jackie Kennedy during the years that her husband was president. They are instantly recognizable by their large round shape and still serve to make quite a fashion statement when worn today. It’s hard to wear these sunglasses and not channel some of the grace, style and elegance that Jackie was so famous for.
The history of the archetypal Ray-Ban Aviators begins in the 1930s when US Army pilots were reporting that the glare from the sun was giving them headaches and altitude sickness. American company Bausch & Lomb created what was originally known as “Anti-Glare,” sunglasses with plastic frames and green lenses. Just a year later they were remodeled with metal frames and rebranded as “Aviators,” how we still know them today.
Clubmasters are a type of browline sunglasses, which gets its name from the fact that the bold upper part of the frames frame the lenses like the eyebrow frames the eyes. Ray-Ban introduced the Clubmaster in the 1980s when Bruce Willis wore a pair of browline Shuron Ronsirs on the series Moonlighting. The Clubmasters gained popularity and quickly became the third best-selling sunglasses of the 1980s, after Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer and Aviator styles.
Not only did Gregory Peck win an Oscar for his role as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird, but he also won a fair amount of acclaim for the glasses frames he wore in the film. These frames are once again popular today, thanks partly to their reintroduction in 2011 when Oliver Peoples released a new model to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the novel that inspired the film. Don these on National Sunglasses Day and channel your inner Atticus Finch.
Audrey Hepburn is one of film’s most well-known faces, and it was usually with a pair of Oliver Goldsmith Manhattans framing her eyes. These large, rounded-square sunglasses were first made famous when Hepburn wore them in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a role that was originally supposed to be played by Marilyn Monroe. The glasses, instantly recognizable today, are still popular.
Rose-colored Glasses
“To see the world through rose-colored glasses” is a phrase that means to view the world in a perpetual optimistic, perhaps naive, and unrealistic way. It remains in question what the origin of the phrase is, though there are some interesting and possible theories. One theory suggests that early mapmakers used rose petals to clean the lenses of the glasses. Not only would the natural oils protect the glass, but they would also leave a rose-colored stain.
Wear your favorite shades and protect those beautiful eyes. Get out and enjoy summer, take a selfie and use #NationalSunglassesDay to share style on social media.
Short for Software Application, apps quickly appeared as our mobile cellular phones incorporated smart technologies. As the power of our phones increased with processing chips, internet connectivity, and touchscreens, so did the apps that became available.
Since that time, apps continue changing how we work, live, and play. They offer opportunities, too, by creating thousands of new companies, millions of new jobs, and billions of dollars in revenue.
Apps accelerated in growth with the advent of Apple’s iPhone in 2007. In 2008 Apple introduced OS 2.0, which included approximately 500 apps and allowed third-party app generation. Today there are over 3 million apps on both the Apple and Android platforms and thousands more introduced daily.
From social networking to productivity, apps function in every part of our lifestyle. They control the lights in our house and keep our playlists at our fingertips. We stay in tune with the world around us through news apps customized to our interests and stay connected to the people who mean the most to us.
NATIONAL APP DAY HISTORY
Platinum Edge Media and its founder CJ Thompson created National App Day in 2017 to celebrate the importance of apps as they change our collective culture by organically promoting creativity and innovation.
My goto Apps that I use practically everyday include:
Prism – Money and Bill Pay. We use this App for almost all our bill paying. It not only keeps track of when it’s due, but gives me balances, and real time payments directly from the App. Actively helps me from being a victim of identity theft.
Digical – All calendar. Appointments, To Do, reminders, and blog reminders.
Medisafe – Keeps my prescription medications on track with scheduling and reminders. Also a very conventional way to have a current medicine list on your phone in case of emergency, hospital stay, Dr visits and more.
My Sugar – As a diabetic this app links to my meter and gives both short and long term readings on my blood sugar. Helps me stay informed and make good diet decisions as well.
Lose It! – Calorie counter, dieting App. Keep track of what you eat, calories, carbs, food diary, and fitness logs. I was amazed at how much more contentious just keeping the food diary helped me choose healthy eating and loose weight.
News Break – News source that gives local, State, National, and worldwide news.
Google Weather – Accurate conditions
YoWindow – the weather both now and forcasts
WordPress – If you are reading this post, it’s where I blog. Easy to use visual and html, let’s me build my site.
Canva – create stunning social media posts, pins, and graphics.
Calligraphy – Add text to photos, and create graphics like you see on my site.
Polaris Office – Write, spreadsheet, newsletters, slides, slideshows, word and text documents.
My Drive – Cloud storage. Store pictures, documents, receipts, and backup info. I regularly keep digital copies in cloud storage. If you’ve ever lost or broken a device or need to access legal documents cloud storage gives me access no matter what device I’m using.
Googl Keep – My husband swears by this App. He keeps everything from grocery lists and To do lists to passwords and reminder notes.
Samsung Notes – I like this one as my Notes can even be written with stylus. Keeps notes, lists, observations, and reminders at my fingertips.
Walmart – Like most of we do our shopping for groceries and household often. Shop in store or online, checkout on your mobile device. Have it delivered or shipped straight to your door. Saves me so much time and money.
Shipt – Publix, Winn Dixie, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Petsmart, Office Depot Office Max and even GNC. Groceries or even better imagine not having to trudge through a store. Get it delivered.
Instacart – Get everything I need for dinner in 2 hours or less. Gives me delivery from stores like Aldi’s in my neighborhood.
Amazon Shopping – Amozon is so well known now. My Prime membership gives me perks, savings and access to products simply not sold locally.
Ibotta – Cash back at the grocery store! We all have to eat. So why not get cash back on what’s you’re already buying. Seriously I make enough cash back to get Thanksgiving dinner free! This year it’s Christmas dinner too.
Fetch – Shop & Save Money! Scan Receipts to Earn Gift Cards. Your Shopping & Saving Superpower! Fetch brings you a fun and exciting way to shop and save, turning all your receipts into rewards in a snap. Earn points by scanning receipts, then choose from hundreds of your favorite rewards. Shop personalized offers, play free point games daily and connect with your friends.
Rakuten – Cash back on the most popular shopping sites online. Great deals from the app or browser extension. We save on things like Daytimer, Amazon, Chewy, and do many more.
Temu – While similar to Wish the shipping deals have made this my new favorite this holiday season. Gifts for lots and something for myself too.
Restaurants and food delivery – Uber Eats, Door Dash, Postmates, Grubhub, we learned about during the Covid pandemic. Now delivery from your favorite restaurants is at your fingertips. We love getting McDonald’s, Burger King, Popeyes, Panda Express, Captain D’s, Chili’s, Texas Roadhouse, Taco Bell, Applebee’s, Cheddar’s, Greek, Mexican, American, you name it they can probably deliver it.
Prime Video – Streaming is so much better than high priced cable bills. Live Football, original series and movies all directly to your smart tv. What to see a new movie, simply purchase and stream. Pausing when you need a snack, or a break is ultra convenient.
Kindle – Amazon’s answer for Ebooks. I love my Kindle! Not only is it available on Amazon devices but you can seamlessly change from phone, tablet, Kindle, or even a desktop computer. Now I can take my book literally anywhere my phone goes. As a bibliophile, you’ll never find me without a great read.
Amazon Music – Load your favorite playlists, and let the music play. Prime members enjoy lots of tunes. No need for a separate device. I just load my phone widget and press play. Bluetooth connection let’s me play it on the surround sound system, my personal Bluetooth speaker, ear buds, air pods or headphones.
Love Nikki – We all need to unwind. This dress up game is like having both a fantasy adventure and a never-ending closet. Put your fashion sense to the test to save Mirland.
Facebook – Who hasn’t heard of this one by now? This allows family and friends to communicate, check up, check in, and share easily. Pictures of the grand babies, how school is going, or just video chat with Mom. Remember to check you feed!
Pintrest – My #1 bookmarking spot. Recipes, lists, books, movies, celebrities, crafts, shopping, new products, home decor, gardening, games, Journaling, you name I’ll bet there’s a pin. Pin your likes to your own boards. Keep ideas, thoughts, planning, and even wishlists and vision boards.
Nextdoor – Do you know what’s going on in your neighborhood? Giveaways, Yard sales, stolen packages…. Communicate with each other. Chances are even if your just curios you’ll find something near you.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAppDay
Post your favorite app on social media. Share how apps make your life easier, too. Beyond games, what tools do you use to save money and time? While you expound on your favorites, explore new apps, too. What kinds of apps do you predict for the future?
Join the conversation using #NationalAppDay, and be sure to include why you couldn’t imagine life without your favorite apps.
National Streaming Day on May 20 recognizes the advancing and growing technology that makes our mobile lives run more smoothly.
The first computer was invented in the 1940s. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that streaming became accessible. Since then, technology has made huge advancement, resulting in the option to stream just about anything. Luckily, the attraction of streaming pushes technology to improve speed and accessibility. As technology changes, so does are need to meet our streaming expectations.
Streaming plays such an important part in our daily life we overlook the benefits it provides us. If you look past what we expect, most people would understand the amazing benefits streaming provides. Streaming provides:
Opportunity to take the service with us just about anywhere.
Ability to customize our own video preferences.
Businesses and organizations optional training methods and coordinates meetings.
Connection with people from across the world in real time.
A cost-efficient alternative to conduct daily activities.
Entertainment.
Streaming formats also come in all shapes and sizes. Some services offer music and video streaming, while others offer on-demand services. Despite the varieties available, all streaming services provide benefits to our modern lives.
Today, almost everyone uses some sort of streaming device. Unsurprisingly, there are many types of streaming devices available. Choosing a streaming device is often based on personal preference. The most popular streaming devices are:
Roku Stick 4K Plus, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV.
Today you can stream so many ways from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix, Hulu, and so many channels like Starz, britbox, AMC, Hallmark, Paramount, MGM, HBO. Don’t forget Sports like ESPN, MLBtv, Nascar, NBAtv, NFL and NHL.
A STREAM OF HISTORICAL FACTS
In 2014, Roku founded National Streaming Day to celebrate their 10th Anniversary.
1993: During a usual gig, a few computer scientists and engineers from California decide to try out a new technology to their musical performance with friends and family live.
1995: RealNetwork introduces the first live streaming service with capabilities known as the RealPlayer.
1999: A company by the name of Excite@Home Network casts the first webcast for the Democratic Leadership Council.
2008: YouTube holds its first live event called YouTube Live.
2011: Twitch.tv introduces a new streaming platform for video games nabbing 45 million users per month.
2014-2016: Restream.io, Twitter and Facebook/Instagram introduce live streaming services for social media platforms.
2018: Facebook dominates the live streaming market with over over 3.5 million views.
2019: Facebook dominates live streaming with nearly 1.1 billion hours of live videos available for viewing.
2022: Every platform uses streaming options as a way to share information, including National Day Calendar.
STREAM TO CELEBRATE
Watch movies, work videos, and television shows at a time that is convenient for you.
Listen to a variety of music, podcasts, or books on any device.
Teach an elder how to stream.
Share tips to people online on how to stream online.
Share your favorite apps, service and shows. We use Prime Video as our main source. We can add in extra channels if needed, but we like Amazon exclusives. We added Starz just for Outlander.
Describe your favorite way to stream and tag #NationalStreamingDay on social media.
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