BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY

Meet Leo (orange) and Hariett (black). They enjoy long naps together and anything catnip. Our YouTube channel. We accept Amazon donations to care for ferals. We provide food, water and veterinary along with TNR as we can manage it.

Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th aims to dispel all myths surrounding black cats. Additionally, the day shouldn’t be confused with National Black Cat Day.

Superstitions aside, cats are simply adorable, even black ones. These feline creatures in their sleek, black coats may carry an air of mystery. However, most cats do. Along with that, their ability to find mischief or to avoid you equals that of tabbys, cinnamons, gingers, calicos, whites or grays.

However, one black cat fact that holds true is they are less likely to be adopted. Just like black dogs, this variety of cat gets shunned at shelters. Despite this, black cats still respond to love and attention no differently than other felines.

Ahope Santa Rosa rescue

So, let a black cat cross your path. They aren’t witches. More than likely, adopting a black cat will help keep the mouse population down around the place. Expect the number of cuddles in your life to increase, too!

Charlie was abandoned by his previous owners. After a diligent search for his owners, we adopted him. He was already so socialized and sweet, we could not even consider consigning him to a shelter. We already had 3 cats but there was no way this personality would do well in a shelter.

He started out as my kitty, due to some health issues and a natural preference he now adores my husband. They talk, and Charlie will talk and lead you to his treats.

Sadly Charlie crossed the rainbow bridge 3 years ago. We have several Ferals that we care for including an Alfie, Righty, Kitten and Blackie. The latest ones that have become part of our feral group are Domino and Stripes.

Whiskas Temptations Mixups Treats for Cats - Backyard Cookout (Pack of 2)  by Whiskas
Whiskas Temptations Mixups Treats for Cats – Backyard Cookout (Pack of 2)

by Whiskas

HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackCatAppreciationDay

Consider adopting a black cat. Take photos of your black cat, too! Support your local shelters and volunteer. You can groom a black cat (or any cat for that matter), give him cuddles, and maybe even take one home.  Overcome your fears and use #BlackCatAppreciationDay while sharing your new-found love for those black cats on social media. 

SmartyKat Certified Organic Catnip  by SmartyKat
SmartyKat Certified Organic Catnip

by SmartyKat

100% certified organic catnip is safe, pure & potent without chemicals, pesticides or fillers

2 ounce canister allows you to shake or pour catnip

Catnip provides a burst of playful energy

Attracts cats like a magnet!

Use catnip to attract cats to toys, scratchers and bedding

BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

Celebrate this day to dispel myths and fears of Black Cats. Every home should have the privilege of a mini panther.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food, SuperFood Blends

by Rachael Ray Nutrish
Meet Harriet
Meet Harriet

ROMANCE AWARENESS MONTH

February isn’t the only romantic month on the calendar.  Check your relationship’s pulse during Romance Awareness in August. If it needs a jump start, there are lots of ways to put some spark back into the relationship. 

Add excitement by planning the unexpected. Surprise your significant other with a date night with only a few clues as to the destination. None of it needs to be expensive or elaborate, but making an effort to make the evening fun, spontaneous and memorable will be worthwhile. Maybe it’s a note clipped to a single flower saying you’ll pick her up at 7 PM and to wear sandals. It ends up with a picnic on the beach; or it could be a text to him that you’re in the mood for takeout, be ready in an hour – a three-hour road trip later and you’re at the nearest drive-in theater eating hot wings under the stars.

The simple things mean so much more than elaborate gifts. A wrapped mint slipped into a pocket with an encouraging message on the day of big presentation sends waves of support and love when it’s needed most. Sharing our successes with those we love is another way of enhancing the romance. Toast each other’s success and bask in the glow.  

Spend quiet time with each other. Read books, do chores, sleep. Just be. Sometimes, just being together in the same room generates energy that may have been missing. 

Cultivate activities as a couple you enjoy doing together. Whether you enjoy games, biking, sports, antiquing, travel, music or haven’t discovered your interest yet, get out there and explore.  

Visit the SMIRLY Store
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 16,340Reviews
SMIRLY Charcuterie Boards Gift Set: Large Charcuterie Board Set, Bamboo Cheese Board Set - Unique Mothers Day Gifts for Mom - House Warming Gifts New Home, Wedding Gifts for Couple, Bridal Shower Gift
Visit the SMIRLY Store
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 16,340Reviews
SMIRLY Charcuterie Boards Gift Set: Large Charcuterie Board Set, Bamboo Cheese Board Set – Unique Mothers Day Gifts for Mom – House Warming Gifts New Home, Wedding Gifts for Couple, Bridal Shower Gift

HISTORY

Celebrate Romance founder, Eileen Buchheim, created Romance Awareness Month to encourage couples to improve their relationships through romance all year long.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Being aware of and adding more romance into your relationship will be a win-win for both you and your significant other. Passion has always been an essential part of relationships. Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference, such as; holding hands, a shoulder rub, a flower, making dinner together, playing your favorite song, leaving a personal note, or watching a movie together.

Romance Awareness Month is also a great time to catch up on some reading with the wide selection of romance novels that are available. 

If posting on social media use #RomanceAwarenessMonth.

Create an Amazon Wedding Registry

Don’t forget to subscribe to Jen’s Perspective Magazine for more special times..

NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY

Each year on National Scrabble Day April 13th recognizes a game played around the world. Originally named Lexiko and then Criss-Cross Words, Alfred Mosher Butts eventually settled on the name Scrabble. The amateur artist and unemployed architect developed the word game in the midst of the depression. Still, it wasn’t until 1948, a final name change and a trademark that Butts finally began to produce the game.  

Scrabble is played with two to four players who score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15 x 15 grid.

In the United States, the name Scrabble is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Scrabble is sold in 121 countries with 29 different language versions. Worldwide, over One hundred and fifty million sets have been sold with sets being found in nearly one-third of American homes.

  • 1984 – Scrabble became a daytime game show on NBC
  • 2004 – Scrabble was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame
  • Some cities sponsor Scrabble tournaments on the weekend closest to National Scrabble Day
  • The word “scrabble” means to “grope frantically.”

NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY HISTORY

National Scrabble Day commemorates the birth of Alfred Mosher Butts, born on April 13, 1899. However, our research had not identified the founder of the day. 

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalScrabbleDay

Call your friends and play a game or two of Scrabble! Mix it up, too. There are several ways to play the game if you want to change things up a bit. For example, if you’re spending time alone, Scrabble solitaire challenges you at your own game of words. Another version allows players to only play nouns but they earn bonus points for playing nouns that are both a proper noun and an approved Scrabble word. 

Once you’ve played a game, take the final board and create a crossword puzzle using this template. Develop hints to the words and see if others can solve the puzzle. 

Do you have fun alternative ways of playing the game? Use #NationalScrabbleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL OPEN AN UMBRELLA INDOORS DAY                        

National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day is observed annually on March 13th. One often wonders how superstitions are passed on from one generation to the next.  There is an old superstition about opening your umbrella indoors and that it would bring you bad luck. National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day encourages you to do just that and note if you have any bad luck.

While umbrellas have been around for over 3000 years, the origin of the superstition is strangely obscure.  There is some suggestion that ancient Egyptians thought it offended the gods to open an umbrella where there was already shade.  However, the more modern version of the superstition would suggest bad things happening as a result of poor timing or inconvenience.

Explore more….

HOW TO OBSERVE

Test the theory that opening an umbrella inside brings bad luck by doing so and noting any bad luck that comes your way.  You might reduce your risk of bad luck by opening the umbrella in a wide space versus a tight hallway to avoid knocking pictures off the wall.  And may we suggest giving those around you a sign of warning as well.  We wouldn’t want any eyes being poked out.  Use #OpenAnUmbrellaIndoorsDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL KAZOO DAY

National Kazoo Day on January 28th recognizes nearly 200 years of kazoo music in the United States. The day also encourages playing and learning about the kazoo. 

The instrument requires little effort to create a sound. However, some skill is necessary to make intelligible music. This simple instrument also adds comedic punctuations to just about any childhood song. The great thing about the kazoo is, if you can hum, you can play!

Warren H. Frost first proposed the name “kazoo” when he submitted his U.S. patent application for a musical toy instrument.
The U.S. Patent Office granted Frost’s application with patent no. 270,543 on January 9, 1883. 

In 1915, Michael McIntyre partnered with Harry Richardson, and they established The Original American Kazoo Company which began producing metal kazoos. They are still in production today in Eden, NY.

During World War I, another instrument made the scene. Larger and a little more cumbersome for a child to manage, makers touted the bazooka as an instrument anyone could play (and build).

NATIONAL KAZOO DAY HISTORY

Founded in 1983 by Chaplin Willard Rahn of the Joyful Noise Kazoo Band, National Kazoo Day celebrates the humble kazoo and all the infectious joy it brings to people of all ages.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL KAZOO DAY

Anyone who can hum can play the kazoo. Kazoos are relatively inexpensive musical instruments. More expensive kazoos still cost less than ten dollars.Kazoos can be made from metal, wood, plastic, glass, or even cardboard…

  • Play a song on the kazoo.
  • Start a kazoo band.
  • Make your own kazoo.
  • Learn about how a kazoo works.
  • Teach someone to play the kazoo.
  • Create a video of you playing a kazoo.

Use #NationalKazooDay to post on social media.