On This Day: August 1st … Strange Holidays
National Girlfriends Day
National Mahjong Day
National Mountain Climbers Day
Sisters Day
Well, looks like the girls have the advantage today, cool. Well, not really all that cool since August can be a very hot month heat wise.
Sisters Day
Today celebrates being or having a sister. Today is a day to celebrate your love for you sister(s). That means a lot of us will celebrate this special day. Sisters are truly special and unique. Sure, we may argue and fight. But, when it comes right down to it, sisters are the best, the very best. Make sure you let her know. After all, she may tell you “My sister has the best sister!”.
Who qualifies as a “Sister”? In the spirit of sisterhood and inclusiveness, this can include biological sisters, blended family sisters, sister-in-law, sorority sisters, and of course religious nuns, Sometimes friends refer to each other as sisters. This relationship counts and is celebrated today, too.
Today does not have to be a gift giving event. Just being close sisters is gift enough. How about celebrating Sister’s Day by spending time together!? Go to lunch or dinner, go shopping or take a trip to the beach. Any activity that the two (or three, or four...) of you enjoy doing together, is the perfect way to spend the day.
For all of you guys reading this, you can celebrate it , too. If you have a sister, let her know how much she is loved by you, and how much she means to you.
Celebrate Sister’s Day by spending time with your sister. Make it a special day in some way for you, and for her.
On May 2nd, there is National Brother and Sister Day
April 10th there is National Siblings Day
Did you ever feel like you’ve had too much wine? Me neither.
National Girlfriends Day
This is a special day, indeed! It is her special day, a time to celebrate, spoil and pamper her. You might begin, by celebrating the fact that you have an awesome girl, as wonderful and special as her, to call your girlfriend. After all, look what she has to put up with.
Some people may say this special day is not needed, as a girlfriend should be treated nicely, and in a special way, every day of the year. This day is an opportunity to go beyond nice... all the way to spoiled and pampered.
There are so many ways to celebrate National Girlfriends Day. Are you drawing a blank? Typical guy. Here are just a few ideas:
Take her to see a “chick flick”.
Simply tell her you appreciate all the things she does. Give her some specific examples.
Don’t hesitate to shower her with a card, flowers, perfume or other gifts.
Don’t let her lift a single pretty finger to work today. Today, she is a woman of leisure.
Give her the TV Remote. This, in and of itself, is a huge gesture.
Take her out to dinner.
Give her a back massage. It just might result in instant gratification.
Guys, whatever your plans for today are, make sure to do it up in a big way. Your girlfriend has a long memory. She will certainly remember what you did when National Boyfriends Day comes along which is October 3rd.
“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”—Abraham Lincoln
National Mountain Climbers Day
Climb every mountain
Search high and low
Follow every highway
Every path you know …
These are lyrical lines from “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music. If you care to listen: https://youtu.be/RKuqySkqhHw
Everyone should climb a mountain at least once in their lives. It is an exhilarating experience, with a huge reward at the peak… a big sense of accomplishment for reaching new heights. Fresh air and magnificent scenery, only adds to the joy of climbing a mountain to the summit. You might climb just one mountain, and attain pride and bragging rights to family and friends. Or, you might find the experience so rewarding, that mountain climbing becomes a new hobby, as you seek the challenge of conquering one peak after another.
National Mountain Climbing Day was established in honor of this author’s son, Bobby Matthews, and his friend Josh Madigan, for successfully climbing the 46 High Peaks of New Your State’s Adirondack Mountains. These two young men, climbed the 46th peak, Whiteface Mountain, on August 1, 2015. They were formally inducted into the Adirondack 46’er Club in May 2016.
Mountain climbing is a challenging hike. On occasion, a difficult climb may require using both your arms and legs on a steep portion of the climb. Rappelling a mountain, like you see when adventurers. Climb Mount Everest, is not part of the climb. Depending upon the size and difficulty, your first climb on an easy mountain, will only take a couple of hours.
Can you climb a mountain? Sure you can! Young children under 10 years old, and senior citizens over eighty have climbed mountains. Josh Madigan says, “It’s more stamina and mental, than strength.” So, there’s no reason you cannot climb a mountain.
This also holds true in another way—getting past those things that seem to stand in your way. Once you have, the day becomes less filled with anxiety and strife, and your life will feel much calmer knowing you reached the top of that mountain and defied the odds.
*** The above photo was taken in August 2008, as I took a break on a trail climbing a portion of Pike’s Peak outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, except for bears—Bear’s will kill you dead.
More Strange Holidays Coming!