Daily Quote: April 1, 2021

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When you want to fool the world,
tell the truth.

~ Otto von Bismarck (German – Leader / April 1, 1815 – July 30, 1898)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

March is done and onward we go to April. April Showers bring May flowers. The first of April is well known as being April Fools Day. Today’s quote by Otto von Bismark is very appropriate. Having been born on April Fools Day he would have heard all the Fool’s jokes and pranks, but it is true the best way to fool someone is just to tell the truth, for the truth is often more amazing than fiction.

In 2021, April 1st is also Maundy Thursday for Christians around the world. A day to remember the last supper, the prayers in the garden, the betrayal of Christ with a kiss, the mocking by the guards, the crown of thorns and ending with a trial rigged to appease the crowds.

Today is also Boomer Bonus Day. A day created to celebrate all baby boomers and to give them a discount without calling them seniors. So get your bonus if you qualify.

Being a grandparent, it’s impossible not to watch Peppa Pig. Today is her favorite holiday, National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day. To celebrate is easy. Find a muddy puddle and joyfully jump in it while laughing. Because deep down we all really like jumping in muddy puddles.

Daily Quote: March 31, 2021

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I think;
therefore I am.

~ Rene Descartes (French – Mathematician / March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The last day of March 2021 and we remember Rene Descartes birthday. I saw a recent episode of Young Sheldon in which Sheldon is faced with the philosophical question of how do we know we aren’t dreaming and that we are real. Sheldon has a short breakdown and dreams about speaking with Rene Descartes. The revelation in the dream is: I think; therefore I am.

Today is also International Transgender Day of Visibility. Dedicated to help preserve the safety and health of Transgender persons by remembering their contributions to society. Two spirit people who don’t fit into the normal gender assumed roles. Often trapped by biology rather than societal norms they seek to contribute and be recognized as a part of family, neighbours and society.

Appropriately today is also National Crayon Day. Crayons are the most readily and common art medium available. Everyone has used a crayon to colour. Often outside the lines and choosing colours to suite their mood, or whatever is left in the box when it’s their turn to choose. A virtual rainbow living inside the crayon box. Why not spend some time today colouring either on a preprinted piece of paper or free-style on a blank page to make your own drawing?

The weather is turning cold again as often it does in early spring. Cold weather in Florida means concerns for Manatee. Manatee Appreciation Day is celebrated by recognizing these peaceful mermaids of the sea. Power plants in Florida provide warm waters where the Manatee gather to escape the colder water of the Gulf in the spring. Viewing centres have been dedicated to seeing the Manatee near Apollo Beach. It’s amazing to see these wonderful creatures in the clear water underneath the boardwalks.

Manatee swimming at the Manatee Viewing Center, Big Bend Power Station, Apollo Beach Florida
February 2014

Daily Quote: March 30, 2021

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Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

~ Maimonides (Spanish – Philosopher / March 30, 1135 – December 12, 1204)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The Tuesday of Holy Week for Christians, Holy Tuesday, when we remember the story of the Widow’s Gift. When she gave only a small amount, but it was all she had, so it was a far bigger sacrifice than the huge amount of gold given by another who had only given a small percentage of what his treasure.

During the Pandemic we’ve all been dreaming of travelling again. The craze is to have a virtual vacation so there’s a day for that: Virtual Vacation Day. Preview places you would like to go with the click of a mouse and see places you dream about. Fly high above the clouds or dive deep below the oceans, wherever you might even be too afraid to go.

If you’re tired of all the screen time, grab a leash and celebrate: Take a Walk in the Park Day. Get outside and enjoy some fresh spring air. Our COVID-19 restrictions have gone back to RED, so the belts have been tightened again as we are in a 3rd wave. But we can still enjoy the park and watch scenes like a flock of geese landing on a local pond, the first sight of skunk cabbage in the marsh or pussy willows in bloom.

Daily Quote: March 29, 2021

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Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome.

~ Amelia Barr (American – Novelist / March 29, 1831 – March 10, 1919)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The last Monday of March, and this year it is Holy Monday. The Monday after Palm Sunday is known as Holy Monday in the Christian Calendar.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic small businesses have hurt the most. Shut downs have forced many of the small businesses to change their business model. Some have embraced technology and thrived, others haven’t been able to pay the rent or salaries so their doors have closed permanently. Here’s a quick toast on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, may the next year help you recover from 2020.

Today is also Smoke and Mirrors Day. A day devoted to magic and illusions. Magic always reminds me of Bullwinkle’s famous routine: Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. And instead he pulls out a lion and then puts it back as he says: I guess I don’t know my own strength.

Daily Quote: March 28, 2021

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For prayer is nothing else than
being on terms of friendship with God.

~ Saint Teresa of Avila (Spanish – Saint / March 28, 1515 – October 4, 1582)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Palm Sunday is celebrated by Christians as the day that Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and praises were sung to him by everyone. Palm branches were placed on the path to make the ride easier and songs of Hosannas were sung loudly by the crowds of worshippers. The celebrations would be short lived and within the week Christ would be crucified, only to rise from the dead to finish teaching his disciples before his final ascension to heaven, leaving with a promise that he would return.

The teachings of “love your neighbour as yourself” would linger on as today is also Neighbour Day. A kind gesture or word to celebrate the wonderful neighbours we have.

In a world where everything is in its place and a there is place for everything, weeds remind us of the uncontrollable and wild treasures. After all weeds are just plants growing somewhere we don’t want them to. So celebrate the determination of weeds on Weed Appreciation Day as you clear the garden for the approaching new growing season.

Daily Quote: March 27, 2021

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If there were no mystery left to explore
life would get rather dull, wouldn’t it?

~ Sidney Buchman (American – Writer / March 27, 1902 – August 23, 1975)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The last Saturday in March 2021 and as the COVID-19 numbers are once again increasing in my area there are threats that we could return to Red Level Restrictions. The Jewish members of our community are starting the Passover Celebration as the Christians are preparing to celebrate Palm Sunday tomorrow.

8 days before Easter is the time set aside for Take Your Parents to the Playground Day, If your parents are no longer able to go to the playground with you, take your children or your grandchildren. Stop for a treat or take one with you to share at the playground.

Today is also Brothers and Sisters Day. Since I’ve never had a brother, I’ll just celebrate by getting in touch with my sisters. But we’ll keep 6 feet apart and wear our masks. 😉

Daily Quote: March 26, 2021

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Two roads diverged in a wood and I
– I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost (American – Poet / March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Happy Birthday Robert Frost (RIP). One of the most quoted and familiar American poets. The reason we dare to be different and take the path less travelled.

Today is also Purple Day, or International Epilepsy Day. A day we stop to recognize the challenges that people with Epilepsy maneuver on a daily basis, never knowing when the next crisis or seizure will occur. Courageously exploring the future. Medications and treatments have come a long way, but the side effects carry their own problems and hazards. My oldest grandson is struggling with excess weight, but his wonderful, cheerful personality shines through as he grows and explores the world.

So just like Popeye, eat your spinach and celebrate National Spinach Day. Popeye was an ordinary guy just trying to do his best, pushed to the limits he eats spinach and fights back. Winning back the peace and happiness he wanted to enjoy in the first place.

If that isn’t enough for you to celebrate today why not celebrate National Make Up Your Own Holiday. My personal favorite made up Holiday is April 7th, International Window Washing Day. But I might end up celebrating early this year if the weather continues to be so amazing.

Daily Quote: March 25, 2021

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Change is not made without inconvenience,
even from worse to better.

~Richard Hooker (British – Theologian / March 25, 1554 – November 3, 1600)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Change is the only constant or so I’ve heard. Having worked in Project Management and Change Control I know first hand that to make a big change you need to break it down into smaller steps, prioritize and set a schedule. Then step by step you can bridge the difference between current and future desired states. The pair of Geese I encountered on the bridge seem to understand the steps they must take to get to the other side as pedestrians.

March 25th is set aside as International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The Slave Trade took people and often whole families from their homes to strange places via crowded ships, where often many of them died in the unsanitary conditions. It was on such a ship that one Captain, John Newton wrote the words for Amazing Grace during a stormy trip, when he converted to Christianity. It wasn’t until much later that he spoke out against the treatment of slaves (1788). The song, Amazing Grace, later became a well known anthem for the civil rights movement and is probably American’s best known hymn.

From slavery to the political independence of Greece, March 25th is celebrated as Greek Independence Day. Personal freedom to political independence is the theme for March 25th.

Any excuse to read, today is also Tolkien Reading Day. The Tolkien Society chose March 25th because it is the date of the downfall of Sauron (The Lord of the Rings). So grab one of the tales written by R.J.Tolkien and enjoy. ❤

Daily Quote: March 24, 2021

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Have nothing in your house
that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful.

~ William Morris (English – Designer / March 24, 1834 – October 3, 1896)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Wow, the time change is really setting me back. Sleeping in and no energy to get things done.

Spring cleaning is about to commence. The windows need to be done so I can see past all the dust and grime that accumulated over the winter.

Today is the day to remember as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. A lot of words to say we need to right some major wrongs world wide.

In what we are hoping are the last days of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we need to pause and remember World Tuberculosis Day. So glad that a cure for Tuberculosis was found. Streptomycin is one of the antibiotics that helped rid the world of TB.

In a world full of inequities, it’s sad to think that many countries still don’t have Equal Pay For Equal Work laws. So today we remember All Women’s Equal Pay Day and National Pay Inequality Awareness Day or Equal Pay Day. To me it only makes sense that if 2 people are doing the same job they should receive the same pay.

Daily Quote: March 23, 2021

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There is only one meaning of life:
the act of living itself.

~ Erich Fromm (American – Psychologist / March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

It’s a beautiful day to celebrate World Meteorological Day. Early springtime and we’re having wonderfully sunny warm days. Spring bulbs are peaking out of the ground. Just the type of weather that makes a person appreciate being alive. Unfortunately, for the maple syrup makers, it’s too warm in the daytime and it isn’t cold enough at night, so the season might come to an early end.

Bouncing baby puppies and we all want one. The pandemic has causes a huge increase in pet adoptions and a shortage of puppies. So if you’re lucky enough to have a puppy celebrate National Puppy Day. If you don’t have one, watch some sweet clips on Facebook of puppies.

And as sweet as that is at least there’s no sugar. Cut back on your sugar (and carb) consumption, maintain a well balanced diet, exercise daily and check your blood sugar levels. Today the the American Diabetes Association Alert Day. Advances in diabetes control have certainly made life much easier for diabetics. No more finger pricks to check blood sugars, instead a small monitor that can be read on a continuous basis is worn on the upper arm to track all those highs and lows with a quick scan.