Daily Quote: Sunday, September 12, 2021

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Regrets are idle;
yet history is one long regret.
Everything might have turned out so differently.

~ Charles Dudley Warner
American – Journalist / September 12, 1829 – October 20, 1900

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

How appropriate that today is Grandparent’s Day. It is also my first grandson’s 10th Birthday. My miracle grandson. We had resigned ourselves to never being grandparents. We had beed told that our daughter-in-law was unable to conceive. Then surprise. She never thought she would get pregnant and the doctor told her not only was she pregnant, but she was 6 months pregnant. What a wonderful blessing. He continues to be our miracle grandson. He has an amazing sense of humour and intelligence combined with compassion and love.

Our miracle grandson.

Daily Quote: September 9, 2021

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If you want to be happy, be.

~ Leo Tolstoy
Russian – Novelist /September 9, 1828 – November 20, 1910

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Get the pencils out and sharpened, today is International Sudoku Day.

Or today you could just cuddle with your favorite Teddy Bear and celebrate National Teddy Bear Day.

Or dance in the streets to celebrate Wonderful Weirdos Day.

Whatever you do be certain to be happy.

Daily Quote: August 18, 2021

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We are each of us angels with only one wing,
and we can only fly by embracing one another.

~ Luciano De Crescenzo
(Italian – Writer Born: August 18, 1928 – July 18, 2019)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

For today’s quote I dug into my achieves from February, when I caught a mallard duck as it was landing. He seemed to levitate above the frozen ground like an angel with his wings spread. Frozen in time.

So celebrate Never Give Up Day and lift someone else up today. For as the quote says we are all angels…..

Daily Quote: May 11, 2021

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Life is 10 percent what you make it,
and 90 percent how you take it.

~ Irving Berlin (American – Musician  Lived: May 11, 1888 to September 22, 1989)

Holidays and Celebrations:

*** Eat What You Want Day ***

*** Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day ***

*** National Twilight Zone Day ***

Porte Musings:

May 11th is National Twilight Zone Day. A day with no known association to the TV series narrated and written by (92 of 120 shows) Rod Sterling. A day we could just zone out and watch some of the amazing black and white what if shows.

I can hear the theme music and introduction. Just what I need on my journey to loose 10 pounds: Eat What You Want Day. A short break from the diet and weight watching to just not track it and eat what you want. Although maybe what you want to eat is that nice big fresh salad…

Remember Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day. Finally a day that recognizes that women and men have different bodies and different issues as well as different biological reactions to medications. Heart attack symptoms can be so much different for women than for men. Most men feel a crushing pain in their chest, while women often report a general unwell feeling. I’m going to copy and paste the Warning signs from the American Heart association:

Catch the signs early

Don’t wait to get help if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience:

  • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs. Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Common Heart Attack warning signs infographic

Daily Quote: May 8, 2021

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I have found the best way to give advice to your children
is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.

~ Harry S Truman (American – President  May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972)

Holidays and Celebrations:

***World Migratory Bird Day***

***Native American Day, USA***

***No Socks Day***

Porte Musings:

Here we are at the second Saturday in May. Today is celebrated as World Migratory Bird Day. As many birds are heading to their summer homes the Canadian Geese are already out swimming with their newly hatched goslings. Seven goslings in my first sighting of the season were swimming with their parents in a sheltered area.

In the USA it is Native American Day. A day set aside to celebrate Native American culture and contributions. To bad they didn’t remember that when all natives were forced to leave their lands and re-locate west of the Mississippi. Or just get out and move. The Munsee Delaware Nation relocation started in the 1700’s. From southern New York, northern New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to the Reserve in Muncy Ontario. My husband is a member of this band but much of his heritage was lost as females were “enfranchised” when they married off the Reserve loosing their family connections and Indian Status. Recent changes in Canadian Law have enabled their children, grand children and great grand children to reclaim their status, but the community, extended family connections and traditions are forever lost.

So let’s also celebrate No Socks Day. Take your socks off and walk in the damp grass or find some sunshine warmed sand to sink your toes into. I can’t wait until the tomatoes are planted and ready to pick. Nothing tastes better than fresh tomatoes you have picked from you garden in bare feet.

I’ve been trying to re-vamp the format of Porte Photos blog so it can be changed into a daily Podcast. Try listening to the podcast and let me know what you think of these early podcast days.

Daily Quote: April 4, 2021

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Pleasures take to themselves wings and fly away; true knowledge remains forever.

~ Dorothea Dix (American – Activist / April 4, 1802 – July 17, 1887)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

April 4th, the 4th day of the 4th month is chosen as 404 Day. 404 Error is the computer error we get when an internet site has been moved or changed. Free speech advocates are vocal on this day to promote free speech. Under the guise of censorship we get the 4 oh 4 message: information is unable to be accessed not because of 404 messages, but because of censorship; 

in particular, the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires schools and libraries to restrict access to certain websites—those with obscene and pornographic images—in order for them to receive federal funding. In the process, many other sites are blocked, such as those with educational information, health information about breast cancer and sexual health, LGBTQ information, information about non-mainstream religions, and art museum websites. These are constitutionally protected websites, and their censorship is seen as violating the First Amendment.

Today is also International Mine Awareness Day. Mines and explosives remain in war torn countries causing massive damage, casualties and death to civilians. In 2005 the United Nations declared April 4th as a day to remember the victims of these “forgotten” mines and to work towards eliminated them without harm to civilians.

And last, but not least today is the holiest of days in the Christian Calendar, the celebration of Easter. When Mary went to the tomb and Jesus wasn’t there. She was comforted by an angel outside the tomb. Christ had risen. Enjoy your Easter Celebrations today.

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 20, 2021

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Youth is the time of getting,
middle age of improving,
and old age of spending.

~ Anne Bradstreet (American – Poet / March 20, 1612 – September 16, 1672)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Many things throughout history change as the only constant is change.

On this third Saturday of March we are celebrating the Beginning of Spring (Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere). It is to me the most amazing season of the year as we have new growth everywhere. I agree with the Persian’s that this should be the beginning of the New Year. So I’ll have a toast the the Persian New Year. And just so we can incorporate French Language Day, I’ll make the toast in French. “Viva la difference”.

Today, being the third Saturday in March is also celebrated as Maple Syrup Saturday. So even though the Pandemic Restrictions mean we can’t go to the local Maple Shack, we can still have a stack of pancakes with Maple syrup and celebrate with our family at home. To my friends who are working in the forests gathering the sap, please remember to save a bottle for me. 🙂

With the beginning of spring and fresh maple syrup it’s no surprise that today is also the International Day of Happiness. You can’t but help be happy in the spring as the forest is starting to blush and is getting ready to open up to the new season.

There are so many celebrations on this 3rd Saturday in March, but one of the most important is International Earth Day. So do something nice for the earth today. Or celebrate by Forest Bathing and just go for a walk in the forest to absorb the beauty of spring.

Daily Quote: March 9, 2021

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You never know what you can do till you try.

~ William Cobbett (English – Politician / March 9, 1763 – June 18, 1835)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Barbie Day is the day that Barbie was first introduced in 1959 and the world was changed. Barbie was the perfect female teenager. She had younger sisters (5 actually including Skipper), a boyfriend (Ken), a ginger best friend (Midge), a close black friend (Christie), a car, a house and an amazing wardrobe. I remember having a case that she and all her accessories fit into, while my friend had a double case and we dragged those cases out at least once a day wishing we were like her. We pierced her ears and had her wear jewels. We learned to make clothes for her and dreamed about being the idea age of 16. It wasn’t until much latter that I discovered she was anatomically impossible being so thin and having such large breasts.

Such timing, today is Organize your Home Office Day. I’m just started a new seasonal job and my home office will be very important during COVID-19 restrictions, as most of my work will be done from home. Training started yesterday online with my peers as we learned to navigate the computer programs and figured out how to input our payroll information. I’m so looking forward to working and earning some “fun money” that isn’t earmarked for bills and household commitments.

The other two celebrations I’d like to highlight today must be done in the right order. The first is Panic Day. So run around, panic, scream and get it out of your system. Then celebrate Get Over It Day. Purposefully choose something you’ve been having a hard time getting over, and just get over it. Maybe write it on a piece of paper and burn it or tear it up into little pieces. Move on with your life never looking back at that thing.

Daily Quote: March 2, 2021

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There is only you and your camera.
The limitations in your photography are in yourself,
for what we see is what we are.

~ Ernst Haas (Austrian – Photographer / March 2, 1921 – September 12, 1986)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

I do not like Green Eggs and Ham….Read a book on Dr. Seuss Day as we celebrate Read Across America Day. Although I’m certain this is only a designated celebration in the USA, I’m also certain Dr. Seuss would be happy if we made it read around the world day.

Unlike the Cat in the Hat, real cats need support. So today is International Rescue Cat Day. A day to remember all the stray and feral cats that have been rescued or still need to be rescued. Don’t just feed them, make sure they are spayed/neutered and give them a good home with love.

After all those of us who celebrate Old Stuff Day, probably have at least one cat to keep the mice away from our old stuff.

I’m so glad COVID-19 restrictions have been changed to ORANGE in London-Middlesex and that we can go to the second hand shops again. There’s nothing I like better than looking through old stuff and finding a bargain or two. ❤