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. ❤

Daily Quote: March 1, 2021

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You know you are an artist if you appreciate beauty.

~ Brandon Stanton (American – Photographer / Born: March 1, 1984)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Monday and the beginning of not only a new week, but also a new Month. Welcome March 2021.

Time to remember all the Social Workers as today is the beginning of Social Work Week. It must be a very tough job during the COVID-19 Pandemic. But today there was a win as it was announced that homeless people will now go to the front of the line for the next wave of vaccines. Homeless people have a hard time maintaining basic hygiene and in shelters they are very vulnerable to COVID-19. Many of the shelters have been closed during the pandemic, leaving homeless people to freeze literally on the steps seeking temporary shelter.

Wedding Planners get your pens ready. Today is National Wedding Planning Day. I know I’m ready with camera in hand for the upcoming wedding season. Many people postponed last year and are hoping to be able to have their weddings this year.

So with cameras out today is Share a Smile Day. What nicer way to celebrate than to get a new set of portraits done or just update your profile picture with a new 2021 smile.

For those of us who have retired today is Refired not Retired Day. Without our careers weighing us down many of us have let our artistic side out and started to work full time on our passions. I know I’m going to be busy this summer. I’ve taken on a temporary seasonal job and am also looking forward to my Photography, camping and just enjoying life.

Daily Quote: January 31, 2021

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Happy is the man who finds a true friend,
and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.

~ Franz Schubert (Austrian – Composer January 31, 1797 – November 19, 1828)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Romanic love may initiate enduring love, but it is far to fleeting to remain a lifetime. Respect, friendship, honesty and integrity combined with a “stick to it” attitude are needed for that love to remain a lifetime. So, lucky is a person who finds a friend in their mate, partner, spouse.

World Leprosy Day has been observed since 1954. Leprosy was the disease in biblical times that was feared by healthy people and those that had the disease were outcast and forced to be only with others with the disease. The people were the problem not the disease, they were considered to be unclean, so they suffered alone while parts of their bodies disintegrated and they knew their fate would be a slow and painful death. Thank God modern science decided to treat the disease and not keep the people isolated. Renamed as Hansen’s disease, it was found that a bacteria was responsible for the horrible disease. Treated with antibiotics this disease can be cured. Unfortunately any damage done by the bacteria can’t be reversed, so it is important to diagnose the disease and treat it as soon as possible. The vaccine for tuberculosis (BCG vaccine) was observed to provide some protection against Leprosy. In 1998 a vaccine was developed and approved for use at the National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi. As per Jacinto Convit – Wikipedia: “Jacinto Convit García (11 September 1913 – 12 May 2014) was a Venezuelan physician and scientist, known for developing a vaccine to prevent leprosy and his studies to treat cancer. He played a role in founding Venezuela’s National Institute of Biomedicine and held many leprosy-related positions.” (To me the important side notation is that the vaccine was approved when Jacinto Garcia was 85 years old, what a life time accomplishment.)

In the cold winter days of the Northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere today is marked as “When Hell Freezes Over Day“, Luckily it hasn’t quite been that cold here this year. We’ve had some days when it’s been too cold for me to walk with my sister and our dogs, but yesterday was a perfect day to go sledding on a local hill. My grandson enjoyed the blue saucer I had stored in the shed. He ran up the hill only to slide down again. Some people had made a ramp where they were playing on the hill. My grandson watched them fly over the ramp with envy. Because of COVID we couldn’t join in their joy, so he insisted we stay until they leave. After an hour and a half they left and he was able to attain the envious goal of flying over the ramp. But the saucer didn’t like the ramp and often veered off along the sides. He didn’t seem to mind he laughed got up and ran back up the hill.

The joy of a plastic saucer on a snowy day.

Nothing is better after playing in the cold than a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. So glad that this day is set aside to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day. Sounds like a good reason to grab a good book and a hot chocolate to celebrate.

Daily Quote: January 28, 2021

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I see through my eyes; the camera is just a machine to record it for me.

~ Juergen Teller (German – Photographer Born: January 28, 1964)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The highlight today is on mental health. Bell Canada is going to be very generous: Each time you tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives. They also have other ways to help with this drive. For more ways to help check out: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/bell-lets-talk-day. There is an extreme danger with people being isolated. So reach out, call someone today. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are having mental health issues.

While sharing the message of the importance of Mental Health, be certain to celebrate Fun at Work Day. Having a good belly laugh will not only help you, but also everyone you share it with. Team building and inclusion, that sense of belonging and purpose go a long way to help ensure mental health.

Daily Quote: January 27, 2021

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There are three hundred and sixty-four days
when you might get un-birthday presents,
and only one for birthday presents, you know.

~ Lewis Carroll (English – Author / January 27, 1832 – January 14, 1898)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

We only learn if we remember the terrible things in History, that’s why Holocaust Remembrance Day is so important. We remember the attempted genocide of Jews in Germany and the horrors of the second world war and to ensure that the world never sits idly by and watches this type of massacre again. However, genocides continue in the world and what are we doing about it? According the the Business Insider (article by Michal Kranz Nov 22, 2017, 4:59 PM https://www.businessinsider.com/genocides-still-going-on-today-bosnia-2017-11) there are genocides still going on today and he describes 5 of them.

  • The Rohingya in Myanmar
  • The Nuer and other ethnic groups in South Sudan
  • Christians and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria
  • Christians and Muslims in the Central African Republic
  • Darfuris in Sudan

I’m hoping everyone takes a moment today to remember the people of the world that have and still are being killed because of religion, skin colour or heritage differences.

That’s also why Family Literacy Day is so important. Every time we read a book with our children and grandchildren we are working to build literacy and understanding in the world. We build our future generations stronger when we give them the gift of the love of books. Story telling from generation to generation passes on more than just cute stories, it also passes on our culture, history, values, morals and views of the world. Even if it is in fantasy, as the stories written by Lewis Carroll, there are universal dreams and truths hidden in parables and stories.

But to end on a happier note: Happy Tu Bishvat. Celebrating the new Year for Trees (similar to Arbor Day). Increase the tree of knowledge. Learn one new thing today.

For most people today: Happy Unbirthday. For the rest: Happy Birthday. ❤

Daily Quote: January 24, 2021

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Music has charms to sooth a savage breast,
to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

~William Congreve (English – Poet / January 24, 1670 – January 19, 1729)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Celebrating International Day of Education while our schools are closed seems like a contradiction. Education continues at home and on line. I wonder how lucky we are that it is assumed everybody in our Province has a computer and access to the Internet. What are the long term effects will be of sitting children down for an entire day of screen time with their faces on the shared screens. Technology moves so quickly and has removed the need in person learning. How many children will return to in person learning when this is over? Or will people choose to keep their children isolated and safe at home?

But at least National Peanut Butter Day can be celebrated by Peanut Butter lovers. Peanut butter, a wonderful inexpensive source of protein has been banned in all schools due to peanut butter allergies. The amazing thing is that research is showing that delaying the introduction of peanut butter is probably the largest cause of the allergy to develop. So peanut butter is being encouraged to be given to children before the age of 2. Parental fear may have been the largest cause of this deadly allergy.

National Compliment Day is something we should be practicing everyday. Kind words of encouragement should be spread generously everywhere. It seems we don’t give or receive compliments often enough. I read an article yesterday on how to respond to a compliment. Start by saying “Thank you” and don’t negate the compliment with negative phrases. Also don’t return the compliment immediately unless it is heartfelt. So continue practicing giving compliments until it becomes part of your nature.

Quit putting things off until later. Celebrate Just Do It Day by doing that thing you’ve been putting off. Quit over analyzing and over thinking. You’ll never know if you can to it or not until you just do it. As the commercial says change one day into day one. Put the music on, dance, sing and exercise. Get the brushes out and try painting. Or get out the colouring books and spend some useless time colouring, either inside or outside the lines. Whatever you’ve been putting off Just Do It today.