~★~♥~♥~★~ El Morno! ♥~★~★~♥ ~
January 23,2014

Posted Updated 2015

★~Today’s Quote:  “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

★~ Handwriting Day: 

The lost art of handwriting is one of the few ways we can uniquely express ourselves. There’s something poetic about grasping a writing instrument and feeling it hit the paper as your thoughts flow through your fingers and pour into words. So, the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) suggests we take advantage of National Handwriting Day by use ing a pen or a pencil to rekindle that creative feeling through a handwritten note, poem, letter, or journal entry.

Today is John Hancock  (January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793) birthday. He was the President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation, first Governor of Massachusetts, and the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. Which is why we celebrate handwriting today.

★~ Measure Your Feet Day:

Maybe it’s a smart winter alternative to weighing yourself. Perhaps it’s a way to encourage a green attitude by measuring your carbon or ecological footprint. In any it’s not a bad idea to always be ready for an impromptu visit to the local ice skating rink, a last-minute ski trip, or for that pair of boots that’s on sale.

Measure Your Feet Day originates in ancient Iceland of all places. As most anyone can tell you, ancient Icelanders spent their free time doing one of two things: Bowling, or High-Fiving with their feet, which they called “Shelbing”. In the Spring, when Iceland has it’s notorious rain storms, the natives would gather in their huts, measure their feet, and pair off. They would then celebrate the rains by Shelbing until the sun went down. It was customary to measure ones feet again after the celebration though that part of the tradition has not been practiced since the late 80’s. Before long, the other world leaders heard the tale of the fun-loving Icelanders and emailed each other on ways to commemorate such a joyous event. So it was written that, January 23rd would forever be Measure Your Feet Day…

So unsheathe your hooves and mark down the size because Measure Your Feet Day only comes but once a year.

In case you are wondering I wear a size 8 1/2 which is a lot more acceptable these days than when I was growing up and Cole wears a size 13. Joe always said he had, “beautiful Jesus like feet” and Cole insists his feet are every bit as glorious. My feet aren’t bad looking but I’m not sure I would put them in the holy category. Although, I have left my shoes out where god left his sandals a few times and one time someone else with a size 6 foot wore my shoes home from a party by mistake

★~ Pie Day: 

Which pie will you choose for your National Pie Day? The pie-sibilities are endless! Will it be one of the 231 varieties of apple pie, the favorite of 36 million Americans?

★~ Today In History:

♥~ 1849 – English-born Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive a medical degree, from the Medical Institution of Geneva, N.Y.

♥~ 1971 – It was a cold day in Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was reported as the mercury fell to a minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. My teeth chatter and my car battery dies at the mere thought of it…

♥~ 1977 – Carole King’s  landmark album, Tapestry, became the longest-running album to hit the charts, as it reached its 302nd week on the album lists.

♥~ 1983 – The A-Team one of television’s most intellectual, sophisticated and classy shows came into American homes. It was full of action and drama and starred Mr. T, wearing a ton of gold jewelry. He played the not so mild-mannered Sgt. Bosco B.A. Baracus, and George Peppard took the lead role as John Hannibal Smith. Yes, The A-Team debuted.  Go ahead and use the line, “I will rip your face off, sucka!” at least once today compliments of Mr.T. 

★~Born Today:

♥~ 1737 – John Hancock  American patriot and statesman, first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hancock served as president of the Continental Congress from 1775–77 and served as Massachusetts governor for nine terms beginning in 1780. Because of his conspicuous signature on the Declaration, Hancock’s name has become part of the American language, referring to any handwritten signature. Born at Braintree, MA, he died at Quincy, MA, Oct 8, 1793. National Handwriting Day is also celebrated today ad we are all encouraged to write legible. Treat yourself to a new pen!

♥~ 1957 – Princess Caroline of Monaco royalty: daughter of Prince Ranier and Princess Grace of Monaco

♥~ 1964 – Mariska Hargitay Emmy-winning actress: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [2006]; Plain Truth, Perfume, Lake Placid, Night Sins, Leaving Las Vegas, Gambler V: Playing for Keeps, The Perfect Weapon, Prince Street, ER, Tequila and Bonetti

★~ Good to Know:

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We love good pens and fountain pens at our house. Cole recently bought a fountain pen on Kick Starter that made him very happy when it arrive, and Vickie (our friend and camp helper) gave us both very cool fountain pens. Vickie has beautiful handwriting. She also folds towels and blankets so perfectly and precisely that it makes you want to cry when you walk past your linen freezer. Well maybe not cry but close.

My sweet mother shared this with me (below) yesterday and it is O.M.G. funny. Cole and I were beating on ourselves all night. I love that my Mom, Cole and I all share the same brand of humor and can laugh about the same thing for days and weeks after it has happened. Of-course, all three of us are easily amused. 

I wish this guy was my neighbor

Wishing you a most amusing Thursday!And a piece of pie to go with it!

♥