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The Folly of February

2/14/2021

2 Comments

 
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        As the soft, puffy, powdery snow continues to fall this cold February day --- and looks like it will never stop --- I ponder this strange month of 28 days.
Why such a short month?
        Rumour has it that Augustus Caesar (aka Caesar Augustus) stole a day from February to add to August, the month named after him.
Origin of name
      The word February comes from the Roman festival of purification called Februa, when people were ritually washed.

Special Day Additions
      February is more than a boring month now. There are special days of recognition. Not listed below are some familiar ones, like Ground Hog Day.
February 1- Spunky Old Broads Day
        Dr. Gayle Carson, a bona fide SOB, founded this special February day in 2002. In her words, "I started it because I found that once a woman hit 50, she was almost invisible…” And as any female over 50 already knows, this is not true.
        So belated SOB Day to any woman out there over 50!
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February 5 – National Shower-With-A-Friend Day
        In early February, it’s cold outside, darlin’. And darkness still comes early in our northern hemisphere. Blah. What better way to shake the blues than taking a shower with a friend (or two)?
        Created in 2016, this day also means it’s quite okay to take a bath with a friend. Just don’t forget the rubber duckies.

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First Saturday in February – Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
        This is a no-brainer. The popular day is over by the time you read this. But mark the date---Saturday, February 5 --- on your 2022 calendar. This is the official ‘Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast’ Day.
        A stir-crazy mother in Rochester NY in the 1960s created this special holiday due to sheer winter boredom. Her kids needed something to look forward to amidst gray skies or, like this year, COVID-caused curtailment.

February 14- Ferris Wheel Day
        You thought this date was only for Valentines? Well, no.
It also commemorates the birthday of George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., creator of the first Ferris Wheel. 
        A civil engineer, Ferris created the first Ferris Wheel for the World's Colombian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893. Now you know.
February 15 – National Gumdrop Day
        On this date we honour the popular, gelatin-based candy.  
Gumdrops have been a favorite candy for many decades. A Gumdrop Cake is especially popular around Christmas.
        Today the same gelatin-based Gummi candies and Gummi bears (some legally available with ‘higher’ ingredients) are the most popular type of sweet.
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February 16 - Do A Grouch A Favour Day
       We all know grumpy folks. They may be beautiful at heart but something/someone has made them grumpy. This day is set aside to try and un-grump them.
       Try showing some love to cheer them. Then again, maybe all they want is to be left alone.
        In that case, stop bugging them and they won’t be grumpy.
February 20 – Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day
        By this time winter is a bore and we need a break from the blahs.
       On this celebratory day, you are encouraged to go outside your home at noon, wave your hands above your heads and chant "Hoodie-Hoo".
         Believe it, this is a copyrighted holiday!

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February 22 – National Margarita Day
        This is also the birthday of one of our sons who happens to love bartending, especially concocting Margaritas.
        Here we are, right in the middle of winter. Time to think sunshine, palm trees, the tropics.
        Margaritas have been part of the cocktail scene since the 1930s. Frozen Margaritas appeared in the 1970s. I’ll drink to that!

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February 27 – Polar Bear Day
        This is the day we celebrate the world's largest carnivore. A mature polar bear can stand up to 274 cm/nine feet tall and weigh 635.03 kg/1400 lbs.
Polar bears are native to Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia.  
        These immense mammals are, shamefully, an endangered species now. Warmer temperatures and melting ice are contributing to their decline. It's not too late to take action and save sea ice and our polar bears by helping to fight climate change.
February 29 – Leap Year
        The next Leap Year is 2024.
        Sadie Hawkins Day, borrowed from the Lil Abner cartoon series by the late Al Capp, is sometimes celebrated on February 29.  However, this day is actually ‘observed’ each November 13.

2 Comments
Dick With
2/16/2021 07:59:08 am

A certain female in this house has a birthday Feb. 1. Although still too young to officially qualify, she is looking forward to becoming a Spunky Old Broad in eleven years. Bet you can guess who.

Reply
Heather link
2/19/2021 09:18:57 am

I would never give away the birthdate secrets of a fellow SOB!

Reply



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Photos used under Creative Commons from Bazar del Bizzarro, roland, Mike Kniec