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March 29, 2026
National Vietnam War 2026
     Vietnam Veterans Memorial statue

I am not a veteran of the conflict in Viet Nam. I am a "Viet Nam era" veteran however.

Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day held as the result of Vietnam War the Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.

It happens each year on March 29 to honor the 3 million+ Americans who served in the Vietnam War — as well as those who didn't make it back home afterward.

The day honors all who served between 1955 and 1975, especially those who were not welcomed home properly like my step father.

He was wounded in action arriving in casts for two broken collar bones ... and the so-called "hippies" in San Francisco threw rocks and trash at him as well as verbally insulting and abusing him as he was being escorted though the airport.

Why weren't they fired upon by armed guards?

The country never did anything about this egregious mistreatment either.

This day serves to give Vietnam veterans that gratitude and recognition they deserved upon their return instead of the gross mistreatment they received.

It was set into place by President Nixon in 1974 for March 29. It was officially established as an annual national observance by President Donald Trump in 2017.

Local communities and American Legion posts hold ceremonies, breakfasts, and the laying of wreaths such as at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

Sometimes there is absolutely no decorum in a free nation.
 

the late Johnny H Pruett

 

Tags: people, places, weapons, politics
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March 28, 2026
Earth Hour 2026
Earth Hour 2026    
We have the observance of Earth Hour this day.

It is held annually since 2007 on the last Saturday of March.

This has it happening on March 28, 2026 at 8:30 pm.

Earth Hour is held under the auspices of the World Wildlife Fund and it's partners and arises from an international grassroots movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund.

It raises awareness about climate change and nature loss, and encourages a shift toward a more sustainable lifestyles.

Famous landmarks and homes worldwide turn off lights for one hour to create a symbolic moment of unity.

We are encouraged to use that 60 minutes of lights being turned off to engage in activities like reconnecting with nature, cooking sustainable meals, or cleaning up local areas.

It is meant to encourage the powering down of unnecessary electrical equipment and specifically non-essential electric lights.

They refer to this as "Give an hour for Earth" by spending 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet.

It is an international event marking it's 20th anniversary of the Earth Hour movement.

Tags: people, world
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March 27, 2026
International Whiskey Day 2026
    Aberlour 16 Year
Back in my whiskey days I was a a tequila man mostly, but enjoyed gin and tonic as well as various vodka concoctions in my pursuit of altered consciousness.

Today is International Whiskey Day.

It is observed each March 27th yearly since 2012 under the auspices of renowned whiskey writer the late Michael Jackson, who died in 2007.

It celebrates of all manner of whisky (or "whiskey" if you prefer). This includes Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, Irish, Japanese and everything else.

It frequently involves toasting Michael Jackson in honor of the great whiskeys of the planet.

The day is mostly for appreciating the history, craft, and enjoyment of those spirits worldwide.

It further supports and raises fundage for charity. Particularly organizations related to Parkinson’s disease from which Michael Jackson suffered.

Many enthusiasts use this day to share and explore different bottles with friends, focusing on the diversity of the "water of life".

This day is different from World Whisky Day held on the third Saturday of May.

So get out there and grab yourself a snootful.

Happy International Whiskey Day to you who drink.

As for we teetotalers there is the opportunity to perhaps reminisce and admire from afar.

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March 26, 2026
National Spinach Day 2026
    Popeye with Spinach

    
Spinach. That superfood which promotes health in so many nutritional ways it's amazing.

It is a veritable nutritional powerhouse rich in vitamins A, C, K, folate, as well as minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

It supports bone health, vision, brain function, immunity, heart health, and lowers blood pressure. It aids digestion while helping manage blood sugar and weight due to its low calories and high nutrient density. Its compounds like lutein, nitrates, and alpha-lipoic acid protect cells, improve blood flow, and enhance insulin sensitivity.

When I was a child I watched Popeye the Sailor frequently seeing how Dad was in the Navy and all.

I knew all of the characters and could sing all of the songs along with them on the television. My favorite of all were the Spinach verses of the various Popeye theme songs and spinach has always held a special place in my heart.

There was a time when I consumed it several times a week and it was a time of enhanced health for me personally. Unfortunately, I have fallen short in my old age and do not give my nutritional intake the consideration it once had.

Regardless, today is National Spinach Day and I hope you will recognize it for the nutritional treasure it remains !

Tags: people, food, health
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March 25, 2026
Beverly Cleary passed this day in 2021
    Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary was my favorite childhood author.

I knew the characters from her books as though they were friends in my back yard.

Her favorite book of mine personally was entitled Ribsy which was about a dog and his adventures with Henry Huggins, his owner.

She was born Beverly Atlee Bunn April 12, 1916 and graduated from the University of Washington in 1939.

She then became a children's librarian in Yakima, Washington, until 1940, and then as the post librarian at the US Army Hospital on Camp John T Knight in Oakland, California from 1942 to 1945.

She also worked at Sather Gate Book Shop in Berkeley before becoming a full-time writer for children.

She passed this day in 2021 at the age of 104.

I will always remember her as a pillar of my childhood. Rest in peace.

Then there were the others associated with Ribsy and Henry Huggins:

Ramona Quimby - Younger sister who evolved from a preschooler to a thoughtful fourth grader.
Beezus Quimby - Ramona's older sister.
Henry Huggins - Boy whow owned Ribsy and lived on Klickitat Street where all the adventures transpired.
Ribsy - Henry's endearing, mutt.
Ellen Tebbits & Otis Spofford - Main characters of their own stories focused on elementary school life and friendship.
Socks - A tabby cat. Subject of the book Socks.

Beverly Cleary's characters explored ordinary, often humorous, family struggles and emotions with honesty.

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March 24, 2026
National Cocktail Day 2026
tequila sunrise

    
When I was in LA I consumed cocktails practically daily. It was a common thing with most of the populace going to some bar and having a couple after work.

This was the tail end of the dreaded 'disco era' and people also did a lot of dancing and prancing at these establishments as well ...

Far be it from me to buck convention. I was right on out there with a glass (or two or three) in my hand too.

When I stopped consuming alcohol my bar days ended abruptly. Whereas they were once central to my existence and social life I haven't missed them a single day since.

National Cocktail Day is celebrated annually on March 24th under the auspices of author Jace Shoemaker-Galloway since 2013.

It is meant to honor the artistry of mixed drinks and the professionals who craft them.

The day encourages trying new recipes, hosting parties, or visiting local bars to enjoy classic or modern cocktails.

For we who no longer consume alcohol, the day also encourages trying "mocktails" or virgin versions of popular drinks.

While National Cocktail Day is March 24th, note that World Cocktail Day is observed on May 13th.

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March 23, 2026
National Puppy Day 2026
I've had a few dogs as pets over the years.

• First there was Bootsy, a terrier mix in Hanahan, SC.
• Then there was Baby Angus a white mutt in Salley, SC.
• Then Mae, a German Shepherd mix in West Columbia, SC.

Mae was the daughter of MacDougal a pedigreed German Shepherd who was perhaps the smartest canine that ever lived and Samantha, a collie mix which was without a doubt the sweetest canine with whom I ever interacted.

Every now and then I think I want another dog.

Then my sense of practicality sets in and I start thinking I'm too old to incur the responsibility.

We'll just have to see how things go.

    Jack Russell Terrier puppy
I have been considering a Jack Russell Terrier lately because the few with which I have interacted were very smart and like my last companion animal, Mae, even appeared to understand English a lot better than some of the people I've encountered later in life. Rest in peace Rufus.

Today is National Puppy Day.

It happens annually each March 23rd and celebrates that unconditional love and affection these companion animals bring to us ...

My thoughts are that the expenses incurred as the result of choosing a pedigreed animal don't make them preferential or any more desirable than a mutt obtained for free.

Happy National Puppy Day and I hope you obtain the companion animal you find suitable to your lifestyle.

Me, I tend to remain a sucker for puppies.

Tags: things
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March 22, 2026
Rob Ford passed in 2016
Rob Ford    
I remember the late Rob Ford mostly for some of his flamboyant and somewhat profane outbursts as well as the political hot water in which he found himself immersed periodically.

Robert Bruce Ford who was born on May 28, 1969 and passed this earthly existence on March 22, 2016 was a Canadian politician and businessman.

The tragedy of his political career fell mostly to his wife, Renata Ford to whom he was married from 2000 through his death in 2016. She endured public scrutiny of her spouse and was the picture of tact and poise throughout it all.

Mr Ford won a seat on the Toronto City Council in the 2000 and was reelected twice.

He won the 64th mayor of Toronto election and served from 2010 to 2014.

Like I said, Rob Ford was controversial to say the very least ...

Despite the trouble he endured and that oh so hysterical humor I found in some of his rhetoric and public appearances I liked the guy a lot. During that travail which was his substance issues he weathered the criticism and continued working for his constituents.

Mr Ford ultimately took a sabbatical and sought treatment for his alcohol and drug addiction.

He was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor in September 2014 which turned out to be the highly aggressive pleomorphic liposarcoma. Mr Ford received treatment for the cancer, and was able to return briefly to council, but died in March 2016 after the chemotherapy he received was found not to be effective.

Rest in peace.

Flag of Canada    

Tags: people, places, things, endings
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March 21, 2026
International Day of Colour 2026
    colored pencils
Today is International Day of Colour held under the auspices of the International Colour Association since 2009. It was first proposed in 2008 by the Portuguese Color Association.

The date of March 21 was chosen due to the contemporaneous vernal equinox and that accompanying symbology in the form of the balance of light and darkness.

The day is said to Celebrate the vital role color plays in our lives and the world.

First of all, I feel that they misspelled the word color. Secondly, while color is an inclusion in my life I don't have this overwhelming need to include it in every aspect of my existence. Finally, the concepts of design, psychology, and nature, as well as events including art exhibitions, workshops, and architectural displays are "lesser entities" than they must be to many others.

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that color is nice but it isn't everything and your "be all" and "end all" should be on the technical end of things rather than solely artsy farts drivel like this.

Initiated by the International Colour Association (AIC) in 2009, this date was chosen for its alignment with the vernal equinox, symbolizing the balance of light and darkness.

The International Day of Colour serves as a reminder to appreciate how colors shape our emotions and perceptions of the world ...

Some of us much more than others.

Regardless, happy International Day of Colour.

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March 20, 2026
Ostara 2026
Ostara wiccan eggs

    
Today the pagans and wiccans mark Ostara, which allegedly honors the awakening of the Earth, balance, renewal, and rebirth.

It is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre.

It arises from the Germanic and Celtic traditions among the Anglo-Saxons.

I recall my minister, the late Pastor Dennis Murray poking fun at these people and their Spring festivals with the rolling of painted eggs and dancing and fornication "quick like a bunny" in the name of earthly pleasures which conflict with the writings in scripture.

The hare as symbols of fertility.

Spring cleaning to welcome new energy is one of the tenets observed.

This is a Spring Equinox ritual which remains a modern pagan holiday held in the vicinity of March 19 through 21 in the Northern Hemisphere marking the balance of day and night and the start of spring.

Nature walks seeking signs of spring and gathering flowers are part of the ritual.

Aspects of the ritual include planting seeds, decorating eggs, and frolicking in nature.

This all represents a time to celebrate the return of life and initiates the preparation for growth in the coming seasons.

As a tradition of men my scriptural instruction included in it's description of the pagan Spring festivals midnight circles around the fire dancing and cavorting, sex acts, and other forms of debauchery in the mix.

quick like a bunny

Tags: people, things, holidays
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March 19, 2026
First televised Academy Awards in 1953
     Bob Hope emcee first televised Academy Awards

The 25th Academy Awards was held on March 19, 1953.

It was the first to be televised, broadcast live by NBC from both the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and the NBC International Theatre in New York.

It was hosted by Bob Hope in Hollywood and Fredric March in New York.

This history making event brought the ceremony to a nationwide television audience.

The Greatest Show on Earth won Best Picture.

Previously, The Academy was hesitant to take the financial plunge.

They paid the production fees to NBC in order to reach a wider audience.

The 90 minute broadcast used ten cameras in Hollywood and six in New York.

Gary Cooper won Best Actor for his performance in High Noon.
Shirley Booth won Best Actress for her performance in Come Back, Little Sheba

An estimated 34 million viewers tuned in and this change in production marked a major turning point for the industry.
 

Tags: people, places, things
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March 18, 2026
National Awkward Moments Day 2026
Lady has awkward moment
I used to look over a site called awkwardfamilyphotos.com intermittently for a good laugh.

It has a lot of pictures of mostly families in compromising moments and I must admit to the hilarity of it all.

I have noticed that there are fewer examples on this site than I had noticed in the past. Also, some of the better moments of awkwardness are no longer there.

I've had a fair amount of my own awkward moments in my lifetime. Some of them were hilarious, others simply embarrassing.

Over the years I have evolved to be somewhat less controversial in my activities and I find the "low key" nature of simply declining to push the envelope gratifying as I get older.

Today is National Awkward Moments Day.

It is held each year on March 18th to encounter and fend off the uncomfortable, embarrassing, or cringeworthy situations that happen to all of us.

It encourages people to normalize, share, and find humor in common social blunders rather than hiding from them, fostering a sense of shared human experience.

You can celebrate by sharing your own stories or simply laughing off awkward moments should they occur.

Happy National Awkward Moments Day

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March 17, 2026
St Patrick's Day 2026
    Saint Patrick
Well, we have another Saint Patrick's Day for all my Irish friends out there.

Saint Patrick is the 5th century patron saint of Ireland who was also their national apostle.

He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

It is said that he used the three leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

Legend has it that St Patrick banished all snakes from Ireland by chasing them into the sea.

Though considered by Biblical scholars as a popular myth it likely symbolizes his work converting pagans to Christianity

The reality is that Ireland never had native snakes in the post-glacial era, as the cold water which surrounded island was inhabitable for reptile species.

So while the celebrations are winding up today I hope you'll have a good time during the St Patrick's Day festivities.

Remember to wear something green.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you.

Tags: people, places, scripture
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March 16, 2026
National Freedom of Information Day 2026
information nodes in a graph

    
Knowledge is power. It begins with information. Creation. Retrieval. Update.

Today is National Freedom of Information Day.

It reminds us that open government is essential to democracy, fostering accountability and reducing corruption.

It was created in the 1980s by journalists, librarians, and freedom of information advocates to champion government transparency.

It occurs during "Sunshine Week," a week-long initiative dedicated to promoting open government and freedom of information.

It is observed each March 16th yearly in celebration of the public's right to know and the importance of open, transparent government.

It is held on Father of the Constitution James Madison's birthday. He was born March 16th 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia. He was one of the biggest advocates of the public’s right to know.

It promotes awareness of access-to-information laws, particularly the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

It encourages civic engagement and government accountability.

The Freedom of Information Act allows citizens the right to request access to information housed within federal agencies since 1967.

The federal agencies must then grant the request as long as it does not fall under one of the nine exemptions such as, law enforcement, personal privacy, or national security.

In accordance with FOIA, federal agencies must make online submissions in regards to entities such as Congress and the Supreme Court.

The Department of Justice is held accountable for the issuance of government wide policies regarding FOIA.

Tags: people, places, things
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