This Day

Each day, my calendar pops up a bunch of reminder notifications – and amongst all the appointments and actual things I need to know, there are always a few “tomorrow is national something or other day”.  I decided to explore today, October 15th.  Wow.

Today is National White Cane Safety Day

Did you know that The National Federation of the Blind supplies a white cane free of charge to anyone in the United States who is significantly visually impaired?  This day was first proclaimed in 1964 by President Lyndon B Johnson at the urging of the National Federation for the Blind.

“The white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person’s ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and special consideration to the blind on our streets and highways. To make our people more fully aware of the meaning of the white cane and of the need for motorists to exercise special care for the blind persons who carry it Congress, by a joint resolution approved as of October 6, 1964, has authorized the President to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day.

Now, therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America do hereby proclaim October 15, 1964 as White Cane Safety Day.”

There is some real history here.  Back in 1930, the first state law regarding the right of blind people to travel independently with white canes was passed.   Back then, few knew that a white cane signified independent mobility for the blind.  Back in the 1978, a young woman testified before congress that she regularly encountered folks who had no clue of the significance and purpose of her white cane.   These days, we are generally more aware of individuals with disabilities, and now every state has a White Cane Law.

According to the National Federation of the Blind, White Cane Safety Day is intended to make everyone aware of the significance of a white cane and to encourage people, especially motorists, to take extra care when they see someone with a white cane. It has also become a day on which the achievements of the blind and visually impaired are celebrated and offers the chance to educate and raise awareness of the blind and visually impaired.

Since we pretty much all know what a white cane means, these days, I’d say they’ve don a good job of it.

Today is National Chicken Cacciatore Day

This one makes me smile. I love Italian food.  Cacciatore means “hunter” – and this dish finds its origins way back in the 15th century or so.  Back then, the hunters would head out for days at a time tracking big game.  They’d make a tasty, fill
ing stew out of smaller prey they’d picked off on the way, cooked in a pot over a fire. These days, we like chicken in a tomato-based sauce, but in the 15th century, more likely there would be a rabbit or such in the pot, some parsley or oregano for interest, and no tomatoes.
These days we consider tomatoes an integral part of Italian cuisine, but in the 1400s, tomatoes had not yet made it across the ocean from the New World.

Here’s a pretty simple Chicken Cacciatore Recipe, enough to serve two for a lovely romantic dinner:

• 1-1/2 pounds of chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, washed, seeded, and sliced thinly
• 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup nice dry red wine, Chianti is good
• 1-1/2 cups peeled and chopped plum tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry flat leaf parsley (or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped)

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Place the chicken pieces in the pan and brown on both sides, remove and set aside. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat out of the frying pan, and then add the  onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the onions are translucent, and the mushrooms have become limp.  Add the garlic to the pan and cook a minute or so longer. Add the wine and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, and then add the tomatoes. Add black pepper, parsley and oregano.  Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes , and then put the chicken pieces on top of the tomatoes and onions, skin side up. Lower the heat and cover the frying pan with its lid slightly ajar so some of the steam can get out. Simmer for about half an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.   Serve with a nice salad, good crusty bread for soaking up the juices, and the rest of that Chianti.

Today is National Grouch Day

National Grouch Day was first mentioned in Sesame Street Magazine years ago.  I suspect Childrens’ Television Workshop, who produced Sesame Street, had something to do with it.

My dictionary defines a grouch as a person who complains frequently or constantly; a habitual irritable or complaining person.  Know anyone like that?  Well, don’t we all.  Today is the day that the rest of us can sit back and put a little of our own Grouch on.   And, of course you knew this – National Grouch Day honors – who else – Oscar the Grouch.

Today is International Conflict Resolution Day

Yes, seriously, there is a Conflict Resolution Day.  Even better, there is also an actual Association for Conflict Resolution, who created this global event in 2005.  The purpose is to increase awareness of peaceful, non-violent methods of conflict resolution. such as mediation and arbitration.

The Association for Conflict Resolution and many independent organizations host informative events all over the world today.   I hope they invited lots of world leaders.

Today is Global Handwashing Day

I anticipate this one makes a bigger difference in daily lives than that conflict resolution one.  Global Handwashing Day was founded by the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing, andis endorsed by a wide array of governments, international institutions, private companies, and schools throughout the world.  This day is designed to foster and support global and local cultures of hand washing with soap, highlight the state of hand washing around the world, and raise awareness about the benefits of regular suds-and-rub.

Tons of events, seminars, lessons, presentations and educational opportunities happen worldwide.   I know, Mr. Obvious-Man, but there are places in our world that don’t have the resources and knowledge available to us.

And, you know what else I discovered?  My 40-second web search showed that many graduate students have and continue to do research on the value of washing your hands to help prevent the spread of disease. Your mother was right!

Today is National I Love Lucy Day

Know what?  I Love Lucy debuted on October 15, 1951.  Of course, I only ever watched it in reruns.  At one point, Lucy was the most syndicated human being on the planet.  Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, that is, DesiLu Productions, were genius trendsetters.  They were the first scripted tv show to be shot live on 35mm film in front of an audience.  The won five Emmy Awards and 40 million people still watch the reruns each year.  Wow.  Though born nearly half a century later, our daughter is well aware of I Love Lucy and can readily quote the most important lines and plots.  Chocolate Factory?  Vitameatavegamin? The hair?  The facial expressions?  The wail?  Yup, she knows them all.  We brought her up right, you see.

Today is National Cheese Curd Day

Best and most shameless for last.  So, today is the very first annual National Cheese Curd Day, to my knowledge.  Founded by Culver’s, who insisted that Cheese Curds deserve their own day, just like hamburgers and chocolate.

You know Culver’s – a fast food restaurant, based out of Wisconsin.  They happen to have deep-fried cheese curds on their menu.How, regardless of origin, I’m good with this one.  I love cheese curds.  I have yet to find a cheese curd I didn’t relish.  Culver’s serves theirs deep-fried with marinara or ranch.  Or I can stay truer to my usual lifestyle and pick up some raw-milk curds, squeaky fresh, from the farmer’s market.  All good, either way and anything in between.

We are talking cheese here, after all.

Well, that’s it for today.  Not so sure about tomorrow, folks.  What do you think?