On June 2015

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Two naming origins for June: The Roman goddess Juno (wife of Jupiter) and from the Latin word iuniores, which means “younger ones”

June, the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but the beginning of winter in the Southern Hemisphere … thus with equivalent of December in the Southern Hemisphere

June, the longest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere, but the shortest days in the Southern Hemisphere

No months start on the same day of the week of June in common or leap years

June ends on the same day of the week as March in all years

June, know by some as the Marriage Month because of the large number of marriage held

June, the month for health and longevity

June, with two zodiac signs: Gemini (until June 20) or Cancer (from June 21 onward)

June, with birthstones Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Pearl

June, with birth flowers Honeysuckle and the rose

June, with its moons known as Flower Moon, Rose Moon, Strawberry Moon, and Honey Moon

June, with its Full Moon on June 2 at 16:19 UTC … and the New Moon on June 14 at 14:05 UTC

June, a month of an equinox

June, the month for national celebrations in Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Slovenia, Philippines,

June, with a Father’s Day celebration in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, US, and Venezuela, however a Mother’s Day in Luxembourg

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? (Dr. Seuss)

June, the month to increase awareness in Alzheimer’s, Antiphospholipid Antibodies Syndrome (APS), accordions, brains, cataracts, cancer from the sun, celibacy, infertility, dairy alternatives, childhood cancer, migraines, aphasia, men’s health, Congenital Cytomegalovirus, pet preparedness, scoliosis, alcoholism, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), scleroderma, student safety, and potty training

June, the month to celebrate aquariums, zoos, candy, dairy, turkey lovers, iced tea, papaya, fashion in colonial Virginia, men, perennial gardening, rivers, skyscrapers, sorghum, and smiles

June, the month to promote adopting a sheltered cat, beauty in your skin, fighting the filthy fly, fresh fruits and vegetables, Idaho wines, camping, effective communications, do-it-yourself marketing, fireworks safety, professional wellness, rebuilding your life, kids sports, women’s golf, bikes, and Ohio wines

June, the month to embrace African-American music, audio books, gay pride, roses, country cookies, great outdoors, soul food, Caribbean-American heritage, surf music, bathroom reading, safety, vision research, and steakhouses

Do you have any special occasions during June? Which songs did you enjoy?

On September 2014

September is named after Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest

In the Roman calendar, September was the seventh month because in Latin, septem means “seven” and septimus means “seventh”

September is a month of an equinox, thus the change of season from summer to autumn in the northern hemisphere, and from winter to spring in the southern hemisphere

No other month ends on the same day of the week as September in any year

September begins on the same day of the week as December every year

One of four months with a length of 30 days

My favorite poem is the one that starts Thirty days hath September because it actually tells you something. (Groucho Marx, actor & comedian)

September was called “harvest month” in Charlemagne’s calendar, Gerstmonath (barley month) by Anglo-Saxons, and Herbstmonat (harvest month) by Swiss

September births are celebrated with forget-me-not, morning glory, and aster (birth flowers) and sapphire (birthstone)

September astrological signs are Virgo (until September 21) and Libra (from September 22 onward)

Departing summer hath assumed
An aspect tenderly illumed,
The gentlest look of spring;
That calls from yonder leafy shade
Unfaded, yet prepared to fade,
A timely carolling.
– William Wordsworth, September

Woody Allen directed a movie called September (1987), a movie starring Mia Farrow, Elaine Strich and Jack Warden

If a guy hits .300 every year, what does he have to look forward to I always tried to stay around .190, with three or four RBI. And I tried to get them all in September. That way I always had something to talk about during the winter. (Bob Uecker, Baseball icon )

September is the month for increasing awareness in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, atrial fibrillation, baby safety, pediatric cancer, gynecological cancer, leukemia & lymphoma, mold, campus safety, head lice prevention, infant mortality, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, skin care, Alzheimer’s, sickle cell anemia, platelet disorder, food allergies, and childhood obesity.

September is the month for enjoying these culinary delights: California wild rice, ice cream sandwiches, chicken, low cholesterol-low fat pizza, honey, mushroom, prime beef, papaya, whole grains, ice cream milk shakes, rice, ethnic foods, apples, biscuits, potatoes, fruits & vegetables, and the All-American breakfast.

September is increasing self-awareness by participating in or promoting strategic thinking, wilderness activities, baby safety, square dancing, backpack safety, good manners in children, eating chicken, sports & home eye safety, updating your resume, food safety, better breakfasts, signing up for a library card, and pleasuring your mate.

September is the month for embracing animals by celebrating save the koala, service/guide dogs, save the tiger, responsible dog ownership, healthy happy cats, and pet memorials/animal remembrance

September is the month for recognizing bourbon heritage, California wines, saving for college, people skills, fall hats, osteopathic medicine, women friendships, subliminal communications, Hispanic heritage, home furnishings, and pianos.

September is the month for promoting cholesterol education, hunger action, million minute family challenge, coupons, DNA genomic & stem cell education, sewing, self-improvement, prospering where you are planted, healthy aging, superior relationships, being prepared, and shameless promotion.

October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks in. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February. (Mark Twain, humorist)

“The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze.”
– John Updike, September

I still have the Pause button set, but will return soon – so, this song is a fitting to end this post. Did you take in any of the songs?

On June 2014

June starts on Sunday, so it’s time to set the stage for the month ahead.

Some say the month is named after Juno, the Roman goddess and wife of Jupiter. Others proclaim it is from a Latin word meaning the younger ones

June was the fourth month with 29 days in the early Roman calendar, but Julius Caesar changed it to the sixth month with 30 days because he could

Astrological sign Gemini starts the month, but Cancer starts June 21st

June’s birthstones include Pearl, Moonstone, and Alexandrite

June’s birth flowers are honeysuckle and the rose

As with any of the 12, June is loaded with month-long celebrations to meet your fancy. Time to get your calendars and record the ones that are most significant to you.

Animals
Adopt a Cat, Adopt a Shelter Cat, Pet Preparedness, Pest Control

Behaviors
Smiles, Naked Bike Ride, Bathroom Reading, Effective Communications, Entrepreneurs “Do It Yourself” Marketing, Rebuild Your Life, Potty Training Awareness, Happy Women, Recycling, People Skills

Entertainment
African-American Music Appreciation, Audio Book Appreciation, Accordion, Surf Music, GLBT Books

Food
Country Cooking, Dairy Alternatives, Georgia Blueberries, Turkey Lovers, Dairy, Candy, Fruits & Vegetables, Iced Tea, Soul Food, Steakhouses, Papaya, Seafood, Beef Steak, Frozen Yogurt

Health Awareness
Migraines, Congenital Cytomegalovirus, Aphasia, Men’s Health Education, Childhood Cancer, Child Vision, Cataracts, Cancer from the Sun, Antiphospolipd Antibody Syndrome, Scoliosis, Professional Wellness, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Scleroderma, Vision Research, World Infertility, Hernias, Pharmacists Declare War on Alcoholism

Outdoors
National Rivers, Camping, Perennial Gardening, Great Outdoors, Roses, Zoos & Aquariums, Women’s Golf, Skyscrapers

Personal
GLBT Pride, Caribbean-Americans, Celibacy Awareness

Safety
All Safety, Lane Courtesy, Fireworks Safety, Student Safety, Drive Safe, Burglary Prevention

Do you have a special event for June in your area or personal life? Hope you can tell us!

If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance. (Bernard Williams)

In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them. (Aldo Leopold)

Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and moon, or good people and noble ventures. (M. F. K. Fisher)

There are two seasons in Scotland: June and Winter (Billy Connolly)

On Catch-Up Tuesday

Whew. This past 3-day weekend was full of racing around, so I need a breather … and this post will give me a chance to catch up.

Before I forget, Time: The Musical returns Thursday (Wednesday night in the US) with an act featuring songs with Hour(s) in the title. Get ready!

From ballroom to several gathering of friends to a family wedding to a Cincinnati tradition, our weekend kept us busy. Toss in my mother-in-law’s hospitalization, we decided to forego Monday activities for some relaxation time.

We had to cut short a pig roast to attend a Cincinnati tradition … a grand fireworks display synchronized to music down on the river. Because a half million spectators gather for this, we have not attended in many years – but hassle-free television doesn’t do the display justice. Last Tuesday (and completely out-of-the-blue) we received an invitation to attend a private party at a historic mansion on a hill not far from the river. Knowing this may be our only chance ever, we left the pig roast for the Wiedemann Hill Mansion. (Their website has nice pics.)

The restored home is not only beautiful, but he had a great view of the fireworks, and it was our first time view from the Kentucky side of the river, which has downtown Cincinnati as a backdrop. The pic below was taken from a short distance away from our viewing location. If you have a spare 30 minutes and enjoy fireworks, view the show here.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer, Photo by Amanda Davidson

Meanwhile, the weekend also brought a new month, so month-long celebrations in September include Bourbon heritage, chili peppers & figs, happy cats, guide dogs, apples, potatoes, honey, eating chicken, coupons, mushrooms, prime beef, peas & radishes, papaya, whole grains, rice, pianos, ice cream sandwiches, food allergy awareness, California wine (as if I need a reason), and being kind to editors and writers.

This week’s daily celebrations include:

• (Tues) Another Look-Unlimited Day, Skyscraper Day
• (Wed) Beetle Bailey Day, Peter Rabbit Day, and Eat an Extra Dessert Day
• (Thurs) Be Late for Something Day, Waffle House Day, Teacher Day in India

Because this feelings like a Monday Morning Entertainment post, let’s honor Piano Month with a clip from the great Victor Borge playing while wearing ugly pants. Enjoy, and I’ll be back tomorrow with some satire bits.

On Dolittle Monday

How was your weekend? Come on now, tell us something.

This weekend wasn’t our normal fare as we had family visiting; therefore no dance floor time for us. Saturday’s rain continues to keep us over the average for July and for the year. That’s OK because at least the weather wasn’t stifling! Plus, Sunday’s weather was one of those days I could take everyday.

If all goes as planned, Time: The Musical continues on the next post featuring song titles with Day, Days, or a weekday (Monday through Friday). Get your song titles and videos ready, and have a backup because no duplicates.

This week is has numerous celebratory opportunities. Monday is Lasagna Day and Tuesday is Chicken Wing Day and Paperback Book Day. Wednesday is Uncommon (Musical) Instruments Awareness Day, plus, White Lady in the Hood will welcome anyone willing to cheer the start of Fancy Rat and Mouse Week – so make a note to visit her on Wednesday for a celebratory greeting!

August starts on Thursday, which provides starts month-long culinary celebrations for celery, fennel, cactus, goat cheese, catfish, panini, orange, and papaya.

To jump-start your week, here are some funny talking animals – kind of the opposite of Dr. Dolittle. Have a good week!