Tag Archives: National Days

Celebrate Happiness, Friendship, and Intelligence with the Sunflower

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A wide field of tall sunflowers in full bloom, each with bright yellow petals and dark centers, surrounded by lush green leaves. The flowers face different directions, creating a lively, sunlit scene filled with color and texture.

Happy Flowers

Never too late to celebrate a little Happiness.

I reminded everyone last year to take a moment for the happiest flower on earth — the sunflower. This simple gesture can inspire a little more Happiness in our lives. This year, National Sunflower Day snuck past me. It falls on the first Saturday in August, not a fixed date, so August 1 was the big day… and yes, I missed it.

But these flowers didn’t mind. They’re still standing tall, bright, and cheerful, and many fields will keep blooming well into fall thanks to staggered plantings. Their bright yellow color is a sign of happiness, friendship, and intelligence.

Sunflowers grow everywhere — one of my favorite photos came from a field in Hawaii.

Sunflower and butterfly 2018

Closer to Home

But you don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy them. Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon has a sunflower maze that’s pure summer joy, and the familiar sunflower field along Route 138 in Easton often returns each year, easy to spot right from the road.

 

So here’s to a flower that radiates joy, even when we’re a day late.

 

 

 

 

Happy Belated Sunflower Day. Sharing a little sunshine with you.

Sunflowers

Field of Sunflowers

From Wine and Cheese to Cowboys

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A charcuterie board arranged with assorted cheeses, sliced cured meats, green grapes, blueberries, pomegranate halves, crackers, green olives in a small bowl, and a creamy white dip. Behind the board are four bottles of red wine, creating an elegant wine‑and‑cheese presentation.

Today’s a great day. Everything from Wine and Cheese to Cowboys

Today is a very special day. If you like food, ice cream, and the Wild West… July 25 gives us a triple‑header: National Wine and Cheese Day, National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, and National Day of the Cowboy. How good is that!

Here are a few ideas to make the most of it:

  1. Host a wine and cheese party. Brie from the Brie region pairs beautifully with Beaujolais — a red wine that complements the creamy texture of the cheese like they were born to be together.
  2. Finish your party with a hot fudge sundae station. Set out vanilla bean ice cream, homemade or artisanal hot fudge, whipped cream, crushed waffle cones, toasted peanuts or pecans, and plenty of cherries. (If you’re going to celebrate, celebrate properly.)
  3. Fun Fact: According to the first sundae story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Ordinances at the time prohibited selling ice cream sodas on the Sabbath. So 18‑year‑old Ed Berners improvised: ice cream in a dish, chocolate syrup on top, no soda. He named it a “Sundae” in honor of the day. And just like that, dessert history was made.

Finally, wrap up your day by celebrating the Cowboy — that hardworking symbol of the American West. The world would be a better place if we all followed the Cowboy Code.

The Cowboy Code

Your Word is Your Bond A handshake and a promise carry more weight than any written contract.

Live Each Day with Courage Face hardships head‑on and never quit.

Take Pride in Your Work Whatever you do, do it well and finish what you start.

Protect the Vulnerable and Weak Be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.

Never Take Unfair Advantage of Someone A cowboy never strikes a smaller man or shoots first.

Respect Others Never touch another person’s horse or tack without permission.

These are a few of my favorite things. So glad to have a day to celecrate them all.