Soaring Heavenward
Two Sojourners
Final Exam . . . , by Edward Kasinec
Special Observances, March 27 - April 2
March 27: National Joe Day
National Joe Day: celebrates all the people with the name or nickname Joe: Jo, Joey, Joseph, Josephine Joette, Jody, Johanna, Jodie, or any other variant of the name Joe. Why National Joe Day? Well, why not?
March 28: Eat an Eskimo Pie Day
National Eat an Eskimo Pie Day: is celebrated annually on March 28. It commemorates the discovery of America’s first chocolate-covered ice cream bar, also known as Eskimo’s Pie, a frozen treat made of a vanilla ice cream bar and chocolate coating served on a stick.
March 29: National Little Red Wagon Day
National Little Red Wagon Day: celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of March, honors the original Little Red Wagon®. This day celebrates the power of imagination on wheels as children of all ages (and all sexes) take flight with their little red wagons. Did you have one?
National Pencil Day
National Pencil Day: is March 30, the perfect moment to explore these old writing tools. The pencil has meant so much to mankind. It allows expression, creativity, and scribbles and doodles. One pencil can write up to 45,000 words!
International Hug a Medievalist Day
International Hug a Medievalist Day: According to New Yorker writer Macy Halford, medievalists “are always very interested in the body, the bawdy, and the beautiful, by which [she means] they have a profound interest in the nitty-gritty of Western culture—in its material composition and the spiritual and intellectual urges that give rise to it . . . medievalists are uniformly possessed of an excellent if slightly juvenile sense of humor . . . more pronounced when they drink and their inherent social awkwardness wears off.” So, go find one and hug it, already!
April One: April Fool’s Day
April Fools’ (or Fools or Fools’) Day: is an annual custom on April 1 consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Even mass media can be involved. The origin of April Fool’s Day is not know. Or is that an April Fool’s prank?
April 2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day: On April 2nd each year, celebrating a classic food favorite. The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school. Not to be confused with National Peanut Butter Day, which everyone knows is January 24.
For Your Funny Bone . . .
Art by Hart
Asa was happy to get Mondays off from the shooting gallery to babysit his grandkids
Mother Nature needed a day off
All natural ingredients, but Lulu's haircare products were still a disappointment
Esther was well pleased with her circle of friends
Art and photo provided by Jane Hart
"Onward Rushing Collage," by Sheila Benedis
Signs of Spring in Our Neighborhood
Lesser celandine (buttercup family) in Rockwood Park
Photograph by Harry Bloomfeld
Photograph by Art Brady
Grazing deer
Photograph by Edward Kasinec
First daffodil of spring in Rockefeller Preserve
Photograph by Martin Smolin
Cairn, spotted along the Brook Trail in Rockwood Park
Photograph by Harry Bloomfeld
What Was That Again About the Pen Being Mightier?
Photograph provided by Jane Hart
For Your Funny Bone . . .
For your Edification
Letters of the Alphabet
Put together make a word
Amazing . . . we were taught this
But in these days, it’s absurd
Now youngsters get just lazy
They say what is for T
It has an E and A with it
Now it’s annoying me
Like Tx’s ... why not just say Thanks
I.L.Y ...yes I know (I love you)
I’m M.M.O.B ... (Minding my own business)
As I watch the daisies grow.
Now 55555 I did not know
Was crying your eyes out
Apparently, it’s Mandarin style
Well what’s that all about
I’m L.M.B.A.O. (Laughing my bloody arse off)
I’m hoping I’m making you smile
I’ll B.B.S or B.R.B (Be back soon. Be right back)
Or be back in a while
Oh B.T.W. . . I’ll C.U.S (By the way . . . See you soon )
Let’s have a 1.2.1. (One to one)
It’s great A.F.A.I.K. (As far as I know)
T.B.H . . . this is fun. (To be honest)
Now you can A.M.A (Ask me anything)
Or google if you don’t know
F.W.I.W. . . . we’ll sort it out (For what it’s worth)
Or just go with flow.
Some words are hard to write down
So, we write the dreaded C
We all know what the meaning is
And sympathise with thee
I do dislike the F word
Said or written down
But I’m in the minoring
So, I’ll close my ears and frown.
I said it once in front of Dad
The worse thing I could do
So always brings back memories
But I bet Dad used it too.
Now I’ve put all this together
It’s been a lot of fun
It’s L.O.L. Or Lots of love (Laugh out loud)
Y.W. Everyone. (Your welcome)
OXOX .... apparently means hugs & kisses.
Contributed by Barbara Bruno, from a British friend.
Special Observances, March 20-26, 2023
March 20: First Day of Spring
March 21: Memory Day (we’re all doomed)
March 22: National Goof-Off Day
March 23: World Meteorological Day
March 24: National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day (no, really)
March 25: International Waffle Day
March 26: Live Long and Prosper Day
Art by Hart
There was always plenty of blame over who led who into the stinging nettles
Magda was confident the co-op board would approve of her shoes
Believing that "I'm sorry” was a good pickup line, May swam right into Ted on purpose
Maisie was a world class mold whisperer
Art and photographs provided by Jane Hart
Voices Mysteriously Multiplied, four versions, by Sheila Benedis
Art and photographs by Sheila Benedis
Just Beyond Our Door--and Supersized, at That
Photo by Harry Bloomfeld
March: When Spring Finally Arrives. . . .Day by Day
March 5: “Promise of Rebirth,” by Edward Kasinec
March 9: “Snow Drops,” by Martin Smolin
This Week's Special Days
March 13: National Napping Day (always the day after Daylight Savings Time begins)
March 14: Pi Day—The Day We Celebrate All Things 3.14159265 (or pi )
March 15: The Ides of March
Beware the Ides of March!
March 16: Everything You Do Is Right Day
Just for Today
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 18: National Awkward Moment Day
Just fill in the blank . . . we’ve all had ‘em
March 19: Let’s Laugh Day
For Your Funny Bone . . .
For You Quilters Out There
And From “The Far Side”
Asemic Artist Book, by Sheila Benedis
Art by Hart
The Goldilocks home invasion left Baby Bear with significant trauma.
The whole family doted on Dorothy Grace.
Nan was wary of the new house special: Tick Tacos.
Poor little Wilson had had a dream about a cat.
First it was plastic in the ocean. Now selfies and graffiti in outer space.
Art and photos by Jane Hart
Out and About at Kendal: The Only Snow Storm of Winter 2022-2023
Photos by Harry Bloomfeld