Author: Lisa Mungovan

If you see someone with a dirt smudge on their forehead today, it’s probably not because they’re messy. Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Christian period of fasting before Easter, called Lent. Some people wear ashes as a sign of repentance. You still have to wash your face!

A man in London, received a letter addressed to someone who lived in the house before him. The letter couldn’t be forwarded though, because it had been mailed in 19 16. The letter-writer described her family’s vacation in Bath England, which has now been over for 107 years. That’s what I call snail mail!

In 2020, only 200 Western monarch butterflies showed up, in California’s Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove. In 2021, the monarchs returned in spectacular numbers, when 100,000 orange-and-black butterflies, quietly fluttered on every tree, like a beautiful living curtain. Volunteers were happy to report numbers are back to normal, after counting 335,000 butterflies overwintering this season.

50 years ago, the wood stork was facing extinction. The 4-and-a-half-foot tall birds lived mainly in the Florida Everglades and Big Cypress ecosystems. After decades of successful breeding programs, and protecting their habitat, the big birds are thriving enough to be removed from the endangered species list. They’ve even adapted to new habitats.

Today is Paczki Day, Fastnacht Day, and Pancake Day. Paczki is a Polish jam or custard-filled donut, and fastnacht is a German pastry. IHOP restaurants celebrate by giving out free pancakes! If you don’t like pancakes and pastries, you can observe Grain Free Day instead. Skip the stuff made with flour, unless it’s cauliflower!

You can call today Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. The day before Ash Wednesday, the start of a Christian period of fasting called Lent, is a good excuse for parties and overindulgence. Huge parades and celebrations, occur in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, Nice France, or Goa India.

One of the oldest flushing toilets ever discovered, was found in China. Archaeologists came across the surprising object, while excavating the ruins of a palace in Yueyang. The toilet is at least 2,200 years old. Servants would have had to fill the bowl with water each time it was used.

Back in August, it was Southern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day. Now it’s the Northern Hemisphere’s turn. If it’s winter where you live, and you want to chase it away, go outside at noon, wave your hands above your head, and chant “Hoodie-hoo!” The people sick of summer, would happily send some heat your way.

Do you have a favorite comfortable chair, and fuzzy blanket? Claim them right away, because it’s Comfy Day. Get dressed in your softest well-worn sweatpants, and settle in with a warm drink and a muffin, since it’s also Muffin Day. Do you prefer chocolate chip, banana-nut, or blueberry muffins? I’ll have one of each!

Today is Love Your Pet Day! Make sure you give your companions a little extra attention, whether it’s your dog, cat, tarantula, or pet rock! It’s also Cherry Pie Day. Try baking one from scratch, and make a bonus pie filled with your pet’s favorite food. Don’t get them mixed up! Tuna pie sounds gross.