Author: Lisa Mungovan

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.

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!

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.

A manatee living in a Florida aquarium, is the oldest known manatee ever. Romeo was found in the wild in 19 57, and was more than 2 years old, making the manatee at least 71 years old now. His partner, Juliet, lived to be 65. Wild manatees usually live 30-40 years.

One Olympic participant stole the show this week, and they didn’t even qualify to compete. During the women’s cross-country skiing event, a dog followed skier Tena Hadzic, across the finish line. The Czech wolfhound, named Nazgul, escaped after his family left the house that morning. He just wanted to be around people!

Butterfly season is nearing its end, in California’s Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove. Park rangers track the Western monarch butterflies’ migration each year, which used to arrive by the tens of thousands. The orange-and-black butterflies, quietly fluttered on every tree, like a beautiful living curtain. The last 2 years, less than 1000 showed up.

Today is Lash Day. Eyelashes form a curtain of protection, to keep dirt and dust from getting into your eyes, which is why camels have such luscious lashes. Elephants have the longest eyelashes, at 5 inches long. Did you know, we all have harmless microscopic bugs living in our lashes? Tell them hello today!

Today is International Tug-of-War Day. It’s an ancient game of strength that used to be an Olympic sport, where 2 teams pull on a rope in opposite directions. The Vikings used to play tug-of-war over a fire pit! Give the winner a box of Thin Mints, because it’s also Chocolate Mint Day. Yum!

Today is Battery Day. Alessandro Volta built the first electrochemical battery in 18 hundred. Count all the things in your house that use batteries. Battery University experts have advice for charging your phone correctly. Remove it from the charger as soon as it’s near 100%, plug in a few times-per-day, and always keep it cool.

Today is the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of prayer and fasting. Most Muslims will fast from dawn until dusk each day, meaning no food or drink while the sun is shining. They celebrate a meal with family or friends at night. Some communities decorate with outdoor lights, like at Christmas.