NATIONAL GARFIELD THE CAT DAY

 Jim Davis' Tabby Cat

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-garfield-the-cat-day-june-19

On this day in 1978, the first publication of the award-winning comic GARFIELD was released.

I have always been a cat lady and Garfield has always been a favorite.  I don't need a special day to celebrate either, but since there is one...  let's party!

My plans: get into some Garfield-themed jammies, grab a coffee, a great book, cuddle in my snuggle blanket, and eat lasagna until I'm so full I have no choice but to nap.
Sounds puuurrrrrfect!

BOOK IDEAS:

FUN GIFTS FOR GARFIELD LOVERS LIKE ME:

Cat Lover BOOKS & Gifts

FREE Book For MH Awareness Month

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH 

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-mental-health-awareness-month-may

Mental health is important to me. It's something I have dealt with personally.  A PRISONER WITHIN was inspired from real experiences, either my own or from people I've known (of course, liberties were taken to make a cohesive story since it is compilation).  Still, it was written with the intent of bringing awareness to mental illness and the horrors it can inflict.  It's meant to show how the stigma we apply to mental health can prevent us from acknowledging someone needs help or providing treatment - even how we can use those stigma to manipulate a situation.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or danger - if you need help, here are some resources that offer immediate assistance:

 BetterHELP.com - Online Counseling Services

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UK & Republic of Ireland
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SEMPER SUPRA: "Always Above"

 The First Friday In May:
NATIONAL SPACE DAY

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-space-day-first-friday-in-may/

It's National Space Day - a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the brave, intelligent, and determined men and women who made it possible for our species to go from terrestrial beings to extra-terrestrial ones.  This is a time to encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in our young so that they can continue the work of the pioneers.  I, personally, find this to be more exciting since we now have a Space Force.

I've always been fascinated by space and history.  Futurism is intriguing, as well, though incredibly subjective LOL  As I enjoy this observance, I encourage my fellow bibliophiles to check out the following books - they are the stories of people much smart than I, for sure!

MAY Is About The Military

 Military Appreciation Month

Image Source

May is a time to celebrate our military - those who are commissioned, enlisted, and civil support.  It was selected to be National Military Appreciation Month by congress in 1999 because there are so many observances that happen in May regarding the military.  These include:

MAY 5th - National Astronaut Day

First Friday in May - National Space Day

Friday before Mother's Day - National Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Third Saturday in May - Armed Forced Day

MAY 29 - International Day of UN Peacekeepers

Last Monday in May - Memorial Day

There are many things I'd love to say about sacrifice and service.  The emotions that well up inside me...  The honor I feel to be counted among those who serve... Sometimes, even as a writer, it is hard to put into words.

I was taught it was honorable to serve your country... unless you were female.  Clearly, I didn't buy into that bullshit.  I believe we ALL have a duty to serve in whatever why we are fit in doing so.  For me, I was a nursing assistant, a soldier, a mother, and a friend.  Whatever hat I wore, it sat on a loyal and hardworking head.

Civil servants, such as the police, EMS, firefighters, and medical staff, are just as vital to the mission as any soldier.  Just as the civilian staffing and family members are.  Each of us plays a part to ensure peace and prosperity.  After all, that is the real goal.  True power isn't about being a strong enough force to bullying your way around.  It's about being strong enough together that you can weather anything for the sake of good, right, and the welfare of the people and planet.

IMAGE SOURCE

NATIONAL POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY

 April 29th, 2021 Is Poem in Your Pocket Day

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-poem-in-your-pocket-day-last-thursday-in-april/

The idea of National Poem In Your Pocket Day is to share the love poetry while bring a smile to your face.  It is about simple joys and easy expression.  It helps to increase literacy, share experiences, unite cultures, and just have fun.

Poets.org put together some great information for those interested, including some poems and how to celebrate: Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF.  They've, also, made a Sign-up for Poem-a-Day feature.

Here are some great blog features I've share from poets in the past:

K.R. Schultz - An Author Interview

JOHN IRVINE's In My Hot Seat!

Who's In My Hot Seat? MATT SNEE!!!!

Susan-Alia Terry's In My Hot Seat!

Jose Lozano: My Author Interview

My Review of Whispers Of Death by Ronald Kihali

Here are some great books you might find enjoyable:

NATIONAL GREAT POETRY READING DAY

APRIL 28th IS ALL ABOUT GREAT POEMS 

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-great-poetry-reading-day-april-28/

There's a ton of great poetry out there, but I decided that, this year, I would share one of my own.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.

I originally published this piece in my book SOUL SEARCHING (Published September 12th 2014):

Crystal Tears
written by J.M. Northup

Silky soft rose petals fall
Like the tears from my eyes
I remember all those whispers
I remember all those lies

Pain and Anger,
that’s what’s left
You left me
like a damsel in distress

You were wild
You were free
Love filled my eyes
So you used me

You told me you loved me,
but you didn’t care
You kissed my lips,
ran your fingers through my hair

You held me close
You made me believe
Then you got up
And slammed the door on me

The tears that once
filled my eyes
They had fallen
and crystalized

So I hold in my hands
A gift to you
Crystal Tears
And my memory too

Despise and hate
are all I see
Because you took
my love from me

Talk Like Shakespeare Celebration

NATIONAL TALK LIKE SHAKESPEARE DAY
April 23

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-talk-like-shakespeare-day-april-23/

National Talk Like Shakespeare Day occurs on William Shakespeare's birthday, April 23.  This is the day most commonly celebrated as his birth (1564) and, ironically, noted as the date of his death in 1616.  Though it is more widely known that he lived during the Elizabethan Era (1558 to 1603), Shakespeare, also, saw much of the Jacobean Era (1603 to 1625). According to Shakespeare-online.com: "Shakespeare used a metrical pattern consisting of lines of unrhymed iambic pentameter, called blank verse. His plays were composed using blank verse, although there are passages in all the plays that deviate from the norm and are composed of other forms of poetry and/or simple prose."  They, also, state that his language is Early Modern English.  You can learn more about writers from the Early Modern English Period HERE.

Here are some great books in Early Modern English as well as some Shakespeare classics:

HAPPY FIRST CONTACT DAY

 I WANT TO BELIEVE!

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/first-contact-day-april-5/

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." - Carl Sagan

APRIL - National Poetry Month

 LIFE IS POETRY IN MOTION

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-poetry-month-april/

I have always been a fan of poetry.  I wrote it to help me cope through my difficult teen years.  It romanced me through Shakespeare.  One poem of his that stays with me is Sonnet 3: Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest.  Even as a youth it moved me.

Often, lyrics are poetry set to music - at least the good songs are, in my opinion.  There is usually something primordial to the rhythms of the words as much as there's depths in their meaning.  I think that is why poetry gets right to the heart of things.  It doesn't seep into you - it goes right for the kill.  Still, isn't that the point?  Shouldn't poetry reflect life and challenge us to look in the mirror?

Which poets or poems have left a mark on you?

I am a huge fan of Frost.  One of my favorites shall always be:

Holiday-Related Books From February 2021

 February Holidays Can Be Found HERE

Each Month, Karen J. Mossman and I cover various holidays (at random) in our newsletter and on our Norns Triad Publications blog.  It is a fun way to bring awareness and to connect great books with readers during relevant times of the year.

Here are a few from February 2021:

FREE ebook For CAT LOVERS & YOUNG READERS!

IN HONOR OF INTERNATION CHILDRENS BOOK DAY (April 2)

I wanted to write a book that would make a difference for kids.  Something that would encourage a love for reading (which is immensely important to me) while teaching them about the world around them.  I selected fun topics I enjoyed, like life on a farm and animal migration, then mixed in tools for becoming more empathic people.  I, also, wrote this book for the parents and teachers who are reading with or to the children they care for.

I see no better time to give this book away then when we are celebrating children and the books they love.  Therefore, FELINE FASCINATIONS: The Adventures of Boris and Olga is on FREE promotion from April 1st through April 5th, 2021 in honor of International Children's Book day, which is celebrated on April 2, 2021!

Holiday-Related Books From March

 March Holidays Can Be Found HERE

Each Month, Karen J. Mossman and I cover various holidays (at random) in our newsletter and on our Norns Triad Publications blog.  It is a fun way to bring awareness and to connect great books with readers during relevant times of the year.

Here are a few from March 2021:

FAIRY TALES ARE FOR ALL AGES

 IT'S NATIONAL TELL A FAIRY TALE DAY

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-tell-a-fairy-tale-day-february-26

The history of Fairy Tales is rooted in truth, but also, meant to entertain.  Often told by travelers or in the manner we would associate with 'campfire tales', fairy tales are also a means to help guide children into proper behavior.  Oral histories, myths, and legends, these were retold stories often intended to teach a lesson or moral desired by society.  They often had different renditions depending on the geographical area you visited due to cultural differences, but mostly rang the same overall.  And, with time, they grew into more mystical and fantastical tellings, with magic, mythological creatures, and more.

Today, let's enjoy the tradition of great storytelling by indulging in some of the most beloved fairy tales as well as finding some new ones!

Here is a great blog post that might interest you:

Be Kind

 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-random-acts-of-kindness-day-february-17/

February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness DAY.
The week of February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness WEEK.

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-random-acts-of-kindness-week-week-of-february-17

Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  The easiest change to make is to be a kinder version of yourself.  With the current global situation, kindness is even more necessary to propagate.  So, now seems a great time to begin.

Peace to all!

What's Today?

FEB 11th - INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE

 
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-february-11

An annual international day was created on December 22, 2015 by the General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/70/212.  This was done to not only recognize the vital contributions women make in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), but to also promote gender equality.(link is external)

According to the United Nations website, the theme this year will be: “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”

Check out these books to learn more about amazing women in the world of STEM: