BE OUR G - Hello January

BE OUR G

UEST

Ah, it's January. The Christmas tree and all the decorations are taken down and packed away for another year. Christmas gifts have been exchanged for things we want, and the New Year's Eve party is all over for another year. Many people consider this month very dull. After New Year’s Day there are no holidays to celebrate. However, January is actually a month that has many special days and events to celebrate. It is just that most people are unaware of them. Here are just a few.

January 3 is National Chocolate-Coated Cherry Day. This sweet candy has been a popular holiday treat for centuries. During my 35 years of teaching, I received many boxes of these treats as gifts from my students. This candy is perhaps one of my least favorites, so National Covered Cherry Day goes uncelebrated in our home.

If you are not into chocolatecovered cherries, January 3 is also National Drinking Straw Day. This day commemorates the date in 1888 when Marvin C. Stone received the patent for the paper drinking straw. This day brings back fond memories of my teenage years when my friends and I would use straws to shoot the straw's paper coverings at each other while drinking our Cokes. Thankfully, I have outgrown this behavior, and I now use drinking straws only for their intended purpose.

Another special day is National Spaghetti Day on January 4. I can get into this day. My wife makes the best sauce, so spaghetti is one of my favorite foods. There is one episode of The Andy Griffith Show where Andy eats four meals of spaghetti in a very short time, so I can watch this episode while enjoying my several helpings of spaghetti.

This year, on January 9, we can celebrate National Clean off Your Desk Day. It is often thought that a messy desk is a sign of a person being a genius. Well, I can attest that this is not my case. Despite being naturally organized, my desk is always a mess. So I will make a real effort to participate in this special day.

I highly anticipate January 22, Answer Your Cat's Question Day. I know what some of Tillie's questions will be. 'Why do you and mommy talk baby talk to me?' 'Why do I have to go all the way to the basement to use my litter box?' 'Why do I have to eat the same food every day?' And finally, 'Why do you leave me home alone so much?' Now, all I have to do is think of some snappy answers.

There are also many other special days in January. Please find one to your liking. Enjoy the month and have some fun.

BY

KEN ANDERSON “THE MAYBERRY GURU”