July Holidays and Websites

Holidays in the Month of July

National Baked Bean Month

National Blueberry Month 

National Hot Dog Month

National Recreation & Parks Month 

Air Conditioning Appreciation Month

Tour De France

Inspiring People Are Everywhere - Tony

I would like to tell you about a man I admire immensely. Tony is well over six feet tall, with a shock of black hair and a most engaging smile. You might remember that Tony is the man who volunteered at StarShine Academy. With his son, he introduced chess to the students. He also donated all the chess equipment, as well as improved lighting for all the classrooms and bookshelves for the library. Not only did Tony contribute monetarily, he also gave his time.

Tony is a member of my church and a good friend.

7 Humorous Birthday Quotes

June 27 is the birthday of Mildred J. Hill, the teacher who wrote the song, “Happy Birthday to You.”

In honor of her birthday, here are 7 fun birthday quotes:

 “Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.” Anonymous

“Sign in the florist’s window: “Smoking, or forgetting your wife’s birthday, can be hazardous to your health.” From 14,000 Quips & Quotes by E.C. McKenzie

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” Father Larry Lorenzoni

Inspirational Wisdom - Take Time

We have been writing a lot lately about the inspiring people we meet. We have found that inspiring people have several things in common. Inspiring people all have a good sense of humor, are successful, are good natured, and have a sense of wisdom. The following piece, taken from the Irish Digest, perfectly describes them:

Take Time

Take time to work – it is the price of success

Take time to think – it is the source of power

Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

More than once, we have adopted dogs, but never a cat. That doesn’t mean we have never had cats. We just haven’t adopted a cat, they just seem to show up at our door and we have purchased a few. Our family has had fabulous cats, when the children were youngsters.

We have owned several Siamese cats, which, I think, are the most interesting and intelligent. We had one cat that was a true calico, my sister-in-law, Carol Ann, fell in love with the cat, and talked me out of it. I knew the calico would have a good life with Carol Ann, so, tearfully we sent her to Florida where they both flourished.

The First Day of Summer

It’s Here, The First Day of Summer

Did you know that the first day of the summer is also known as the day of the summer solstice? It is the longest day of the year. The first day of summer is the day the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting shorter. The correct date is either June 20^th or June 21^st, in North America, depending on your time Zone.

I’m sure all of you have different reasons to love summer. If you live in central Arizona, as I do, most people hate it, and head for the tall pines in the northern part of the state, or for the beaches in San Diego. For many years, we made a mad dash in either direction and stayed as long as we could. But now, that I’m older, I’ve come to love the hot summers, although I will admit to enjoying two weeks or so on the beach. I’ve learned to do my shopping in the morning hours and to park in the shade when possible. Going to the movies on a hot summer day is delightful.

Quotable Quotes on Aging

Quotes on Aging

As an 80+ year old, I have learned a lot about life and as I grow older, I realize that it was not all that bad to have been a ‘depression baby’. Here are some humorous quotes on aging:

“I guess the best thing that ever happened

 to me was hard times.” 

Anonymous

“Life would be infinitely happier if only we could be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.” 

Mark Twain

“Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. 

If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” 

Jack Benny

“Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.” 

Tom Stoppard

“What’s the point? My face, shall we say, looks lived in.” 

Ava Gardner

“Old age is no place for sissies.” 

Bette Davies

“I’m not interested in age. 

People who tell me their age are silly. 

You’re as old as you feel.” 

Elizabeth Arden

By Lois Jamieson

Want to read more quotes and inspirational stories on aging, go to:

5 Quotes on Aging

Inspirational Quotes on Wisdom

Ageless Quotes

Friendship

Friendship is an interesting word and one I give great value. Everyone has friends. Some people have hundreds of friends. Just check out Facebook. Some people have a few cherished friends. And... most people are somewhere in between.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Quotable Quotes on Influence

Influence Quotes

When I was volunteering with the children at StarShine Academy, I always wondered if I would make, even the tiniest, difference in their lives. Chances are, I’ll never know. I know I gave them a lot of love and attention, and what they gave me was immeasurable.

“None of us realize how many people we influence.” 

Byron Nelson

“A child’s life is like a piece of paper

 on which every person leave a mark.” 

Chinese proverb

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” 

Margaret Mead

“The best effect of fine persons 

is felt after we have left their presence.” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He is greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.” 

Henry Ward Beecher

“It’s easy to make a buck. 

It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” 

Tom Brokaw

“Blessed is the influence of one true, 

loving human soul on another.” 

George Eliot

“A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success.”

Cullen Hightower

By Lois Jamieson

Would you like to read more Quotable Quotes? Go to:

Famous Quotes on Ability

9 Fun Weather Quotes

5 Inspiring Quotes on Children

Happy Father’s Day

This Sunday, June 17, is Father’s Day. I am blessed to still have a father to hug, talk with on the phone and spend time enjoying lunch together. My dad is 83. He’s out on the golf course most weeks, practices taichi with his friends and spends time with my mom. 

In honor of my father, and fathers everywhere, here are some of my favorite quotes about fatherhood:

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” Theodore Hesburgh

National Flag Day Quiz

Questions

1.      In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as a National Flag Day. Why June 14?

2.      Who officially adopted the United States Flag on June 14, 1777?

3.      How many equal horizontal stripes of red and white are on the flag?

4.      What is a common nickname for the flag of the United States?

5.      Who was the first person to use the nickname?

Famous Quotes on Ability

We all have ability. Whether we use our ability or not is up to us.

Here are 14 quotes on ability to motivate and inspire you:

1.      “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” Helen Keller

2.      “Ambition can creep as well as soar.” Edmund Burke 

3.      “Nothing is too small to know, and nothing too big to attempt.” William Van Horne

4.      “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” Ghandi

June 12 – Birthday of Anne Frank

An Inspirational Story of Anne Frank 

“I don’t want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people even those I have never met. I want to go on living even after my death.” Anne Frank

June 12^th is the birth date of a very special girl named Anne Frank.  Anne was a Jewish girl who lived and died during the Holocaust.

Anne Frank was born in Frankfort, Germany in 1929. In 1933, because of the persecution of the Jewish people, her father, Otto, immigrated with the family to Holland. Anne Frank’s father had a successful business and they lived very comfortably in Holland. Anne had an older sister named Margot.

3 Fun Facts from an Octogenarian

Fact One

I have written several etiquette posts about phone manners, but I did not know this fact…

The first thing ever said over a telephone was, “Watson come here, I want you.” Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, spoke this sentence. He was talking to his assistant Thomas Watson.

Inspirational People - The Restaurant Volunteer

Now and then my husband and I go to a small local restaurant for breakfast. I have noticed an older woman who appears to work there. I also noticed that she welcomes you to a table and then walks around the restaurant saying good morning and chatting with customers, but does not take food or drink orders.

Last week I had a chance to talk to her. This is what I found out.

The women’s name is Hattie and she is a volunteer – a restaurant volunteer. I’ve never heard of anyone doing this. She comes to the restaurant in the early morning and works until 11:00 am.

Remembering D-Day

June 6, 1944, D-Day, is a very special day to my generation.

In June of 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in world history took place. The allied forces invaded Normandy, France. It was called D-Day, and also known by its code name ‘Operation Neptune’. The landings were conducted in two phases, an airborne assault of 24,000 British, American, Canadian and Free French paratroopers and an amphibious landing of allied infantry and armored divisions. There were two airborne divisions, the 101^st and the 82^nd, numbering 13,000 paratroopers delivered by 12 troop carriers. 

Among the beaches in Normandy, Omaha Beach was the most heavily fortified. Hundreds of the invading soldiers were killed. These beaches are still referred to on maps by their invasion code names.

United Nations World Environment Day

Today, June 5, is the United Nations World Environment Day. World Environment Day is a celebration for positive environmental changes and a call to action. The United Nations first designated World Environment Day in 1972.

 

There are 100’s of things you can do to help improve the environment and make a positive impact in your neighborhood or city. Here is our list:

9 Fun Weather Quotes

If you are like me and you live in the Phoenix metro area, you are well aware that the last couple of days have been hot, especially since we are just at the beginning of June and on June 1^st, the temperature was above 110.

To help us think positive thoughts and enjoy the weather here are some fun weather quotes:

1.      “The best weather instrument yet devised is a pair of human eyes.” Harold M. Gibson, meteorologist

2.      “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” Mark Twain

June Holidays

Holidays in the Month of June

Fireworks Safety Month

International Accordion Awareness Month

June Dairy Month

National Rose Month

National Safety Month

Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month

Child Vision Awareness Month

Turkey Lover’s Month

National Rivers Month

National Soul Food Month

June Holidays – Day-by-Day

June 1 - Stand for Children Day

June 5 - First Balloon Flight and United Nations World Environment Day