As we’ve explored on multiple occasions in this long-running series, every day on the calendar is tagged with “special” designations.
In fact, most days have numerous special labels and many have literally dozens.
Since this week’s edition of your local fish wrap features the dateline of Aug. 1, let’s have a look at some of that date’s special designations (as usual, in no particular order).
•National Respect for Parents Day.
Here’s one that in my opinion should receive far greater acknowledgement in the United States and be celebrated with enthusiasm and sincerity on a nationwide basis.
While I wish things were different, I believe the reality is that a lot of young people don’t understand the concept. Not that some older folks could be better at respecting their parents, but the issue has pretty much reached epidemic status among the younger crowd.
But to be fair, I also believe that parents are largely to blame for the situation for not implementing good parental practices, and basically allowing themselves to be disrespected.
Ouch, right?
•National Cycle to Work Day.
While this might be popular (and practical) in the big cities, I don’t think this could ever garner much response in a place like Texas County, Missouri.
Not that people living in “the grid” in towns like Houston couldn’t hop on a Schwinn and peddle to their jobs, it’s just that I think many of them would prefer that it was National Consume a Lot of Processed Foods Day.
Come to think of it, that wouldn’t be a bad day to celebrate. But I think there are a significant number of folks who celebrate it pretty much every day.
Maybe there should be a National Take a Break From Processed Foods Day.
•National Planner Day.
A day when people can celebrate their love of these organizational tools and give organized appreciation to how they can (allegedly) change lives for the better.
It also presents an opportunity for disorganized people to turn over a new leaf.
Of course, true celebration of this day is going to take some planning, so you’ll probably need a planner.
•National Mountain Climbing Day.
This one would be difficult to celebrate in Missouri, considering the fact that there really isn’t a mountain anywhere in the Show Me State.
Sure, much of the southern portion of the state is part of what’s known as the Ozark Mountains, but the highest point in state has an elevation of less than 1,800 feet, so I’m going to say that rather than actual mountains, there are a lot of really big hills in Missouri (and I mean really, really big).
Obviously, you could find plenty of places to get out and celebrate out west and back east, but that might take some planning (which naturally provides ample reason to recognize more than one of August first’s designations).
•National Promise to Care Day.
This one doesn’t come with specific instructions, so I guess what you choose to care about is up to you.
Of course, there are many people in today’s society who don’t care much about anything other than themselves, so they won’t have any trouble determining what to make this day’s primary centerpiece.
But honestly, I don’t care if you celebrate this day. I promise.
•National World Wide Web Day.
It occurs to me that the focus of this day is extremely well recognized 365 times each year, so I would argue that labeling a day with it is a waste of time.
•National IPA Day.
This one actually falls annually on the first Thursday in August and provides a chance to glorify the existence of India Pale Ale beers.
I’m not a fan of IPAs, but my wife is; it’s one of those “there’s no accounting for taste” deals. But personal preference aside, I’m sure the folks at Texas County’s Piney River Brewing Company will certainly celebrate because they’re known for making several varieties of IPAs.
Anyway, Aug.1 also kicks off National Catfish Month, National Inventors Month, National Hair Loss Awareness Month and National Panini Month, and it’s part of several national such-and-such weeks.
But there’s nothing more special about the day than any other day, because very day is a special day (in many, many ways).
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.
