Oh, can you see?
Today is National Sunglasses Day and here is a haiku for you:
The truth is so bright
let’s observe life with right view
protect your vision
For more information about this holiday see https://nationaltoday.com/national-sunglasses-day/
The oldest canoe was discovered in the Netherlands and was carbon-dated to the early Mesolithic period (8040 BC and 7510 BC). See Pesse canoe link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesse_canoe
I currently live near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers aka St. Louis, Missouri. The word Missouri reportedly means “those who have dugout canoes” or “those who travel by water.” This area is named after the Missouri native American peoples. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_River
Today’s holiday is Canoe Day and here is a haiku to commemorate it.
Quietly floating,
life can be a peaceful dream.
Go like a river
Regardless of your thoughts on evolution, humans have been dependent upon the seas for centuries. This holiday has been officially celebrated for twelve years now even though we have been officially travelling the seas since 3200 BC. See haiku and link below:
International Day of the Seafarer
Family lore claims
Vikings as our ancestors
Eric the Red smiles
Three days past was the “first day of Summer” aka Summer Solstice aka the longest day of the year. Today is Midsummer aka the middle day of Summer. Hmmm, very short season?
Today’s haiku:
Midsummer
When little makes sense
including the calendar
then pause, breathe and smile
Let’s just move along … nothing to see here … best to just enjoy your day.
Without water we would not exist, we could not survive. Today we recognize the importance of water to our lives.
National Hydration Day
We come from water
We continue with water
don’t forget water
For more information on this vital topic, please see:
Today is National Kissing Day and, for many, the emoji is probably the most likely form it will take. The pandemic and other social awkwardness reservations have stunted this form of affection in recent years. With safety in mind, consider an air kiss, peck or even a quick brush of the lips with someone you love today.
National Kissing Day
A smile, wink or kiss
toward someone you trust and love
can make someone’s day
Be careful out there. And check out this link for more information:
National Kissing Day – June 22
Fete de la Musique – forty years ago, in Paris, on Summer Solstice Day, World Music Day was first celebrated to honor musicians and the significance of music in our lives. Here’s today’s haiku:
World Music Day
Smile, release, perform
the universal language
we share our heartbeats
Check out these links for more information:
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/world-music-day-2022-date-history-and-why-it-is-celebrated-3075214
Many causes and conditions such as war, famine and plague have resulted in over 100 million refugees across the globe. Simple survival is at risk and the number of those affected continues to grow. Today is World Refugee Day. If you can, please consider what small action you can take to help.
World Refugee Day
Food, water, shelter
more at risk every day
please help if you can
For more information on today’s challenges see this United Nations link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/refugee-day
To learn more about the history of refugees see this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Refugee_Day
My father was 22 when I was born. It seems we were both too young to establish a good relationship. For a variety of causes and conditions, we never did.
Today’s poem is the latest attempt to paying my respects:
Yesterday
Yesterday was the anniversary of my father’s death; he died thirteen years ago. I’ve thought of him often this month but not yesterday. What about yesterday don’t I know?
My father was the last of eleven children; called Jack though his name was John. My father claimed he had a chip on his shoulder; seemed proud that he kept it on.
A boxer, a carpenter, a joker to the end, always with a twinkle in his eye. Absent from my life most of my life, but at least we said goodbye … at least we said goodbye.
Happy Father’s Day Dad. And Happy Father’s Day to all fathers: past, present and future.
Today is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to counter hate speech which is defined as “any kind of speech or writing that attacks or discriminates against a person or a group based on religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, or any other identity factor. Speech should not be a weapon for creating more mayhem in this volatile world.”
Today’s haiku respectfully reminds us:
Hate speech does not help;
it hurts ev’ry one. Instead
promote love and truth.
For more information on this day see: https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-for-countering-hate-speech/
For information on how to speak more truthfully and lovingly please refer to your faith tradition reminders. For one example you might consider the Metta (Loving-Kindness) Sutta at https://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/metta-sutta/ or the fine art rendition shown below.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/metta-sutta-dave-wood.html
Life Matters 