February 19
Parking Garage
Day

All day you will find
the perfect Parking Space!
Be grateful for luck.
Pay the thunder no mind –
listen to the birds.
And don’t hate nobody.

~ Eubi Blake

We have a little ritual surrounding parking based on my husband’s belief that he has some sort of magical powers and can always get the best spot. As we near our destination, no one’s supposed to mention parking. Then as he pulls into the perfect spot, he says, “Who am I?” And I reply, “You are the ParKING.” Silly, but it makes me smile every time.

It’s also Chocolate Mint Day. Chocolate plus mint is about as good as it gets in this world!  Love it.  We’re down to our last box of fudge covered chocolate mint Joe Joes from Trader Joe’s even though Christmas was ages ago!!  I always try to save some to eat in honor of my birthday!

I also love chocolate and peanut butter. Yum! You know chips and salsa. You know carrots and humus.  Apply that same methodology to chocolate bar and peanut butter. Living the good life.  But, I digress…

Over on Month of Smiley Silliness it’s the start of Be Proud of Your Thrift Store Wardrobe Week. I rarely step into a Mall or regular store. I love the treasure hunt aspect of thrifting–yes, it’s a verb.

Today we say happy birthday to Smokey Robinson (1940).  He once kissed me. No lie. Nine months later I had a baby. Also, no lie.  But also, no connection.  Just being silly. Sadly I think the photo from that day is long gone.

The phonograph (how old people used to listen to music, think of it as a precursor to the mp3 player) debuted on this day in 1878.  How wonderful it must have seemed when it first came out. It is hard to imagine a world where people only heard music in live performances–where some people never heard music.  Wow, imagine your life without music.  Pause a sec, and be grateful.

February 18
The Birth of the
Washing Machine, 1827

Normal is nothing more
than a cycle
on a washing machine.

~ Whoopi Goldberg

It’s also Running Shoe Day over on our calendar of a Month of Smiley Silliness.  My observation is that people out running in those running shoes, rarely look happy.

On this day back in 1879 the patent for the Statue of Liberty was filed. I’d never thought about my favorite statue having needed a patent. I adore the words at the base of Lady Liberty.   BTW, at my house Statue of Liberty nick-nacks are almost as popular as Smiley ones.

Additionally, we celebrate Pluto. Is that Pluto the non-planet or Pluto Mickey Mouse’s pet dog? Did you ever think, about cartoon dog Pluto being a pet in a cartoon world where all the other animals can talk and wear clothes. Mickey even has a best friend who is also a dog (Goofy). That is kind of creepy when you think about it.

Here’s something goofy, the goofiest thing I have ever reported here on A Smiley-a-Day: On this day in 1931, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an airplane. During the flight she was milked and the milk was sealed in paper containers and parachute dropped over St. Louis, Missouri.  Now you know.

Today we say happy birthday to Yoko Ono (1933), Toni Morrison (1931), Cybill Shepherd (1950), John Travolta (1954), Vanna White (1957), Molly Ringwald (1968), and Matt Dillon (1964).  Yoko also has a Smile Project.  I hope you’ll check it out. Go, Yoko!

February 17
MY Birthday Day

I love my birthday! 
I wish everyone could embrace 
the idea that celebrating their life
(i.e., their birthday),
is a wonderful way
to connect yourself with gratitude.

~ Ruth Kaiser, Creator of
The Spontaneous Smiley Project

It’s my birthday.  Have fun! Eat as much peanut butter and chocolate as you want!  Hug a cat! Play hooky from responsibilities. It’s a great day to be alive!

Over on our calendar of a Month of Smiley Silliness it’s D.I.Y Day. That stands for Do It Yourself. I know this is about household projects, but I kind of like thinking it’s about being independent, being confident, taking care of what needs taking care of.  I always say: Dream big, but then do the work that gets the work done! Just not today; today we’re playing hooky from responsibilities.

It is also both World Human Spirit Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day. I’m smiling as I think to myself: Shucks, I’m mighty happy to have been born on a day with such lovely things upon which to focus.

Birthday Cake Smiley

Today we say happy birthday to, well me.  Oh and also Billie Joe Armstrong (1972), Michael Jordan (1963), and Rene Russo (1954). Maybe they’d like to come to my house tonight for cake? I’ll tweet them the invitation and let you know how it works out. There’s a dinner party line up that’d be fun! A rocker, an athlete, an actor, and a nut.

February 16
You Light Up
My Life Day

At times our own light goes out
and is rekindled by a spark
from another person.
Each of us has cause to think
with deep gratitude
of those who have lighted the flame
within us.

~ Albert Schweitzer

Over on Month of Smiley Silliness calendar today we celebrate pumps. I couldn’t find whether this was the air pump or pumping iron or the little shoe. Since I have a Little Shoe Smiley, I went with that.

You’re not going to believe it, but today is Pancake Day, again!! That makes 3 times this month. Feb 5, Feb 12 and now Feb 16, not to mention Blueberry Pancake Day back in January! Scheesh, maybe it’s Aunt Jemima who comes up with all these goofy holidays.

Today we say happy birthday to LeVar Burton (1957).  I loved you on Reading Rainbow and I cried for you after watching “I put hands outside car when pulled over.” We have to do better.

And, to return to goofy news, it’s my birthday tomorrow (1959) and I couldn’t wait ’til then to tell you! I love pretending everyone in the USA, will be enjoying the three day weekend in my honor. It’s what I always told my son who’s birthday falls just 3 days after mine.

But back on task, here are other birthdays for today: Christopher Eccleston (1964), Sonny Bono (1935), Hugh Beamont (1909, Beaver Cleaver’s dad), and James Monroe Iglehart (1956) my friend and winner of a Tony for his role as the Genie in Aladdin.

February 15
Fountain Day

Look within.
Within is the fountain of good,
and it will ever bubble up,
if thou wilt ever dig.

~ Marcus Aurelius

Today is also Hippo Day. I actually have a hands on, as in hand in the mouth of a hippo story!

Additionally, we celebrate Gum Drop Day. Well not we, as in not me.  I’ve never been a fan of fruity candies.  I’m a chocolate girl all the way.  Nothing poofty foofty for me, just a good old Hershey bar (throw in a jar of peanut butter and I’ll grin from ear to ear). But, as I think of it, wouldn’t yesterday have been a better day to celebrate this candy?

The above comment is extra appropriate being that February 15th is also Half Price Chocolate Day!

Today we say happy birthday to Amber Riley (1986) who plays the wonderful Mercedes on Glee. I love her spunk, as well as her voice.  Spit and vinegar always appeal to me. Also birthday remembrances for Susan B. Anthony (1820). Another spunky February birthday girl!  There are a lot of us (yep, my birthday is in 2 days!!) And of course we mustn’t forget the hysterically funny Harvey Korman (1927).

February 14
Upholstery  Day

Cherish all your happy moments;
they make a fine cushion
for old age.

~ Booth Tarkington. 

It’s also Apartment Dwellers Day.  “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”~ Maya Angelou.  Home, a safe place to fall–like a upholstered cushion.

Apartment House Smiley

Over on our calendar of a Month of Smiley Silliness it’s the start of Brotherhood and Sisterhood Week. Let’s all try.

This one cracked me up: It’s Library Lovers Day. Really?  Today?  I’m pretty sure Cupid had other plans for today.  I mean I love books. I love libraries, but today is about loving love and lovers loving their loved one!

Today we say happy birthday to George Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel which debuted at the Chicago World’s fair in 1893 when young George was only 34 years old (born 1859).  Additionally, we celebrate fondly Gregory Hines (1946), Florence Henderson (1934), Fredrick Douglas (1818),  Teller of Penn & Teller (1948), and Jack Benny (1894). I wonder did you always get a heart shaped cake for your birthday? I did and I was born on the 17th!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

February 13
Don’t J-Walk Day

Better a thousand times careful,
than once dead.

~Proverb

Over on our calendar of a Month of Smiley Silliness it’s I’m Madly in Love with ME Day.  That makes sense, one must love themselves before they can love others.  The day about loving others, complete with hearts and chocolates, is tomorrow.  Today you get to focus on loving YOU!

It is also Tortellini Day. I’d have used it for today’s Smiley but I just used it for Pasta Day last month on January 7th.  It’s worth a look–one of my all time favorite Smileys!

Maybe start with changing your name.  Say what?  You read that right–it’s Give Yourself a Different Name Day.  I’ve known a couple of people who at some point in their lives simply decided they had been given the wrong name.

Today we say happy birthday to Michael Jackson’s first born.  Happy birthday Prince Jackson (1997). Wonder if he ever considered giving himself a different name?  Probably not.  Prince is a pretty cool name. But how about his brother Blanket?

Also celebrating are Peter Gabriel (1950) and Stockard Channing (1944). Both have given me reasons to smile. I am grateful for all who produce art and music and theatre.

February 12
Pizza Saver*
Invented, 1983

Ideas are like pizza dough,
made to be tossed around.

~ Anna Quindlen 

*That little table shaped thingy
to keep the box’s top from sticking
to the cheesy top of the pizza.
(Also capable of making
you say naughty words
when you step on one.~Ruth)

On the Month of Smiley Silliness we begin a week of celebrating Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

Maple Syrup Dispenser Smiley

It is also Pancake Day. Yes, we just celebrated Pancake Day back on 2/5.  I have no problem having pancakes twice in one month, heck twice in one day is fine with me. Do you also love having breakfast for dinner?

Not sure how we go about celebrating the following: Extra-Terrestrial Culture Day.  Feel free to submit your ideas!

Happy birthday Arsenio Hall (1956), Judy Blume (1938), and on the very same day in 1809 Charles Darwin and President Lincoln.

February 11
Thomas Edison’s
Birthday

I have not failed.
I’ve just found 10,000 ways
that won’t work.

~ Thomas A. Edison
born this day, 1847

Today’s holiday is also known as Be Electric Day. Get it?  Did a little lightbulb go on over your head like in a cartoon?

Speaking of cartoons, today is Peppermint Patty Day.  I read that and assumed it referred to the character in Peanuts. So I googled to see if this was in fact the day she debuted with Charlie Brown.  But, no. Her “birthday” is August 22, 1966.  So I guess it’s the candy we celebrate today. Go figure. I made this bowl out of melted peppermints. No Smiley, but fun none the less. I’ll make one with a Smiley Face next year!

Over on a Month of Smiley Silliness it’s also Be a Friend Day. Always a good idea. And easy peasy. Just treat people the way you like to be treated. And always, always remember that everyone has a back story you can never really know. Just as you’d appreciate being given a little slack, try giving out slack at every opportunity.

Today we say happy birthday to Jennifer Aniston (1969), Kelly Rowland (1981), Brandy (1979), Sheryl Crow (1962), Burt Reynolds (1936), Leslie Nielsen (1926), and Eva Gabor (1919).

One last note, it’s also Visit a Shut In Day. I momentarily misread that and thought it said Visit a Slut…Well, everyone deserves a visit from a kind person with kind intentions. Everyone!

 February 10
Library Day

If you have a garden
and a library,
you have everything
you need.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

WooHoo, it’s Umbrella Day and here in California we are doing the happy dance! We’ve had the driest years lately. Washing your car, watering your garden, and flushing your toilet are all seen as sinful behaviors! And then along comes this winter and whammo! We’ve been deluged.

Over on our calendar of a Month of Smiley Silliness Teflon Day.  I’m always saying be porous, not teflon. If you’re not sure what I mean, I hope you’ll click. This idea is the foundation of the Spontaneous Smiley project.

Today we say happy birthday to a guy with a great big nose. Ringo? Nope, he’s July.  Karl Malden? Nah, he’s next month. Barbra Streisand? No, silly, she’s April. It’s Jimmy Durante (1893), the king of all big schnozes!

Also celebrating her birthdays today is Roberta Flack (1937). I love all the duets she did with Donny Hathaway! Roberta, celebrate with today’s food holiday–a cream cheese brownie, under the full moon.