Welcome to June - Don't forget doughnut day!

It has recently come to my attention that people are sadly unaware of all the great holidays that fall in June. In an effort to help ensure that you always have something to celebrate, I am listing all the events and holidays that are coming your way this month.

June gets off to a fast start - June 1 is National Doughnut Day. I'm sure the traditions surrounding this holiday need no further explanation.

June is National Dairy Month and also National Accordian Awareness Month. My suggestion is that you frame this year's festivites around one of these themes and then next year focus on the other theme. That way dairy and accordions will get equal billing at your house, as they should.

(Holidays of special interest at the Zeiger Hanson house this year are in bold.)

June 2 - National Rocky Road Day, June 3 - 1st US spacewalk anniversary (1965) June 4 - Cheese Day, June 5 - St. Boniface's Day (patron saint of brewers), June 6 - Festival of Chiu Hsien (Taoist spirit of wine), June 7 - Daniel Boone Day, June 8 - Best Friend Day, June 9 - Donald Duck Day, June 10 - Yo-yo Day, June 11 - King Kamehameha Day (Hawaii), June 12 - Peanut Butter Cookie Day, June 13 - Feast of Epona (Celtic horse goddess), June 14 - Flag Day, June 15 - Pioneer Day, June 16 - Feast of the Madonna (Italy), June 17 - Watergate Day (Its also Father's Day, maybe you can tape all the proceedings), June 18 - National Splurge Day, June 19 - National Martini Day, June 20 - Loch Ness Day, June 21 - Summer Solstice, June 22 - Choclate Eclair Day, June 23 - Take your dog to work day, June 24 - National Music Day (UK), June 25 - Log Cabin Day, June 26 Feast of the Shepherds (Spain), June 27 - Helen Keller's Birthday, June 28 - Paul Bunyan Day, June 29 - Waffle Iron Day, June 30 - Meteor Day

Whew! Let's hope next month is "Water and Vegetables Month" so we can get a breather from all this celebratin'!

Today's Quote

The most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy. - Patch Adams, American Physician

New - Coffee Bar Opens Today

Randy and I planned our day around the 9:00 am opening of The Coffee Bar, the newest coffee shop in town. It is on Meridian, in the space vacated by NW Vintage. When we arrived, we found that it was only open to friends and family, pending final health department approvals. I managed to convince them that I was their new friend and in we went. It still has a great Italian vibe - tiles, warm yellows, fireplace, etc. and lots of friendly service. Even though we crashed their party, we were warmly welcomed in. The co-owners, Shaun and Wes, seem like they'll make this a fun place to hang out. Anyone who plays obscure Cure tunes is my friend:) They will be offering sandwiches soon. Check in hourly this weekend - they are sure to be in full operation anytime now.

Summer - Season of Festivals

Ahhh...summer. The season of festivals and just generally whiling away the sunny afternoons. In addition to my usual stops at the Taste of Tacoma (this is the last year for that event so don't miss it), the Folklife Festival, and Professional Bullriding Championships on July 15 at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, I've added the Pacific NW Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering to my "must do" list for the summer. Who can resist the Celtic dog show, the pipe bands from all over the northwest and the burly guys in man-skirts competing in the mysterious professional Scottish sports? Complete your day with a stop at the beer garden featuring Full Sail Ales and you have the makings of a new tradition on your hands.

Details - July 28,29 at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw. Tickets are available onsite or on the web at http://www.sshga.org
(photos courtesy of Reinis Ritelis)

Infusing fun into your daily life

I've been doing some serious thinking about fun. It seems to me that, in the long run, whatever makes you happy will make you healthy. On the many days when it is not possible to take a One Day Vacation, I intentionally find ways to sprinkle fun into my day. Here are some initial thoughts on Everyday Fun:

Pick A Friend - I will often pick one friend to focus on for the day. If its one of those crazy days where I don't even have time to make a call, I think about how long we've known each other, what we've laughed about, and I send good thoughts to that friend throughout the day. I usually find that within the week, that friend has gotten in touch with me. I believe that this One Friend A Day focus helps to strengthen our connection. I know it makes me feel better just to think about that friend. (Exhibit A: This photo of Kelly, on right, and I. We have lots of fun times for me to reminisce about.)

Set an end time - Do you have that "To Do" list in your head that could keep you running all day and still never be completed? On my funnest days, I declare an end time for that list. By telling myself that I will stop at 7:00 pm no matter how much or how little progress I've made, I have more energy through the day and I enjoy the evening off. After 7:00, I don't pressure myself to be productive or useful in any way. Talk about fun!

Select a Soundtrack - There's nothing like a good tune to lift your spirits even in the worst traffic. On my way out the door each day, I pick a few CDs that contain my anthems for the day. Nobody needs to know that you still listen to Billy Squier:)

Silent Movie Mondays

Hi Everyone! I wanted to alert you that Silent Movie Mondays are back at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. Want to have an evening out that is a step beyond your average "dinner and a movie"? Try these silent movies accompanied by live Wurlitzer organ music. Makes me wish the Dog House was still open.


http://www.theparamount.com/artists/artist.asp?key=508

Today's Quote

I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.
Joseph Campbell

More Fun at the Market

The Puyallup Farmers' Market opened in its full glory this weekend. On Saturday, there were over 100 vendors and so many people that it seemed the whole town was there. While the Sunday market is mellower, it is not without its charms. The Tacoma Astonomical Society was on hand to teach the kids to make "stomp rockets" (see photo) and the Sound Credit Union team was there filming a video depicting the bank's commitment to this community (see photo of film crew and the CEO, Richard C. Bransma).

Puyallup's Outdoor Art Gallery

"The practice of art isn't to make a living, It's to make your soul grow." Kurt Vonnegut

Here's another great piece from the Arts Downtown gallery in Puyallup.

If you are having trouble posting to this blog, please send me a message directly (sallyzeigerhanson@gmail.com) and I can add your thoughts to this conversation or respond to you directly.

Have an artful day! ~ Sally