Hello. Thank you for being here. This is not a hat day. However, just about everyone on the planet loves a hug. Hattingdon sends you — our visitors, followers and supporters — a big hat full of hugs.
How to observe the day
Give someone a big hug. Or, if you need one, ask for a hug and “feel like new” whoever you are. You can also give a mental hug. The most important thing is — you sent it to them. Vivian says a lady she often sees out shopping and always gives a nod and a smile, came up this time, said hello and gave her a hug.
You can also let someone know you care about by sending them warm, cheerful words of encouragement. Boost their happiness by letting them know how much they mean to you with a verbal hug — until you have the opportunity to be with them.
Happenings in January
The Earth always reaches perihelion in early January. Perihelion is when the Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun — typically around January 3rd. Perihelion occurs once a year,
The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs every year in January.
Pasadena in California hosts the Rose Parade each year in January.
Ellis Island opened on New Year’s Day 1892
Thank you for spending time with us. See you again soon.
World Honey Bee Day is the third Saturday in August, on the 16th of this year, bringing a buzz of celebration for beekeepers, honey lovers, and all blooming things.
World Honey Bee Day began as National Honey Bee Day in 2009, with a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsek. The day grew rapidly, bringing awareness to the benefits and environmental needs of honey bees.
The day recognizes both the honey bee and the beekeepers who tend the hives. It also encourages us to buy and enjoy locally grown honey whenever we can.
In honor of Honey Bee Day, Hattingdon is wearing her “Honey” fashion hat, along with two sweet honey bees. Darling.
Honey Hattingdon
Six ways to celebrate
Collect and spread local wildflower seeds to promote honey bee pollination.
Flavors of honey vary depending on the variety of flowers and nectar available to the bees.
Clover, alfalfa, lavender, orange, and chestnut are just a few to choose from.
Replace your usual sweetener with honey for the day. Taste the difference!
Give the gift of honey to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.
Share your sweet honey stories on social media tagging #WorldHoneyBeeDay.
The indispensable role of pollination
Bees are arguably the most important pollinators on the planet, facilitating the reproduction of countless plant species, including many that are essential for human food production. Their hairy bodies efficiently collect pollen, which they then inadvertently transfer from flower to flower as they forage for nectar, the sweet reward that fuels their activity. This process of pollination is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, underpinning both natural ecosystems and agricultural systems worldwide.
Support pollinators
When we plant wildflowers, orchards, and other flowering plants, we support pollinators such as honey bees. They depend on the nectar of a variety of plants for their survival. Conversely, we depend on honeybees for our survival, too! Without their pollinating abilities, many nutritious plants are unable to reproduce.
About the day
World Honey Bee Day began as National Honey Bee Day in 2009 with a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsek. The day grew rapidly bringing awareness to the benefits and environmental needs of honey bees.
AT this time of summer, the cherry harvest is at its peak. Today is the perfect time to celebrate all things “cherry”. It is July 16th, National Cherry Day.
Many farming communities celebrate with a harvest festival. We don’t have to tell you what is in the baked goods for those celebrations.
The Hat
Hattingdon can wait no longer to join the festivities and show off her new hat — designed especially for her for this day. How cool does she look? Ain’t she sweet?
Cherry.
Variety of cherries
Cherries are a fun and tasty fruit. There are sweet cherries for eating fresh. There are tart or sour varieties that are best for baking. There is even a yellow variety. Yellow varieties are quite sweet. In addition to tasting good, cherries are healthy eating.
Super snack
Pop a few into your mouth and feel guiltless. Why!? Simply because they are good for you. While they are sweet, they are also low in calories.
Cherries are high in fiber. They are high in vitamins A and C. Their high level of antioxidants helps to fight free radicals. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, too. And, they have lots of potassium. Cherries are gluten-free.
Studies show that they help to lower blood pressure. And, if you have trouble sleeping, have a few pieces of this magical fruit in the evening. They contain melatonin, a natural chemical that helps to induce sleep.
Even diabetics can enjoy the natural sugars in cherries. But, don’t eat a whole bunch at one sitting. Rather, eat a few at a time.
Cool facts
• The first recording of the cultivation of cherry trees goes back to ancient Mesopotamia in 300 B.C. • Ancient Romans and Chinese dynasties also cultivated them. • Prehistoric caves in Asia and Europe contained cherry pits. • Cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty and renewal. • Cherry trees are not native to N America. Early settlers brought them to the New World in the 1600s. • According to legend, George Washington chopped down the family cherry tree. But, when confronted by his father, he could not tell a lie. The rest as they say is history. • The first time cherry turnovers were made was in 1440. At the time, cake was banned in some European countries. • The average mature tree produces approximately 7,000 fruit each year. • Japanese cherry trees do not produce fruit. Rather, they are ornamentals. • On August 30, 1909, Japan announced it was donating 2,000 cherry trees to the United States for planting along the Potomac River. The trees arrived in the United States on January 6, 1910. Today, millions of people visit D.C. at Cherry Blossom time just to see them in bloom. _______
You see. We are more than just pretty hats. Wink. See you again soon. Love, Hattingdon.
National Sunglasses Day — a commemorative day celebrating the importance of wearing ultraviolet (UV)-protective sunwear and eyewear — is brought to life each year by The Vision Council on June 27.
Celebrate
Celebrate NationalSunglasses Day by wearing your favorite pair of shades while enjoying the benefits of eye protection, style and fun. Get those shades out, and have a good time tomorrow. Oh . . . and tell your friends.
Curtis is up for it for sure. So handsome.
Curtis Hattingdon
Curtis the First
Curtis, by the way, is the very first cartoon horse Vivian created — and the only one — until she created and introduced a lady hat-wearing cartoon horse a few years later. From there it took off like a rocket. Vivian has designed 100s of hats for Hattingdon since that time. It all began with Curtis.
HATTINGDON HORSES 