Cartoon Horses with Hat-titude
Hello there, and welcome. Do you fancy seeing a gorgeous new classic hat? We hope you do, because we have a darling one for you. She is oh so pretty. That sunny yellow is delicious!
We named her Lacey.
We love love love this hat, and hope you do too. Bye for now.
Love, Hattingdon Horses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sources: » National Day Calendar » Almanac.com »
See also: » How Do Bees Affect the Environment? »
August 9th
Celebrate the love of books on August 9 with National Book Lovers Day. Learn about the history of literature, the traditions of reading, and activities to enjoy on this day.
Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day on August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book and simply read. (Um, an audiobook is okay too.)
From clay tablets to today’s eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling.
Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg’s 15th-century printing press, anyone — not just royalty, monks or landed gentry — could read and own books.
Creator of the Dewey Decimal System, Melvil Dewey was foundational in shaping modern American libraries. In addition to devising and copyrighting the Dewey Decimal System by the age of 25, he helped found both the American Library Association and the first library school at Columbia University in 1884, and was the New York State Librarian from 1888-1906.
Raise your hand if you love books. Yes!
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.
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?
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.
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.
• 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.
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You see. We are more than just pretty hats. Wink. See you again soon. Love, Hattingdon.
©Vivian J Grant. All Rights Reserved.
• Featured Image: Red Cherries. Freepick.com.
HATTINGDON HORSES 