Category: Months of the Year

It’s Here Again–Friday the 13th

Another Friday the 13th is here? Are you superstitious? Do you fear the date? Do not worry you are not alone. Millions of people worldwide fear Friday the 13th.

Intersting Facts about Friday the 13th

Superstitions always bring curiosity. The problem with Friday the 13th is the origin. No one really knows how the fear of the date began. One possible belief of the fear centers around the day of the crucifixion of Jesus, a Friday. In combination with the day, the number 13 focuses on The Last Supper. The night before the crucifixion Jesus ate his final meal with his 12 disciples. Together the two events form Friday the 13th.

Others believe the fear derived from a book published in 1907, Friday the Thirteenth by Thomas Lewson. In some cultures, the 13th is not unlucky at all. In Italy, 17 is the unlucky number.

Despite the unclear history, the fear of Friday the 13th, communities, organizations, and individuals are cautious on the day and avoid the use of the number. Here are a few other interesting facts about date and the number:

  • The fear of Friday the 13th is known as friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. The fear of the number 13 is triskaidekaphobia. Can you pronounce those?
  • Many communities do not have a 13th street or 13th Avenue.
  • When building high rises, hospitals, or other structures, planners skip the 13th floor.
  • Many hotels do not have a room 13.
  • Airplanes do not have a row 13.
  • Every year, the calendar has at least one Friday the 13th but can have up to three.
  • For the month to have a Friday the 13th. The first day must start on a Sunday.
  • Businesses and airline suffer financial loss on Friday the 13th.
  • The date is inspiration for a successful movie franchise.  

So, is Friday the 13th unlucky? People who fear Friday the 13th often call into work, avoid going outdoors, and simply wait for the day to pass without any misfortunes. The big question is what do you believe?

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Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Activities

St. Patrick’s Day usually brings large parades, community events, and other social activities. Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic restrictions mean the yearly events are canceled. Are you looking for last-minute activities to safely celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Check out the following St. Patrick’s Day ideas for you or your entire family to enjoy.

Make a Leprechaun Trap

St. Patrick’s Day would not be complete without tales of leprechauns. Use the tales as inspiration to make a leprechaun trap. Cereal boxes and craft materials are perfect supplies to build a trap. Get creative. Take photos and try to catch a leprechaun for his gold.

Shamrock Art

Draw, trace, or print a blank shamrock. Use the shamrock as a template.

Image by L Gould from Pixabay

  • Paint or color the shamrock.
  • Glue glitter, split peas, yarn, sequins, macaroni, or other material to your shamrock. (If you do decide to glue items to your shamrock template, use card stock to print the outline)
  • Decorate and hang your shamrocks around the house.
  • Use your decorated shamrocks as placemats for a traditional Irish meal.

Traditional Irish Meal

Preparing a traditional Irish meal is one of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Pinterest has numerous recipes to follow. Whether you prepare the meal yourself or involve the entire family, try something new.

Image by HomeMaker from Pixabay

  • Colcannon
  • Dublin Coddle
  • Irish Champ
  • Irish Lamb Stew
  • Irish Soda Bread
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Guinness Cake

Watch St. Patrick’s Day Movies

St. Patrick’s Day is a great day for family movie night. (Yes, you and your cat count.) Make popcorn, eat green candies or order pizza. And watch a great movie to celebrate the day.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. Buy green carnations or pots of clover. Don’t forget to look for a lucky four-leaf clover.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

 

 

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25 Quotes for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is only a few days away. Do you need a quote, blessing, or a toast for St. Patrick’s Day? Check out the following St. Patrick’s Day quotes and sayings for inspiration.

Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay

  1. “St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time — a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic. —Adrienne Cook
  2. “May the roof above us never fall in. And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.”—Irish Blessing
  3. “Whether I drink often or just once in a while; I’m always sure to raise a glass to the dear old Emerald Isle.” — Pat Maloney
  4. “May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.”—Old Irish Blessing
  5. “You gotta try your luck at least once a day because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it.”—Jimmy Dean

    Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
  6. “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”—Irish Blessing
  7. “May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need the most.” —Irish Blessing
  8. “Ireland is a land of poets and legends, of dreamers and rebels.” –Nora Roberts
  9. “Luck is not chance / It’s Toil / Fortune’s expensive smile / Is earned.”—Emily Dickinson
  10. “Here’s to you and here’s to me, I pray that friends we’ll always be, but if by chance we disagree, the heck with you and here’s to me.” — Irish Toast
  11. “The list of Irish saints is past counting; but in it all, no other figure is so human, friendly, and lovable as St. Patrick.” — Stephen Gwynn

    Image by Geraldine Dukes from Pixabay
  12. “A best friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.” —Irish Proverb
  13. “Imagine if we were all magical leprechauns, and every wish ever made on a four-leaf clover obliged us to help others obtain their wishes. Now imagine if people simply lived like this were true.”—Richelle E. Goodrich
  14. “Friendship is one of the most tangible things in a world that offers fewer and fewer supports.” —Kenneth Branagh
  15. “For the whole world is Irish on the Seventeenth o’ March!” –Thomas Augustine Daly

    Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay
  16. “For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way: Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.”—Irish Blessing
  17. “Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.” –Pope John Paul II
  18. “Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.”—Norman Reedus, “The Boondock Saints”
  19. “Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don’t want to press your luck.” —Irish Proverb

    Image by kachi from Pixabay
  20. “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.” — Irish Blessing
  21. “St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate our green heritage. The ancestry of Ireland. It is a day to celebrate what it means to be Irish and of Irish descent.” — Anthony T. Hicks
  22. “May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road downhill all the way to your door.” —Irish Blessing
  23. “There is luck in leisure.” —Irish proverb

    Image by Ivan Ilijas from Pixabay
  24. “May you only grow old in the face, be treasured and cared for with grace.” —Irish blessing
  25. “I am of Ireland, / And the Holy Land of Ireland, / And time runs on’ cried she. / ‘Come out of charity / And dance with me in Ireland.” William Butler Yeats

    Image by Konrad Janik from Pixabay

 

March Drawing Prompts

Are you ready for new drawing prompts for March? Drawing is a great way to pass the time on rainy or snowy days. Set your creative skills in motion. Do not worry; no one will judge your drawings. Enjoy yourself or make drawing a family activity.

Drawing Prompts for March

  1. Pig (It is Pig Day!)
  2. Self-portrait
  3. Flags
  4. Favorite Animal
  5. Favorite Places to Go
  6. Favorite Food
  7. A Person or Role Model
  8. Woods or Trees
  9. Fruit
  10. Umbrella/Rain
  11. Princess/Prince
  12. Shades of Green
  13. Pot of Gold
  14. Rainbow
  15. Leprechaun
  16. Shamrocks
  17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
  18. Flowers
  19. Bird
  20. Spring
  21. Sunshine
  22. Scenic View
  23. Patterns
  24. Ladybugs
  25. Family
  26. House
  27. Toy
  28. Moon and Stars
  29. Clouds
  30. City
  31. Your Choice

March Photo Prompts

March brings St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Equinox, and much more. The warmer weather presents a perfect opportunity to get out and take pictures. Do you need some inspiration? Check out the following photo prompts.

  1. Selfie (The first day of the month calls for a new selfie or two)
  2. Out Your Window
  3. 9 am
  4. Flags
  5. Texture
  6. Sun Flare
  7. Reflections
  8. Distance
  9. Up Close
  10. Dusk
  11. Love
  12. Back Roads
  13. Landscape
  14. Light
  15. Warm and Fuzzy
  16. Green
  17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
  18. Angles
  19. Friendship
  20. Spring
  21. Flowers
  22. Nature
  23. Signs
  24. Patterns
  25. Street
  26. Similar
  27. Different
  28. Full Moon
  29. Silhouette
  30. Abstract
  31. Edible

25 Movies to Watch on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here. Are you in the mood to binge-watch romantic tales? Check out the following list of romantic movies to watch this Valentine’s Day.

  1. Valentine’s Day (2010)
  2. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
  3. Love & Basketball (2000)
  4. The Notebook (2004)
  5. P.S. I Love You (2007)
  6. Letters to Juliet (2010)
  7. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
  8. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
  9. Moonstruck (1987)
  10. Dirty Dancing (1987)
  11. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
  12. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
  13. Pretty in Pink (1986)
  14. Music and Lyrics (2007)
  15. Last Holiday (2006)
  16. She’s All That (1999)
  17. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
  18. Pretty Woman (1990)
  19. Say Anything (1989)
  20. Ghost (1990)
  21. A Walk to Remember (2002)
  22. Titanic (1997)
  23. Love, Simon (2018)
  24. 50 First Dates (2004)
  25. Love Actually

Are these movies not exactly what you are looking for this Valentine’s Day? You can always watch a fun childhood classic, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975).

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Valentine’s Day Journal Writing Prompts

When people think of February, Valentine’s Day often comes to mind. Celebrated yearly on February 14th, Valentine’s Day focuses on love. Whether you single, married for 50 years, or somewhere in between, Valentine’s Day can stir up a lot of emotions. Use the following writing prompts to explore your memories and thoughts surrounding Valentine’s Day.

  • On this upcoming Valentine’s Day, are you single, married, living with someone, or looking? Is this where you want to be? Why?
  • What are your thoughts about Valentine’s Day?
  • What is your definition of love?
  • Who is the love of your life?
  • Did you hand out Valentine’s Day as a child?
  • Did your parents celebrate Valentine’s Day? What did they do?
  • Describe your ideal date for Valentine’s Day.
  • In a relationship, how are you making this Valentine’s Day special?
  • How do you feel when you receive a Valentine’s Day card, chocolates, flowers, jewelry, or other gifts?
  • If money were not an object (or the pandemic), where would you like to spend Valentine’s Day? Why?
  • Who was your first date? Where did you go? What did you do?
  • Who was your first kiss? Describe the experience.
  • Did you date in high school? Why or why not?
  • Did you marry your high school or college sweetheart? Why or why not?
  • Are you currently married? How did your significant-other purpose to you?
  • Describe your wedding.
  • Are you single? Is this a lifestyle choice? Why or why not?

20 Quotes for Valentine’s Day

Are you ready for February 14th? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  The day is all about love. Are you trying to figure out the right words to write on a card?  Perhaps, the following quotes will provide the perfect inspiration.

  1. “Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” – Victor Hugo.
  2. “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you,” – Winnie the Pooh.
  3. “I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates,” – Maya Angelou.
  4. “To love and be loved is to the feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott.
  5. “Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Emily Bronte.
  6. “Love is the greatest refreshment in life.” – Pablo Picasso.
  7. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. / I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight / For the ends of being and ideal grace.” ­– Elizabeth Barrett Browning
  8. “There’s no bad consequence to loving fully, with all your heart. You always gain by giving love.” – Reese Witherspoon.
  9. “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love,” – William Shakespeare.
  10. “All that you are is all that I’ll ever need.” – Ed Sheeran.
  11. “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.” – Plato.
  12. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind.” – William Shakespeare.
  13. “There is no remedy for love but to love more,” – Henry David Thoreau.
  14. “You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known, but even that is an understatement,” – F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  15. “You are the answer to every prayer I’ve offered.” – Nicholas Sparks.
  16. “When you love someone all your saved-up wishes start coming out.” – Elizabeth Bowen.
  17. “Love is something eternal … The aspect may change but not the essence.” – Vincent Van Gogh.
  18. “You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.” – Albert Einstein.
  19. “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you … I could walk through my garden forever.” – Alfred Tennyson.
  20. “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”- Dr. Suess

 

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Self-Care Ideas for February

Between the winter months and the pandemic, self-care is essential for your physical and mental health. Even though your schedule may be chaotic at times, focusing on yourself will help alleviate stress. Try to set aside a little time every day just for you. Do you need some ideas for self-care? Check out the following list for self-care ideas for February.

  1. Stay hydrated at all times, drink plenty of liquids, especially water.
  2. Call (not text) a friend just to chat.
  3. Take a long warm bubble bath on a cold wintry evening.
  4. Go on a nature walk.
  5. Write in a journal.
  6. Write letters or send out homemade cards.
  7. Give yourself an in-home spa treatment.
  8. Drink a warm beverage, herbal tea, or hot cocoa with marshmallows.
  9. Binge-watch a series of movies or your favorite television show.
  10. Meditate or pray.
  11. Listen to soft music while wearing headphones to tune out the world around you.
  12. Turn down the lights, light candles, or use flameless ones.
  13. Buy yourself flowers.
  14. Happy Valentine’s Day! Eat the chocolates.
  15. Go for a hike. Even if you are just starting, many trails are for beginners.
  17. Get take-out from somewhere new.
  18. Feed the wild birds, just to be outdoors for a few minutes.
  19. Do you have snow? Make a snow angel or build a snowman.
  20. Try a new workout regiment.
  21. Watch the sunrise or sunset without any interruptions. Put your phone on silent just for a short time.
  22. Take a nap.
  23. Try a new dessert recipe.
  24. Skip social media for a day.
  25. Do something for someone else.
  26. Get outdoors and take photos.
  27. Get crafty. Dollar stores have inexpensive crafting supplies to get you started.
  28. Try something new.

February Journal Writing Prompts

Journal writing is a great way to get your thoughts down on paper (or on the computer). Set aside time each day to write. If you need inspiration, check out the following journal writing prompts for February.

  1. The second month of 2021 is here! How did January go for you? Your family? Work? School?
  2. What do you hope to accomplish this month? Try to write down at least 5 goals.
  3. Are you still working on your New Year’s resolutions? Or did you already break them? Go into details.
  4. Are you still facing restrictions due to the pandemic? What are your concerns right now?
  5. What makes you feel safe during this pandemic? Why?
  6. Did you get the vaccine? Why or why not?
  7. Do you plan on watching the Super Bowl tonight? Why or why not? What is your favorite part of the Super Bowl?
  8. What parts of your life would you like to change or make improvements? Why?
  9. Who inspires you at this time in your life? Why?
  10. Free write for at least 10 minutes. Set a timer.
  11. What do you love about your life right now? Work? School? Family? Provide details into each area.
  12. Write down your travel destinations. Write 5 big travel destinations. Then, write down 10 local ones. Why did you pick these?
  13. What was the best part of your day? Why?
  14. Happy Valentine’s Day! How did you spend your day? Did you do something special?
  15. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? Why?
  16. What is your best trait? Why?
  17. What are you doing for self-care? Make a list of current self-care routines. Now, add at least 5 more items to try.
  18. Pick a good friend or close family member. Write why this person is so important to you.
  19. Write a letter to someone you admire. (You don’t have to send it)
  20. Write down your 5 favorite songs. Why does each one of these songs mean so much to you?
  21. If you had a chance to act in any movie or television series (current or past), what would you pick? Why?
  22. Write about a time in your life when you felt special or honored?
  23. Write about a random childhood memory.
  24. Write about what you were doing at exactly 1pm. Use extreme details.
  25. Write a review of a local establishment.
  26. Write about a high school memory.
  27. Write about a difficult time in your life. How did you get through it?
  28. What are you looking forward to next week? Next month? For the remainder of the year?