Holiday List - August 2016

August 2016 

1 - National Psychic Day / US Air Force Day

2 - National Coloring Book Day

3 - National Watermelon

4 - National Chocolate Chip Day

5 - International Beer Day / National Homemade Pie Day

6 - National Fresh Breath Day

7 - Sea Serpent Day

8 - International Cat Day

9 - National Rice Pudding Day

10 - National Duran Duran Appreciation

11 - Play in the Sand Day

12 - Vinyl Record Day

13 - International Lefthander's Day

14 - National Creamsicle Day

15 - National Relaxation Day

16 - National Rollercoaster Day / National Rum Day

17 - National Thrift Shop

18 - Bad Poetry Day

19 - International Orangutan Day

20 - Lemonade Day

21 - Poet's Day

22 - Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

23 - National Sponge Cake Day

24 - Knife Day

25 - National Whiskey Sour Day

26 - National Dog Day

27 - Banana Lovers Day

28 - Go Topless Day

29 - More Herbs, Less Salt Day

30 - National Toasted Marshmallow Day

31 - National Trail Mix Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - July 2016

July 2016 

1 - International Joke Day

2 - International Cherry Pit Spitting Day

3 - Compliment Your Mirror Day

4 - Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Day

5 - National Apple Turnover Day

6 - International Kissing Day

7 - Tell the Truth Day

8 - Coca Cola Day

9 - National Sugar Cookie Day

10 - Pina Colada Day

11 - Cheer Up the Lonely Day / Slurpee Day

12 - National Pecan Pie Day

13 - Gruntled Workers Day

14 - International Nude Day

15 - Cow Appreciation Day

16 - National Hot Dog Day

17 - National Ice Cream Day

18 - National Get Out of the Doghouse Day

19 - Stick Your Tongue Out Day

20 - National Lollipop Day / International Cake Day

21 - National Junk Food Day

22 - Pied Piper of Hamlin Day

23 - Hot Enough for Ya Day / Gorgeous Grandma Day

24 - Tell an Old Joke Day / National Tequila Day

25 - Merry-Go-Round Day

26 - National Coffee Milkshake Day

27 - Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day

28 - National Chili Dog Day

29 - National Chicken Wing Day

30 - National Dance Day

31 - Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - May 2016

May 2016 

1 - National Bubba Day

2 - Robert's Rules of Order Day

3 - National Teacher Day

4 - Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You)

5 - National Day of Prayer / Cinco de Mayo

6 - No Diet Day

7 - World Naked Gardening Day

8 - Mother's Day / No Socks Day

9 - National Moscato Day

10 - Clean Up Your Room Day

11 - Eat What You Want Day / Hostess Cupcake Day

12 - Limerick Day

13 - Blame Someone Else Day / National Apple Pie Day

14 - National Chicken Dance Day

15 - Straw Hat Day

16 - National Sea Monkey Day

17 - National Cherry Cobbler Day

18 - Visit Your Relatives Day / I Love Reeses Day

19 - Circus Day

20 - Eliza Doolittle Day / National Pizza Party Day

21 - National Waitstaff Day / Do Dah Day

22 - Neighbor Day

23 - National Taffy Day

24 - International Tiara Day

25 - National Tap Dance Day / National Wine Day

26 - Red Nose Day

27 - Cellophane Tape Day

28 - National Hamburger Day

29 - Learn About Composting Day

30 - Memorial Day

31 - World No Tobacco Day / What You Think Upon Grows Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - January 2016

January 2016 

1 - Happy New Year!

2 - National Buffet Day

3 - Drinking Straw Day

4 - World Hypnotism Day

5 - National Bird Day

6 - Bean Day

7 - Harlem Globetrotter's Day

8 - Bubble Bath Day

9 - National Static Electricity Day

10 - Stephen Foster Day

11 - Milk Day

12 - National Poetry at Work Day

13 - Rubber Duckie Day

14 - Dress Up Your Pet Day

15 - Hat Day

16 - Appreciate a Dragon Day

17 - Popeye Day

18 - Thesaurus Day

19 - Popcorn Day

20 - National Disc Jockey Day / Penguin Awareness Day

21 - National Hugging Day / Squirrel Appreciation Day

22 - Answer Your Cats Questions Day

23 - National Handwriting Day / National Pie Day

24 - Belly Laugh Day / Beer Can Day / National Compliment Day

25 - National Irish Coffee Day

26 - Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement

27 - Thomas Crapper Day

28 - National Kazoo Day

29 - National Puzzle Day / Fun at Work Day

30 - Inane Answering Machine Message Day

31 - Backwards Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Dancing in the Kitchen

Photo by Joann Comeens

I ask if there is anything I can do. I really mean it, too. Of course, I have been sitting here doing nothing for ten minutes. She calls me hon and reminds me she does this every day. She tells me I’m fine just where I sit. Her sweet smile tells me she really means it, too.

So, I watch and sip my coffee. Good, strong coffee, too. Not that fancy coffee from the corner place. But then, here, there is no corner place. Small-town Alabama doesn’t have corner places.

She checks the bacon. It’s cooking on one of those indoor grills that boxer guy sells on television late at night. I wonder if she saw it when she couldn’t sleep or if someone else saw it and gave it to her for her birthday, or Christmas. Probably Mother’s Day. The bacon’s fine.

She moves across the floor. A measuring cup pours flour into a mixing bowl. A bit of milk, a pinch of salt (or maybe it’s a dash). Baking powder – the one with the girl on the can, I’m almost certain. Now, with the bowl in the crook of her left arm, and a fork in her right hand, she stirs vigorously until there is dough – sticky, but not wet. Her small hand spreads enough flour on the counter to keep the dough from sticking and begins to knead. A small, round cutter forms biscuits that go straight onto a baking sheet and right into the oven. 

Back to check the bacon. A few flips of the wrist and all the strips are sizzling on the flip side.

I like my eggs fried, over-medium, so that’s what I tell her when she asks. A small skillet. A little shortening. Not oil – actual shortening. She says she’s not sure how the eggs will turn out, but she’ll try. I know they’ll be wonderful, and I tell her so.

Grits are a southern staple. My mouth is watering already. She measures water into the pan and adds the ground corn. The water boils, the ground corn becomes soft. She adds butter and salt. I wonder if it really can get much better than this.

The bacon is done. She moves it onto a plate near the stove to keep it warm while the eggs cook. She makes fried eggs, over-medium, for each of us girls. He likes his scrambled. He eats them the same way every day. I tell her she should have told me he was having scrambled and I would have had the same. I don’t want to put you out. She smiles and says if she didn’t want to know how I like my eggs, she wouldn’t have asked. She eats hers hard boiled. 

She spoons the grits into a bowl that goes directly into the center of the table next to the bacon. She sets each plate with eggs in front of each of us. Jelly – apple, strawberry, peach, plum – all homemade, all stored in the jelly cabinet, for the biscuits. Oh, the biscuits. Hot, soft, delicate. She asks if we need anything – more coffee? Juice? Milk? I’m not a milk drinker, but I do take more coffee.

She moves to the table and finally joins us. She passes the biscuits. There is grace in those biscuits – her warm hug, her easy laugh, her gentle way – all right there on the table to share with us. As I fill my plate, I know, yes, I am just fine where I sit. It’s the finest seat in the house. Front row, center. I am in the audience for one of the most beautiful dances I’ve ever seen. I almost weep. I don’t know if I will ever again see a dance so breathtaking.

Much love and lots of biscuits,
~ME:)

Holiday List - December 2015

December 2015

1 - Basketball Day

2 - Giving Tuesday / National Mutt Day

3 - National Roof Over Your Head Day

4 - National Cookie Day

5 - Annual Day of the Ninja

6 - Mitten Tree Day

7 - National Cotton Candy Day

8 - Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

9 - Weary Willie Day

10 - Dewey Decimal System Day

11 - National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

12 - National 12-hour Fresh Breath Day

13 - National Cocoa Day

14 - Monkey Day

15 - Cat Herders Day

16 - National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

17 - Wright Brothers' Day

18 - Underdog Day

19 - Oatmeal Muffin Day

20 - Games Day

21 - Crossword Puzzle Day

22 - National Haiku Poetry Day

23 - Festivus

24 - National Egg Nog Day

25 - Christmas

26 - National Whiner's Day

27 - Visit the Zoo Day

28 - Card Playing Day

29 - Tick Tock Day

30 - Bicarbonate of Soda Day

31 - Make Up Your Mind

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - November 2015

November 2015

1 - Give Up Your Shoulds Day

2 - Cookie Monster Day

3 - Sandwich Day

4 - Use Your Common Sense Day

5 - National Men Make Dinner Day

6 - National Nachos Day / Saxophone Day

7 - Sausage and Kraut Day

8 - Abet and Aid Punsters Day

9 - Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day

10 - Area Code Day

11 - Veteran's Day

12 - World Architecture Day

13 - World Kindness Day

14 - National Pickle Day

15 - National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

16 - Button Day

17 - Homemade Bread Day

18 - Push-Button Phone Day

19 - Have a Bad Day Day / World Toilet Day / Great AmericanSmokeout Day

20 - Name Your PC Day

21 - World Hello Day

22 - Mother Goose Day

23 - National Cashew Day

24 - Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day

25 - International Hat Day

26 - Thanksgiving / National Cake Day

27 - You're Welcomegiving Day

28 - National Day of Giving

29 - Electronic Greetings Day

30 - Stay Home Because You're Well Day / Nat'l Meth Awareness

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - August 2015

August 2015

1 - National Mustard Day
2 - National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3 - National Watermelon Day
4 - National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
5 - National Underwear Day
6 - National Root Beer Float Day
7 - Homemade Pie Day
8 - National Bowling Day
9 - National Polka Day
10 - National Duran Duran Appreciation
11 - Play in the Sand Day
12 - Vinyl Record Day
13 - International Lefthander's Day
14 - National Creamsicle Day
15 - World Honey Bee Day
16 - National Tell a Joke Day
17 - National Thrift Shop
18 - Bad Poetry Day
19 - Potato Day
20 - National Radio Day
21 - Hug Your Boss Day
22 - International Tongue Twister Day
23 - Go Topless Day
24 - National Waffle Iron Day
25 - National Whiskey Sour Day
26 - National Cherry Popsicle Day
27 - Banana Lovers Day
28 - World Daffodil Day
29 - Lemon Juice Day
30 - National Toasted Marshmallow Day
31 - National Trail Mix Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Holiday List - July 2015

July 2015

1 - International Joke Day
2 - I Forgot Day / Made in the USA Day
3 - Compliment Your Mirror Day
4 - Independence Day / Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Day
5 - International Cherry Pit Spitting Day
6 - International Kissing Day
7 - Tell the Truth Day
8 - Video Games Day
9 - National Sugar Cookie Day
10 - Pina Colada Day
11 - Cheer Up the Lonely Day / Slurpee Day
12 - Simplicity Day
13 - Gruntled Workers Day
14 - International Nude Day
15 - Gummi Worm Day
16 - Get to Know Your Customers Day
17 - Yellow Pig Day
18 - National Hot Dog Day
19 - National Ice Cream Day
20 - National Lollipop Day
21 - National Junk Food Day
22 - Pied Piper of Hamlin Day
23 - Hot Enough For Ya Day / Gorgeous Grandma Day
24 - Tell an Old Joke Day / National Tequila Day
25 - National Day of the Cowboy
26 - National Coffee Milkshake Day
27 - Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day / Walk on Stilts Day
28 - National Milk Chocolate Day
29 - National Chicken Wing Day
30 - Paperback Book Day
31 - Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day

Aaaand, here is the disclaimer. As I've said before, I do not make up these holidays. These are all real holidays, celebrated somewhere in the world (mostly the US, and when at all possible, Texas - I like to keep it local). Some days have more than one holiday - I am aware of this, and I have chosen the one I like best. It was my idea to post the holidays for you, so I get to pick. Mainly though, because, which would you rather celebrate, World Choral Day or Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day (Dec 8)? Sure, about three of you said World Choral Day because you have really nice singing voices and like to sing in public (sorry). The rest of us will be acting like we just showed up from the future and are looking for a flux capacitor. What I mean to say is, if you don't like the holiday, just wait until the next day - I'm sure it will be better suited for you.

Big Tex, Fried Foods and ME!

<click here for video>

We interrupt your irregularly unscheduled programming of Fitness Friday to bring you this important announcement...I am running for public office. Wait, no I'm not. But I AM in the running to be a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards at the Great State Fair of Texas.

As you know, we have The Sparks Agency Fair Day at work every year. We take the day off work and head to the State Fair. We start the day with a Fletcher's Corny Dog, eaten at the feet of Big Tex, of course. Then, we make our way around the fairgrounds, seeking out the current year's fried food finalists, and judging for ourselves whether we agree with the Best Tasting and Most Creative selections. 

For the past five or six years, I've been trying to figure out how to become a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been told that 'they' select judges who are local celebrities. Previous judges have been Mike Hashimoto & Jacquielynn Floyd, from the Dallas Morning News, Corby Davidson & Donovan Lewis, from The Ticket, and Representative Eric Johnson and Andrea Rega (I don't even know who she is!). Those people are celebrities?...pshh. I'll have you know, I've been on Animal Planet (with Speed Bump), on Texas Country Reporter (I met Muffin from Peppermint Place once) and in a car dealership commercial (Randall Noe Ford/Dodge). I'm about 3 1/2 minutes into my 15 minutes of fame. I'm not sure why I'm not "celebrity" enough. 

Not to worry, though. All that makes no difference now. For the 10-year anniversary of the Big Tex Choice Awards, the State Fair is opening the judging table for a citizen, for a fan of the fried food, for a friend of the fair, for --- ME! Well, almost me, anyway.

I need your help. To enter the contest, I submitted a 60 second video explaining why I will be the best judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been selected as a finalist, and now State Fair Fans (YOU!) have an opportunity to cast your vote for your favorite video (MINE!) and decide who will be representing fairgoers (ME!) on the judging panel. Voting is open between 9:00am on August 15 and 5:00pm on August 18. As they say, vote early and vote often (or at least as often as they'll let you). 

Click here for a link to watch the video and vote now!

It's a short video - they only gave me 60 seconds. I'll tell ya, a minute is a LONG time to do jump squats, but not nearly enough time to list all the reasons why I should be a judge. Here are some that fell on the cutting room floor...

• Not only am I a Native Texan, I grew up in Oak Cliff (where fried food was the only kind of food there was.)
• When the fried choices dwindled on the menu, my parents wisely moved us to East Texas, where fried will never die. 
• Prior knowledge of the layout of Fair Park leads to a near-perfect route, culminating in a ride back on the Texas SkyWay.
• The Butter Sculpture has included Armadillos.
• I cried (real tears, even) when Big Tex caught on fire.
• I fully support Go Texan (and have t-shirts to prove it).
• The Sparks Agency Fair Day includes an open invitation to all our friends to meet us at Big Tex to get the day started.
• I am awestruck by the Texas Star.
• I've made a pilgrimage to Kerens, Texas, the birthplace of Big Tex.
• I've met Miss Fernie, the brilliant mind that brought the Funnel Cake to the Great State Fair of Texas.
• Celebrities are not the only people who know good food when they taste it.
• I know where to buy Shiner Bock for the fewest number of coupons.
• I make sure to ride the Dentzel Carousel every year. 
• I know where the Dodge Mechanical Bull is located. 
• I once rode the DART rail to The Sparks Agency Fair Day.
• I am a TEXpert.

If you haven't already watched the video, go now. Hurry! And vote. 

Why I Should Be a Judge at the Big Tex Choice Awards Video

Cast

MaryEllen Miller - MaryEllenMiller

Fork Guy on Left - Glenn Hillin

Fork Guy on Right - Sparky Sparks

Big Tex Awards Finalists Tasters - Swift Sparks III

                                                                      Melody Tarno

                                                                     Robin "Skinny" Reynolds

                                                                          Matt Loving

                                                                          Dave McConnell

                                                                                                              Sparky Sparks                                    

                                                                           Glenn Hillin

Lead Racing Armadillo - Speed Bump

Mascot Armadillo Racer - Raider Red

Director - Sparky Sparks

Writer(s) - Glenn Hillin, Sparky Sparks, MaryEllen Miller

Executive Producer - The Sparks Agency

Director of Photography- Glenn Hillin
Production Designer - Sparky Sparks
Costumes - Jan Sparks
Craft Services - Becka Brown
This video was made on location at The Sparks Agency, entirely during business hours. 
No armadillos were harmed during the filming of this video.
Characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are completely real, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any fictitious person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

Thank you for your votes. 

With warm, deep fried regards, 

~ME:)