Welcome to the odd and whimsical poetery of the Peeps related to holidaze! Let’s investigate what today is, because we need all the holidays we can celebrate, right?
Today is many holidays! So I will pick out a couple, and you can click the link above if you’re curious about the rest. Plus I need to comment about tomorrow! This is an open thread, so please feel free to add your favorite illustrated pomes for today in the Comments!
National Hugging Day was started in 1986 by Kevin Zaborney, who also created National Whiner's Day. January 21st was chosen as the day since it falls halfway between the day between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, and Valentine's Day, and is a time of year when few people are in a good mood…. Hugging has many benefits. It releases oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with happiness. Similarly, it lowers cortisol levels, which alleviates stress and helps lower the heart rate. It also stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates the production of white blood cells and helps keep you healthy. Those are all good reasons to spend the day hugging!
[They also note, be sure to ask permission, especially before hugging strangers!]
“We not strangers, we familee!”
by Shel Silverstein
I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.
[Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) is known as a "unique" writer, cartoonist and singer. His published books include Where the Sidewalk Ends and Falling Up.]
Who says you need arms to hug?
Taking place in the dead of winter, when food for squirrels and other animals can be scarce, Squirrel Appreciation Day acknowledges the role of squirrels in nature and encourages people to put out nuts, seeds, or other food for them. It was created in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, now Christy McKeown, who at the time was a freshman at UNC-Asheville, a wildlife rehabilitator affiliated with the Western North Carolina Nature Center, and runner of the now-defunct Squirrels R Us website. She wrote that people could simply "celebrate by putting out extra food for the squirrels."
by Muhammed Iqbal
A mountain was saying this to a squirrel
"Commit suicide if you have self-respect
You are insignificant, still so arrogant, how strange!
You are neither wise, nor intelligent! not even shrewd!
It is strange when the insignificant pose as important!
When the stupid ones like you pose as intelligent!
You are no match in comparison with my splendor
Even the earth is low compared with my splendor
The grandeur of mine does not fall to your lot
The poor animal cannot equal the great mountain!"
On hearing this the squirrel said, "Hold your tongue!
These are immature thoughts, expel them from your heart!
I do not care if I am not large like you!
You are not a pretty little thing like me
Everything shows the Omni-potence of God
Some large, some small, is the wisdom of God
He has created you large in the world
And He has taught me climbing large trees
You are unable to walk a single step
Only large size! What other greatness have you?
If you are large show me some of the skills I have
Show me how you break this beetle nut as I can
Nothing is useless in this world
Nothing is bad in God's creation.
[Muhammed Iqbal (1877-1938) was a controversial and acclaimed poet of India and Pakistan. He was knighted in 1922. Some of his books have been translated into English and are still available at GoodReads, amongst others.]
Squirrel smarter than mountain!
(h/t officebss)
Answer Your Cat's Questions Day is a facetious holiday when people with cats are to look at them and meditate on what they think they are trying to ask them, and then answer the cat's questions. This day seems to follow the commonly held belief that cats aren't very communicative with humans. However, cats do try to communicate with humans, it's just that we can't always accurately interpret what they are trying to tell us.
and so I will facetiously try free-form poetry
in honor of answer cat’s questions day
My cats ask, “Why must you leave the apartment?”
I answer, “I have to go buy food to feed you.”
My cats ask, “Why can’t you provide a lap 24/7?”
I answer, “If I don’t work, eat, and exercise, I won’t be here for you.”
My cats ask, “Why don’t you feed us every time we ask?”
I answer, “You have four choices. I’m not letting it all go to waste.”
My cats ask, “Why can’t we eat your food?”
I answer, “Hoomin food is pootie poison.”
My cats ask, “Why is it so cold in here?”
I answer, “I’m sweating and you have fur coats. You’ll be fine.”
Finally, my cats ask, “Why do we have the same old toys?”
I dig into the toy box and present them with something new. Joy!
New toys must be rubbed on face!
Please to remember that Pootie Diaries post twice a day!
The regular Pootie Diaries post daily at 1:45 pm Eastern (on Sundays at 3 pm Eastern)
and the evening Open Thread Pootie Diaries post at 10 pm Eastern
Please to show ‘em both some lubs!
In Loving Memory of Swampyankee:
Grab the kitten belleh! (h/t PinotBlue)
And almost finally, please note da roolz:
PWBPeeps is a group that posts a daily diary and nightly open thread for animal lovers. We share photos, seek & give advice about pet health and behavior issues, support each other in times of sadness and stress, celebrate together when times are good, and on most days have an inordinate amount of fun.
Tricia, we’ll always miss ya!
You are welcome to join us!
Here are a few not-too-onerous PWB rulez
Violate ‘em and we’ll say that you drulez
- Do not “Troll” the Pootie Peeps Diaries. If you don’t like animal diaries, there’s no need to tell us about it. Just go find some other diary more to your liking.
- Whatever happens in the outer blog STAYS in the outer blog. As in, no pie fights. This is a place to relax and play; please treat it accordingly.
- If you would like a pic from the comment threads, please ask the poster. He/she may have a copyright to those pics. Many thanks!
- There are some pics we never post: Snakes, creepy crawlies, any and all photos that depict or encourage human cruelty toward animals. These are considered “out of bounds” and will not be tolerated.
- If you’re not sure about an issue...please ask. Someone is always glad to help.
For those who missed our Earth Day special, Climate Change helpful hints from the aminals are here!
If you are looking for our illustrated poetery, we will keep here da list!:
Srs Ogden Nash (and Other) Poetry for December 31, New Year’s Eve, Illustrated! (At the end of which is the list of all our illustrated Ogden Nashes.)
Srs Not-Srs Poetry for January 7, Illustrated! (Marge Piercy, Twisted Sister)
Srs Not-Srs Poetry for January 14, Illustrated! (Ogden Nash, Francesco Marciuliano)
This is an open thread! Please chat away in the Comments. Enjoy!
PLEASE NOTE: Your humble diarist is NR, so consider yourselves +1 as long as you behave! ;-)
