Happy Special 21st July!

Flower of the Month

Larkspur

Gemstone of the Month: Ruby

Happy Birthday, Susan! Susan is Nomanda’s best friend and it is her birthday today so we wish you a lovely time on this your very own special day! We know that your life long partner (well it must seem that way sometimes!) has been up to his usual imaginative and generous tricks and if we’re not mistaken there’s a non stick pan, a toaster, and a greenhouse all on their way to you to make your day complete! It doesn’t get much more romantic than that! Susan loves cats, but will she admit to remembering this guy! Enjoy!


Remarkably, as Nomanda comes from Belgium, it is a double celebration today as it was on this day in 1831 that Belgium gained its independence from the Netherlands and hasn’t looked back since! The Dutch have always liked Belgium and particularly at this time of the year the city of Antwerp is covered with wall to wall Dutch enjoying the great food and beers on offer! They think it’s just “Lekker”!

The UK’s national museum of British and modern art opened on this day in 1897. Later and now known as the Tate Gallery after one of its Victorian benefactors the modern Tate is in fact a network of 4 different galleries and are all well worth a visit.



John Scopes, the teacher who taught the theory of evolution to his students was to discover as so many before and after him have learned that the law is sometimes just not at all “fair”. His defence evidence was disallowed by the judge so the jury having no evidence presented to them other than that of the prosecution found him “guilty” after a deliberation of just 7 minutes! Without being given the chance to protest or to admit any mitigating circumstances he was summarily fined $100. The so called “Monkey Trial” had closed on this day in 1925! It would run on and on and is today celebrated each year with a full circus event!

In an attempt to steal some of Neil Armstrong’s thunder the Russian Luna 15 crashed onto the moon surface the same day as he made his historic walk and speech. “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind”. The “What the **** was that?” as Luna 15 whistled over his head has been erased from the official transcript!



Flashing past all his rivals Eddie Merckx won his 5th Tour de France on this day in 1974. Going well and getting better!



The world’s strongest dog, a St Bernard weighing 80 kilos (that’s nearly as much as Nomanda weighs!) pulled a load of 2,909 kilos a distance of 27 metres on this day in 1978. Now I don’t think I could pull the load the full 27 metres, but I bet “Magnus” could!


Sharing his birthday with Susan today is the French priest and astronomer Jean Picard (1620 – 1682). No doubt the captain of the Star Ship Enterprise was named after him!


One of the classic American writers of the 20th Century, Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961) was born on this day. His bell tolled too soon.




Our final birthday wishes go to the actor Leigh Lawson (1945) who will be enjoying a glass or two of bubbly today with his lovely wife, Twiggy!



Happy Special Day to one and all!!



If you know someone who is celebrating their birthday, anniversary or a special day today or sometime soon why not send them a nice e-card so they get it as soon as they log on! Even better, why not send this page to your friend!
Don’t know what to get for a present? Think about what your special person enjoys doing and the things they like.


For Girls, I know that flowers and chocolates are a bit cliché but nevertheless they always seem to work! Of course, if your budget stretches that far, jewellery, watches, perfume and fashion items are always appreciated!

For Boys, all boys like toys! It’s just as they get older the toys get more expensive. So gadgets and gimmicky things work. Again, if you have the budget then car accessories, sporting equipment and clothes, and man type jewellery like watches and gold chains will go down very well!

And, if all else fails, you could always send them a gift voucher and they can choose whatever they want!

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special event today I hope you got lots of cards and presents and that there is someone special in your life who will make this day a very happy and special day for you.



Happy celebrations to you from the Happy Special Day Blog!!