Happy Special 24th July Day!

Gemstone of the Month

Ruby

Flower of the Month: Larkspur

As all taxpayers know governments can be imaginative when conjuring up new ways to raise taxes. However in 1696 William III and his tax advisors take first prize for imagination when they introduced the “window tax”. I guess it was designed to fall on the better off tax paying members of the population as it only came in on houses with more than 6 windows. The tax was 2 shillings for houses with 7 – 9 windows and a massive 4 shillings for houses with 10 – 19 windows. Of course as soon as a tax is introduced there are a bunch of accountants and lawyers trying to find a way to avoid paying it! They had the great idea of “blocking in” the excess windows to fall below the levy minimum! There are still houses to be seen today in the UK where these blocked up windows have not been re-opened! However panic not and put your bricks and mortar away as the tax was abolished on this day in 1851 ……… to be replaced by the “House Duty” tax. There’s no escape! Daylight robbery if you ask me!

Nomanda’s blog is a celebration of Happy Special Days and it is with great joy that we announce the anniversary of the first greetings telegram sent on this day in 1935. Of course things have moved on a bit since then and if you want to send your special someone a greetings message what better way than sending them a copy of this blog!

Bob Dylan, one of the leading lights of the ‘60’s released his song “Like a Rolling Stone” on this day in 1965 and it still sounds just as good today! I wonder if it was this song that influenced Mick Jagger and his mates in the choice of their group’s name.



Rolling along on his way to his record breaking 7th consecutive win of the Tour de France on this day in 2005 was the incredible Lance Armstrong. It was to be his last race and he ended his career on top! Well done, Lance!


First up for birthday honours is the celebrated French author Alexandre Dumas (1802 – 1870). The popularity of his historical novels such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” have made him one of the most widely read French authors outside of France. Great books for boys of all ages!


Living a life of ripping yarns the aviator Amelia Earhart (1898 – 1937) was born on this day. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and her plane went missing over the Pacific on 2nd July 1937 during her attempt to fly around the world. The mystery surrounding her disappearance is still unsolved.


Sir Trevor Chinn (1935) will be celebrating his birthday today. He was appointed MD of Lex Plc at the tender age of just 33 having worked his way through all the departments and positions of his father’s business. That relationship may have helped his rapid rise through the ranks! A remarkable motivator of his troops, Nomanda who once worked for this great man, wishes him the greatest of choices for his birthday bash so he can make the best decision on how he wants to spend it!

I wonder if Jim McCarty (1943) will be asked to play at Sir Trevor’s bash. If so, he may give a rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man”!



Two fine looking women share their birthday today. Lynda Carter (1951) the indomitable “Wonder Woman” and Jennifer Lopez (1970) the current version! Let’s have a song from Jennifer!



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!!