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June is National Recycling Month Recycling has now become a word that everyone knows. Even little children are taught about recycling in school. Our grandparents didn't have many of the convenience items we have today, so they recycled without even knowing that they were doing it. For example, my grandfather painted pictures on old pieces of wood. He also went to the churches and other buildings which were being torn down, asked for the used pieces, especially of old organs, and built furniture from them. In fact, my computer rests on a bookcase built by my grandfather from old organ parts. Today's website has dozens of ideas of things to make from unneeded or unused things. The video is all about how to use discarded or unneeded items in your garden. I think these ideas will keep us busy for at least a month! Happy National Recycling Month!	Click on the picture and find all about Recycling Crafts and Projects Today's Video How To Recycle Household Items In The Garden

Click on the picture and find all about Gardening tips Perennials Today's Video How to Design a Perennial Garden : Color Schemes in a Perennial Garden	June is National Perennial Gardening Month Wow, June is almost over, but there's still time to talk about National Perennial Gardening Month, because you can work on this garden throughout the summer. When we lived in Grand Rapids, I have a very large perennial garden, with dozens of different types of flowers, grasses and ferns. Of course, that was when I was raising two little children and not employed, so I had plenty of time to spend there. It's still possible, though, to have a beautiful garden, especially if it consists of perennials. As opposed to annuals, which only last for one season and then die, your perennials just sleep peacefully under their blanket of snow in the winter. Then, in the spring, they wake up, stretch their leafy stems and branches, and turn their smiling faces toward the sun and the blue sky, offering you the same colorful treat as the year before. Why not plan a space in your yard for a perennial garden? You only have to buy the plants once, and they return year after year! Have fun!

June 28 is Handshake Day A handshake seems to be a worldwide greeting, especially in the business world. I remember a business meeting I attended each Thursday, and we were taught the proper way to shake hands. If you do it correctly, everything is fine, and no one really notices. But if you do it incorrectly, people will notice and may feel uncomfortable around you after that. If you know you'll find yourself meeting new people, be sure to read today's website and watch the video. You'll see several examples of a proper handshake. It seems so simple, but these handshakes are really very important. Use today, Handshake Day, to practice making people feel comfortable with you by learning to shake hands correctly. Let's shake on it!	Click on the picture and find all about Business Etiquette: 10 Tips on How to Shake Hands With Confidence Today's Video The perfect handshake

Click on the picture and find Four Tips On How To Buy A Pair Of Sunglasses Today's Video Sunglasses For Every Face	June 27 is Sunglasses Day Well, there is truly a holiday for everyone! Today is Sunglasses Day. Does that mean you can only wear them today? Absolutely not! Today's website explains the hazards of going without sunglasses. Many people think they're just a fashion accessory, but they're also important for the health of your eyes. Our eyesight is so precious, and yet so fragile, it pays to be very, very careful with our eyes. Sunglasses come in many different styles, of course. But just as it is not imperative to wear designer jeans, it is not imperative to wear designer sunglasses. The protection against UV rays is at least as important as the style. Today's video will help you choose the most flattering style for your face shape, though. With so many styles available, why not choose one that makes you look good? Help your eyes to celebrate Sunglasses Day by buying them a new pair. They'll love you for it!

June 25 is National Seafood Month June is National Seafood Month. It's a shame that seafood is so expensive, because I could eat it 2-3 times each week. If you've only tried McDonald's Fishwich, you haven't really tried seafood. When I was a kid, my dad would take us all to a restaurant on our birthday, and we could order anything we wanted. I always wanted lobster. The fresh taste of seafood almost makes you feel like you're sitting on a beach oceanside. The fragrance of the many types of meat is so delightful. I hope you'll try some of the recipes in today's video and website. Eating fresh seafood is healthy, and a delicious alternative to red meat. Have a delicious National Seafood Month!	Click on the picture and find all about Seafood Tips Today's Video BBQ Pit Boys Fish Stew Seafood Recipe

Click on the picture and find all about Picnics Today's Video sandwich surprise	June 24 is Great American Picnic Day A picnic is a great way to spend some time together outside. There are traditional picnic foods, but you can really pack anything you want. Some people like to bring along some lawn games, like croquet, Frisbee or lawn darts. Others just like to bring a blanket, spread it on the grass and lie on the ground, watching the clouds go by. I remember a picnic we had where we were grilling hot dogs at the park. We were arranging the other foods on the picnic table, and while we were waiting for the hot dogs to finish cooking, a seagull flew down and grabbed on of the hot dogs, then flew off with it! We couldn't believe it! I guess he thought he should have been invited to our picnic. Even if you're not in America, I hope you can enjoy a picnic sometime soon! Happy Great American Picnic Day!

June 23 is Typewriter Patented in 1868 I can still remember how proud I was to get my first typewriter for Christmas. I was in my teens, and of course, I used it all the time for school. I took typing in school in the 7th grade, so at the age of 12. Now, children learn to type as early as 2nd grade, or at 7. My typing class had a typewriter similar to the 1940s Royal Glasskey on each desk, except one. That desk had an electric typewriter. We used to fight for a chance to use it. They wanted to be sure we were ready for the future, so each person got a chance to try it. We felt like true techies! I'm so glad we no longer have to press the keys so forcefully like we did on a manual typewriter. But I'm even more thankful for the delete and backspace keys! No more starting over just because of one error. Enjoy your computer keyboard today, and breathe a small sigh of relief that the typewriter was patented in 1868!	Click on the picture and find An Ode To Typewriters Today's Video he Typewriter Leroy Anderson Martin Breinschmid with Strauß Festival Orchestra Vienna

Click on the picture and find many Camping Tips Today's Video 10 Mountains - "Tin Tent" Camping Tour of America's National Parks	June is National Camping Month Camping is such a wonderful way to spend a week or two in the summer. We used to go camping very often. We often chose national forests, because they were not official campsites. They were just wide-open spaces, and we could camp beside a brook or in the trees or wherever it looked interesting. My husband used to teach classes in wildness survival, so he knows how to choose wild-growing plants that are safe to eat, as well as how to survive in a place not inhabited by anyone else.
I particularly remember one summer when we camped in the White Pine River National Forest. We were in a clearing, and created a very beautiful campsite. It turned out that it was elk mating season, so all night, we listened to the beautiful sound of the bugling elk, calling to one another. Another time, when we woke up in the morning, all the spider webs between the trees were covered with the morning dew, and it seemed that we had woken up in a bejeweled fairyland. Being outside presents many beautiful memories for you and your family. Maybe you'll try camping this month. Hope you have fun!

June is Country Cooking Month Country Cooking describes a particular cooking style that includes specific recipes, most handed down from generation to generation. Each region has its own version of country cooking. Some are characterized by a certain seasoning or blend of seasonings. Some have to do with the cooking method, like grilling, frying, etc. Others are categorized by the area the recipes come from. This week's video shows how to cook green beans in the country style. The article includes many recipes, cooking styles, and includes lots of cooking vocabulary! You'll need the whole week to look at this site in depth. I hope you'll have a chance to try some of these recipes during this week. This holiday will be available here for the entire week, so you'll have time to try some of the recipes. Happy Country Cooking Month!	Click on the picture and find all about Country Cooking Month Today's Video Callie's Country Cooking Volume I - Green Beans - Callie Carson - Southern Cooking

Click on the picture and find Sweet Facts About Candy – Infographic Today's Video How to Make Peppermint Patties	June is National Candy Month Many people love candy. Some people prefer fruit-flavored candy, some like the mint flavors, some like the sour flavors, and some only like chocolate. What's your favorite? I have to tell you about the year I made stained glass candy to hang on our Christmas tree. It turned out perfect, a beautiful deep red color, and we hung the unique shapes on the tree, with a light behind each one to make it glow. In the middle of the night, we heard a loud crash! Our dog had decided that he liked the candy, and while trying to get it off the tree, tipped the tree over and broke most of the ornaments! Can you guess that I never tried that again? Have a tasty National Candy Month!

June 10 is Public Zoo Day A zoo is a wonderful place to become more familiar with animals that don't hang around our neighborhoods. It's not likely that any of us will be able to watch monkeys, zebras, elephants or meerkats unless we visit the zoo. My parents and grandparents took me to the zoo many, many times when I was young. Of course, then we took our kids many times. There's always something different going on. At our zoo in Grand Rapids, they have a nursery area where people can see the baby animals that have been born. There's also a marine display where they have a simulated tide coming in and going out, so people can see how that affects the wildlife. Today's video was made at the zoo that we always visit, and the webpage teaches you about many, many different animals. I am so thankful for all that I have been able to learn about animals at the zoo! Happy Public Zoo Day!	Click on the picture and find Top Animal Pictures and Fact Pages Today's Video An Inside look at John Ball Zoo

Click on the picture and read about Hot event in Sturbridge; 1830s-style kiln to light night sky Today's Video Aspinall Pottery	June 9 is in National Clay Week Skills like weaving and pottery have been part of the heritage of many countries. These skills developed to provide clothing and household goods before there were department stores or shopping malls. Eventually, these kinds of items were mass-produced, and the need for artisans like weavers and potters had disappeared. Thankfully, these skills have now become art forms. So these artists still provide beautiful, unique items that add a touch of originality to our lives. Watching today's video shows the entire process of creating a beautiful bowl from a lump of clay. Try creating something with clay this week. If you want to try making something from salt dough, mix 1 cup of fine salt and 1 cup of flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the mixture and add 1/2 cup of water. Knead until smooth and shape into a ball. You may need a little more water, but don't add too much or your clay will get sticky. Shape into anything you want! Happy sculpting this National Clay Week!

June 8 is career nurse assistants day Today is a day to pay tribute to nurse assistants. They are the ones who take care of the non-medical needs of patients. They are responsible for bathing, comforting, getting water or blankets or whatever will make the patient more comfortable. They also do the running for the nurses, such as retreiving supplies, stocking the cupboards, and anything else that will make the nurse's job easier. The usual setup in the hospital is one nurse assistant for each nurse. That makes things run as smoothly as possible. Being a nurse assistant is a very big job. It takes a lot of energy and emotional stamina. It can be very difficult at times, but a nurse assistant is expected to remain cheerful and helpful, no matter how difficult the patient's care may be. I'm so glad that there's a day to thank nurse assistants for all they do for their patients. If you see a nurse assistant today, be sure to tell them "Thanks!"	Click on the picture and read about The Official Certified Nursing Assistant Job Description Today's Video Health Science Careers - Certified Nursing Assistant

Click on the picture and read all about the Nutritional Facts of Chocolate Ice Cream Today's Video Chocolate Ice Cream Cone Song	June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day Mmm, National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! Can there be anyone who doesn't have at least one memory of eating chocolate ice cream? You know, that smooth, creamy, refreshing chocolate dessert? Maybe you had it in a cone, or maybe beside a piece of cake, or perhaps in a sundae with almonds and whipped cream on top. Any way you choose to eat it, it's just after vanilla in the list of favorite ice cream flavors. What? Worried about calories? 98% fat free ice cream has almost twice as many calories as rich chocolate ice cream, and it includes artificial sweeteners. I'll take mine in original form, please! Today's website will explain the other health benefits of chocolate ice cream. And the video? Well, it's a little different than you might expect. Take a look! Live it up! Have a couple of scoops of chocolate ice cream today!

June 6 is Drive-In Movie Day Today is the 78th birthday of the drive-in movie. I can remember all of us kids taking a bath, getting into our pajamas, then heading off to the drive-in. If we fell asleep in the back seat of the car, it was not problem. But we normally stayed awake. It was cozy and comfy to be together in the car, eating popcorn and being entertained by the huge movie screen, with the speakers hanging on the windows of our car. Today's website explains more of the details of the history of the drive-in theater. There are not many of them left nowadays. It's sad, but I guess even some good things are only meant to be for a certain time in history. Happy Birthday, Drive-In Movies!	Click on the picture and read: America's Drive-In Movie Theater Turns 78 Today's Video Drive-in Documentary

Click on the picture and read all about the Hot air balloon Today's Video Up Up And Away In My Beautiful Balloon	June 5 is Hot Air Balloon Day Hot air balloons have held a fascination for people for a long, long time. Maybe it's a combination of the free feeling of being able to fly, but in the safety of the "basket". Hot air balloons come in such beautiful colors, and they look so peaceful floating through the sky. There are many hot air balloon festivals across America, and they are always well-attended. Today's website tells the history of hot air balloons, and the video is about a variation of the concept. It's pretty interesting! Enjoy learning about hot air balloons today. Maybe you'll even take a ride in one!

June 4 is Cheese Day "Say CHEESE!" This is what photographers always tell us when they're about to snap our picture, because it makes it look like we're smiling. It has been used for so long that now the phrase say cheese means smile. There's another reason that I smile when I say cheese. It's because I love cheese! There are so many types of cheese, I don't know how anyone could not find at least one kind to love. Some cheeses, especially the lowfat varieties, are very healthy foods, and the one's that aren't lowfat are tasty treats to have now and then. So find your favorite way to eat cheese, and have a Happy Cheese Day!	Click on the picture and read the Top 10 fascinating facts about Cheese Today's Video How it's Made: Cheese

Click on the picture and read all about Celebrating National Audio Book Month Today's Video Dune - Creating The Audiobooks	June is Audiobook Month Happy Audiobook Month! Audiobooks are wonderful for those who are blind, but they're equally loved by learners of English, those who are native speakers and just love a good story, and those who need to stay awake while driving. There are many websites which offer audiobooks, as well as libraries, and, of course, they're available at Amazon. And, guess what? The husband of our new tutor, Becky, reads audiobooks for two different companies. In the near future, you'll be able to listen to an interview between Tom Parks and Julie as one of the learning activities on the membership site! When all nine of our children were home, we had to drive quite a ways to school. In order to keep peace in the car, I rented audiobooks from the library, and they all listened with rapt attention all the way to school in the morning and back home in the afternoon. Thank you, audiobooks!!! Have a wonderful and interesting Audiobook Month!

June 2 is in National Fishing Week Do you love fishing? Have you ever been deep-sea fishing? Fishing is a wonderful sport. It also provides some very healthy meals if you're a successful fisherman. I love fishing, but not as much as my cousin, Kim. She and her husband have made it their profession to be fishing guides. Today's website shows you their wonderful place in Terrace, BC, Canada. What fun it would be to go on one of their tours and see the beautiful mountains and wild animals while fishing. I hope, if you haven't tried it, that you'll find time to at least read about fishing this week, National Fishing Week, and to think about trying it. I think you'll be glad you did! Happy National Fishing Week!	Click on the picture and read about the Z-BOAT LODGE RIVER GUIDES Today's Video Informative Fisherman - Beginner Introduction to fishing

Click on the picture and find lots of American Art Today's Video Andrew Wyeth	June 1 is Artists of America Day Today is a day to feature American artists. Have you ever heard of Norman Rockwell? How about Grandma Moses? There are many, many famous artists from America, just as there are in other countries. What does "artist" mean? While it can mean other forms of art, today it means visual art, such as painting, photography, sculpture, sketching, and so on. Today's website provides a history of art in America, as well as several links to the works of some American artists. The website is a slideshow of the art of Andrew Wyeth, one of my favorite artists. I love the emotion he portrays in his artwork, and the soft, subtle colors. I hope you like it too! Try painting, sketching or sculpting something today to celebrate Artists of America Day!