SUN FUN - AUGUST 6, 2023

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023

IT IS AUGUST!!!

The full moon on Aug. 1 is the second of four supermoons in the summer of 2023, with the next, the Full Blue Moon, falling on Aug. 30. August is an exciting month for moon lovers, with the summer month opening and closing with a supermoon. The moon's orbit around the earth varies; when the moon is closer to the planet - and is a full moon - it is a super moon.

A Blue Moon is when there are two full moons in a month. So, "once in a blue moon" means a somewhat rare event.   There are 13 full moons in a year.

August is also a special day for left-handed people.

International Left-Handers Day is August 13th. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique qualities of left-handed people. So to all the left-handers out there, this one's to you.

And perhaps the best one of all – August 10th is National Lazy Day for anyone to justify being a sluggard. 

Here are some other strange celebrations: National Tell a Joke Day (August 16), Kiss and Make-Up Day (August 25), and Just Because Day (August 27).

August is the only month without a holiday (or Federal Holiday)  or special event. (I'm counting St. Patrick's Day (March) and Halloween (October) as 'special events').

THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER OCCURS IN AUGUST.

The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the most popular meteor showers. It usually peaks around August 11th to 13th, can be visible from most parts of the world, and draws many stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.

If you are looking for date ideas, try stargazing on these days and appreciate the spectacular display of shooting stars with your partners.

AUGUST IS NATIONAL PEACH MONTH

This month-long celebration of the delicious and juicy fruit is a summertime favorite for many people. Whether you prefer your peaches fresh, cooked, or baked into a dessert, August is the perfect time to savor this sweet and juicy fruit. 

Another quick fun fact: Did you also know that Georgia is also known as the "Peach State" due to its high production of peaches?

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS BACK
(And college football will start in August as well)

Dallas Cowboys' last Superbowl Victory was in 1996. (Of course, the Minnesota Vikings haven't won any Superbowl titles - but have played in the Superbowl four times).

I like football and can waste most fall Saturdays and Sundays watching games. It is good not to have it on. My apartment complex has an exercise room. In front of the treadmill is a television set. Somebody programmed most channels with adult permission code requirements - IN SPANISH!!! I take my headphones when I use the treadmill and can listen to an audiobook or music.  

I like the sports channels on the exercise room televisions - enough action to keep me from looking at my mileage every five seconds - and yet, I can mute the sound and listen to my book or music.

I have a television in my apartment (given to me by a friend). I don't have cable. I got a device that hangs on my outside wall, and I can get about 20 channels - including ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS. So, I can see football in the fall on some of my channels. I don't have ESPN (or ESPN2) 

For professional football, my favorite teams are Green Bay (I wonder if I like that they traded Aaron Rodgers away), Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys (mostly so I can understand what others are talking about.)

For college football, I like Nebraska and Texas. I'll watch other games - more out of boredom than anything else.

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AGED CARE EMPLOYEE DAY - August 7, 2023 

Aged Care Employee Day takes place on August 7 every year and celebrates the workers who care for older people. Caring for the aged individuals living through their twilight years takes extraordinary skill, patience, and heart. Thus, the day is an appreciation for the nurses, care workers, drivers, chefs, cleaners, and volunteers who are always on call to ensure our seniors receive the company and the assistance they need.

I've enjoyed my work at the Wesleyan Senior Center. I've worked in Independent Living, Assessed Living, Memory Care, and Long term care. My sister lived close to my parents as they aged and visited them frequently. I'm paying back to society for the care they received.  

I do see residents who have no visitors. For example, BM has a son in Ohio and a daughter in New Mexico that rarely visit. (And she'll turn 100 this fall!!!)

I see TL twice a week for two hours each time. I first served her in the Independent living facility, then in Memory Care, and now in the Skilled Nursing area. Lately, she has needed to be fed (although she can provide for herself). A mild stroke a while back affected her speech, so she doesn't talk much. We play checkers, and I also play Big Band and 50's music (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Diana Shore, Nat King Cole) while we play checkers as a kind of music therapy.

I work six hours a week. I call it my 'gas money.' And I do enjoy that.

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SMILE, BE HAPPY, AND ENJOY LIFE!!!

Stay hydrated, exercise, keep thinking, and get outside the box.

LOVE WINS!!

Karen White, August 2, 2023