Tag: catfish

the state fish (or lack thereof) for Arkansas

I just learned that Arkansas doesn’t have an official state fish.   I don’t suppose that matters too much really, but there’s all kinds of other official state items, so why not?  The state legislature is currently debating the issue, trying to choose one, but things are getting political.  I know, over a fish?!? That’s a prime example of why politics are stupid…

Anyway, one of the TV news stations in Arkansas recently had a poll on what the state fish should be.  So far the top vote-getter is the blue catfish.   Also worthy of mention is crappie, bass, and trout.  But receiving 25 percent of the vote was “fried fish”.

I don’t know that “fried fish” should count as a state fish, because that’s very ambiguous, but then again, we are in the South, and deep-frying food is like a pastime to many people.  Also, another reason why I can see a vote for that is because they taste great!  🙂   I realize you probably won’t find fried fish in fancy restaurants, nor would you find catfish, but it makes for some great eatin’!  Add some fries and hushpuppies, along with lots of ketchup, and you have a feast!

the special days of June, pt 3

We’ll now continue our look at the special days / holidays / celebrations / observations of June.  These are the daily holidays.

  • 16 Fresh Veggies Day — Vegetables probably need to be emphasized in my eating routine / diet, because they normally aren’t.  But I don’t see this happening.  I know, it’s just one day, but life is short.
  • 16 National Fudge Day — Ah, this is a much better usage of June 16 than fresh veggies!  And since it doesn’t seem like both would coincide well, I’ll have to choose one.  I won’t have to think long about this one…  🙂
  • 17 Eat Your Vegetables Day — What?!?  Is there some conspiracy going on here?  Wasn’t the previous day focusing on vegetables?  This is getting out of hand…
  • 17 World Juggler’s Day — This may sound silly, like something you’d just ignore, but it could be fun.  Even if you’re not a good juggler (and most of us aren’t), you should still try juggling this day.  Grab some of your co-worker’s desk objects and juggle them in his cubicle (while he’s still in it).  If you drop the stapler or toss it into the wall, that’s okay.  I’m sure he/she will get a kick out of it.  Be sure to tell them it’s a holiday, or they might get confused or upset…
  • 18 Go Fishing Day — Fishing isn’t one of my favorite things to do, but it is better than working, so I’ll list it.
  • 18 International Panic Day — There’s enough fear and panic already, with all the terrorists on the loose.  There’s no need for emphasis of it.
  • 18 National Splurge Day — We’ve been taught about moderation, keeping things in balance, so a day set aside for splurging seems like a great idea.  I reckon this could apply to any area, including food, sleeping in, taking a longer-than-normal lunch break, taking a nap, playing more video games than normal, etc.
  • 18 International Picnic Day — A picnic is a good time, although a good time for this day would’ve been in the spring or fall, when temperatures are better.  And on a somewhat related side note, it seems like every time I go on a picnic, it’s extra windy.  I don’t know why, but it seems like that always happens.
  • 19 World Sauntering Day — I’d never heard of sauntering, so I looked it up.  The dictionary defines sauntering as “walking along slowly, happily and aimlessly”.  That sound good to me.  Because if you’re walking aimlessly, it means you aren’t going anywhere specific, which means you’re not working.  That will help you to walk happily, too.  🙂
  • 20 Ice Cream Soda Day — This is excellent!  There are numerous variations, and if you don’t have a favorite, feel free to try several.  The most popular ones are a good start: Coke and vanilla ice cream, and root beer and ice cream.
  • 21 Finally Summer Day — This is for the Summer Solstice.  I’m not sure I really want to celebrate this, because here in Arkansas it gets quite hot and humid in the summer.  If you like sweating a lot and feeling drained of energy, it would be great, but that’s not really my cup of tea.
  • 21 National Hollerin’ Contest Day — A quick glance online found a place that actually has a festival built around this holiday.  While a festival might be fun because of the food and a car show, I don’t know that I’d like to hear a hollerin’ contest…
  • eclair22 National Chocolate Eclair Day — This sounds good!  For those of you not in the know, an eclair is a long, thin pastry filled with cream and topped with icing.  It’s similar to a type of donut called “long johns”.  Whatever you call them, they’re scrumptious!
  • 23 National Columnists Day — Technically, I’m a columnist, in that I write on this blog, and it’s organized by columns.  So this is a holiday to celebrate me!  So feel free to send me cookies, gift cards, cash, etc.
  • 23 National Pink Day — One website said everyone should wear pink this day, and that guys should get in touch with their feminine side, that girls would love them for it.  Maybe certain girls would like it, if they’re looking for a wuss.  Obviously this “holiday” doesn’t apply to all people.  I, for one, don’t have a “feminine side”.
  • 23 Take Your Dog to Work Day — There are actually a few companies that allow this now on a full-time basis.  If yours isn’t one, be sure to let your boss know about this holiday.  Or, you could just get everyone to bring their dogs this day, then explain it when your boss gets confused.  (FYI, we’re not liable if you lose your job for following any of our suggestions.)  🙂
  • 24 Swim a Lap Day — I would, if I had a swimming pool.
  • 25 Log Cabin Day — Likewise, I would go spend the weekend at a log cabin, if I had one.  Whoever created this holiday must not have thought about everyone else.  Unless, he rents out log cabins…
  • lightning photo25 National Catfish Day — You can have your own fish fry for this holiday, but to me, this says “seafood buffet”.  That way, you can eat lots of catfish, while also enjoying shrimp, hushpuppies, fries, etc.
  • 26 Forgiveness Day — I forgive you for not checking this blog every day.  (But don’t let it happen again!)
  • 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day — Mmm…
  • 27 Paul Bunyan Day — Do you remember Paul Bunyan?  I remember reading about him.  He was larger than life, featured in many tall tales.  He had a pet named Babe The Blue Ox.  Here’s a few of his stories, in condensed form.
  • 29 Camera Day — For this day, I’ll show you one of the pictures I took from my backyard.  I’ve always been fascinated with thunder and lightning.
  • 29 Waffle Iron Day — To honor the waffle iron, we should eat waffles.  Be sure to have some Aunt Jemima syrup ready (or whatever you prefer).
  • meteor striking earth30 Meteor Day — Meteors are neat when we see them streaking through the sky, but you don’t want one landing in your yard.  We’ve discussed before what might happen if a big meteor or asteroid hits Earth.  It could destroy life as we know it.  And that would be a bad day, indeed!  (Click here for more info on that.)  So let’s hope they all stay out in space, or that someone is prepared to blow them up before they hit Earth.

Well, that concludes our analysis of the special days of June.  I hope you found something you could celebrate.

Click here to search for the posts about the other special days of June.