2025 · National Day Calendar

Slinky Day 2025

Richard James, a Navy mechanical engineer stationed at the time, discovered the Slinky by knocking a spring off a shelf by accident and watched as it stepped in a series of arcs to a stack of books, a tabletop, and finally to the floor, where it recoiled and stood upright. Over the next year, James experimented with several sorts of steel wire until he discovered a spring that could walk.

The Jameses had trouble selling Slinky to toy stores, but they were granted permission to show the toy in November 1945. Slinky was a smash hit, with the first 400 units selling out in under 90 minutes. Slinky was first shown at the U.S. Toy Fair in 1946. In 1952, the Slinky Dog debuted. In the 1950s, new Slinky toys were introduced. Some of these include Slinky Suzie and Slinky Crazy Eyes.

Richard James quit the company after his wife filed for divorce in 1960. Betty James ran the company, juggled creditors, and relocated it to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1964. Betty James insisted on keeping the original Slinky affordable, and a Slinky cost between $1.89 and $2.69 in 1996. Poof Products, Inc. of Plymouth, Michigan, a manufacturer of foam sports balls, purchased James Industries in 1998. Poof-Slinky, Inc. was formed in 2003 when James Industries and Poof Products, Inc. amalgamated. Slinky has been used as a teaching tool, a portable radio antenna, and in NASA physics experiments, in addition to being a toy.

:https://nationaltoday.com/slinky-day/

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Toasted Marshmallow Day 2025

Hmm, roasted marshmallow!

The National Toasted Marshmallow Day was created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The organization promotes the sweets businesses in the U.S.A. One may think that promoting sugary food items might make for an unhealthy nation, but NCA aims to bring to light the benefits of choosing healthy options, which would, in turn, lead to a “balanced lifestyle” for many. Another of NCA’s goals includes lobbying for better communication frameworks, industrial insights, and regulatory business laws. All these factors would help candy businesses in America to grow and remain maintained in both the local and global market spheres. The candy business alone creates some 54,000 job opportunities in over 1,3000 factories in the country.

The exact date when marshmallows were created has been lost to history, but many scholars cite ancient Egypt as somewhat of a starting point for the sweet treat. Ancient Egyptians made marshmallows by extracting the sap from the root of a plant called ‘Althaea officinalis.’ This plant is native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it grows, as you may have guessed, in marshes. Apart from being used to make marshmallows, the plant was also used as an ornamental decoration worldwide. Coming back to the sweet treat, the marshmallow-making process was extremely tedious and laborious in nature. The special final product, mixed with honey and nuts, was only served to royalty and gods, making it off-limits for the public. Over the centuries, the marshmallow went through several changes. From being produced by French confectioners by hand in the 1800s to being produced using machines in the 1900s, marshmallows were being enjoyed by more and more people. The key ingredient, which was the root of the marshmallow plant, was also replaced with gelatin/corn starch as the latter made the process easier and faster. People eat marshmallows in a variety of ways. They have it in milkshakes with chocolate or crackers, or simply toasted.

:https://nationaltoday.com/national-toasted-marshmallow-day/

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Beach Day 2025

Sunrise at the Outer Banks in North Carolina

Whether we spend time on beaches oceanside, at a lake, or river, they provide recreation all summer long. Swimming, water sports, and sunbathing are just a few of the relaxing things that come to mind. We also enjoy playing Frisbee, volleyball, and long walks. Floating along in the surf on a hot summer day with friends creates memories that last for years to come.

Sometimes, just packing a few icy beverages and a good book is enough to make a beach day perfect. However, we are responsible for caring for the beach, too. Not only should we pack out what we pack in, but it’s also necessary to follow the beach rules, also. Safety and fun go hand in hand.

In 1929, the Knights of Columbus, out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, launched a National Beach Day as part of their convention plans. However, it never took root. Then, in 2014, Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, created National Beach Day to celebrate beaches and the importance of keeping them clean.

:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-beach-day

2025 · My Texas Garden Journal · Our Garden/Greenhouse

The Greenhouse In Texas ~ 2013 (3)

🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻

The seedlings finally moved to the greenhouse. The nights weren’t too cold for the Spring/Summer sowings anymore. One night, I wasn’t sure if the seedlings would survive the cooler night. So, I covered them up with some sandwich backs. I wanted to be on the safe side. The next morning, the greenhouse was covered in dew. But no frost. I was lucky. 🍀

🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻🌶🥕🧅🥦🧄🌻