Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd!

World Wetlands Day has a partner! That day is also Groundhog's Day. So along with the photo contest for World Wetlands Day, those who are interested in Punxsatawney Phil and a lot of fun facts and activities associated with this seasonal forecasting tradition can enjoy finding out if Phil sees his shadow or not.  

5 more years!

Congress gave us 5 more years of tax incentives! They also included a phase-out portion after the 5 years so we know what is coming. This is good news for those who want to go solar!

January and February dates to remember.

The new year starts rather slow with just one date besides the 1st, and that is

January 18th, Martin Luther King Day! The very next date to remember is associated with Martin Luther King Day as the

1st of February is National Freedom Day! This is a great story of a freed slave starting a movement that honors the signing of the 13th amendment by Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Then February 2nd is World Wetlands Day! They are having a photo contest for 15 to 24 year-olds and they can win a free flight to any wetlands area in the world! Awesome!

February 8th is Chinese New Year! They traditionally get 7 days off to celebrate!

The Mardi Gras follows on February 9th. The site I've linked has a countdown to Mardi Gras in days, hours, minutes and seconds. Wild times!

February 14th is, of course, Saint Valentine's Day! Do you know the 7 days before and what they are? Think (not in order, you have to go to the site to find out) Chocolate, hug, promise, kiss, propose, teddy and rose.

he 15th of February is President's Day. The Senate continues a tradition that started in 1862!

Last date to remember in February is the 27th; International Polar Bear Day! Read about the students who turned down their heat extra low on this day!

2 days that tie together.

Monday, January 18th and Monday, February 1st are 2 days that tie together dramatically. January 18th is Martin Luther King Day http://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday. February 1st is National Freedom Day http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/01/why-is-feb-1-designated-as-national-freedom-day/. Both center around a dream. Both place extreme importance on freedoms of the individual and peaceful co-existence. With the current state of the world and how it is effecting the USA, I wonder if we would ratify the 13th amendment today if it was meant to apply to Moslems as well. We need the dream of equality and freedom to apply to ALL and need to realize we cannot pigeon-hole any race, creed or religion as being unworthy of respect and peaceful association as long as they return the same. Each and every group has their violent offenders, and we need to deal with the violence on an individual basis and not condemn that segment that the offender may be a part of.
I am thankful for all those who have served and those who still serve to keep our freedom in tact. God bless America!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May 2016 bring prosperity and solar to you! May the sun shine around you year round and God's gift ( That which is through His Son as well as the sun) brighten your days!