Conversation 24

NATIONAL HANGING OUT DAY

Each year on April 19th, Project Laundry List works with hundreds of other organizations to sponsor National Hanging Out Day. This day encourages communities to learn about the benefits, both financially and environmentally, of using a clothesline for drying laundry. According to Project Laundry Lists’ website, clothes dryers account for an astonishing six to ten percent of residential energy consumption.

NATIONAL GARLIC DAY

Each year on April 19th, National Garlic Day celebrates a vegetable also known as the stinking rose. The fragrant and potent root has been seasoning dishes for thousands of years.

This stinking rose is a member of the lily family. This family also includes the flavorful onions, leeks, and shallots we use in some of our favorite dishes. Garlic originated in Asia over 7,000 years ago, so it’s no surprise that cuisines worldwide incorporate it into favored recipes.

Garlic is quite versatile as illustrated by its many medicinal purposes. The mighty bulb is considered an herbal remedy for colds and may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has also proven garlic’s antibiotic properties.

Myth and superstition reek of garlic. The most familiar one suggests that garlic wards off vampires. This same theory seemed to work on witches, werewolves, demons and other such evils one might cross. Folklore also tells us garlic grew from satan’s left footprint when he left the Garden of Eden. Greek midwives used garlic to keep evil spirits away, and courage filled Roman soldiers who consumed the bulb.

Consider our dreams and garlic too. Our dreams often have meaning and dreaming of garlic is no different. To dream about garlic in the house suggests good luck and if the dream includes eating garlic (perhaps in a pesto sauce), there might be hidden secrets. Over 300 varieties of garlic grow around the world to dream about as well!

NATIONAL NORTH DAKOTA DAY
On April 19th, National North Dakota Day recognizes the Peace Garden State.

Long before Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara arrived in North Dakota. During the Corps of Discovery, the team camped at Fort Mandan along the Missouri River for the winter. Here, their translators, Sacagawea and Charbonneau, joined the expedition. Sacagawea would also give birth to her son, Jean Baptiste.

As the settlement expanded, disputes over land increased. Fort Abraham Lincoln preserves the home of Gen. George and Libby Custer, the military commissary, blockhouses, and the Mandan Indian Village along the Missouri River.

Theodore Roosevelt arrived in North Dakota in 1883 and fell in love with badlands and outdoor life. He would later be elected the 26th U.S. President and served from 1901 to 1909. His love of the badlands led to his conservation and preservation efforts. The North Dakota Badlands are named Theodore Roosevelt National Park in his name.

On April 19th, National Amaretto Day recognizes a liqueur known around the world for its flavor and aroma!

In Italian, the word Amaretto means “a little bitter,” because it is made from bitter almonds or apricot kernels, or both. Makers infuse it in pure alcohol or brandy, resulting in a strong almond flavor. This traditionally Italian liqueur carries a reputation for being fragrant.

Shrouded in Secrecy and Lore

Taking us back to the 1525 Renaissance in Saronno, Italy, painter Bernardino Luini selected a young innkeeper as his model for a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles. In gratitude for being selected, the innkeeper gave the artist a gift of her own secret blend of almond and brandy. For centuries, the family held the recipe as a closely guarded secret. However, the Di Saronno family began producing its amaretto for a broader market in the 20th century. The liqueur began appearing for sale in advertisements in the United States in the late 1940s, and the family still bottles their recipe today.

Another Amaretto tale comes from the same area of Italy. However, this story tells of a young Lazzaroni couple blessed by the Cardinal of Milan in 1718. The couple honored his visit with a unique recipe of their own, producing an amaretto cookie like no other. And this one came also came in a bottle. Of course, they also closely guarded their recipe generations. In 1851, the Lazzaroni family began selling their amaretto liqueur, and the family is still producing it today.

@shoelady60,

I was really out of it for the last two weeks. The doctor just wanted to be sure the Lymph Nodes
were alright. I am still a wee bit sore but sure. 😎 Lady this is part of the cancer all clear so far.

Enjoy your evening Oz is chilly so I am getting under the covers with hubby. 😎😘

Goodnight enjoy your evening.

@oodiebom,

I am doing great I was concerned there for a moment. I just closed my eyes and said my
prayers and they were answered. It was an experience I did not even have during my cancer
treatment. God in his infinite wisdom never gives you more than you can bear. 💕

Glad you had a treat for your husband. OZ is chilly tonight downright cold it will be in
the 30’s later tonight I am closing all windows and putting extra blankets on the bed.

Sorry you were not able to get your Van perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.

Oodie let me know how you are doing tonight. 💕😎Oodie that Needle procedure was
related to the breast area. I can breath now.

@sheba2011

Good evening in Oz. Beautiful pics today.

Geez Louise, I am so happy all is well with you.💗💗💗 I know just how you felt waiting for results. No wonder you had a bad headache. Found out from my friend today that the surgeon/oncologist decided not to do surgery on her husband’s tumor because it is on a main vein and other health issues. Not sure what’s next but maybe radiation since they took him off chemo because it was making him so sick. Not good news.😥

Ran around all day with my husband and SIL so I am pooped.😴 Going to mom’s tomorrow so I will have to do some catching up over the weekend after these last two days.

Sending so much love your way.🤗💖🥰🙏 Give Poppy a hug from me.🤗