Conversation – 38

NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY

On July 29, National Chicken Wing Day encourages a frenzy of dipping and sauce tasting with our chicken wings. With so many choices, be sure to pace yourself because there are a lot of wings to be enjoyed!

The day celebrates the little appetizer that could. Also known as buffalo wings, hot wings, or just wings, each of us eats about 290 per year. While a chicken has two wings per bird, it produces four of these tasty morsels. That’s because when we dissect the wing, we break it down into the wingette, drumette, and tip. The wingette and drumette get seasoned and fried into the deliciousness we devour at tailgate parties and trivia nights.

NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY

July 29 is National Lasagna Day and we encourage everyone to enjoy at least one version of the delicious layers of noodles, sauces, cheeses, and whatever else your heart desires in your idea of lasagna.

Lasagna requires layering using cheeses, meats, vegetables, and sauce to create a delicious blend of savory baked layers. Since lasagna is one of the oldest kinds of pasta, cooks have developed quite a selection of recipes. From vegan to seafood and dessert, lasagna fills recipe books around the world. Even the sauces come in a wide variety.

NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY

National Lipstick Day on July 29 encourages you to wear your best color. For some, lipstick is the only makeup requirement. Whether sheer and light, dark or bright, National Lipstick Day calls for all kinds of lipstick.

Throughout the ages, controversy surrounded lipstick. British Parliament banned it in 1770, calling it a devilish attempt to trick men into marriage. In some circles, lipstick was associated with witchcraft. Occasionally, lipstick contained poisonous materials.

It is said Sarah Bernhardt created a scandal by applying “lip rouge” in public. Surprisingly, George Washington supposedly wore lipstick. While Queen Victoria considered wearing lipstick impolite, one of her statesmen had a different opinion. During World War II, Winston Churchill thought the lip color boosted morale in an excellent way.

Of course, versatility is lipstick’s brand. It changes with a mood or with the scenery. Whether lipstick defines your attitude or channels your inner spirit, wear it on July 29th. No matter your style, lipstick adds a subtle accent or a bold statement. Let your lips speak. However, punctuate it with your lipstick.

We spend so much of life trying to get back to the person we used to be.

But healing doesn’t work that way.

The chapters that broke you, strengthened you, humbled you, and taught you compassion were never meant to erase who you are. They were shaping the person you were always becoming.

The Journal Keeper reminds us that every page has purpose. Even the ones stained with tears. Even the ones we’d rather skip.

Don’t long for the old version of yourself.

Honor the one who kept turning the page.

— R. Nelson Barnes