Ho ho ho!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Animals in balloon form have long helped humans celebrate all good things on this day, proudly taking part in Macy’s famous parade. Take a look at these swelled-up celebrants of yore.

The elevated elephant.

The blimpy bobcat.

The inflated insect.

The dirigible dachshund.

The helium hippo.

And the star of the show, year after year. The towering turkey!

Likewise, let our spirits soar today, and let us be grateful for the good things we have, for family and friends, for warm hospitality, and for good company. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Fourth of July!

Fireworks are essential for celebrating Independence Day. But the bangs rattle some people’s heads. And the stinging smoke makes some noses get runny. And all the dogs in town yearn for a cave to hide in. Luckily, there are fireworks in nature. Quiet and good-smelling.

Agapanthus. A purple pow!

A blaze of asters.

A dazzling dahlia.

Whistling thistles.

Memorable Michelmas Daisies.

Spectacular spider lilies.

And aerial allium.

Stay safe and sane, and have a fabulous floral Fourth, everyone!

It’s Go Skateboarding Day!

Some surfers weren’t content with riding the waves. They wanted to surf city streets, too. And there was only one way to do it. June 21 is Go Skateboarding Day, an official annual holiday conceived by the International Association of Skateboard Companies to promote the joys of cruising along the pavement on a short narrow board with two small wheels fixed to the bottom of either end. How fun is that? Just look at the joy on longtime pro Peggy Oki’s face as she zooms along the asphalt.

Peggy Oki – © Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

Don’t have a skateboard? I bet someone you know does. Beg them to borrow it today. And learn more about Peggy Oki’s groundbreaking skateboarding history here.

Happy Father’s Day!

Today we give thanks for great dads everywhere. Love you, Da! You’re the best.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today all loving moms deserve breakfast in bed. Brought to them quietly, without any fuss. And then taken away just as quietly, so they can be left to SLEEP IN. Thanks, moms, for all that you do!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo has come to represent a celebration of the contributions that Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to America. Time to break out the papel picado!

Happy Easter!

Celebrating Easter can be hard on pets. This unfortunate reveler has one question on its mind: WHO DID THIS TO ME?

All the usual suspects are undercover, of course. Thanks to paper plates and craft supplies.

Some are hiding under a shell.

And even Mom is incognito.

“Mom” image found at this fun website.

Maybe this mystery will be solved. Maybe not. But all Easter-frocked pets deserve an extra treat today!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today…

And may your leprechaun trap trap a leprechaun!

Words to live by

On this President’s Day, I am thinking of President John F. Kennedy, who governed the country at the time American artist Norman Rockwell painted “The Golden Rule,” a message handed down from high in order to benefit us all, whether powerful or powerless. “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich,” said President Kennedy. Thank you to the Presidents of the United States who have served Americans with care and compassion!