Welcome back to the odd and whimsical poetery of the Peeps related to holidaze! Let’s investigate what today is, because we need all the holidaze we can celebrate, right?
Lately, every day seems to be many holidays! Which is good, because we all have our favorites. So I will pick out two, and you can click the link above if you’re curious about the rest. This is an Open Thread, so please feel free to add your favorite pomes and photoes and holidaze for today in the Comments!
Today is Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
You have always wanted to celebrate this one, right? Not so fast….
While this may seem like a fun holiday about taking a pet monkey out for a pizza or a cheeseburger, that is really not what the day is about. Take a Monkey to Lunch Day commemorates the Scopes Monkey Trial….
-snip-
Why is a day about the Scopes Monkey Trial called Take a Monkey to Lunch Day? Could it be because people bought and ate hot dogs while they watched chimpanzees on display outside of the Rhea County Courthouse during the trial? This very well could be, meaning that the best way to celebrate the day probably is to have lunch with a chimpanzee. Since it is unlikely that you will actually be able to do this, there are some other ways you can mark the day. You could read a book about the case, such as Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion by Edward J. Larson, or journalist H.L. Mencken's account of the trial, which was compiled in a posthumous collection. How about reading a book on Clarence Darrow or William Jennings Bryan? You could also read Darwin's On the Origin of the Species or another book on evolution, or the Biblical account of creation. If you'd rather not read, watch Stanley Kramer's Inherit the Wind, or a documentary about the trial. Another great way to commemorate the day is to visit The Scopes Trial Museum & Rhea County Courthouse.
monkey in the middle
by Sawyer Sewell
There once was a monkey in a city's zoo,
who dreamed of the outside sun.
He did like hitting kids with poo,
but he felt that that's been done.
So he climbed out in the middle of night,
and explored through the cities streets.
He stopped when it was turning light
And felt he wanted to eat.
That poor monkey needed cash
to afford his exotic meals.
But his stomach led him to the trash,
where he ate a cube of butter and apple peels.
If he wanted to eat, he needed a job,
to pay for the food on his tummy.
So he asked many snobs,
but each time he left without money.
He tried to be an actor,
but found out he couldn't sing or cry.
He had the smarts to be a politician,
but found out he couldn't lie.
No one wanted his application.
No one gave him a chance.
Some were scared because he was from another nation.
Others because he didn't own pants.
He only found one job,
that paid food and shelter instead of wages.
All he was asked to do,
was to sit inside steel cages,
and dream of the outside sun.
[Unfortunately, I was not able to find any biographical information on the author. Perhaps s/he will see this and let us know?]
Today Is Also National Junk Food Day
You can interpret the day and celebrate however you would like. Eating as much of, and whatever junk food that seems appealing may be the most fitting. Conversely, the day could be used to raise awareness about the harmful effects of junk food, and about the need for access to healthy, high-quality food. To learn more about junk food, pick up a copy of the Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food. You could also celebrate the day by listening to "Junk Food Junkie" by Larry Groce.
Challenge accepted!
“In the daytime, I’m Mr. Natural, just as healthy as I can be. But at night, I’m a junk food junkie, good Lord, have pity on me.”
Goodbye, Junk Food
by David F
Goodbye junk food, I must say goodbye,
To candy bars, cotton candy and even French fries.
I know you're bad for me
I mustn't look back
So goodbye, Twizzlers, Mounds and Crackerjacks.
Maybe someday I’ll return to you
My sugary and healthy treats.
For now it's the healthy road
At least until it's the next time to eat.
[David F is an FFP “poet laureate”! FFP being family/friend poems. No other biographical information is available. He has a profile, but one must be a member to view it. David F, if you’re out there, let us know about you!]
Then there is the junk food that brings everyone together, and the video from which the top screenshot was taken. Enjoy!
(h/t Capn America Projects II)