Beech Tree News Network

As many of you know, I read from many sources. Reading is both a pleasure and a way to relax. Recently, some topics caught my attention: vacation shame, celebrations in March, and a couple of food-farm statistics.

First, the March Better Homes & Gardens magazine reported:

48% of employees say they have felt vacation shamed by their coworkers or supervisor for taking time off. But research shows breaks can improve efficiency. To avoid a guilt trip, submit your days off early (aim for a month or more beforehand)…. Also remind your team about your vacation in the two weeks leading up to it so they won’t feel caught off guard” (page 120).

I believe many have experienced a degree of vacation shame at some point. I believe this advice is sound, and since many will be planning vacation time soon, these reminders may be helpful.

Second, we could celebrate something daily. I came across a website that listed multiple observations or celebrations for every day in March. Some of those observations included the following:

-March 11 – Johnny Appleseed Day

-March 12 – Girl Scouts Day

-March 13 (The first Friday the 13th of the year) – Blame Someone Else Day

-March 14 – International Day of Mathematics

-March 15 – Ides of March

-March 16 (On or near March 16, James Madison’s birthday) – Freedom of Information Day

-March 17 – St. Patrick's Day

-March 18 – National Awkward Moments Day

-March 19 – First Day of Spring, Spring Equinox

-March 20 – Won't You Be My Neighbor Day

-March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day

-March 22 – National Goof Off Day

-March 23 – World Meteorological Day

-March 24 – National Agriculture Day (Falls during National Ag Week each year)

-March 25 – International Day of the Unborn Child

-March 26 – Live Long and Prosper Day

-March 27 – World Theatre Day

-March 28 – Respect Your Cat Day

-March 29 – Vietnam Veterans Day or Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

-March 30 – National Doctors Day

-March 31 – Equal Pay Day and National Prom Day

Although these observations or celebrations provide a moment’s entertainment, most of us are unlikely to celebrate them.

Third, I read that the average person eats almost 1500 pounds of food a year (https://www.statisticbrain.com/fun-facts/). If that is true, then most people consume about four pounds of food per day. Also, the Agriculture Department's Census of Agriculture reported that, for only the second time in the past century, the number of farmers under age 35 is increasing, and 69% of them had college degrees — a much higher rate than the general population (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-top-10-stats-of-2017/2017/12...). I believe that farmers need as much education and information as they can get in order to feed the world. We are depending on them, and that’s a huge responsibility.

I used to tease my late husband that if he didn’t have something to read, he would find a cereal box. Since learning about vacation shame, celebrations in March, and a couple of food-farm statistics, I have decided that I am just as bad. I may be addicted to reading.