Setsubun

 Today is Setsubun in Japan! It is a fun ritual that we do every year. You throw beans out the window crying “Ogres get out! and Happiness Come In!!
Oni wa Soto … Fuku wa Uchi!
(Oh-nee wa Sew-Toe …Foo-Koo wa Oo-Chee).
You also eat your age in beans (often roasted Soya Beans). There are variations on this ritual. The Japanese Google Doodle today even features an Ogre! Give it a try! More info here: http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/setsubun.htm

Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day!

If it’s cloudy when the Groundhog emerges from his burrow today, then spring will come early…. if it is sunny, the groundhog will see its shadow and return back into his burrow, and the winter weather will last six more weeks.

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with Punxsutawney Phil

In Canada there is Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario and Shubenacadie Sam in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

#GroundhogDay

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Bubble Wrap was invented in 1957 by two engineers : Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding who

were attempting to make a plastic wallpaper with a paper backing. This failed but then they realized that their invention would make a great revolutionary packing material.

Bubble Wrap not only protects your items during shipment (and we use it here sometimes) but it is great fun!

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day was created by “Spirit 95” FM radio  in Bloomington, Indiana. The first Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day was celebrated in 2001 and had a Bubble Wrap popping relay, sculpture contest, and  fashion contest.