#national animal crackers day

[doctorfriend79]

😋  Happy National Animal Crackers Day!  😋

[sp00kingintensifies]

National Animal Crackers Day

National Animal Crackers Day on April 18th each year celebrates a childhood favorite. A box of these sweet animal-shaped crackers not only provided a delicious snack, but they also offered a little entertainment, too!  

[murderousink23]

04/18/2023 is World Heritage Day 🌎, International Day for Monuments and Sites 🌎, International Jugglers Day 🤹‍♀️🤹‍♂️🌎, Yom HaShoah 🇮🇱, National Tax Day 🇺🇲, National Animal Crackers Day 🇺🇲, National Columnists Day 🇺🇲, National Lineman Appreciation Day 🇺🇲, National Paul Revere Day 🇺🇲, Tax Freedom Day 🇺🇲

[inkmonster21]

Sing for Me

13. You Know Me

Cooper Howard × Fem!Reader / The Ghoul × Fem!Reader

She's a singer the nation adores. He's the actor everyone respects. What happens when these two get entangled in a heated affair? Passion, regret, rage, and even murder will commence.

From before the bombs drop to the vast wasteland, these two souls live for one another.

Previous Chapter

Series Masterlist

Tagged: @fallout-girl219 @harmfulb1tch @themadhattersqueen @one-of-thewalkingdead

I was tracking that Doctor in the wasteland. He hasn’t left long ago, only a day ahead my me. The dog was now at my heels. He stops at the buried diner, where the bloody remains of Doctor Wilzig lay, now headless. Kneeling as a coughing fit captures me. I dig into my pocket retrieving the chem and my inhaler. The weakness being taken away, the hurt in my bones being lifted, and the sweet lull of her voice now present in my ears. I take another inhale, just for shits and giggles. Call me guilty, but I just want to see her again. The more I do the more I’m able to see sweet hallucinations of her. 

I look up seeing the ghostly figure of her waving through the sand. She stares at the body of the Doctor with wide eyes. "Well, he must've said something mean." I let the corner of my mouth tug in a grin. "Come on, let's go find the rest of him." I begin to walk again, watching the dream of her pacing around before my eyes. The dog in tow of my shadow.

The trail of footprints leads to a tiny pit stop. A small bar and a row of cabins across the way. In all my travels I hadn't seen this place before. Seems I missed some things when I was buried in a box for 30 years.

Fucking Dom Pedro, I'll be coming for that ass one day.

I walk into the bar, the crowd slim. The bartender wiping a glass looks at me with nervous eyes. The young kid couldn't have been but 17. I lean on the worn wooden top. "You see a girl come through here? Decapitated head with her?" He looks over his shoulder, gazing at a door before thinking twice. Bingo. He shakes his head, "No, no one passed through here. Just the regulars for Melody." "Well, can I speak to this, Melody?"

"She's not here." A ghoul spoke. "Yeah? She ain't back there hiding?" I point back towards the door. "Don't mind if I check do you?" I walk over to grasp the knob. As I do the fellow ghoul pulls his gun up, but I pull my trigger first blasting a hole into his abdomen. I turn around, addressing the whole establishment. "Now, if ya'll don't mind. I'll be taking a tour." Without any protest, I enter the room.

The small room is lit by several small lamps. A vanity mirror against the wall, and makeup littering the top. I walk along the empty room the space feeling relaxing. déjàvu at its finest. I could almost... smell her. I run a hand over a beaded outfit, a stage costume. I take the fabric off the floor and look at it at full length. I shutter an exhale dropping the dress to the floor.

I move to the wall across the way, my breath getting caught in my throat. Posters from the movies we had done. Her album covers line the walls. One individual catches my eye. The while smiles of two lovers on a Christmas evening. I run my finger over her face. Could it be? Could this Melody... be my (Y/n)? I take the photo tucking it into the inner rim of my hat.

I exit the building, more determined than ever to find the target. Where the head was, she was, and if it was really her... I don't know what I would do first. Question her of her every move, or instantly attack her with starving passion. A starving man who’s ached for her touch for over 200 years.

~

Lucy gasps as she stops. "Look!" She peeps in a hushed voice. A baby deer pokes its head from the grass near the water. I roll my eyes at her incompetence. Such a simple-minded motherfucker. I dig for a cracker in my bag and hand it to her. "Go and feed it if you want." Her eyes got even larger I was worried they'd pop from her head. She nears the animal with a smile, leaning down she feeds the baby the cracker. She smiles and looks back at me. I shake my head with my arms crossed. "She's like a toddler," Conor whispers from behind. "Yep."

Suddenly the deer was snatched into the water. A gulper lunges out of the water and snaps at Lucy. "Ah, shit!" I yell as I rush to her side, dragging her away. Conor shoots it in the side, but as we know these motherfuckers are tough. It snatches at her hands, getting hold of the head and retreating back underwater. Lucy stands as she chases the creature's current across the lake. "Wait, Lucy, wait!" I yell as I run after her.

Just as I come to see her, a figure looms over her hunched body, pointing his gun at Lucy. She exhales a small breath and smiles, "Hello again." I raise my gun in haste pointing it at the figure. He's yet to notice me behind him. I continue to creep silently behind his body.

"Where is it?" He kicks around her bag, "The head." He whips her across the face with the butt of his gun.

I press the barrel of my gun to his back. His entire body stills as I apply pressure."Is that how you treat a lady?" The Ghoul tips his head, his face hidden, "Well," I can hear the smirk in his voice, "You gonna pull that trigger darlin'?" I look him up and down, something strangely familiar about him. "I might. Haven't had had a thrill in a while." Conor comes out of the shrubs as well, weapon drawn. The Ghoul looks over the new arrival, his tongue darting out of his mouth. A dark fire in his expression as he glares at my backup. He draws faster than I had ever seen before shooting Conor dead on the spot. I scream in shock, no one in the 30 years had he ever been caught off guard.

I look up to see The Ghoul with his weapon now raised to me. "This ain't the greeting I'd had hoped, darlin'." I lunged at him, grabbing and clawing at his frame. "YOU MOTHER FUCKER!" He tosses me off and gets on top of me, straddling my body as I roll in the dirt. He grabs my hands forcefully and ties them tightly together. I glare at him as I smell the crimson blood flow from Conor's body. "Fuck you!" I scream at him. He glares at me, meeting my orbs. I suck in a breath, his glare making me cower, making me weak. "You upset I shot your little boyfriend, honey?" He laughs as he stands, dragging me beside Lucy. She cries for Conor, spewing apologies.

The Ghoul points his gun at Lucy questioning about the head once more. She shuddered, "I-I don't know where it is, okay? I lost it. I lost it." I watch him shake his head. He meets my eyes again. They soften slightly. I couldn't look away from him. I wanted to lean into the touch of his gloved hand. "Where'd it go, sweetheart? Huh?" The answer falls from my lips. "A Gulper got it." He smirks before tipping my chin, "Good girl."

I stare at Conor's body slowly coming to the realization. He was gone. My friend, my brother, now lay dead in the dirt. What the fuck was I going to do now? He was the one who knew all the code when an issue occurred, all the maintenance, all the parts, and the work it took to maintain my memory drive. If I didn’t have my drive reloaded onto the memory stick I would start shorting out.

I look at the blades of grass stained with my friend's blood. This Ghoul stings Lucy up to a pull system rig. "Stop, please! My dad, he's an Overseer. He-he got taken by raiders, and I need that head to get him back. If you help me find him, he'll do whatever you want." Lucy begs as she cries out. He drops her into the water, calmly turning to me watching as the worry grows. "You're going to kill her!" "Oh please," He brings Lucy back up, and she struggles to catch her breath. "Stop. Stop! Torture is wrong," Lucy coughs. The Ghoul leans on the post. "You know, they used to do these things called "studies." Why, you couldn't open a newspaper without reading about one study or another. Anyway, this one particular study came out, and it said that torturing a person doesn't do shit." He drops her back down into the water. I look at him curiously. Those were prewar references. Studies in the newspaper.

I remember Cooper making the same complaint. “Can’t turn a page without one popping out at you.” He’d roll his eyes as he turned the page. The memory pushed a ghostly smile on my lips.

He brings her up again. Lucy cries loudly, "Sir, please, I need the head. It's the only way I can get my father back." He ignores her, "My point is... if you ask me, them studies, they were right. Torturing a person don't do shit." Lucy shakes her head in confusion, "Then why... why are you doing this?" I huff, struggling against my binds. "He's using you as fucking bait, Lucy!" The Ghoul drops her down once more. I slip from the rope and go to tackle the Ghoul. I punch and roll him away, getting to my feet and raising Lucy just in time for the Gulper to jump from the water. It attaches to her feet as I pull her back. Lucy tosses anything she can at the Gulper, including the stranger's bag. I light a flare and throw it into the Gulper's mouth. It shrieks before releasing Lucy's leg and retreating into the water.

The Ghoul stands with fury in his eyes. He points the gun at us with a firm hand. He makes eye contact with me and huffs lowering the weapon. He reaches inside his bag, pulling out a small case, upon opening shards of glass fall out. His breath becomes even more rigid. The anger unleashed, “FUCK!” He screamed out.

I push a laugh and sneer at him, “serves you right.” He glares at me while pointing a gloved finger at my chest, “Shut your fuckin’ mouth.” He grabs hold of my throat, “or I’m gonna have to shut it for you.” He tosses me aside.

Lucy gathers herself on her knees, "You can't treat people like this!" The Ghoul looks over the water. "Yeah? Why's that?" "Because of the golden rule." I roll my eyes at her, "It's not the fucking time, Lucy." She shakes her head and continues, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." The Ghoul ignores her, muttering under his own breath. "Those Gulpers digest real slow. You got time." He turns on his heel. He kneels to Lucy on the ground binding her hands together. He turns to me, "You." He places the loop end of his lasso around my neck and tightens it. He glares into my eyes as he tugs it, "Come on."

He tugs me behind him, Lucy following as well. "Where are we going? What about the head? I need the head to get my dad back." The Ghoul continues walking, "Yeah, well, the Wasteland's got its own golden rule." "Oh? What's that?"

I say without thought, "Thou shalt get sidetracked by bullshit every goddamn time." The Ghoul looks back at me as we track through the greenery. He stares into my eyes, his lips drawing into a smirk.

We walk through the noon wasteland heat, the sun hitting high in the sky beating down. Lucy gasps in small breaths. Her steps closer together as she staffers, her exhaustion battling. "Do you plan on stopping for a break? Or are you going to drag my ass through this hellhole?" The Ghoul looks to his side catching my features. I was in perfect condition. I could travel for miles unfazed, but Lucy looked like she was about to fall over. If I was to get anywhere near Hank MacLean, I needed his daughter alive. "Ain't stopping for shit." I watch his features contort. He's in pain. I lean into his space, our arms brushing. "I have a vial in my bag." I offer him. "If you allow us to stop, even for just an hour, I'll give it to you." The Ghoul stares at me, the ache in his bones growing. He didn’t have much of an option. If he had any brains left at all he’d take the deal.

"Fine." He huffs as he spins me around and digs into my bag. "Side pocket." He dips his hand down, skimming my side through the thick fabric of the bag, still a shiver runs up my spine. A long-forgotten feeling I didn’t want resurfacing.

I grit my teeth, "Watch it, cowboy." He smirks, showing his teeth, and biting his lip slowly. I take in every movement, my body unable to stop this natural attraction. Such a familiar urge pulling in my core. The familiarity in his eyes fights the harsh demeanor confusing me even more.

He grabs the glass vile, applying pressure to my side as he pulls his hand out. "Sorry, darlin'." He steps closer, running his fingers on the skin of my neck, I close my eyes as I get drunk on his touch. He loosens the rope on my neck, taking it over my head. "Go on, then. Rest.”

I turn to tend to Lucy. Allowing her to sip the little water we had left. “Thank you.” She croaks. “Don’t thank me yet, Lucy.” I look behind me seeing the Ghoul watching with his hat tipped ever so slightly. He watches with a smirk, staring directly at my frame. I feel that same shiver in my spine and I take a breath. Beyond him was a large building, halfway buried in the sand. The land resembles the once-thriving town. The current building was the movie theater, next to that was the restaurant, and down the way was a candy shop.

I grab Lucy’s arm pulling her with me to the building to take advantage of the shade. “Stay here.” I pass her the canister of water and silently move my way toward the entrance of the abandoned building.

I wander deep into the halls, most of the rooms torn apart with little to salvage. I see a poster crumpled under my shoes. I move the rubble to get a better look. I laugh lightly, bending down to retrieve it. A movie poster. One of his favorites actually. The special movie he was able to make with Rosevelt. I pick it up with a small grin.

“Anything in here worth a shit?”

I turned to see the Ghoul as he silently leaned against the doorway. I folded the worn faded poster quickly, stuffing it into my bag before shaking my head. “Nope. Just some junk.” His eyes shifted to my bag quickly. I push past him in search of caps, food, anything to distract me from dipping into forbidden waters.

“Then what’s that?” He grabs my bag tugging it down my arm. “Hey!” I fight for it back but he pulls the crumpled post out. Barely recognizable, but I knew what it was, who it was. “Give that back, fucking asshole.”  

The Ghoul laughs as he holds the poster out for his viewing eyes. He reads off the words, his southern drawl thick in his words, “Cooper Howard staring in A Man and His Dog.” He looks down at me. He raises a hairless brow, “this your type of thing?” I snatch the poster from his gloved hand. “It’s a good movie.” “Cute dog.” I stuff the worn paper down into my bag. “Best fucking dog around.”

I venture to the next room. The projection booth remained pretty untouched. Being tucked away from most wanderers. I look over my shoulder seeing the Ghoul leaning against the door frame with a shameless smirk. “Why are you following me around? She'll make a break for it if you’re not around.”

“Nah, I doubt she’ll be able to run.” He lifts himself from the door, his boots scuffling the floor with each step. I look between each case, and box, only finding a handful of caps. “I’m more concerned bout you, darlin’.” I turn around, having to back up into the shelves. His face is at a perfect angle. I can truly see him.

He takes one step closer, pinning me to the bookcase. My breath shutters as I inhale, soaking him in. He bores into my eyes silently. Words are not spoken but a conversation is taking place. One I am unable to hear. A private conversation between souls. I crave him, this stranger with the familiar glow. He runs a finger over my bottom lip. I turn my head away, but he readjusts it to meet his gaze. He dips his head lower, our faces inches from each other. "What are you doing?" The Ghoul's smirk rises again. "Just takin a look." He pulls a case from the shelve. "Ain't this you?" The film being a musical I starred in. I look at him curiously. "You know me, cowboy?" He shrugs, his hat shielding his features once more, "Well, that depends." He raises his head, allowing his orbs to pop through. "You know me?"

I stare at him, the missing pieces of a puzzle I didn't know needed solving. He felt so familiar. He knew of a life before the bombs, maybe that's why the connection was there.

A loud scream breaks me from my trance. I push past him and race outside. Lucy tied to a wooden beam in the front kicks at a rad roach with a panicking whine. I shoot the bugs with an annoyed expression. "Calm down would you?" She shakes, her eyes wide, "Those things were about to eat my toes!" She panics as she pulls against her binds.

We continue on walking through the wasteland to some unknown destination. The Ghoul walks behind Lucy and me; making sure we advance on his path. He stares at me with each step. His eyes glassed over slightly. The one vial only would hold his pain over for so long.

Lucy pants in the sun her legs threatening to fail her. "Melody. Do... Do you have any more water?" I shaky my head at her with a sympathetic look. She turns to look at the Ghoul. "Sir. Sir, please. I need water. Please." He goes and pulls out his canteen, opens the lid, drinks the remaining water, and even dumps out the last drops onto the sand. I shake my head at him. Such a petty man. Lucy's pants of dehydration make him smirk. He looks me up and down. "How come you're all dandy? Hadn't seen you want for nothing." "I don't need water." "Everyone needs water." I shake my head, "Not me." The Ghoul challenges again, "Well why the fuck not?" I sneer at him with a smirk, "I guess you'll just have to wait and find out." He smirks, his teasing behavior continuing, building the tension between us. "Shit, darlin', I like surprises."

I could feel his wandering eyes rake over my body. The burning gaze made my hair stand and my stomach turn. Passing a building, a groan and a shout ring out. "Roger! My name is Roger!" The Ghoul makes Lucy enter first. He places a hand on my lower back, "Come on, darlin'." I fight the urge to lean into his touch, in hopes he would use both his hands.

Upon entering we see a man sitting and thrashing on the sand. "Roger. My name is Roger." He's going down and fast. I press my lips together watching the stranger twist in pain. "Roger. Roger. My name... is Roger!" He screams out again. The Ghoul leans down in front of the turning Ghoul.

"Hey, Rog." He focused his gaze, a small smile coming up at the sight. "Hey. Hey. Fancy seeing you out here. You out for that bounty, too, huh?" He nods, "Yep." Roger unwillingly snarls and wails. The Ghoul looks towards his acquaintance. "How you feeling?"

Roger chuckles after a harsh exhale. "Oh... You know... it's hard out here. Dang smoothies can be so unkind." Roger turns to look toward Lucy and I. He points at me with a chuckle. "Hey! I saw you not too long ago. Sang that one song, real pretty but real sad, about going to your grave." I push a smile, "Yeah, I wrote that a while back. Glad you enjoyed it." Roger huffs looking towards the Ghoul. "Got yourself a nice-looking smoothie. Sings like an angel." He snarls loudly making Lucy jump.

"You're turning." Roger grunts, "Yeah. Yeah, maybe. Maybe. Hey, you-you don't happen to have any vials, do you? Just one little puff and I'll be back on my feet. You know I'm good for it." The Ghoul shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Roger. I'm all out." Roger holds his hands up, "That's okay. That's okay. Though, um, you and your smooth-faced friends, you, um... might want to clear out... before things get ugly." He snarls loudly. I kneel, smiling at Roger. I began to sing the lyrics he spoke of.

It's sooner than later that I'm six feet under

It's sooner than later that you'll be alone

So who will you turn to tomorrow, I wonder?

For when the bombs drop, lover, you're on your own

Roger smiles at me as the words echo in the beaten-up building. His eyes glossing over, he's almost completely gone.

I am the one who you let see you weeping

I know the soul that you struggled to save

Too bad I'm the bet that you lost in the reaping

Now what will you do when I go to my grave?

His eyes close as he sways. As the last word leaves my mouth a shot rings out, splattering Roger's brain on the back wall. Lucy covers her mouth, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Wh... why?" I look back at her. "You're going to have to toughen up, kid. It was for the better." The Ghoul spends no time putting his gun back in his holster and flipping Roger over. I scoff as he cuts into his flesh, skinning him in strips.

The Ghoul brings a slice up to his lips taking a large bite. Lucy gags and protests, "Stop. Stop, stop. Please, I... No, I know it's hard up here, but you don't... you don't have... you don't have to resort to... to..." The Ghoul looks up from his work with a question. "What'd you say your name was?" "Lucy MacLean." The Ghoul stills, he turns to face us, an unreadable expression as he speaks, "MacLean? Huh." He begins his work again, "Well, Lucy MacLean, it ain't all canned peaches and marmalade left up here, sweetheart. Sometimes a fella's got to eat a fella." Lucy pushes her point even further. "You know, my vault has endured hardship, too. In the Great Plague of '77, everyone had to quarantine, they couldn't work the farms together. People starved. My mother included. My dad dropped to 128 pounds, and he still refused to do anything like this." I laugh at her words. She looks at me with wonder, "What? What's so funny?" I shake my head at her, distracting myself with the broken plates on the floor. "No, no, nothing. I feel for him. Must've been so hard." My sarcastic tone is thick in my words. The Ghoul chuckles, "There's what people say they did and what they really did. I'll bet your daddy was first in line at the cookout. I bet he had a bib with a drawing of his neighbor's ass on there." I laugh at his words. "That's funny."

Lucy looks at me in disbelief. "How do you live like this? Why keep going?" The Ghoul turns to her, a glare in his eyes. He stands and stalks towards her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, one good question deserves another." He turns the handle of the knife to Lucy, "Why the fսck am I doing all the work? Now come on, Vaultie. Ass jerky don't make itself."

[school56df]

The Evolution of Packaged Food Products Ideas Convenience Meets Nutrition

Fruits

Apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, and berries are famous worldwide for his or her sweetness and dietary blessings.

Vegetables

Leafy greens like spinach and kale, root greens which include carrots and potatoes, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower provide essential nutrients.

Herbs and Spices

Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint enhance the taste of dishes while presenting medicinal advantages.

Grains and Cereal Products

Grains are a staple in lots of diets internationally. They offer electricity through carbohydrates and are often enriched with extra nutrients. Common grain merchandise include:

Rice

 A staple in many Asian and Latin American cuisines, rice is flexible and available in sorts together with white, brown, and wild rice.

Wheat and Bread Products

Bread, pasta, and pastries are crafted from wheat and are commonplace in many Western diets. Whole wheat options are frequently preferred for his or her higher fiber content.

Oats and Cereals:

 Breakfast cereals made from oats, corn, and wheat provide a quick and handy alternative for starting the day.

Dairy Products

Dairy merchandise are derived from milk and are an vital source of calcium, protein, and different nutrients. Dairy items encompass:

Milk: 

Available in numerous forms, along with entire, skim, and plant-primarily based alternatives like almond and soy milk.

Cheese: 

A flexible meals product, cheese comes in loads of sorts, consisting of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, each with particular flavors and textures.

Yogurt: 

Yogurt is a probiotic-rich food that promotes intestine fitness. Varieties consist of Greek yogurt, flavored yogurt, and plant-primarily based options.

Meat and Seafood Products

Meat and seafood offer essential proteins, nutrients, and minerals like iron and zinc. There are numerous varieties of meat and seafood merchandise, consisting of:

Red Meat

 Beef, lamb, and beef are resources of protein and are broadly consumed globally.

Poultry 

Chicken and turkey are famous alternatives because of their lean protein content and flexibility in cooking.

Seafood 

Fish like salmon, tuna, and shrimp are wealthy in omega-3 fatty acids, that are beneficial for heart health.

 Plant-Based Products

With the upward thrust of vegetarian and vegan diets, plant-based totally food merchandise have grow to be greater prominent. These gadgets are designed to mimic the flavor and texture of animal products however are made absolutely from vegetation. Examples encompass:

Plant-Based Meats

Alternatives to traditional meat made from soy, pea protein, or mushrooms. Brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods provide burgers, sausages, and more.

Dairy-Free Milk and Cheese: 

Almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk are not unusual options to dairy, along with plant-based cheeses crafted from nuts or starches.

Processed and Packaged Foods

Processed foods are the ones that have been altered from their natural nation for comfort, protection, or taste. These can variety from minimally processed items, like bagged salad veggies, to closely processed snacks and frozen meals. Some examples are:

Canned Goods

Canned greens, culmination, and beans provide convenience and a longer shelf life.

Frozen Foods

Frozen dinners, pizzas, and vegetables are popular for his or her ease of instruction.

Snack Foods

Chips, crackers, cookies, and other snacks are widely fed on however should be enjoyed carefully due to excessive stages of sugar, salt, and fat.

Beverages

Beverages embody a extensive range of products, from water to complicated electricity liquids. Important classes consist of:

Water

Still and sparkling water, flavored waters, and more advantageous waters with introduced electrolytes or vitamins.

Juices

Fruit and vegetable juices are popular for his or her clean taste, however they also can include excessive degrees of sugar.

Coffee and Tea: 

Widely fed on round the arena, espresso and tea are available in diverse forms, consisting of equipped-to-drink alternatives, ground coffee, and tea luggage.

Soft Drinks

Sodas, electricity beverages, and flavored carbonated beverages, even as famous, are regularly criticized for his or her sugar content.

 Baked Goods and Confectioneries

Baked items and sweets are liked across cultures and come in many paperwork, from simple to problematic. Examples include:

Bread and Rolls

 Baguettes, sourdough, and multigrain breads are staples in lots of houses.

Pastries

Croissants, truffles, and donuts are enjoyed as snacks or breakfast treats.

Food Product Ideas merchandise encompass a wide variety of objects designed for human consumption, and they come in many bureaucracy to meet unique dietary wishes, possibilities, and lifestyles. From clean produce to packaged items, meals products play a crucial position in day by day nutrition, cultural traditions, and the worldwide economy. Below, we explore numerous classes of meals products, their importance, and trends shaping the enterprise.

Fresh Produce

Fresh end result, greens, and herbs are foundational additives of a wholesome food plan. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which can be vital for retaining suitable fitness. 

Sweets and Candies

Food Products Brands is  Chocolates, gummies, and sweets, while indulgent, have to be consumed in moderation.

[fallenxobsessed]

about me

~~~~~~~~~~~

☆introduction☆

♡》 name: alex

♡》 nicknames: lex, nobi (to my children)

♡》 gender: transmasc, agender

♡》 pronouns: he/they

♡》 age: eighteen

♡》 birthday: some day in october

♡》 timezone: mst

~~~~~~~~~~~

☆favorites/likes☆

♡》 food: bread, lasagna, animal crackers

♡》 drink: redbull original, dr pepper, matcha

♡》 tv shows: ncis (2003-), bones (2005-2017), new girl (2011-2018), teen wolf (2011-2017), superstore (2015-2021)

♡》 movies: national treasure (2004/2007), twister/twisters (1996/2024) inception (2010), happy death day (2017), anyone but you (2023)

♡》 video games: doom (1993), life is strange series (2015-2024), fnaf series (2014-), control (2019)

♡》 animals: cow, quokka, capybara, penguin, chinchilla

♡》 music artists/bands: anthony ramos, beastie boys, dave matthews band, nine inch nails

♡》 music genres: score, metal, musical

~~~~~~~~~~~

☆interests and more☆

♡》 hobbies: writing, photography, role-playing, reading, thrifting

♡》 likes: rain, cats, sunsets, sleeping, bowling, neutrals, shopping

♡》 dislikes: tight spaces, bridges, heights, horror, bugs

~~~~~~~~~~~

current fics:

tempest unleashed [twisters x oc] (in-progress) {cast, 2005, 2019, March 2024, April 2024

scott miller

smile and shadows | scott x reader (posted)

when grumpy meets color | scott x reader (posted)

storms of desire | scott x reader (posted)

[willhavetheirtrinkets]

List five things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals and followers :3

Ooooh, an excellent question/game! Thank you!

It is National Cat Lady Day, and as I have been a cat lady since I was a wee little embryo, I am delighted by this information.

I have a packet of FANTASY ANIMAL frosted animal crackers for my little treat tonight, and I can't wait to bite the heads off mermaids and dragons.

I've just uploaded 4 dozen fics to my tablet for reading later.

I rearranged some books and I found a little extra space on my shelves for MORE BOOKS XD

These petunias. LOOK AT THEM. They are so pretty.

[noloveforned]

no love for ned is back on wlur tonight from 8pm until midnight. i took last week off to catch a couple of my favorites bands from the nineties live in dc- velocity girl and tuscadero!

speaking of the nineties, two weeks ago i did a best of 1993 show that's now on mixcloud. as always i played a couple songs that turned out to be a year off due to the damn copyright dates listed on the cd. i know the sdre was actually 1994 and the portastatic might be too! we'll still be doing a 'best of 2003' show in a couple weeks!

no love for ned on wlur – november 24th, 2023 from 8pm-midnight

artist // track // album // label the lemonheads // down about it // come on feel the lemonheads // atlantic the juliana hatfield three // spin the bottle // become what you are // mammoth teenage fanclub // the cabbage // thirteen // dgc belly // dusted // star // sire the posies // dream all day // frosting on the beater // dgc liz phair // never said // exile in guyville // matador cracker // get off this // kerosene hat // virgin the boo radleys // there she goes // so i married an axe murderer soundtrack // chaos the cranberries // dreams // everybody else is doing it, so why can't we? // island unrest // make out club // perfect teeth // 4ad velocity girl // crazy town // copacetic // sub pop tiger trap // puzzle pieces // tiger trap // k the apples in stereo // tidal wave // tidal wave 7" ep // elephant six even as we speak // love is the answer // feral pop frenzy // sarah the pastels // thank you for being you // truckload of trouble // seed dqe // twister // but me, i fell down // feel good all over crayon // the snap-tight wars // the snap-tight wars 7" // harriet bratmobile // cool schmool // pottymouth // kill rock stars guided by voices // shocker in gloomtown // the grand hour 7" ep // scat the breeders // divine hammer // last splash // 4ad the flaming lips // be my head // transmissions from the satellite heart // warner bros. letters to cleo // here and now // aurora gory alice // cherrydisc catherine wheel // crank // chrome // fontana ned's atomic dustbin // saturday night // so i married an axe murderer soundtrack // chaos the smashing pumpkins // hello kitty kat // today ep // hut dig // believe // dig // radioactive moth macabre // two days // moth macabre // interscope eve's plum // i want it all // envy // epic sand rubies // your life story // sand rubies // atlas drop nineteens // all swimmers are brothers // national coma // caroline radiohead // ripcord // pablo honey // capitol walt mink // subway // bareback ride // caroline dinosaur jr. // start choppin // where you been // sire thrush hermit // marya // marya 7" // genius the spinanes // spitfire // manos // sub pop the afghan whigs // what jail is like // gentlemen // elektra morphine // candy // cure for pain // rykodisc evan dando // frying pan // sweet relief- a benefit for victoria williams tribute // columbia barbara manning // joed out // no alternative compilation // arista matthew sweet // time capsule // altered beast // zoo entertainment mazzy star // fade into you // so tonight that i might see // capitol east river pipe // make a deal with the city // goodbye california // sarah portastatic // naked pilseners // i hope your heart is not brittle // merge witch hazel // just don't try // just don't try 7" // bubblegum smile his name is alive // drink, dress, and ink // mouth by mouth // 4ad yo la tengo // sudden organ // painful // matador suede // animal nitrate // suede // columbia u2 // stay (faraway, so close!) // zooropa // island red house painters // new jersey // red house painters ii // 4ad grant lee buffalo // fuzzy // fuzzy // slash godstar // forgotten night // sleeper // half a cow buffalo tom // sodajerk // big red letter day // beggars banquet james // laid // laid // fontana the lucksmiths // adolescent song of mindless devotion // the lucksmiths cassette // banana noise addict // i wish i was him // i wish i was him 7" // fellaheen lambchop // nine // nine 7" // merge sunny day real estate // seven // diary // sub pop shudder to think // animal wild // sweet relief- a benefit for victoria williams tribute // columbia sugar // feeling better // beaster ep // rykodisc superchunk // precision auto // on the mouth // matador archers of loaf // web in front // icky mettle // alias seaweed // kid in candy // four // sub pop bikini kill // rebel girl // pussy whipped // kill rock stars fastbacks // hung on a bad peg // zücker // sub pop pavement // unseen power of the picket fence // no alternative compilation // arista neutral milk hotel // everything is // everything is 7" // cher doll

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.18

Holidays

Adult Autism Awareness Day

Anal Sex Day (Jim Jeffries)

Army Day (Iran)

Banyan Tree Birthday Party (Maui, Hawaii)

Battle of Dybbøl Day (Denmark)

Bilberry Day (French Republic)

Celebrate Ben Solo Day

Coggia’s Comet Day

Coma Patients’ Day (Poland)

Day of Historic and Cultural Monuments (Ukraine)

Day of Secretaries (Belgium, Netherlands)

89ers Day (Oklahoma)

Ernie Pyle Remembrance Day

Friend’s Day (Brazil)

I Love CSU Day (Colorado)

International Amateur Radio Day

International Day For Monuments and Sites (UNESCO)

International Erasure T-Shirt Day

International Juggler's Day

International No Declaw Day

Ianthe Asteroid Day

Invention Day (Japan)

Laundromat Day

National Columnists’ Day

National Exercise Day

National Financial Advisor Day

National Lineman Appreciation Day

National Lydia Day

National Poem in Your Pocket Day

National Send Nudes Day

National Sleep Apnea Awareness Day

National Transfer Money to Your Daughter’s Account Day

National Transgender HIV Testing Day

National Velociraptor Awareness Day

Newspaper Columnists' Day

Paul Revere Day

Pet Owners Independence Day (a.k.a. Pet Parents’ Day Off)

Piñata Day

Real People Day

Red Cross Society Day (Ukraine)

Respect Your Mother Day

Robanukah (Futurama)

Scouts’ Day (Armenia)

Sleep Apnea Awareness Day

Smile Big and Say Hi For No Particular Reason Day

Superman Day

Third World Day

Ushibuka Haiya Matsuri (Dance Festival; Japan)

Victory Over the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of the Ice (Russia)

World Amateur Radio Day

World Artisan Day

World Heritage Day

World Trifle Day

Youth Homelessness Matters Day

Zhabdrung Kuchhoe (Bhutan)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Animal Crackers Day

World Food Travel Day

3rd Thursday in April

Ask An Atheist Day [3rd Thursday; also 9.16]

Biomedical Research Awareness Day [3rd Thursday]

College Student Grief Awareness Day [3rd Thursday]

Get To Know Your Customers Day [3rd Thursday of each Quarter]

High Five Day [3rd Thursday]

International Pizza Cake Day [3rd Thursday]

National D.A.R.E. Day [3rd Thursday]

National High Five Day [3rd Thursday]

Sumardagurinn Fyrsti (1st Day of Summer; Iceland) [1st Thursday after 4.18]

Throwback Thursday [3rd Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 18 (3rd Week)

Cleaning for a Reason [thru 4.24]

Consumer Awareness Week [thru 4.23]

Health Information Professionals Week [thru 4.24]

National Osteopathic Medicine Week [thru 4.24]

Police Officers Who Gave Their Lives in the Line of Duty Week [thru 4.23]

Independence & Related Days

Earth’s Kingdom (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Pinang (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Republic of Eire (Formal Proclamation; 1949)

Zimbabwe (from UK, 1980)

New Year’s Days

Lao New Year Holiday (Laos)

Myanmar New Year Holidays (Myanmar)

Festivals Beginning April 18, 2024

Atlanta Wing Fest (Atlanta, Georgia)

Grape Day (Temecula, California)

Love the Burger Battle Contest (Luverne, Minnesota) [thru 5.25]

Roadburn Festival (Tilburg, Netherlands) [thru 4.20]

Taste of St. Croix (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands)

Feast Days

Agapitus (Christian; Saint)

Agia (Christian; Saint)

Apollonius the Apologist (Christian; Saint)

Bun-Bun Brothers’ Day (Muppetism)

Carista: Day of Peace in the Family (Pagan)

Corebus (Christian; Saint)

Cyril VI of Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Eleutherius, Antia & His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Festival of Matsu (a.k.a. Mazu; Taoist Sea Goddess)

Festival of Rama-Navami (Hinduism; Everyday Wicca)

Fox Tail Burning Day (Ancient Rome)

Galdino della Sala (a.k.a. Galdin; Christian; Saint)

Gustave Moreau (Artology)

Idesbald (Christian; Saint)

Jeanne-Elisabeth Chaudet (Artology)

Lady Macbeth Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Laserian (a.k.a. Laisren or Molaisse; Christian; Saint)

Ludwig Meisner (Artology)

Make Faerie Rocks Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Laserim, Bishop of Laighlin, Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Max Weber (Artology)

Molaise of Leighlin (Christian; Saint)

Nihilism Day (Pastafarian)

Perfectus (Christian; Saint)

Plato of Sakkoudion (Christian; Saint)

Three Impossible Mixtures Day (Celtic Book of Days)

The Underlings (Muppetism)

Vitruvius (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [18 of 37]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [15 of 30]

Premieres

Absolute Beginners (Film; 1986)

Alice’s Circus Dance (Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Apes of Wrath (WB MM Cartoon; 1959)

Baggage Buster (Disney Cartoon; 1941)

Barnyard Olympics (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

Beyond This Horizon, by Robert A. Heinlein (Novel; 1948)

Chess-Nuts (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

Dog Trouble (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1942)

Fancy Free, by Leonard Bernstein (Ballet; 1944)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Film; 2008)

Four Quartets, by T.S. Eliot (Poetry; 1943)

Gorky Park, by Martin Cruz Smith (Novel; 1981)

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (Disneyland Animatronic Exhibit; 1964)

Holes (Film; 2003)

Kongo-Roo (Phantasies Cartoon; 1946)

Legend (Film; 1986)

Little Johnny Jet (MGM Cartoon; 1953)

Mare of Easttown (TV Series; 2021)

Manifestoes of Surrealism, by André Breton (Book; 1924)

Master and Commander, by Patrick O'Brian (Novel; 1969)

Muscle Tussle (WB MM Cartoon; 1953)

The Razor’s Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham (Novel; 1944)

The Saint in Trouble, by Graham Weaver (Short Stories; 1978) [Saint #47]

Sheikh of Araby, recorded by Sidney Bechet (Song; 1941)

The Simple Things (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Speaking of Animals Down on the Farm (Animated Antics Cartoon; 1941)

Straight Shooters (Disney Cartoon; 1947)

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (WB Animated Film; 2017)

Three Little Wolves (Disney Silly Symphonies Cartoon; 1936)

Uncle Joey (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Winged Migration (Documentary Film; 2003)

Today’s Name Days

Werner, Wigbert (Austria)

Viktor, Viktoriya (Bulgaria)

Atanazija, Eusebije, Hermogen, Roman (Croatia)

Valérie (Czech Republic)

Eleutherius (Denmark)

Valdek, Valdeko, Valdemar, Valdo, Valdu, Valdur, Valmar, Valmer, Voldemar, Volli, Volmer (Estonia)

Valdemar, Valto (Finland)

Parfait (France)

Werner, Wigbert (Germany)

Eirene, Eirini, Irene, Irini, Nikolaos, Nikoleta, Nikos, Nicholas, Nicolas, Nick, Rafael, Rene, Rena, Renia, Rhenia (Greece)

Andrea, Ilma (Hungary)

Galdino (Italy)

Dana, Hildegarde, Jadviga, Laura, Nameisis (Latvia)

Apolonijus, Eitvilas, Girmantė, Undinė (Lithuania)

Eilen, Eilert (Norway)

Apoloniusz, Bogusław, Bogusława, Flawiusz, Gościsław (Poland)

Ioan (Romania)

Valér (Slovakia)

Perfecto (Spain)

Valdemar, Volmar (Sweden)

Anthea, Ayana, Ayanna, Warner, Werner (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 109 of 2024; 257 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 16 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 5 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 10 (Ren-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 9 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 19 Cyan; Fryday [19 of 30]

Julian: 5 April 2024

Moon: 76%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 25 Archimedes (4th Month) [Strabo]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 31 of 92)

Week: 3rd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 29 of 31)

[rabbitcruiser]

National Cookie Day

Bake some sugary, buttery and perfectly rounded snacks, indulge in classics like chocolate chip or experiment with unusual flavors like lavender or cheese.

Cookies are sweet and full of all sorts of delicious goodness, from nuts to fruit to chocolate. They can be either delightfully crumbly or sinfully chewy. Not to mention that they keep forever if they are stored properly…well, this may not actually be true but, honestly, they will probably never last long enough to find out!

There’s no doubt about it: cookies more than deserve their own day, and that’s why National Cookie Day is celebrated around the world in order to pay tribute to these delicious little treats. So grab some flour, butter, and sugar, and let’s get to celebrating, shall we?

The History of National Cookie Day

Cookies, themselves, can be traced back much further than most people would imagine. It is estimated that in the 7th century AD, Persians were some of the first to grow and harvest sugar cane, which would have eventually been turned into baked goods. The movement of people for trade and war led the glory of sugar to be brought into Europe and, by the 14th century, cookies had come there as well.

Then, when Europeans migrated over to the Americas, they brought with them their sugar as well as their cookie recipes. Americans eventually began developing their own types of cookies, the Chocolate Chip Cookie being one of the most famous of all.

In 1987 Matt Nader of the San Francisco-based Blue Chip Cookie Company created National Cookie Day, saying: “It’s just like having National Secretaries Day… It will just be a fun thing to do.” This fun and sweet holiday have also been championed by The Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, obviously a supporter of all things that are cookie-related.

Although the day did not originate with him, some details about National Cookie Day can be found in Random House’s The Sesame Street Dictionary, which was published back in the 1980s. Since then, the word got around the globe that there was much tasty fun to be had on December 4th, and people from various countries all around the world began to celebrate National Cookie Day.

In fact, a number of variations on National Cookie Day are also celebrated around the world, such as Oatmeal National Cookie Day and Bake Cookies Day. This is likely due to one of the greatest things about cookies: they come in hundreds of shapes and sizes and are relatively simple to make.

So get ready to celebrate everything that has to do with cookies–baking them and eating them!

National Cookie Day Timeline

1st Century AD

Scottish oatcakes

While some might argue this started out as a version of bread, what they turned into is something that is certainly very close to resembling a cookie! They were often used by traveling clansmen as a staple of their diet.

7th Century AD

Mini cakes are used to test ovens

When testing to see if the temperatures were right, ancient Persians (some of the first to grow and harvest sugar cane) may have used tiny “cakes” to check their ovens. These little cakes may be the ancient ancestors to today’s cookies.

11th Century

Lady Fingers emerge

These delicate little spongy cakes actually resemble something like cookies and were first made in France. The first recipe hails from the House of Savoy.

14th Century

Cookies become commonplace

With the growth of access to sugar, many residents of European cities find small treats such as cookies are fairly accessible. In fact, most of the earliest baking cookbooks from this time contained recipes for cookies. Of course, in England, they may have taken on the name “biscuit”.

1792

First published American cookbook includes cookie recipes

Just 20 years after the independence of the country, the first American cookbook is published. It contains recipes for regular butter cookies as well as a “Christmas Cookey”.

1902

Nabisco makes Barnum Animal Crackers

Although they are named “crackers”, everyone knows they taste sweet like cookies! These, produced by American company, Nabisco, are in the shapes of animals and named after the famous circus showman, P.T. Barnum.

1937

Chocolate chip cookies are invented

In what began as a happy ‘accident’, Ruth Wakefield of Massachusetts, USA, was baking butter cookies and wanted to make them into chocolate cookies. She thought if she put tiny chocolate pieces into the dough, they would melt and turn into chocolate cookies. Wakefield ran the Tollhouse Restaurant, which she named the cookie after.

1984

Cookie Dough ice cream is invented

When an anonymous fan suggested they add piles of unbaked cookie dough to their vanilla ice cream, Ben & Jerry were just crazy enough to try it!

1997

Chocolate chip cookie represents Massachusetts

Following a bill proposed by a class of third graders from Somerset, Massachusetts adopts the chocolate chip cookie as the official cookie of the commonwealth. This gives a nod to the invention of this cookie at the Tollhouse Restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts.[9]

How to Celebrate National Cookie Day

So simple and easy, celebrating cookie day means enjoying a cookie–and perhaps sharing one with a friend. Try out these other ideas to make National Cookie Day special:

Enjoy Eating Cookies

While some people might consider cookies to be something to pack in a child’s lunchbox, they’re certainly delicious for adults to enjoy too! Small or big, cookies are inherently perfect for sharing. They’re the ideal treat for a family gathering or a kid’s soccer game. Stop by a bakery on the way to work and grab a few cookies to share at the office. Or bake some at home and pass them around to neighbors.

Whatever is happening on this day (or any day, for that matter) will obviously be much better if it happens with a cookie in hand!

Try a Unique Cookie Flavor

Make National Cookie Day memorable by stepping off the beaten path a bit and trying a cookie flavor that you normally wouldn’t have. Go beyond that typical chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie recipe. All sorts of unique and adventurous cookie flavors are out there just waiting to be tasted, and here just a few:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bacon Cookies. They say that everything is better with bacon. Why not try adding it to some delicious cookies? The blend of sweet and savory is absolutely to die for.

Fruity Pebbles Cookies. Just for fun, these treats use a basic cookie recipe and add in a couple of cups of colorful, crispy Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Savory Herb Shortbread Cookies. Almost like crackers, these cookies work nicely as an appetizer. Made with parmesan and freshly minced rosemary, these cookies pair well with a glass of red wine. And they can be just as tasty when made with asiago cheese and freshly cut thyme.

Salted White Chocolate Lavender Cookies. Keep to the herb garden with the delicate edible lavender combined with white chocolate.

Source

[brookston]

Holidays 8.28

Holidays

Bow Tie Day

Crackers Over the Keyboard Day

Criminal Appreciation Day

Crumbs Between the Keys Day

Dream Day Quest and Jubilee

828 Day

Emerati Women’s Day (UAE)

Emmett Till Day

End of the Fairy Tale Day

Giving Black Day (a.k.a. Give 828)

Gone-ta-Pott Day [every 28th]

Green Shirt Guy Day

I Have a Dream Day

International Read Comics in Public Day

Manifest 828 Day

Mariamoba (Republic of Georgia)

National Bow Tie Day

National Grandparents Day (Mexico)

National Over It Day

National Power Rangers Day

National Thoughtful Day

Nativity of Nephthys (Egyptian Goddess of Love)

Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day

Radio Commercial Day

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Russian Germans Day (Germany)

Scientific American Day

Significant Historical Events Day

Tan Suit Day

Watermelon Day (French Republic)

World Day of Turners Syndrome

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Cheese Sacrifice Day

National Cherry Turnover Day

National Red Wine Day

Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Day

Subway Sandwich Day

4th & Last Monday in August

Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes’ Day; Philippines) [Last Monday]

August/Summer Bank Holiday (UK) [Last Monday]

International Day of Cyber Attack Ceasefire [Last Monday]

Liberation Day (Hong Kong) [Last Monday]

Motorist Consideration Monday [Monday of Be Kind to Humankind Week]

Notting Hill Carnival (UK) [Last Monday & day before]

Social Justice Day (Antarctica) [4th Monday]

Independence Days

Holy Empire of Reunion (Declared; 1997) [unrecognized]

Luana (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Moldova (from USSR; 1991)

Ohio Empire (Declared; 2008) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Alexander of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Abkhazia)

Augustine of Hippo (Christian; Saint) [brewers] *

Ayyankali Jayanti (Kerala, India)

Constant Troyon (Artology)

Edmund Arrowsmith (Christian; Saint)

Edward Burne-Jones (Artology)

Feast of the Mother of God (Georgia, Macedonia, Serbia)

Festival for Luna (Ancient Rome)

Festival for Sol (Ancient Rome)

Festival of the Neon Revolution

First Onam (Rice Harvest Festival; Kerala, India)

Frank Gorshin Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Hermes of Rome (Christian; Saint)

Julian (Christian; Saint)

Junipero Serra (Christian; Saint)

Marimba (Virgin’s Assumption; Georgia)

Mariotte (Positivist; Saint)

Media Aestas III (Pagan)

More Rum Day (Pastafarian)

Moses the Black (Christian; Saint)

Uncle Norton the Elephant (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 40 of 60)

Premieres

Animal Crackers (Film; 1930)

Cain's Jawbone, by E. Powys Mathers (Novel/Puzzle; 1934)

Come Clean, by Puddle of Mudd (Album; 2001)

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (Novel; 1844)

Do the Evolution, by Pearl Jam (Animated Music Video; 1998)

54 (Film; 1998)

Flying Leathernecks (Film; 1951)

Gallipoli (Film; 1981)

Get Rich Quick Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1937)

Honeymoon in Vegas (Film; 1992)

I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King Jr. (Speech; 1963)

Let’s Get It On, by Marvin Gaye (Album; 1973)

Lohengrin, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1850)

Mary of Scotland (Film; 1936)

Mickey’s Follies (Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (TV Series; 1993)

Narcos (TV Series; 2015)

The New Mutants (Film; 2020)

Perri (Disney Film; 1957)

Personal, 19th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2014)

Phineas and Verb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (Animated Film; 2020)

Private Lessons (Film; 1981)

Q. Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, by Devo (Album; 1978)

Rope (Film; 1948)

Smile, by Katy Perry (Album; 2020)

Song of the Thin Man (Film; 1947)

Studio 54 (Film; 1998)

Tease for Two (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

Travelling Without Moving, by Jamiroquai (Album; 1996)

The Truth About Mother Goose (Disney Cartoon; 1957)

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (Film; 1992)

Victoria (TV Series; 2016)

Walk This Way by Aerosmith (Song; 1975)

Yankee Doodle Bugs (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Today’s Name Days

Adelinde, Aline, Augustin (Austria)

Augustin, Tin (Croatia)

Augustýn (Czech Republic)

Augustinus (Denmark)

August, Gustav, Kustas, Kustav, Kusti, Kusto (Estonia)

Tauno (Finland)

Augustin, Elouan (France)

Adelinde, Aline, Augustin, Vivian (Germany)

Damon (Greece)

Ágoston (Hungary)

Agostino, Ermete (Italy)

Auguste, Guste, Ranna (Latvia)

Augustinas, Patricija, Steigvilė, Tarvilas (Lithuania)

Artur, August (Norway)

Adelina, Aleksander, Aleksy, Augustyn, Patrycja, Sobiesław, Stronisław (Poland)

Augustín (Slovakia)

Agustín (Spain)

Fatima, Leila (Sweden)

Agustin, August, Augusta, Augustina, Austen, Austin, Austina, Austyn, Gus, Gustava, Gustavo (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 240 of 2024; 125 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 35 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 21 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Geng-Shen), Day 13 (Wu-Wu)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 11 Elul 5783

Islamic: 11 Safar 1445

J Cal: 30 Hasa; Nineday [30 of 30]

Julian: 15 August 2023

Moon: 92%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 16 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Mariotte]

Runic Half Month: Rad (Motion) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 68 of 94)

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 7 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Rad (Motion) [Half-Month 17 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 9.9)

[doctorfriend79]

😋 Happy National Animal Cracker Day! 😋

[itzyty]

Arceno_COM01_PT6

Video no. 1: "Fita Sports Car: Balikan Ang Sarap" by Fita

I chose this advertisement because it is nostalgic to me. The advertisement is all about a snack in the Philippines called Fita. It is a type of cracker that has nine pieces that has a circular shape to it. Fita crackers were created by the company Monde M.Y. San on the year 1935. The Fita crackers were their flagship brand, along with SkyFlakes crackers (Chew, 2018). The excellent afternoon snack, Fita, is well-known and adored by Filipinos for its wonderfully balanced sweet and salty flavor. The intended audience of this ad is comprised of people, specifically people of all ages. Additionally, Fita is very popular amongst children since it is a delicious snack. Because it is a food product, the advertisement is suitable for the audience since it is about replenishing nourishment. However, it can have some adverse effects, specifically on children. Early in their development, children are in the "pre-cognition" phase of their cognitive defense, which makes it unlikely that they will question the morality and purpose of advertising efforts (Smith et al., 2019). This can lead to a child having mental and physical development problems (Cordeiro, 2021). The ad shown here does not have any forms of Media Manipulation. The ad captured the audience's attention because of how catchy and nostalgic the ad is. This advertisement uses nostalgia to capture the viewers' attention because it affects their emotions and memories. Nostalgia marketing creates a positive, emotional sense by using well-known notions to associate a company with something for which customers have pleasant memories. To evoke memories of the past in their interactions with clients, several brands employ a strategy known as nostalgia marketing (Clark, 2023). This was present in the Fita ad because the featured ad had a similar structure in 2003, according to the youtube comments in the youtube video of the ad. There are several ways to employ nostalgia marketing, including through music and film.

Video no. 2: "Hungry Days" (1 - 4) by Nissin

Since I watched One Piece, this advertisement sparked my interest. The advertisement is about a famous food brand in Japan called Nissin. The ad comprised a cup noodle branded Nissin. The top brand of cup-shaped instant noodles in Japan is Cup Noodle, which was introduced in 1971. It is currently popular in 100 different nations and areas. Cup Noodles are one of the best foods you can eat at lunch and dinner. This ad's intended audience is people, specifically people of all ages, because it is about consuming food to regain sustenance. The advertisement showed the product Nissin Cup Noodles, a food product that is good for the targeted audience since the ad does not show harmful and explicit content. However, cup noodles are only sometimes healthy. Although low in calories, cup noodles also lack protein and fiber. They are also infamous for having high sodium, fat, and carbohydrate content (Swan, 2021). Since this ad features the anime "One Piece," the form of Media Manipulation it uses is celebrity endorsement. Many businesses have recognized the commercial prospects that anime characters represent for them as more and more people continue to watch and appreciate anime. As a result of this discovery, anime characters are appearing in an increasing number of Japanese advertisements nowadays (Kono, 2022). Like for this instance, the ad featured the anime One Piece.

References:

MondeMySan. (2020). Fita Sports Car: Balikan Ang Sarap!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GWV-hsNXQs

Game Player Link. (2020). One piece x Nissin Hungry days All Commercial 1 - 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO5H_5HgDhk

Chew, M. (2018). Monde M.Y. San: Taste of Success -. Balikbayan Magazine. https://balikbayanmagazine.com/travel/wine-dine/taste-buds/monde-m-y-san-taste-of-success/

 Smith, R., Kelly, B., Yeatman, H., & Boyland, E. (2019). Food Marketing Influences Children's Attitudes, Preferences and Consumption: A Systematic Critical Review. Nutrients, 11(4), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040875

Cordeiro, V. C. (2021). Understanding the Impact of Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity. Humanium. https://www.humanium.org/en/understanding-the-impact-of-food-advertising-on-childhood-obesity/ 

Clark, S. (2023). Nostalgic Ads Can Reel 'Em In. CMSWire. https://www.cmswire.com/digital-marketing/what-you-should-know-about-nostalgia-marketing/

Nissin Group. (n.d.)  Brands. https://www.nissin.com/en_jp/brands/ 

Swan, J. (2021). How Bad are Instant Noodles for Your Health? Parkway East Hospital. https://www.parkwayeast.com.sg/health-plus/article/instant-noodles-health-impact#:~:text=A%20vast%20majority%20of%20instant,%2C%20vitamin%20B12%2C%20and%20more.

Kono, K. (2022, June 29). Anime In Japanese Advertising - 4 Impactful Examples. Tokyoesque. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://tokyoesque.com/anime-in-japanese-advertising-4-impactful-examples/

[kshshgill]

Festival of Lights

Do you know Diwali is Incomplete without these ? :-

Today the whole nation will be celebrating the festival of lights and joy . Everyone will be wearing beautiful clothes, enjoying with friends and family , having lot of sweets and delicious food , etc .

most of the people will be firing crackers too for enjoyment but is firing crackers 🎆 a really good way of enjoying this festival?? 🤔 Many of the people in this country don't even know How harmful crackers are , specially kids . We do enjoy within ourselves by doing this but what about those who can't speak??

Yes , i am talking about the animals and the environment . Do you know animals really feel scared of fire crackers and their loud noice . You won't be able to see any animal on the street just because of this . And not even this but some people ( mostly kids ) actually do harm animals using crackers , every year during the period of Diwali Thousands of animals do fight for their in lives in Hospital.

We do say HAPPY DIWALI to everyone but do you think is it really a HAPPY diwali ?? When we make someone fight for his or her life in hospital…..

Coming to Environment , our family and teachers always teach us to save environment from being polluted so that everyone can live a good healthy life but we the humans ourselves make it more polluted day by day and make it more harmful and poisonous, specially during the period of Diwali , every street gets filled with noice and smell of crackers . But what about our healthy life ?? We do say every time , we will be doing excercise, we will start taking good healthy diet and so on for our healthy life then why do we forget about the air we breath ??

Which is the main and very important part of our lives and not even only for our lives but the life of our environment too……..fire crackers are the most poisonous thing which kill us slowly slowly by getting dissolved in the air . It kills the trees and plants too…….

Our Diwali will be HAPPY in real when everyone will be safe , our Animals , our environment and our health will be safe cause if we are harming someone or something , thier's nothing Happy in Diwali . So friends let's let's take a pledge to make this Diwali really Happy by not firing crackers .

Do subscribe to my Youtube account - The Vlog Shop for more information.

[sfarticles]

Get creative with salads "The Salad Lab: Whisk, Toss Enjoy!" has lots of recipes for flavorful and unique salads that can easily be a meal.

Check out my latest column https://www.timesherald.com/2024/06/12/get-creative-with-salads/

It’s the time of year when many of us enjoy eating a salad, especially on a hot, humid day. That’s why May was proclaimed as National Salad Month. But what exactly is a salad?

What comes to mind: Caesar, Waldorf, potato, tuna, pasta? Some even think of it as rabbit food, which perhaps is true, if you think about how salads were prepared back in the day …iceberg lettuce, a slice of onion and cucumber, a wedge of tomato, some shredded carrots, and perhaps an olive or two. Today, many restaurants, especially fast-food restaurants, still prepare it this way.

In years past, salad was served as an appetizer or side dish, with little creativity in its preparation. Remember the salads that included cubes of green Jell-O?  Perhaps, I am dating myself.

Fast forward, and salads today, quite often, take center stage as meals, using a variety of greens, many unbeknownst to most in the past. Arugula seems to be popular and has become a favorite of mine. Watercress, Bok choy, endive, kale and a plethora of lettuces have taken over from plain old iceberg.

Fruits, both fresh and dried, heirloom vegetables (roasted ones add great flavor), seeds, beans, grains, nuts, meats, fish, cheese and easily made, delicious dressings are now part of the ingredient repertoire.

Salads are a time-poor cook’s secret weapon for putting a healthy and delicious meal on the table. They offer endless possibilities; go to your local farmers market and introduce yourself to some unfamiliar greens and vegetables. Ask local farmers for some suggestions, too.

With some creativity, a simple, easy-to-prepare dish becomes a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner. But remember, some salad dressings can add those unnecessary, and unwanted calories.

Many years ago, I met Wiley Mullins (aka “The Salad Man”), author of “Salad Makes the Meal,” published in 2008. He inspired me to add more dinner and lunch salads to my diet. It is quite easy with a cookbook that offers inspiration.

Fresh off the press is “The Salad Lab: Whisk, Toss, Enjoy!” by Darlene Schrijver (2024, Simon Element, $32.50). It is a welcome addition to my collection, especially with all the local produce becoming available.

You might be thinking you don’t need a cookbook to make salad. Perhaps you don’t if you choose not to go beyond tossed greens and a couple of other ingredients. Why not take your salads to the next level, mixing textures and flavors. You’ll learn to incorporate roasted, grilled, sauteed and pickled vegetables, as well as grains, dried and fresh fruit, beans and a variety of pastas.

Before getting into the recipes, the author shares her salad philosophy; for example, embracing variety and experimentation.

She writes: “The experiment section follows every recipe in this book. It’s where I recommend how to swap out polarizing ingredients, seasonal produce, animal products for plant-based products and more.”

The hints on how to shop and what to shop for to make the perfect salad are helpful. I found the “Pantry Control Group” interesting. Here, she has a column listing 16 ingredients, for example salad toppings. Then, two columns follow, one labeled basic, and one luxurious. Under basic she lists pita chips, tortilla chips, Italian bread crumbs, and under luxurious is where she lists plantain chips, sweet potato chips, cheese crisps and rice crackers.

I had the opportunity to interview Darlene.

Q: Why are some people afraid to be creative when making a salad. They just use the same old Iceberg lettuce, a few cherry tomatoes, some onion, etc.?

A: I think there are a few reasons: Historically Iceberg (and if you were lucky in the summer romaine) was all you could get. Today with overnight delivery networks, hydroponics, local greenhouses, expansion of farmers markets, home gardening, plus trending farm to table restaurants, the options are endless.

Like mac and cheese, some foods are just comforting. For salads, you see that with the resurgence of “the wedge” salad in restaurants.

Increases in produce prices are no joke. It’s safer to use what you know. I really support substituting what is in season, on sale, or what you have on hand, and then trying a couple of new ingredients to discover what you like.  I really encourage people to experiment.

Q: Some people don’t prepare salad at home because it doesn’t taste like the ones they have enjoyed at a restaurant. Why is this?

A: Fresh herbs! I can’t emphasize this enough, such a game changer, it brings out the freshness and flavor and makes your salad pop!

Salt, I am a huge Maldon flake sea salt fan. Season your salads with freshly cracked pepper and flake sea salt (it is in almost every recipe). It enhances the flavors.

Say no to bottled dressing, make your own! It makes a huge difference. No preservatives, bad tasting oils or chemical flavors when you make it yourself. You can adjust the level of garlic, mustard and heat/spice to your personal taste.

Q: Salads are sometimes not as healthy as one might think.  Psychologically, people eat a salad and think they will lose weight. What suggestions do you have regarding this?

A: You are absolutely correct, some salads (like ones with french fries on top) are not going to put you in a calorie deficit or lower your bad cholesterol.  I am not a nutritionist nor dietitian, and anyone going on any sort of health or weight loss journey should educate themselves on that topic.

My platform is about having fun making salads, and hopefully a side benefit is people enjoy, experiment and create more meals with fresh vegetables and protein. I don’t know too many people that have gotten sick from including a larger variety of vegetables in their meals (unless they have allergy issues and there are always substitutes).

Q: What separates your book from the other salad cookbooks in the market?

A: There is something for everyone! Our “salad community” is very diverse, and I have included an experiment section for each recipe that has some substitution recommendations for vegans, vegetarians and hard-to-find ingredients.

From beginning cooks to experienced ones, I have recommendations on how to fill your pantry full of ingredients to have on hand from must haves to the luxurious for a salad.  It includes my style of recipes for most of the favorites you see at family gatherings and on menus, destination salads from different states like Hawaiian Poke salad, and countries like a West African style citrus and avocado salad.

There are seasonal and holiday salads, including one that is a whole Thanksgiving dinner, and the perfect colorful wedding salad with both roasted and fresh vegetables for everyone, including vegans (it’s the book’s cover), a few fabulous celebrity favorites that helped launch my platform, plus my favorite section called, “Everything is a Salad” where I have created favorites like fish tacos, grinder sandwiches, and pizza into a salad too.

My goal in writing this book was to share the fun and joy of preparing your own salads, and experiencing them with others. I tell my kids, everyone needs a hobby, why can’t it be making salads?  Experiment!

For the recipe for Watermelon Feta Salad, visit https://bit.ly/4cgPaym.

Watermelon Feta Salad is surprisingly fabulous in every way, blending sweet, salty, spicy, and savory in one delicious bite. (Photo by Erin Kunkel)

Doradito Salad

Doradito Salad is a little trip down memory lane as it includes Doritos as one of its ingredients. (Photo by Erin Kunkel)

The headnote says: “Who doesn’t love Doritos? Called ‘a swinging Latin sort of snack’ when first advertised in the 1960s, Doritos are still the number one chip in the United States today. Fun fact: the name combines the Spanish words doradito and dorado, both of which describe fried golden things. They are considered comfort food for some. and almost everyone has some sort of teenage flashback related to these cheesy corn chips. This salad recipe is a little trip down memory lane. I put the Salad Lab twist on the dressing and replaced the traditional bottled, syrupy Catalina dressing (yikes) with this lighter homemade one (yum). We also enjoy a little more spice in our house, so I used chorizo and pickled jalapeños instead of the classic ’taco meat.’”

Serves 4 as a meal or 6-10 as a side

Ingredients:

START OUT

1 ½ cups fresh Mexican chorizo (not cured), casings removed if necessary

Ice water

¼ cup diced red onion (1⁄4-inch pieces)

1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, or substitute what looks best at the market

WHISK

1 teaspoon pressed garlic

1⁄3 cup avocado oil

¼ cup red wine vinegar

¼ cup ketchup

3 tablespoons grated yellow or red onion

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

Flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

TOSS

4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce (bite-size pieces)

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce (bite-size pieces)

1 ½ cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos (bite-size pieces)

1 cup cooked or rinsed and drained canned pinto beans

1 cup cubed avocado (½ inch pieces)

1⁄3 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

1⁄3 cup grated medium-sharp cheddar cheese

¼  cup drained pickled jalapeño slices

Nacho Cheese Doritos, for serving (optional)

EXPERIMENT: Try substituting this dressing with the Cilantro Lime Dressing on page 251. There are so many canned beans available now; experiment with black beans, Great Northern beans or black-eyed peas. Use any lettuce you like or already have. If you don’t like spicy or are not a chorizo fan, substitute ground turkey or beef prepared with taco seasoning. If you like to eat the salad as a dip, don’t crush the chips and toss them in; use them as your spoon instead.

Directions:

START OUT: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Line a plate with paper towels. When the pan is hot, add the chorizo. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat in small, bite-size pieces using a spatula, until well browned and cooked through, 6 to 9 minutes. Transfer to the prepared plate with a slotted spoon to drain. Meanwhile, fill a 500-ml beaker or a small glass bowl halfway with ice water and add the diced onion. Soak for 10 minutes, then drain and pat the onion dry. Place the tomatoes in a colander and gently press down with a spoon to drain off excess liquid.

WHISK: Rinse the pressed garlic in a very fine mesh strainer and shake off any excess water. In a large salad bowl, combine the garlic, oil, vinegar, ketchup, grated onion, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, paprika, and chili powder and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

TOSS: In the bowl with the dressing, add the iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, crushed Doritos, beans, avocado, jack cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, chorizo, diced onion, and tomatoes. Toss until all the ingredients are evenly combined and coated with dressing and serve. If you want to get fancy, garnish with extra chips around the bowl.

ENJOY: I’m having it with a merlot or soda.

Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad

Red, White and Blue Potato Salad is for all the potato lovers out there looking for a great alternative to the classic mayonnaise-based potato salad. (Photo by Erin Kunkel)

The headnote says: “Everyone loves potatoes. The average American eats 120 pounds of potatoes each year. That’s double the amount of the next largest consumed vegetable, lettuce. Hey, that’s a lot of salads; maybe I should make more potato salads? This one is for all the potato lovers out there looking for a great alternative to the classic mayonnaise-based potato salad (find my version on page 48). I love the rich buttery texture of the mixed potatoes paired with the Meyer lemon, dill, and chive dressing. It’s one of my favorites to accompany a meal on a hot summer day.”

Serves 8-12 as a side

Ingredients:

START OUT

Flaky sea salt

3 pounds mixed baby red, Yukon gold, and purple potatoes

Ice water

½ cup diced shallot (1⁄4-inch pieces)

WHISK

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼  cup fresh Meyer lemon or regular lemon juice (remember to zest first)

¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flatleaf parsley

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon lightly packed grated Meyer lemon zest or regular lemon zest

Flaky sea salt and freshly

cracked black pepper

TOSS

Flaky sea salt, for serving (optional)

Directions:

START OUT: Fill a large pot half full of water and lightly salt the water. Over high heat, bring to a boil, add the potatoes, then cover and lower the heat to medium low or a soft boil. Cook until you can easily pierce the potatoes with a fork all the way to the center, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the pot, drain, and let cool. Cut into quarters or 3⁄4-inch pieces.

Meanwhile, fill a 250-ml beaker or a small glass bowl halfway with ice water and add the shallot. Soak for 10 minutes, then drain and pat the shallot dry.

WHISK: In a large salad bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, chives, dill, parsley, vinegar, and zest and season with salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

TOSS: In the bowl with the dressing, add the potatoes and shallot. Gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly combined and coated with dressing. Let sit covered at room temperature for 20 minutes, or refrigerate overnight, so the potatoes can absorb the dressing (this salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days). Serve cold or at room temperature, garnished with flaky sea salt, if you like.

ENJOY: I’m having it with sparkling wine or lemonade.

EXPERIMENT: Head to your local farmers’ market and try the many varieties of potatoes available there, as they often have the best flavor. I have made this many times with all baby red potatoes. You can also substitute sweet yellow or red onions if shallots are not available. Don’t forget this one for Independence Day!

Recipes excerpted from “The Salad Lab,” copyright 2024, Darlene Schrijver. Photography copyright 2023 by Erin Kunkel. Reproduced by permission of Simon Element, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC. All rights reserved.

Stephen Fries is professor emeritus and former coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College in New Haven, Conn. He has been a food and culinary travel columnist for the past 16 years and is co-founder of and host of “Worth Tasting,” a culinary walking tour of downtown New Haven. He is a board member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Email him at Stephen@stephenfries.com. For more, go to stephenfries.com.

[thedhananjayaparkhe]

dyk and tiq

Did you know… … that today is National Animal Crackers Day? Animal crackers originated in England where they were known as animal biscuits. Over 50 different animals have been created as animal crackers. The most recent addition to the Barnum’s Animal Crackers is the Koala bear, beating out the penguin, walrus, and cobra. Celebrate by feasting on some Animal Crackers – regardless of your age!…