It’s All About Pigs

National Pig Day is celebrated every year on March 1 in the United States. It was created in 1972 by two sisters, Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave, to honor pigs. Pigs are very smart animals and can learn tricks just like dogs. They also have a strong sense of smell, which helps them find food in the ground. Some people celebrate this day by throwing pig-themed parties with decorations and pink-colored food. Zoos and farms sometimes have special events to teach people about pigs. Even though pigs do not sweat, they roll in mud to stay cool on hot days. This holiday helps people appreciate pigs for more than just bacon and ham. Pigs can also be great pets because they are friendly and love to play. National Pig Day is a fun way to learn about these amazing animals and their importance.

In 2006, the United States Postal Service released a special stamp featuring Wilbur, the beloved pig from E.B. White's classic children's book, "Charlotte's Web." This 39c Children's Book Animals: Wilbur stamp (U.S. #3988) was part of the "Favorite Children's Book Animals" series, which celebrated cherished characters from literature. The Wilbur stamp was issued on January 10, 2006, in Findlay, Ohio. The ceremony took place at the Mazza Museum, known for its collection of children's book illustrations. The stamp showcases an illustration of Wilbur, capturing his innocent and endearing nature. Collectors and fans of the story were excited to see Wilbur honored in this way. The stamp not only celebrated the character but also highlighted the lasting impact of "Charlotte's Web" on readers. The "Favorite Children's Book Animals" series also featured other iconic characters, making it a favorite among philatelists. The Wilbur stamp is a great piece for those who love stamps and classic children's stories.

"Charlotte's Web" tells the heartwarming story of Wilbur, a pig who befriends a wise spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur's life is in danger, Charlotte writes words in her web to praise him, such as "Some Pig" and "Terrific," to convince the farmer to spare him. This tale of friendship and loyalty has touched the hearts of readers since it was published in 1952. The book has been made into animated and live-action films. Wilbur's character emphasizes themes of kindness, innocence, and the importance of friendship. The story also teaches valuable lessons about life, death, and the cycles of nature. The popularity of the story is evident in its continued presence in schools and libraries and the release of the Wilbur stamp was a fitting tribute to this beloved character and his story.

The "Favorite Children's Book Animals" stamp series honored characters that have become integral to many childhoods. Alongside Wilbur, the series featured other memorable animals from children's literature. These stamps served as a celebration of the stories and characters that have inspired and entertained generations. For collectors, the series offered a chance to own a piece of literary history. The stamp's design captured the essence of Wilbur's character, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. The series also highlighted the importance of children's literature in shaping young minds. By featuring these characters, the USPS recognized the cultural significance of these stories. The stamps continue to be a reminder of the timeless tales that have left a lasting impact on readers. The Wilbur stamp stands out as a tribute to a story that emphasizes friendship, compassion, and the beauty of life's simple moments.

References:
https://www.mysticstamp.com/3988-fdc-2006-39c-childrens-book-animals-wilbur/

"USPS First Day Ceremony Program #3988 Wilbur the Pig Children's Book Animals." HipStamp, https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/usps-first-day-ceremony-program-3988-wilbur-the-pig-childrens-book-animals/39231677
National Day Archives. "National Pig Day." https://www.nationaldayarchives.com/day/national-pig-day
Pigasus. "National Pig Day History and Facts." https://pigasus.org/national-pig-day

https://www.holidayinsights.com/other/pigday.htm

Charlotte's Web. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24178.Charlotte_s_Web  
"Wilbur - Charlotte's Web Wiki." Fandom, https://charlottesweb.fandom.com/wiki/Wilbur

Celebrity Silhouette

Click here for pictures.

Last weekend we went on a short cruise. Don found a bargain for it two days before it sailed and we booked it. It was too late to purchase the Basic wifi which had to be done prior to the cruise but earlier than 2 days before it sailed. So, the only day I was disconnected was on Sunday when we were in Nassau and then at sea. We were not at an assigned dining room table but we were able to just go to the dining room and either get in line or make a reservation in advance.

The Celebrity Silhouette can hold 2850 passengers and 1246 crew. Our captain was George Iatrou, the hotel director was Nikola Moconja and our Cruise director was Luis from the UK. Our cabin was 9172 on deck 9 and our cabin steward was Alberto.

Day 1: 2/7/2025 Embarkation

We arrived at Ft. Lauderdale Terminal 25 at 10:45 and parked our car before taking our bag to the luggage drop-off. Then we went right in through security and checked in. We were on the ship by 11:30. We stopped by our cabin and dropped off stuff before lunch on the Lido deck. I thought the lunch offerings were really good. After lunch, we explored the ship. Around 3:30, we got back to our room but we didn’t have our suitcase. Don saw it in another hallway and we took it back to our room and unpacked it. Then we went and had dessert on the Lido deck before sitting on the back of the ship and watching us pull out of the port. I checked at the dining room to see how dinner works and she said that the dining room is scheduled to open at 5:30 but they usually open at 5:15 and we just needed to get in line. We got to the dining room around 5 pm and waited in line until 5:15 and they seated us right away. We had a nice dinner in the dining room. After dinner, we went to the show to watch the comedian – Spencer James. Then we watched the ship’s dancers in the atrium before going back to our cabin.

Day 2: 2/8/2025 Key West

We had breakfast at 6:30 and we got off the ship around 8:30. Our first stop was the Southernmost Point in the Continental US. Then we walked back towards Mallory Square/ We found a shop where everything was $5 so I bought a dress and a pair of shorts. Don bought 2 hats and 2 T-shirts. We also stopped at the Hard Rock Café shop. Around 12:30 we returned to the ship for lunch. After lunch, we relaxed until dinner time. When we got to the dining room around 5, we were the first in line and when they opened the doors, they called us by name. The sweet hostess, Glades, was joking and said we were like family and we were her “auntie and uncle.” We were seated at the same table as the night before and it was wonderful! The show featured the ship’s singers and dancers in On Broadway and it was entertaining. After the show, we walked around the ship before returning to our cabin.

Day 3: 2/9/2025 Nassau

After breakfast, we sat on the deck and relaxed. Don walked a few miles while I read my book and listened to podcasts. We had to move to a different area to get in the shade and then moved to the solarium where it was nice and cool. After lunch on the Lido deck, we went to the solarium and relaxed before dinner. Again, at dinner, they called us by name and seated us at the same table. We went back to the room, and I packed my stuff before dinner. After dinner, we packed the rest of the stuff and put our suitcase in the hallway.

Day 4: 2/10/2025 Disembarkation

We went to breakfast at 6:30 and since our tags were #15, our time to get off the ship was around 8:25. We got off the ship by 8:00 am and were on the interstate by 8:40. They were very organized, and leaving was very easy. We didn’t even have to show our passports because they did the face recognition machine.

Things I Learned:

• Always pack a dress just in case.
• Bring 2 water bottles.
• This ship only had 2 outlets in the cabin, so we had to be creative in recharging our stuff.
• Always bring an external battery! It was a necessity!
• Most places in Key West charge extra if you use a credit card so bring cash.
• We really enjoyed this Celebrity cruise. We didn’t expect much since it was such a short cruise but the service and the food were excellent!

1996 32c Endangered Species: Florida Manatee

In January, we visited the Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach (free admission and free parking). After seeing so many manatees in the lagoon, I started thinking about what stamp they might be on. Then I found that the 1996 Florida Manatee (US #3105o) is part of a set of 15 stamps picturing Endangered Species. The first day of issue was on October 2, 1996, at the San Diego Zoo in California. The zoo was celebrating its 80th birthday. The photographer, James Balog, went to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa to photograph the pair of manatees used on this stamp.

It was issued as part of the USPS’s National Stamp Collecting Month and the theme was “Collect and Protect.” It was hoped that these stamps would catch the interest of children and encourage them to become stamp collectors. This month was co-sponsored by the USPS and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

The Florida manatee is a large, slow-moving mammal that lives in the warm waters of Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States. Manatees are often called "sea cows" because they graze on underwater plants, much like cows eat grass on land. They can grow to be about 10 to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds or more. These gentle animals spend most of their time eating and swimming in shallow waters like rivers, bays, and coastal areas. Manatees have thick, wrinkled gray skin and a flat, paddle-shaped tail that helps them move through the water. They also have a very small number of teeth, which they replace throughout their lives as they wear them down from chewing plants. Manatees are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants, and they consume a lot of vegetation each day—up to 10% of their body weight. They are not aggressive animals and are known for their calm and friendly nature. However, their population is at risk because of threats like boat collisions, habitat loss, and pollution. Conservation efforts, such as creating manatee protection zones and reducing pollution, are helping to protect them. In recent years, manatee populations are slowly increasing, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service still considers them a vulnerable species.

References:
Photos by Pat Hensley
https://www.mysticstamp.com/3105o-1996-32c-endangered-species-florida-manatee/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2021). Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Retrieved from https://www.fws.gov.

Photo A Day Project - January

This year I work on the Photo a Day Project. It really helps me take better photos because I’m taking more photos and looking at different perspectives. I also look at other people’s photos and see what pictures I liked. Then I try to figure out what appealed to me about their photos. Once I know that, I try to apply that knowledge to my own photos. Here are the pictures that I took in January.

1. 1/1/2025 Early morning, 2. 1/2/2025 Orchids, 3. Untitled, 4. 1/4/2025 sign, 5. 1/5/2025 Iguana, 6. 1/6/2025 mailbox garden, 7. 1/7/2025 Sun, 8. 1/8/2025 Hummingbird Windchime, 9. 1/9/2025 Garden gnome, 10. 1/10/2025 Guitar, 11. 1/11/2025 Caboose., 12. 1/12/2025 Ghost Horses sweater, 13. 1/13/2025 Hawk, 14. 1/14/2025 Chicken ad, 15. 1/15/2025 Painting, 16. 1/16/2025 Jupiter Lighthouse, 17. 1/17/2025 Stainglass, 18. 1/18/2025 Sunflowers, 19. 1/19/2025 sleeping cat, 20. 1/20/2025 Work in Progress - Mosaic Crocheted Blanket, 21. 1/21/2025 Pitiful Cat, 22. 1/22/2025 Table Lamp, 23. 1/23/2025 Fishing Lures, 24. 1/24/2025 Cloudless Sulphuric caterpillar, 25. 1/25/2025 ladybug, 26. 1/26/2025 Preparing to Make a Cocoon, 27. 1/27/2025 Brown Basilisk, 28. 1/28/2025 Socks with stamps, 29. 1/29/2025 Colorful threads, 30. 1/30/2025 Enjoying the shade, 31. 1/31/2025 Nap time!

Meadowbrook Murders - Book Review

I recently read Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman. I read a review copy compliments of Netgalley and I am not being paid to give this review.

I enjoyed reading this book because I enjoy murder mysteries. It takes place at a boarding school, and Amy, a senior, finds her roommate and her roommate’s boyfriend dead in their dorm room. The story is told from two main viewpoints: Amy and Liz, the school newspaper's editor. I like the many twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat as you read. This book would be a great backdrop for discussions on dysfunctional families, peer relationships, loyalty, personal safety, and trust issues. I would recommend this book for a high school library.