125 Years of Refreshment

My sister has been known to chastise me because I often chose to write about historical events in this blog, rather than holidays.  I have to remind her that this blog is my attempt to address special days and festivities and yes, even historical events, that are cause for celebration and of particular significance to my family. 

Simultaneously, I hope to encourage others to find or create similar days to mark and celebrate with their own loved ones. 

For example, while I am sure the Chinese New Year is special and important to millions, (who am I kidding?) billions, it's not really a day circled in red (ha,ha) on our Smith family calendar.   

What is cause for celebration in our house is tomorrow's 125th birthday of the iconic beverage, Coca Cola, created by Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton.  

Coke permeates life in Atlanta.  It's distinctive bottle and logo are inescapable here, from the international headquarters,

the giant Coke bottle behind left field at Braves stadium,

and the Coca-Cola museum, to name just a few.

We've made more than a few visits to the "World of Coke" and enjoyed it every time -- especially the Taste-It Exhibit which allows you to sample more than 60 Coca Cola products from around the world.  Can I just say here that what certain cultures find lip-smacking can sometimes be perplexing.   Inca Kola (lemongrass bubblegum flavor), I'm talking about you!

And the Woodruff Arts Center, Callanwolde, Emory University and The Westminster Schools are just some of the ways Coca Cola fortunes have enhanced the quality of life in Atlanta. 

At our house today, we'll be enjoying a few Coca Cola products.  Someone will, no doubt, have a Coke, or Diet Coke or a Coke Zero.  Heck, I may even go in search of a Tab. 

And since today is all about Coke and history, how about this? 

Cinco de Mayo

I've always loved Cinco De Mayo though, in truth, for a long time I thought today commemorated Mexican Independence Day (the equivalent of the American 4th of July) but that's apparently in September.  

Actually, Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's unlikely victory over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  (Something I don't remember ever learning in my 4 years of high school Spanish). 

Here is a photo of me and a few friends in college celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Chi Chi's (remember those?)  because college is an excuse to celebrate everything, right?

Facts:

1) My husband 's middle name is Carlos  (though he is zero percent Latino). 
2) My husband does not speak Spanish.  
3) My husband loves Mexican food. 
4) My two favorite words in Spanish are "bicicleta" (bicycle) and "paraguas"  (umbrella, which literally translates into "for water") 
5) the extent of my celebration today may be the drive thru at Taco Bell
6) there is nothing wrong with Taco Bell

However you celebrate, and I hope you will, Feliz Cinco de Mayo!  

May the 4th Be With You

Today is Star Wars Day: a day to celebrate all things pertaining to the movie epic Star Wars.  

And, while I've written before about what a fan I  am of Wikipedia,  just in time for today, I learned about Wookieepedia. It's true, look it up!  I can't tell you how happy this will make my son, a fan of all 6 movies.  

Long before he was old enough to see the films, he often carried his "life saver"  (the perfect malaprop for the Jedi weapon, don't you think?). That was, of course, when he loved Luke Skywalker and the Storm Troopers and before he became fascinated by Darth Vader (and James Earl Jones' hypnotic voice), which I believe may be a rite of passage for all little boys.

Speaking of, here are a couple photos just begging to be seen today:

A menacing Darth Vader threatens a flapper - Halloween 2007

 

And how about this?  I might try this the next time I have jury duty. 

I Feel Good

Because, it's the Godfather of Soul's birthday.

James Brown (1933 - 2006) with my husband (cute, huh?)  at the University of GA Homecoming Parade in 1980