Alternatives to Columbus Day

There are those who find the marking of Columbus Day an offense on various grounds. The objection is the decimation of indigenous cultures that resulted. If you are among those who find this American holiday an affront I have some other suggestions.

Just north of the border in Canada it is Thanksgiving. So allow me to greet my Canadian readers with a "Happy Thanksgiving."

In Malawi it is Mother's Day.

In Equatorial Guinea it is Independence Day.

In Brazil it is Children's Day.

In Spain it is National Day.

In the U.S.A it is also marked as Freethought Day which commemorates the end of the Salem Witch Trials.

If those holidays don't pique your interest you could commemorate some other things that occurred on this date in history.

In 1773 America's first insane asylum was opened in Virginia.

In 1810 the first Oktoberfest was held.

In 1823 Charles Macintosh sold the first raincoat.

However, none of these is my personal favorite with regard to October 12. That would be reserved for the year 1968 when Hugh Jackman and I were born on opposite sides of the Earth.

Also, in 2005 I gave myself this blog. Thanks to each one of you who has made sharing this corner of the blogosphere so much fun for me over the last 4 years.

I think to celebrate I shall give thanks to my mother in Spanish, declare my independence, hug my kids and a wiccan, act crazy enough to make people consider committing me, and wear a raincoat. If anyone would like to arrange for Hugh and me to share part of the day raising a glass to each other that would be the icing on my cake.

Since that seems a wee tad unlikely I'll just share some of the cake my mom made for me.

Mmmm...Red Velvet Cake.