August 6, 2013: National Fresh Breath Day

Today is National Fresh Breath Day. A clean fresh mouth is a happy mouth. If your breath is less than it could be then may I suggest a breath freshening candy from the Goofy Candy Company? We always buy a bag of sour Disney character candies that we keep until our next trip to Disney. They keep forever and they are delicious forever and they will freshen your breath forever. There’s no reason to be stinky at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Today is National Root Beer Float Day. Right now at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Café you can get a Root Beer Slushy in a special Lone Ranger Boot Mug. If you’re a root beer fan, this makes a great souvenir and, hey, I liked the Lone Ranger.

On this date in 1890, Denton True “Cy” Young pitched and won his first major league baseball game. Let’s do ESPN on The Boardwalk in honor of “Cy” Young and enjoy good food and good sports in a great place.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 5, 2013: Hang on Sloopy.

Today is Assistance Dog Day. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing an assistance dog that can help an otherwise hindered human live a full and happy wife. I have never seen an assistance dog being trained at Walt Disney World but I have seen them several times at Dollywood. The trainers take them to public places, like amusement parks, to train them to ignore the distractions of a crowd and focus on their defined duties. This brings new meaning to man’s best friend. Let’s visit with Pluto, a mouse’s best friend.

Today is National Underwear Day. Just wear some, okay? If you don’t have any go to Mouse Gear, World of Disney, and the other, hey we sell everything, stores at Walt Disney World.

Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio in 1930. We’ve discussed Neil in this blog before, particularly on the day that Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. Even though Buzz contributed his famous name to our hero who goes “to infinity and beyond,” Neil was the first man to step on the moon. In July 2005, Neil joined in the re-opening of Space Mountain at Disneyland. This is a no brainer, get to The Magic Kingdom, ride Space Mountain, repeat.

There were several rock and roll events of note for today but I had to pick one of my favorites. Back in the early 70’s there was a group of musicians that played a blend of rock and blues with a number of guitar slingers in the mix, names like Johnny Winter and his brother Edgar, Ronnie Montrose and the man who was born on this day in 1947 in Fort Recovery, Ohio, Rick Derringer. When Rick was 17, he formed a band, The McCoys, who recorded a number one song, “Hang on Sloopy,” which was knocked out of number one by the Beatles’ “Yesterday.” “Hang on Sloopy” is the only song that I know of that has been voted the official rock and roll song of a state (Ohio). In 1966, The McCoys opened for The Rolling Stones on their American Tour.  Derringer worked with Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Alice Cooper and opened for Led Zeppelin on their last American tour in 1977. He also had a Rock / Pop hit with “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo.” In the 80’s he worked with the WWF, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Mason Ruffner, Kiss and Cyndi Lauper. Today, Derringer continues his career as a Christian musician performing with his wife Jenda Derringer Hall. Let’s ride the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster to honor a true rocker.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 4, 2013: National Chocolate Chip Day

Louis Armstrong was born on this date in 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the mid-1960s he recorded an album of Disney music, performed at 4 of the 5 Dixieland at Disneyland events, and appeared on Disney-related television shows. Nicknamed Satchmo, Armstrong was a trumpet virtuoso and a foundational influence on jazz, Louis, the jazz playing alligator in The Princess and the Frog, is a tribute to Louis Armstrong. They’ve had Louis out in the parks recently along with Dr. Facilier but you can always meet Tiana.

Today is Chocolate Chip Day. Chocolate chips work with a lot of sweet treats, in fact, most desserts are just better with chocolate chips. Let me suggest Beaches and Cream at The Boardwalk.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

August 3, 2013: National Mustard Day

Services for my father-in-law, Earl Dean Hayes, are at Belle’s Chapel Free Will Baptist at 11 AM today. All are invited to attend.

Today is National Mustard Day. A hot dog purist would never put ketchup on a dog, some say they only acceptable topping is mustard. I love mustard but I hold no prejudice against tomato-based condiments. You know my suggestion will be, as always, Casey’s.

1955: Voice artist Corey Burton is born in Granada Hills, California. He has done voices for theme park attractions like Disney's Timekeeper and the "Ghost Host" for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Holiday. His Disney work includes the voice of Captain Hook in Disney's 2002 Return to Neverland and such animated features as The Incredibles, Stitch! The Movie, Treasure Planet and 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure. Burton's television voice credits include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (as Ludwig Von Drake) and Jake and the Never Land Pirates (as Captain Hook). He also supplied the voice for Doc Hudson for the Cars video games (replacing the late Paul Newman). Hit the Haunted Mansion.

1811: Elisha Graves Otis was born on this day. Otis invented the safe elevator. Ride the Tower of Terror.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.

R. I. P. Earl Dean Hayes 1939 - 2013

I actually avoided writing this for the last two days. Today is the first day of classes for students in Lawrence County, Kentucky but not for our children and us. My wife, Deana, my sisters-in-law, Kemra and Angela and I are all teachers in Lawrence County but our new school year does not start until Monday.

Wednesday afternoon we found my father-in-law, Earl Dean Hayes, lying beside The Singing Hayes Family tour bus. He died from a pulmonary embolism. Visitation is today from Noon until 10 PM, services are tomorrow at 11 AM, both at Belle’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. It is hard to say goodbye, not because we feel sorry for Earl, but because we don’t want to give him up. God has seen fit to take him home and we will miss him so.

 In 2008, my wife's brother, Norman, passed away and the next year we took his widow, Tonya, to Walt Disney World. She loved it so much that she went with us again in 2011. I don't know if Deloris would think about going with us but it would be a good thing if she would.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.