July 1 - Canada Day

142 years never looked so good. Today is the day that commemorates the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act (BNA) that united the then four provinces as a single entity, Canada. Despite the number of years Canada has been an independent country, celebrations of Canada Day are in fact relatively new. Initially, Canadians didn't observe overtly patriotic events as most citizens still felt of themselves as British. It wasn't until 1917 that official celebrations really took hold. After World War II, Canada Day celebrations really became a national event. Today, from coast to coast to coast, Canadians take part in parades, walks, picnics and in many cities and towns, fabulous fire works displays. So today, if you're a Canadian, or a Canadian at heart, take a moment to salute the wonderful diversity and beauty of this country. Happy Birthday Canada!

June 29 - Camera Day

Cameras are the tools that capture and preserve our most treasured memories. The holidays, the vacations, the celebrations are all fondly remembered with photos, either digital or printed. And someone with a camera strapped around their neck was responsible for clicking the shutter that made those pictures possible. In years past, cameras were bulky apparatus' with lots of accessories - lenses, tripods, and that elusive lens cap! Today if you have a cell phone you most likely also have a camera built in. Cameras of the past sometimes held onto their photographic treasures for months at a time until someone remembered to get the film developed. With newer technologies, pictures appear almost immediately. No matter the type of camera, celebrate the day by snapping a few pictures to preserve a moment for future reflection.

June 27 - Paul Bunyan Day

Paul Bunyan, the folkloric lumberjack who travelled around the United States with his giant blue ox Babe, actually originated in French Canada in 1837. He was credited with a number of fantastic feats. For instance, to water his companion Babe, he scooped out large tracts of land to create the Great Lakes; he was responsible for creating the logging industry in the States; he cleared the Dakotas for use as farm land. The fantastic stories attributed to Bunyan are in fact the basis for the "tall tale". Told around camp fires for generations, his stories have become the stuff of legend. Celebrate the day by passing along a few tall tales or head off to the library and research a bit more about this giant of a man.

June 26 - Take Your Dog to Work Day

In 1999, the celebration of Take Your Dog to Work Day was established to celebrate the great companionship people share with their dogs. It was also intended to encourage dog adoptions from humane societies, shelters and rescue organizations. But why take your dog to work? Organizers hoped to show employers the value that their employees placed on their four legged friends. And it seems to have worked. Today, around North America, thousands of businesses will open their doors to employee's dogs. Perhaps you and your pooch can enjoy a day at work together today, or maybe you might want to check out a shelter nearby about an adoption or a donation.

June 25 - Log Cabin Day

Log cabins have long been a symbol of rugged independence and pioneering spirit. First built by the early settlers of North America's west, they were built to withstand cold harsh winters and long hot summers. They were without electricity or plumbing, but they provided cozy, safe shelters. Today people build log cabins at their lakeside retreats, or mountain getaways. The "cabins" today are often grand affairs that would put their predecessors to shame, but they still symbolize a certain rustic charm and many are still built in traditional ways. Plan on visiting an historic log cabin in your area if there is one and appreciate their significance in our history.

.June 24 - Celebration of the Senses Day!

Today is a day to celebrate the five senses - touch, taste, scent, sight and sound. Some say that a perfect combination of all the senses you have available to you can lead to the discovery of the elusive "sixth sense". Stimulating the senses can be as simple as cooking and enjoying a meal. Heading off to the mountains or the ocean beach for a hike. Or maybe participating in concert. Whatever you decide to do enjoy the sensations your senses provide!

June 23 is Public Service Day

Established by the United Nations in 2002, today was proclaimed a day to honour all those whose lives are devoted to public service. Here's how the UN described the day: "The Day recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on the foundation of a competent civil service. The ability of a society to maintain safety and essential public services, protect human rights, maintain an efficient framework for market activities and to hold free and fair elections draws on the skills and sense of purpose of public servants working as a team. Without an effective civil administration, democracy and prosperity are virtually unattainable.” Well said! Thanks to all Public Servants.

Father's Day - June 21

First celebrated in Spokane, WA in 1910, Father's Day was originally seen as a parody of Mother's Day and not taken too seriously. However within a few years of it's inception it began to gain popularity and soon became one of the most commercialized dates on the calendar. But today is about more than paying tribute to Dad with gifts and cards, it's a perfect opportunity to just spend some time with him. Whether he's biological, adopted or an important male figure in your life, most busy Dad's would cherish a few hours of "quality time" with their kids. A walk, a special meal or maybe just sitting on the couch sharing a program on the TV, might be just the thing to make Dad's Day.