Let's shine in September 2012.

September

Gemstone: Sapphire

Flower: Aster

Full Moon: 30/09/12

Well, here is my first proper blog post, with dates for your diary for the month of September.

First, a few historical facts about this month. The name September comes from the Latin word Septem, meaning seven, because in the Roman calendar it was the seventh month. The Romans believed that the God Vulcan took care of this month, as he was the God of Fire and Blacksmiths, and the Romans believed that fires, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions were more likely to happen in this month than in any other.The Anglo Saxons called September Gerst Monath, barley month, as September was traditionally the month when barley wine was brewed. If it is anything like the ginger wine our family has at Christmas, then it is sure to be delicious. The Saxons also called it Haefest Monath, or harvest month. In Medieval England, the harvest began on 24^th September. However, Lammas Day, 1^st August, has traditionally been a day to give thanks for the Harvest and literally means Loaf Mass. Farmers baked loaves of bread from the new crop, to give as a gift to the church. Harvest Festival was first instigated in the time of Henry VIII. Michaelmas Day, September 29^th, is traditionally the last day of the harvest. It is named after the Archangel Michael and is his feast day. He is the patron saint of the sea, maritime lands, seafarers and also horses and horsemen.

Dates for your September Filofax:

Harvest Festival, Various dates:  Many schools and churches will be having Harvest Festival food collections for charity, and holding assemblies and services. Remember to diary in your local events and have a 'Harvest Basket' prepared, when and if required.

Saturday 8th September: The Last Night of the Proms. An annual British tradition. The second half contains many traditional British pieces, broadcast on the BBC, from The Royal Albert Hall, in London. This year for the first time, it is to be screened live in Odeon Cinemas, and is to be available in 3d tv format. Expect plenty of Union Jack waving and audience participation. 

Tuesday 11th September: 9/11 Remembrance Day.

Thursday 13th September: Roald Dahl Day.

Wednesday 19th September: International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Friday 21st September:  United Nations' World Peace Day.

Saturday 22nd September: World Car Free Day.

Sunday 23rd September: Autumnal Equinox. First day of Autumn. The day when the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world.

Wednesday 26th September: European Day of Languages.

Saturday 15th September: The Great River Race, London. The boating equivalent of The London Marathon. A day of fun and frolics on the water.(Starting canon at 10:40am.)

Religious Calendar:

Harvest Festival: Various dates, according to parish and school calendars.

Monday and Tuesday 17th- 18th September:  Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year.)

Wednesday 19th September: Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu.) Celebrates the birthday of Ganesh, the elephant deity.

Wednesday 26th September: Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of Atonement.)

Saturday 29th September: Michael and All Angels Day (Christian.)

September dates in History:

1st September 1951:  The first supermarket opens at Earl’s Court in London.

2nd- 6th September 1666:   The Great Fire of London.

22nd September 1955:   ITV began broadcasting.

26th September 1955: The first fish fingers went on sale, manufactured at Clarence Birdseye's Factory, in Great Yarmouth. The product was named'fish fingers' by the factory workers.

A Shining Hour for your Filofax- September.

I discovered that on 18^th September 1839, George Cadbury was born. When I taught in Bristol, the famous chocolate factory had a conference centre, at Keynsham, at which we teachers received much of our INSET training. The big plus, apart from the training of course, was the Cadbury’s shop, which sold off the factory's chocolate mis- shapes. Staff coffee breaks on the day following an INSET there, were always suitably 'chocolatey'!

This month’s 'Shining Hour Task' to timetable into your Filofax, in honour of George Cadbury, is to buy a bar of your favourite chocolate confection, brew up your favourite hot drink, serve it in a china cup and saucer and savour fully that moment of indulgence. If chocolate can’t make you shine, then nothing can!

Until next month....... keep on shining!

Jane. xx

What's in a name?

My first blog post on Each Shining Hour. So welcome to all my new readers. A very exciting thought that...... a readership!!

I have had the idea for a long time of setting up my own Filofax related blog spot, being an avid fan of Philofaxy, I wanted to give something back. However, I am very aware that many blogs already exist, so.... I wanted to offer something different and unique. Then, it struck me, that I so often write dates into my Filofax, which are purely to do with me, my workday appointments and my family and I have little awareness of other events world wide, some momentous, such as Bastille Day and American Independence Day on July 4th, others trivial, such as National Doodle Day!! I thought it might be fun to list some of those dates, once a month, for the up and coming month, so that you can add them to your Filofax, as and when you wish and when you choose, and again, if you choose, to celebrate or mark appropriately, maybe via fundraising, by doing crafts with the children, by cooking a themed family meal or holding a celebratory party. Not every month..... but when inspiration strikes.


I will also be adding this month's Busy Bee spot, which will feature  a recipe, a be creative theme, related to the up and coming month, or a Filofax/planner  related idea to try out over the coming month. Hence the idea of a monthly, rather than a weekly or fortnighly blog.


Aha..... so why the name of my new blogspot, I hear you ask?? Well, I came upon this little poem, by Issac Watts. It not only made me smile, but also spurned the  idea for my blog 's title.


' How doth the little busy bee,
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day,
From every opening flower!'


We are often so busy, yet each one of us shines in our own way, and each hour has the chance of being a shining hour. I liked that thought. Don't let the hour go by without making it a shining one, however you can. I wish you all many shining hours and precious moments, no matter how busy your life, and whatever your circumstances, and hope you enjoy my new up and coming monthly blog. The first diary posts will follow at the end of August.... as dates for your September diary.


So, go on get up and shine.Off to enjoy the hour.............

Jane xxxx