Today is Mother’s Day. As I write this, on May 10, I’ve learned it’s also National Shrimp Day. Wh-a-a-a-t? Today is Mother’s Day. Period. How can it be anything else? Turns out it’s the date that determines these festive days.

Every second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. But every May 10 is National Shrimp Day. It also happens to be National Idaho Day, National Washington Day, National Cherry Cobbler Day, National Rescue Dog Day, and last, but not least, National Clean Up Your Room Day. Whoa… that has to be hooked to Mother’s Day somehow.

Who decides these things? And what am I supposed to do with this information? Have a shrimp dinner followed by a cherry dessert? I wouldn’t mind. Maybe I’m supposed to toast the cherry pickers and the shrimp fisherman. Sure thing – thank you, Bubba Gump.

During my morning wakeup computer time, I get these National Days notices in my daily history lesson. I started googling, and discovered there are not only National Days, but National Weeks, and Months. The Chinese go to the extreme with the Year of the Monkey, Ox, or Rabbit, or the nine other animals in their Zodiac. I don’t know how this will affect your year, but 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Much friendlier than The Year of the Rat.

Each animal in their zodiac is associated with specific personality traits and is linked to one of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, creating a 60-year cycle. A 60-year cycle? That’s too many years for an old Scots/Irish woman like me to contemplate. I’m not buying anything these days that boasts even a ten-year warrantee unless it’s transferable to my heirs. We barely buy produce that needs ripening time although we actually do buy green bananas. Only two at a time.

It seems I was born in the year of the snake, and I have no idea what to do with that info, let alone where I’m supposed to slither. With today’s politics and the cost of fuel gas to worry about, what’s a snake to do? I can only worry about just so much without figuring out where I should shed my skin. Let’s forget these year-long animal celebrations and return to the days, weeks, and months that count.

This week is National Nurses Week, a subject I can really support. God bless every nurse who has rolled me across a bed when I couldn’t move or who struggled with my hard alligator skin to insert an I.V. My sincere thanks for all the kind words and comfort making. Wait! I think I’ve got it! That’s what a “week of …” is supposed to do, remind us how important certain people, events, even foods, are in our lives. I appreciate nurses anytime I interact with them or even think about them. But like most people, I forget how necessary they are to my well-being until I need them. Maybe there really is something to these “National Day of …” and “National Week of…” reminders.

Let’s just explore May – a month of many subjects, many to do with our health. May is Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Stroke Awareness Month. Ouch. It’s also Skin Cancer Awareness Month and I had spots removed from my back just last week. I probably won’t remember my dermatology appointment next year, so maybe these little notifications are worthwhile.

With all that uplifting information, I continued to explore and discovered another May reminder – Correct Your Posture Month. OK, OK, I’m trying. Maybe slithering is easier after all.

I kept googling and found many lighter subjects. May is the month for Strawberries, Asparagus, Hamburgers, Cheeses, Eggs, and Barbecue, as well as being National Salsa Month. I suddenly see a cheddar omelet on this week’s menu and loved the reminder to add salsa on top. Too bad May isn’t also Hash Browns Month.

I can’t keep my head from spinning over all of May’s concerns – National Motorcycles Month, Jewish Heritage Month, Photography, Chamber Music, and Lyme Disease Awareness. And many, many more. I think we should all create our own Awareness Month. Maybe it should be around our birthday. So, turns out my celebratory October is home to Pasta Month, Pizza Month, and Popcorn, Pretzels, and Pickled Peppers. I’m good!

Mother’s Day in 2027 will be May 11 th, and it’s also National Hostess Cupcake Day. I’ll pass. I’m thinking shrimp scampi followed by cherry pie… a la 2026.

Bring it on.

Marcy O’Brien writes for the Dunkirk OBSERVER, The Post-Journal in Jamestown and the Warren Times Observer. She may be reached at Moby.32@hotmail.com