Today is Carrot Cake Day.

Really.

As those of you who follow the rambling musings on this site know, I am very fond of silliness. Lighthearted goofiness can be a great foundation for optimism, optimism in turn is a building block of hope, and hope is a necessary ingredient of a life well-lived.

Hope for a better future gives us the strength to tackle today’s problems, extend compassion and grace to others, and “just keep swimming” (as Dory says to Nemo’s father, Marlin).

But carrots?

Carrots are those things you eat because they’re good for you. Those things your parents sneak into foods you like if you’re still young enough to refuse to eat carrots just because they’re good for you.

I know there are people who actually like carrot cake, and I agree that with enough sugar, spice, and frosting, even carrots are palatable.

But that doesn’t mean we need a day dedicated to carrot cake. Chocolate cake, pound cake, yellow cake with “funfetti” sprinkles, coffee cake, pineapple upside down cake – yes. Carrot cake – nope.

So, in keeping with the theme, maybe you’ll want to honor yesterday’s holiday (Play Your Ukelele Day), or tomorrow’s holiday (Thank Your Mailman Day – and watch the video of the little girl dancing with her mailman, while you’re at it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZGWL7P4BPc).

And if you’re lucky enough to (a) have a job, and/or (b) work or attend school from home, you might even celebrate Friday’s holiday (Work Naked Day).

Saturday is, as usual, the best of the lot, with Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day.

Whatever holiday you choose, I hope you’ll take it as an excuse to reach out to a fellow human being. Share it in a socially-distant way with a neighbor (except for Work Naked Day, of course), start a conversation on social media about the pros and cons of hiding vegetables in cake, give your mail delivery person a cupcake, start taking ukulele classes (remotely, of course, unless you live somewhere tropical – it’s 43° F and raining where I am, so an outdoor session under the palm trees isn’t an option).

Call someone you love and wish them a happy Carrot Cake Day.

Need some more ideas? Check out the options here: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/

And if you feel like it, share your favorite silly thought with us here in the comments below or on FaceBook.

Signing off for now – gotta go shred some carrots.

Cake image by Caitlyn de Wild; child with ukelele image by Kychan;
laughing child image by Kazuand.