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Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers.
~Thomas Tusser, A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, 1557
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.
~Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926
April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of four months with a length of 30 days. April was originally the second month of the Roman calendar, before January and February were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days.
April starts on the same day of the week as July in all years, and January in leap years.
April Symbols
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The birthstone of April is the diamond, which symbolizes innocence.
 
The birth flower is typically listed as either the Daisy or the Sweet Pea.
The Month of April is:
National Humor Month
International Guitar Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Lawn and Garden Month
Poetry Month
National Pecan Month
National Welding Month
Records and Information Management Month
Stress Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Weekly Celebrations:
Read a Road Map Week
Garden Week
Library Week - 10th-16th
Organize Your Files Week
Medical Labs Week
Administrative Assistants Week
National Karaoke Week
April special days:
1st - 
"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year." ~Mark Twain
National Walk To Work Day – Always celebrated on the first Friday in April, get those sneakers laced up and let's hope it doesn't rain today or snow.
3rd - National Humor Month; National Poetry Month
To jest, to hoot, to be in stitches,
Scoff and sniggle, split your britches,
Ha-ha, hee-hee, silly goose -
The circus closed, the clowns are loose!
(Ron Wolfe)
3rd - Tweed Day
Some people believe that National Tweed Day celebrates the tweed fabric. Originally produced in Scotland, the fabric is a durable, rough, woolen cloth which was originally hand woven. The colors are traditionally earthy and blend well with the Scotish landscape. There are different families of tweed with different categories and styles of tweed that fall into these differing categories. Depending from which estate the tweed represents, the sheep from which the fabric is woven and the pattern woven, it could be a very special tweed indeed. Tweed was often worn by Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and Professor Henry Jones of Indiana Jones.
Other people believe that National Tweed Day is celebrated to recognize senator-turned-crook William “Boss” Tweed. Tweed was born on April 3, 1823. He was the wealthiest and most powerful politician of his time. While being considered the “poster boy” for political corruption, Tweed is still known by many as one of the most notorious politicians in American history. He died in 1878, in jail, after being caught with millions of dollars of stolen public money.
4th -  Walk Around Things Day
Walk Around Things Day is an important day to avoid problems and risks, by simply walking around the potential problem. You wouldn't walk under a ladder, would you? Then, it is also wise to walk around objects, especially those that pose risk or danger.
"Walk around things" can also be used figuratively. It is also wise to walk around, or avoid, topics, issues, and problems that are sticky, may provoke an argument, or are not readily solved.
If ever there was a day to "Walk Around Things," today is that day.
6th - National Tartan Day
This is a holiday for all Scottish-Americans. On this day in 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. This was a declaration of Scottish independence which generally stated that they didn’t have to do what England told them to do and would fight back if attacked by anyone.
6th -  Sorry Charlie Day
Have you ever been rejected? For anything? Sure you have! We all have. Sorry Charlie Day is for all of us who have been spurned, and yet somehow survived it. Take a minute today and reflect upon a past rejection. Then, smile with the realization that "... it happens....to all of us!"
7th - World Health Day 
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The Day provides an opportunity for individuals in every community to get involved in activities that can lead to better health.
9th -  Winston Churchill Day
Winston Churchill Day celebrates the day he was made an honorary US citizen. On this day in 1963, Winston Churchill became the very first person to become an honorary citizen. He was given this honor posthumously. There have only been 6 people (two are a married couple who received it jointly) to be accorded this stature.
What does it take to become an honorary US citizen? You have to have made extraordinary accomplishments or contributions in your life. Then a law must be drafted and voted upon by the U.S. Senate.
Celebrate today by reading and learning about Winston Churchill, Britain's Prime Minister during World War II.
www.winstonchurchill.org
10th - Golfer's Day
Some avid golfers might suggest that any and every day is Golfer's Day. But on this day, it's official. The only question is, does this day honor the golfer, the sport, or the weather? Well, it's a little of each. Golfer's Day is an opportunity to be thankful that someone invented this addicting, yet relaxing hobby.
When Golfer's Day falls on a week day, it is even more special. That means you now have an excuse to take a day off from work and go play a round...or two. Regardless of your score today, you know that even a bad day on the greens, is better than a good day at work.
10th - National Siblings Day
National Siblings Day is the brainchild of Claudia Evart, who thought up the day as a way for siblings to honor, recognize and celebrate each other. She is the founder and director of the Siblings Day Foundation.
Evart, a freelance paralegal from Manhattan, lost her two siblings in separate accidents early in life.
Evart chose April 10 as Siblings Day because it is the birthday of her late sister, Lisette.
Evart has dedicated her life to commemorate National Siblings Day, which needs a presidential proclaim to officially establish National Siblings Day.
THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL IS:
13th - Scrabble Day celebrates the popular board game on the birthday of it's inventor, Alfred Mosher Butts.
13th - Blame Someone Else Day (Especially if you don't get the letters you want when you're playing Scrabble!!)
What a great time you can have on this day. Imagine all the problems, errors, and mistakes you could heap on someone else today. On this day you don't have to take responsibility or blame for any faux pas on your part. On the downside, this day comes as a double edged sword. While you are busy putting the blame elsewhere, someone might just be putting the blame on you!
So.....if ther is somethin wrong whif the spellin of this artickle, it's not my fallt.....its' yours.
14th - Look up at the Sky Day - don't you have anything better to do?
I think I see Lions???
 
Look Up at the Sky Day is a fun day to check out what's up there. 'Ya never know what might be going on up there. An asteroid or meteor may be on it's way. A solar eclipse could be on display. A flock of geese or birds may be over head (you may need to duck for cover). Or, the clouds may be forming into interesting characters and patterns. Take a few minutes out from your busy day to look up at the sky today. If nothing else, the break from the routine will be relaxing.
Important Note: If you look up at the sky too long, people are going to think you have nothing better to do. And, maybe you don't!
15th -  INCOME TAXES PAY-UP DAY -
I do not like them, Uncle-Sam-I-Am.
16th - National Librarian Day
Experts of the Dewey Decimal System, your Librarian aids and assists you in identifying and retrieving a myriad of books, periodicals, and reference material. Librarians hold a wealth of knowledge in their heads. Got a subject you are researching? Chances are, the Librarian will point you right to the book you need.
17th - National Cheeseball Day
Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
1 16 oz. log goat cheese
½ – ¾ c. coarsely chopped roasted pistachio nuts
2 Tbsp. honey
¼ c. dried cranberries
Assorted crackers
Instructions:
Remove the goat cheese from its wrapper and let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes so it’s easier to work with.
Place the nuts in a pie pan or other shallow dish. Roll the goat cheese in the nuts, pressing gently to adhere the nuts to the cheese, until all sides of the log are evenly coated with nuts.
Place the goat cheese on the serving dish and drizzle with the honey.
Scatter the dried cranberries around the cheese and serve with the crackers.
18th - International Juggler's Day - also applies to multi-tasking office workers.
International Jugglers Day and World Juggler's Day celebrates the skill of juggling, and those talented people who can juggle many balls and objects at a time. Common objects include: balls, clubs, swords, plates, rings, and flaming sticks. The best jugglers can juggle up to ten balls at a time.
Celebrate Juggling Day by watching a juggler at work. Better still, get several balls and give juggling a try. 'Ya never know, you just might be a talented juggler!
21st - National High Five Day - 3rd Thursday of April
Gimme a high five. As a matter of fact, give everyone you see a High Five!
The "High Five" is a celebratory slapping of hands atop raised arms. It's been a standard for celebration of sporting victories, special events, competitions and many other activities for decades. It's fun and easy to celebrate this special day. Give a High Five to everyone you see. This includes friends, family, passersby, and total strangers. The more high fives you give, the better.
BTW: It's okay to give a "Low Five" today. But, only after you've given the "High Five."
23rd
23rd -  Lover's Day - another day for romance and perhaps...marriage!?
25th - DNA Day – On this day in 1953, James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin published papers on the structure of DNA. Then, on this day in 2003, the genome project was declared as complete as it was financially able to be. The Senate and House of Representatives declared April 25, 2003 to be DNA Day, intending it to be just a one day celebration. However, several other non-governmental groups have declared it to be World DNA Day or International DNA Day, every year since then.
26th - Richter Scale Day
Richter Scale Day celebrates the birth of the inventor of the Richter Scale. Born on April 26, 1900, American seismologist Charles F. Richter (1900–1985) invented the Richter Scale in 1935.
The Richter Scale measures the amount of energy released by an earthquake by measuring the magnitude or seismic waves produced by an earthquake. The Richter Scale measures from 0 to 9. On the scale, each increase in number represents an earthquake 10 times more powerful. At 4.5 an earthquake can damage buildings and structures. At 7 on the Richter scale, severe and catastrophic damage can occur.
27th - 
27th - 
Tell a Story Day
Tell a Story Day celebrates story-telling of all kinds. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or non-fiction, a tall tale, or folklore. Today is a day to tell 'em all. Stories can be from a book, other written material, or from memory. Libraries celebrate this day with storytelling hours for kids. You can enjoy today telling stories to your kids, family members, or organizations and groups that you belong to.
28th - Kiss Your Mate Day
Kiss Your Mate Day is a perfect chance to smooch with your partner. As if you need an opportunity to share a kiss or two with the one you love. With spring in the air, April is an appropriate time for Kiss Your Mate Day. Researchers tell us that kissing, an important part of romance and intimacy, is the first thing to go in a relationship. If you don't currently kiss your mate everyday, use today to re-establish kissing in your life.
29th -  “Peace” Rose Day
The Peace Rose was developed by French horticulturist, Francis Meiland. He wanted to save the rose during World War II when it seemed inevitable that France would fall to Germany, so he sent cuttings of his rose to friends in Italy, Germany, Turkey and the U.S. It made it onto the last plane to the U.S. before the German invasion. During the war it was cultivated in the U.S. by the Conrad Pyle Co. In 1945, Monsieur Meiland contacted Field Marshall Alan Brooke, one of the master strategists of the U.S. whose strategies helped win the war, and offered to name the rose after him. But Brooke suggested that he name it “peace” instead. Its name was announced on this day in 1945, the day that Berlin fell to Allied forces, and the war was officially over.
National Arbor Day (last Friday of the month) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees, and is celebrated in a number of countries. It was founded officially by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872. By the 1920s each state in the United States had passed public laws that proclaimed a certain day to be Arbor Day or Arbor and Bird Day observance. The dates differ and were established depending on climate and suitable planting times.
ARBOR DAY FOR TEXAS IS THE FIRST FRIDAY IN NOVEMBER!
Trees
by Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
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30th National Honesty Day
Honesty is a great virtue. If we want people to believe us when its important, then we need to be open and honest all of the time. We all know about the boy who cried wolf. When a wolf actually appeared, no one believed him.
Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.
The rain makes running pools in the gutter.
The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night--
And I love the rain.
~Langston Hughes, 1902-1967, April Rain Song
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