Thursday, November 6, 2014

Bears & Chocolate, part 1

Your first thought might be a question, "What do bears and chocolate have in common?" Perhaps their commonality lies with the color brown...milk & dark chocolate and brown bear, brown bear. Maybe it is both since chocolate bears do exist, such as the hollow chocolate Lindt Bear figure created with premium Swiss milk chocolate. Actually, they share a day of celebration, which reflects What's happenin' and Foodie Fun for Everyone.

November 7 is...

Hug a Bear Day

“When a hug comes your way, cherish the moment, then, give it away.” ~SLS

For many of us, that first bear will always be close at heart whose fluffy fur became rather frazzled from innumerable hugs and cuddlings. Perhaps that special bear is a friend to this day lying in wait for that goodnight hug or one just as special having been received as a gift at some point in time through the years. In either case, the delightful sensation of comfort and cheer is a warm association with that furry little friend, especially when apart from friends and family. Teddy also presents the perfect excuse to want to give someone a hug! On Hug a Bear Day, pass along numerous loving Teddy Bear Hugs.

Each time you feel the least bit disgruntled think about your teddy and smile...a BIG smile. If close at hand, maybe even grab him by the arm and give him a BIG squeeze! He may not be able to smile back but his presence will surely warm your heart making you feel better instantly! Of course, as you go through your daily routines, look for all the human 'teddies' just waiting for a hug. Everyone knows bear hugs are a source of love and comfort. You just may make someone's day!

If you missed Bring Your Teddy to Work Day in October, let the little fellow accompany you today. Here are a few Helpful 'Teddy' Hints:

*Use your 'teddy' as a cushy wrist-rest at the computer.
*When you get annoyed, 'teddy' can be your stress reliever.
*Got a stack of loose papers? Let 'teddy' sit on it!
*Toss 'teddy' at a frowning coworker.
*Let 'teddy' be your sounding board when angered or annoyed.
*Take a quick nap at break time. 'Teddy' makes a great pillow!
Add your own to the list...

What about the story behind how the 'teddy' bear got its name...how much do you know?

*****

In November 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt and some of his friends went on a hunting trip to Mississippi. After hours of searching, Roosevelt and his group had not come across any wild animals. Finally, the group did track down and surrounded a helpless bear. One of the guides asked the president to shoot the bear so he could win a hunting trophy. The president refused, and news reporters throughout the country spread the story of Roosevelt's kind act. Not long after this took place, a famous cartoonist named Clifford Berryman drew a cartoon based on Roosevelt 's rescue of the bear. When a store owner in Brooklyn saw the cartoon, he decided to make toy bears to sell in his shop. He asked president Roosevelt for permission to use the name “"Teddy's Bear"” for his toys, as a reminder of the bear Roosevelt had set free. Nowadays, everyone knows these toys as Teddy Bears, but few people know that they were named after President Theodore “"Teddy"” Roosevelt. (Source: Origin of the Teddy Bear)