There are only 336 days until Christmas

   This is going to be a busy year. It's  already January 23th and my dance card for the year is almost full. There is so much to do and so little time to do it, even if I am retired. With my trusty pocket calendar in hand, I am beginning to note the important upcoming dates for this year. (Yes, I still use a pocket calendar sometimes.)These dates are above and beyond the normal medical appointments and the traditional  daily events in my life like getting the oil changed in my car and the vacations I hope to take. “The planning” is to insure I get everything accomplished. Right!!
   There are 650 days left until election day 2014.  Already I have heard the discussions about the candidates for Governor and who might win, depending on how many run. Blah, blah, blah... I didn't know we had candidates yet, only wanna-Be’s.  What the pollsters fail to realize at this early date is that a great deal can happen between now and the next election day and if we pick the candidate this early in the process, what's the purpose of having an election?
   There are 81 days remaining until this year's deadline to file income taxes. Like me, I am sure that you are well organized, with records and paperwork in place...to take to the tax preparer of course.
   There are only 10 days until Groundhog Day, a day symbolic of what is to come. Speaking of Spring, there are 57 days until the first day of Spring. I wonder if the groundhog knows that? More important, does he care?
   There are 162 days until July 4th.  The 4th represents summertime in Maine, warmer temperatures, vacations and tourists. If we love tourists so much, why is it that we can't wait until they leave on Labor day, only 222 days away.
   I  searched for the date that has statistically been the first day each year when the temperature registers 60 degrees, the first day I wear shorts. It certainly isn't today!! The search directed me to a website that told me that the best average temperature to grow marijuana is between 70 and 85 degrees. I am still trying to figure out how I ended up on that site!
   There are 2017 days until the next Inauguration Day, 2017, the day that symbolizes one of the basic principle of our  society, free democratic elections where citizens have the right and privilege to vote for the candidate they believe can best lead the nation. It also is a symbol of the peaceful transition of power should the President represent a different political party. (Didn't we just have Inauguration Day this past Monday??) And lest we forget, Inauguration Day also marks the beginning of the next campaign cycle for the 2016 election. Oh boy!!
   There are 89 days until Earth Day a day that has come to symbolize the efforts to save the earth and the environment.
   To my grandchildren, there are 228 days until Grandparent Day, plenty of time to get a card and bake some cookies.
   It is going to be a very busy year and for those who may be interested, there are only 266 days until my birthday and I don't want you to forget.
   And finally, there are just 343 days until January 1, 2014. Happy New Year.