August is the only month with no national holidays, but it has some rather obscure, ridiculous and offbeat holidays. We apparently missed Lefthanders Day (August 13). Relaxation Day (August 15) comes just after Lazy Day (August 10). Don't know how someone celebrates Lazy Day, but I'm truly sorry I missed it. It's obvious that someone has entirely too much time on their hands.
To break that string of rather silly 'holidays', Friday is National Potato Day. Hey, if it has to do with food and might include french fries, it's not silly. Because you might want to experiment with some new potato recipes, click here to find a long list. Friday is also National Aviation Day, and strangely, I can't find a connection between the two. August is Romance Awareness Month and National Eye Exam Month-- maybe these two are connected.
This photo was taken in Canada's Prince Edward Island, a tiny island just a tad larger than our Rhode Island. The farmer pictured here stopped work to explain to me that PEI is the largest potato producer in Canada, thanks to its climate and bright red dirt. PEI grows more potatoes than Manitoba, which is just a little smaller than Texas. Yep, PEI is loaded with potato fields.
On some Canadian menus, you'll find poutine, a delicious mixture of fries, sauce and cheese. The classic Quebec poutine uses a very specific pepper sauce and fromage beaucronne (like a cheddar cheese curds). It's one of those tasty dishes that your heart and arteries could probably do without, like our french fries covered with gravy and melted cheese.
The top potato grower in the United States is Idaho, but China produces more potatoes than any other country in the world. Surprised?
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