Free Bird

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  “. . . A light broke in upon my brain,—  It was the carol of a bird;  It ceased, and then it came again,  The sweetest song ear ever heard,  And mine was thankful till my eyes  Ran over with the glad surprise,  And they that moment could not see  I was the mate of misery.  But then by dull degrees came back  My senses to their wonted track;  I saw the dungeon walls and floor  Close slowly round me as before,  I saw the glimmer of the sun  Creeping as it before had done,  But through the crevice where it came  That bird was perched, as fond and tame,  And tamer than upon the tree;  A lovely bird, with azure wings,  And song that said a thousand things,  And seemed to say them all for me!  I never saw its like before,  I ne’er shall see its likeness more;  It seemed like me to want a mate,  But was not half so desolate,  And it was come to love me when  None ...

Bathtub Party Day

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Yes, there really is such and thing, and today's the day for it (not to be confused with International Bath Day on June 14).

Let me put your mind at ease, as someone may be wondering I could support a thing such as a Bathtub Party. Depends what you're thinking, I guess.

I'm confident the day does not advocate a gathering of friends in tub, though without doubt few revelers may try. If this were a political party (in this day and age, you just never know) I might consider joining but I'm sure a Bathtub Party is not political. 

If we were in England, we would call this "Bathtub Day" (no party). Legend has it that the bathtub was introduced to England on this day in 1828--or was it December 7? Of course one finds this difficult to believe considering the existence of Greek and Roman tubs and the fact that Romans did make their way across England in the early Hundreds A.D. . . .
Greek bath in Nestor's Palace
Regardless, based on what I've read "out there" (including the definitive "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader"), I get the idea that the purpose of Bathtub Party Day is to slow down, relax. This is a showering age--get in, get out, get dry and get on to the next thing. But not today. This is a no-hurry-treat-yourself-to-something-nice day.

Today, take some time for yourself. Immerse yourself neck deep in some hot water, maybe toss in some Epsom salts, fragrances (if you like that kind of thing) and just float a while. I mean, hey, the pools' closed this time of year. So why not just have a Bathtub Party? And if it's appropriate--invite a friend!


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