Take note.  Today is National Pencil Day.  You might already know this if you tuned in yesterday and witnessed me making a pig of myself.

Pencils shine.  Their construction is so simple, yet inside each is endless possibility. Beyond their uniform exterior could be a best selling book, the first draft of important legislation, a love letter, a treasure map, or a brilliant symphony.  Pencils are understated, but hardworking.

I could celebrate pencils by sharing a few pencil facts such as: one pencil can write 45,000 words or draw a line 35 miles long; 75% of pencils are yellow because in the 1800s the best graphite came from China.  Yellow is the color China associates with royalty and respect.  A pencil painted yellow became knows as the best pencil you could buy; the hexagonal shaped pencil was developed as an alternative to the round pencil, so the pencil would not roll off the desk; a pencil can absorb 17 sharpenings; and before erasers, mistakes were removed with bread crumbs.

Or, I could forgo fun pencil facts and suggest you take a look at how pencils are made http://www.pencils.com/pencil-information/pencil-making.

Or, maybe I could even suggest that you join the American Pencil Collector's Society, simply by clicking on www.pencilcollector.org.

Or, I could share favorite pencil quotes, such as: “The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser – in case you thought optimism was dead.” or “A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.”

Or, how about brainstorming all sorts of creative ways to celebrate this day with your family and friends?  Play a game of pick up sticks using pencils, buy a box of Ticonderoga #2 pencils and distribute them outside your local supermarket, while wishing people a Happy National Pencil Day.  Place a temporary moratorium on pens, markers, or keyboards.  Name the pencils at your desk.  Stick them in your ears and your nose until the person in the car next to yours starts laughing.  Sketch something using pencil.  Use a pencil to list all the things you love about pencils.  Share your list in our Community Forum titled, Today’s Post.

One thing is for sure.  Today you need a pencil.  And, since you have it out.  Make note of this…

Thursday, April 1 is the beginning of our 29 Gifts Project.  It’s not too late to get in on the fun.  Find out more here.

Shining off until tomorrow…