It's National Chewing Gum Day...

 Chew 'Em If You Got 'Em! 

The express goal of this blob, is NOT to bore you with stuff that other inferior writers have written, but to thrill and charm you with stuff, THIS inferior writer has written. 

However, since this is National Chewing Gum Day, I'm gonna share a little info with you on the history and relevance of chewing gum...

NATIONAL CHEWING GUM DAY

National Chewing Gum Day exercises our jaws on September 30th. Pop a bubble or freshen your breath with your favorite piece of chewing gum.

Humans have used chewing gum for over 5,000 years. They may have chewed it for enjoyment, to stave off hunger or to freshen their breath much like we do today.  The sources used to make gum resulted in minty and sweet chewable globs of wax or sap resin that fulfilled that human urge to gnaw.  It was unlikely they were capable of producing glossy, pink bubbles worthy of jealous pokes from siblings.  However, waking up with it stuck in your hair was still a possibility.  

Various forms of chewing gum have existed since the Neolithic period. In 2007, a British archaeology student discovered a 5,000-year-old piece of chewing gum made from bark tar with tooth imprints in it. Presumed to be the oldest piece of chewing gum, it was found in Kierikki, Yli-li, Finland.  Made from bark tar, the gum was believed to have antiseptic properties and other medicinal advantages.

• Many other cultures chewed gum made from the resin of the mastic tree, from plants, grasses, and other resins.
• In 1848, John B. Curtis developed and sold the first commercial chewing gum, which was called “The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum.”
• Around 1850, a gum made from paraffin wax was developed and surpassed the spruce gum in popularity.
• December 28, 1869, William Semple filed an early patent on chewing gum, patent number 98,304.
• Studies show chewing gum helps improve memory, reduce stress, and increase alertness.
• Chewing sugar-free gum improves overall oral hygiene while also helping to curb cravings and improving digestion.

HOW TO OBSERVE #ChewingGumDay

Celebrate the day by buying a pack of your favorite flavor of chewing gum. Share a piece with your friends. Use #ChewingGumDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHEWING GUM DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this fascinating celebration.

Chewing gum is in the same realm as the cat discussion, in my poorly educated opinion. 

97 % of folks either love or hate cats. No in between.

Whereas, 96.9 % of indivisibles individuals either love or hate chewing gum. Right? Am I right or wrong? 

There is a person very close to me, who cannot stand the "chomping" of gum. It really doesn't bug me much, unless it's extremely pronounced...like the sound of a turning cement mixer filled with heavy molasses. "Squishy, squish..squishy, squish...

Warning!! The squeamish need not watch this!!! 

Another thing is when someone is giving a speech or interview whilst chewing gum. That is a bit disconcerting (feeling unsettled) to me. First of all, I cannot hear their words clearly, and second of all, it just seems rude. Maybe because we "baby boomers" were taught to refrain from  chewing gum in polite company, like at church, school, speaking to a high ranking family member and such.

Fair warning!! Don't watch this at all!! 

Then, when I think about the collateral damage that chewing gum wreaks, I tend to shutter!!

Gum stuck to our shoe, gum in a child's hair, gum all over your face after blowing a bubble too big, and it pops, and the biggest chewing gum problem of all...gum eternally stuck to things!!

I had a cleaning business for a while, cleaning restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses. 

1. The gum stuck to the bottoms of tables, stools, chairs, counters and every hidden area, equals the number of stars in the Andromeda galaxy! Which is one trillion!!!

2. Removing the hardened gum from these hidden surfaces (especially the gum that was stuck there in 1926) is next to impossiroo!! It's easier to totally replace the surfaces that have the barnacles  ancient gum imbedded deep, like an alien creature grabbing a face!! 

3. If you don't believe me, next tom you go to your favorite bar, restaurant, whatever... look under the tables, stools and counters. No, I take that back...don't do it! It may scar your psyche permanently!

Maybe I've been a bit too negative so far. Here are some positive things about chewing gum...

1. Freshens your stinky breath.

2. Works in a stage production of Grease.

3. Useful tool for Macgyver?

4. Drives your chewing gum hating in-laws nuts.

Hey! Here's a thought! Why not tell us YOUR OPINION ON CHEWING GUM!