We all know April 15 as “tax day…” boo and hiss. But did you know April 15 has another, really fun (as opposed to boo-and-hiss) distinction? Oh yes. April 15 happens to be National “Take a Wild Guess Day!” Is that not awesome?
This holiday event was created in 2010 by Jim Barber, a professional public speaker, and instructor. Barber says that he consistently noticed people were guessing on their tax form inputs. “Crazy,” he thought. So, he established this day to add a little sense of humor to the situation. While there are no presidential proclamations or an act of congress making this a true “National” day, the word is spreading nationally and more and more folks are embracing the whole idea.
This April 15 holiday is all about trusting your gut and your instinct. Today, factual or empirical data are useless and unnecessary. Does the thought of taking a wild guess without any information to back you up, take you out of your comfort zone? Good, very good.
Taking a wild guess is like taking a stab in the dark. Often you don’t have any information or facts, but you feel compelled to take a wild guess at a perplexing question or issue. If you are expected to know the answer, taking a wild guess is at the risk of embarrassment and ridicule if you guess wrong. But that’s OK for this day.
Take a Wild Guess Day encourages us to throw away the inhibitions that are holding us back. Throw caution to the wind, step out of your comfort zone, and take a chance that you’ll know the right answer or thing to say. Step out on the proverbial limb, so to speak.
On this day, you are encouraged to take a guess at every opportunity you get. And here are some specific ways to participate in Take a Wild Guess Day:
- If you know the answer, blurt it out. If not, take a wild guess.
- Uncertain? Take a stab in the dark.
- Don’t be afraid of being wrong.
- Bet on the horses, or the dogs, or the game, or... This is always a wild guess.
- Create and play a guessing game.
- Got a hunch? Take a chance.
To add to the fun, I have another (what I think is hilarious) suggestion on how to participate. On www.food.com I found an article, “27 Secret-Ingredient Recipes.” You know where I’m going with this. How about we make one, and ask everybody to “Take A Wild Guess” as to what the secret ingredient is? Maybe I don’t get out much, but I think this would be a blast. If you like the idea, too, here’s one of food.com’s suggested recipes to get the giggles going. (Oh this will be fun!)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1 navel orange zest and juice
2 cupssemi-sweet chocolate chips divided
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, combine well the mashed potatoes, the zest of one navel orange, and the juice of half of the orange.
Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips either in a double boiler, or by heating in the microwave for approximately 1.5 minutes, stirring every 25-30 seconds.
Once the chocolate is thoroughly melted, add it to the potato mixture, stir well to combine, then allow the mix to chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes, or until a scooped portion of the mix can be easily shaped (rolled in your hands).
Line a baking sheet with wax paper. You're ready to form the truffles: scoop an approximately tablespoon-sized amount of the filling, and form into a ball by rolling with your hands. Set these on the wax paper, then allow the balls to chill in the refrigerator or freezer for another 30 minutes.
Melt the remaining chocolate chips and dip the chilled filling balls to coat completely. The Sprinkle them with cocoa, or roll in coconut, or cover them in chopped nuts. It’s all good. The chocolate sets quickly, so work fast, and enjoy! These keep very well in the refrigerator and freezer and make great gifts.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
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