Mr. Z Day

Pin It Today was “Mr. Z Day.”

I decided this last night.

So, what is Mr. Z Day? Well, in actuality, it can be just about anything I would like—hence the wonder of this magnificent holiday.

As many of you know (or may not know) I eat lunch nearly every day with my students—this is something I’ve done for nearly 6 years as an educator. The kids take pleasure in their teacher eating with them, and it saves me from that dreaded facility room (or the exile of my classroom…which is a welcome place to eat occasionally).

Today I took chicken nuggets and tater buttons to school.

However, I wanted to have a lunch that was a bit classier. It always amazes me what one can do when they add a modest amount of ingenuity, a place setting mat, silverware, and garnish it all off with vegetation.



I received quite a few inquiring looks, many compliments, and even a few shocked questions. All of these were deflected—or accepted—in the name of Mr. Z Day.

“Why are you cutting your chicken nuggets with a knife and fork?”

“Because eating with one’s hands is so déclassé. And I prefer them to be called, ‘Chicken a-la Nugget.’ They taste so much better this way; Ah, the wonder of Mr. Z Day!”

“Why don’t you drink your pop from the can? Why are you dirtying a glass?”

“Because the fine goblet enhances the exquisite taste of the beverage. Ah, the beauty of Mr. Z Day!”

“Why do you have flowers at the table, Mr. Z?”

“It adds to the ambience.”

“What’s an ambience?”

“The general feeling of a place…the mood.”

“It sure makes it prettier.”

“Indeed it does. Mr. Z Day…enjoy it!”

“So, just when IS Mr. Z Day? If we’d have known, we all could have brought fancy things to eat with, too.”

“I never quite know when it happens…it just does.”

One of my students raised her milk carton, “To Mr. Z Day!”

“To Mr. Z Day!” Several others all repeated as they raised their cartons—and I my fine crystal glass of soda—all in order to commemorate the moment.

I think tomorrow will be Mr. Z Day as well…