First off, I want to wish all my readers in the U.S. a Happy Labor Day.
I remember the Labor Day celebrations of my past, mostly a day to go to the corner to watch a parade and mark the end of summer with one last picnic before school started.
After I married and joined the Miller family, Labor Day was also that last summer hurrah. But it included a celebration of Mom Miller’s birthday, with a gathering of the family at a big park. We had to go to a big park because it was a big family.
Everybody brought food to share – and drink – and someone would make sure there was a big birthday cake for Mom.
What fun we had playing games, eating, playing more games, visiting, eating more food, and finally collapsing at our homes sated with so much food and drink and great family time.
During my childhood, I didn’t know that the day meant any more than a day of rest from work for those who had jobs and an excuse to have a cook-out with family and friends. Much later I learned about the violent start of what has become such a benign holiday.
The first Labor Day parade was held on September 5, 1882. It wasn’t an official Labor Day parade. In fact, Labor Day as a designated holiday did not exist.
But on that day, 10,000 workers walked away from their jobs to march in a parade from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, They did it in part as a tribute to American workers, but also to protest the horrendous working conditions for adults and children in the country.
That was a bloody time in the history of American workers as labor unions struggled to organize and push for better working conditions and better pay. Many of the protests and rallies turned violent.
Today, I am having a quiet day here on Grandma’s Ranch. No company and no cookout. But later I might watch one of the wonderful movies that pay tribute to that time when workers banded together to make a difference. I found some great picks on the Movie Mom blog.
CONTEST
Check out this neat VIDEO on YouTube that Jason Eberhardt – AuthorsWrite Inc – created for the Young Adult Back-To-School Giveaway. I’m so happy to join some other great YA authors to be a sponsor of the contest with my novel, Friends Forever. Don’t forget ENTER for your chance to win some great prizes.
Some Funnies to Start Your Week With a Chuckle
Overheard on a Park Bench in 1955
It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.
I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They’re even making electric typewriters now.
There is no sense going on short trips any more for a weekend. It costs nearly $2.00 a night to stay in a hotel.
Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.
Some Thoughts on Dieting
My goal for 2016 was to lose just 10 pounds … only 15 to go.
Ate salad for dinner …mostly croutons & tomatoes … really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce … and cheese…
FINE, it was a pizza… I ate a pizza!
How to prepare Tofu:
1. Throw it in the trash.
2. Grill some meat.
I don’t mean to brag but… I finished my 14-day diet food in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.
I just did a week’s worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.
Encounters with spider webs provide most of my daily exercise. What about you? What are your plans for Labor Day? Do share in the comments.