Labor Day is one of my favorite holidays. It is the day set aside to celebrate the hard work which makes our country produce food, services, products and ideas.
If you got the chance to take part in Labor Sunday, you celebrated a tradition falling from public view in more modern times. Traditionally, Labor Sunday is set aside to celebrate the educational and religious contributions to the GNP.
On Monday, some people roll out of bed for the morning parades and the speeches. Many are not so concerned with the organized merry making, opting instead to celebrate the end of summer with last minute family vacations or retreats before the summer recess is over.
The great American love of barbecue is courted. Families enjoy picnics and parties. Voyeurs and pyromaniacs alike share in the delight of fireworks come nightfall.
Join Mantra in a look into the American celebration of the hard working American labor force.
Town Celebration
A vibrant flag waves in the breeze.
The sound of popping canvas
Puts a playful cadence in the air.
Children play on the sprawling lawn
At the feet of soapstone statues.
Blankets are spread out here and there.
Sundressed social butterflies
Tango and waltz sidewalks with ease.
Men toss balls back and forth with sons,
Careful of cars parked on the drive.
Soft billowing smoke curls around
The bandstand, mixing with music.
It’s nearly time to gather ’round
For the mayor’s speech to the town.
Barbecue smiles pant oohs and aahs
For fireworks. Labor Day’s done.
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How do you celebrate Labor Day? Are you celebrating your own labor?
Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Bear, Red & all the cubs.
Bearman
/ September 3, 2012I am celebrating this labor day as always…by doing no labor. What is that honey? Oh got to go clean the cat litter.
Bearman recently posted..Beartoons Shop is NOW OPEN!
Red
/ September 10, 2012I think we all did that! Well, not the litter box, but you get the concept.
Gail Thornton
/ September 3, 2012I am celebrating Labor Day. First, I went out to coffee with friends this morning. Then I took a four hour nap (no sweat there!) and tonight I will play cards with friends……I will be able to see the fireworks from my place, but I don’t like large crowds, so don’t join in any organized celebrating. Being retired, I can celebrate all those in the workforce who are keeping the gears turning on the economy, and feel for those whose only dream is of having a job.
Gail Thornton recently posted..Poem – Something Else
Derek Mansker
/ September 3, 2012Wow, even fireworks! That is amazing. We have nothing like that here. We just wish the tourists farewell.
Derek Mansker recently posted..Lie Now, Pay Later
Red
/ September 10, 2012I think there are many who wish they could work. Perhaps, more than we give credit.
Alexandra Heep
/ September 3, 2012I’ve always hated Labor Day. The reasons have changed over the years, but it’s all the same. Even when was “lucky” enough to have it off. Today, working as usual. I don’t think I’ve spent one 24-hour period not writing in 18 months …. and counting.
Alexandra Heep recently posted..Balancing the Energies in our Lives
Red
/ September 10, 2012I think you are going to enjoy your time off next month!
Derek Mansker
/ September 3, 2012I didn’t realize some of the back story of Labor Day. I just find it ironic that we call it Labor Day and then don’t work. (well some of us) It makes more sense the way you explained it here. Although, I did do some house cleaning, painting and fishing with the kids. That is all work .(almost)
Derek Mansker recently posted..Lie Now, Pay Later
Red
/ September 10, 2012Children are absolutely work…especially on holiday 😉
Binky
/ September 3, 2012The end of summer and back to school was what Labour Day always meant to me. I always hated it because I wanted summer to last forever.
Binky recently posted..Fake Autobiography
Red
/ September 10, 2012There are loads who want summer to stay around. I look forward to fall. It is my favorite time of the year. Where I come from, though, there are only two seasons…summer and fall.
prenin
/ September 4, 2012We don’t have Labour day here in the UK, Just Bank Holidays! 🙂
As usual the last one was a day of heavy rain…
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
prenin recently posted..Monday – A trip down cannabis road…
Red
/ September 10, 2012I was under the impression you had an equivalent holiday. Hmm… {HUGZ}
Noeleen
/ September 4, 2012Hello Red!
I didn’t realise it is the end of summer for you. Oh pity – it’s the start of Spring here in Australia! 🙂 Loving that fresh sense in the air…
I don’t celebrate my own labour, no, because it doesn’t produce anything but rent & food. My labour on the blog & videos though, I do celebrate that, yes. Feels good.
Noeleen recently posted..I Dropped the Ball
Red
/ September 10, 2012Ah, you should celebrate the production of food and shelter. It means you are not dependent on others to provide for you!
Lizzie Cracked
/ September 4, 2012Celebrate? Well I always thought Labor Day just meant the end of summer and back to school – not much for a kid to celebrate and now – well my kids have been in school for a month and a half – so its a day off that they ..um.. need.. and bbq – there is nothing of the tradition of Lobor Day that works here…. the pools are still open for another month..kids been in school.. fall won’t even look like it until beginning of Oct. sigh. We ate hot dogs. (kinda funny huh?)
Oh – and people still wear white shoes after Labor Day here ..the horrors… 😕
Hope you had a great day and enjoyed your weekend.
Litsa love and hugs
Lizzie
Lizzie Cracked recently posted..Meet Gracie and Bubbsy, They are Quite a Pair
Lizzie Cracked
/ September 4, 2012Labor Day – not labor say …, yeah its MMonday in my head… 😛
Lizzie Cracked recently posted..Meet Gracie and Bubbsy, They are Quite a Pair
Red
/ September 10, 2012Whatever do you mean? *whistles*
Red
/ September 10, 2012I have white shoes to wear for Christmas. Phooey on no white after Labor Day. That went out with pill hats and afternoon tea gloves. Like I was telling Binky, where I am from there are only two seasons. Year before last, we were home, and my children were swimming at Thanksgiving. We both live too far south for the back-to-school after Labor Day. They only do that far north of here. <3
Tess Kann
/ September 4, 2012A lot of labour unrest in these parts. Lots of angry people because the government is freezing wages. I’m retired but still sympathetic. Hope my family isn’t affected.
Usually, we think of this holiday as end of summer and BBQ time before the school year starts. For the past five years, we’ve celebrated, with as many family members not away, my younger granddaughter’s birthday, which falls on August 30th.
Tess Kann recently posted..Lady Sings the Blues
Red
/ September 10, 2012Labor Day is nearly the end of the birthday parade around here as well. We are all finished (with all but one of the children) by the end of September. I love a reason to get the family together.
raymond alexander kukkee
/ September 4, 2012Labour is what you make of it. A labour of love isn’t work, is it? We should be celebrating our ability to work, not the irksome details. It is inherently smarter more logical to pursue an occupation one appreciates; grasping frantically at any opportunity to have a day off like Labour day suggests the wrong occupation has been consuming one’s short life. “:)) That being said, “We like holidays”. haha!
raymond alexander kukkee recently posted..Flash Fiction: Ashes
Red
/ September 10, 2012You are quite right. Some of the best occupations I have had were the ones which were natural and never felt like a job. I made a point during my career to switch careers when work become a job. 😉 And I love holidays!