Labor Day 2013

By Terry Orr

Traditionally, today means the end of summer and the beginning of the new school year tomorrow. The last three-day weekend of warm weather and family picnics and gatherings.  We are reminded that fall is coming and the end of daylight savings – Football season has just started and baseball is winding down – cooler days and nights lay ahead.

It is also a good time to reflect for the many blessings and good things in our lives and to refocus our energies of those things most important to us – health, family, self, and our individual goals in life.

Happy Labor Day!!

Create Your Own Holiday

By Terry Orr 

What is a Holiday? 

A holiday in many parts of the world is a synonym for a vacation or a specific trip for the purpose of recreation or tourism, but in the United States of America, it is considered to be a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official (more common) or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations or festivities. A holiday does not necessarily exclude doing normal work: the relatively minor Jewish holiday of Chanukah has been described as a "working holiday"[1] and those who celebrate a holiday such as Diwali may have to work a normal schedule in countries where it is not a public holiday. (Source: Wikipedia)

I struck gold once again today while researching the Internet for this article!  Mrs. Muddle's Holiday website is a wonderful site to spend some time reviewing about all sorts of holidays. She also provides some excellent insight on creating your own holiday.

What would be your Holiday and how would you celebrate it?

http://www.mrsmuddle.com/pages/create.html 

4th of July 2012

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By Terry Orr

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. (Wikipedia)

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Today all Americans celebrate our Declaration of Independence!

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Today we also take time to remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.

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Today, all Americans need to reflect upon our rights as citizens of this great country, unlike any other on this planet. 

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Today, we need to get involved and once again become part of the solution to our problems instead of hoping others will do it for us.

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Boxing Day?

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By Diane Forrest,

Today is Boxing Day, a holiday that is celebrated in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as St. Stephen's Day or the Day of the Wren.  Growing up I always thought that Boxing Day was the day to box up all your decorations from Christmas to put them away for the next year. But actually it’s a really nice holiday.

Boxing Day is a bank holiday that was started in 1871 by the Bank Holidays Act.  It allows for the banks to be closed the day after Christmas, and employees given the day off with pay.  If this day falls on a weekend, then the next business day is taken.  It also coincides with the Feasts of Stephens, a religious holiday celebrating the first Christian martyr.  No one is quite sure how Boxing Day got its name.  Some believe it was named that because the churches would place metal boxes outside the church to accept donations for St. Stephen's celebrations.  Others say it was a custom for in exchange for ensuring that wealthy landowners' Christmases ran smoothly; their servants were allowed to take the 26th off to visit their families. The employers gave each servant a box containing gifts and bonuses (and sometimes leftover food).

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Today, in addition to having the day off, there are huge shopping sales to pick up some good buys.  While we don't observe Boxing Day in America, we still have the opportunity to attend great after Christmas sales, and it is also a great time to make charitable donations.  Not only will you feel great when you donate, but you will also be able to claim it as a tax deduction for the tax season.  Or if you aren't able to shop or donate, at least you can box up your decorations and store them for the next year.  Happy Boxing Day

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