Labour Day

I am just about to head off for my third shower of the day, I even washed my hair twice already! That what happens in a hot climate - all I have done since my last shower was the cleaning but even that got a sweat up! I am proud to say I am working through my lists quite successfully.

I had a look for where I could do recycling near me. I had previously been to one just around the corner but the bins had gone, as I said. I decided to go into the HEB supermarket and ask them what had happened to the bins. The lady behind the counter was a women of few words. I said 'What has happened to the recycling bins?' She said 'they've gone!', 'Oh' I replied and we left it at that. Anyhow, I found some paper recycling at the local school (schools were off today so no one saw me), but I am still stuck with my plastics I will have to go further a field.

Well the reason I was not at work today was because it is 'Labour Day'. Since I had no idea what it was for I had to go and look it up. Labour Day is an 'annual holiday devoted to the recognition of working people's contribution to society. It is observed on the first Monday in September in the U.S. and Canada. It was first celebrated in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882, under the sponsorship of the Knights of Labor. Various U.S. states observed the holiday before 1894, when Congress passed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday. It is often celebrated with parades and speeches, as well as political rallies, and the day is sometimes the official kickoff date for national political campaigns in the U.S. In most other countries, workers are honoured on May Day.'

Ok, I have learnt something! Labour Day is celebrated in many countries on 1st May, and is call May Day. However, if I am right in saying UK doesn't celebrate Labour Day, and 'May Day' is the first day of the month of May, when the weather improves, (except in Scotland!), and the flowers and trees start to blossom, and is associated with local celebrations. May Day is like the beginning of summer, although not officially the start of summer as that is in June. For the convenience of the general public, the May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May) is now utilised for the May Day celebrations, in England they have Morris dancers and dance around the maypole, whilst in Scotland, actually Turiff, apparently they have the local pipeband playing down the high street!

Back to work tomorrow but only a short week as I am off on Friday lunchtime to pick up Stuart! Sorry not let forget his imminent arrival :)