Wednesday, September 23, 2009

SUNFLOWERS




I had no idea that I would get so much enjoyment from these sunflowers in my garden. They spend the day bowing to the sun. The mantis found it was a good place to "catch" lunch.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do. --Helen Keller--




Thursday, September 10, 2009

09-09-09




Love the sound of 9-9-9. In England it is their universal emergency number. 09-09-09 is believed to be particularly lucky by many. It represents the last set of repeating, single-digit dates that we'll see in this century. A day to get dressed to the nines! I could go on.

Something unusual was destined to happen and sure enough, our power went out in the evening. My son asked if I wanted to play monopoly and so we did. By candle light. A rare event, that I can interact and play a board game with my teenager. No tv, no computer. A rather enjoyable evening on an eventful day 09-09-09.

Monday, September 7, 2009

LABOR DAY!!






Labor Day is a holiday celebrated here in the US as
a national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of this country. However, traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer and to the relief of many parents, the beginning of the school year. A day where we rest from all our labors and barbecue and enjoy other outdoor activities. Growing up, proper etiquette dictated that you did not wear white clothes, particularly shoes, after Labor Day. My mom put all things white away until Memorial Day. It would be a major faux pas if you were to be caught wearing white shoes after Labor Day. Fortunately, this custom has pretty much died out, but it still crosses my mind when I put on white shoes or pants between Labor Day and Memorial Day that I might get pulled over by the Emily Post Proper Etiquette Police.

Today, we took a drive through Lodi and discovered that it truly was "LABOR DAY" in the vineyards as there were plenty of laborers harvesting the grapes. Busiest time of the year for wineries.

We appreciate all those who labor to make this country a better place to live. And I especially appreciate having a day off to relax and "rest from labor" and look forward to the kids being in school.