HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEK-END 2024

Because no one seems to know much about this official federal holiday, (outside of to have a day off and to not wear white after it,) here’s a tiny bit of an explanation: In the late nineteenth century, there was deemed a need for a national day to celebrate “labor.” It began its existence with a parade in New York City, (where else to hold a parade?,) but surprisingly, Oregon was the first state to make it an official holiday in 1887. (Who among us could have guessed that location, except maybe a Jeopardy champion?!) And it grew from there.

Labor Day was designed to be a holiday for federal workers only, but as the decades wore on, it has become one for all workers. The actual holiday is just on Monday, but, of course, most of us celebrate all week-end long. (And yes—relaxing is its own celebration.)

Labor Day Week-end is also the bridge from August to September, Summer to Fall. It’s like a tunnel—we go into it on Friday and come out in another dimension on Monday! So try your best to make the most of it.

I really want to go to the Hermosa Beach Fair, which I love, or to just accept one of the invitations I usually get to friends’ barbecues or pool parties, but my overriding desire to see every second of the US Open for these two weeks is keeping me in the house. (Especially because I have to tattle on myself and admit that I bailed on the second day of the tennis tourney—and am still trying to catch-up on it!—by going out to the California Restaurant Show, whose Los Angeles version I have never missed since I was first invited decades ago, even with messed-up pre-surgery hands one year and another one with cracked ribs!!!) So I’ll most likely fail to attend all those fun Labor Day Week-end activities now, and then regret that decision later, as I always do.

But, of course, I wish all of you a fabulous, fun, perhaps relaxing, and especially safe, Labor Day Week-end. Have a good one, and remember to not work during it! At least not too hard.