Coffee Break with Liz and Kate

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Well, here we are – Labor Day 2010. The day we bid a bittersweet buh-bye to summer and welcome the cooler days of fall.

I’ll make it quick, since I’m heading to the parents for lunch, but thought I’d point out a few tidbits about a holiday that I suspect most of the country views as nothing more than a way to get a long weekend.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since 1894, when the holiday became official under the pen of President Grover Cleveland.

Of the odd things associated with this day, I’ll first bring up that unwritten rule (at least I think it’s unwritten): No white clothing from now until Memorial Day. Seriously, who dreamed that one up? I have some winter white pants, thank you very much, and if I’m not supposed to be wearing them after Labor Day, why are they made of wool? Hmm??

Anywho, as if the no-white rule isn’t bad enough, there is another oddity associated with Labor Day. Or maybe it isn’t so strange afterall.

I’m referring to cars and mattresses and annual Labor Day sales.  At least from that vantage point, Labor Day sure sounds like a day at work, doesn’t it? Surely you’ve heard the ads on radio and TV for at least a week, with promises of the year’s best deals on a new set of wheels, or that you, too, can find your perfect sleep number this Labor Day.  For that to happen, somebody’s got to be at work. Maybe mattress and car salesmen are on to something, as they work, aka labor, to sell said mattresses and cars on Labor Day.

Kinda begs the question… What would No Labor Day be like? Just sayin’.

-Liz

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