Well, Sports fans, it's the 'Big Weekend" of springtime- Memorial Day weekend. Back in the 'Day', schools were getting ready to close, if not closed already; vacation plans were in place; summercamp(s) were sweeping out the rustic cabins waiting for the campers to descend on the site in a week or two after the counselors arrived, and Mom was taking off the apron to muster her vast skill set for 3 months of dealing with Mikey, Tommie, Audrey, Jenny, Sis, Freckles, and the dog-Chips.
This idealized view of a '50's era weekend does not exist anymore. Yes, we have 3 days of weekend fun to enjoy, but it does not signal the commencement of any time period of note. These days, the 4th of July marks the beginning of the summer, brief as it is. Old Summer started on Memorial Day and ended on Labor Day weekend, 3 months hence. Because of the clamor for improvement in educational outcomes, school boards took the easy way out: extend classroom time by several weeks: that will work and it must. So, Mom's gotta break, and teachers got screwed into spending more time without making significant progress on outcomes among their students. That point could be challenged, but all outcomes vary, depending on a host of local factors(money).
At this time, I enjoy reading stories about aging veterans, especially the World War II vets whose numbers don't amount to anything much any more. Most have gone on to their reward. Recently, in California, a story/interview was printed about the last living survivor of the U.S.S. Arizona's bombing and sinking after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th, 1941. "A Day that will live in Infamy" as proclaimed by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt on the 8th of December, 1941. The then young man was able to escape the flames and the bombs to help his shipmates in need after and during the attack. He went on to become a fighter pilot before the war ended. Great story.
Have a nice weekend, and look for more topical subjects later today.
Hizzoner, Da Mayor
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