Hallowhen?

As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Bush administration made one of it's wisest decisions of either term (the list of wise decisions of the Bush administration is a short list, but I digress). Beginning in 2007, the end of daylight saving time was pushed back one week, from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November. The big deal? It allowed another hour of daylight for trick or treat. An extra hour of sunlight means it's a bit warmer for trick or treat. It's also one less hour of kids daring between parked cars. Now, it's time to complete the task started in 2005.

source: morgueFile

Consider The Source.

The observance of Halloween has a long history. Here in the western world there is a tie to All Saints Day (November 1) with All Hallows Eve (Halloween, October 31) being the night before All Saints Day.  The modern practice of kids running around the neighborhood collecting a month's worth of sugar fix or college kids dressed in "costumes" that hide nothing is not a celebration of saints or the hallowed. I'm not against kids and candy or college kids and body paint; to each their own. It's time to change the date of the modern celebration of Halloween. Why not the last
Saturday/Sunday/weekend in October?

The Calendar Can Be Changed.

Some of the most sacred days on our calendar are not fixed to a date. Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving do not have a fixed date. For most of my life Veterans Day was celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11.  Washington's Birthday has morphed into Presidents Day, celebrated on the third Monday in February. So why do we have young children out after dark on a school night merely to collect candy?

Disclaimer.

By no means do I espouse changing the day or celebration of All Saints Day and the accompanying All Hallows Eve for those that celebrate All Saints Day. As for the rest of us, move Halloween to the weekend.

Memorial Day: No Words

I felt it is important to post about Memorial Day but the words escape me. What do you say about those that were willing to lay down their lives to protect my freedom to flip burgers and buy large screen TV's?  I realize words are insufficient to pay tribute to soldiers (past, present and future) and their families for the sacrifice they have endured so I needn't sacrifice. In place of words, I can offer some numbers:

Total casualties (dead and wounded) from the Revolutionary War through current day:   2.5 million
Total population of Chicago, IL: almost 2.7 million

POW/MIA since WWII still unaccounted: over 83,000

Total McDonalds, Burger King and 7-11 worldwide: approx. 83,000

Countries arising from the Revolutionary War: 1

Without our veterans, there might not be an us and there wouldn't be a U.S.

Before I flip burgers (and holidays are for spending time with family) or buy a large screen TV (I've worked for it and I'm worth it) I'm going to dedicate some time to our soldiers killed in war. Why not join me? 

Grilling Myself For A Better Me.

It is almost summer time. As Memorial Day draws near, I had better be ready to grill. My family loves grilled food. As the man of the house I take pride in the art of charring steaks, blackening hot dogs and mangling fish, all done on my gas grill.  I knew the grill needed a good cleaning and made that task Sunday’s priority.

A grill should be cleaned after each use and thoroughly at least three times a year. I don’t stick to that schedule. I scrape the hot grates before every use. As for a total cleaning, there is a first time for everything. That’s probably why I had a hard time starting the grill at the end of last summer.

The cleaning took about three hours and was very messy. I used lots of elbow grease and removed lots of gunk.  I found a couple of parts that although functional are worn through and will need to be repaired or replaced. Perhaps had I been more attentive on a regular schedule, these parts would still be almost like new. Then I thought, if this is what’s happening with my grill, what about me? When is the last time I reviewed, reevaluated and readjusted that which makes me, me?

Think about it. If I only engage in self evaluation when I’m having problems “starting up” I’m probably close to losing something dear, or on pace to lose someone important in my life. Perhaps something is broken beyond repair.  If I stick to a regular schedule, I can appraise and adjust prior to the occurrence of a crisis. And if I self examine on a daily basis maybe, just maybe I can keep everything running like new.

Tires, grills and even computer hard drives need scheduled maintenance. Shouldn’t I pay the same attention to my spiritual needs, that which makes me unique?  After all, if I don’t keep myself in good working order, how can I be of service to anyone else? How do you keep your "self" fresh and in good working order?