Time to fire up the old BBQ because today is Labor Day in the US and its territories where we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of workers. Always celebrated on the first Monday of September, today we honor labor and union movements (if you work 40 hours or less a week, you can thank unions for that) and the role all workers have made to the strength and well-being of the nation. For many of us, we may have the day off from work and the first holiday of the new school year. Many consider Labor Day as the unofficial last weekend of summer with backyard get-togethers. Wilson is hoping someone will pass the chips or better, a hot dog.
A brief history of Labor Day shows that as trade and labor movements began to grow, calls for a day commemorating workers’ contributions were proposed. Colorado was one of the first five states to enact legislation recognizing Labor Day, with Oregon being first to officially make it a public holiday back in 1887. Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894. Our Canadian friends likewise celebrate “Labour Day” on the first Monday in September.
Historically speaking, it wasn’t all roses and candy to get where we are today. Following the deaths of workers at the Pullman Strike of 1894, Congress unanimously approved legislation making Labor Day a national holiday and it was signed into law by Grover Cleveland shortly after the end of the strike.
We had our family reunion with all 5 siblings and scores of grandkids over the weekend gathering to celebrate my Dad’s 95th birthday. Tacos were a-plenty along with Cerveza and Margaritas, appetizers as well as a customary birthday cake. It was so much fun seeing nephews, nieces, cousins and family friends that I don’t normally get to see. The weather was perfect with mild temps-you couldn’t have asked for a better day capped off by a lovely shower and beautiful rainbow on the way home.
Even though it’s a holiday, it’s still a Monday, which means we’re going to start out the day with a shared chuckle. Let’s hear it for pigeons!
We hope your holiday weekend was great and today keeps the streak alive. Happy Labor Day and Happy 95th to my Dad.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy happy 95th Birfday to THE PawPaw Miss Monika. Wilson yore ADOORBSS inn yore Chef’s hat!!!
Wee love THE Monday LAFF!
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Many thanks! It was a fun birthday party that was special for my Dad. Glad you enjoyed the smile. We’ve been so busy I didn’t post one this morning. Sigh. But our wish still remains for everyone to have a great Monday and an event better week.
Wilson is so adorable in the chef’s hat! What a cutie! Sending big Happy Birthday wishes to your dad, who by the way, looks absolutely amazing at 95! I bet your family reunion was awesome, and what a perfect ending with a rainbow! PS, that is a good chuckle…I’m pretty sure wherever my ducks are rowing (and it’s not here, LOL)…they are laughing about sending a pigeon. Happy September to you both!
Many thanks, Dorothy. He’s such a good boy who tolerates my silliness with such grace. In that regard, he’s a lot like Norman was and given how many OES’s can be pills sometimes, I’m truly blessed. I remind myself of that when he’s underfoot trying to upend me. LOL Here’s to a ‘wagnificent’ September.
Happy Birthday to your (grand)dad, Wilson and Monika🎉Looks like you had a wonderful Labor Weekend. That picture with the rainbow is amazing, never saw it with such a beautiful sky🩵Double Pawkisses for a Happy Day to the both of you🐾😽💞
Thank you. The sky was very ‘moody’ and the colors on the rainbow were so intense-I had to grab a pic from the car (sorry about the drops on the window-my son was driving through the shower.
Lulu: “Happy big nine-five to your Dad! That is super!”
Java Bean: “¡Feliz cumpleaños! Many happy returns!”
Lulu: “We did not barbecue here ― our dada made Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, but he made it in the air fryer! That seems like cheating to me …”
Thanks guys. We had a phenomenal celebration and wonderful family get-together. I dunno…air fried chicken sounds pretty doggone tasty. Just saying.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
a happy labor day to all… and a welcome to the best season
Yes! Just 3 weeks until autumn officially arrives. We’re practically counting down the minutes! Here’s to a pawsome week.
Wilson, with that chef’s hat, did you get to do some grilling?? And taste testing…or maybe quality control? BOL!
Your Dad looks amazing for 95! I hope you all had a wonderful get together.
That cake looks yummy!
Thanks so much-and yes…our reunion was so much fun (and that cake was incredibly tasty)! Whether wearing a chef’s hat or not, Wilson is always in quality control mode…even if it’s just lint on the kitchen floor. BOL Hope you had a pawsome Labor Day but suspect you ended up working.
Yup…I worked ~ Second shift, my usual. It wasn’t too bad, actually!
Happy Birthday to your amazing father! It looks like quite the party.
Many thanks, MessyMimi. He’s remarkable in good shape. The party was fantastic and everyone had a great time. It was good seeing the out of state folks and catching up. Hope your Monday was pawsome!
Happy Birthday to your special Dad! I hope you enjoyed the Labor Day Holiday!
Thanks, Terry. It was a lovely Labor Day. Hope it was for you and the kitties as well.
History, Cervezas, Margaritas and a grand birthday celebration with the family. What more could I ask, you ask? Well . . you gave it to me at the tippy top when you showed us the handsomest goodest chef, like . . ever!
Happy Labor Day mama
Aww, you’re too sweet, Marc. The aforementioned chef has been a pill lately, acting like he’s hard of hearing. Little road. But with that face, guess who’s a sucker?
Hope you’ve had a swell Labor Day.
Chefs tend to be that way. And when they are such handsome chefs . . it’s really kinda impossible not to love.
Thank goodness he’s very sweet, unlike too many chefs. That boy has no ego, only a slight stubborn streak. 😉
Happy birthday to your dad!
Many thanks, Herr Pit! Hope you’ve and Mary have had a great Labor Day.
Happy Birthday to Dad!
Many thanks, Lisa. He’s had a very memorable birthday. Happy Labor Day!
You look so cute. Happy Birthday to your Grandpa! xO
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Ellen. One of these days, Chef Wilson is going to have to post a recipe on of these days. 🙂 Hope you’re having a swell Labor Day.
Happy 95th birthday to your dad Monika, so glad to hear you had such a lovely reunion, and happy Labor Day to all of you too! ❤️ xxx
Thank you, Xenia. We had a marvelous reunion weekend and a super birthday celebration! Happy Monday.
Chef Wilson looks adorable – so does your Father………I hope it was an absolutely WONDERFUL birthday/visit………………!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Thanks Pam and Teddy. It was a wonderful reunion and birthday bash. Wilson thanks youi for commenting on his chef’s hat. Happy Labor Day.
Happy Labor Day and a very Happy 95th Birthday to your Dad!! I’m glad y’all had perfect weather for reunion!!!
Thanks so much. It was the perfect weekend to celebrate such a milestone birthday. Happy Labor Day Monday to you and the Zen kids.
I’ll start with Happy Birthday to your dad. I’m glad you had great weather fr the reunion. I love the humor. I wonder where my ducks are, too.
Hi Wison! You look exhausted, maybe from your trip. We got to see our grandma on our trip, just like you got to see your grandpa! He sure does look happy. *wags* XOX Xena and my pack
Glad you all were able to visit your grandma. Hope she had a fabulous birthday like my grandpa.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾 (the not too tired pooch)
Your dad looks hale and hearty, may he have many happy returns of the day! 👏🏼🥳
Thank you, Eliza. He’s in remarkable shape for his age and tickled pink about his party. Happy Labor Day.
What a super event. 95 is a fantastic milestone. Best recognized with a margarita. Thanks for sharing this event, Monika.
Thanks, John. We all feel the same…about all birthdays, come to think of it. We like celebrations. Have a safe and Happy Labor Day.
♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday Dear Monika’s Dad,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you.♪♫
Awww on Wilson. What a great shot.
I linked this post to Awww Mondays.
Have a fabulous day and week, my friend. A hug to you and lots of scritches to Wilson. ♥
You’re too sweet for singing to my Dad, Sandee. Thank you so much for that as well as linking us to your Monday. Happy Labor Day.
Happy birthday to your dad! Beautiful smile!
Thanks, Lori. He was so happy to see everyone. Have a pawsome Monday!
Wow, a super happy 95th birthday to your dad! That is truly a birthday to celebrate! We are enjoying cooler weather and some sunshine. Enjoy your holiday!
Many thanks for the birthday wishes. Warmer temps this week but all and all, not too bad. So long as they don’t start trending toward 90, we’ll be ok. Hope you guys have a great holiday as well!
Love the ‘ducks’ meme!
Thanks, isn’t that funny. I feel like that a lot lately. Happy Labor Day Monday!
Happy birthday to your dad and happy Labor Day to everyone else!
Many thanks for the birthday wishes, Kate. Happy Labor Day Monday to you and the kitties!
Super photograph of your father! It sounds like a really lovely reunion.
It truly was and to see his smile…well just priceless. Happy Monday, Helen.