Laboring over the Wednesday Hodgepodge

August is winding down and we're heading into Labor Day weekend. Joyce has some timely questions, as always, for us on the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Read and comment on my answers and then head on over to her blog to join the fun!

1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends Google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?>

My recollection: I believe we're celebrating laborers - the men and women who go to work every day and make an honest living and keep our communities and country productive.

Official meaning: Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor: The History of Labor Day

2. Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you're in the southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer.

FRUIT! Peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, plums. . . it's been a great summer for fresh fruit!

3. A well-known proverb states, 'It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission.' Your thoughts?

While I know it's often said in jest and about things that are inconsequential, this one always irks me a bit. It implies that it's okay to do something wrong as long as you make up for it later. Sure, it's easier. That doesn't mean it's right. It's a synonym for cheap grace.

Backing away from the soap box. . . .

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic....which hat would you most like to wear?

Well, this one's a no-brainer! Book critic, it is!

5. When you were a kid, who (besides your parents) was your favorite adult?

From the time I was about seven, there was a sweet young married couple in their late twenties at our church whom I adored. They were precious to me. They gave me Christmas and birthday gifts, took me swimming at their apartment a time or two, let me sit with them in church. The guy, especially, always liked to tease me. Their one child, a girl, was born when I was in seventh grade. It broke my heart when the wife died of cancer when I was in my twenties and engaged to be married; in fact, I attended her funeral and then went straight to one of my wedding showers. I've lost touch with him since he remarried and moved in the last 15 years or so.

6. The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?

Sadly, celebrities are often confused for heroes today, but real heroes do exist! Heroes are those who give of themselves for a cause or purpose that is greater than the personal benefit they receive. For some, it might result in the ultimate sacrifice. Certainly there were plenty of heroes on 9/11, from Todd Beamer and others on Flight 93 to the many firefighters and others who labored at the Towers and the Pentagon. Many in our military are heroes.

Others simply live their daily lives as quiet heroes -- those who faithfully work every day in thankless jobs with little or no pay or recognition. Teachers. Caregivers. Parents, especially those of special needs children. Those who keep us safe, whether they be police officers or prison workers or those who are on the alert for terrorist threats. The list is endless.

7. I never get tired of __________________.

Reading!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

School is now in session! My girl started Monday, and my boy starts his second year of college today.