So, I Googled “labor” and the first thing that popped up was this image of Hello Kitty. And I thought, “Perfect!” I mean, what represents labor better than Hello Kitty ready to do some brawny construction work with her little pink oven mitt and blue spatula?
Today is the day the United States (and Canada too, eh) celebrates labor! Most countries celebrate it on May 1st. But Americans refuse to give up their May Day, the day they celebrate, um… Also, in America we spell labor with an o, as in, “O, I have to go to work now!”
But in the United Kingdom they spell it with an o and a u, as in, “O, u have to go work now? Well, go right ahead. We’ll just have a spot of tea and watch!” In fact, Brits like labour so much that sometimes they celebrate it all year round with a Labour Party!
Women are unique in that they may suddenly decide to celebrate labor at any time. My wife, for example, once celebrated labor in October, on the same day they were celebrating labour in New Zealand. Too bad we didn’t have a video hook-up so they could have had tea and celebrated right along with her!
Whenever you celebrate it and however you spell it, may your Labo(u)r Day be wonderful! “Now, get back to work!” ~Hello Kitty
‘Brits like labour so much that sometimes they celebrate it all year round with a Labour Party!’ I’m not sure how much us Brits celebrate our labour party!!
;>)
Happy Labor Day, Mitch! I’ve always found it ironic that many take Labor Day OFF, tee hee. I’m doing some great mental and spiritual work! Can we count that? Many blessings, dear friend!
You too, Karla!
Thank you so much!
Happy Labor Day to you, too, Mitch. My step-daughter is an OB/GYN doc, so sometimes she celebrates labor multiple times in ONE DAY! I suspect we Americans shy away from May 1 for our labor celebration so we won’t look too communist.
We don’t seem to be big on May poles either. Meanwhile, May the 4th (be with you) gets bigger every year!
😂 Cute post. Being a teacher, it was the last day of summer, I went back to work on the Tuesday after Labour (yes with the “u” in Canada too) Day. Now it is just a day for me. Happy Labor Day to you, Mitch.
Thanks, Carla.
Kitties work hard at being cute.
;>) Good point, Pam.
Brother Mitch — you’ve grown a beard! My hubby does that too, when shaving becomes too laborious of a task. 😀
Speaking of my hubby and labor, he had a knee replacement surgery several weeks ago. I have actually lost weight from rarely getting to sit down, as I run around waiting on his needs. He seems to be enjoying his no-labor status a little too much. The chief judge excused me from jury duty so I can continue laboring for my husband. I may have to call the courthouse and ask to have the judge’s order rescinded. 🙁
;>) Sis, yes, I’ve had the beard for over a year now, and thought it was time to update my profile pic.
In northern states, school starts the first day after labor day and marks the end of summer. I have good memories, like the leather smell of my school bag. Today, the Florida sun prevents me from even going outdoors to labor much. . . just saying, Claudia
No more white t-shirts (for whatever reason) and I have been laboring today. Not an important Holiday for me, other that Curry Sausage Day 🙂
Curry sausage sounds like a pretty good cause for celebration, Bridget. Enjoy!
Curry Sausage is always a good excuse for whatever 🙂
I like your labour/labor of love in this post! My smile widened as I read it!
Best wishes, Mitch.
;>) Thanks, Chaya, best wishes to you as well!
Canada seems to be ambidextrous and spell it either way. In this case, there is a preference…I prefer the ou…In some things in life, there is no preferences involved. It’s how the world works I guess. People assume preference where none exists. Hubby is out celebrating by fixing the foundation of the place a bit more.
Adorable and fun…thanks, Mitch! 😘
My pleasure, Vicki!
🥰
I like Labor and toil so darn much, I left the house and got a haircut and then mowed my grass in the 100 degree heat. Let’s see that cute little “Hello Kitty” thing do that. HA!!
Hoorah!
We Canadians also use the u in labour (and neighbour, harbour, ardour, tumour, etc.). Except when American spellcheckers reign supreme.
Demand to see those spellcheckers’ passports.
On a sad note for all kids whose favorite “meat” is hot dog, “Labor Day is the unofficial end of Hot Dog season. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says that between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans will eat 7 billion hot dogs.”– https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-labor-day-holiday. (I found out this important piece of info while trying to find out the history of Labor Day.
;>)
I hope you had a nice, relaxing Labor Day, Mitch.
I did, and likewise, Kellye.
Born of the Eight-Hour movement: eight each of work, rest and play, our Labour Day in NSW is celebrated the first Monday in October. At first restricted to those unions and societies who had fought for it and won (30 of 86 Australia-wide), by 1890 it was extended to all unions regardless of whether they enjoyed those conditions.
Somewhere in Corporate Australia, workers turned their back on unionism and consequently work all kinds of strange hours including having their cell-phones on for 24-hour contact. And because they are on annualised pay aka “salary”, often they have to work Labour Day for no extra pay. It’s called progress?
I get you, Gwen. It’s like that in some states in U.S., and not in others. Although, overtime pay is required everywhere, and extra hours can’t (in theory) be demanded of a worker.
🙂 I could go on with all the nuances of different sectors and industrial relations, but I’d hijack your post.
Thanks for interacting 🙂
Loved this post, Mitch! Especially the bit about Hello Kitty.
Glad you enjoyed it, Sue!
A laugh! Thank you!
My pleasure, Sandy!
Cute interpretation of labor with Hello Kitty!