Memorial Day is my least favorite day of the year even though it often coincides with my birthday. There’s nothing grimmer than a day set aside to honor the dead, primarily those who died in battle, that’s been co-opted by cook-outs and door buster sales. And so I’m feeling crabby. And cranky. And battling the urge to eat junk food. Tons of junk food. Fried, salty, spicy and terribly, terribly fattening!
It’s also the official start to my least favorite season: summer. When I was a kid, summers meant endless hours of swim team practice, ear infections, blurry vision, and slimy, yellow-green hair. And that was during the week. Then… yippee! Weekend backpacking trips into the High Sierra. Nothing could be more fun for a teenage girl than trudging uphill, carrying a thirty-pound backpack, and breathing in the dust from the mule train ahead of her. I never did get the “glories of nature” bit my father promised from those “vacations.”
Now if I could have ridden this beast up the mountain, I might have enjoyed backpacking!
I was in a hurry but the next time I’m over at the park, I’ll make sure of jot down the name of the artist. What a masterpiece of imagination!
Saying nothing in particular 
Junk food is good therapy for crabbiness. I munch on a couple small bowls of white cheddar popcorn to get out my feelings. There’s something about crunchy food that does it for me! Memorial Day (the traditional one-May 30th) was my mom’s birthday so I think about her a lot around now. I’ve decided that I’m not big on most holidays these days; am I the Scrooge of all holidays?
Many teachers I know put out so much effort in preparation for the holidays in the classroom that when they retire they prefer peace and quiet! White cheddar popcorn sounds like just the ticket!
Well, happy birthday anyway, Jan! Maybe it’ll be better than you expect xx
Thanks Jo. My children are coming to visit shortly after my birthday so that will be my present! And I am looking forward to that!
I’m with you, ever since menopause I’ve lost my love of summer and the heat that comes with it. The true meaning of Memorial Day has been lost for so long I doubt this generation knows it as anything but another excuse to party.
That metal sculpture is fabulous!
Isn’t it? I just love elephants! The town arts council finally got it right!
I love this Jan and I am feeling ready shitty this week 💜💜
Some days I wake up and nothing goes right and all I want to do is bitch and moan and eat chips.
I feel exactly the same way about this holiday. Exactly. I never understood it. I love summer, it’s my favorite, but I can certainly see why you would not like it at all, based on your memories. I would have hated that, that as well. And, finally, happy birthday.
In many parts of the country it’s the first time the weather is generally warm enough to get out and clean up the cemeteries which used to be done by the the members of the communities. A lovely notion really – and there would be picnics with the departed loved ones etc. I like summer a bit more now that I live in the Bay Area where we have June Gloom and Fogust. July and September are our hot months! And I don’t backpack!
I saw on your comment to Jo that your children are coming to visit for your birthday. It’s always good to have something to look forward to when feeling down. I understand the Memorial Day feelings. Why do we do that? And especially make it a day to get good deals–buy more! Anyway, I hope you indulged in some tasty snacks and have a nice birthday celebration with family, Jan!
Thank you! I’m going to certain give it my best shot!
Moma said there’d be days like these?
First of all, happy birthday At some pony soon. A visit by children is the best gift.
Secondly, junk food. I don’t have a big sweet tooth, but I could found her on really good potato chips or corn chips. Fortunately, I also love, popcorn, and making my own, which is relatively healthy, is a great substitute for fatty or chips, which I just try not to buy so is to not tempt myself. Lol.
Finally, I wonder how many people these days even remember why we “celebrate” Memorial Day. Lots of people confuse it with Veterans Day, which is similar, yet different. Let’s you and I just take a moment on Monday to remember why it’s a special day and let everyone else go about their business. 😘
Thank you! I’m the same way with potato chips and popcorn. I don’t buy them because I don’t trust myself!
I make popcorn and avoid chips for the most part. 😁
I dislike Summer, too! Long gone are the summer days I remember with fondness, where blue skies and sunshine meant a max temperature of 19 °C. Plus, the thunderstorms those nights may have kept us awake, but at least they kept the grass green. I’d quite happily swap summer for Autumn very quickly.
In my neck of the woods, September is often the hottest month but the days are shorter and the kids are back in school. Fewer tourists, etc. California is a flood or drought state – fortunately this year we have water but other states – oh my. I don’t mind a good thunderstorm as long as we get rain along with it! Otherwise they’re deadly here in the West.
Oh, my! Those storms without rain sound frightening. I hope you get plenty of rain during the summer months, enough to keep plant life happy.
Thanks Hugh – it’s rare for us to get rain in the summer but always appreciated!
Many happy returns of YOUR day, Jan.
I agree, not sure “honouring” the dead fallen in battle is really a good thing. On one level I can agree, on the other, I cannot help but think of all the young men in my grandfather’s family -and many other families- fallen in WWI. My grandmother’s little brother died at 20 on August 22, 1914, along with 27,000 others.
Having said that I didn’t know elephants had been introduced in the US.
🤗
We generally don’t see elephants outside of the zoo so it was quite exciting!
Haha. Indeed.
My sentiments match yours, Jan.
Don’t get me going about sending young men to a senseless death for the rich and powerful, or defending against an invader, a war they started.
Summer is too hot.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Memorial Day is a very difficult day for many military families. I agree with you that the day is being transformed into something festive, when it is really a day to remember the fallen and grieve.
I don’t like summer too much either, but hey, happy birthday! There is something to celebrate.
I can imagine. Especially for families stationed far from home.
Yes! Very tough to receive bad news and then move back to the States in the midst of grieving. I’m glad that I was never selected to notify the family when tragedy struck them.