US Holidays

If your smart phone is set to post US holidays, look at June 15, 2018. Recognize that holiday? The reason it sounds foreign is because it’s an official US  holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. Further research shows this  started being celebrated in the White House in 1996 by then First Lady, Hillary Clinton. But Donald Trump refused to celebrate it last year.

Whatever your politics, it does make you wonder who decides these things. In all fairness, I wondered why there are several Christian or Military US Holidays but we don’t celebrate Chinese New Year, or Native American Day. We celebrate Black History month but why don’t we celebrate White or Brown History month? What’s even stranger is you hear these weird announcements about “Secretary Appreciation Day” or “Be nice to your Dog Day.” Who decides what to celebrate on those days?

According to NPR and some other news organizations, anyone can initiate declaring a specific Day as a holiday. The trick is making it stick — if enough people agree (by sheer numbers) popularity can make it official. And, like Trump, if you’re in power, you can “UNofficialI-ZE” an established holiday,

This explains how Google declares a day honoring some obscure individual — they’re the ones promoting those days. I’m sure there will be a Steve Jobs holiday or a Michael Jackson Day or a Billy Graham day — surely these guys deserve some honor, right?

Something to consider: If everyone is made special, then no one really is. We have to remember there will always be people and events worthy of recognition. Only time will determine whether that day will still be relevant years later.

Just hours before Jesus was to be crucified, apostles James and John obstinately demanded their seat of honor in heaven. And Jesus put them at their place — “Whoever seeks to be first, will become last. And whoever is last will become first.”

How do you fare in our world? Are you in front or at the back? Is that really what’s important?

Just between us, I would like to declare that every Friday is TGIF Day! The day in the week when we honor all of you hard working individuals because you have reached the final day of the work week and survived! It is the day when we look forward to a weekend with friends and families. So here’s to YOU dear readers! Today is YOUR holiday!

TGIF people!

Bible Problem

Shared by Peter Paul of South Pasadena

Johnny Cash Impersonator
Sent by Mel of Washington, D.C.

Brendan Grace sings his version of “Ring of Fire.” Maybe a little risque for some of you.

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Crazy Traffic
Sent by Tom of Pasadena

If you think traffic is crazy, look at how they do they do it in Meskel Square, Ethiopia. I think the key is eye contact: If they see you, they have their foot ready on the brake pedal.

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New York City 1911
Sent by Mike of New York

Here’s another traffic video. This time it’s a century old. It’s hard to imagine that society has changed so much. The video is clear and sound was added to it. It’s just 7 minutes long.

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Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley who shared this photo