I mention this as a public-service announcement in case you, like me, almost missed this one. Monday (tomorrow, for most of you who are reading this) is a holiday.
Now, I know more than I want to about the various forms of the Civic Holiday in August (which definitely could use some rebranding work akin to what the May Long has achieved), but at least in Ontario the darn thing has nothing to announce it. No festival of dancing and tasty food. No once-annual horse races. No big turkey dinners with family from out of town. No relentless advertising to buy chocolate.
As a result, for those of us who are no longer employed outside the home, the AugLong (whaddya think?) can sneak up on you. Stay alert!
Funny, I was yesterday years old when I learned that it’s not Heritage Day in Ontario Isabel!!
Carla – So you don’t have to imagine my surprise when I moved to Ottawa from Alberta 22 years ago and went looking for local Heritage Day celebrations. 🙂
AugLong…oh my…our language inventions!
Tom
Tom – That sounds like an entry in the “no” column… 🙂
With “May 2-4” as with Civic Holiday, anything “civic” vanished when they were forced into an arranged marriage with a weekend. I’m not sure it makes me a conservative to beg people to simply accept the vagaries of a history we, as individuals, have had foisted upon us (“The Queen’s Birthday, Victoria of that order) or An Excuse for a Holiday in August because it’s too damned hot on the job Day). I do not feel responsible for the errors of my parents, grandparents, or anyone else in my genetic line or in anyone else’s genetic line. Nor do I hold others responsible for whatever ghastliness entered their lives. I love your subtitle “because wonders never cease.” If we could just start there and move forward mightn’t we feel a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of day?
Laurna – I’m with you. I think it would be good for us to accept the natural variability of dates. It shouldn’t be a big stretch – we already do it for Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and our birthdays. Jews celebrate the start of Passover on the day of the first full moon of (the Jewish calendar’s month of) Nissan. Indeed, there’s a whole thing about which days of the week can mark the start of different holidays. It’s something mathematical about the alignment of the Jewish lunar calendar with the solar calendar. (A good thing they didn’t put me in charge of sorting that out, I’m thinking.)
Isabel – and a happy Colonel By Day to you, given that you live in Ottawa.
John – Sigh. And to you. I note only that I don’t see any kiosks with special By-food…
FYI – there is repeat of Ribfest underway on the grounds of City Hall at the moment which lasts until 6:00 PM this evening, although I can’t say for certain that LCol John By ate ribs.
The Busker Festival is also on on Sparks Street.
John – I’m sure that John By must be the inspiration. I hope they don’t get rain that obliterates their event.