FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Monday, September 1, 2008

I hope this day is a fun and restful day for you !




"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.
But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow. "
-Douglas Pagels, from These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You
************************

SO MANY WORKERS,
from young people
to the OLD....






For some reason, I always think of the men and women working during and after
WORLD WAR TWO on LABOR DAY.
Especially the women.
Maybe it's because my mother worked in an airplane factory...
my aunts did, too.
They also tore the foil from chewing gum wrappers and made hugh balls of
ALUMINUM to be taken to drop-off centers.

They saved ALL their TIN cans that vegetables and etc. came in...mashed them flat by stepping on them.
These metals were used to help make airplanes, guns, tanks and whatever else they needed to fight that war.

While all our young men (and some not so young) were off fighting, our
MAGNIFICENT WOMEN
worked in factories of all kinds.
They were given the nickname of
ROSIE THE RIVETER...
They did work that only men had done up to that point in time.
They learned to use power tools and many of them, including my mom, were totally
surprised that
THEY DID A MIGHTY FINE JOB !
They, just like all you ladies working today, managed to work full time and into overtime
and swing shifts and still take care of their home, children...and all without a dad to help,
just like many of you.

MAY I SALUTE ALL OF YOU WORKING LADIES OUT THERE ,
and say how proud of you I am. It takes a LOT to leave home every morning, knowing you won't be
back until late in the evening.
LET'S NOT FORGET ALL US LADIES THAT STAY AT HOME AND WORK !

YOU, EVERY ONE,
R.O.C.K.

*****************************************************
just a tad bit of history....

On September 5, 1882, some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City to participate in America's first Labor Day parade. After marching from City Hall to Union Square, the workers and their families gathered in Reservoir Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches. This first Labor Day celebration was initiated by Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and labor union leader who a year earlier co-founded the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, a precursor of the American Federation of Labor.

New York's Labor Day celebrations inspired similar events across the country. Oregon became the first state to grant legal status to the holiday in 1887; other states soon followed. In 1894, Congress passed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday.

****************************************************************

Have a fabulous holiday with family and friends....
above all....
BE SAFE !!
(and, i soooo hope you don't have to do one bit of
LABOR !)

love, bj

17 comments:

SmilingSally said...

Happy Labor Day to you! I love that Dolly Parton song, and it fits perfectly!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Great post! My grandmother was a Rosie the Riverter...only "public job" I ever knew her to have. They were farmers. Happy Labor Day to you!

Love your pink post! :)

Hugs, Rhonda

nikkicrumpet said...

Great post...great song. I love the history behind Labor Day. And I love your tribute to the ladies who kept this country moving through a horrible war. You are so clever my friend. The perfect post for what I hope is a perfect day for you all!!!

Anonymous said...

Great post, BJ. I appreciate the reminder of all of the hard workers that came before us.

Happy Labor Day.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great post BJ! And Happy Labor Day to you too! I think I am taking it easy today..
Hugs,
Penny

Tara said...

BJ

Hmmm, live right here in New York and did not know the first LD was celebrated here! Hope you enjoy it!
Hope all is well with you! I am back to blogging after a little time off, hope you can hop on over!

:0)
Tara

Anonymous said...

BJ, this is a wonderful Labor Day post, that brought back memories of tearing the foil from gum wrappers! Thanks!

Salmagundi said...

Enjoyed your post on Labor Day and the unsung women of World War II. I thought of one of my grandmothers who had never labored a day (indoors or out) even had a Victory Garden during the war. Sally

Anonymous said...

BJ, such a nice tribute to Labor Day. Good job girl. You do have loads of lovely blues to share. I look forward to seeing them featured. Trying to comment when I have taken a pain pill is a hoot. I swear I can't type. Delete is the most common key I hit. sigh. Today is one week and I feel like I am making progress at least. I will send you my address by email.

I will pray for the Nielson's. And I think I have troubles?

Love, Jeanne

Barb said...

What a wonderful post. I feel very honored to be a working woman in America.

Have a great day.

hugs,
Barb

Charlotte said...

What a wonderful Labor Day post. My mother and one of her sisters worked on airplanes during WWII. This post brought back memories. I was very young at the time but I remember them talking about it.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Happy Labor Day Bj ! Good post !

Anonymous said...

What a great post!! Thank you as one of the working women of America:)You made me feel very proud. you have a Blessed Holiday:)

Betty said...

Found your post very interesting and inspiring too. If I had known the history behind Labor Day I had forgotten the details. I am always inspired when I think about the difference those women made in that time period of history. And others of course!

Betty

Nancy Rosalina said...

Happy Labor Day to you! Great post BJ. Well said! Blessings, Nancy

Unknown said...

Hi BJ! So nice to meet you... Thanks for coming by and posting a comment. Your name is in the hopper! Good luck! You have a great blog!

~~Liz~~

P.S. Leave me a note when you do your post on your bracelet... I would love to see it!

Life on the Edge said...

Thanks for this post and for honoring working women! We don't really get any thanks or recognition, so this is nice! I really didn't have to do too much today, lol. The three day weekend was nice to have.

Kady