Labor Day ~ Rest and Recognition

As Memorial Day often signals the beginning of summer, Labor Day seems like the second bookend to summer time.   Many schools now resume classes in August, and Labor Day is much more than a rite of seasonal passage.   It's a storied holiday officially recognized by Congress in 1894 ~ the same year that Coca-Cola first sold its soda in bottles, the first U.S. automobile was tested [by Elwood Hayes at 6 mph], the first Sunday newspaper comic section was published [in NY World]; and it cost one penny stamp to mail a letter.

Like many American holidays, the beginning of Labor Day is disputed.   What is not in question is that Labor Day has its roots in the USA, and many countries around the world have followed suit in setting aside a day of rest to mark the achievements and contributions of workers to the economy. Though the early labor union Knights of Labor was a driving force for bringing attention to long hours and dangerous working conditions, Labor Day celebrates all workers, union or not.

Another great opportunity for parades, picnics, backyard BBQ and fireworks, Labor Day pays tribute to the men and women who have worked to make this country great.   But a small cog in the giant economic wheel, Bin There Dump That exudes the American dream of entrepreneurship.   It is, after all, the amalgamation of small businesses that runs the enormous economic engine, that creates and provides the most jobs collectively and that drives individuals to work hard.   The country was founded on the premise of liberty and justice for all ~ and freedom reigns in our job and career
choices.

Thomas Edison is famous for lots of things, and hard work was paramount. "The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense," he once quipped.   Vince Lombardi embraced hard work when he aptly noted: "The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.   Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.”

Labor Day in the Tampa area is ripe with activities day and night.   The NFL and college football seasons kick off.   The beaches are open, and many take to the links for a day of golf, pitch a tent or just have a family BBQ at one of the parks in the area.   Music plays all weekend at Caddy's on the Beach, and over at Hogan's Beach, superstar DJ, Laidback Luke, hosts the party they dub as "Tampa's biggest Labor Day weekend beach bash."  Davis Islands Seaplane Basin is a welcoming park with beach and dog park.

There's another dog park and more grills over at Rowlett Park, and Desoto Park has trails, restrooms, skate park and grills.   However you decide to mark Labor Day this year, pat yourself on the back for your own hard work.  Thank the men and women who work in stores you regularly visit, and remember there are hardworking folks over at Bin There Dump That for all your short-term trash and junk clean out and debris removal needs.   Enjoy the day, the time, the family and friends, the hot dogs and ice cream.   Just chill on this day set aside to honor and validate work and workers.