On this day in mystery.

It’s all point of view.

Sun worshipers, gardeners, and workaholics rejoicing. Basking in the long daylight hours.

(Moms, too. But for a different reason: it’s all downside now.)

June 20th is the longest day of the year.

The summer solstice.

Perpetual, but migratory.

Not the same day each year.

Easy to see how that one has to jump around the calendar.

With the earth hurling through space in an elliptical orbit. Wobbling all the way.

(Doesn’t that sound like a holiday song?)

Is it possible that orbit could be rocked?

Maybe rockets leaping off could shove the rotation up or down a notch?

Or what if everyone at a certain time turned the jump rope in a certain direction?

Could people rolling their eyes back into their heads over dueling antics by Madonna and Gaga have an effect?

Suppose people were running in place as opposed to running in space?

Could anything alter the earth’s rotation or path?

And change the solstice date?

Isn’t that just human, trying to mess with Mother Nature?

So typical. Always want to rearrange to suit their whims.

Take holidays.

If designated day is in the holiday’s name, like Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, or Juneteenth, it’s so easy.

Couldn’t have those on any other day.

Each name says it all.

It’s specified. So those are nailed down.

Print that calendar without a worry.

But those other ones?

Sometimes it’s like “where’s Waldo’s holiday”

(Don’t even try to estimate Easter’s due date)

Start with something plain and simple.

Like George Washington. He was born on a certain day, his “birth day”.

Here we, as a nation, celebrate President Washington’s birthday or “special day” to honor him.

But wait.

President Lincoln also has a birthday right near George’s?

So why not a combo Presidents’ Day?

Families do combination birthday celebrations all the time.

So efficient.

The country is like a family, right?

Even better, move the combo celebration to create a long weekend.

Everyone loves those. Road Trip! See the USA!

Stores love long weekends for sales. And one with a built in patriotic theme? Win-win!

The presidents would be pleased.

We remembered them.

Convenience over fact.

(We’ll ignore a bit of confusion created with all this).

With thinking confusion, Miss Kay, what’s with holiday news about Juneteenth?

June 19th is the day Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was read in Galveston, Texas, announcing that all slaves were free. In Texas, there’s lots of parades, and celebrations.

(It’s Texas – any excuse for all to party.)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson must want to spread the party spirit around.

She’s proposing a nationally celebrated holiday: Juneteenth Independence Day.

Now her heart may be in the right place, but insisting all the states recognize a Texas holiday?

Seems a little pushy.

People are always sayin’ Texas is bragging and throwing its’ weight around.

(Weight, not fat. Just clarifying.)

Just because the state has had some presidents from here.

(Doesn’t mean Texas should decide what the whole country needs – ask anyone.)

Texas expats have never been shy about celebrating on their own.

(Not exactly nervously hiding scared in the shadows, those Texans out-of-pocket.)

Listen, Cinco de Mayo has become an unofficial big party hit across the nation

and it’s actually a Mexican holiday.

So what’s the harm?

As long as Juneteenth doesn’t end up as just another GIANT SALE event.

Maybe the proposal won’t take up much of Congress’ time.

A bunch of other legislature pending:

• Initiatives must be funded
• Addressing the national debt
• Immigration reform
• Education data and expectations
• Internet terrorism, even regular terrorism (when did that get to seem so ordinary?)
• Investigation of athletes and steroids (baseball to bikes: it’s never-ending.)
• And lots and lots more.

Busy being busy

All before Congress leaves for vacation for July 4th.

July 4th. Independence Day

There’s one holiday that stands firmly anchored on a definite day.

The glorious summer celebration: Happy Birthday, USA.

Other countries not so interested. Duh.

They have their own holidays.

It would be insanely pushy to insist they adopt ours.

In any case, many in this hemisphere will welcome the summer solstice.

Mother nature has a way of keeping things grounded.

Maybe she has the solstice dates dance around to make humans pay more attention?

 Asking them to stop and smell the flowers?

Today, there’s more daylight provided to ponder.

Good day. Sunshine,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

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