How is your Father’s Day going? Seventy-five percent of Americans are celebrating Father’s Day today. They’re spending a record $22.9 billion, according to a survey conducted for National Retail Federation. Consumers are spending $196.23 on average, up from $171.79 last year and topping the previous record of $174.10 in 2021.
Whether you’re remembering a loved one who passed away in their service to the country, going to a parade, visiting a cemetery, having or attending a barbecue, shopping, or working, I hope your Memorial Day is going well. Many people also see the Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of summer and are enjoying outings and picnics.
Memorial Day is a day to honor Americans who have died in service to their country. Many people attend a memorial day event, visit a cemetery where a loved one is buried, or spend time remembering a service member. In addition, for others, it’s the unofficial beginning of summer. So, it brings barbecues, picnics, swimming, and other outdoor activities.
Although Mother’s Day is highly commercialized, I like remembering my mom on this special day and I enjoy visiting with my daughters over WhatsApp. Maybe next year, I’ll be able to travel to Spain again in May. Since my birthday is May 4 and my daughter’s is May 23, we have so much fun celebrating our birthdays plus Mother’s Day in May in Spain.
Today’s my birthday. Yes, I do get a lot of “May the Fourth be with you” comments. I just shrug it off that my birthday, to some, is an unofficial Star Wars holiday. Since I’m an older adult, I’m thinking a lot today about friends and relatives that I’ve celebrated birthdays with in the past who are gone. My favorite birthdays?
Spring is my favorite time of year, and on May Day, when I was a kid, we used to make paper baskets, put flowers in them, and hang them on door knobs. Then we’d ring the bell and run away. One time, I took part in a maypole dance. It was magical. Many countries around the world celebrate International Labor Day on May 1.
It’s been the second coldest April in history here in the Seattle area. And, then, there’s the rain, rain, rain. Even hail at times. Since I’m a photojournalist, I like to take photos of our state Capitol when the cherry blossoms are blooming. Many years it’s tricky to get a blue sky with the iconic building.
Earth Day is a good reminder of what to do every day and throughout the year for the health of the planet. I spend a lot of time on it. I know many people do, too. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Invest in Our Planet. Three-quarters of Americans say that they’re particularly concerned with helping the environment as they go about their daily lives.
Did you get your taxes done on time? I expected to get mine completed at H&R Block on Sunday, but due to a glitch, they weren’t completed until Monday. Read all about my experience at “H&R Block Doing Better About Disclosing Prices, But Price Still High.” I paid $488. At least I was able to get an estimate this year.
