Labour Day.
The big, fat contradiction of a day when most of us lucky ones celebrate the world of work by having a day away from it.
I mull this over.
Celebrating one thing by doing its opposite is appealing.
I enjoy this level of juxtaposition as it allows me to use the term juxtaposition in my blog.
If you happen to be a card carrying member of the Grammar Gestapo; read no further.
You’re judgement isn’t welcome hear.
The above statement was written just in case they kept reading.
They appear to be gone.
Phew.
I digress.
Let’s examine my latest social theory in more detail.
Becoming smarter by watching Netflix? Awesome.
Making fun of the Blue Jays with the intention of improving performance? Perfect!
Being healthy by eating tacos? Sign me up!
Speaking of tacos, today my oldest sister invited the clan over for a “Back to School/Labour Day” lunch.
Another glorious juxtaposition disguised as a family tradition.
It’s quite simple.
Every year, the unofficial end of summer is recognized for the children of our family.
We celebrate a fresh start of expanding and strengthening their intellectual capacity by ensuring their last day of freedom is spent in a food coma.
Ah, traditions.
I decide to walk to my sister’s house. I smile at my being proactive–surely this 20 minute walk will balance any future unhealthy eating, right?
Living on that river in Egypt can be a wonderful thing.
Speaking of wonderful, it’s lovely outside and I’m quite pleased with the weather.
En route, I see a man sitting on the curb. He looks like he’s slumped over.
As I did not see a flask; I walk quicker towards him, in case he’s in need of medical attention.
False alarm.
The man is pulling at weeds.
Hmm.
I walk past and do the obligatory head nod.
Walking etiquette suggests a polite gesture of acknowledgement but not enough care to warrant an inaudible grunt.
I resist the urge to say; “Hey! Nice weed!” because I’m thoughtful like that.
Pulling at weeds in September is the equivalent of buying a real Christmas tree in March.
There’s no point.
Judging from the extent of weeds surrounding my new friend, I’m not sure he understands that concept.
I can think of other ways to spend my Labour Day that don’t involve pulling at weeds.
Who does that? I mull this over and move on.
A few minutes later, I notice another couple slumped over on their lawns, engaged in weed pulling.
I can assure you that’s not a metaphor.
I want to call out and say; “Hey! All of those weeds are impressive! Can I take a pic?” but I resist because they don’t seem friendly and appear rather annoyed at my presence.
Maybe its because I tried to take a photo without asking.
Either way, the couple was reasonably unattractive, so I will substitute their tableau with this:

Weeds everywhere.
Growing in every direction.
It’s something I rarely notice until walking past an ill-manicured lawn.
Or people trying their best to pull them out.
Weeds can have different meaning depending on how they are handled.
As an avid fan of the Food Network, I can tell you when Chefs are “in the weeds” it means they are behind with service.
Weeds don’t exist on some people’s lawns because they pride themselves on landscaping prowess and immediate disposal.
Weeds don’t exist on other people’s lawns because they’ve been consumed as a very high iron delicacy.
If eating weeds isn’t your thing, consider this; what if weeds represented the unnecessary extras in our lives?
Is there something you’ve been doing in your life that gives you no joy, but you feel you forced to do?
Maybe because you’ve always done it, or its expected?
You are pulling at weeds.
If there’s something in your life you no longer want to do, or no longer need to do, how about changing it up?
I’m proud of myself.
Such insights on a sunny September day.
I vow to myself; this impromptu decision is one that will follow me for the rest of my days.
I choose not to pull at weeds.
If something doesn’t please me, I will try my best not to include it in my day.
And if that doesn’t work….
There’s a barrage of neighbours that can help me out.
🙂