Hmmm...lately alot of my past-time traditions have not been the same.....but, in the past, my favorite Labor Day traditions have been, yes, like a last summer fling weekend! Traditionally, it was either planning a last canoe trip down the river with family or friends, planning a family picnic somewhere or if you were lucky enough to know someone with a boat or a cabin, a last wet and thoroughly enjoyable weekend enjoying the "last of summer's things".

For me, the traditions are a big family picnic, complete with summer potato salad, either grilled hot dogs or hamburgers, or a park potluck,with dishes of every mouth-watering recipe set on the tables in rows. Barbecue meatballs, fresh pasta salad, rice and broccoli casserole, fresh berry pie, homemade chocolate chip cookies, always plenty for everyone. There would be people milling around, laughing and sharing each other's company, little kids running around, chasing each other, hollering to each other as they expend their never-ending energy begging for a push on the swing, or the merry-go-round. The sound of all of these voices and family members talking at once and laughing or calling kids or husbands or wives brings reminiscent heart pangs of memory.

And if it's a "great and perfect" last summer holiday weekend, then there would be a bonfire, even if it's just in the grill, with everyone piling around for their turn at a "smore". Laughing, sweating kids, getting sprayed with mosquito repellent, starting to wind down and become a little whiny, the adults relaxing their vigil as the kids start to slow down and sit down to laze against their parents or fall asleep inside on the floor or couch. And again, laughter everywhere as stories and teasing envelop everyone with its "holiday magic"

There are definite "groups" being formed now, more than before, where everyone tries to speak with anyone and everyone. There are the "quiet ones" who simply sit or stand and carry on a quiet and usually in-depth conversation with each other. Then there are the "cliques" who usually congregate together and who go to the bathroom together, or whatever activity done, it is usually done in two's or three's. Then there are the "gregarious ones" who talk alot, drink alot and are generally the loudest talkers, laughers among everyone.

But, as the evening winds down, and everyone is slowly thinking ahead to "post-Labor Day activities, the sounds, smells and memories of my favorite Labor Day traditions fade now and are put away for another year.

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