Category: Holidays

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1980s Animals Blogging Career Driving Food Geography Holidays Home Military Travel

Stateside

Welcome back to #TravelThursday. Last week I wrote about my arrival in the south of England 38 years ago on November 10TH 1985. Tomorrow is the 36TH anniversary of the date (November 17TH 1987) that I left England behind and arrived back home stateside.

I actually don’t remember much about that day. My memories are quite vivid from the Sunday morning 2 years and 1 week earlier when I arrived in England, but when I left England – not so much.

A friend of mine drove me from our (military) dormitory over to Billeting / Lodging at dawn, and from there I got on a shuttle that I think took me all the way to the airport. I don’t think I did the whole British Rail trek going to London (like I had when I arrived). I got on my flight at Heathrow, and I was back in the Washington D.C. area a few hours later that afternoon. (I got those 5 hours back that I lost 2 years and 1 week earlier.)

My Dad picked me up at the airport, and we went home. My cat – Fluffy – went ballistic with joy and happiness when she saw me. It was a wonderful stateside homecoming.

I got to hang out with my family – dad, mom, brother, and cat – for almost 2 weeks through the Thanksgiving holiday week. Again – I don’t remember much from those 13 days, but I know that it was a good time because I was back home with my family again.

I’m with my family right now – mom, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and dog. We’re continuing our annual November tradition that goes back almost 20 years – #ThanksChristmasGiving – or #Thanksmas. It’s where we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas combined in a single week. The Christmas tree and decorations have been up for a couple of weeks, and we are actively engaging in Christmas shopping and gift-wrapping. We’ll open all of the presents by the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving morning. Shortly after that the entire house will be filled with the aroma of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Next #TravelThursday is in 2 weeks – when I celebrate my 36TH (and final) anniversary in Homestead Florida. Let’s keep traveling together.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

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Blogging Career Holidays Military

Honoring My Fellow Veterans

It’s the 11TH day of the 11TH month – Veterans Day here in the U.S.A.

I’ve been employed by the United States Air Force for the past 39 years – going back to when I first signed on the dotted line of the delayed enlistment program near the start of my senior year in high school. I was hesitant in joining the military way back then, but it all turned out just right, and it’s become my career – both military and civilian. I’m looking forward to retirement within the next few months.

To my fellow Veterans – this is our day. From one Veteran to all of you – I thank you for serving your nation, so that we may be free indeed.

Veterans – Get the help that you need at VA.GOV.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

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Bible Blogging Christian Church God Holidays Ministry Scripture

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement

Then the LORD said to Moses – “Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month – nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly – a day to deny yourselves, and present special gifts to the LORD. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement – when offerings of purification are made for you – making you right with the LORD your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God’s people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. You must not do any work at all ! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live. This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves. This day of rest will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day.” (Leviticus 23:26-32 NLT)

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

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Astronomy Blogging Holidays

Labor Day

It’s #LaborDay here in the U.S.A. (and also in Canada) – a day set aside to honor all working Americans. If you work for a living – then this day is for you.

It’s also the unofficial end of Summer and the start of Fall; although, astronomically Fall is still 2½ weeks away. (This year’s Autumnal Equinox occurs on September 23RD 2023 at 2:49 AM EDT.)

Enjoy this day off (for many of us), and get ready to go back to work tomorrow.

#MusicMonday is taking the day off today. My Top 10 Hits will be presented tomorrow – Tuesday.

All rights reserved (c) 2023 Christopher M. Day, CountUp