"In My Opinion . . ."
April 19, 2001
The time has come for a new calendar, one which centers not on the phases of the moon or the seasons of the church, but on the ebb and flow of vacations. Vacations hold a high place in civilized life, and their importance should not be ignored. We know everyone lives for those periodic breaks from work, so why not rearrange our calendar year to reflect this?
The new year should officially begin on July 1 rather than January 1. This date heralds the high season of vacations worldwide and would be a lovely time for rebirth and resolutions. Here in the United States we could declare July 1-4 as a national holiday period, bringing together families and friends for rambunctious frivolity and fireworks for four full days, from New Year's to Independence Day. Think of all the wonderful parades and picnics!
Lengthier breaks refresh the spirit and renew your energies. Wouldn't it be wonderful if four or five times a year our new calendar included eclectic special weeks? We could have contests each year to come up with themes for these vacations. Instead of Spring Vacation we might have "Get Out and See the Tulips" week or "Go See Where Your Food Really Comes from" week. Our travels would be inspired by such agricultural prodding.
I face the end of my "Get Out and See the Tulips" week and look forward to the next break in May. Perhaps I'll call it my "Getting Close to the End" weekend. I'll travel east of the mountains in Washington or Oregon and search for wineries while Bill bikes the back country. Ah, sweet vacation!