Off the Cuff / My Other Journal

May Day, May Day! Have a Happy May Day!

First of May, and I am excited because I started my a-story-a-day journal today. I must be a masochist; if I don’t challenge myself, I don’t feel I am living. Breathing yes, living no. Lol!

Most European countries have the first of this month as a holiday. This beginning-of-spring and people-caring-for-each-other day evolved from the Marxist holiday, the Labor Day around the world, and here, the International Workers Day, which is the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when Chicago police fired on workers during a general strike.

I don’t care from where a thought-provoking thing comes; if it is about people caring about each other, it is a good thing, IMHO.

The celebration for May Day can be leaving a basket of sweets or flowers on a neighbor's doorstep. A May-day basket consists of flowers, granola bars, gum chocolates, candy, cookies, gifts, etc.

A friend in UK tells me they are having a wet and sort of miserable kind of day. Where I am, it is hot and we have the air-conditioner on. I am hoping we’ll get a sprinkle or two to ease the heat, probably not though because the sun looks intense outside,

Today around the world, for what I have read so far, female students are at the forefront of protest gathering at the University of Tehran for May Day. Sending good vibes their way.

In addition, tens of thousands of workers in many cities around the world are marching and holding rallies for better working conditions and higher wages. In the world news, there has been some serious incidents in a few cities in Europe since, at the time of this entry, it is already night to the east of us over the Atlantic. I hope no one gets hurt.

Happy May Day, WdC!