A Day Off ? Go Outside!

Ah, Labor Day. The holiday of picnics and barbecues, a weekend at the beach or perhaps the golf course. The first official Labor Day was held in New York in 1882 and since that time the holiday has grown into a major American tradition. While we spend time honoring our hard working ancestors and people among us now who make a difference every day, let's not forget we're not alone. The birds, insects, mammals, plants and other species that share this planet with us don't get the day off! Trees and other green plants (thankfully) keep on making oxygen for all of us to breathe. Corn keeps growing, hens keep laying and cows keep giving milk (which means farmers don't get a day off either!) A good way to appreciate the workings of a busy ecosystem is to get out in it. On your day off, why not take a walk in the woods, grab a paddle and kayak down a local river, or spend some time sitting on a dock overlooking a pond. The busy, wonderful, world of nature is all around us, working away 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So as we show thanks for the hard workers among us, let's not forget those who have more (or fewer) legs than we do!