Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A "Religious" Day Off

I have to admit that with the 24th of July rapidly approaching (tomorrow, in fact) we are tempted to take a "religious holiday." Sure, there really is absolutely nothing religious in a good ol' fashioned "Pioneer Day" Celebration but if others get to take off Yom Kippur or Good Friday - why shouldn't we (as righteous Mormons) celebrate Brigham Young declaring that "This is the Place."
My 24th of July memories are filled with running in the Fairview Fun Run (my extended family takes it very seriously, watching the parade with a thousand beautiful crepe paper floats that are decorated with slogans such as "Faith in Every Footstep" or "Utah, A Pretty Great State" or "The Beehive State" (with hundreds of children sweating to death in bee costumes), the Fairview parade with a thousand queens (Miss Lamb's Day, Miss Dairy, Miss Turkey Farm), a bbq with my Grandma's potato salad (there isn't a better potato salad there just isn't), followed by a trip to Fairview's demolition derby with a firework display that is less than spectacular but something we can make fun of for the rest of the year. You know the more I think of it - it looks like tomorrow we'll be calling in sick . . . I wish.

10 comments:

Lindy said...

I knew pioneer day existed, but I didn't really know it was a "holiday" until I went to BYU. You Utahans have had tons and tons more time off than the rest of us for your parading and celebrating. How unfair!

Kris Tina said...

Oh Lindy - as a Mormon you too can try and start telling people it is a "religious" holiday and then get to take the day off too. I mean, honestly the way people in Utah celebrate it is the equivalent of the 4th of July do-over - we could start our own traditions - but the main tradition would be not having to work.

Greg said...

I think I'm coming down with something . . .

Lindy said...

I feel like the 25th and 26th are going to be religious holidays also...

Hilary said...

Oh yes, I remember feeling jipped on the 24th of July when I lived out of State. Something just wasn't right about going to work and having it be "business as usual." I felt the same way when I lived in Brazil and got up on Thanksgiving day and realized it was just another normal day. It's just like entering the Twilight Zone. . .

Abby said...

DO IT! DO IT! Take that holiday -- for all non-Utah-based LDS everywhere.

Maybe we could ask President Monson for a letter or something to show to our bosses, so that we can take the day off -- like a doctor's note to get you out of gym.

meg said...

It's true, NOTHING is better than Grandma's potato salad, mix that with the 24th and you've got yourself a holiday...well worth taking the day off! I'm trying to get Russ to take the day off too, we better start spreading the word faster!

Heidi Meadows said...

Fortunately for me, I get the day off every year, even living in KS. Perks of being a school teacher! Well, enjoy the holiday in your heart even if you can't take the day off. :)

kto1s said...

I'm so glad you left a comment, Kris Tina. I would say how in the world are you, but I've been able to catch up a bit on your cute blog!

Loved being able to check in with someone I admired years ago--won't say how many! (and still DO think the world of you!)

Unknown said...

Krissi, all those things you mentioned on the 24th I did all of them. There is one thing you left out, gathering up the candy (taffy) from the parade. You really missed out when you didn't call in sick.