On #Memorial Day, American #flags should be raised “to full staff briskly, then lowered to a half-staff position, where they will remain until noon,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac. If you wish to volunteer to place small flags or wreaths on the #graves of those who served, contact the local chapters of #veterans organizations such as Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion or Daughters of the American Revolution. “The ritual of visiting family graves and memorials was never a morbid tradition,” the almanac says. “Rather, it was an annual act of #remembrance, as well as a chance to clean and decorate family memorials.”
Tag: cookout
Make Memorial Day Meaningful
While most Americans see #Memorial Day as an excuse to kick back, cook out and watch a parade, make time to remember those who gave their lives in service, the Wounded Warrior Project says. Pay tribute to their memory by flying the #flag or placing flowers or wreaths on deceased service members’ graves. When it comes to #thanking a #veteran, remember that the holiday is reserved for those who lost their lives in conflict, so ask living veterans to have a “meaningful” Memorial Day and/or say the name of someone who made the ultimate sacrifice, the project says. “You can even say, ‘Today and always, I’m remembering [veteran’s name].’” #MemorialDay
Be True to the Red, White & Blue
#Memorial Day is a great time to break out the patriotic red, white and blue decorations, says The Pioneer Woman, including #flags, wreaths and bunting. To observe the original spirit of the holiday and honor those who served, do a patriotic reading such as “In Flanders Fields” — the poem that inspired the wearing of poppies. You might also write letters or send care packages to active-duty members of the military or lay a wreath on a grave at the local #veterans cemetery. And to celebrate with a #cookout, try baking a red-white-and-blue trifle for your family. #MemorialDay
School May Be in Session, But Summer Isn’t Over
This week, schools throughout the country are welcoming students back for another year. A few kids may not be ready to let the carefree, lazy days of the seasonal break go, of course, and may complain loudly that “summer’s over.”
#Summer is far from over, though, especially for anyone who isn’t in school. The start of school may be a harbinger of cooler climes to come, but there’s still a month to go before the vernal equinox — and plenty of warm weather left to enjoy.
Now’s the time to kick that summer fun into high gear! Have you gotten in any of your favorite outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, boating, kayaking or swimming? Have you taken the opportunity to picnic in a park or cook out?
Maybe you’re more indoorsy — or a temporary heat “dome” is encouraging you to stay inside. Beat the heat at an indoor matinee. Or take on a household project such as #decluttering your wardrobe or #redecorating a room, Apartment Therapy suggests.
There’s still time to schedule an end-of-summer trip, too. September and October are beautiful months to visit many northern climates and see the leaves change color, and it’s still hot enough in the south and the tropics to swim and sunbathe.
If you opt to #organize and #declutter, there’s still time to schedule and stage a #garage sale. Set aside your castoff clothing and household goods and tag them. Pick a weekend and post signage directing shoppers to your door; you’ll have extra pocket money in no time.
If that sounds like too much work for your precious summer days, you can always schedule a free #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org to effortlessly relieve yourself of that #extra #stuff while supporting valuable #veterans programs.
Whatever you choose, there’s a lot of summer left to do it. Even the Labor Day holiday isn’t the limit — and if you have kids, they’ll be at school, leaving you much of the day to concentrate on personal and professional needs. Start planning what’s left of summer now!
Keep Your Cookout Sustainable
Make a casual #cookout more #sustainable by using accessories such as compostable paper plates and bamboo cutlery and reusable linen or cotton napkins, Martha Stewart suggests. Another idea to make the event more #ecofriendly is to serve low-impact foodstuffs such as chicken, fish and vegetables rather than beef, says Move for Hunger, and use a gas grill to reduce carbon emissions. Save leftovers to avoid food waste, make recycling easy for guests by labeling waste bins and compost food scraps to enrich your soil at a later date. #CasualCookout