PRESIDENT'S DAY - February 20, 2006 History of the Holiday

The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency). Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in 1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked the occasion on the 11th instead.

By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in the American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and fellow February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several states.

In 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act, which took effect in 1971, was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.

Apparently, while the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management), it has become popularly (and, perhaps in some cases at the state level, legally) known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.

Oh My G_d, I love Fridays

I'm so glad it is almost Friday, I plan to sleep all weekend if I can. It was a great and busy week. On Thursday about half of the staff went out for libations and snacks after work - it was fun, but I had to go back to work around 6 p.m. and finally came home around 10 p.m. Too much to do and not enough time, as they say.

I hope to just hang out this week, but I do need to prepare for two classes I have been invited to present at. I don't particularly like standing in front of a group, but I'll do it if I have to. One of the presentations will be on health disparities as it pertains to tobacco and minority communities and the second presentation will be on a community based participitory research project I have been working on for the last five years. I always get nervous before presentations and usually don't sleep so well the night before the event.

Late this Spring and early Summer I will also team teach a community organizing and advocacy class at a public health institute. That is a more daunting task because I had to develop a syllabus which I had never done, but that task it complete. Anyway, for someone that doesn't like being in front of an audience I sure have gotten myself in a pickle with these three classes and presentations. I better start practicing saying "no" in front of the mirror.

Okay, as I said, I'm glad this week is almost over. I should also take time to clean my house this weekend...it needs it.

Later.

Fresh Guacamole - Yummm

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

2 ripe avocados (preferably Haas)
1 tablespoon minced red onion
1 small tomato, diced
1 small garlic clove, minced or pressed through garlic press
1/2 small jalapeno chile or Thai peppers, minced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
Salt
1 tablespoon juice from 1 lime

1. Halve 1 avocado, remove pit, and scoop flesh into medium bowl. Using fork, mash lightly with onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, and 1/8 teaspoon salt until just combined.

2. Halve and pit remaining avocado. Using a dinner knife, carefully make 1/2-inch cross-hatch incisions in flesh, cutting down to but not through skin. Using a soupspoon, gently scoop flesh from skin; transfer to bowl with mashed avocado mixture. Add diced tomato. Sprinkle lime juice over and mix lightly with fork until combined but still chunky. Adjust seasoning with salt, if necessary, and serve. (Can be covered with plastic wrap, pressed directly onto surface of mixture, and refrigerated up to 1 day. Return guacamole to room temperature, removing plastic wrap just before serving.)

Sólo tú

Sólo tú le das brillo y Amor a mi Corazón.
Sólo tú me miras con tanta pureza y belleza interior.
Sólo tú llenas de Alegría a mi Alma.
Sólo tú conoces mis secretos, deseos y anhelos.
Sólo tú me transmites calor con tus manos.
Sólo tú me das fuerzas para seguir viviendo.
Sólo tú me hablas con tanta dulzura.
Sólo tú me escuchas con tanta paciencia.
Sólo tú me acaricias con tanta delicadeza.
Sólo tú me besas con tanta ternura.
Sólo tú me comprendes con tanta sutileza.
Sólo tú haces que me sienta el Ser más Feliz del Universo.
Sólo tú me das tanta seguridad en mí misma.
Sólo tú me calmas y tranquilizas cuando estoy mal.
Sólo tú eres el que puede entrar en mi Corazón y en mi Ser.
Sólo tú me abrigas cuando tengo frío.
Sólo tú eres y serás el Dueño de mi Corazón.
Sólo tú eres mi Sueño hecho realidad.
Sólo tú eres y serás el que me ama y me amará siempre.
Sólo tú eres al que amo y amaré eternamente!

Costa Rica Lady Friend May Visit this Summer

Hello World, I hope we are striving to continue to hold our end up and thus keep from going over the edge. I truly believe that if we all act in a positive manner as much as possible we ourselves will keep this world together in the universe.

This past work week was quite busy with almost all day meetings, but many successes that also generate more work. I have been laying low this weekend and saw "Black Hawk Down" with friends on Friday. Seems hardly possible that such events went on in the world and continue. I can't believe all those of us who want peace in the world haven't done a better job of organizing and overthrowing all the fools running many of our govenments. But I wonder if once we organize and become the leaders that we don't become just like the ones in place. Always the struggle for survival at any cost, just like the animal kingdom...at least they only kill enough to survive.

I guess to stay sane we need to surround ourselves with friends and people we love and that love us...and that we can depend on each other.

Speaking of friends, I have a friend that I met in Costa Rica about two years ago that might visit me this summer. I offered to pay her way to USA and stay for a month or the whole summer. So far she indicates she wants to and just needs to figure out things at her end. She is a sweet soul. If she can make it I'll take a couple trips with her to Washington, D.C. and perhaps Yellowstone, but for sure the Black Hills and points around there. We shall see if this works out.

Okay, I have to go and plan for teaching a commmunity organizing and advocacy course this Spring at the University of Minnesota. I will be working with a faculty person from Public Health to put this course together. Should be fun, I have some great ideas for this.

Have a great week.