“Do not measure success by today’s harvest. Measure success by the seeds you plant today.”
Robert Louis Stevenson
Keep planting those seeds, friends. Seeds of wisdom and kindness. Seeds that encourage others to educate and improve themselves. Seeds that will someday grow into something more important than you.
It’s Labor Day here in America. This has been a federal holiday since 1894 but it seems a lot of folks don’t know why it exists.
Yes, it’s the unofficial end of summer and yes, it’s a great time to travel and to get good deals on home appliances. But it was actually created because labor activists were pushing for a federal holiday that would call attention to labor issues and recognize the many contributions workers have made to the country’s health and prosperity.
Today, it’s a good time to remember and honor the American workforce. It’s a good time to remember how far we have come from the deplorable working conditions of the industrial age, long hours for low wages, the blatantly unsafe conditions of mining jobs, and the common use of child labor.
Modern people have no idea how easy we have it.
Charlotte Elizabeth Battles is a name you probably haven’t heard but she made history back in her day.
Born in 1864 to a family that owned the R.S. Battles Bank in Girard, Pennsylvania, she was educated, worldly and strong. Her father was Rush Battles, a farmer, lawyer and banker whose bank had been a local staple since 1859. When her father died, she was promoted to fill his shoes as bank president. The year was 1904 and she was one of the first women to serve as a bank president.
She ran this bank until it closed in 1946.
Let us pause here for a moment. Women didn’t get the vote until 1920. She successfully ran a bank for years before she could walk into a ballot booth.
But I digress. She gained fame in 1933 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered American banks be closed as part of the Emergency Banking Act and she refused to comply.
As a privately owned institution, she believed they were not governed by the state or federal government. In a letter to Roosevelt, Battles said “We’re minding our business, you mind yours”.
They remained open as they always had, placing no restrictions on deposits or withdrawals, but they did serve only existing customers that week.
The Erie Times News published a story about the incident under the headline “Girard Bank Says ‘Pooh’ To State And U.S. Edict.” The funny thing was that it wasn’t even big news back then. The story ran on page 11.
If you visit the Hagen History Center in Erie, PA, you will find a room dedicated to this pioneering business woman who thumbed her nose at the feds.
The exhibit tells the story of her life as a banker but also that of an artist, a world traveler, a gardener and what appeared to be a woman who embraced life fully.
She died in 1952 and her home in Girard is now owned by the Hagan History Center. That’s less than 30 minutes from the Hagen Center in Erie.
This museum has some amazing exhibits including maritime history, Frank Lloyd Wright’s field office, art and stunning mansions to tour. Go visit!
Everyone talks about how short the summer has been and how they can’t believe August is already over. As a person whose summer has dragged and feels like August was nine weeks long, I am so excited to write these words:
Welcome September!
I tolerate summer. I don’t enjoy it no matter how hard I try. It’s an annoying season and, at times, oppressive. It’s too humid and hot to actually enjoy the outdoors. People I know who say they love summer don’t spend nearly enough time out in it to justify actually liking it.
The humidity makes my straight hair curl and frizz in ways that I don’t approve the minute I walk outside . Summer clothes are ugly. Plus, because the days are longer we are expected to keep pace with the sun and be active longer so as not to waste day light.
What’s worst though is that I do suffer from Summer SAD. It’s the same as the kind of seasonal depression others experience in the winter only mine is because there is too much light. I can feel this loosening its grip a little more every day and I look forward to the more balanced days of September and October.
In southern Ohio, September is still very much summer but it’s usually less intense than August.
So, bring on September with its cooler mornings and somewhat more moderate days. Hello to the month that gives us fresh apples, pumpkin spice and an excuse to indulge in all things maple. Let’s all breathe a little better with humidity levels starting to recede. Let’s stand in the woods and drink in the smells and sights as leaves begin to turn and as the start of Fall approaches.
It comes but once a year and I will rejoice!
The photo above is from last year at this time on Presque Isle in Lake Erie. That place is a little slice of paradise if you ever get to visit.
A year ago today, I was celebrating Labor Day weekend with my Pittsburgh pal. We did some fun stuff in her city and took a whirlwind trip up to Erie, PA for some book shopping and outdoor exploration at Presque Isle State Park.
What a lovely time that was. We saw gorgeous views.
Learned about history.
Ate seafood.
Shopped for books.
Saw boats.
And simply enjoyed life.
It was such a fun and joyful time that I hope to repeat the experience someday. Meanwhile, I have memories to enjoy and other adventures ahead!
Here’s one more photo – we cruised around Presque Isle one last time before leaving town and found a kite club!
Friends, it’s always worth a second look and another loop around. Labor Day is late this year so you still have time to plan a little adventure. How will you spend your holiday weekend?