REMEMBER WHAT MEMORIAL DAY IS ABOUT
Memorial Day was first established in 1868 in order to honor the soldiers who had fallen during the Civil War. It was initially only recognized by first New York and then the remainder of the northern states, and wasn’t followed by the south until after World War I. It was traditionally celebrated on May 30 of each year until 1971 when congress enacted the National Holiday Act and it was moved to the last Monday of May. Many believe this was the demise of this day of remembrance, as people focused on the three day weekend instead of the original meaning of the holiday.
Congress passed a resolution in 2000 to help Americans remember the true meaning of the holida
y. This “National Moment of Remembrance” urges Americans at 3:00pm (their local time) on Memorial Day to remember those who have lost their lives in military service to their country.
So whether you are attending ceremonies, visiting grave sites or just having a BBQ with family and friends. Take that moment on Monday May 26 to remember all those who have served our country.
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GRADUATION SEASON
I received a graduation announcement from my lovely niece in Idaho. It was not the from-the-box formal announcement available when my twins graduated, but a nice, personal one. I am sorry that I didn’t take the time to do something like hers.
We do a lot of gifts for graduates. Mostly business card cases for college a
nd professional school grads. We have also been discovered by many schools and organizations, as well. Bookmarks are very popular gifts. I have had customers tell me they give them with a book or bookstore gift card. I have pictured an ornament which people order and engrave with he graduation date, a nice keepsake of the event!
Since we have both professional and occupational designs and lots of designs to cover most personal interests and tastes, we seem to have something for everyone! Kyle is working on some new designs, including a “math” oriented design – my son is majoring in math and I have been pestering her!
Kyle sent off gifts to some of her nieces who are graduating from college. She sent card cases to represent their degrees – a nursing emblem and artist design on one case for a double major, a pineapple on another for someone entering the hospitality field. My 
niece is just going into college, and I know she will be happiest with a nice check, but I will put that check into one of our beautiful boxes which she can keep on her dresser to collect hair clips, jewelry or, as my daughter does, quarters for the laundry!
Happy days to all the graduates!
For more gift ideas for 20-somethings, check out our Squidoo pages
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SAN FRANCISCO COCKTAIL WEEK
I am not a lush – but if there is no traditional drink related to a holiday, why bother? For instance, I had my Cinco de Mayo Margarita on Monday.
So when I saw that the second annual SF Cocktail Week is May 13-19, I was happy to know that I have a reason to follow up my Mother’s Day Mimosa with something stronger.
Following the opening night Gala, events include demonstrations and tastings at at the Farmer’s Market, literary events, benefit evenings, cocktail dinners and closing festivities with Absinthe tasting den.
I think I will work on perfecting my Lemon Drop…Cheers!
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MAY DAY
When my kids were little I tried to get them into celebrating May Day as I did when I was young. They were not as enchanted with this holiday as I was. Perhaps because I grew up in the warm and sunny San Joaquin Valley and they grew up in gray, rainy Seattle.
We alway had flowers growing and ready to pick and put in little baskets which we
had made. We would then go to friends and neighbors doors and leave the flowers tied to the door knob – ring the bell and run away. A great opportunity to play doorbell ditch without negative consequences!
Now, I have never gone ’round a May Pole to celebrate the beginning of spring. Nor have I been a member of organized labor, although I appreciate their efforts to make the work day a standard 8 hours. I understand that May 1 is also a saints day and a 
national holiday in some countries for various reasons. I applaud all those reasons to celebrate today. I will commemorate the day by cutting some of the early roses in our garden and making a nice arrangement.
You can bring flowers into your home or give as a gift by choosing a flower themed gift! Make the rose yellow or the iris blue – customize to your taste.
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My Art Filled Life 