Labor Day. A national holiday celebrating the country's workforce! A day marking the end of summer! The closing of swimming pools! A day marking the beginning of school! (OOPS! We have some false starts here!). The final three day weekend of the year. Barbecue. Family. Friends. Relaxation. A day signifying a four day work week this week! (I am beginning to really reach here). One hundred ten days to the Jolly Fat Man's visit! Whew, this year is done. Stick a fork in it!

In the past I have often lamented that when I was a child time barely moved! A year was forever! As I have aged and gotten bigger the year has shrunk and gotten smaller! Hard to believe I once thought warp speed just applied to star trek! My clocks and calendars spin out of control!

I feel somewhat guilty having a day off when residents of Florida and the surrounding states are preparing or cleaning for/from hurricane Frances. They continue to loom large in our minds and concerns. I haven't gotten an update on Kirby other than Coach Coker was keeping all of his boys together and everyone was staying put. It did appear on the hurricane tracker that Frances went in above Miami and Coral Gables which might have been a help since they would receive the backstroke instead of the powerstroke of the storm. I don't think there would be any advantage anywhere avoiding the flooding.

FATHER I thank YOU for this day and its bounty of blessings! Bless our day as we mark endings and beginnings. I ask for YOUR watch and care for those who are in peril's way, whether it be a storm or a misguided soldier. FATHER I thank YOU for the many laborers in this country and ask YOUR blessings on them. Please remove us from our own time frame and put us on YOUR time. Guide us, direct us, lead us! Instill in us YOUR will and way, fill us with YOUR spirit. I continue to ask for YOUR mercy and YOUR grace! I continue to ask YOUR healing for Rene', Carol, Michelle, and Aimee. I ask YOUR blessings and comfort for those who are ill or grieving. Take charge FATHER!