It was always great to end the work-week by having lunch with a co-worker or friend on Fridays.  On some occasions, you might even have a couple of beers and maybe even knock-off early.  If it wasn’t a lunch, “Happy Hour” was an even better way to celebrate the start of the weekend, especially if it was a three-day Holiday weekend.

In retirement, you can consider every day of the week to be “Friday,” or any other favorite day, for that matter.  I’ve used several words that I am trying to ween from my vocabulary because they’re not necessarily special any more.  The words “Birthday,” “Friday,” “Weekends,” “Holidays,” and “Vacation,” have been banned from my retirement language. Each of these days, with the exception of “Birthday,” are what I consider to be days away from work.  If you’re not working, they simply aren’t significant anymore, at least to me.  Plus, once you achieve the Sixty-Five age mark, there are no additional discounts for growing any older, and therefore no benefit to having a “Birthday” anymore.  I suppose that those who wait until 70 to collect social security, or those that have a goal of living to be 100 would disagree.  I still see “Happy Hour” as very relevant, although it can be any hour of the day now!

Many “Holidays” are birthdays of significant individuals from history.  I don’t mean to snub these individuals, but rather in retirement try to learn more about them and their achievements, such as reading the book, “Lincoln And The Power Of The Press,” by Harold Holzer.  Lincoln had to share his “Holiday” with other Presidents, but he was not around to object to the modern day change.  Some “Holidays” also honor our Veterans, and we should celebrate their service to our country every day.  Almost every “Holiday” is celebrated with food, so maybe “Lunch” day should be considered a “Holiday,” as well.   “Gym and Cooking” day is the only day when I prepare dinner and that’s probably considered a “Holiday” by my wife.

I do think that the day after the Super Bowl should be designated as a “Holiday,” but that really doesn’t matter to me anymore.  Maybe someone else can take up that campaign?  I do have it on my calendar, that is primarily filled with sporting events rather than business meetings. Right now, for example, I’m watching the Cubs play the Yankees.  It was the only thing on my calendar today, other than a dinner with some overnight guests and friends tonight, since “Lunch” day unfortunately didn’t include lunch.  Our guests will be here for the weekend as we celebrate a wedding ceremony.  After a couple of sun rises, when the mail doesn’t come, I’ll know that a new week is in front of me.

Cubs lose.  Happy Cinco de Mayo and enjoy your “Happy Hour” margarita.