Say Pearl, when you get a little time between your efforts to persuade the City Council to improve pedestrian safety in and around The Lanterns and the marinating of meat that you do – would you help me rearrange the American holidays? I refer particularly to Labor Day and New Year's. The man on the street has little nostalgia for the Labor referred to in Labor Day. He is mostly – if we're being honest with each other – concerned to get the little tykes back to school, to put away the white shoes, to look around for bargains on this year's model cars. Where is the Labor in that? Conversely, there is nothing particularly New about New Year's Day. In all respects it is quite the same as the day before it and the day after it. It falls in winter, in the post holiday season that is vaguely depressing no matter how jolly a person you are.

Pearl, would it not make a lot of sense to switch the two holidays around? We have in the first part of September a great feeling of new beginnings. Of one way of life being over and another one starting. A fine place to start counting the New Year's days and nights! And what better time to think of the sacrifice and diligence of Labor than in the cold dark days following the exertions of the Christmas season? Oh Pearl, let's take it on, shall we? You are such a whiz at organizing things I feel sure that we could overthrow the tiresome status quo. (Please don't let Mrs. Highbottom know what we're up to. She is completely attached to the no-white-shoes-after-Labor-Day and will be confused with a change.  Plus, she has begun to drink too much since Mr. Highbottom passed away.)

I Remain, As Always,
Your Devoted Miss Blue