Hmmm… 3-day weekend? Not sure if it will make you celebrate now that weekdays and weekends are all but synonymous… BUT, Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off of summer so THAT should give you a reason to celebrate!

To be honest, I can’t even remember what I did last year on this particular long weekend but I’m certain many of us will remember this one given the pandemic situation. Whether you typically visit a cemetery to honor a loved one, get out of town, or enjoy the parades, gatherings of 10 or more people aren’t allowed so most public events are canceled. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a ZOOM-free 3-day weekend! Here are some ideas to get you going…

HONOR THE DEAD

First and foremost, Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who died for their country while in military service. At most National cemeteries group placement of flags will not be allowed but families are allowed to place flowers and small flags at veterans’ gravesites. If you are still looking to share in a national tradition to honor the day, the Vietnam War Memorial will be streaming a virtual Memorial Day celebration. You can even leave a message about someone you would like to remember and take a virtual tour of the memorial. 

CELEBRATE WITH POPPIES

Did you know that the red poppy flower is the national symbol of remembrance? It is why you see veterans selling them on Memorial Day and others wearing them on their lapel or shoulder. The flower became a symbol after John McCrae, a Canadian doctor and soldier witnessed the war-torn battlefield of Flanders. Inspired by the poppies growing throughout the battlefield amidst the profound death and destruction, he wrote a now-famous poem called “In Flanders Fields”.  

A 3-day weekend is a great time to get out and do some gardening and the blooms of the bright red poppy would be a beautiful addition to a wildflower garden. May (September too!) is the perfect time to plant the field poppy. Be sure to pick a full sun spot to place your seeds. Even though this flower is an annual, it is a self-seeder so you will get blooms year after year. Need another good reason to plant poppies? Bees love them and we love bees! Planting a poppy garden on Memorial Day weekend is a great way to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the poppy’s resilience will remind you of your own fortitude during this pandemic.

DO SUMMER-Y THINGS

Since Memorial Day weekend is also the unofficial start to summer, Get the hammock out and snooze in the sunshine. Make some lemonade and pull out the grill. Have some fun with your neighbors and socially distant visit with them at the end of your yards or driveways with a burger and a beer.  

There’s no crying in baseball but if you’re crying because there aren’t any games to watch then participate in one of the many virtual running races and walks taking place. You can also just get on your bike and take a picnic ride with your quarantine partner(s): here are some great picnic food ideas for your basket. If all that is just too energetic for your pandemic state of mind, then a three day weekend is a great time to escape with a good old fashioned heavy book (with pages! for those that are digitally fatigued!) or do some research online (sorry, still can’t browse at book stores and libraries) and get your summer reading list going.

We know it’s been a trying time but don’t let the meaning of Memorial Day weekend slip away. No matter how difficult this pandemic seems to have been and what sacrifices we have had to make.  It is important to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives so that we can live ours with the freedoms we now enjoy, even if we have to socially distance to do it. See you in the next blog!

Deb Fries is a freelance writer and designer and worked at Julianna Rae in graphics and customer service, she now writes for the blog and feels glamorous participating in ZOOM meetings wearing her favorite Heavenly Spa Robe in Shale.