Back-to-Work Time

Despite Hurricane Earl's best efforts, my family and I had a rather delightful (albeit windy) Labor Day weekend. And like most Americans returning to work today after a relaxing weekend of rain-drenched barbeques, hail-sprinkled ice cream sundaes, and the requisite science-fiction movie marathon, I find myself dragging. I have a pile of reading to do (more research for my cookbook proposal) and no ambition to do any of it. And so in the interest of motivating myself and others like me, I drafted the following list. Consider it a guide to post-Labor Day entertaining (or at the very least, post-Labor Day working). So here goes:

• Prepare for the coming winter by sweeping your chimney, installing your storm windows, cleaning out your gutters, reshingling your roof, insulating your attic, sealing your patio/deck/driveway/etc. with an appropriate sealant, bringing your farm animals inside, releasing your pet parrakeet to migrate south, and purchasing a giant poster of a sandy beach to help you maintain your sanity through the snowy winter months.
  
  
• Ask yourself what hobbies you will adopt this winter. Purchase and read any necessary books on the topic. Then, stock up on whatever equipment or materials you may need, such as satin sheets, massage oils, and that new sewing machine you've had your eye on.
  
  
• Ignore anyone who tells you not to wear white after Labor Day. Sure that white faux fur parka might make you look somewhat like a yeti, but that is no reason to succumb to peer pressure.
  
  
• Stock up on beer, ketchup, and toilet paper – they're still quite necessary despite the cooling temperatures.

• And again - don't forget about the children. Even though they are back in school, they still need to be entertained from time to time. And though the summertime beach balls and kites have little place in the frozen wasteland of winter, a greased-up piglet is still as much fun no matter the time of year.

And now that you know the basics of post-Labor Day entertaining/working – get back to work!