Just Wondering

Vacation is a break, a trip, a rest, a retreat, a leave and also, an escape according to Thesaurus.

And August is the perfect time in my humble opinion.  It was the time of the year when our family headed to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to savor the beauty of the world God has given us.  The eighth month of the calendar year also provides a warning glimpse of the short time left to enjoy sun, surf, and warm weather.  Only 31 days remain until the leaves begin to fall, the hurricane season returns, and all our lovely white clothes retreat to the attic closet.  I was startled this morning to view two extraordinarily beautiful scarlet leaves that had emerged on the tree across from my house sometime during the night while I slept.

Accordingly, the 113th Congress of the U.S., 100 Senators along with 453 Congressmen and our Commander In Chief, the 44th President of the United States of America, all departed for five weeks of vacation, (break, trip, rest, retreat, leave, or other pertinent synonyms, i.e., escape) earlier this month.  I wish I could honestly say it is well deserved.

The South Farmingdale Fire Department recently responded to a neighborhood emergency near my home.  I became familiar with the services of both this Department and also, the North Massapequa Fire Department during my husband’s illness.  I wonder if it ever occurred to these quiet heroes and heroines not to be available for an accident, fatality, or trauma because it was time for their vacation.  I hope and believe they will still be around if an emergency occurs during the waning days of summer, and most likely, for the remainder of the year.

All of us are accustomed to fabulous shopping and incredible sales during the holiday season.  While it is a stress filled time for families trying to prepare for annual festivities, family reunions, I have no memory of stores closing during December in order to accommodate vacations for their employees.  The need to maintain business takes precedence.  Christmas Eve undoubtedly accounts for the highest sales volume due to last minute shoppers.  I don’t recall Macy’s or any of the major Malls closing down that day so their help could enjoy the holiday season.

I wonder if President Putin is also planning a five week vacation.  Certainly the Ukraine situation has given him undue stress.

And, of course, both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the Leader of Hamas are under extreme duress.  Are they calling an Armistice until after Labor Day.  Wouldn’t that be incredible?

Is the Iranian President Hasan Rouhani taking five weeks off?  Will his Government quietly meditate until Labor Day?

Will the ISIS threat stop in Iraq?

Will the throngs of young people crossing our border on a daily basis halt until mid September?  Will there be a stop to the immigration crisis until fall arrives.

And will all the heroic doctors, nurses and Good Samaritans trying to save lives and halt the Ebola virus in West Africa from spreading put up a sign saying, “Back in September?”

Just wondering.  Is the will of the people being served when our Government goes into recess for five weeks during the month of August in the year 2014.  Will the turmoil threatening the world  remain static until the 453 Congressmen, 100 Senators and our Commander In Chief return suntanned to serve the people who elected them?

Perhaps that is why Nero fiddled while Rome burned.  He was staying at the beach.

Just wondering.