During the coming week we will all have an opportunity to stretch our minds and imaginations in celebration of — World Folklore and Fables Week. But better than that, March 26 is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day.
The possibilities for these overlapping occasions are endless, mind-boggling, perhaps even silly and useless. But it might be fun to see what the outcome could be from these kidding-around moments.
While they are probably no longer politically-correct or acceptable in today’s world, the stories and rhymes compiled under the control of Mother Goose satisfied the decades-ago appetites for fables and fairy tales. I have not kept up with knowing whether there is a modern Mother Goose flying around making up stories to entertain children of today, but I suspect she has been replaced.
But that does not mean we cannot continue to be happy in recalling some of the tales and stories read to us by doting parents who wanted their children to be fanciful yet grounded in reality.
Once I could read for myself, I was more into the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables but still enjoyed a good musical rendition of Three Blind Mice. How did I know that it would become a modern derogatory scream aimed at hockey officials?
But let’s move onto making up one’s own holiday day. I think I’d like to celebrate “Mother Goose Day” in the most retro fashion, reading those rhymes and stories without subscribing any nasty hidden meanings.
“Wish I had a dog day” could take me to the animal shelter to pet the dogs looking for what are called “forever homes.” Leaving them there would be difficult though but not as difficult as trying to sneak one into the house without Housemate catching on.
Perhaps a “non-snow day” would be fun, giving schools the day off and closing down non-essential services to allow free-spirited celebration that doesn’t involve shoveling snow or scraping ice - a paid day off of course to make it more notable.
Celebrating a “Canadian win at women’s world curling day” would be a fine way to acknowledge the sport, even though I’m not keen on the team that represents our country. But a maple leaf is a maple leaf and so I will cheer all our wins and precise shots.
“Free car wash day” might not be a boon to the economy but it would attract major crowds to local car washes and could promote return business based on the size and number of puddles on many of the main thoroughfares. Make it a carnival and serve mini doughnuts and deep-fried pickles to whet the appetites for summer fairs.
A complete 24 hour cycle for a “good news day” might be the most celebrated made-up holiday. Which of us doesn’t get tired of reading and hearing about murder, mayhem, tragedy and political one-upmanship?
The best thing of all about these made up holidays is that we won’t have to wait for governments to hold hearings and town hall meetings to enact the necessary legislation. We’re as free as the breeze to name our days.
If it strikes our fancy and it isn’t illegal or offensive, let’s holiday.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
