Labor Day isn’t my favorite national holiday.

Since 1894, the first Monday in September was federally recognized as a holiday. It was organized by its founders to unify union workers and reduce work time.

Labor Day is the second to the last national holiday before Thanksgiving.

The other holiday is Veteran’s Day, celebrated on Nov. 12. Veteran’s Day is more prestigious because we honor all the men and women who either served in our military or is still active in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines.

People usually view Labor Day as an opportunity to go shopping or have a final barbecue on their day off. Some do both.

I’m always down for eating ribs, chickens and burgers coming off the grill, but I always get sad on Labor Day because it’s the last weekend of summer. Schools and colleges across the country will have opened by the first week of September.

I know summer doesn’t officially end until Sept. 22 with the start of fall, but Labor Day symbolizes that summertime is in the rear-view mirror.

I enjoyed the weather we had last week, with high temperatures in the 80’s and lows hovering between 63 and 72. I’d love to have that kind of weather all year long.

The temperatures in the Black Belt will start dropping around Halloween on Oct. 31. I’m not one for cold weather.

I would probably enjoy Labor Day a lot more if at least two college football games were scheduled for the day.

I know ESPN has a Labor Day night game every year, but unless its Alabama, Auburn or a huge Top 10 clash, I usually ignore it and get ready for the next work day.

The NFL does a great job with its Thanksgiving Day slate of football games. College football is great with its slate of bowl games on New Year’s Day.

I’d like for Labor Day to start some tradition like that.