Things put off for another day

Hi neighbors. Monday will be Feb. 29! 2016 is a Leap Year and that means one more day is added to the year. Since this only happens every four years, we should think of some way to best utilize the free day.

In my opinion the day should be spent in one of two ways: doing something constructive, or taking a one-day vacation. Since it falls on Monday, we should start celebrating (at least the vacation idea) today!

The first option, doing something constructive, could focus on doing any of those chores left for "another day." Guess what? Feb. 29 is another day! So get cracking on that wood carving, making bird houses, change the oil in the car, clean out the garage or closet, gather things for donations, plan that yard sale this spring, order seeds for the garden, paint the bathroom, etc. Lots of those put off till another day, chores could be addressed Monday.

As for me, I plan on a day of calm and introspection; with doing some laundry tossed in for good measure. I feel most humble toward the universe while doing laundry and/or dishes. A drive in the country, walk in the park, all sound good.

Of course there is the option of sleeping late, going out for brunch and binge watching some television. Nothing to do with being productive in that scenario.

A weekend vacation would be nice. There are lots of things to see and do within a half-day's drive in Missouri. Some of the parks and attractions may not be open for the season yet, but there are lots of small towns to visit and learn the histories of while passing through.

Just taking in the variations of the Missouri landscape can be breathtaking. Doing your homework and rattling off some local history for each county passed through can be a learning experience for yourself and your children.

Have a particular interest mini-vacation. For instance, go visit Civil War battlegrounds, Native American encampments, historical bridges and buildings. If you are of the notion, select haunted houses, hotels and other areas to visit. If you are going into unfamiliar areas at night, take lots of strong flashlights. There is a lot to trip over. Don't go into abandoned and dilapidated buildings looking for ghosts and find a rotting floor crumbling beneath you instead.

You could spend the day planning a summer vacation; pre-booking motel rooms, buying tickets online for attractions, adventure parks, Broadway shows, live entertainment, boating rentals, etc. Just thinking about going can be turned into actual commitments in one day.

If you are lucky enough to get the day off work (it's not a holiday so that may be unlikely) you might want to bake some cookies, try some exotic recipe you saved for another day, drag the grill out of the garage and do some outdoor cooking. You could make evening meals ahead for days you do have to work.

Of course, the most important way to spend the day is with family. Play with the kids and the pets. Talk with them and listen to them tell you stories. Watch the television shows they want to watch; find out what songs they listen to, and why, and see how they dance and dance with them. Whatever their age, they need to know you are both their parent and their friend.

Until the next time friends, remember, we all have things we've put off for at least three years to do on "another day." That day arrives Feb. 29!