How Special?

The school calendar is full of minor “holidays” to celebrate, it seems. We had the federal holidays in February (MLK and Presidents’ Day), and Twos-day, when the date read 2/2/22. We’ve also had Hundreds Day, marking the 100th day of school, and Dr. Seuss’ Birthday/Read Across America. Then came the switch to Daylight Savings Time (not a holiday, but still a disruption), followed immediately to No-Mask Monday. We’re coming up on St. Patrick’s Day next.

Each of these “special days” requires teachers to come up with games, puzzles and so on that fit the occasion. Students love them as a reason to have class parties and generally avoid schoolwork, but I’m getting a little burned out, honestly. It would be great if we could just settle into a routine for a while, you know?

I should mention, though, that I did include a holiday in the setting for Minstrels of Skaythe. In The Ice Witch of Fang Marsh, Meven travels through the city of Eshur during a Festival of Visitation. The numerous statues of Dar-Gothull (because what’s a tyrant without statues of himself everywhere?) were paraded to the middle of town to be cleaned and polished, plus the loyal citizens all paid a “donation” to the temple. Due to the holiday crowd, Meven was able to to slip through Eshur almost unnoticed.

I guess some special days are useful after all.

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