Top Ten Things Not to Do on Labor Day

September 7, 2026 · by John W. Howell · in Ten Things Not to Do · 63 Comments

This post ran first on Labor Day 2015 and every Labor Day after that. I thought it was pretty good advice, so here it is again.

***

In honor of Labor Day, I’ve decided to boil the top ten list down to the most essential items. Let’s all remember those who make our lives easier and more pleasant. Of course, the remembrance includes us authors.

Top Ten Things Not to Do on Labor Day

10 through 1

On Labor Day, have fun, but do not drink and drive. If you do, at best, you are a fool. At worst, you could hurt or kill an innocent person, not to mention your guilty self.

Happy Labor Day, all.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Detour - On the eternal Road, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, The Last Drive, Top Ten Things Not to Do

63 comments

Dan Antion · September 7, 2026 - 5:30 am · Reply→

Good message, John. And since a lot of people won’t listen to you, I’m going stay home. Enjoy the day.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:11 am · Reply→
  
  Good idea, Dan. I think I will as well. 😄
  
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equipsblog · September 7, 2026 - 6:24 am · Reply→

Great advice, John.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:12 am · Reply→
  
  Thanks, Pat.
  
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JFRSr · September 7, 2026 - 7:03 am · Reply→

So true…we are an easily influenced collection of folks 🐳

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 12:58 pm · Reply→
  
  Thank you, Jim. 😊
  
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Liz Gauffreau · September 7, 2026 - 7:10 am · Reply→

Happy Labor Day, John! I hope people heed your advice not to drink and drive, and that includes drinking and boating, which has also resulted in fatalities in our region.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 12:58 pm · Reply→
  
  Yes, Liz. I hope they do as well. Thanks. 😊
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · September 7, 2026 - 7:21 pm · Reply→
    
    You’re welcome, John.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:53 pm ·
      
      😊
      
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tokragly · September 7, 2026 - 7:12 am · Reply→

I loved your bear cartoon. Pretty true. Only 63 degrees this morning. Fall is the best season in Illinois. Happy Labor Day !!

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1. JFRSr · September 7, 2026 - 9:24 am · Reply→
  
  That TO always posts such compelling and insightful comments…he know dat comment bidness🐳
  
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  1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:02 pm · Reply→
    
    😊
    
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2. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:00 pm · Reply→
  
  Wow. 63. We are looking at 100s for the next seven days. 🤨
  
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Esther Chilton · September 7, 2026 - 7:31 am · Reply→

That’s all you need to say! Happy Labor Day, John.

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Charles Yallowitz · September 7, 2026 - 8:30 am · Reply→

Easy rule to follow if you stay in bed all day.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:01 pm · Reply→
  
  That would be swell, too. 😊
  
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lois · September 7, 2026 - 8:40 am · Reply→

And the white shoes definitely go in the back of the closet! Tiny Tim approves this message.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:02 pm · Reply→
  
  Ha ha ha. Thanks, Lois.
  
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petespringer · September 7, 2026 - 10:25 am · Reply→

Very wise advice 365 days a year.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:03 pm · Reply→
  
  So true, Pete. Thanks. 😊
  
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Tails Around the Ranch · September 7, 2026 - 10:26 am · Reply→

Perfect advice, John. Happy Labor Day to you and the fur kids. We’re actually looking forward to welcoming snow. And the sooner the better!

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:05 pm · Reply→
  
  Seven more days of 100s+ here. 🥵
  
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  1. Tails Around the Ranch · September 7, 2026 - 1:08 pm · Reply→
    
    Awk, I’m sorry and do t envy you at all. Hopefully the temps will start going down next week. We’ve got our fingers crossed for you.
    
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noelleg44 · September 7, 2026 - 11:35 am · Reply→

Good message, John. Labor Day here means a continuation of the horrible heat we’ve had this summer, although today is really nice, a good break. Let it snow!

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:07 pm · Reply→
  
  We are looking at 100s plus for the next seven days.
  
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  1. noelleg44 · September 7, 2026 - 8:08 pm · Reply→
    
    Oh ugh. The girls will have to be inside! With their marshmellows and ????
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 6:58 am ·
      
      Yes, they will. 🤨
      
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T. W. Dittmer · September 7, 2026 - 11:36 am · Reply→

Great advice for Labor Day, John. Have a good day.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:08 pm · Reply→
  
  Have a good one, too, Tim. 😊
  
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  1. T. W. Dittmer · September 7, 2026 - 1:13 pm · Reply→
    
    😊
    
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robertawrites235681907 · September 7, 2026 - 1:21 pm · Reply→

Great advice, John. Have a great day ❤️🤍💙

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 1:49 pm · Reply→
  
  Thank you, Robbie.
  
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  1. robertawrites235681907 · September 8, 2026 - 10:56 am · Reply→
    
    😘
    
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Teri Polen · September 7, 2026 - 3:50 pm · Reply→

Hope the temps cooled off for you, John. We’re only in the upper 80s today – woohoo!

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 4:33 pm · Reply→
  
  We are still in the hundreds and will be for at least seven days
  
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Marie A Bailey · September 7, 2026 - 4:08 pm · Reply→

Best advice ever. Hope you had a great day, John!

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1. Marie A Bailey · September 7, 2026 - 4:08 pm · Reply→
  
  Actually, I hope you are having a great day. I just realized that it’s not over yet 😂
  
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  1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 4:32 pm · Reply→
    
    Just relaxing today. Nothing special.
    
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2. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 4:32 pm · Reply→
  
  Thank you. 😊
  
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Sorryless · September 7, 2026 - 5:17 pm · Reply→

Great work Sheriff.

Hope you’re enjoying your Labor Day.

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 5:47 pm · Reply→
  
  Thank you, Pilgrim. I hope you are enjoying yours.
  
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  1. Sorryless · September 7, 2026 - 5:50 pm · Reply→
    
    Thanks Boss. 🙂
    
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Dale · September 7, 2026 - 6:59 pm · Reply→

I’d have preferred to NOT go into the office but there were a few annoying things to take care of so I drove into town, worked from 9 ish to almost 2 – enough to claim an extra day down the line…

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:52 pm · Reply→
  
  Doesn’t sound like a fun Day. But as you say, down the line may be a better day off.
  
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  1. Dale · September 7, 2026 - 7:55 pm · Reply→
    
    Maybe not, but going in meant tomorrow will be a lot less stressful and hey, that day will go towards more.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:57 pm ·
      
      True enough. 😊
      
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Jennie · September 7, 2026 - 7:15 pm · Reply→

Hear, hear!

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1. John W. Howell · September 7, 2026 - 7:52 pm · Reply→
  
  😊
  
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thomasstigwikman · September 7, 2026 - 11:59 pm · Reply→

That is certainly important advice. About the polar bear cartoon. We had 101 degrees this afternoon. Since I am originally from Sweden I don’t that is cold. Anyway, we had a goo labor day. We had a barbque and rested. I hope you had a good labor day.

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1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 7:06 am · Reply→
  
  We had a good Labor Day. Lots of doing nothing, which is good at times.
  
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  1. thomasstigwikman · September 8, 2026 - 9:08 am · Reply→
    
    Yes you are right
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 12:06 pm ·
      
      😊
      
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Jacqui Murray · September 8, 2026 - 11:38 am · Reply→

I think you hit all the best advice.

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1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 12:14 pm · Reply→
  
  Thank you, Jacqui.
  
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bruce@ssa · September 8, 2026 - 12:21 pm · Reply→

The best advice I’ve seen John. Sounds like you had a nice, quiet, relaxing day. That’s what we pulled off!

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1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 3:03 pm · Reply→
  
  We did relax. Thanks, Bruce.
  
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Andrew Joyce · September 8, 2026 - 2:32 pm · Reply→

This is a test.

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1. John W. Howell · September 8, 2026 - 3:10 pm · Reply→
  
  You passed.
  
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Cindy Georgakas · September 9, 2026 - 1:36 am · Reply→

Oh I just love this, John!!!!!.. so true.. lol

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1. John W. Howell · September 9, 2026 - 7:16 am · Reply→
  
  😊
  
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Ankur Mithal · September 10, 2026 - 10:39 am · Reply→

Touché!

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1. John W. Howell · September 10, 2026 - 1:09 pm · Reply→
  
  *salute*
  
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