A Bob's Life: Monday Musings

Monday, September 1, 2025

Monday Musings - Labor Day 2025

1. Welcome September--it is the first Monday of there ninth month of the year. Whew! We made it this far. There are 17 Mondays remaining in the year.

2. Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. "Labor Day" was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. Wikipedia

House under construction
Tequesta, FL
August 31, 2025

3. I find it very interesting to monitor the progress of houses being constructed along my bike routes. There are multiple houses being constructed. All of them are being constructed on lots where existing homes were razed. Watching the process from demolition to completion is fascinating and I am also amazed at how long it takes to get to completion and occupancy. This is not a quick process.

4. I managed a 19-mile ride yesterday. It got a bit warm towards the end, but despite my ride, I still closed out August with less than 100 miles ridden. It was one of my worst months since I've been keeping records. The most significant thing about the ride, however, was that I passed 6,000 miles ridden since buying my bike during February 2022.

5. The biggest threat to our Republic may be residing in the White House. International ineptitude coupled with domestic ineffectiveness all he has to show for his efforts. The president is more concerned about retribution than he is actually accomplishing something positive for the American people. His disdain for renewable energy sources is one area where his actions are increasing costs for American families. Tariffs are another. The downward spiral may be happening too fast to correct.

6. Today in History. On September 1, 1972, in what’s billed as the “Match of the Century,” American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer defeats Russian Boris Spassky during the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland.

In the world’s most publicized title match ever played, Fischer, a 29-year-old Brooklynite, became the first American to win the competition since its inception in 1866. The victory also marked the first time a non-Russian had won the event in 24 years.
Fischer, who started playing chess professionally at age 8, won the U.S. Open Championship when he was 14 (he would go on to win it seven more times) and became the world’s youngest international grandmaster at age 15.
Fischer’s skills and age—and demanding, arrogant attitude—made him a pop culture phenomenon. He became the subject of books and movies and even inspired a song, “The Ballad of Bobby Fischer.”