Kowalski Heat Treating Blog - Kowalski Heat Treating

What Monday’s All About

August 29, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

Labor Day weekend marks the perfect pause before the seasons begin to change – a moment to appreciate the dignity of all work and the gift of rest. It’s more than a day off; it’s a national “thank you” to everyone who builds, serves, creates, teaches, grows, drives, heals, and supports our communities each day. Rather than focusing on the struggles of the past, let’s look at what’s good about celebrating Labor Day today – and how we can make the most of the weekend ahead.

Colorful Crayons

August 22, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

Yep, it’s that time of year when the little munchkin’s head off to another exciting school year – some have started already, and some do not go back until after Labor Day. I can remember the excitement I had, seeing old friends, going to a new classroom, finding my seat, and getting to use all of those “new’ back-to-school supplies. One, of course, was a new box of crayons. I’ll bet you can agree – especially the 64 pack with the built-in sharpener!! (never went for the 96 or 120 pack – anyone who has seen my coloring skills would understand!!) There’s something magical about opening a brand-new box of crayons – the waxy scent, the pristine tips, the rainbow of possibility – it’s a small ritual that signals the start of a new school year, full of hope and creativity. I have to admit, using the crayon sharpener was always a bunch of fun, my friends and I would have contests to see who could have the sharpest crayon or biggest pile of shavings (unfortunately for my parents/teachers – the shavings ended up everywhere!) Here’s some fun trivia on crayons in the US, and a cool “how they’re made video. Enjoy, and thanks to Google, Wikipedia, and Smithsonian.com for the info.

Wedding Rice & Rituals

August 15, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

If you’ve been to a few weddings lately, you probably know the flow hasn’t changed much: the march down the aisle, the vows, the rings, the kiss, the grand exit, and then the party, with a few time-honored traditions woven in. One of the most iconic rituals is showering the newlyweds with rice as they make their way down the aisle or into the awaiting vehicle. It’s a festive moment and makes for a great photo. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this tradition comes from? What may seem like a simple gesture is actually rooted in centuries of symbolism. That tiny grain of rice carries big meaning as the practice shows up in different forms across cultures and eras. Here’s some info on how rice-throwing became a wedding classic, and why grain-tossing rituals have endured through the centuries, and some other traditions around the ceremony. Enjoy, and thanks to Google, YouTube, whitehousehistory.org, brides.com for the info. Enjoy!