Presidents’ Day is an occasion to sell cars both new and used; it is little more. In fact: It is less. It provides yet another long weekend as it is always on Monday. It fails to connect us to any former president. President’s Monday occurs in some proximity to George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s natal dates. It has nothing to do with either man — although their images are used to sell cars.

“Having bought the colours, an easel, and a canvas, the next step was to begin. But what a step to take! The palette gleamed with beads of colour; fair and white rose the canvas; the empty brush hung poised, heavy with destiny, irresolute in the air. My hand seemed arrested by a silent veto. But after all the sky on this occasion was unquestionably blue, and a pale blue at that. There could be no doubt that blue paint mixed with white should be put on the top part of the canvas. One really does not need to have had an artist’s training to see that. It is a starting-point open to all. So very gingerly I mixed a little blue paint on the palette with a very small brush, and then with infinite precaution made a mark about as big as a bean upon the affronted snow-white shield.”

Winston Churchill

OK. I’ve begun.