Where are all the workers?

 I am sure you have all been told, your order is backordered due the worker shortage, or shipping delays or, (the biggy) Covid restrictions. They can't find people to work? Give me a break! I am sorry but the younger generation needs to realize the world is not obligated to knee down and hand-feed them. And maybe some older generation folks too.

As a young child, for about a year I lived in Alabama with my mother's parents. They lived on a farm and the month of October was harvest time, so I picked cotton, yes, by hand. It was hard, REALLY hard. But that started something inside me, without knowing. I started the figure out, if I work, I make money. I like money thus I must work. At 8 year old I sold newspapers on a corner. At 9 and 10, I delivered Fuller Brush (I just dated myself there) products to homes. At 11 and 12, I delivered the Sunday paper from the back of a station wagon.  I mowed lawns, raked leaves, and when I could drive, I delivered prescriptions and drug store products for a local pharmacy. I had a lot of different jobs as a child. Much like many children at that time. Parents taught us to work hard and better ourselves. I believe parents always wanted us to make our lives better than theirs.

Right now, the country has a shortage of pilots, dock workers, nurses, truck drivers, construction workers, and that list goes on and on. But when it comes to taking the government money, their hands are out.

Being a business owner myself, I hear some of the most ridiculous excuses for people to not accept a job or to quit a good job. Here's just a few.

"I don't have enough cellphone time"  You're WORKING, not talking to the girls!  "The job is too stressful."  Checking in patients? Come on. "There won't be enough gym time for me."  Go to the gym before or after work. "Can I work from home?" That was a car salesperson. I hear one person say, "I quit because I can make more money on unemployment and the stimulus checks." Guess what, the government caught on to that thing. NO MORE STIMULUS CHECKS!

I guess my hard working single Mom instilled in me a heavy work ethic, to work hard, take proud in your work, and make your employer glad they hired you. It use to be, workers stayed in the job for their entire life. Now, the employer would be lucky to have an employee stay in a job for 2 weeks. Even Burger King can't keep employees even start them at $15 an hour. That is probably why you may see a senior citizen in that position. Not necessarily for the money, but to stay busy.

I honestly don't think I could ever stop working. What would I do? Sit around and watch TV? Hell no! I enjoy work, it keeps my brain active, working keeps me moving, and at the end of the day, I can rest and think about what I'll do tomorrow. 

Steve Jobs once said, "Second place is the first loser." I guess if you sat around and let the government checks keep you afloat, you're probably that loser.

I also like what a great singer said, "I've been broke many times, but I have never been poor."  Janis Joplin - 1971

Happy Halloween everyone. I hope this gives all those slackers nightmares. 🎃🎃🎃

Time with Grandchildren

 I think Nancy and I are so blessed to have 7 grandchildren. Four in Phoenix and 3 in Michigan. I love it when they call or stop by (one of them drives over in their parent's UTV) to just talk. Maybe it is because they had a rough day at school, or maybe with their parents, or wanting to fly out to work on a car I am building, or to hang-out with Nancy to learn how to quilt. And when they bring a friend, it is even better. Seems like they like my grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and our snacks, of course. either way, we love it. I want them to think they can discuss ANYTHING with us, without judgement or scolding from us. There are usually questions about our younger days as teens and my military experiences or fire department times. We are very open with them and always will be.

Recently, our oldest (16 soon to be 17 and is already 6'4") grandson and I went to see the latest James Bond movie. I have loved the Bond movies since the first one I saw in 1962 at a theater in downtown Cincinnati as a teenager. I knew then it was staged and things were not really like they portrayed it. This one was no different. But I still like them.

During the movie my grandson would lean over and ask me questions like, "Did you ever shoot anyone in the military?" or  "Didn't you use to ride a motorcycle?" or "Where did you learn to drive and who taught you?  Without disturbing the other movie watchers I'd answer, "NO, YES, MY GRANDFATHER IN ALABAMA ON HIS FARM." I was 14 at the time and he had an old Chevy pickup. It's curious what goes through their minds as they associate movies to real life. And then there are the follow-up questions which can go on for hours. But I love it, I truly do.

Now that they are all 10 years and older, we have sometimes interesting conversations about things that some parents would much rather not discuss, but we do, and we both are very honest and open. Of course their parents are the same since we talked to them at that age the same as we do the grands. We want them to know life is not fair, and it is truly cruel at times. Disappointments, highs and sometimes very low. Nancy and I did not have those discussions with our parents. Unfortunately, we had to learn the hard way. But maybe that made us stronger and wanted to correct that life cycle. And we DO believe in life cycles in families. If a parent is an alcoholic, the chances of the children becoming an alcoholic is higher. You get the picture. 

I have tried to teach our children a few basic rules in life. Obey the 10 Commandments, and in the same frame, place a high respect on God, Country, Family and doing the right thing, whether someone is watching you or not. That came to point a few months ago when at dinner I told them, "I was a Home Depot yesterday and I found a $100 bill on the floor in a deserted aisle, so I took it to the front desk and turned it in."  One of the kids asked, "Why didn't you keep it?" I replied, "It wasn't mine and I didn't earn it." They looked stunned for a while, but got the message.

Lastly, I leave you with these words (which were in the Bond movies 1967 and 2021)  originally written by Jack london in 1916.

"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them." But added, "To enjoy every minute with my grandchildren every chance I get."

Take care and stay safe.

Who impacted your life?

Recently, Nancy and I flew back to the Cincinnati area to visit relatives and reminisce (somewhat) and reflect on our childhood experiences. Nancy reunited with a lady she babysat when she was a teenager. We both drove around areas we visited while in high school and earlier. We both recalled street names and areas but could not remember where the street ran. Thank God for Google. We REALLY enjoyed seeing family and friends, and seeing how much their children have grown.

 While we visited, old images came back to me of friends, teachers and people in my life that impacted me and who I am today. I always thought of me when I was a baby as an empty jar, and each person I met would deposit a grain (or more) of sand into my personality which created who I am. And then I thought who impacted me the most. It probably starts with your parents, and then maybe friends or other relatives, or maybe teachers, or co-workers. It could a certain author, or a celebrity, or a song that rang so true to you. Songs and smells bring back memories to me.

To me, there are a few people that contributed to who I am. I guess the big ones were my parents, and then a few high school teachers. I was not the best student and seemed to be the principal's office often. Not always my fault, and I am sticking to that story. But there a few teachers who came to my rescue and took an interest in me. They suggested different avenues for me to take so I would be more productive in life. Fast forward to me getting on the fire department. Two people really got me on track. Both had an interest in things I thought the department could do to serve the citizens better. Unfortunately both are gone now and I never had the opportunity to tell them how much I appreciated their help and ears to my crazy ideas.

I can not express my appreciation to those who deposited some sand  (no matter how much or little) into my empty jar of personality over my 75 years.  Thank you.

Make sure you thank your most influential people before you can not. It really does impact you both. Take care and be safe.

Friends

Everyone says, "I have many friends." But I think the my real number of GOOD friends I can count on one hand. Good and true friends are hard to come-by and find. I love and respect all those I call 'Friend', but are they TRUE friends? That depends on who you ask.

My definition of a TRUE friend is one you could call on for help at any time, or place, and they would come to help you. The others I call acquaintances. I have friends, and if they called on me, I'd drop everything and come to help. I do try to help anyone and everyone, because when I need help, I hope they would come too.  And I believe some friends, as I see it, as one that come to help when it's convenient. I get that. We all have life situations that get in the way.  I just don't use that word 'FRIEND' about just anyone I chum-around with. 

I love my friends and my acquaintances. In my lifetime (soon to be 75 years), I believe I have had maybe 3 true friends. A few of what I thought were real friends drop me and Nancy for moving or changing jobs or just don't see them as often as we did before. I DON'T get that.  A couple of those friends truly hurt us deeply, and we never knew why we drifted apart.  I just don't know.

This may one of the touchy articles, but I think some people just don't want to discuss with others. I also believe that losing a friend can hurt as bad as losing a loved one. 

Our daughter has a friend, a TRUE friend, which they have been friends since the 4th grade, more than 40 years. I love that. i hope you all have friends that you can say you have been friends for many, many years. Charish that and honor that relationship. It IS like a marriage, and one the honored.

Next week I will not write a blog because I will be traveling, but I wish you all a have healthy and joyous time. take care and stay safe.

Please comment if you wish, negative or positive.