There were layoffs at work today. A couple of people in production and one Project Manager from upstairs. I am concerned as I am the newest person there. We all knew it was coming, what company doesn't know that at this time in the world, more people will become jobless. And that the economy is not going to help them get new jobs.
There are usually 4 shifts in the printing area. In good times, we run 7 days a week. But it is not good times and we are a large rather prestigious company with expenses. They have modified the schedules down to two sections.
One of the layoffs was a guy that has been working here for 20+ years. He lives in the same home his parents owned, he has never had children or even a dog. And part of the reason is that he has epilepsy that becomes more and more difficult to manage with medication. He is a slow, methodical sort of guy, but he has the sweetest smile you could see. I don't know what he is going to do without a job as to others he may seem a tad "slow".
Another is George. He works in the shipping area or where ever he is needed. Shipping is a pretty important part of our business. We print and then ship the product for our clients. George is probably close to 60 years of age. What is he going to do?
The last one I will mention is Heidi. She has been a project manager for this company for a year. She has two boys and is in a rather protected status trying to stay away from her abusive ex husband. There are no prospects in this industry as everyone is hurting. From the paper companies, the ad companies, the printing companies, all of them. Our sales force (working on commission only) is pounding the streets like crazy for leads. The layoffs put pressure on them as they feel it is their fault. So this is personal. It isn't joe blow in the back that we see once a year that is leaving. These are good people who have become friends over the past 4 months.
Now, we get to me. The newest person in the company, I only work part time, I do not get vacation or medical either. I have offered to cut back an hour each day if there is a schedule change. Small help, but I want to keep this job.
I know this all is disjointed and poorly written, but it has been a very sad day. It has hit home now, as it will for thousands of people. And I almost feel guilty for being one of the people that still has their job. And we all feel helpless at this point because the owner who is a wonderful man would not have done this without having great agony over the decisions.
Hopefully things will get better. Hopefully these people will come back. Hopefully I will still have a job come Monday.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Reamus
Because I am unable to post on that sight. I will post here.
It was an incredibly beautiful blog. I can almost smell the Mississippi mud.
This is an area of U.S. history that I did not know about and will have to do some research. The Civil War, though fought many years ago, is still a bit of a ghost to this country.
My home town is on the Mississippi. Another connection.
Thanks Reamus. If you ever publish a book on your travels, I want a signed copy!
It was an incredibly beautiful blog. I can almost smell the Mississippi mud.
This is an area of U.S. history that I did not know about and will have to do some research. The Civil War, though fought many years ago, is still a bit of a ghost to this country.
My home town is on the Mississippi. Another connection.
Thanks Reamus. If you ever publish a book on your travels, I want a signed copy!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lost Boys
Next week brings an incredible change to our country. Yes, many will say we were duped with messages that promised hope and the ability for each of us to change our world. Hope to me is that small green growing thing inside each and everyone of us, a personal spring. If we water it, and treat it kindly, who knows what it will become.
One of my "lost boys" just turned 21 years of age. As his "other mother", I attended this birthday party as a celebration of what this young man has become. When he first came to me, he was troubled, and in trouble. Problems at home, beyond his control, had semi shattered his life. And he was lost.
We were fortunate to have some input into this young man's life. We fed him, gave him a bed, made him do his homework, but he himself was hopeful that things would get better. And they did. I am proud of this young man. I might have put food in his belly and scolded him a time or two, but the hope was his own.
Mark is in the National Guard, a good fit for a still growing young man. It saddened me when he went to Iraq. He has a very sensitive soul and I am still a bit worried about his experiences there. But he is in school now, and working full time. And taking care of himself.
Mark got news the other day that he was heading to DC as part of the inaugural security force. He was very excited to be part of such a historical celebration.
I told him to make sure he wore long underwear, and wool socks. And I told him he was a lucky little bastard. The interesting thing is he called us first. Before his own parents.
Ah Marky. Do us proud. Stand straight, be kind, and hopefully you will see our new president in the distance.
And have fun! You are now 21 with all the rights and privileges. And I have hope for you, as I do for all.
Here is to a better future for us all, and for Mark and my own children. They are just coming into the world and we need to make them a green growing future.
One of my "lost boys" just turned 21 years of age. As his "other mother", I attended this birthday party as a celebration of what this young man has become. When he first came to me, he was troubled, and in trouble. Problems at home, beyond his control, had semi shattered his life. And he was lost.
We were fortunate to have some input into this young man's life. We fed him, gave him a bed, made him do his homework, but he himself was hopeful that things would get better. And they did. I am proud of this young man. I might have put food in his belly and scolded him a time or two, but the hope was his own.
Mark is in the National Guard, a good fit for a still growing young man. It saddened me when he went to Iraq. He has a very sensitive soul and I am still a bit worried about his experiences there. But he is in school now, and working full time. And taking care of himself.
Mark got news the other day that he was heading to DC as part of the inaugural security force. He was very excited to be part of such a historical celebration.
I told him to make sure he wore long underwear, and wool socks. And I told him he was a lucky little bastard. The interesting thing is he called us first. Before his own parents.
Ah Marky. Do us proud. Stand straight, be kind, and hopefully you will see our new president in the distance.
And have fun! You are now 21 with all the rights and privileges. And I have hope for you, as I do for all.
Here is to a better future for us all, and for Mark and my own children. They are just coming into the world and we need to make them a green growing future.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Baby its cold outside
Snow snow and more of the stuff. I have been home for almost 4 days, hardly leaving the shelter of the house for more than an hour or two. I am beginning to get cabin fever, but know that I will be going back to work tomorrow.
I wonder when our view of winter changes in our lives. As kids, we loved the stuff, staying out until all our fingers and toes were numb. We built igloos by heaping snow, and then alternating water and snow to build up the mass. I, being claustrophobic, didn't like actually getting in the things once we hollowed them out, but it was fun to build them.
Living on a lake most of my childhood and teens, we would clear off the ice and make a skating rink. We only had these old hockey skates, but we had a blast. Once again the only way we would come in was to be so numb we could hardly walk.
My brother used to trap muskrat in those days. One time he brought them in and left them on the basement woodpile to thaw. I used to hide down there, trying to find quiet and peace from a family of 8 children and two adults. Imagine my surprise when one of the muskrats thawed out and ran all over the wood pile. It was weeks before I could go back down there without listening for the scritch scratch noises.
I also went to a one room country school for the first 5 years of grade school. We used to walk quite a distance, rain or shine, warm or freezing, to get there. The cold never seemed to bother us, the way it does now.
So, I stay in the house as much as possible. If it wasn't for the fact that I HAVE to go out, I would stay put until spring, pasty white and rather like a gollum (sp?) sneaking about.
Here's to spring. May she come very soon.
I wonder when our view of winter changes in our lives. As kids, we loved the stuff, staying out until all our fingers and toes were numb. We built igloos by heaping snow, and then alternating water and snow to build up the mass. I, being claustrophobic, didn't like actually getting in the things once we hollowed them out, but it was fun to build them.
Living on a lake most of my childhood and teens, we would clear off the ice and make a skating rink. We only had these old hockey skates, but we had a blast. Once again the only way we would come in was to be so numb we could hardly walk.
My brother used to trap muskrat in those days. One time he brought them in and left them on the basement woodpile to thaw. I used to hide down there, trying to find quiet and peace from a family of 8 children and two adults. Imagine my surprise when one of the muskrats thawed out and ran all over the wood pile. It was weeks before I could go back down there without listening for the scritch scratch noises.
I also went to a one room country school for the first 5 years of grade school. We used to walk quite a distance, rain or shine, warm or freezing, to get there. The cold never seemed to bother us, the way it does now.
So, I stay in the house as much as possible. If it wasn't for the fact that I HAVE to go out, I would stay put until spring, pasty white and rather like a gollum (sp?) sneaking about.
Here's to spring. May she come very soon.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years Day 2009
Stayed up last night until well after Midnight. Pip (husband Phil who has met all great expectations) and I got a little blotto, danced the evening away, and woke up after 10 a.m. We never wake up this late! I am always up by at least 5 a.m. and Pip a little after.
So we are dragging a bit today. I do not remember the last time I had a full bore hangover, and I don't want to remember this one either. It was fun though, and I would do it again without so much "dog".
I wish everyone a very happy New Year. And my hopes that it proves to be a much better one for all than 2008.
So we are dragging a bit today. I do not remember the last time I had a full bore hangover, and I don't want to remember this one either. It was fun though, and I would do it again without so much "dog".
I wish everyone a very happy New Year. And my hopes that it proves to be a much better one for all than 2008.
The Aitkin Fish House Parade
I grew up in a small town called Aitkin. I could go into the history of the place: The man named Aitkin that ran the Company fur trading post, the fact that the area was originally a huge glacier lake that over time created hundreds of smaller lakes which makes this area a haven for fishing, summer tourists, etc..
About 7 miles south of Aitkin in an area once called Hickory Hill, my great grandfather, supposedly using his civil war pay off, came out from Somerset Wisconsin and bought this land. My grandfather and two other brothers had farms here. In the winter they could stand out side and shout at each other, the clear air carrying the sound. In spring, one would shout the french version of "the sap is running" and everyone would scurry out into the woods to "pick" sap.
I remember having huge outdoor picnics at my grandfather's sugar bush, to celebrate the end of the maple syrup season. Each of us would have our own miniature canoe paddle to dip into the boiling kettle, and then lick it off once the sticky syrup would cool. There would always be several types of dill pickles to eat to cut the sweet once you got sick of it. Then you could start all over. This final batch would be boiled down to make maple sugar candy. We still do this although the method of boiling the sap down has become more commercial and not many have time to spend doing this. It definitely is time consuming and not something you can just do on weekends. My cousin sells his syrup in grocery stores. It is good, but I miss that smoky taste of the old open kettle boiled syrup. And to eat the stuff you buy at the grocery store is like eating soy meat to me.
So, what do you do in the beginning of winter here, when there is no snow on the ground to snowmobile (which I actually hate because I think it tears up the country side too much), and the lakes aren't frozen so you can't ice fish? You have a fish house parade.
The Aitkin Fish House Parade is the Friday after Thanksgiving. Everyone for miles around flocks to town for the festivities. ( those of us who are more like summer people come up for the day). There are Chili cook offs at the American Legion, music, specials at most of the stores, in short there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The winter fashionistas are on parade too, with their sorrel boots, fur bomber hats, thick gloves, and winter coveralls.
I will warn you that this is not Macy's Holiday Parade. This is just down home clean fun. Even when they threw out the Mardi Gras beads, no one flashed. Could be because it was pretty cold and this is a churchy sort of town. This parade has been televised all over the globe at one time or another. So in this part of the world, it is famous.
Here are some pictures:
Once the festivities have ended, we wander until 5 p.m. because the local bank is serving free stew at the Legion. While we wait, we visit our family plot at the cemetery. There are two here, one across from the other. One is Catholic, and the other is all the other Christian religions. Silly, but that is how they did things in those days. Our family originally had it's private cemetery, complete with day old infants. When a new priest came into town, he balked at having to travel all over the county for funerals, so insisted all existing graves were moved into town. Our section is old as you can see by the photos below.
I go sometimes in early in the morning when everyone else is asleep. My grandparents: Henri and Florida are buried here, as is my father and some cousins. I sneak a bottle of my husband's beer, I try to keep the plaques tidy and cleared, and then I split that beer between my father and grandfather. Crazy? Well it gives me some comfort and some connection to these two that have gone before me. I have a rich French Canadian history that was nurtured by my grandparents and I hope to pass some of that on to my children.
Back to the Legion for stew. I snuck an extra piece of cake. It was delicious.
The long drive home (2 hours) gives me time to reflect, morn a little, and laugh at the day.
I can not wait till spring comes so that I can return to my little cabin on the prairie
About 7 miles south of Aitkin in an area once called Hickory Hill, my great grandfather, supposedly using his civil war pay off, came out from Somerset Wisconsin and bought this land. My grandfather and two other brothers had farms here. In the winter they could stand out side and shout at each other, the clear air carrying the sound. In spring, one would shout the french version of "the sap is running" and everyone would scurry out into the woods to "pick" sap.
I remember having huge outdoor picnics at my grandfather's sugar bush, to celebrate the end of the maple syrup season. Each of us would have our own miniature canoe paddle to dip into the boiling kettle, and then lick it off once the sticky syrup would cool. There would always be several types of dill pickles to eat to cut the sweet once you got sick of it. Then you could start all over. This final batch would be boiled down to make maple sugar candy. We still do this although the method of boiling the sap down has become more commercial and not many have time to spend doing this. It definitely is time consuming and not something you can just do on weekends. My cousin sells his syrup in grocery stores. It is good, but I miss that smoky taste of the old open kettle boiled syrup. And to eat the stuff you buy at the grocery store is like eating soy meat to me.
So, what do you do in the beginning of winter here, when there is no snow on the ground to snowmobile (which I actually hate because I think it tears up the country side too much), and the lakes aren't frozen so you can't ice fish? You have a fish house parade.
The Aitkin Fish House Parade is the Friday after Thanksgiving. Everyone for miles around flocks to town for the festivities. ( those of us who are more like summer people come up for the day). There are Chili cook offs at the American Legion, music, specials at most of the stores, in short there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The winter fashionistas are on parade too, with their sorrel boots, fur bomber hats, thick gloves, and winter coveralls.
I will warn you that this is not Macy's Holiday Parade. This is just down home clean fun. Even when they threw out the Mardi Gras beads, no one flashed. Could be because it was pretty cold and this is a churchy sort of town. This parade has been televised all over the globe at one time or another. So in this part of the world, it is famous.
Here are some pictures:
Once the festivities have ended, we wander until 5 p.m. because the local bank is serving free stew at the Legion. While we wait, we visit our family plot at the cemetery. There are two here, one across from the other. One is Catholic, and the other is all the other Christian religions. Silly, but that is how they did things in those days. Our family originally had it's private cemetery, complete with day old infants. When a new priest came into town, he balked at having to travel all over the county for funerals, so insisted all existing graves were moved into town. Our section is old as you can see by the photos below.
I go sometimes in early in the morning when everyone else is asleep. My grandparents: Henri and Florida are buried here, as is my father and some cousins. I sneak a bottle of my husband's beer, I try to keep the plaques tidy and cleared, and then I split that beer between my father and grandfather. Crazy? Well it gives me some comfort and some connection to these two that have gone before me. I have a rich French Canadian history that was nurtured by my grandparents and I hope to pass some of that on to my children.
Back to the Legion for stew. I snuck an extra piece of cake. It was delicious.
The long drive home (2 hours) gives me time to reflect, morn a little, and laugh at the day.
I can not wait till spring comes so that I can return to my little cabin on the prairie
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