Where have I been this week? Out for walks, Huntley Meadows, Dyke Marsh (aka the Swamp), Aldi, Wegmans, Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter, Crystal City, to Vote, Fort Hunt Park, the library, the movie theater, the farmers market.
Who have a talked with? Hmm, Sweet Bear - live a quiet life.
Who have I traded messages with? Mitchell, they are getting settled in, he hopes to have internet access back today.
How am I feeling? Better, the nasty cough is all but gone.
What travel plans have I made this week? Unexpected plans to go to a funeral, soon, and airline tickets to return from Scotland next spring.
What have I been up to in the kitchen? I made potato salad (because I felt like it), a pear tart, baked beans, a saffron rice and chicken casserole, tortellini, an experimental coffee cake,
What did I say "yes" to? I agreed to write a chapter on identity theft for a book on cyber crime that the American Bar Association will publish. Twenty pages that I need to finish by January.
Why did I say "yes"? It is not my favorite topic, but I know enough to do the research and fill in the blanks. I said yes, because I wanted to impose some self discipline on my writing. Kind of like posting a blog post everyday, I did it to commit myself to doing something.
What am I reading? A couple of books on scams and identity theft, then onto some fun reading on reading.
What have I been thinking? How lucky I am to have time to read and think.
What am I thankful for this week? Being able to vote, and I did.
Who made me go, Huhh! this week? The political advertising, a nasty mudslinging election.
What is on my desk? A map of Bruges, one of the Chromebooks, my Kindle, and a mystery novel set in Medina Ohio.
What thought do I want to share? Public service, working to help others in society have a better life, is a noble calling. For most it is not the best paid work, the people who do it as a calling, they do it because they believe in what they are doing, trying to make the world a safer, kinder, healthier place for others. This does not mean they work for free, though the jobs often pay less than for profit entities, the work historically has included good benefits and pensions - something that has been cut in most areas - sadly making it harder for those who believe in the work to make the sacrifice to do good work. The vast majority of persons in public service, are good people, doing good work, often under less than ideal circumstances. There are always a few people, just as there are in the private sector, who are only there to feed their egos and bank accounts. Don't let the handful of evil and corrupt, spoil the good work of the thousands that keep your streets safe, the water flowing, the streets drivable, the schools and libraries open and sharing knowledge, the legal system functioning, food and drugs safe, utilities working. Please don't vote for those who are only there to feed their egos.
I just turned 54 and need glasses already. Under your where have I been, I read the comment as Dyke March instead of Dyke Marsh
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is a march in the marsh.
DeleteComing up for air and wifi momentarily at a cafe. Excellent commentary on public service. The egos can sometimes make it so difficult to remember why you’re there.
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear from you.
DeleteI applaud your response to "What thought do I want to share?" A few years ago, one of my regular trolls kept deriding me and my wife for sponging off the state, insinuating that public service jobs were kind of easy, sheltered from harsh reality. I was a high school English teacher and she was a nurse in public hospitals before becoming a practice nurse in a health centre. Yeah - it was real easy Mr Troll! He has no idea.
ReplyDeleteTeachers should be paid like football players, they make such a big difference in society.
DeleteThat's just awful! Some people are just a waste of otherwise perfectly good carbon. Those are among the toughest jobs on the planet.
Deleteteacher, nurses, two really hard and important jobs.
DeleteThank you for this. As a public servant, I have been the target of jokes and disrespectful assumptions about my job and career my entire adult life. I know the stereotypes of "state workers" but I have seen hardworking folks and lazy spongers in both the public and private sectors. Even though I hate my job, I also continue to do it to the best of my ability because that's what I'm paid to do and the people who rely on me to do my job have the right to expect that kind of service.
ReplyDeleteSassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com/
And you make a difference for businesses and their employees
DeleteGood commentary on the public service!
ReplyDeleteElection time with an anti government candidate, running to lead the government
DeleteBeautiful photo at the top of your post. I love Those trees.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to see Conclave on Friday. I've been hearing good things about it.
It was a good movie.
DeleteOur country would fall apart without all of the people that work in the public service. Thanks for writing about that today.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a bigger glut of political ads as we've seen in Oregon this week. It's like nothing but political ads and I'm sick of it even though I don't live here!
ReplyDelete