Diney's Movin' On

On Friday, September 24th, my co-window clerk for the past six years worked her last day beside me at the Rushville Post Office. Diana Rose, aka Diney, became the victim of the economic times our nation is enduring and became "excessed" out of her full time job at our office and reassigned as a CSBCS machine operator at the Columbus, Indiana mail processing facility.

Good news has prevailed, however, and before Diney reported for her first shift on midnights at the facility, she was detailed to become officer in charge at the Carthage Post Office, which is six miles north of where I live. Although the assignment is indefinite, I'm hoping with her work ethic that she will end up becoming Postmaster at Carthage sometime in the future. She would be absolutely perfect for the job.

It was emotional in our office Friday as we gathered to say goodbye to Diney and to wish her well. A few of us shared stories of her and talked about how much has happened in her life over the past sixteen years that she has worked at our office all together.

She has raised three children and seen them all graduate high school, she has become a grandmother not once, but twice, she has lost her first husband to a massive coronary and she has remarried to a great guy who has made a wonderful addition to her life.

After she came back from lunch Friday, a co worker of ours, Al Baker, gave her a final farewell gift and shrink wrapped her van. Yeah, the whole van, folks. In our office we do tend to joke around and such, and this was Al's final practical joke on Diney, which she didn't discover had happened until after she clocked out and headed out the back door.

Diney, we all love you and we all miss you already, and will for a long time to come. Best wishes as you move on up in your postal career.

Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah

Such a great talent, such a great songwriter. Hope you take a few moments and watch this amazing performance by this awesome singer-songwriter.

Golden Years?

Went in for routine bloodwork at the family doc's last week and had my usual joking around session with the doctor. Because of meds I take, I have to go in every 3 months or so and have bloodwork done to make sure the liver and kidneys are okay, and while so far most things have gone well, last Thursday led to some interesting findings.

I got a call from his nurse Friday and found out that once again, my hemoglobin count is down. This seems to run a cycle every 6 to 8 months or so, and apparently, once again the cycle is in the negative realm.

That wasn't the big find, however.

I also found out that I have high amount of uric acid in my blood, which can lead to all kinds of wonderful things, like kidney stones(a phobia of mine) and also gout. Considering the pain my feet have been in since May of this year, I would say that yes indeed, I do have gout.

So, with a new script to try and lower those levels in my blood, and a new script for arthritis, I hopefully am on the mending road once again.

Ah, the benefits of getting older.

Hover

Confusion, for some
An epitaph.
For others
An occasional and wayward
Feeling.

For me,
A constant.

Lack of understanding
Not knowing
And never finding out why.

Laughing without much effort,
Without true reason,
Failing to comprehend this
As my reward.

How many more years?
How many more tears?
How many more occasions
To feel the anger and the questions
Which forever go unanswered?

Is this my reward?

Huh?

And without any word of warning at all, life goes on.

Home Made Gun Powder

This one really needs no explanation, other than maybe two words:

Dumb ass!

Fall Vacation Approacheth

As I write this, approximately three and half weeks are between me and my fall vacation, which is my favorite vacation of the year. There are several reasons why I love this vacation the most.

Number one, it's my favorite season of the year, and it never lasts long enough.

Number two, it's a two week vacation.

Number three, my much better half and I become pretty much inseparable during this two week time off from work.

We will be spending one night at Sybaris, and if there are any of my Faithful Few out there who don't know what Sybaris is, let's just say it has been voted the most romantic getaway in the United States.

Each suite is its own building. Depending on which suite you get, there are different things in the different types of suites. The one we love to stay in, which is the Paradise Swimming Pool Suite, we have our own killer stereo system, his and her sinks, a kitchenette, full bath with bidet, our own hottub, steam room and swimming pool, which is heated to 94 degrees.

That pool has a waterfall over it, the suite comes with a bottle of champagne on ice sitting next to the huge king size bed and two glasses, twin terry cloth robes on the bed and a telephone that only calls the front desk. It is a total escape from reality, which I think every couple needs to do every once in a while, and Peggy and I usually take this special trip each October.

If you would like to see more of this remarkable place, check it out at www.sybaris.com. You won't believe such a place exists just an hour or so away from us.

I'm also hoping to take us both to the Slippery Noodle for a night of good food, good music and great live blues. If Peggy enjoys it enough that first week, we'll probably go back the second week as well.

We will be doing some mini day trips around the state to visit some of our favorite fall places, but most of all, we will be sharing this entire time together.

Now, if the next three and a half weeks will just get by quickly and those two weeks of vacation take their time going by.

Also this year, Peggy and I will be discussing my future with the Post Office and if indeed I will retire before this year ends. I hope the good Lord shows me a way to make this happen, because even though my job still means the world to me, I truly think there are things happening in my life right now that are telling me it's probably time to bring this career of mine to an end.

So, come on calendar, and let's get to October already, PLEASE???

Summer of '42

One of my favorite movies from the early 70's is Summer of '42. I'm staying up late watching it, simply because I love everything about this movie. The time, the theme and the innocence.

Such a great movie, some really cool lines, and a surprise you never see coming until it happens. The narration in the movie, especially at the end is totally unforgettable.

I remember seeing this movie for the first time 39 years ago and the effect it had on me. Watching it tonight seems no different than the first time.

What a great movie.

If you've never seen it, make it a point to.

"For each thing we take with us in this life, there is something we must leave behind."

Indeed!

Dueling Banjos Deliverance

For some very laughable reasons, this song just seems very appropriate right now.

Oh, and don't forget to turn off the jukebox to the right or you'll be hearing two songs at the same time!!

Not The End Of A Season, But The Beginning Of A New One

So many people look at Labor Day weekend as the end of summer and become quite melancholy over it. I don't look at it as a sad time at all, but as the beginning of the Fall season, which to me, is a reason to celebrate.

Autumn is mine and Peggy's favorite season of the year, and with the bright sunny days with their cooler temperatures, it's a time to get out and enjoy without being miserable from the heat.

As we go into Labor Day weekend, we go into it knowing we will be spending three days of quality time together, doing things we enjoy doing together. We are preparing to go outside and get some work done that got put off this hot summer season, mainly due to our involvement with the Summer Concert Series.

This weekend we will be power washing our fence, getting some yardwork done, grilling out, sharing a few drinks around the firepit and simply enjoying each other's company. We will watch the Nascar race Sunday night, something we enjoy watching together, and we will be sharing a bottle of almond champagne as we do so, followed by some tender moments of relaxation in the hottub.

Temps in the 70's should make this even more enjoyable, but most of all, we will be spending this time together, and sharing all these moments, both the work and the play, with each other.

What better way to end the summer?

And what better picture to head this entry with than a picture from our first concert of the season at Riverside with my good friend Rick?

Enjoy the weekend, Faithful Few, and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones as we usher in the greatest season of weather of the year.

Happy Labor Day, and Happy Autumn to you all!