The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

Times, They Are A-Changing

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 On Monday, July 11 another change is coming to my life. After losing my job of 20 years and subsequently being excused from my doctoral program (the University was footing the bill) I’ve spent the last two years working in a local hardware store, a more Pop than Mom operation an hour away from where I live. I’ve worked open to close many times, missed countless lunches, filled in for absences, managed two fleets, a staff of workers, provided customer service on all levels, even IT support and stocked shelves. I am grossly overworked and severely underpaid. But I’ve made lots of friends and have in some way, contributed to the building and beauty of the community. But it’s time to move on. 

I’ve been on a constant job search and now, it’s come along. So I’ll be going into Hotel Management at a location 15 minutes from my house. And the pay is commensurate with the position. I’m actually excited about the room for growth and advancement! Hopefully I’ll be able to recover so much that I’ve lost the last couple of years. 

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