DOOR GYPSIES I'm all for other-abled or workers' comp folks staying gainfully employed, but have you ever interacted with the Meijer greeters? Pre-requisites include ability to say "welcome" and "have a good day" ad nauseum with the proper amount of enthusiasm and delight for each customer. As they are also stationed at the door, being able to withstand cold and hot blasts from nature as necessary. Ability to overlook rude, cranky and small children without rancor. The ones at our store appear to be possibly of a religious persuasion based upon the number wearing head coverings, or maybe that's the environment. Ability to jockey a wheelchair effectively a plus, though often I see the chair empty denoting a possible miracle or bathroom break sans (without) chair.
Perhaps they are there for another reason-security perhaps? I had hit the pharmacy and then realized I needed to shop a bit necessitating a basket. As the baskets/carts are in front of the "greeter-secret police" wheelchair gypsies I wondered if I would be called out about my unpaid items in paw. I made eye contact-bad/good idea with the gestapo. "You looking at me" or "What, you afraid to look at me" dilemma. No one cared. So again, not sure their ultimate purpose as I don't see the point of someone interrupting my get-in-get-out with minimum fuss philosophy.
MEMORY Catching a news story about new and improved heart attack treatment techniques at a local hospital took me back to my first aid training days. Apparently, in CPR we don't emphasize breathing support as much anymore on a pulseless victim, just chest compressions. It seems easier to get folks to do something, and chest compressions are easier to administer (not really) unless it's a drowning, drug overdose or an infant. We used to practice pole top rescue. Yes, just what you'd think-someone getting zapped with 17.6k on a utility pole. After cutting the circuit we would hang a "live volunteer" from his gear, and the second line worker would spike on up and administer a precordial thump! A smart smack to the middle of the chest. One, most electrocutions stop the heart cold (best kind if you have to have a heart stoppage) and a quick hard thump "may" bring it back. Second, kind of hard to do CPR hanging from harnesses on a pole. Consider my horror watching the action using live people. I suggested to management we buy a CPR dummy. As usual I took the fun out of the activity and seniors no longer got to torment the fresh meat. So next time you have a beef with the utility company who suddenly killed the juice during your latest Minecraft adventure contemplate that your neighborhood worker might be experiencing a really bad day.
CONTRACTION DISTRACTION The "old man" (founder and owner of our original roofer) showed up to review the dueling opinions on the roof. He didn't trash anyone...much...but he did say we need some work done. What was surprising is he believed what they put up originally should have survived as long as the rest of the roof as he tends to use materials of a better grade. Watching the 70+ dude cavorting on my roof like a mountain goat and bending over to take pictures almost stopped my heart. At any rate, some work needs to be done, and he will try to make it as painless, economically, as possible as he believes its only right. How refreshing. Meanwhile the "other" roofer who mysteriously found multiple problems (not) have not billed me for putting the extra board up which started the whole mess to begin with so we shall see.
Teaching FA/CPR classes at the Red Cross for out-of-state construction workers were always an adventure. It is a MIOSHA rule that someone on the crew had to know FA/CPR. Classes were mostly attended by gentlemen who did not want to be there, and their grumpy comments were eye-opening to say the least. Poor Resuci-Anne was much abused in practice, or these guys had been away from home too long. Thank goodness she was not equipped with auditory abilities. At least it took the heat off as they were always polite to me which makes sense as I was the one giving them the pass/fail grade.
WHILE THEY STILL HAVE IT On a positive note, my IRS refund came back in four days proving I didn't mess up too badly with my software program. Of course, they have seven years to "gotcha" or change the rules but since they fired most of the staff I don't imagine most of us have to worry for a while. Though considering this obscene war begun by marmie because "he had a feeling" is sucking us dry in casualties, and expense, I would recommend you get your forms in early.
THE PURGE BEGINS?? Borrowing from my favorite columnist Celia, "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" Justice for Cricket. One down and many, many more to go. Killing people and spending too much money, hanking and panking with the staff and screwing up the entire department was fine. But when she tried to blame the bosss... well that is one red line you do not cross.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAT An early shout-out to my big sis who is celebrating her latest trip around the sun on the 9th. We've known each other forrreevver obviously. She always did everything first, but by the time my older brother and she aggravated my parents enough I got away with everything - LOL. One time I beat her, as I was one of those desperate to drive, was when I got my license first at 16. Which of course prompted her to get hers at the ripe old age of 17?
Peace out/Stay Strong/Love your Neighbor/Have some Cake 💚 💙💛










