HODGE PODGE (June 7/137 or not)

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHERS We have been closely monitoring the happenings across the street. Hell, retired folks enjoy any change of routine-hence the binocs on the windowsill. Which reminds me, always be nice to the old fogies in the neighborhood. They are a better alarm system than your Doberman.  Two semi-truck sized trucks, one large trailer and two cars from across the street were loaded for the last time, we hope after 15 years of no activity. All headed north to Marquette at 5:00 pm. Hard to believe they were making that 5-6 hour trip in the wee hours though the bridge is less crowded at midnight I suppose. 

Equally fascinating is the roofing project over there. At this point it has been going on for ten days and no end in sight. On purpose? Or perhaps it's the geriatric roofers who tend to show up at about 9 and work until about 3 or so. Just guessing the age from the amount of snow of top of the two, sometimes three slow-moving workers. I know what it's like to slow down in the afternoon if I stop doing physical chores. After a couple days of power washing (mostly the OH, I just pitched when he needed a break) and painting at the lake and the usual Sunday housework, laundry, 8 to 9 miles of walking and my latest yoga session, I was done for the day at 3:30 myself. The fatal mistake is taking a break which then lasts well into the evening. At some point I will feel old enough not to feel guilty I suppose. As for the "mature" roofers I understand. I still believe I can climb the ladder to the roof, just not right now and that's ok. 

THE TRUTH So the judge says something like "So if he can bulldoze the Stature of Liberty before anyone files a suit he can get away with it. Is that your argument?" Which is pretty much what rumpiestilkin's lawyers admitted when they claimed the lawsuit filed against demolition of the east wing and rose garden and south lawn had no standing as it was already done. Like he needs any other stupid ideas. 

GARDEN KNOWNS As we water and burp the new landscaping, we are rewarded with budding roses and new grass growing in what can only be described as a typical male pattern baldness fashion. Little sprouts here and there in no particular order. My daily task is to ruthlessly pull any errant weeds that dare to sully my pristine mulch. Although the relentless chive forest is making some tentative forays into the backyard landscape. Some hiding under the prone drainpipe-crafty little buggers.  My lime marmalade (Heuchera) "lettuce" leaves are starting to grow into full heads. They looked so fragile but give them a little water and sun and a yellow explosion ensues. So red roses, pink salvia, merry little holly berries and my yellow limes are starting to look intentional. The backyard is finished with tomato plants thriving, deck washed and windchimes hung from the pergola with care. 

                                                                                            

                                                                

LATEST PODDIE I was able to get my July program recorded last week so all good. It was about violence in the workplace with a gentleman I have worked with for many years when at MIOSHA and the Safety Conference. He started this work in the '90's when the Dearborn Post Office massacre occurred and the phrase "going postal" was coined. We have all seen how that has escalated since then. I asked what the factors were, besides the shooter not getting the promotion he wanted. My brother worked there and mentioned the horrible working conditions and tone-deaf management. Management's M.O.  with Union complaints was to always escalate cases to arbitration which wiped out their budget pretty quickly-with no resolution but to give up. My brother was the "unknown" postal worker who was interviewed by the local news about their tactics. My interviewee explained that automation was becoming a big part of the USPS at the time and as usual, management was not great on explaining the impact. 

ON TRACK As if I don't have enough nagging in my life I wear one of those tracker watches. Every hour it recommends I get my ass in gear and take 100 to a million steps. This is a good thing for my bionic hip and gets me away from the laptop. Actually, I'm doing pretty good as I have just come from the eye doctor and my pupils are the size of saucers at the moment. We go through this routine every year where the Doc humorously gives me a prescription and then kills it by saying, "if I could see that well without contacts, I wouldn't bother either." Nailed it! Or was it a cognitive test? Which begs the question would one know if they had dementia if they had dementia?

Anyway, I had a point in the last paragraph when I started. When I get those move your butt messages sometimes, I am not in a position to jump and run-like on a plane, in a meeting, on the commode. The watch is so dumb any left arm movement will do so I start waving my arm like a windmill, demented bird or a spouting fountain. It doesn't know my feet ain't dancing at the same time so it is satisfied and shuts up. Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet 💚