LATE WITH MY WEDNESDAY BLOG

But it is still Wednesday, so here goes. Been busy counting people. Enumerator job is tougher than I thought. I thought all government jobs were supposed to be easy. This one is not easy. It is difficult to find addresses. It is difficult to find people at home. It is difficult to fill out a form while standing on someone's porch. It is difficult to convince some people to answer questions from the government. Other than those difficulties, I am finding it to be an interesting job. I am surprised and saddened to find so many poor people living around my area. The homes out in the back country are very basic and in poor condition. I am finding that many people in Michigan are either not educated or poorly educated. I think this came about because of the auto industry. It used to be easy to get a well paid job without much education. That is no longer true so we have a bunch of unemployed people with minimum education. Consequently, the recession has hit Michigan harder than any other State. When you are poor and undereducated, you could care less about the census. More than half of the people in my area did not mail in their census form. The non-response people are the ones I am calling on. I still have a large amount of work to do.


I took this afternoon off to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Lots of tacos and Mexican beer. Now, more than ever, I realize how lucky I am. I am celebrating that, as well.

U. S. CENSUS BUREAU ENUMERATOR SCHOOL

Yesterday, I spent 8 hours learning how to fill out U.S. Government form D-308, Daily Pay and Work Record. Only Capital letters, printed inside blocks, can be used. The times of day are written in hours and minutes but hours worked have to be written in hours and percentage of hours. Proper task code and operation name and office code must be used or you don't get paid. I have to sign a certification (under penalty of imprisonment if it is wrong) and then get my supervisor's certification. Of course, the form is in duplicate and if you make a mistake it cannot be corrected; you have to start over. Basically, I was paid $128.00 to learn how to complete the form necessary for me to be paid $128.00. So, I am off to an exciting start. Can't wait to see what us enumerators learn, tomorrow.  I am becoming a U. S. Census Bureau NRFU/ENUMERATOR. The Government has an acronym for everything. NRFU stands for NonResponse FollowUp. My position is highly specialized and temporary. As soon as everyone has been counted, my job is over. I hope I can count on you!


Another sure sign of spring has arrived from Brazil. The Purple Martins moved into my bird house this morning. Every year they migrate from the rain forest in Brazil to Devils Lake. Truly amazing!

EULOGY FOR A FRIEND

Hobbs has ceased to be, breathed his last, rests in peace, gone to meet the Great Cat in the sky. How sad it is that one of such kindness and intelligence has been taken from us. He was not a pet. We were his people. He was imperious but not a bully. He was a teacher of great patience. In fact, we learned so much from Hobbs; we called him the “brains of the outfit”. When my wife and I had a problem communicating, we would talk to Hobbs and he would relay the message. If we were stressed out, Hobbs would sit on our lap and purr when we petted him. He was a wonderful listener who kept us mentally healthy.

On the lighter side, Hobbs was playful and had a good sense of humor. We were entertained by his unusual habits. When it was bedtime, he would hide so that I could not find him. Then, about 3:00 in the morning, he would stand on my chest and stare at me until I woke up and let him out. He was also famous for taking all the best chairs in the house.  He taught me how to take a daily nap, which I found to be a really good thing. We loved to take executive naps together. I am sure it made us have a more productive day. He loved all humans but kept children at a respectable distance from him and a means of escape.

Of all the 6 cats we have had, Hobbs stands out as the very best. Nancy and I are both in mourning. About 5 years ago, Hobbs disappeared for a month. We missed him terribly. Then, he miraculously showed up again and we had a joyous reunion. This time, his 9 lives have been used up and he won’t be back. We are thankful for the 17 years he was with us. He was a big handsome grey cat with white feet and white chest. We loved him dearly.

DAFFIDOLS IN THE SPRING

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd, 
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine 
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line 
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they 
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay, 
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie 
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye 
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

 William Wordsworth       


Chinese Proverb: 


If you want to be happy for a day, get drunk,
If you want to be happy for a month, get married,
If you want to be happy for ever, grow a garden!


C

OBAMA AT BAT

Please enjoy this video. I thought it was terrific. It will make you laugh!



Just click on the pink recommended link on the right side of this page.

AN ANCIENT PROMISE

My spring garden is planted. I am anxiously waiting for germination and growth. It is an exciting and hopeful time of the year. This morning I am planting two flats of purple and gold pansies in containers. They are so cheerful. They make me happy. I am known as the pansy man. Herbs have been potted and sit on the deck, waiting for the opportunity to make their contribution to my gourmet cooking. Yesterday, I created a scarecrow for my garden. It is a real piece of art that actually scares me. I hope it scares the bunnies and deer away from my lettuce. Ah, spring, it is the best season of the year. It is a time for rejuvenation and renewed hope. Optimism is rampant and people are encouraged. Forget the recession. Forget the government deficit spending. It almost feels like things will work out.

Another wonderful thing to look forward to is May first. That is when the dock and the boats go back into the lake. Sailing, sunning, swimming, laying in the hammock, it is all good! Soon it will be summer time and the living is easy. Sometimes, life is worth living. The winter of my discontent is behind me and I am ready for what is next. When I got up this morning, there was a beautiful full moon. It’s reflection on the lake pointed directly to me. It was an ancient promise of good things to come. I hope you have a happy Easter.

INTERNET ACCESS REFORM

OK, America, Health Care Reform has been enacted into law. Now, everyone gets health care, whether they can afford it or not. Those who used to be able to afford it will pay higher taxes so that the government can pay for everyone’s health care. Then, no one will be able to afford health care but not to worry; the government will pay for everyone’s health care. Gee, I wonder if the Chinese will loan us that much money? Oh well, what the hell, all citizens are entitled to free health care so who cares if we go further in debt. Heck, we already have to borrow money to pay Social Security Benefits. What’s another hundred trillion dollars in the scheme of things?

All this has got me to thinking about Internet Access Reform. A recent pole by the BBC World Service found that 4 in 5 people around the world believe that access to the Internet is a fundamental right. Finland and Estonia have already ruled that access is a human right for their citizens. Dr. Hamadoun Toure, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, said, “The Internet is the most powerful potential source for enlightenment ever created. Governments must regard the Internet as basic infrastructure – just like roads, waste and water. We have entered the knowledge society and everyone must have access to participate.” There you are; Europe will soon be furnishing computers and high speed Internet to all their citizens, as well as health care. If the United States is going to copy Europe’s government health care system then it is only reasonable to copy their Internet System. It is time for Internet Access Reform! Hey, Nancy Pelosi, are you listening?!