They made me work on my birthday!!! Spent three hours this morning separating a few hundred pot covers and putting on stickers.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew was separating plants by height and number of blooms. This is when you discover that the mix of blooms you have doesn't match the orders you received. A couple of customers will be getting some bad news.
The crew then selects the batch that matches the order, putting pot covers on them, boxing them and stacking the boxes on skids for shipping.
The Easter Lily crop is at a critical phase right now. Shipping has started and timing is all important. Thousands have to be shipped over just a few days. And we're dealing with a temporary, slow crew. Very frustrating!
David compares this event with a woman giving birth. Terribly painful for a period of time, but two or three months later (when the shipments will hopefully be paid for), the pain has gone and you're happy about the result.
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Sister Judy picked up my Dofasco Christmas souvenirs for me (we were away when it was supposed to happen - it was delayed due to the virus). I was surprised to discover that they had recognized my birthday!
What a great company!Judy delivered it yesterday - she's getting a cataract fixed today. Hope everything went well.
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On fairly short notice, Mardi gathered a motley crew to help celebrate my birthday. I've known them all for a long time and they each have a special meaning in my life.
Sue and David - I've known him for almost 62 years, since the day he was born. Unfortunately, as noted above, Lilys got in the way and he couldn't attend tonight.
Kathryn - For almost 56 years, since she was born at home.
Maureen and Matt - I've known Maureen from my Bar-Don Lanes days and through the Optimist Club. She is also one of Mardi's best friends and her wedding to Matt was the first big event that I attended with Mardi.
Rose and Ed - Cupid has had his hip surgery cancelled again so he was able to join us. As previously noted, he's a long time Optimist friend as well.
Jill and Gary - I've known Gary since he came in for an interview to transfer to Sales. We've tromped together for almost 40 years.
Liz and Al - He was "donated" to Sales way back when (Fringer will understand why Systems took that approach) and Al looked after the Administration side very capably.
Most of these folks are fellow golfers as well.
It was a wonderful evening with people who are special to me.
There are other family and long time friends who couldn't be invited. Hopefully, we'll see each other soon.
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I don't know what it should feel like to be my age but I don't feel 85. More like a tired 58 if you know what I mean.
A couple of months ago Al sent me a message about "keeping the old man out". Keeping the old man out suits me just fine and I'll keep working on it.
When I was a kid I remember watching a movie - I don't remember the name, just one line "he is a physical incompetent". And I thought that phrase described me. I was a skinny kid who had what appeared to be chronic bronchitis. I figured that I would probably have a short life. Who knew?
After it was determined that I was allergic to "dust, mould and vaccines" and I took wheat mostly out of my diet things calmed down. I still have congestion in the mornings but choose to ignore it. And now, MSG has been added to the allergy triggers - causing irregular heart beat. So I have to read food content labels and avoid those that contain MSG. Not a big deal.
And the chronic pain from the back that I broke half a lifetime ago is better than the alternative. A bone fragment entered the spinal canal - I could have been paralyzed. Instead, just pain in my back and right leg.
I've outlived my dad, both grandfathers, my uncles and other male relatives. I was named after my great uncle Ralph Nightingale who was a Grenadier Guard and lived to be 92. That's my target.
All of this is my way of saying that I am a lucky man. Thank you to my family, my friends, and my partner in life for making that true.
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There are some recent words of wisdom from Monica and Jim which I will try to heed: "Keep breathing as long as possible."
And remember, if you are determined to reach a goal, and have the patience to pursue it, the sky is the limit. Be the architect of your fate (doesn't work for golf though).
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Malcolm tells me that this is Tartan Day. But I'm going to celebrate that tomorrow instead.
Keep positive thoughts, keep breathing, and stay well.
