Put away the white shoes. Move the seersucker to the back of the closet. It's Labor Day -- the beginning of the fall season (even if it's still way too hot.)
And while you're busy shopping the sales or cooking out or whatever you do with this holiday, give a thought for all the hard-working folks who do the dirty work, for all the minimum wage workers who work long hours and still need welfare, indeed, for all the workers who DON'T get the day off.
Tip big. Say thank you. Stop to consider, before you complain, just how little control the person you're annoyed with has over the situation.
Take the time to think about how many people are working behind the scenes to support your lifestyle -- to bring utilities to your home, to keep your vehicle or public transport running, to manufacture the goods you consume and grow the food you eat.
Just at the moment I'm really grateful to the guys who made it up our narrow steep road to pump out our septic tank for the first time in thirty-something years.
A good way to begin the fall season, since I have no white shoes . . . or seersucker.
13 comments:
The first time in thirty-something years? That's a pretty good record isn't it?
I'd love to say something about how the outhouse has been moved a few times, but I won't. Well, I guess I just did. Anyway, I do wonder how often they had to be filled in and moved to a new hole...a bit of trivia that may not be easily answered, eh?
Ms. A -- the guy who pumped the tank said it should be done every 7 to 10 years so, yeah, it was long overdue. We've been pretty faithful about flushing down those enzymes or whatever it is that helps the tank keep working and we have a long drainfield which also helps bu t yeah, it was way past time. We were lucky not to have had a backup.
Barbara -- of course it depends on how deep the original hole was and how much use it gets. Some of our neighbors used to avoid the problem by placing the outhouse strategically over a little creek (now, thank heavens, illegal and the county does inspections to prevent this.)
Barbara and Vicki -- It also depended on how much other waste was put in. Many folks disposed of glass bottles, jars, and such in the outhouse hole. They're now middens to be explored by archaeologists.
I love the kindness in this post Vicki - yes, tip big!
That's a very nice sentiment Vicki. I agree we should all be more thoughtful and less critical. Enjoy your day.
Last septic tank we had was in Chattanooga 40 years ago. But I agree that we should thank those that bust their asses for us without even being seen. HAPPY LABOR DAY EVERYBODY
ha. i am not wearing white today either...T had to work today...we are hanging out at the skate park...i like your thoughts on being grateful for those that do all the behind the scenes in our life...
Very thoughtful post, Vicki. I was one of those who knew no holidays. Nurses have to be there 24-7 an we did our best to help each other have a little time off at the holidays to be with our families. Firemen, policemen, our servicemen and yes, the garbage and septic men need to do their jobs no matter what.
I especially like the comment about not having control over the situation-just for one moment try to put yourself in their shoes-you wouldn't want to walk in them very long.
This morning I pulled out a seersucker shirt to wear over my tank top on my supermarket run, and thought about how I need to put it away until next May. The other day I told my coworker that we couldn't wear white slacks anymore and she responded with a long stare and one two-syllable word meaning male bovine defecation.
I need to tell you, Vicki, that I have read all of your books now and you need to get busy and get another one out. Now.
Thank you.
How thoughtful! Rewarding hard working people is a must.
Vicki, I did work today. Thank you for recognizing folks like me. (Before I pat myself on the back too much, I should report that tomorrow will be a day off.)
xo
I'm with you June. MORE VICKI BOOKS!!
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