Driving to Work

Red truck cruising down the road. The mornings are busy. Everyone is heading to work at 8 in the morning. (do you get bored with driving? Take a look at this!) Sometimes sun. Sometimes clouds. Always something interesting to see. The honeywagons spreading in the fields right next to the highway. Boats in the gas depot, hundreds of trees planted in someone's farm yard.... There's plenty to listen to. At highway 60 I can crank up the speed and I do. Curves, hills, big ole pine tree on the edge of he road, streams, railroad tracks. It takes me 20 minutes to get from home to the door of the library in LeMars. Two whole stop lights that slow me down. (horrors) Its been 5 years since I've had to drive to work. I'm not used to it. But I'm enjoying it so far.

Birthday Presents

I'm of a mind these days to let a birthday pass as unnoticed as possible. No fanfare or noise please. I'd really like to forget that I'm getting any older, I guess. Anyway, I get to see the kids this weekend. Amy was telling me on the phone that they had gotten me a present and I'd be getting it this weekend. Since it was my birthday I tried to get her to tell me what it was. "What is it?" I asked. "You'll have to wait and see" she told me. "But it's my birthday. You have to tell me." Well, of course she wouldn't budge,though I don't know why. How could it hurt to just know? Anyway, I told her I'd ask Kristin. She was a pushover when it came to telling secrets about presents! She's the one who will buy a Christmas present and then practically beg to tell you what it is. So I called Kristin. "Kristin, tell me what you got me for my birthday." I tell her.


"I can't" she answers. "What do you mean? You always tell when asked." "Yes, but in this case I have to live wth your son and the rest of the family. I don't think that would be so good if I told you." she tells me. After a bit she says, "Well, I can give you a hint. It's a themed present." I ask, "What does that mean? That's not a clue." Even with a little more cajoling, she won't tell me. In a little while Nathan calls. I say to him, "So, Kristin told me what you got me for my birthday. Wow! Thanks!" I could almost feel Nathan giving Kristin the look. Then he asked, "Well, what did we get you?" "A themed present" I tell him. And the jig is up. So I don't know.I'm sure it's not a new chair. Or that external hard drive I've been thinking about. Themed must mean a book, I think. Don't you love birthdays? No matter what your age!

First Day

This was my first day on the job in LeMars. It's a 20 minute drive. I have/had great expectations. But first I have a really lot to learn. How are bills handled? Reaquaint with Winnebago (not liking it) What programs are coming up? Board meeting next week, what do I need to do to get ready for that? I don't think anyone I sent an email to today got it. It's a whole different ball game with this system. I spent more than an hour having a computer discussion with their 'tech' guy. I worked on the website. Looked at policies. Talked to everybody. Ate lunch at my desk. Didn't have to field any salesmen or odd phone calls. There was a 'request for reconsideration' on my desk. Sheesh, not first thing! But luckily it had already been dealt with!
There will be plenty to keep me occupied for awhile. Plenty for me to learn. Plenty of people for me to meet. I'm sure I'll have more to share as I go along. I don't want to whine at all because I know that my momentary discomfort will soon be replaced with the comfort I've always known at the library.

Arizona pictures

It was a relaxing visit in Arizona. Jon joined us on Monday and Tuesday. The weather was perfect and I think I'll be ready for the new job tomorrow!