August 31: Holiday: Labor Day/Work Ethic/Dirty Jobs or Writer’s Choice or Your WOTY Review
“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas.”
– Charles Kettering
Featured Bloggers for WQW #32: Trucks and Cars
Thank you to those who linked as of yesterday.
IT’S EASY TO PLAY ALONG WITH #WQW
This weekly writing challenge runs from Wednesday through Tuesday at noon. All you need is a quote to go with your post. Write a poem, story, or memoir. Share photos and a story or no story. Just have fun with it and let the quote or quotes lead the way.
Topics for the year (subject to change) are listed on the WQW Page. Feel free to post weekly, or drop in from time to time – All are welcome.
Definition
“The first Labor Day holiday (in the United States) was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.”
History of Labor Day
Does anyone really need a definition of hard work? It is different for everyone.
- It could be sitting on the phone all day dealing with angry clients.
- It could be physical, which is the kind of labor that makes me grumpy.
- It could be writing all day and suffering from sciatica like John Steinbeck.
- It could be driving all over Los Angeles showing property or looking for property for wealthy buyers.
- What is your labor? It might be reading this long post!
For More Ideas about Labor Day and Hard Work or Your Month
YOUR BLOG POST GOES NEXT
- EKLASTIC
- KEEP IT ALIVE
- GARY A. WILSON STORIES
- LADY LEE
- NEW 2 WRITING
- SECOND WIND LEISURE
- WIDE EYES WONDERING
Work Is Where You Find It
“Hard work is a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning. Once it does, it becomes the kind of thing that makes you grab your wife around the waist and dance a jig.”
— Malcolm Gladwell
I have over forty-five thousand photos in Lightroom and could add the keyword “work” or “labor” to most of them.
I think of labor or work as something for which one is paid. Some people work just as hard as volunteers. And for many, there is no Labor Day or day of rest.
Some work is just a labor of love, like our gardens at our home in California. Vince insisted that hardscape came before the labor of planting and harvesting.
Humans are not the only hard workers in the world.
Hopefully, these ideas inspire your own WQW post for this week.
Remembering the Month of August
“Instead of trying to change your entire life in January, the simpler strategy is to adopt a 12-month plan where you’re making constant improvements.”
– S.J. Scott
My life has been full this month. Curating it has been less than I would consider successful. For the most part, it has just happened to me.
- Published 10 blog posts, which is four less than last month.
- Illustrated, edited, and/or wrote 32 poems and published them on my private blog.
- Took 53 pictures and videos, including a beautiful geranium that finally bloomed for the first time this summer.
- Reviewed and signed documents to hire a new manager for our condo in Scottsdale. It never ceases to surprise me how much work it is to have rentals even if you are not doing the actual work. Vince spent a week in Scottsdale finishing up projects.
- Cared for, medicated, and cleaned up after a sick kitty who is doing better but is far from over his two-week bout of diarrhea. He has been to the doctor three times in two weeks and has been such a good boy.
- Averaged 5,218 steps up 24% from last month according to Mr. Fit Bit. I wonder how Mr. Bit measures sleep. Several days measure less than one hour of sleep per night. I probably took my watch off, LOL.
- We had several outings with friends and lots of phone conversations planning upcoming trips.
- Enjoyed 28 days of monsoon rains.
- Harvested 4 tomatoes smaller than the size of tennis balls.
- Enjoyed two concerts, one free serendipitous on a walk downtown with Vince, and one with dinner and friends
- Had 31 teeth cleaned.
“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” —
Thomas Jefferson
My Best Photography Finds for August
“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
It’s funny how the focus of a post changes because of the quotes you pick out. It can change for many reasons, actually. The construction photos I had picked out originally my husband didn’t want me to share, which made more “work” for me. LOL
My guess is that 99 percent of people in the world would not consider a hobby blog as work, but you all know the thought and energy that goes into creating a post that matches or introduces a challenge. This blog is my labor of love.
This week I am running so late, and the scheduled time is up to me, but the pressure to finish is real, isn’t it? All that’s left is to visit each post I’ve linked after I press publish – only three hours late. Then I have to get to my SILs house by 1:30 to meet with someone who will give us an estimate on indoor shutters. Pant, pant.
Other Challenges
- Cell Pic Sunday hosted by John Steiner
- Sunday Stills Challenge hosted by Terri Webster Schrandt Under Construction
- Monday Windows hosted by Ludwig Keck
- Changing Seasons hosted by Ju-Lyn and Bushboy
- Thursday Trios hosted by Mama Cormier
- Last on the Card hosted by Bushboy
- Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Hosted by Cee Neuner – Man-made items
- Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion
- Hammad Weekend Skies hosted by Hammad Rais
- Water Water Everywhere #141 hosted by Jez Braithwaite
- LAPC hosted by Anne Christine – favorite finds
- Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge – hosted by Cee Neuner – fruit
- FOTD Foto of the Day hosted by Cee Neuner
- Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share – every Friday through Sunday a time to catch up with friends
I have all your blogs open on my computer and will visit you all this afternoon and evening.
IRL (In Real Life)
We are having another blogger meet-up if anyone happens to be passing through the Prescott area on September 15th. Let me or Lisa from Micro of the Macro know if you are interested in meeting us for lunch.
What About Your Experiences?
Remember if you are researching a topic, you have found a gold mine of quotes. I summarized articles, and the name or website behind the post adds the gravitas I might lack about a topic. Don’t forget that songs count as quotes, too.
Ongoing on Always Write
- On August 9th Story Chat presented Gloria McBreen’s new story, “Backstab” and the Summary. Tuesday, September 6th Gary Wilson’s new story, “A Daily Regret” will publish. Look for it. It’s the last of Year Two.
- PPAC #61 – “In Heat or Cold, Black and White or Two Colors” (Photographing Public Art Challenge) is your choice of art – no theme! Two more days to link.
- Upcoming topics for WQW
- September 7: Food: Healthy Snacks
- September 14: Senses: Sight
- September 21: Autumn or Fall
- September 28: Fire, Writer’s Choice or WOTY
- For a list of past WQW posts visit my WQW Page
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
85 responses to “WQW #33: Dirty Jobs and August in the Rear View Mirror”
[…] Marsha at Always Write […]
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This was a great one Marsha. Loved your photos. Wow…28 days of Monsoon rains…yikes. That would wear on me fast. I enjoyed all your choices. I agree, sometimes a hobby blog is certainly a labor of love and many don’t understand it.
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Many don’t take the time to read hobby blogs. You can never be a successful blogger without spending a lot of time reading as well as writing. Others are too busy doing to bother writing on a regular basis. And you do have to write regularly as well. 🙂
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Amazing post, Marsha 👏 That sunset reflected in the lake is superb 😃 You really did have a very busy month 🤓
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Thanks, Jez. That’s high praise from the reflection KING! It was a beautiful night, though. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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I LOVE this WQW idea! So much inspiration..
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Thanks, so much, Kathleen. I am always inspired by the quotes.
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[…] post inspired by Marsha’s Writer’s Quote Wednesday: Labor Day/Work Ethic/Dirty Jobs or Writer’s […]
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This is such a nice post that lets everyone reflect and be more appreciative of different forms of labor, whether paid or not. There are professional jobs deserve higher pay; and labor of love that deserves appreciation. Hobbyist bloggers work hard too and I’m thankful I get to enjoy the content and photos for free.
Great roundup as always. That sky is especially lit!
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Thank you for your kind words, Gift. I like hobby blogging because, for the most part, we don’t have an agenda so that is relaxing to me. It’s fun to see what other people do with their time and get to know what is in their hearts.
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I totally agree. It’s mostly freeing to be a hobbyist blogger, to be able to write and share photos as we wish like this!
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It really is. 🙂
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[…] Marsha’s Writers Quotes Wednesday: Labor Day Holiday […]
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Your staycation is almost over, my friend. Time for another vacay.
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Hi Marsha, here’s my post;
http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/09/04/another-look-at-my-woty-hope/
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This is my favorite line, “Dresses us in rainbows of dreams imagined,” I wish I could think that poetically. “rainbows of dreams imagined.” what a gorgeous thought.
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Thank you so much My friend.
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Keep up that beautiful writing, Sadje. 🙂
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You’re so kind Marsha. 😍❤️
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Thanks! 🙂
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🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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45 000 photos in your Lightroom! That’s impressive!! I’m not even close to that.
I liked your feature of work in different ways. Hard work can have so many faces! I hope your cat gets better soon. It’s so hard when they’re sick.
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Hi Susanne, Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you like my take on work. I’m not much of a laborer, but I work hard and I think a lot of people like me don’t consider what they do as hard work. But no one else has our exact skill set. We need each other to survive.
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[…] WQW – Dirty Jobs […]
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[…] for WQW # 33- Writer’s choice/ WOTY- hope, hosted by […]
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great post, Marsha 🙂
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2022/09/03/work-ethic-quotes/
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Great post, Marsha and well done for all the hard work you put into managing the blog, creating the challenges and supporting us all. It is work, the effort is certainly real but I hope you still find it rewarding too. Wow – 28 days of monsoon is a lot. Do you still manage to get out and about when the weather is like that (is it safe)? I don’t think we get monsoons in the UK (that I’m aware of). KL ❤
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Marsha, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Your blog is an impressive labour of love. You’ve accomplished a lot in August. I feel accomplished with one blog post per week, lol. Have a wonderful weekend!
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You, too, Natalie. I enjoyed your one post. I love fishing villages and water. What is good about your post is that you cover everything in one post a week. I make things too hard for myself! 🙂
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[…] WQW #33: Dirty Jobs and August in the Rear View Mirror – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write […]
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Hi Marsha, your sunset picture is delightful. Yes, I suppose everything is work really, even fun things like writing and blogging, and a lot of us also have day jobs. They require work and fit right in here with the construction workers and the garbage collectors. It takes all types to make a world.
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It does, and bless those who do the jobs we hate to do. 🙂
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Yes 💓
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Wow…what a month and so many challenges put into the post! You are really a hardworking woman! I laughed when reading Johns comment about how we used to have time to go to work as well…
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I laughed at that, too. How did we, I’d like to know. I almost don’t have time to dress in the morning. It’s midmorning before I take a break from my “work” and get dressed unless I have to.
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Haha, could have been me, but I walk the dog at 7.30 am so I’d better get dressed…
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Hi Marsha, my coffee share this week is about work and I thought it might work with this edition of #WQW.
https://garyawilsonstories.wordpress.com/coffee-share-220902-the-work-begins/
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[…] WQW #32: “Dirty Jobs and August in the Rear View Mirror” […]
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Marsha, recaps are good reminders of all that we have accomplished. Even when we think not much has happened, there it is, in black and white. Ten blog posts, wow! If I publish 2 per month I feel accomplished. Loved ‘had 31 teeth cleaned’. Dental Hygienists would be right up there on the top of the ‘dirty jobs’ list for me.
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LOL, I considered becoming a dental hygienist at one time. It is a dirty job. I cleaned up the room after our hygienist finished! However, at the time I needed one chemistry class in college to be accepted into the training program. It would have taken a year. My thought – “I’ll be too old when I finish the class.” I would have been 19.
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Great selections Marsha. Work it!
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Huff puff, I think I can, I think I can.
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You really had a busy month Marsha! Great photos too!
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Thanks, Aletta. You know, when you’re in it the time just flies by and you think you’ve done nothing. That’s why I like to list it out, so at least I feel like I accomplished something.
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Absolutely! I was just thinking about it last night! I do spend a lot of time on the internet with blogging too! ☺️
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Yes, I see your posts everywhere on many challenges. You have an excellent reputation. 🙂
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Oh my! 😄
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Wow, you really put all into this one! It took me three tries just to read through your post. I am exhausted 😉 — Take it a bit easier. Think of your readers, if not of yourself.
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LOL, sorry, Ludwig. I know, it kept growing and growing. If I posted separate posts for all the challenges, can you imagine what my blog would look like. I have close to 1600 posts as it is. That’s why I bundle them. Sorry for the time it took to get through it, but thanks so much for your persistence. I don’t know that anyone else would have made three swipes at it! You’re awesome.
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Just don’t burn out, Marsha!
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That’s always a possibility, isn’t it?
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Your geranium is beautiful. Great post 😀
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Thanks, Cee. It’s half gone now. I’m going to cut it, but there are two more in full bloom and two more about to burst – YAY!
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Yes pant pant pant, is how I feel after reading and devouring this post. Are you really having that truck in your garden? I would love to have that as a garden feature!!!
So many post covered I am so jealous Marsha.
Thank you for joining in The Changing Seasons with Ju-Lyn and me 🙂 🙂
Also thanks for joining in Last on the Card, the lighting is great 🙂 🙂
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That truck was really in our yard in California. The new owner didn’t love it and it is stored temporarily in the neighbor’s yard. It was an expensive piece of yard art, for sure! Thanks for all your lovely compliments. 🙂
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Nice collection of work photos, Marsha. I enjoyed that image with the city manager not actually “into it.” >grin<
Just reading through your busy August and thought how much time that uses up. From firsthand experience, I know the feeling that it’s hard to believe we used to have time to go to work everyday. 🙂
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LOL, Vince and I have talked about that a lot. He thinks he might want to get a part-time job. I asked him when??? He’s been winning at poker recently, so I told him that was his part-time job and he was now a professional poker player, LOL Imagine a nice former Nazarene pastor’s wife saying that to her husband.
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AND you actually got rain! We got some too last night. There was a weird sound coming through the A/C and then I realized — it was raining. I hadn’t heard that sound in a couple of months. It rained most of the night. Not super heavy, but about an inch over all and that’s a really big deal right now. It also cooled off our world so it’s not sizzling tonight.
I love your bright red geranium. And your gardens. Happy beginning of fall, sort of!
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Almost the beginning of fall, isn’t it? Happy September 1st, Marilyn. I’m so glad you finally got some rain. Out here in the West, we think you Easterners hog all the rain, but you have certainly dispelled that myth!
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[…] Marsha at Always Write […]
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What a great post, Marsha! Going off Janet’s comment, we do take our infrastructure labor for granted. We also take for granted all the volunteer labor that happens as well, as your pics demonstrate. Whether volunteering on a BOD or for physical projects, lots of things would not get done without tireless volunteers. Hans just finished two construction/repair jobs at two of our neighbors. Not only was he paid well, the work got done quickly and expertly. Word may get out soon, LOL! You brought extra good layers on construction to this post for Sunday Stills. I’ve been enjoying other bloggers’ creative spins on the subject.
On another quick note, my wordless Wednesday post changed so I unlinked this post to it. I had a whole ‘nother holiday theme ready (Lakes for all seasons) and changed it late and decided to save it for next Wednesday. So I will end up linking this post to both SS and WW this week. I am so glad to hear the WP buttons are working for you. Being unable to connect is happening to everyone. I guess the WP engineers have a lot of WORK cut out for them!
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I wrote to them again, but haven’t received any answer back. I pay for my site so I can chat with them, but that benefit seems to have disappeared into the wind. I think their “workers” have bitten off more than they can chew. I’m sure we will be paying more for that service soon.
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You accomplished a lot in August, Marsha. Your dentist’s door is pretty nice.
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Thanks, Dan! His entire building inside and out is amazing.
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[…] for WQW: Labor Day Holiday, Flower of the Day, and Jez’ Water, Water, […]
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It is a labor of love but the connections we make truly make it worth it. Plus think of all of the things we have learned on the way.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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Amen to all of that! I love my connections most of all. 🙂
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[…] Always Write […]
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You had a very accomplished August! That rain looks glorious!
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The rain was glorious, but hard to anticipate exactly when it would start. So I put off walking because of black clouds and wind, then two hours later when the sky lightened, the wind whipped up even more, and the rain would come done in sheets. Sometimes Puppy Girl and I had to run through some big drops to avoid the downpour. 🙂
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It’s exhausting just looking at your photos!
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I’m sorry. That’s why we have Labor Day, I guess! LOL. I got exhausted trying to pick them! 🙂
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[…] WQW #33 […]
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I hadn’t thought much about what I do as work, my Sunday paper delivery round is certainly. Volunteer driving people to hospital, doctor and dental appointments, I hadn’t considered that as work.
Writing blogs, helping a lady in our writing group with her blogs, writing, proof reading and help publishing our writing group’s latest collection, probably work but unconsidered as such.
Keeping busy is probably how I see things.
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That’s because you enjoy doing all of that, Phil. To some people it would be drudgery, and that is the joy of loving your work. 🙂
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When I take someone for a hospital visit I have my writing bag with me and I can get some writing done while I wait for them.
You’re right if you enjoy what you do it doesn’t really seem like work,those are the best jobs.
Our writing groups’ latest collection, Three Sheets to the Wind is now published in paperback (yesterday). I am working on the ebook at the moment to sort out issues Amazon has found.
I will post the longer version of An Unusual Job for a Woman on my blog soon and send you the link.
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Congratulations on the new book. I’ll buy it when it comes out in an e-book on Amazon. I have so many books that I don’t dare get any more. I’ll look forward to your link. Thanks for commenting on my post, my friend. 🙂
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It is now up and running on Kindle Marsha
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Thanks, Phil, I’ll check that out! 🙂
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What an amazing post. So much in it.
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Kind of overkill, I know, Jacqui. Thanks for taking the time to read. I ran overtime on it! 🙂
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Garbage collectors have to be some of the least appreciated workers in the country. When we lived in Ohio, we put a note out on top of our garbage cans at Christmas inviting the workers to come to the door where we gave them $5 gift cards to a local coffee shop. They loved it. Where we live now, the guy drives up in a truck, the arms reach out, lift, and dump the can, and off he goes. No chance he’d see anything on the can. I’d have to waylay him to be sure he’d get it. 🙂
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A good friend of ours got a job in his retirement years driving a garbage truck. It was his favorite job ever. He had always been a junk collector, picking up cans and bottles for recycling, but he was in heaven when he got his collection job. 🙂
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I saw it as tons of motivated energy. I could feel it across the internet!
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LOL, tons of garbage = tons of motivated energy! I love it!
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