Tuesday This and That

Last week I kept thinking of things to blog about; I even composed a few entries in my head. Why I never got around to making the posts I don't know.

Wednesday last week I went with Thomas to his company's annual Perfect Attendance Awards dinner. I enjoyed myself. I like seeing some of the people he works with, or meeting some I hadn't met before, and schmoozing with big shots. And that reminds me -- A few weeks ago Eler Beth and I were out and we passed by a local restaurant, a bar and grill down by the river. There were some men standing in the parking lot talking, and I recognized one as our mayor, so I pointed him out to Eler Beth. That night she excitedly told her dad about seeing the mayor.

"But isn't that a place that serves alcohol?" she asked.

We said, yes, it is a bar and grill. There's nothing wrong with having a drink at a bar. And just because the mayor was there doesn't mean he was having a drink in the middle of the day. A lot of people go there for lunch, ". . . and to schmooze." I added.

"What's 'schmooze'?" she wondered.

Hmmm. How to explain. . . . I told her it was friendly talking, usually between people who would have something to gain either politically or in business. But before I could really get that out in any coherent fashion, she said, "Must just be something grown ups do."


In other news . . .
There was a shooting here in Jeffersonville on Thursday of last week. Two police officers were shot. Both were transported to University of Louisville Hospital, one by helicopter. One was shot in the leg and the other was shot in his chest or abdomen where his vest didn't protect him. I believe he is still in the hospital, but is in stable condition. The man who did the shooting was on the run for several hours, but was finally found holed up in a house in South Louisville. There was a standoff for some hours between him and police before he finally ended his own life.

Winter came back into our area last week, but we got no ice and barely any snow. Today it is sunny and in the 40s, and tomorrow we'll see 50s. I'd like to get some yard work done tomorrow, especially since we're expecting rain on Thursday. I'm looking forward to Spring, but I can handle this kind of weather for a few more weeks -- just no more ice, please!

The economy is finally having an effect on Thomas' company. They are going to be laying off all the contractors; all will be gone by April 1, which is the start of the new contract year. Then there is a rumor that there will be layoffs of another 200 company employees. That will not be enough to touch Thomas at this time, but still we are taking some precautions. One just never knows in these times. They have plenty of contracts to fill, so I really have a feeling they'll be calling people back after the layoff. They are also offering buy-outs to several of the older foremen. Right now Thomas is working six and seven days a week, and we don't see any change coming any time soon for him. But my nephew, Jamie, is one of the contractors that will be effected.

I guess that's all the local news for now, so I'll return you to your Tuesday afternoon, already in progress . . . .