THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Holidays

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On holidays, I think it’s possible to both love and hate them at the same time. There are times when I’m very happy and times when I’m very depressed. Sometimes within the same day. I think when I’m retired in a few years I’ll enjoy them a lot more because I won’t have to work on them again.

Not in a Ho Ho spirit yet. Photo by Mike Hartley

Having to work is at least half my issue with holidays, I don’t get many real holidays. Yeah I know, I’m far from alone. But over the years I can see there is no appreciation for it. No thank you’s, no extra pay at times, no recognition. In my last two years before retirement, our team of 2 is scheduled to work 13 of 16. Somehow being this close to retirement I’m wondering if I want to do that. Well, that was enough wondering, I don’t want to.

It’s also a time of high stress on so many levels it’s too broad to capture here. But being older now my stresses are less than they were in years past but the sadness of missing loved ones who have passed is getting more difficult.

At the same time, I feel there has never been more to be thankful for. So that is the ball I have to keep my eye on.


I do have a goal for the coming year already related to the Xmas holiday. I want to start making gifts. I like the idea of giving something personal. I got to get a list together and some ideas for what I would do for each. This will get me on my woodworking-type projects a bit more this coming year.

It’s funny, I got so excited about it, took a break from writing, and came up with a few great ideas already that I can’t wait to get started on, there are a lot of people that I need to do something personal for. So I should get busy and get on some kind of schedule each week.


Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I wish I had better luck with contrators. I try to be nice but it seems to work against me. Seems that they want to poke the bear.
  • This virus must be driving the guys who set the betting line crazy. You don’t know if the game is going to be played or who’s going to be playing in it till gametime.
  • Speaking of games. I heard a stat I think on ESPN that there are 44 College Football Bowl games. So I had to consult Google for the answer and double check my source. (Note I would have checked with my better half who knows everything – but Sports) and they confirm its 44. Sounds like lots of partisipation trophys to me.
  • I’m on cloud 9 today.

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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