why our volunteers are sooooo superb? .... their perception of physical effort is not work, but a team effort toward a goal- i felt terrible asking someone to go down to the barn and be sure all th dogs were actually out of there in that cold weather.- and a couple people went to check... historically i would have done that-- but there is no way now...when i figured all the effort tht went into the shatting in our warm living room it is shocking... i no longer have to worry about who has chickens where ..or if there are purple numbers ready.. including the 1.5 minute soft boiled egg to throw off the starway on to the table...and things like that... people all get thigs done...these "purple shirters" function wonderfully as a group..... historically... would never ask someone to do something i would not do myself.......from stinky drains to roof shingling to touching the electric fence to see if it was on(with a piece of grass)...... and fortunately we now have a collection of people who see all these bizzarre tasks as just something that needs doing so the next person who has trouble walking- can get up those terribel curbstones with thier service dog. being able to work is a blessing-- with which fortunately all these volunteers seem to agree . if anyone says.... "did anyone check that bucket inside the door?" someone will rush to take care of that detail... actual case in point..... i knew tanner was looking for the glue to ix teh fuel bulb on the tractor...i knew nothing more til i opened the box at mailclal yesterday and it contained a fuel filter and glass bulb.. must have been bud...
what started me on this... was my re- design of congress... i have spent a day picking berries-- as a teenager.. go stand in front of the post office at 5am and get in the back of any truck with a farm name you recognize.. go pick berries in th ehot sun for 9 hours and ride back to the oos office with your earnings -- maybe $2 -- biggest event of my carreer to encourge an education...
any congressperson voting on immagrants should have that exxperience-- their education is sorely lacking if thye do not understand crawling around on your hands and knees for 9 hours in the hot sun... so if i... as an american citizen have to contribute toward their medical coverage to treat the blisters on their knees... so be it. i will enjoy eating lettuce or whatever... ... it is a small price to pay for tht priviledge. there is no alternative----agricultural activity is eventually a hands on operation- that white males in black suits probably would be no good at .-- it is not just lettue... that pound of butter smeared on your toast is dependent on some farmer up to his armpit in the back end of a cow to determine pregnancy.. agriculture is not glamourous... and they talk of cutting farm subsidies...? they all need 20 hours of community service "in the field"
and then the seats in that congress place-- i would insist that each must sit next to the opposing party-- or just stand up. they might just strike up a norma conversation... to have 1/2 the room stand up or sit down as a block indicates no one is thinking ... along with aving the same medical coverag the rest of us have... would cure any debate there... and ... do you want to get into the retirement benefits?????
there is no end to my efforts to redesign our government... fact still remains-- if you are that unhappy, go somewhere else
i bet the first thing you would miss are our supermarkets-- yessss... i am food motovated...
****
enjoying work... i had an interesting email from a retired fedex employee -- wh osaid the atmosphere at fedex was one of familial coopertion- helping each other.. more so than a more union environment where.. they try and legislate deciency
( i have heard unhappy things about amaon warehouses not airconditioned)
****
True Paper Clip story -
Many many years ago (last century) a new CEO came aboard for Delta Airlines.
He noticed that Delta spent $60,000/year on paper clips. He was appalled.
He put out notice that Delta would no longer buy paper clips.
Basically, all the employees then, instead of throwing away paper clips, saved those they used and those that were sent to them (this was pre email). There was never a shortage of paper clips.
****Another note on one of your favorite subjects:GARBAGE
China has changed some import rules, such that the majority of ‘recycled paper' that we send by the container load (in the empty containers after they sell us toys/clothes/machinery/everyting Made in China) for them to process/use does not meet their new standards as lots of ‘non-paper' stuff is included amongst the paper.
So we may well have a HUGE glut of the paper - and I imagine cardboard - to deal with.
Best.
Michael
