Reality Check!

 

 

Reality Check... Is this for real?

 

Are things as bad as they sound?

How come folks who earn a zillion times more than me still want me to help them out?   

Do we really know what is going on?

            This last question brings to mind a thought from the internationally known motivational speaker and teacher, Kevin Hogan, who attended school in Cannon Falls a few years ago.  In his recent newsletter (check http://www.kevinhogan.com) he asks readers to make a reality check.

Find out if what you think is true, really is.  He gives a quiz to help challenge your mind.

What are the 10 most dangerous occupations in the U.S.?  Just think of two. 

My guesses were: 1) farmers and 2) police.

What did you guess?

In reality, a fisherman has the most dangerous job.  And number 5 is garbage collectors!

 

Here is the list: Deaths per 100,000 workers

1          Fishers/fishing workers   118.4

2          Logging Workers            92.9

3          Aircraft Pilots/Flight Engineers    66.9

4          Structural Iron and Steel Workers            55.6

5          Refuse/recycling collectors         43.8

6          Farmers/Ranchers         41.1

7          Power Line Installers, Repairers              32.7

8          Truck Drivers     29.1

9          Agricultural Workers       23.2

10        Construction Laborers    22.7

 

Kevin added, your reality is shaped by the people you talk to and what the news media presents.

So, could there be another “reality” to the outlook on the economy than what we’ve been reading?  

This point was brought to mind in Sunday’s St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Bill Blazar, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Public Affairs of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.  It’s based on interviews with 700 business owners and/or managers in the state.   He verified his position in an e-mail.

Bill explained that the Minnesota economy "...will grow but at a much slower pace..."  But what was encouraging to me were the words:  “…it will grow”!

Another point was that in Minnesota, "..company sales are up but gains are not as healthy..."

Again, he says: “…sales are up”!   And apparently there are gains too.
Bill adds: "Smaller and midsize businesses with good balance sheets report no significant changes in their access to capital….  Some companies... are reporting excellent years."

On the other hand, Bill mentions that one of the problems in the state’s economy is the problem of a workforce shortage.  That needs solving.  But it could be good news for some of us interested in finding jobs.

Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce President, Pat Anderson reminds:   “Reinvesting in your community has always been true but is a good reminder at this time."

 

 

Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
At Classy Restaurant?

Any ideas on this problem?
I had been invited to eat at a classy restaurant. (Keep in mind that I think it’s a treat to pick up a pizza to bring home – even a frozen pizza!)

The valet parking charge alone would have probably fed a family at MacDonalds.

The dining tables were set up beautifully. Many plates and forks and spoons, but I managed all right. And the service was exceptional.

But I would like your suggestions as to what someone can do to persuade the servers (waiters and waitresses) to leave you alone!
You didn’t have just one. Several were available to help at each table. And you didn't know which one would attack next!
Some folks enjoy the attention I suppose.

But I started to feel uncomfortable when I noticed that when someone at our table got up and left their napkin next to their plate, a server came over and refolded it and placed it correctly.
This seemed a little obsessive – compulsive. But this is not what I need your help on.

It was their constantly filling the glasses with water.

Not when you had almost emptied the glass... but when you even took a sip!
I started watching this happen at our table of ten. I had wanted to let the ice melt and just drink the water slowly because the air conditioning made the room so cold.

Of course I was wearing the proverbial “little black dress” instead of my “longjohns”. I later borrowed my husband’s suit coat to wear. Maybe it could have been considered a “fashion statement”.

Anyway, I became fascinated as I watched the servers hover in a spatial holding pattern ready to swoop down on the tables and fill the glasses again.

I wondered what I could do to avoid this.
Could I deftly hang my napkin over the glass? Or would they just fold it again?

After a lull in the action, a surge of servers attacked our table. I grabbed my water glass and held it to my lips and slowly sipped while they filled the other glasses and backed off.
Ah ha! I thought I had them outfoxed now!
I gently sat my glass back on the table and started to relax.

Watch out! One of the servers apparently had been watching me and stayed behind as the others left. Unknown to me he had stationed himself behind my chair… waiting… waiting… waiting to pounce!

I watched in horror as an arm came around from behind me and my glass was filled with cold icy water!

Anyone have an idea of what I could have done?
(Besides saying: “Thank you.”)

A promise kept... (when reminded!)

My favorite

little Halloween story

***
This story was featured on Fm 107's morning radio show with Ian and Margery Punnett. Since they were touched by it, I thought you might enjoy it too.
I know I still do... whenever I recall the moment that tested honesty and revealed kindness.

***

Many years ago when living up in the suburbs, my children, who were around 5 and 3 years old and I tried to raise pumpkins in our garden.

During the summer, the neighborhood "big" kids had been looking them over. I figured the pumpkins might disappear so I talked to the kids and said, "If you like, when Halloween comes you can choose one."
They agreed and the garden was untouched.

Halloween came around and I saw that the pumpkin patch had only produced three pumpkins.
Two were very small.
Only one was nice.

Since I had long since forgotten my promise, my two little tykes and I were starting to carve up the large one when the "big kids" showed up looking for their pumpkin.
Well, my children looked up at me with sad questioning eyes and I explained, "I promised."
And so the big pumpkin was taken away.

We proceeded to carve a little one and put it outside our front door that Halloween night. It looked a little sad and lonely out there.

When my children were ready to go out Trick or Treating we heard the doorbell ring.
When we opened it - there was no one there.
BUT, on the steps, next to our little pumpkin was a beautifully carved big pumpkin!

I think all of us involved learned some nice lessons about keeping promises, even if it hurts, and how to be considerate and kind.

Those "big" kids are all grown up now but I still smile when I think of them and this story.

Thanks kids!



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