Today’s World
Today at noon we each had a cup of soup. We do try to catch the noon television news from Mankato. Not a lot to write home about as far as any positive feelings. Federal or state news always centers around what should have been done, what could have been done. Dennis commented that people our age dropped the ball years ago when we didn’t come forward to speak up about the issues or try and buck some of the issues. Our soup almost got cold as we threw around some comments. Our lack of strength in earlier years is part of today’s world.
Both of us knew that when we had jobs we hung onto them for dear life. We didn’t ruffle the feathers of those who were in charge for fear of repercussion. In today’s world, there is the possibility that a voice can be heard and it may even garner support to make improvements. Dennis and I are concerned and disappointed that our children have not been left a very kind world. I cannot imagine myself being out in today’s working world. I do not believe I would be strong enough to chuck a job and try a new avenue of employment. Security has always been important to me then and now.
I reminded Dennis the experience I had had about twenty years ago. My four year appointment was coming up at work. I worked for the county but the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue signed the appointment upon a positive review. Yup . . . I had totally gone off on one of the county commissioners that wanted to implement a policy for my office that was not appropriate, let alone legal by the regulations set by the state. As the review process was under way, I was contacted by a representative of the department of revenue. I did not have the unanimous vote for reappointment by the county commissioners of the county. “Noreen, what seems to be the problem with your interaction and willingness to work with the board of commissioners?” I did sweat bullets during the process. My future depended on that job. I didn’t feel very secure. The issue did get resolved and I received the appointment for the next four years. It did stay on the record that it was not an unanimous appointment.
It has been proven to me time after time that many people just chuck the security of a known job and go out there and take a stab at something new. I marvel at that. My wiring doesn’t acknowledge that option. More power to them.
Our soup was enjoyed and we each went about what we wanted to get accomplished for the afternoon. 
Dennis ran some errands up town and I cleared off the dining room table and went about putting my afghan blocks together. I sat at the table working, feeling secure in my home with Dennis.