Captain's Log #39 - Practice makes perfect


Work's going well enough. My supervisor and his wife trained dogs for competitive obstacle courses and I think it's influenced his management style - in a good way. Yesterday he laid out a plan for the things I'm expected to become proficient in, with a time-line. It's a relief to see a written plan so we all know the expectations. My concern is that he has slid me into data entry of outside medical invoices and it's incredibly time consuming (and not the best use of my skills, except for 'attention to detail') but I gave the responsibility back to him when I asked him to prioritize what he wants done and when. I'm happy to apply my time wherever he wants and he can experience what is doable. I like him a lot. I think he's one of the best manager I've had and I think his experience training dogs contributes to his effectiveness. He hasn't slipped me any doggy treats, yet.

I brought my penny collection (pennies taped to paper sorted by year and place of minting) to show the attendant at the cafeteria, the guy who collects bullion coins Log #38. He was very kind with his remarks and suggested the collection would be valuable in time. He gave me a tip about the rarity of Indian Head pennies (1859-1909), which I don’t have, and the ‘wheat pennies’ (1909-1956) which I do: the heart-filling pleasure of finding a kindred spirit.

There are a lot of men at the Veteran’s Home, there are women, but vastly more men. They’re everywhere! The other day I stepped around the corner into the slopped hall and there were two men, one struggling in his motorized cart to get up the ramp, the other (was it the 102 year old man I met last week?) pulling himself along the hand rail. I popped around the corner about four feet away and he said, “Hellloooo” as in “Well, hello there, Beautiful.” It was very disconcerting, and attractive. I’m sure I blushed (at 67 years old), clutched my papers closer to my chest, and flustered said ‘hello’ back. At 102 he’s had maybe 84 years’ experience with this pickup line, and like they say, “Practice makes perfect.”

Please let me know what you’re up to.

Many blessings,
Karla/k.j./mom

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