Days Off

-

I received an email yesterday that shocked me.

“The office is closed on Monday. Do NOT work on Monday.”

My initial reaction was:

“I’m not taking the day off.”

Juneteenth is Monday. It is a Federal holiday in all 50 states. OSHA won’t be working so the chances that I get a panic phone call from one of my clients is much less.

And for those people who don’t know what Juneteenth is about it’s to celebrate the emancipation of slaves back in 1865.

A day worth commemorating.

“Maybe I can take a long weekend,” I thought.

I texted the department head.

“Am I really not working on Monday?”

He sent me an inter-office memo.

“You’re absolutely off! Go golfing.”

I put two and two together and ran into a couple of other veteran safety guys.

“What’re you doing Monday?” I asked one of them.

“Golfing with you,” he said. “And even if you can’t go that’s what I’m going to say I’m doing because I’m not staying home.”

I laughed.

“I think we’re too used to going to work,” I said. “I might be the only guy who has to be told not to show up.”

And of course, the discussion turned into the last 30+ years of our work routine. I’m the youngest of the three guys who gathered for lunch. All long-time safety guys who’ve been friends since the 1980’s.

The oldest of us is beyond retirement age. He has been retiring for the last four or five years. He claims to be finished at the end of 2023.

“I’m thinking I’ll work part-time next year,” he said.

I laughed.

“Last time I talked to you, you were completely done!”

“Yeah. No. I can’t do that.”

I looked to the next guy, who is also in a position where he could walk away tomorrow.

“I’m not even thinking about it yet,” he said.

Then they looked at me.

“I’ve definitely been seriously thinking about it.”

They both laughed.

“Truly,” I said. 

“Uh, excuse the skepticism, but they had to send you an email to stay home on a paid day off, and neither of us believe that you’re going to do it.”

“It’s about routines,” I said. “I can learn new routines.”

There was more laughter, and then we spent the rest of lunch talking about staffing for the construction of the Bills new stadium, and some of the accidents around town. Our lunch was interrupted because we all received calls that made us hop to it.

Three straight days off.

In the middle of the busy construction season seems weird…

…but someday…

…maybe sooner than we think….

…younger men will do our jobs…

…and we can make it through lunch…

…or sleep past 6:30 in the morning.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more