On Feb. 1, the Polar Vortex turned my basement into a minor Niagara Falls, leaving behind a flooded guest bedroom and bath, laundry and furnace rooms that remain gutted with water damaged walls, floors and ceilings but as yet no restoration. The Vortex created extensive damage in many upper midwestern states’ buildings, causing insurance and basement restoration firms to be deluged for help. We think we may finally have found a restoration company we can afford now, four months later. Thus, the return of the occasional blogger.
Yet, I feel surrounded by bleakness. Our Minnesota Spring has been most reluctant to free us from too much gorgeous snow, dangerous ice, and cold windy days. Even though ice houses of avid fishermen have been closed for the season, and deer hunters back home, TVs bring no relief with its bombardment of hopeless political news. A cartoon in my local paper pictured a very cold looking man looking at a shivering man holding his hands over his ears. The first man asks, “Frostbite?” The second highly distressed looking man replies, “No, Sound Bites from Washington Politicians!”
Yet yards are too wet and so ‘not ready’ for eager gardeners. In my social world of mostly women whom I cherish, too many leave us each year to death or retirement facilities, reminding us remaining of how tenuous is life. And how hard we must work to be less burdensome to our children. My daughter is one of many who must watch over her aging mother and be concerned about the grandchildren. Articles begin appearing with great regularity about the burden of baby boomers who find themselves wedged between old folks and millennials.
And yet the millennials certainly have their issues. They will be forever paying off their college education debts while seeking employment that satisfies and helps pay off college and medical expenses. It certainly feels like my generation truly lucked out. Born during WWII, we learned frugality and volunteerism, lucky enough to be among the recipients of the G.I. Bill that made college affordable. I chose to pursue a doctorate, graduating with no student debt and having my choice of varied desirable professions, giving me a career I truly enjoyed with great benefits as well. Not only were the baby boomers faced with too many pursuing too few desirable jobs but too often the down-sizing of available work included cut benefits and pitiable raises. My millennial friends seem more accepting of their frugal life styles, perhaps finding fun way of adapting. Perhaps I’ll explore their worlds next.
So I guess I am ready to continue my writing of blogs, a pursuit I enjoy.