February 11, 2015

Thanks to the sweetie who gave me a heart.

I was beginning to think the only way I'd get one would be to give a heart to myself.

I've still got several to give away. Who should it be?

February 11, 2015

If the Supremes okay the ACA, and Cuba is opened

to US citizens again, Obama will have quite a legacy.
Lots more, too, but those two things are off the top of my head and stand out for me..

February 10, 2015

This is a wonderful oportunity for West Virginians.

P&G is widely known for treating its employees fairly; some might even say they treat employees very well.

I'm here in Cincinnati, the home of P&G, and can't tell you how well-regarded the company is in this area.
P&G is great at contributing to the area in which it's located, so even those who will not be employed directly will benefit from P&G presence.

February 10, 2015

I can relate.

Am older than you, 3 "kids" in young 50's, one is late 40's.

And, yes, I rely on them more or more, though still wanting to keep control of my destiny (housing, money, time, etc.)

My advice to any and all - keep relationships between you and adult kids warm & open.

February 10, 2015

How do you think you'll feel when

all your kids are obviously middle-aged?

It gives one pause.

Then I remember I'm now "entitled" to look to them to assist me when life gets tough.

So all the rigor of child-raising, child-supporting, etc. worth it in the end.

February 10, 2015

Yes, I've seen it on "Hoarders". nt

February 10, 2015

I stay up way too late at night filling in time

on DU.
Like now.
I go through the latest news, the latest in the states, and the several groups I'm interested in.
If I'm still not ready to call it a night, I start on the Lounge or several groups of secondary interest.
(There really is something here for everybody and every taste.)

I wasn't always a night-owl.
I had a schedule and kept to it quite well.
Now there's no reason or need to answer to anyone re my computer habits or my sleeping habits.

February 8, 2015

Son worked at an Amazon "fulfillment" center, e.g. warehouse

during a Christmas season.

Speed was all important; they were timed on how quickly they put items away, or "picked" items to send.
Employees were not allowed to sit except for a brief lunch.
"Points" were given for tardiness, and when a certain number reached, the employee was let go.

Employees were obviously dispensable, for there are always more waiting to get a job.

I'm sure others here can tell more about the problems of today's warehouse work.

February 7, 2015

I'm glad to learn of the Seamen's Institute and

their contribution to the welfare of mariners.

Like the Seamen's Institute, the Apostleship of the Sea apparently has branches in various ports across the US and in various nations.
US ports include Port Arthur, Baltimore, and several in Florida's ports.

February 7, 2015

Apostleship of the Sea

The Apostleship of the Sea is an international ministry of the Roman Catholic Church for those who work at sea or on ships. Members of the clergy - priests, deacons - and laity give of their time and talent to bring the presence of the Church to mariners and travelers on the seas, as far as possible. Those who represent the Apostleship of the Sea must have documents from their bishop attesting that they are "in good standing" in the Church, as some people had fraudulently represented themselves as clergy in order to get a free cruise, or for other reasons of their own.

I became reacquainted with this ministry on a recent cruise on a Holland America ship in the Caribbean. A retired priest of the Oklahoma City diocese, now living in Naples, FL, said Mass daily on the ship, and made himself available to cruisers for confession or counseling as well.

However, the priest's ministry went far beyond the passengers, as I came to know that he also said daily mass for the crew as well, usually late in the evening, and was available to them in their need. Crewmembers have ten-month contracts and normally go for that long period without the comfort and support of their families. On our cruise, a crewmember's mother died halfway around the world, and that crewmember would stay on board for a day or two until we reached the port of San Juan, when he would leave the ship and fly home to the Philippines for the funeral of his mother.

When a "code" was announced for a passenger, the priest went to the infirmary, where, thankfully, the passenger was recovering from dehydration. However, this same priest, on an earlier cruise, had assisted a woman whose husband had died on board; passenger
deaths of natural causes are not uncommon on cruises, in that many passengers are elderly.

At this time, Holland America Line is the only cruise line to have priests on all its sailings. The Costa line, which has small chapels on its ships, provided priests until recently. Several other cruise lines - Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, for example- attempt to have priests on holidays - Christmas, Easter, New Years Day.