The Wind Blew

The Dogs Bark, But the Caravan Moves On!!!!  Arabic Saying

I have used this saying many times, to imply another saying "There is Nothing Permanent but Change", Heraclitus.

I have Quoted these sayings ....often during  meetings or when I am ask "what is going to happen now"  over the last 42 years of my governmental service to the State of Louisiana and the Lil' City by The Red

The first one quote, is when someone leaves a position and the hand-ringers, naysayers, employees say "O My God, He or She is Gone, what are we ever going to do.... now that they are no longer in  our employment..."

The second one, quote, I use mainly for employees who do not like change, new rules, modified programs, budget reductions, and on and on and on!!!

On Friday, September 23rd, I left the employment with the Lil City by the Red, after 8 years, 2 months, during those years, I held three great positions, Director of Public Works, Commissioner of Public Safety and Chief of Staff for the elected Mayor..

There are new winds blowing now up in the Mayor's office.... its time for a change........

and I Was the Change........  

In governmental work, when you are have gained enough battles under your belt, you become the Older One, full of knowledge, knowing the "what if's"....

When the winds of change come, being an Older one, its give you, the latitude to pick up the phone and say..... "Hey when you  mentioned and ask me if I  would be interested in me coming over and then said you should have been here long ago..... Well.. Here I come.  You have got the Older One.  

So, I am on to another journey, this time in another  public organization, who needs an administrator.

Here is my letter---- The Dogs Bark, But the Caravan Moves on........  It was delivered at High Noon, on the 23Rd..... appropriately... with Metaphors... cause that is how we speak.. one must always read between the lines......

To Whom It May Concern:

On July 14, 2008, I began my employment journey with the City and Citizens of The Lil City by the Red.  During the ensuing years, it has been my privilege and pleasure to bring my expertise in governmental management to this city.

An opportunity has arisen to give me a breath of fresh air, to lend my expertise to another agency and, with that, I have accepted another employment offer. 

After a long discussion with my close friends and family, I have determined that my employment relationship with the City shall cease on September 23, 2016, at 12 Noon.

With kindest regards,

Windows... Windows.... Time is Rolling on

It's Saturday

I made my normal rounds early this morning. Inglewood Farms, John Ward Hardware, SJ Cleaners, Town and Country Meats..... its sort of a tradition here... make the rounds and see the folks who own the stores.. all locals...

I wasn't feeling really good this morning , there is a crud going around here, I seemed to have run into it somewhere.  I wash my hands all the time, its was something I did all the time in my past occupation, so Im not sure how or who i got close to to catch the crud..

I immediately started a round of antibiotics and a Z pack... seems to have knocked it out.. I know of some folks who waited almost a week, then went to the Dr... it set in with them... one got pneumonia..

48 hours later... I am beginning to feel a tid lil better....

I have really been working a lot lately... with my part time work as a mayoral assistant and now with my company contracting with the District Attorney's Office... I am putting in 48 hours weeks... where I was lally gaggin doing about 22 hours a week, for the last few years... I'm worn out coming home from the Courthouse.  That's where the DA office is.. at least I have my own window....

Windows.. Windows..... I am seeing a lot of windows these days.... looking into the lives of others...

I coined a phrase " The wave and breath of humanity walks pass me everyday"... especially at the Courthouse.

Heading into Fall

First lil' touch of Fall, hit me today, when I walked out onto the back porch this morning....

You could tell Fall is  in the air.....

The company, is doing rather well, I have had a compensation reduction, smart move, when your government agencies are in a fiscal crisis.  A voluntary compensation reduction no less... hit all three govt units, by surprise.... I did up the amount of office research,rather than onsite research.. but every one loves the reduction in  office visit cost.  Giving consultations/advise to elected officials is the main focus of the company.... i seem to have a good footing there.....

I, was questioned the other day about some advise,  that I have given one on my contracts, he is a 40 something elected official, large staff, tremendous responsibilities, .... I told him this....

"your integrity is the only thing you take to your grave"  it is about what people say about your when you are Gone... and I went on to talk with him about that subject.... after the political talk is over with, after who said what, after everybody has cursed, cried, and moaned... it the end.....

Your decision, must be made, for the correct reason, with the correct information, then you can sleep.

The City Position (part time) is still there... I am reducing the hours there, but still maintaing about 20 hours a week, during normal business hours.

The "love life.".. "dating life".... Naw.... let me say that one more time ...Naw... aint happening...

Which, could be, a good thing.... gives time for introspection ... quiet evenings.... and doing things around the house ...rearranging up the living room so I can use the fireplace this winter.... Its what my Momma did when Fall was about to appear, its what I have done every year since I have been in this house, which would be 20 years on February 2017.... Side Note:.... I brought the house from the original family who built it in 1923.... purchased it from the Son, who grew up here, he was going inot assisted living at the time of my purchase. he was 80 years old back then.... Lord rest Mr. B's Soul