When I thought things at work could not be more stressful... well, let's just say, I was wrong. I think the bottom line is that I have never learned how in the corporate environment to lay low, play games, suck up when necessary, and generally maneuver "politically" to put protecting my own (ample) butt ahead of all else. I've never been good at that, even when it would have benefited me. I tend to treat all people as people, rather than worrying about who is important and who not, whose bony or other ass needs to be kissed, and whose can be ignored. I tend to think other people operate the same way. The result - again and again I am surprised when people are willing to stab each other in the back to get an advantage or will deflect a justified criticism (oh, sorry, I should have said "will fail to take advantage of a growth opportunity") by making a personal attack. I suppose this is a "growth opportunity" for me - to model myself after those around me so that finally, before I "retire," I too can learn to contribute by looking after number one first and always. That may be one new trick this old dog doesn't want or just is not able to learn. As a result, I finally do see the end of my corporate "career" in sight in the not distant future - depending on other local job possibilities, finances, etc. I'm not sure what will come next for me or exactly when. But life is too short to spend it like this.
Better news:
Our friend Jon visited from California. Once he shared his personal history of being dragged out on boats by his family where he hung over the rail and barfed, we avoided boats. But we had a good albeit short visit - we went (for me, back) to the Farnsworth Museum, took a walk on the Rockland Breakwater, drove up Mt. Battle to see the view, shared several good meals at local restaurants, and enjoyed just catching up. Yesterday I learned that our friend Cyndy, formerly from Connecticut and now from Florida, may come to visit toward the end of August. Something to look forward to. (By the way, thanks to Cyndy and others who encouraged me to keep up this blog.)
The weather has been alternately hot followed by rain followed by a typical Maine summer day followed by more hot, more rain, etc. The garden has generally thrived from this but our radishes were a bust. I think I failed to thin them soon enough and then let them grow too "woody". The carrots are looking very robust, but we haven't pulled any yet. The grape tomatoes planted in the raised bed are thin and feeble looking. We've had a few tomatoes from them, but the plants just didn't do well. My neighbor Melissa says Japanese beetles have been a problem for her tomatoes, so maybe for mine, too. The one grape tomato plant I put in separately over by the side of the house is thriving. The jalapeño peppers are finally coming in. We've been eating cucumbers from our garden.
Locally - we made it through the Maine Lobster Festival and this weekend, the Boat, Home and Something or Other show. We skipped the Lobster Festival and went to the Boat show yesterday. Best thing was a local Ukulele band that had a repertoire of 1400 songs. You could request a song by name or call out a number. In addition to ukuleles, their instruments included an electric bass guitar, drums (including congo drums), an electric stand-up banjo bass, a saw, a kazoo, a flute, and more that I forget. Tonight we may go kayaking off the coast with a group in a "super moon" paddle.
Meanwhile, here's what's coming up locally - if you don't have equally exciting happenings where you live, why don't you come up and join us:
• Talk by Hope Elephants Director, 1 p.m., St. Andrews Village, Boothbay Harbor. Andrew Stewart talks about the threats elephants face in the wild. Free, space limited; RSVP: 633-0920.
• Insect Walk in Edgecomb, 1-2:30 p.m., Singing Meadow Preserve, Cross Point Road. Join entomologist Clay Kirby for an entertaining stroll in search of singing insects. FMI: bbrlt.org or 633-4818.
• "The Truth About Bats," 5 p.m., Project Puffin Visitor Center, 311 Main St., Rockland. Expert Annie Kassler gives the slidetalk about our winged allies and their critical place in the planet's ecology and global economies. With wine and cheese. Reservations: 596-5566.
• "Race, Violence, and Friendship: Mississippi, 1964 and 2014," 7 p.m., Jackson Memorial Library, Tenants Harbor. Talk by David Riley and members of his family about Freedom Summer, its voter registration drives and a reunion of activists.
Actually, this may be the most quintessentially Maine event in the Free Press this week:
Quilt Whisperer" Gives Workshop, Sat., Aug. 16, 2 p.m., Federated Church, Hyler St., Thomaston. Bonnie Dwyer shows more than 25 from her collection and explains how to determine age and care for quilts. Bring your own for her to identify. Free.
Or maybe not, maybe this one:
"How to Kill a Zombie," Fri., Aug. 15, 7 p.m. The Maine-made action-comedy makes its debut at Flagship Cinemas in Thomaston, and continues through Thurs., Aug. 21, at 1 and 7 p.m. daily. Actors from the film will attend the 7 p.m. showing Sat., Aug. 16, and participate in a Q&A after the screening.
Peace. Soon. Please.
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