Friday Fun! — The Jazz Man
So, we are venturing out! An al fresco lunch at one of our favorite restaurants is in our immediate future. They have a terrific assortment of burgers. It is a lovely day to contemplate the future. Two and 1/2 million jobs were created in May…to the surprise of everyone! There is good news out there…and […]
Calm In The Storm — The Jazz Man
MJ order us some tall porch chairs. When I say tall, I mean that I have to stretch a little to sit in them. I love them! I am accustomed to being compelled to fold my legs under me…in short chairs. I customarily seek the tallest chair in the room! It is raining…once again. Our […]
First Haircut
Summer has arrived in Little Egypt. Today promises to be the hottest day of the year. Along with the heat has come increased social activity. People are enjoying al fresco dining with social distancing and a law was passed, yesterday, that permits bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks to-go. The drinks are placed into a plastic container and sealed and must be housed in the trunk of your automobile…until you arrive at your destination. I bet you thought that we Southern Illinoisans would be imbibing as we leisurely walked the sidewalks of Carbondale? Remember this is Illinois…not New Orleans, Louisiana! When we visited New Orleans, a few years ago, we did enjoy an adult beverage as we toured Bourbon Street…and drank in the freedom…and the abundance of excess!
I felt like a child as I waited for my first haircut…in a long time. I first drove past my regular barber shop and observed several people standing outside the building awaiting their turn. I did not relish the idea of a couple of hours of standing. So, I drove by another shop, that I attend periodically, and they had provided outside chairs for the waiting customers. There were more stylist that I had ever seen in the shop. I noticed that when those that were in front of me, in the queue, went in…they were not there long. To receive a haircut you had to have a face-mask on, as did your barber. The young woman who cut my hair, stood several feet behind me until I was prepared for the event. Then the clippers did fly! It was almost like being surrounded by one of those cartoon whirlwinds that I used to watch when I was a boy. Soon it was over and it looked good. I paid and exited…straightaway!
I marvel as I read social media postings that make light of the fact that the news is currently covering the protests surrounding the murder of Mr. George Floyd, and not talking about the pandemic…. The protests and outrage are occurring simultaneously with the devastation of the Coronavirus.
Now that some restrictions have been lifted, it is not the time to gather in large groups without face masks. There is no solution for the virus until we have a vaccine. We are in the beginning stages of living with a virus that has killed more than 105 thousand people in the United States….And it has not taken a holiday!
The opening back up of facilities is complex. For business owners or those who are responsible for the safety and welfare of those who use their facilities…the burden is heavy. To say that we are in a new world…is an understatement! When a facility is reopened…the management is implicitly stating that they have done all that is possible to ensure the safety of their users or customers. To believe that a good faith effort or take comfort in the fact that your insurance agent tells you that you are covered…would be naive if you have not personally verified that the health and safety requirements are fulfilled…and that being on a daily…and perhaps hourly basis. Nothing about our 2020 pandemic is easy!
During my carer at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale we maintained 4 child care facilities. I was either the assistant superintendent or superintendent of the operation for the majority of my time with the university. Although we maintained over 200 buildings…I considered the 4 childcare facilities that we were responsible for…at the top of my list for my personal attention. We had detailed plans for pandemic custodial maintenance in preparation for SARS. We regularly had all PPE equipment including HEPA vacuums for the purpose of the cleaning that is required for a university setting and the crucial care of our children…
I am happy to see our region beginning to return to some sense of normalcy. We have to start somewhere. But, we must not forget where we have been…and where we could return!
As We All Journey Joyfully Together
Here is a wonderful Jonathon Brooks Blog!
I finished reading a great book the other day titled The Hilarious World of Depression. The author of this book, John Moe, also hosts a popular podcast by the same title. The book was released earlier this month and I ordered my copy about four days after its publication date. It’s one of my favorite books read so far this year.
The book is a memoir with stories from guests on the podcast also. The podcast and the memoir are about talking about mental health issues that are difficult to talk about. I love books that address mental illness with hope and optimism and humor. I’ve known I have bipolar disorder (manic depression) since I was age 19. Since that age and revelation I’ve studied up on bipolar and I’ve continued to fight hard to have a happy life and share this joy with other fellow life travelers. Oh…
View original post 189 more words
As We All Journey Joyfully Together
Here is a wonderful Jonathon Brooks Blog!
I finished reading a great book the other day titled The Hilarious World of Depression. The author of this book, John Moe, also hosts a popular podcast by the same title. The book was released earlier this month and I ordered my copy about four days after its publication date. It’s one of my favorite books read so far this year.
The book is a memoir with stories from guests on the podcast also. The podcast and the memoir are about talking about mental health issues that are difficult to talk about. I love books that address mental illness with hope and optimism and humor. I’ve known I have bipolar disorder (manic depression) since I was age 19. Since that age and revelation I’ve studied up on bipolar and I’ve continued to fight hard to have a happy life and share this joy with other fellow life travelers. Oh…
View original post 189 more words
We Will Never Understand Each Other…If We Do Not Listen To Each Other… — The Jazz Man
It is another pristine day on the back porch. Zoom church was especially enriching this morning. I am proud that I am still batting 1000 in zoom church attendance, as I open my computer and join the meeting! We walked on campus earlier today and I, once again, enjoyed seeing families out…and some with lawn […]
via We Will Never Understand Each Other…If We Do Not Listen To Each Other… — The Jazz Man
Let’s Be Reader Aficionados
Please enjoy an eloquent blog from Jonathon Brooks!
Books have been good to me. I became an enthusiastic reader around age 19. As a boy I did not value books or have a great desire to read them. I suppose I was too busy making the mistakes of boyhood and thinking I knew so much already that I did not need books in my life’s story. At age 36 I need books like oxygen. I need the knowledge and pleasure and entertainment and wisdom that comes from books. My life’s story is in desperate need of books.
I’m always in search of my next great read. The next book up could be a memoir or a young adult novel or a science fiction tale or perhaps a story of inspirational Christian faith. It is exciting to me, just like the reading of books, to always be planning the next book to be read. My home is full of…
View original post 298 more words
Let’s Be Reader Aficionados
Please enjoy an eloquent blog from Jonathon Brooks!
Books have been good to me. I became an enthusiastic reader around age 19. As a boy I did not value books or have a great desire to read them. I suppose I was too busy making the mistakes of boyhood and thinking I knew so much already that I did not need books in my life’s story. At age 36 I need books like oxygen. I need the knowledge and pleasure and entertainment and wisdom that comes from books. My life’s story is in desperate need of books.
I’m always in search of my next great read. The next book up could be a memoir or a young adult novel or a science fiction tale or perhaps a story of inspirational Christian faith. It is exciting to me, just like the reading of books, to always be planning the next book to be read. My home is full of…
View original post 298 more words
I Have a Good Feeling!
It is a picturesque day in Carbondale, Illinois. Jonathon and I walked the campus of Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale and drank in the riches of its splendor! I am seeing a lot of happy people as they enjoy the reopening of our restaurants for al fresco dining with social distancing. Old campus had families laughing and enjoying the richness of a perfect spring day!
Dr. Austin Lane has been named the chancellor of SIUC. I had the opportunity of watch a zoom Open Forum with Dr. Lane. I was struck with his ability to connect with everyone that he spoke with. His natural ability to not only communicate effectively, but to also give the person that he is talking with a feeling of importance to the mission of Southern…was extraordinary! I have been a chancellor watcher for over 40 years. During that time, and many chancellors, I have not witnessed a more immediate connection and heartfelt belief that this leader demonstrates that every member of the university community is vital to the success of the Saluki family and the institution.
The university is one of the most important elements of my life…and I have been retired for nearly 10 years! I spent my entire career working in the custodial department of SIU…in Building Services at the Physical Plant. Over those years I learned what many have failed to understand. There is no us and them…for our school to succeed, it takes all of our efforts. The Building Services staff took their mission as vital to the success of our SIU! We not only kept our buildings immaculate…but we mentored our over 200 student staff. When they were homesick…we were their surrogate moms and dads. When they wanted to drop-out…we talked them out of it. When they were hungry…we fed them. They were our kids and we rejoiced in their success…with tears in our eyes!
During their last few years of my career I was privileged to be the president of the civil service council, for 5 years. During that time, and before, I became friends with several chancellors…and 1 president. I have longed for a campus leader that has the ability to bring us all together, and when I say us… I am speaking of not only the university community…but the entire Southern Illinois region. Little Egypt is thirsty for a leader that will call us to arms…and let us know that we are essential to the success of our most prized possession…our jewel…SIUC!
I have been close to chancellors who caused the eyes of those with whom they spoke…to brighten! I have been witness to chancellors who brought peace and unity and a vision for the future. Success cannot be delivered by any one man or woman…but their ability to martial the love and abilities of countless people of good will…is priceless!
I emailed Chancellor Lane congratulations…although I considered that he might wonder who was, Jay Brooks, and why would he be congratulating me. I identified myself as a former, career, employee of SIUC and that I had the opportunity to watch the zoom Open Forum. I also noted that I had been retired for almost 10 years. That was yesterday…and he replied to my email after midnight. Now…that is a sure and certain sign to me that this leader is going to include all of us!
Smiling Eyes — The Jazz Man
I was reading a cartoon today of a ventriloquist and his miniature associate… on his knee. The ventriloquist remarked that, ‘I think I may really have a shot at this now,’ as he spoke to his wife…through his mask… Also, I read a New Yorker cartoon that depicted a young man sitting under […]
The Happy Traveler 