More Wild Weather.

 Whew!  that week flew by!   And I even worked Saturday!  Funny how working at a Candy Factory makes the time fly.  So fast, in fact,  that I hardly remember what happened this week.   Mostly because I simply slept and worked.   But one thing of Note:   The Weather!

Monday it was WARM!   A Beautiful day!  I actually considered calling in just to enjoy it. (Just kidding.   I love the Haribo!   And besides,  what else would I be doing?)   I had thoughts that the rest of the week would be similar to that Monday.  

But then...  SNOW!   What?  Snow?   How?     Well,  just a dusting, right?   

Nope!   A full on "Blizzard!"   With school closings and everything.   Wind.  Freezing Temps!   Black ICE!   Snow Drifts!  

 

YETIS!!

Ok, I made that last part up.  But it was a bit of a shock that the snow would stay for several days and that there were school closings this late in the year.   I guess it was more because of the Ice and less about the snow.   The Plows had most of the storm under control by the time I woke up for work. But for the folks who live out in the country or had a longer commute,  they were understandably absent that first day. 

By Friday,  the weather had wormed up and by Saturday,  it was back up on the 60's with plenty of Sun.  

You would think that would make for a pleasant Sunday afternoon... But currently it is overcast and there is the threat of rain.  

No matter....  I'm inside with the Cat.   And I have a bunch of things I had to do so going "outside" would only distract from what  needs to be done.  

I am ready for Spring, though.  I don't really care about the bugs that much.   ( Except Ticks! )  And the call of  Mushroom hunting and fishing is intoxicating!   Pretty much any outdoor activity would be welcome at this point.   

So Hurry Up Spring! 

Until then,  I'll curl up with the Cat and put another log on the fire.   Maybe have a bowl of Chili or Stew.    And Make Every Second count....  Even the ones leading up to Spring.  

The Pub Crawl!

 I'll be honest,  I only followed the pipers to one Pub yesterday.   And I left the Clubhouse before they arrived, so technically,   I went to two bars.   And I did not get to enjoy any of the green beer...  Unless you count the Goose Island IPA.   Which is my usual choice at the Clubhouse.   

In fact,  I didn't even have a beer at Mason's.    The place was busy and I learned last year that buying a beer before the show was nearly impossible unless you already had a table.   So I simply took in the Show and tried to nap a few pics and shoot some video.  

That being said, it was still an experience.   And I do Enjoy the Bagpipes.    Even though three of the songs sounded very similar.   ( I must have left before they played "Scotland The Brave".)  They DID play "Amazing Grace."  Which is always beautiful.   Except they throw cold water on the song by telling you a sad story about someone dying.  (No,  It was not Jesus!)    We had to "lift a glass, Remove our hats, and pay our respects to nameless, faceless person/soldier/ law enforcement/ firemen guy who died somewhere around here. 

 I know I'm a little cold and callused about overly dramatic things like this.   Perhaps they were doing it for the ladies.  ( Chicks dig sad stories like that...)   But  people die in the line of duty all the time.    We have funerals for them.    So they can be surrounded by people who know them.   Rather than using their name to  ruin an otherwise festive party for a bunch of strangers.  

But I digress....

A bit of a rant there.   I'm not hip on Drama.   And I will refrain from launching into my theories about the Purpose of Funerals and "Thanking People for their Service."  And try to bring the focus back on the Day...

After Masons,  I went to the Clubhouse for Lunch.   I knew that by going there early, I would most likely not catch the Pipers aas they arrived at 7.    As it was,  the Clubhouse was already packed pretty full.   So I pretty much just ate a Rueben Sandwich with a beer and headed out.   I was pretty tired after the early wake up anyway.   So getting back home was more desirable than hanging out and hearing another speech about a lost Service Member.  

By the way,  Today is Lydia's Birthday.    I wished her happy birthday before I left and folded  an Origami Owl.  I don't think she noticed much as she was pretty busy with the high volume of people. Dez came in just before I left to help out, in prep for the Piper's arrival.  I can only imagine what the scene was after that.  

Other than that,  I have been spending my Sunday making two large Crockpots of Chili for the week's Lunches.   I also have to work this next Saturday, so that means I will probably have less time to do any errands or catch up anything.   If the weather holds out like it did yesterday. ( It snowed!  Again!)   I probably will not be missing much.   Currently, it is raining.   And there are storms coming later.   Good times.  

Well,  I have the rest of the day to Make every second count.   So that is what I plan on doing.   Cheer!   And Happy Patty's Day!   I'll leave you with one last song.   Enjoy!  

Kenosha St. Patrick's Day Parade.

 I thought about titling this post "Men in Skirts!"  But that joke has probably been used so many times since Braveheart and Rob Roy came out, that there is no point going for a cheap laugh.  Still... I couldn't resist. 

Anyway!   On a Chilly Saturday Morning, I woke up early and  froze my butt off so I could hear the Pipers!   And any other marching band that joined in.   Nothing makes a Parade better than a good drumline. It does not have to be an Irish or Scottish Pipers Group.   It could be a amature Highschool marching band or a College Marching band.   Heck!  Even a group of Taiko drums!   I'll take the rhythm and beat of the drum sets to match the cadence to the marchers.  No wonder I liked the Army parades so much.  (My platoon won the marching competition in Basic.) 

In traditional fashion,   The city of Kenosha dyed the Bay Green for the event (Typical Wisconsin...  Making the Bay Green....   Get it?   Green Bay....    Packers?   Hello?   Is this on.....?)  A bunch of Germans and Mexicans trying to be Irish... I LOVE America!  Every culture has their day.  ( Even the Swedes!   Although we usually have to share it with the Norwegians...  Because no one can tell the difference.)  But instead of focusing on their differences,   I think it brings us together as a nation when we focus on the similarities. 

Like BEER!   Everyone loves beer!  Am I right?  (Can I get an "AMEN!")    And nothing says Irish better than Green beer.   Which I plan on Having at least once today...  as I follow the Pipers through their Pub Crawl. 

  They are going to several Bars and Pubs today.   including the Clubhouse!    It will be later though,  and probably crowded.  ( And by that time, I'm sure the Pipers will be thoroughly sauced up... so their playing will be top notch!)  I'll see if I can blog about that later. 

In the mean time,   This week was crazy!  Monday started out in the 70's!   Then dropped down to freezing mid week.   Then warmed back up on Thursday.. Only to drop back down and with snow on Friday!   And I always thought March Madness only referred to Basketball.  (And I don't like Basketball very much.)   Turns out, the weather simply has not made up its mind if it will allow Spring to start yet. 

 I forgot to mention the WIND!  Yesterday,  the wind was so strong and crazy that Trucks were tipping over on the Highway.  A common thing in Iowa and North Dakota.   But kind of rare here. (from my experience.)  The wind was rattling all of the Windows and doors of this place like I was under threat by an Army of Zombies trying to break in.   (My "Zombie Apocalypse" scenario.)  

I did manage to catalog my first Robin sighting this week.   Monday I believe... I saw this guy in a tree above me.   It was the first one of the year.   But soon after,  the Robins started popping up all around.   I remember in Iowa,  the Robins would show up in February!   And clean all of the crab apples off of the trees as they waited for the snow to melt.  We are not that much farther north from there... but it seems to take an additional month to get them to come this far.  

As I watched the rest of the Parade pass by,  I took a few pics of the other bands and Dance schools.  I did not stay long after that.  

 Especially when the sirens  and horns  were bursting my eardrums.  By the time I made it back to my Subie,   the field where I had parked had become a Mud bog!  

 I watched as a Muscle Car was being pulled out by a 4x4 truck.   All that was happening was the path was getting more and more tore up!    I remember those early days of my Jeep experience.... I would get that poor Comanche stuck in mud and have to be rescued.   I was young,   DUMB!  And did not have the experience or skill to get myself out of those situations.  (But still found my confidence level high enough to try!)  

Now I have a Subaru!   AWD and traction control!   And I'm  Older and just a little bit wiser (I think...)   So I did the "smart" move... And pulled forward  over the curb... between two parked cars. 

  Yeah, it was a cheat.  And a bit Cowardly...   But I discovered the Graveyards are filled with "Brave" Soldiers.  And "Cowards"  seem to live longer.  (Murphies Law of War:  Never share a foxhole with someone braver than you.)  Translation:  Reckless bravery often leads to dangerous situations.

Maybe that is why I got a Green Lucky Duck today.   It (The Silver Eagle Subie) is not a Jeep,   But I still like the reputation of a Subaru and its ability to handle most driving situations with control and handling.  And avoiding unnecessary Muddy Situations helps.  

So now I'm off!  To see if I can grab a Beer at the Clubhouse and wait for the Pipers to arrive.   I'm not sure if I will stay long or how the crowd situation will pan out, but I have been in the Clubhouse when there was a party going on and it was tight.  Hopefully I will find it all blog worthy for a future posting.  

In the mean time...  I'll try to make every second count. 

Happy Spring Ahead Week!

 This week went by quickly!   And That is with the additional Saturday I volunteered to commit to.  So what makes a six day work week fly by so quickly?   Oh!  Lots of things... Mostly stuff I can't remember.  (Because it flew by so quickly....  Like a blur!)   

Things I can remember:   The weather!  

First!   Rain!   A warm spring rain greeted us earlier in the week.   I only remember this because I had the forethought to actually take a picture after work.   I'm sure the warmer temps also played a role in my decision.   Whenever there is something that is "a change from the norm."  I make a mental check to try to catalog it.   (For a possible Blog posting later.)  

That Spring-like weather was followed by a cold wave.   ( Which I skipped, because we have had enough cold!)  

But then the fog rolled in!   I'm always enchanted with a foggy day.   I always attach it to a number of memories from my past.   Most of them from the early "Paper Route Days" from my childhood. 

 Or those John Carpenter's movies that never really scared us, but we use to tell each other about late at night camping in the backyard.  There was even that day we went fishing on Lake Michigan and got lost in the fog in Grand Traverse Bay!  (Good times!) The fog was so thick, a Robin flew out of the mist and landed on Dad's fishing pole for a rest!  That kind of freaked Dad out, since we did not know exactly the direction of the shore!

And then there is the song:  Foggy Day in London Town.   Gershwin!    Sung by the Legendary Ella Fitzgerald!    Every Foggy Day that passes by my window,  this song pops into my mind and I sing a few bars.   

After that, it has been a battle with the wind.   If the wind direction if from the right place,  warmer weather is enjoyed by all!  If it switches back from the north,   then the colder weather returns!    Today,   it was from the West.   Meaning it started out cold, but soon warmed up to nearly 60! (With lots of Sun!)  I went out for a walk by the lake to see  the calm waters and feel the sand once more.  

The picture is deceptive!   Because it "Looks" calm... But if you turn to face the land, you get pelted with a strong wind!   I think it is funny that a strong wind from the west will "calm" the waters of Lake Michigan.   But that is how things work on this side of the Lake.  

I forgot to mention the Thunderstorm on Friday.  I believe that was the first one of the year here.  It was fairly early in the morning, so I did not get to enjoy much of it. But I do love falling asleep during the rumbling of thunder and the patter of rain hitting the windows.  I'm not sure the Cat enjoyed it as much as I did though.

Speaking of the Cat!  She can be a serious distraction from time to time.   Case in point:  This morning for Church.  With the missing hour,  I was set to rise up with the Alarm an hour before Church  today.   But with her sleeping so soundly on my chest,   I hit the snooze, figuring I would give her an additional five minutes of peace before disturbing her.   

AN HOUR LATER.... I missed the first service and was forced to attend the later one at the east Campus.  Not a huge deal.   And I'm sure that my exhaustion from working last night played an additional role in that mishap.  But, I do find that The cat provides me the "wrong Motivation" whenever I have to get up or move.   She simply wants to stay warm and toasty on my lap.   And I enjoy that. 

I thought about making the cat my new Muse...  ( Get it?   Mews... Muse?  Sounds like a Dave Joke)  but that might be limiting, since all she does is sleep and occasionally attack the Rug and furniture.  To be frank,  she is actually a rather boring cat. Which is good for me.   I like boring!  Heck!  I think I'M boring!    So we are a good match.   

Besides,  the definition of "Lap Cat" is one that does nothing but cuddle up on your lap and sleep.   No where in the job description is there a clause for being "Interesting".   So She could argue she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do.   And She does a pretty good job at it.   So, I really should look elsewhere for my Blog Material.  

Perhaps something more fun and exciting will happen this Summer.   ( Hopefully nothing as "exciting" as last year.)  And that will provide me the inspiration to write more.    We shall see how things pan out.  

In the meantime,   We shall try to make every second count!   Especially since time is so fleeting and there is not much of it left. 

The Days When The Gummies Win!

Ever want a job with action and adventure?   Then you should consider a career as a material handler at a Gummy Factory! 

It was a tough week at the Haribo this week.   But I managed to survive.... (Que dramatic Music....) 

 Barely!

So what makes working at Haribo so exciting and adventurous?   Well, a number of things.    One of which is that the Gummies Never Stop!

It also "helps" when there are fewer material handlers than are scheduled.   That means there is a job that needs to be done with no one there to do it!   Oh!  Sure....   If a number of lines are down for any given reason,  then you "might" be able to handle things with one less person.   

But if TWO material handlers are missing...   (There are supposed to be at least 5!)  That means that the remaining three have to move mountains to stay on top of things.  And by mountains... I mean a mountain of Gummy Bears!

And so it was for two of the 6 days that there were only three of us.   Tino, Elsa and myself....  Holding back the flood doors of Gummies as they vortexed down the Mogul system.  Usually,  the management pulls another Fork Truck Driver to help us out.   And if they can't find one,  they will jump on a Stand-up  to give us a break.   But this week,  no third shift-ers or any operators could help.  It was just us....

We did manage to pull it off.   Luckily, several of the "Serious" lines were down either due to parts or change-overs.   So we were not completely buried in finished goods or gummies.   But even then, Sacrifices had to be made!   Elsa and I barely got our lunch and NO breaks...  Tino managed to get his first break that that was all.  

But the day flies by when you are in "the Zone" of moving pallets and gummies around the floor.   And keeping the lines fully stocked with boxes and materials even though you are maxed out with other tasks to complete.   It usually means that things get "put aside" instead of sent to the warehouse.   But eventually,  things get caught up on Saturday.   

And Tino and I worked yesterday and took a large chunk out of the clean up.   I finished all of the "Returns" and Tino cleaned up the broken pallet stacks that were cluttering the charging area.  I doubt third shift was able to do much more, since only one material handler showed up.   But at least we set up the Monday first shifters with a cleaner floor.   

And that is not to mention the Gummies!   Tino mostly focused on keeping the lines stocked, and second shift alone cleared out several rows of  Peaches and Wildberry Gold Bears from the floor.  Even Elsa showed up for 4 hours yesterday to help out first shift!  

There are times when you end the day at Haribo with a feeling of frustration of fatigue.   Knowing that there was nothing you could do to stop the tidal wave of candy coming down from the second floor.   

However,   Most of the time, there is this great feeling of satisfaction that washes over you when you are able to ride the waves and stay above water.   And instead of drowning in Gummy Bears,  you find yourself Surfing  and having fun with your Team.  I genuinely enjoy the team aspect of the job.   I'm not sure what it is like on the other shifts, but Second Shift has some great people who help each other out as best we can and, I think,   genuinely enjoy working with each other.  Of the five Material Handlers that punched in yesterday,   Three were from Second Shift!

I have been working with a couple of the temps that can drive Fork Trucks.   They are good guys and we all work well with each other.   Haribo does not like using Temps for material handlers (for Obvious reasons...)  But Alex has been working there longer than any of us.   And is still a Temp!   

My hope is that those guys eventually get hired on permanent and can join the team full time.  But until their contract with the Temp agency ends,  we can only hope that they are able to help out from time to time.  

So... Another Busy week at Haribo.  And a new month is upon us.   Which means MORE gummies for the employees.  ( Each month they give us two to three boxes of Gummies!)  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of them.  I have been giving them away since I can't possibly eat them all ( nor should I!  Too much candy!) Luckily, there are some folks at Church and at the Clubhouse who enjoy them.  And The Bartenders share them with some of the regulars while the Teachers share them with the Kids at KLA.   In all,   Spreading the Joy of the Gummy Bear is something I enjoy doing.  

Time to prep for Monday!  Another Week of Sparing with the Mogul Guys as they dump tons of Gummy Bears down on the Packaging Floor.    AGAIN!    Hopefully, this week, we will be able to keep up with them and ride the waves instead of simply treading water.  

A Challenge and Goal  I shall look forward to....  All while making every second count.