Well, this year is a little weird. It’s not only the last issue of the FM Extra for 2013, but the next issue, that will be written and delivered, will actually be next year in 2014.

Aside from that, Lauren and Michael came home the last few days and we celebrated our holiday early. Lauren will be working Christmas Day, so Michael came home early as well so we could all spend it together. It’s been a few years since we were all together for more than a day or so and it sure was fun. We’re not a “quiet” family. We play hard, work hard, argue loud and laugh a lot. We laugh at each other, ourselves and together about all of the world’s preposterous happenings and people. And some days I’d like to just sit on the sideline somewhere and listen to the conversations and ideas floating around in “cyber-space.” I’m not sure, but I have a feeling I might be more terrified than entertained. However, keeping things in perspective, I am very sure moms and dads my age said the very same thing about the adult generation that would replace them as the “up and coming” and next generation of “seniors” as well. The major difference between today and the late 70s is the technology we use today to “communicate.”

It still gets to me watching as half the public walks around with a phone stuck to their head or seeing so many heads bowed as if in church as people walk down sidewalks and cross streets and sit on benches texting or reading the last text they received. Ash refers to them a “zombies” and I have to admit, it sometimes does appear that way. I think what I miss most in getting a text versus a phone call is not just hearing the voice of the person I’m communicating with, but NOT hearing the inflexions and emphasis on how the person talking is using words and phrases. For instance, when texting something like “she said what to you about Joe Schmoe?” versus saying “she said WHAT to you about Joe Schmoe?!?” In my world of interpreting how the two are different is very distinctive and take on totally different reactions! And “Siri,” bless her steel-plated robot heart, is just not sophisticated enough yet to repeat outrage versus simple inquisitiveness. Nope. I’d much rather have an actual verbal conversation any time.

But, alas, it is today and there’s not much else to do but go with the flow and ride the tide to see where the next adventure in computer communicating takes us.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER…

And say thank you to those whom I have depended upon for a number of deeds and shown solid standup behavior for being responsible and showing up for the jobs they have when the nasty frigid air and snow-covered streets and sidewalks not very well maintained crawled into our winter weather.

First and foremost to my crew who have persevered, especially during the last few weeks of subzero degree temperatures and during the many sweltering days of July and August, to help me get the FM Extra delivered to the commercial grocery store stands as well as the many stands all over the metro areas of Fargo/Moorhead and surrounding rural towns all the way from Casselton to Hawley and as far north as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Without our delivery people we would be like a boat in dry dock going nowhere.

Let all of us remember the hundreds of thousands of everyday workers we cross paths with who work late, late shifts and very early morning shifts at convenience stores and grocery stores; those who worked cash registers during Thanksgiving Day when the majority of us were spending it with friends and family feasting.

To the police officers and fire fighters and emergency medical crews driving ambulances and working in hospital emergency rooms who remain on duty working Christmas and other holidays so you and I feel safe and secure in our homes, thank you for being there if we need you.

Thank you to the hundreds of city workers who replace power cables when the electricity goes out and stop water main breaks when old pipes burst due to the cold or just plain wear out and always to the snow plow drivers on our streets and by-ways who keep us from being homebound all winter. And not to be forgotten, the tow truck operators who keep the flow of traffic moving by hauling away damaged or wrecked vehicles that clog up streets and major highways, sometimes stopping the flow of traffic for miles.

And often forgotten, but needed far more frequently, are the thousands who work in retail, restaurants, stay-in and eat-out eateries, motels, hotels, airports, daily newspaper route delivery people, taxi drivers, television cable repair people. Thank you for you are often not remembered until called upon. And woe be to those who take your services for granted.

We are rich beyond measure in the United States. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of the many we see only when we need them or there is a problem.

We are still a great society of doers.