Birthday Furlough Camp

Birthday Furlough Camp

  My corporate overlords asked for volunteers for a one-week furlough as part of their pandemic austerity measures. I was not sure I was in a better place financially to take the hit than they were, but I was certain I could put the time off to good use, so I...
Denial

Denial

I like my job. It is work that needs doing and I enjoy doing it. I have worked through several public health crises; I was a lab tech and phlebotomist through more than one hepatitis outbreak. I was working when AIDS first began to blossom, before we really knew...
Still Living My Best Life

Still Living My Best Life

Amy has been gone for three weeks, gone south to California to take care of her mother who is recovering from hip surgery. Our niece, Tessa, remarked to her: “Uncle Vernon must be living his best life, up there unsupervised.” “Vernon lives his best...
Pandemic Furlough Campout

Pandemic Furlough Campout

  With fears of the contagion, business was slow. My employers decided to save some money by furloughing me Tuesday through Wednesday morning, so Walter and I took advantage of the relaxed travel restrictions to go camping. The Triumph loaded with gear, we headed...