Category Archives: Work and Career

Scam

Posted on January 17, 2016 by vanbytheriver

“Stuff Envelopes for Cash” I fell for the scam. I was a naïve, teenaged college student, working summer factory jobs to pay for expenses, looking for a way to earn cash that would not interrupt my classes (social life). It seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Random Thoughts, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , | 64 Comments

Chowder

Posted on December 11, 2015 by vanbytheriver

The best soup recipe I’ve ever had came from a man who was dying. Paul was a brilliant engineer in his early 30’s, with a lovely wife and 2 young sons. An attractive and personable man, he was gray the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Inspiration, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

A Tale of 3 Homes

Posted on October 4, 2015 by vanbytheriver

Home ownership. It was the rite of passage into adulthood for so many of us. The American dream. The white picket fence. The statistical 2.5 children. The house in the suburbs. Some stay a few years and move on. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, home, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Zzzzzzz’s

Posted on September 16, 2015 by vanbytheriver

I saw the cartoon recently, and laughed, but only for a few seconds. I have experienced these images, every one, at different times in my life. And that is not so funny. It seems to be a chronic issue with … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Issues, Hotel Stories, Movies, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Labor

Posted on September 7, 2015 by vanbytheriver

It is Labor Day here in the U.S., and I am fondly remembering the best paying, hardest and maybe most curious employment experience ever. I washed raisins in a Pepperidge Farm bakery. I was a summer substitute, working for college … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Inspiration, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Luxury

Posted on July 1, 2015 by vanbytheriver

Growing up poor, luxury did not apply, especially to anything as frivolous as a handbag. I blame this on Judy, or at least I did, until I watched her meltdown. She was my mentor, responsible for my training. We worked … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Work and Career, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Guest Post – New Beginnings

Posted on June 29, 2015 by vanbytheriver

Originally posted on A Momma's View:
A beautiful guest post from my friend Vanbytheriver. I was told that it was sort of inspired by my ‘Inside Out’ post, which makes me even happier. I can totally relate to how…

Posted in Childhood, Family, home, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Last Move

Posted on June 25, 2015 by vanbytheriver

“Kansas ? Really ?” He was five years from retirement. “It’s the last move, Ellen, we really have no choice.” Mark was right. There were bills to pay, he loved his work, Florida could wait. Stress, depression, illness did not … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Flash Fiction, Health Issues, Work and Career, Writing Prompt | Tagged , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Shrimp and Grits

Posted on June 23, 2015 by vanbytheriver

“Racism probably had something to do with it, but I think the kid was crazy,” Kyndel Payne of Beaufort says. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the confederate flag.” And there it is. The way this issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food, News, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Summer of Love

Posted on June 13, 2015 by vanbytheriver

Apollo astronauts landed on the moon. Two hundred thousand showed up for Woodstock. It was 1969. And I was making hand grenade fuses in a small factory in rural Pennsylvania. In spite of cutback promises by President Nixon, the conflict … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments