OK. Flooding in my state, my home state, the state next to my home state, states in the SOuthwest, states  everywhere, and yet.... massive drought.

Universe has a ssense of humor.

Meanwhile, Dahlia figured out the on button on her automatic spin-the thingy in the air toy. Tht's fun to wake up to.

***

Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

Why do we celebrate labor? Well, without it, where are we? Without carpenters, farmers, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, dirtyhand jobs, where aer we? Stone ages. So, respect the unions that formed to give us forty-hour workweeks (ah, we hardly knew ye) and minijmum pay, and safety rules, and overtime, and no child labor, and pensions and time off and.... SAee? 150 years ago, that was UNTHINKABLE. And we're back where we started for other reasons.

Let em tell you the story in my own family.

My great-great-grandfather was a farmer in Appalachia North. He told his osns, "Don't farm, all we get is rock." So hgis oldest became a telegraph operator for a railroad. He played chess by telegraph. 

HIS sons went on to be roofers, mechanics of these newfangled big tfucks, carpenters, plumbers, and concrete pouring experts.

THEIR sons went on to drive heavy equipme nt to lay the way for buidlings, do more electrical an dplumbing and riveting.

And then I became an electrical construction worker. 

And thanks to a union, I could pay a year of college, due to bargaining that meant management couldn't pay me too little, and I had a day off after a near-death incident, and I got safety gear and safety training and a (tiny) share ina  pension fund.

All that because guy slike great-great-grandpa told their sons: DOn't get screwed over by wind, weather,a nd rich guys. Build. Stand up for yourselves.

You don't have to tell me the flaws. been there, done that. But I know the benefits. Injured on the job? Automatic coverage an dcompensation. Family death? You can take up to two weeks. You work overtime, you earn MORE than standard time. Hardhats, visibility vests, gloves, warning signs, all thanks to unions.

Employers don't do that willingly. We have to yell "WE ARE HUMAN HEAR US ROAR" and if we don't show up for work? Scabs (as we unionists call them) will work for less and do crap work. Accidents are higher.

But dont' believe me. Read some books on Samuel Gompers. Cesar Chavez. John Lewis. Mother Jones. 

If we stop worrying about petty differences and look at what unites us, we can do some serious stuff.

Remember that this labor day. Respect the alborer, for from his work you benefit.

Or, as my gramps would say, "I got dirt on me, but I built your house, didn't I?"

***

Honoring my personal hgistory and connections. 

And let us pray our pets don't unionize because I'm pretty sure humans would have *zero* leverage at the bargaining table. All it'd take would be one cute tummy and wham! All demands would be met! (Darn it, Dahlia!)

LOVE HUGS and take it easy. You've labored ENOUGH!