Post Thanksgiving Musings

 Another Black Friday has arrived.

Me at Ft. Meade Army barracks smoking a cigarette 1962

Last night I worked my regular Thursday night shift at the hotel. Occupancy was down because of the new COVID restrictions Delaware governor Carney has imposed. Even though there were less rooms, the guests are always interesting. My job at the hotel is like working at the crossroads of the world.

One guest called from the suite, which is an apartment that rents for $525 a night plus tax. He wanted to know if I had a vacuum cleaner and could I deliver it to him.  I told him "Yes, I have a vacuum cleaner but I can't do the stairs to the suite" (which is outside and up two flights of stairs). He said "No problem, I'll come over and pick it up."  

He came over to pick up the vacuum cleaner.  I asked him where he was from and why was he visiting Lewes.  He said his son is stationed at Ft. Meade Maryland and works at the NSA (National Security Agency). Small world! I told him when I was in the Army (1960-1963) I was also stationed at Ft. Meade and worked at the National Security Agency.  He said "Oh! You have to come back to the suite with me and tell that to my son!" I did and I found out his son is in the Navy. When I was at Ft. Meade, all branches of the service were represented, our concert barracks were in a row. The Marine barracks first, then Navy followed by the Army barracks and then the Air Force. The family was from Washington State. I told them that last year their Senator Patty Murray had stayed at the hotel. His wife asked me "How did you know our senator is Patty Murray?"  I told him "I follow politics and I know all the senators."  

Senator Patty Murray -D. Washington

This brief interaction with guests of the hotel where I work is one of the reasons I continue to work even as I enter the eight decade of my life. Thanksgiving is a day of loneliness for many. That often includes me. 

For years now I don't do anything special for Thanksgiving. I would have loved to have a couple of slices of roast turkey with stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and yes green bean casserole but my Thanksgivings at this time of my life, is not to be. I used to roast a turkey years ago but Bill doesn't like turkey. I "celebrate" my Thanksgivings like I did yesterday, sharing life with hotel guests like I did last night. One year one of my co-workers felt sorry for me and brought me in a plate of roast turkey with all the fixings. That was nice. 

Pat just called on FaceTime. Have to go!