I knew this week was coming, but I’m no more prepared for it today as I was three months ago.
This is the week our farmers market begins. Every Wednesday, from now until the end of September, will be spent manning a booth at that market, which means I am one day short for my freelance writing load.
Which means consolidating five days of writing into four.
Which means this boy is going to be scrambling for the next five months.
And the thing is, I love it all!
I love working the Market; I love writing; and I love summer.
It’s all good in my world!
During the summer of 1967, my buddy Frank and I needed some part-time work. We heard the Longshoreman’s office down on the docks hired temporary workers each morning for odd jobs around the waterfront, so one morning in early June we went down there at five a.m. and signed up for temp work. As luck would have it we were called on to work on a ship at Dock B, a big old cargo ship . . . our job was to shovel coal into the ship’s furnace.
It was ninety degrees that day, but in the furnace room it had to be one-thirty or hotter, and by lunchtime Frank and I had reached our physical limit. We both grabbed our lunch sacks, walked down the gangplank, and never looked back. That job, and shoveling pig poop at a pig farm, are the two worst jobs I have had in my fifty years of working.
I mention that because having my schedule disrupted, to work at a job I love doing, is not a disruption at all. It is pure joy!
I have never been so lucky, or felt so blessed.
I am a writer and how cool is that?
I am a part-time chicken farmer and how cool is that?
My life is pretty great!
What’s the worst job you ever had?
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I love that you love both your jobs right about now. As for me, I have been pretty blessed work wise. Although my very first teaching job was probably my worst. I was working for a very well-to-do district. And honestly felt like nothing I could do made a difference nor had the support of the administration or the district. I actually tenured my own resignation mid-year and took a permanent substitute job. Which many would have thought me crazy for. But was probably one of the best decisions I made for myself. As the district I worked for then was much more aligned with my own personal beliefs. And I even got a more permanent position for the next few years there after that initial mid year start. So couldn’t agree more that it is important to enjoy what you do for a job as being miserable may pay the bills. But it surely isn’t good for the soul. thanks for the reminder here today, Bill and wishing you a wonderful Wednesday at the Farmer’s Market ahead now 🙂
Good for you, Janine! Life is too short to be working at a job that does not value your abilities. Thanks for sharing that, my friend.
Hi Bill – The word worst does not apply, but the oddest job was when the Army one day took a squad of about ten men out to a forest, where we raked leaves. Our whole company was basically stranded between duty stations and they just needed to keep us all busy. Funnier now than it was then. Shoveling coal sounds like a tough one.
Mike, that may be the strangest use of Army personnel I have ever heard. LOL Thanks for sharing that bizarre story.
The worst job I have ever had my friend was working at a rendering plant. As roadkill was dumped in the hopper to be ground up, using a shovel I had to make sure nothing bonded the grinder. It was hot and I could never get rid of the smell of death.
I love writing too.
Horrible job, Greg, just horrible. I’ve gone by those places and smelled them; once you smell that you really can’t get rid of the smell.
Bill
Your job ‘shovelling coal’ in the bowels of the ship is known as a ‘trimmer’ and I have a distant relative who was one on the Titanic.
As for me, it’d be stripping paint off Aluminium, I had to use some pretty nasty chemicals, and ended up with a pretty nasty injury, the scars of which ill always have, but then again, its great material to write about!
it is for sure, Lawrence…a trimmer, is it? Good to know..thanks for the information…it will end up in a book one day.
I found out it was the dirtiest and worst paid job on a steamship. But without them, the ship had no power!
Lawrence, I can’t imagine doing it day in and day out.
No worse job.
I was a policeman, a clerk, worked on a building site and sold shoes and clothing. Now I am a nurse.
So glad but not surprised that you maintain the Joy.
I couldn’t be a policeman I’m afraid. More power to you, my friend.
My worst job…hmm…perhaps the six days I spent working at the supermarket after I graduated from college and had a poor toothless woman order me to clean a very soiled bathroom from a very sick person…and I thought, yeah…this is not for me. lol Respect for those that can stomach that. lol
I’m feeling pretty blessed myself, Big Bro. I work part time doing a pretty awesome marketing gig for a holistic school, getting my meditation certification, and write the rest of the time on my website or do related work. I don’t rake in the millions (haha!) but I do love my life and have a supportive husby to boost. I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom!
That, Lil Sis, would be a stomach-churning job. Not for me either, I’m afraid. As for being blessed…you and me both!
A chicken farmer and a writer. Next, you’ll be dressing in bib overalls, sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair and regaling youngsters with stories about the ‘good old days’. I think that’s pretty cool. lol
I’ve had the same vision, Zulma, and I don’t mind that vision at all. LOL
Great to know about your chicken shop and writing of course, I know you’re the best.
My worst one many years ago as a teacher just for one day 🙂
I was as a trainee teacher for reception kids, that was my first day and one of the class kids wounded my feet with one of his sharp heel shoe.That was the bad dag ever for me.
And I ended up leaving that job.Lol.
I don’t blame you. I would have left that job as well, Nikki!
Thanks for stopping by to visit. Blessings to you always!
If you can do it, so can I. As you’ve probably noticed, it’s my time in Blogland that has slipped. I’m managing gardening and allotmenteering. Managing looking after the family. Working on my book, although slightly distracted by the sunshine this week. Sometimes I weeks seem to shrink, but somehow we have to stretch the time that remains.
My worst job. Working in the back room of a bank. It was so boring and I’m terrible at mathematics. The job lasted one week. Being a secretary wasn’t much better. I did enjoy working as a psychiatric nurse, as it was interesting and rewarding. But most of all I’ve enjoyed being a homemaker/writer.
My dear friend, Bill. You are always such an inspiration. Wishing you all the best with juggling the market with your writing.
Thank you Sarah, but I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job at all. I’ve had to let things slip in some areas because the farming won’t wait. Nature is dictating my life right now. Not complaining at all, but it is aggravating to watch my writing take a back seat.
Sending you hugs of friendship from across The Pond!
There is a certain freedom that comes from finding and doing the jobs you love. And you are so right, it really isn’t working when you enjoy it. I can’t think of a better working environment than a farmer’s market or being on a farm. Enjoy it all for us!
I will do that, Dee! If you ever make it out west, drop by the farm and we’ll have lunch.