When in Rome...

I was watching a program last night about Rome and was surprised to find out that they had a "Social Security" program called Bread and Circuses. What this consisted of was free bread and games for all citizens.

One of the points made was that anyone could become a citizen if they swore allegiance to the emperor. There was more to it than that, but this is the simple version. Not only were these citizens provided free food and entertainment, they were given nice places to live. All that was required of them was blind devotion.

As you might guess, some citizens put their free time to good use and thought of ways to add to their basic income. You know, like work for it? Many became wealthy and influential in their communities. While others sat back on their fat asses with their hands out saying "gimme".

So in a society where food, lodging and entertainment was a given, poverty set in and the gulf between the poor and the wealthy became an insurmountable gulf. And the people cried, "Gimme more".

Now...if you ask me, this is cutting a little too close to home. Is this what our government and Emperor Obama have in store for us? Remember, Rome, the first mega power in the world fell.

Now That I've Made It

Now that I've actually made it to the hallowed halls of retirement...it doesn't seem real. Everyday I get up and think I need to get ready for work. I keep thinking that they're going to send out a search party to drag me back to my desk. Then I remember, nope I took the VERP, Voluntary Early Retirement Package.

I would have been foolish to turn it down since management made it abundantly clear they want fresh, young voices in the office. That's okay, but there wasn't much to the package part. I figured if I didn't take it, my job might mysteriously evaporate in the next six months or so. I've seen it happen before.

When I stop to think that this was supposed to be a temporary job, I should be thankful. Nearly 38 years later, here I sit at my PC writing and trying to figure out what to do next. I have lots of plans, but the big question is whether they will produce income.

Top of the list is to become a freelance copy editor/writer. I purchased my domain name yesterday and I'm working on getting my web page up and running. One of these days (not yet, though) stop by to visit. NancyKHarmon.com.

Amelia Frump and herPeanut Butter Loving, Overactive Imagination

I said I was going to start doing book reviews, so here's my first. I had not intended to review children's books, but at the request of Debbie Roppolol, the author, I agreed.
This delightful book threw me at first because when I think of children's books, I think of lots of pictures and few words. Then I realized that it is intended for a slightly older group. I had to remember what I was reading at that age, and it all fell into place.

Amelia is right at the age when she's trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in the scheme of life. With few friends, she feels like an outcast. Even though Amelia thinks she's too old for "monsters under the bed", she still suffers a nightly battle with the monsters of her imagination. Finally she confronts the monsters in a dream and comes to grips with them and her imagination.

What a delightful way to deal with the issues facing young children even if they think they're too grown up for such baby things. I intend to mail this book to my granddaughter in California. Although she's too young to read, she loves books and having Mommy read to her.