Dilemmas

First of all, Congratulations.....again.....to Monkeyboy's team for the great hockey win for the Mayor's trophy. It was an upset, a night game under the lights with parents cheering madly for the teams, coaches yelling to team members and kids playing deck hockey as though their lives depended on it. It was a well played game and Monkeyboy....you did well!
The dilemma as presented to me was to whom do we tip for the holiday. My personal opinion is this: I tip the paperboy. They don't get paid much and they use their car at an awful time in the morning in all kinds of weather to get my paper here on time and besides, I don't tip him during the year. I do not tip the postman. They get paid a lot of money to do their job, and they do it well, but I can't justify paying a tip for a service that is mandatory and has people waiting in line to do it. I don't have children to whom this would apply, but I don't understand getting teachers a gift. Again, they are paid to do something, and here at least they are paid very well. A thank you on a card would suffice for me. I don't tip the garbage men because they whale the can in any direction they feel is fun and they back up the street beeping their back up beep at 5:30 in the morning. I don't tip my haircut person, I tip him everytime I get a hair cut. I did tip my guitar teacher, just cause I liked him and he put up with me. Besides, his wife baked excellent cookies that I devoured on the way home from my lesson. In other words, I tip people at the holiday that I haven't tipped all year for a service they have provided.
A co-worker called off sick last week, saying he thought he might have had a mini-stroke. He lives alone and everyone at Phipps was worried about him. Fortunately, it was not a stroke, it was just a medication adjustment. I saw him today for the first time since he was sick, and he said something to me that I thought was meaningful at this time of the year. He said that everyday was a thanks giving day for him. He has had two heart attacks and his health is not good. I am glad he is okay now.
On a lighter note, I am hoping that the turkey is fully cooked this year. For those who may not remember, several years ago I cooked a bird that when it was carved, it was pink. Mippy asked at dinner for everyone to say something they were grateful for, and she began by saying that she was grateful that we had a lot of side dishes to eat. Others grumbled something and Monkeyboy couldn't think of much to say, except he was really looking forward to having some turkey. So, I'll try again this year, and hopefully, all will be cooked to perfection. But if not, I have so very much to be thankful for...and I hope you do also. Happy Thanksgiving.