Thoughts on September

If you read this blog you know I have been a long time St. Louis Cardinal fan.  The Cardinals had a hell of a run this month.  They won 17 games in a row and cemented themselves a position in the MLB post season tournament.  The problem for St. Louis is it will most likely face the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB's hokey one game wild card playoff.  The Dodgers will probably start Max Scherzer, who owns the Redbirds.  My guess is Adam Wainwright, who has had an amazing year will get the start for St. Louis.  I think it will be one and done for the Cards, but I had the same thoughts in 2011 when they played the Atlanta Braves in the one game playoff.  That year ended well for the Cardinals as they won the World Series.

-For me it was a very good month.  I had laser surgery on both of my eyes to remove cataracts.  The results of the surgery were almost immediate.  I am seeing 20/22 out of one eye and 20/40 out of the other eye just days after they were repaired.  And colors which had been kind of dull previously are now vivid.  Watching the sunset has once again become a thing of beauty.

-I hope you had a good September and that the coming month is even better for you.  I will write soon.

On this day the United States of America recognizes the hard working men and women who have helped build this nation into what it is today.  Much of the credit for advancements and improvements in the lives of many Americans go to labor unions and guilds.

Health insurance, the 40 hour work week, paid vacations and most benefits from employers are the results of labor taking a stand against management.  It seems as if the divide between upper management and the rank and file worker is as divided as ever.  So, with that in mind thank labor for stopping some of the more inane proposals from ownership and top management.  Sure, there have been abuses from big labor, as well as management, but those have usually been corrected when rank and file union members have stood for what is right.

I hope wherever you are and whatever you are doing today you celebrate the hard work of all Americans and have a happy, safe and blessed Labor Day!