New Beginnings

In case you read that people were being told to lie in their job as Census takers.. let me say that my experience was completely opposite.  We were encouraged to NOT ever do that but to go back again and again to a door that did not answer and were also told to go to a neighbor or neighbors to get info. It is one of the most ethical agencies I have worked for.  It is true that there could have been people who did that but it certainly was NOT condoned by the Census Bureau.  I loved the job, loved talking to people, loved listening, loved that even though training was minimal due to Covid restrictions and that I had to wear a mask, sanitize all the time and such.   Just thought I would fill you in on my take in case you were wondering if maybe the news is ‘false’ again.

I just got a new job writing.  I never really studied writing but thought I’d practice up here for a bit of it.  My job is reporting and making articles on events in our county and beyond.  It’s a small paper but they loved my photographs and the sample of writing I sent with my application.  They didn’t seem to requite a genuine BIO… thankfully.

This job is for a small print paper with a web too.  Perfect size for me to start working in the way I want to work, ,meaning part time and pretty much on my own.  

You will be hearing more from me soon.  For now, there is this:

He came  towards us, looking pretty much like a California surfer, scruffy sun bleached hair, tanned face and a friendly relaxed walk that implied a body at rest before intense work. It was a look one sees in certain athletes.  

He didn’t look like I’d imagined a wine maker to look.  His blue knit shirt and worn jeans had both seen better days.  He had no attention on himself, how he looked and not a sign of self importance,  but remarkable confidence flowed out of him

He sat at the outdoor table where we had just been served a dark red pinot blend that he had designed and brought to fruition.  How do you like it, he said as he smiled at none of us in particular.

He went on to tell us the location of the vineyard, the source of the grapes.  He talked about how long it had taken to create it .  
He was magnetic.  For me, it had to do with his ease and seeming honesty and maybe the ease of his body.

We admired the winery building,  Clearly he was proud of it but waved that away and then we got a full story of his background, telling it in between questions about us and our lives.  Yes, he learned to make wine, locally and in France.  Yes, he worked in the vineyards for years.  

Motorcycles, yes.  Fly a plane?  Yes.  Married, yes, with four children.  And now a winery?  Yes.  

I laughed and said ‘you are a risk-taker!’  He looked at me, zeroing in in me… piercing me. Yes, he said.  His big beautiful grin showed approval of my observation.  He was proud to be a risk taker.