December 19

Saturday December 19 — In at 8, cold, calm, clear, not an airplane on the ramp. The best part of the day was at my employer where I was paid and finished culling articles from all the surplusf I had set aside for that task. I have LOTS of copies to make — at least a few hundred at eight cents a copy. That task will have to wait until well into the new year. I’ll store them in a labeled box. I had a good visit with a customer who has read my writing in Springfield Business Journal; gave him a copy of the November Lincoln Flyer. Back at the airport the day was quiet and uninspiring. Processed pictures for awhile, welcomed one visitor whose wife stood at the door but didn’t come in. They were in a hurry to go. She probably thought there was an extra charge. Drat. I’m usually pretty people congenial, but the “charm” seemed to be “out of service” today. I am looking for fast solutions to lingering thorns in my side, all my own doing. Have decided to get another extension of my loan from the home equity loan account and FINISH CORRECTIONS and PRINT the JOHN THORNTON WALKER BOOK. I OWE IT TO THE FAMILY. THEY DESERVE TO SEE IT DONE AND SO DO I! SO DOES SPRINGFIELD! I’m going to make final corrections starting MONDAY. It’s going to be an “interesting few weeks ahead. I learned today that I may NOT be working at employer while his preferred new fellow takes the week off the week after Christmas. Owner now says he “doesn’t know what the fellow is going to do” after all!!! I had counted on that income and now “nobody knows.” I HAVE DETERMINED that AFTER honoring some kit purchase deals made earlier this year, I will not buy a new model airplane kit or book or magazine until I’ve paid off my long-delinquent medical bills. I’ve also almost determined to spend as much time as I can completing some models. So why haven’t I touched a model today? I’m too busy feeling empty, darn near totally empty inside. I have to shake this, and Sunday is a new day for a special week, and I will come out of this week on my big feet. Went home early: 8:05. After I arrived home, got an email from a fellow who had promised to visit Saturday evening and change some locks on some doors upstairs to provide better security against stolen historical material. He said he was sorry, it was a crazy last few weeks, and wished me merry Christmas and happy new year. I wrote back that every volunteer is telling me the same story. Two friends promised to help here starting in NOVEMBER and have since treated me like a stranger. Maybe I need to brush my teeth more often or clean my behind. Something isn’t right out here. Then I wished HIM a merry Christmas and happy new year. Day rating D-