No Sales Awards: No Raises; Just Extra Pottie Breaks in Normal, Mn.: Tales from Normal, MN.:FICTION

Some of my best friends are now getting older...I know that is hard to believe...but I have really been shaken getting some of the recent texts from the guys at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop in Normal, Mn, where all the fishermen meet each morn to have coffee before going out to catch bass...and maybe a walleye if they are lucky. They texted me today that the local manufacturing company announced a new compensation program, where nobody will get any raises, nobody will get any health care, nobody will get any vacation...but the very best of the best in sales will get extra pottie breaks.... This has left me speechless...I know that is hard to believe.

No Homes, No Clothes, No Fancy Food---still fishermen persist: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got an inspiring text from the guys from Betty Lou's Coffee Shop in Normal, Mn, where sometimes in the heat of the day, when the bass are not hitting, the guys get to reflecting, and even get to texting some us far away...and today, the guys just sent a text to say that even though they could not get a mortgage, and even though they could not shop for high faluttin clothes at the hip stores, and even though they could not do five star eateries...they still could persist and fish for those wonderful bass and walleyes...and that if ya can fish...you still can be positive for yourself and your community.... I texted back that they should be sure to drink plenty of water...cause sometimes postive thinkin and dehyration can seem the same. Stay tuned.

Bystander arrested for thinking thoughts of possibly raising a question: Tales from Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text...seems a bass fisherman was walking around a state Capitol Near Normal, Mn and watching the horsemen on large horses patrolling, and the very heavily armed police...was thinking in his head of a question that might be asked...and he was promptly arrested...seems that even thinking a thought these days is considered wayward activity...so it's not just living the straight life...but thinkin the straight and narrow, very narrow life too that is the new thing in Normal, Mn..

People are living in dorms in Normal, Mn.: Tales From Normal, Mn.:FICTION

Just got the text...from the guys in Normal, Mn....the bass fishermen had taken a jaunt out West to Seattle to do some serious fishing, and had come across the new "Pod" living...it seems that folks are living in little 500 sq foot apartments called "pods"...well really kinda like dorm rooms, and they had a microwave but went to a shared area for full kitchen, and a shared full bath area...in fact everything was shared except their bed...the prices went from $500 to $1000 a month, and the good news is that they were all on the bus line and near the new rail line.. Welcome to the new life of rentals....Stay tuned as I follow this story.

Company needs to layoff employees to grow: Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

The Billy Bob Widget Works in Normal, Mn. just sent me a text that they have laid off all their employees, in order that the company can grow by acquiring another company....nice....

"All the job seekers are "overqualified" and all the employers cannot find "good help": Tales From Normal, Mn: FICTION

Just got the text from the guys in Normal, Mn, at Betty Lou's Coffee Shop, where all the bass fisherman hang out in the morning before going out to catch some bass---they were to a man saying that all the locals were being told that they were "overqualified" when they sought employment, but the employers were telling the media that they could not find "qualified" help....seems they are looking for Phd's, preferably from a foreign country that would work for minimum wage here, but a very nice wage compared to their home country....nice.

"Unemployed really excited about buying new cars": Tales From Normal, Mn.: Fiction

Just got the news on auto sales from up on the frozen tundra---seems that folks are buying new cars like pancakes...even if they are unemployed...and because the junk yards have been destroying those old cars that were a great source of parts....It is pretty much bike to work or buy a new car...and the unemployed folks are being positive...that is the power of positive thinkin....

Newspaper will not charge for you to read your obituary---Tales From Normal, Mn.: FICTION

Just got the text today that the Fish Tale News, the major rag up in Normal, Mn. has announced that it will go all digital, and that they will charge a subscription to enter their site...the only exception will be for folks directly going to the obituary section...so relax,,if you die you can access it very easily...and besides, I guess it makes sense since the family has to pay for the obit to be published....nice...