Skip to main content

Recent Posts on Kudos 365

When I was young.
Young like a child,
I would go every where,
for I was quite wild.
There was no curfew,
at least not to me,
for when it became dark,
I knew where to be.
Home with my loved ones,
similar to right now.
Safe and protected
and still knowing how,
to take care of you.
So much like a child,
but you're no longer allowed
to run free and be wild.

A Comment by Loy

Your avatar
Loy • 01/07/2021 at 11:45PM • Like 1 Profile

If I only had the energy to run free and be wild...

A Comment by MFish

Your avatar
MFish • 01/08/2021 at 07:48AM • Like Profile

Me also.

Remembering back, in my early days of travelling, from state to state, to gauge the operational functions. Early days, where there was some travel with an expense account and a company car.
Working for a large corporation. Those days, long gone. The company no longer here.
I was the District Manager, for the Catalog Sales Division of Sears Roebuck. My area was the State of Oregon.
We lived, my wife and two children and I, in Vancouver WA. I had two stores in the immediate area. Hazel Dell and Camas. I also had stores in Oregon at St Helens, Astoria, Tillamook, Newport, North Bend, Coos Bay, Brookings, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Corvallis, Gresham, Hillsboro, The Dalles, Bend, Madras, Prineville, Hermiston, Pendleton, Ontario and Baker.
Every Monday, I would call the stores to receive sales information, sales per hour, returns and to discuss advertising or other operational issues.
Monday night or Tuesday morning. I would load my suitcase into the car and head out to one of my locations, depending on specific issues or concerns.
Our primary role in the Catalog Sales Offices, (CSO) was to sell appliances, tires batteries from our store inventory and order, soft line, aka, clothing, bedding, et al. We had commissioned sales staff who would sell cabinets, carpet, fencing and other "Big ticket" items. The function of Installed Home Improvement, or IHI that was for installation by our contractors. Our in house joke was IHI, "It's Here, Incomplete."
There were some great days with my Managers.
My goal was to make them an independent operation and to call me only if there was an issue to discuss. I would explain to them, "No Surprises." Tell me before the news hit the Regional Office. I would receive calls from my boss, on occasion, if I had approved advertising, over budget at a specific office. My mode was if I received a call from my boss was to acknowledge that I had approved and then call the offending Manager and discuss how the "No Surprises" was supposed to work.
I had great Managers, who did, for the most part, operate as Independents. I miss those days and the friendships I had made. Working at Sears was a great experience and prepared me for many jobs opportunities.

A Comment by Carl

Your avatar
Carl • 01/07/2021 at 04:38PM • Like 1 Profile

Nice to remember times from long ago. A lot of stories, I am sure.

A Comment by MFish

Your avatar
MFish • 01/07/2021 at 07:55PM • Like Profile

Thanks. Yes lots of stories. Some much shorter and quite funny, now.

Remember me now.
Remember me when.
Remember where youth
on which you depend.
All of the things you
could do and say,
is suddenly gone now,
gone so far away.
Getting up from the floor,
was an easy task,
now if I do it,
I really must ask.
Changing light bulbs,
was easy to do.
Now I call my Son
for my balance is gone.
Balance, quite shaky,
to say, just a few.
Life has become harder.
What sayeth you?

I hate this life, as I have
started to succumb
towards a callous behavior'
with little aplomb.
I am not kind. I am just
a big jerk,
for I'm so tired my responsibility
I may shirk.
What good reason, is there for me
being casual with thee.
You don't deserve this life
we have shared.
I need to treat you softer
and be prepared.

Someone Said

Posted by MFish Profile 01/06/21 at 11:33PM Share Other See more by MFish

Someone said, "The eyes are the window
into the Soul.
This thought comes from a place,
like any other.
A mystery this one, plain
but not forgiven.
Why now? You ask of me
for these words are soon forgotten,
while I await the coming dawn.
If only it were certain.
These words make no sense,
for they will be gone tomorrow,
as all the yesterday's gather
into the memories of happiness
and sorrow. Go from here.
Leave me be. Don't play games,
with those I love, for I know you
better than all who will follow.

Time to get up
and ready to go,
out the door,
off to the show.
What is it you said?
There isn't a game,
for they have been stopped.
The virus is to blame,
so take a long hike.
There's somewhere to go.
Starting your walk
for a crazy new blow
of subjecting your life,
during the remaining days,
when our minds are clouded
by the vacuum, the Government will say
'Not as much vaccine, is your plight".
Has politics entered this fray?
When will this administration
just leave and go away?

Where are you now, my lovely bride?
It's 6 P.M. you were by my side.
Wandering the room, asking me why
or what's this object, catching your eye.
Asking the same questions, over again.
How many times? Lost track at ten.
Telling you the answer, one more time.
Nothing I say, "sticks". It isn't fine.
No matter what I am trying to do,
this conversation is usually just you.
Asking me more questions, once again,
what is the name of our friend?

Having a hard time, as I've said.
Hearing the lyrics and music in my head.
This has been going on for several days.
"Starry, starry nights," a song of life.
The tumultuous life of Vincent Van Gogh,
written and performed by Don McLean.
So many painting failures, in his early life.
A life of challenges and of strife;
Time spent in a mental institution,
when his life had too much confusion.
Starry, starry nights, he painted when he
wrestled with trying to control his sanity.
Perhaps it is now, my future destiny.

A Comment by Loy

Your avatar
Loy • 01/06/2021 at 09:01PM • Like 1 Profile

Van Gogh, Don McLean and you are all artists... nice poem

A Comment by MFish

Your avatar
MFish • 01/06/2021 at 11:11PM • Like Profile

Thank you. Wish I had the music talent and the talent of Van Gogh, the painter. Love his work

A Comment by Loy

Your avatar
Loy • 01/06/2021 at 11:51PM • Like 1 Profile

I do too, but also love your work ❤️

A Comment by MFish

Your avatar
MFish • 01/07/2021 at 05:57AM • Like Profile

Thank you.

More Comments