Today we have two unusual holidays and two books. They focus each, on one half of a married couple that are wonderful and dear friends:
First is National Urban Beekeeping Day-July 19th. National Urban Beekeeping Day or backyard beekeeping day is a great way to bring in fresh honey made directly in your yard. They say that neighborhood bees are healthier than farm bees, and there is not really a danger of bee stings. It does scare people if they see a swarm of bees following a queen to make a new hive.
My friend has probably 5 hives (they change from year to year). He has given out honey as presents, with a family made label. I have a book “A Living From Bees” by Frank C. Pellett, published 1946 by Orange Judd Farming Publishers. It has a wonderful chapter on “Keeping Bees in Town.” It is easy to do, a main obstacle is to just keep a large open area in front of the bees. They don’t like obstructions in front of their hive. I have in front of the bee book, a small cage that once held a queen bee used in setting up a spring hive. Urban farming can be fun and a taxable write-off. Win, win.
Second is National Flight Attendant Safety Professionals’ Day July 19th. Today we say thank you to all flight attendants, that show us how to fasten our seat belts, blow into a life jacket, and remind us that when the oxygen masks drop down in front of us, to put ours on first, then help our children put theirs on.
Has my friend been a flight attendant for over 30 years? Damn. She must have been hired when she was twelve. I have the book “So You want to be an Airline Stewardess” by Keith Saunders, published in 1967 (long before they were called Flight Attendants.) There are several chapters that are important; 1) “Fasten your seat belts” talking about public service talks before flights, and 2) “When things go Awry” mishaps that may happen, and a reminder how the flight attendants are in charge. And boy is she is in charge!
If not for these two friends – Rob and Shawn, I would not have been on nearly as many adventures in which I’m lucky to have survived from; or been able to drink to the success of these adventures.
Cheers to them both.
However…I would be remiss, or perhaps even derelict in my duty of giving people their due in this blog, if I didn’t mention another person on National Flight Attendant Safety Professionals’ Day. While he is not a flight attendant, he is certainly the most attentive of a professional in the flying industry. That person would be a dear friend, Bob Faith.
Bob has just retired, not too long ago from being a master mechanic for American Airlines. In fact, his last few years was in training other mechanics, to handle the detailed safety and details of the multiple airplanes that handle so many people accident free. So dedicated was he, that he insisted on training associate mechanics in person, not zoom or skype, whether it meant him traveling to Dallas or Chicago. It was important to see ‘eye to eye’ as he coached and educated young mechanics. That way he could ensure he was getting his message across with total understanding.
Bob has put that enthusiam for learning and teaching, in everything he does. I saw it first, in college over forty-six years ago, when we were on adventures together, including scuba diving in November at Pearl Lake, Beloit, Illinois. (Yes, it was damn cold! but the fish were still swimming up to our faces.) Bob made me review our safety checklist before we hit the water.
I have also seen that enthusiasm with Bob and his family. We have raised kids at the same time, and now grandkids. There is no one more attentive to the wellbeing of family or friends. If anyone deserves the perks of retiring from an airline, it is Bob.
‘Let Good Take Flight’ as he now travels in retirement.
Thanks for reading (about some great friends that I am lucky to know!)
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