Nippon/USS Yard Sale

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Yard Sale

(by R.P.Edwards)

One man's junk

Another man's jewel

One man's "Yuck!"

Another man's "Cool!"...

Moderate temperatures, sun-soaked weekends, Summer fading fast and Autumn in the wings; yes, it's time for the annual Yard Sale, or as some call it, "Garage sale." 

A few days back I was leisurely tooling (an archaic term for driving) along and I came across, within a few blocks travel, a plethora of the front yard gatherings where unwanted "stuff" (be it nice or no) was being offered for pennies (remember them?) so that said items would simply be removed from storage and/or sight. Deals can be had. Two of my minor purchases were a nice battery-powered wall clock and a delightful oil cruet (carafe). Each cost two-bits (25 cents). Worth so much more before, but now woefully unwanted and valued as such.

The two photos above were taken by yours truly in July of 2018. I was allowed attendance because a vacation day was employed so that I could have two troublesome teeth (what was left of them) extracted. After the pulling I paused a bit and then spat out the bloody gauze and went to the rally. My placement was not ideal. Pictured is the then (and current) CEO of US Steel (albeit now owned by Nippon Steel of Japan), David Burritt, and President Donald J. Trump. The tariffs on foreign steel had helped immensely (how soon we forget) and the venerable steel mill in Granite City, Illinois, sprang to life after a lengthy slumber. Joy ensued as workers were called back to an occupation that alleviated the gnawing pain of lack and the community also sighed as investment benefited all in the region. 

Now fast forward to 2025. President Trump has implemented steel tariffs once again and the industry will benefit (now, as then). However, for some reason the little mill that could; the ONLY steel mill that Trump 45 chose to visit in his first term, has been deemed obsolete and unwanted. And oh, there are, of course, word salad explanations as to why the facility must die, but methinks the real reason is that we're not a good fit. We don't go with the drapes or the new Armoire and the once valuable is deemed so much less.

And that's fine. We're a capitalistic economy, after all. But might I make a suggestion? Rather than the slow, excruciating demise of the place and people you no longer want or need; why not drag the "ugly" out to the driveway. Put up a sign: Yard Sale. Make an offer.

For surely there may be a buyer that sees beauty where you see none. And, since "vindictive" is not your motivation, perhaps someone else might want to invest and produce a little something that certainly won't threaten the international giant but will be a blessing to a thankful few.

Something to think about. 

The poem continues...

...The difference is vision

The seeing unseen

From stagnant to stellar

From asleep to a dream.

Here's a little music that might touch the hidden place

****

Got Jesus? 

A talented nephew's first novel 

A novel by yours truly 

My rather conservative youtube channel

The Tailwind

 

The Tailwind

(by R.P.Edwards)

The tailwind "there"

Or tailwind "back"

One be tight

The other slack

So, if I had my druthers 

Which one to track

I'd rather have

The tailwind "back"...

It usually goes with little notice; the waving of the flags. But to those of us with wind-affected craft (in my case, a bicycle) it could mean much. From the windchill to the effort needed to traverse home, a few miles per hour makes a difference. And thus the tailwind (pushing you towards your destination) or headwind (pushing against your efforts) are a part of life.

Nothing terribly deep here. In the "going" there is sometimes struggle, or ease. And, of course, "struggle" produces endurance and experience. And ease can bring an illusionary "rest," if not balanced with the other.

So, since many of you are well acquainted with "struggle," may tailwinds be yours in greater frequency. AND, when others see the collective "we" come into the room, may they expect a delightful tailwind to ease their delicate stay on this earth.

The poem continues...

...For going, verve is on my side

Muscles ready

Born to ride

But with the struggle

The weary tack

Towards home I'd druther

The tailwind back.

PS The flags in the photo above are outside the city hall of Granite City Illinois.  This town has an interesting history which was birthed by the need for reliable steel. A song and video was inspired by the journey of the up and coming metropolis. Thus: