Hard Times

I now know about a dozen people who are not working, even part time. Some in construction, an architect, a teacher, a butcher, a financial planner, a flight attendant, a gardener.
The other day I stopped by my infamous mechanic’s shop. A history scholar who couldn’t take the academic system, he’s a fount of knowledge and political opinion. He never fixes more than absolutely necessary to keep my car running, while insuring safety.
But he was gone, along with the piles of old parts and half rusted cars that I’ve known for decades. I asked the business next door, and was told the landlord raised his rent, and that was it.
I’m now officially going to stop complaining about my teaching jobs.