I AM Furloughed

17 years ago…

Seventeen years ago the government shut down and I was furloughed.

A lot has changed in 17 years…

Dickens was a young lad of 4.

He only had 3 siblings: Bo, Murphy & O’Malley.

I only had 2 nephews.

I thought Elders were just old people. And I’d never even heard of an Enter the Haggis.

I had never been to Ireland, Alaska or Canada.

I had never been pulled over in Toronto.

I had never seen a hockey game.

I didn’t know that Guinness and Jameson’s Whiskey are the nectar of the gods.

Today, the government is shut down and I’m furloughed.

Dickens is now a geriatric cat of 21. He has more siblings and several have special needs.

I have FIVE nephews.

I took two of them to Germany to drink.

I have embraced the fact I’m a groupie for The Elders and Enter the Haggis.

As are the boys.

I've been to Ireland several times.

And had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday in Dublin with these three -  Kristen, Nancy & Anna!

I’ve been to a dozen Avalanche games and drug the boys along.

Now they play hockey. 

And we are a hockey family.

I named my cat Tuukka after Boston’s Tuukka Rask, #40.

I still consider Guinness and Jameson's the perfect drink. Especially when drinking them in Ireland with good friends and Enter the Haggis!

A lot has changed in the world in 17 years. I have improved and enhanced my little corner of the world.

Politicians, however, have not.