BUSBIZ

Reality has been altered and we are all standing silently as it controls our lives. Social media has made lies easy and commonplace.

We believe what we want to believe.

Along with writers Leonard Pitts (Miami Herald) and Nathan Bomey (USA TODAY), I talk about the crises of our times.

It's been a year since Mr. Trump surprised us all with his election.

It's been a year of more and more abnormal behavior.

As I publish this, the government is shut down.

Unacceptable.

Summer vacation and the weather is hot and muggy. The sweet corn will enjoy this weather, while this school bus driver is enjoying having the summer off...sleeping until past 9 AM!

Today, as a enjoy the coolness of my basement, I am recovering from the lower back impact brought on my a 10-day visit from my daughter Jenna and her three boys. The 2-year-old is a challenge with his 35 pounds needing a boost. Don't get me wrong, I miss him already. I love being a Grandpa!!!!

Today I am reading from two articles:

1.) Des Moines Register article, written by Marc Hansen, "Ankeny loses far more than great bus driver", then

2.) A short segment on Senior Living, by Shelly Charter, of Valley View Village, "Staying social is good medicine."

Congressional reports show that Iowa is rock bottom, as far as care for the elderly. AND, dead last in the childcare.

The state of Iowa votes on the use of fireworks, but not on the care and nurturing of our young or elderly.

Mixed thoughts as I spend my first Spring Break 2017 day with a physical and a doctor's appointment. There are good thoughts, as I recall that 44 years ago I randomly selected Florida as my only Spring Break escape, in 1973, and found my life's mate.

Yesterday, from my school bus driver's seat, I hear two stories that gave me pause. One, a young man from a split marriage, being told by his distant mother to pack his PASSPORT. The other story coming from the sad side on the aisle, where two youngster's were not looking forward to the long break due to the volatility at home.

We can't end mental health's stigma if we won't talk about it.

"If we design workplaces that permit people to find meaning in their work, we will be designing a human nature that values work." (Psychologist Barry Schwartz)

For me, the US Postal Service drained all the energy out of me. Enough to cause clinical depression. After retiring, and writing four short books on that damage, I have found the 'perfect' job for me...driving a school bus.

We had another accident in our school bus family.

A new driver was coming off the highway and took the inside turn lane, INSTEAD of the recommended outside turn lane. Resulting in too much bus and a wrinkled car.

Almost got free pizza, as that is the prize if we go one month without an accident.

As the holidays are upon us and the traffic increases, we must be diligent. We need to be on trop of our game--taking good care of our passengers and taking good care of our buses.

It took 50 years and 68 jobs to figure out that I was Bipolar-2.

Now, as I write books about it and feel I've got 'things' figured out, the USA goes nuts and elects a man with no experience to take us into a new REALITY.

God help us!

Trump has stimulated more off-the-wall talk.

In Iowa, a renegade Congressman (Steve King) has talked about 'cultural suicide'.

In an Opinion, printed in the Des Moines Register, Swarthmore assistant professor Sangina Patnair tears into his wildly racist fear-mongering.