Jerry Ochs
A Personal Journal Reflecting On Aging
June 6 | June 7

	Reflections of Jerry Ochs June 6: A Long Day June 7: A Halt In Construction June 8: Relationshops Developed Over Time June 9: Disrupting the Routine June 10: Hot Issue: School Busing June 14: A Father's Day Gift June 16: Lawn Care

June 6: A Long Day
Had a very long day today; had to get up at 6 am to make School Board "special meeting" to meet with architects and contractors at 7 am regarding design and progress of our new Aberdeen "Central" High School. Meeting concluded at 9 am. Meeting was attended by newly elected board members from yesterday's election. (I was very happy with the election results—one incumbent was defeated and one incumbent decided not to seek re-election to the school board).

After board meeting, went to my 87-year-old father's home and started construction on his new "carport." I am being assisted in this venture by my son Rick (age 34, who is a very accomplished person in the field of small construction jobs; this helps immensely). Started to rain at 11 am, so that ended the carport job for the day.

My son and I then went to the home of a friend of mine, who is gracious enough to provide my son and his bride of one year, Amy, a place to live while she returns to college to get her degree. Rick and I put the finishing touches on a bathroom that son Rick built in my friend's basement. The purpose of the new shower/bathroom is obvious; to avoid congestion next fall when school starts and three people have to use the facilities at once.

After dinner, went to the Central High School weight room for my nightly workout, getting ready for the coming fall's start of the competitive lifting "season." My training partners include 8-10 young adults ranging in age from 21 to 34. Had a good workout tonight, working up to a "full squat" with 300 lbs. on my back.

At 9 pm, went to a local bank, where my friend and I clean M-F nights. We earn $8/hour, which may not seem like much, but it paid for a one-week vacation to Long Island via Amtrak last summer, to visit my son, who is employed there. (He has since moved to Connecticut).

I returned home and checked email and phone messages; typed this entry in journal, and prepared to turn in for the night, as I have an 8 am meeting to canvass votes from Tuesday election.

June 7: A Halt In Construction
Went to City Hall to canvass votes from Tuesday, June 5 election of city commissioner and School Board members. Everything checked out OK. After meeting, had nice conversation with current school board president, and fellow board member regarding issues facing school board in the future. I am becoming increasingly aware of the enormous responsibility of being a school board member. Things such as budget, curriculum, extracurricular activities and the cost of same, staffing, class size, and much more.

I went to my father's home to continue with the construction of his car-port. We (my son, father, and myself) were about 3/4 of the way through this project, when the city building inspector just happened to be driving by and noticed out work. He stopped and requested that we display a building permit, which we did not have—a violation of city ordinance #???. End result; we must go before the city zoning board in July and "plead" for a waiver to build this structure beyond the "zoning" limits. We are all very distraught over this development. Spent some time tonight with dad trying to assure him that all will work out for the best. Wish me luck!

I went to weight room for workout again tonight; all people of any age should start to realize that there is nothing better to fight anxiety and stress than a vigorous workout on a daily basis. Research after research has shown this to be true!

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