From our weekly issue dated August 27, 2008

Happy Labor Day

As we’re coming up on Labor Day, it seems that having a special observance means that some of us should take advantage of less work, when we can manage that, so this is a shorter-than-usual column. We members of the Fourth Estate, you see, will have to work on that special day of Monday, Sept. 1, although most people with jobs will have a day off.

Matter of fact, that’s the way it is with most holidays. There are times when we can avoid working on such days, but not often. It’s amusing to us, in a black sort of way, that many people think we only work one day a week. Nope. You’ve got to walk a mile in our sneakers before you can understand that’s not how it works, to use a pun of sorts.

At newspapers, whether daily or weekly, the deadlines stand ominously; the newspaper must be published. As my Granny Vicky was wont to say, “No rest for the wicked.”

I am reminded of my first work day in Oregon. It was Labor Day 1979. I was in Brookings as news editor at the Curry Coastal Pilot, sitting in the newsroom and looking at an absolutely torrential rainstorm. Jan and two of our three children were still in Escondido, Calif.

So the thoughts came: Did I do the right thing? Was this a good move? It was a bit late to be soul-searching, but hey, I’m a guy. That’s how we are.

And now, 29 years later, after two admitted heart attacks and 22 years at Illinois Valley News, I can say that it was a good move. Probably.