July 6, 2010 11:20 PM

100 again!

And tomorrow promises to be the same! This is not what you sign up for when you live in New England. And how did I spend the day in such heat? I utilized the services of my almost 14 year old grandson and worked at getting those shelves up in my garage. We almost got the job completed.

How easy was it do it in such heat? It was really tough. One hundred degrees is opressive. We both were extremely hot and sweaty. Tomorrow, I'll finish up the job myself. He's on to helping his other grandfather and trying to endure the seemingly relentless heat.

Even now, at this hour, it says that the temperature is 90!

I guess, however, if I can get through this, I think that I can get through anything.

I got paperwork from Nortel explaining how to wrap up my employment by August 31st. Contained in the information packet was a statement that I was eligible for 8 weeks severence pay. No! No! No! No! Nortel won't pay this and I am to file as creditor along with everyone else to get my money as the company is "bankrupt". Meanwhile, after terminating the long term disability and the life and health insurance that retirees had earned, the company still has a section entitled "Your Obligation To Nortel"! Some nerve! What's their obligation to us? This is nothing but a one way street.

How can companies do this to people?

For me, I come up 8 months short. But, for those who put in their time and retired with their hard earned benefits, for Nortel to renege on the deal is a real kick in the teeth! However, that seems to be the reality of today and, somehow or other, we must learn to live with it.

I know! I know! I sound like a lonely voice crying in the wilderness...

Bob