Ten Years

Every year, in August, my employer has a corn roast for all the employees at our headquarters. This amounts to about 200 or so people enjoying a typical burger, dogs & corn on the cob picnic in the center of the factory. It's a clean factory since our products are mostly made of stainless steel, with the occasional brand new diesel engine making its way around the assembly area.

The lunchtime gala concludes with presentation of the service awards to employees making their milestones in 5 year increments. Those who qualify, get one of those corporate gift catalogs earlier in the year, to select their award. Usually cheesy, tacky gifts, but it's the thought that counts. This year, on November 15th, marks my 10th year with the company. I received the 10 year catalog a couple of months ago. Most gifts had little appeal to me until I got to the watch & clock page. While there were no Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos clocks on that page, I spied a decent looking Swiss Army watch.

I have never owned anything Swiss Army other than a knife and it was probably a knockoff. I decided to select it. Then I promptly forgot what I selected until my name was called this past Wednesday and I opened up the box. To my pleasure I inspected the wristwatch pictured here.

It is a Swiss Army Mens Calendar Garrison model #241083. Though a quartz and not an automatic or manual wind, I am immensely pleased with it's look and 40mm diameter. Nice leather band, too. Sized perfectly for my wrist.

I do think it's high time to own a military watch. Don't you?

My Time Connection

A couple of days ago, I turned 52. Nothing special here. Move along.

Next year I will be as old as my maternal grandfather ever was. He died at the young age of 53 when I was a mere 2-1/2 years old. That was in 1959. I never knew him or remember him. I'm told he was a fisherman and looked forward to taking his one and only grandson fishing when he got older. Unfortunately, that never happened. God has a reason for everything.

Next year my dad will be the same age as his dad ever was. My grandfather died at 78. It seems 2010 will be a pivotal year in our family. I sure hope God has a slightly different plan for dad and I. ;)

I am privileged to be the careful keeper of my grandfather's wristwatch, in his possession when he passed. Two or three times a year I wear it. Christmas and my birthday at the very minimum. Perhaps Father's Day will become another day of wearing honor.

The watch is a high quality brand for the time, an Illinois. It sports a classic 1950's vintage wristband. Perhaps hideous for today's styles but I rather like it. The flex part is on the underside so there's no buckles or latches.

I haven't had it apart for any reason yet. Though it works, the movement is in desperate need of cleaning and lubrication. I will know more about it when I get a look at the movement and the serial number on it. I estimate it to be from the late 20's, early 30's but no later. I am content with it for now.

The original radium is still evident on the hands and the art deco numerals. Sadly, the ladies that the wristwatch companies hired to paint radium on the watch faces and hands typically developed cancer from this unknown work hazard. Many died, too. The watch should be safe to wear. Keep in mind that these ladies had their hands in this stuff day in and day out for their jobs.

The back of the wristwatch has an ornate engraving of my grandfather's initials. LRO encapsulated in a diamond shape. That would stand for Lorenzo Roger Ouellette. I suspect that my French-Canadian grandparents living in Maine, where he was born, had a thing for Italian names. His one and only sibling was Emilio Ouellette.

I will post more on this wristwatch when I get further into it. For now, I'm satisfied to wear it on these occasions and frequently admire it sitting in my wristwatch storage case. I have others, but none connect me to the past like this one....for obvious reasons.

Indeed, I also have a grandson. He is 5 years old. Though I am not a fisherman, I will gladly take him on other expeditions. I will write about him soon.

On all Facebook pages, there is a box for a "What's On Your Mind" statement. On my birthday, I posted only one word in mine. TIME. Nothing more to be said here. Move along.

The Beginning

This is the beginning of my blog. Haven't done this before so anything goes. I started with Facebook and have enjoyed connecting with long forgotten friends, acquaintances and even family. We'll see where this blog goes.

Since I travel extensively, I may or may not have the time in hotels to keep this thing going. And.....we're off!