Productivity is what makes the world go around, now a days.  I have a hard time fighting this concept.  Though I try, the notion of getting ahead seams to be where so many people think they should be. 

     This time of year I am always reminded of what we have, and what we have come through, to get us to where we are today.  Hopefully all of us are farther ahead than the days gone past.  Many times, we just need to step back and look things over to see how far we have progressed.

     Looking back on the past brings back all kinds of great memories. I ran across this article (I always enjoy reading this kind of memory jogging thing) that brought to mind the progress we have made.  No matter how far we’ve come, boy, don't I long for those days from the past and the memories they gave us..!!!! 

 The article states, “People over 30 should be dead:”  

• Our cribs were painted with bright colored lead based paint.
• We had no child-proof lids on our medicine bottles, doors or cabinets.
• We rode our bikes without helmets.
• Riding in the back of pickup trucks on warm days was always a special treat.
• We drank water form the garden hose and not from a bottle. 
• We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
• We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scrap and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned how to solve the problem.
• We would leave home in the morning and play all day as long as we were back when the street lights came on.  No one was able to reach us all day long. We took risks while we were out there and had to pay the consequences of our actions.
• Climbed up some trees and fell out of a few.

     Those days just taught me to be a better climber. Not many eyes got poked out and not many worms lived inside us forever.

     Some things did happen, though. We produced some of this world’s best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors ever.  The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

     And if you are over 30, your one of them.  Congratulations....!!!!  

     Progress and productivity go hand in hand.  I am sure glad to have those memories and am grateful to be where we are today.  I hope you and you loved ones are making your great memories and taking time to enjoy your progress. They are the journey of a lifetime.

     Thank You to all of you who have made this year at Wendling Quarries a successful one. This is a great team and family to work for. I hope you feel the same way.  Our strength lies in this concept.

     We would like to say a special thanks to our troops that serve and protect the precious privilege of freedom, and the families that sacrifice their presence during this holiday season and throughout the year. God Bless America!