Today is January 16, 2023
Spotlight Photo of the Week
Meet Kitler. This photo is an oldie from Rachel’s days in Mesquite, NV. Kitler is a handsome cat that lived along a trail that Rachel walked many times. He was very friendly and was always up for some love through the fence. Rachel and friends gave him the name Kitler due to the mini mustache. Rachel and her friend, Nancy, would often stop to visit with Kitler on their morning walks.
On this day in history…
1991- The Persian Gulf War, triggered by Iraq‘s occupation of Kuwait in August 1990, began on this day in 1991 with a U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq that continued until a cease-fire was declared on February 28.
National Day…
Quote of the Week
“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.”
– C. Northcote Parkinson
Mira’s Photo of the Week
https://www.everafterphotographypnw.com/
A Few Good Facts
Despite its size, China has only one time zone—Beijing time.
Sea otters are social animals that float on their backs in groups called “rafts” to rest. Sometimes these groups exceed 1,000 otters.
There are 34,000 different species of fish. That’s more than all the other vertebrates (amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals) combined.
This section is a fun add-on from Britannica.com. Each day there is a new fun fact in their All Good Facts section. These are a few that Rachel found interesting.
Word of the Day
Will you find it?
As a fun challenge each week, Rachel visits Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day when she sits down to write her weekly story. Whatever the word of that particular day happens to be, she must find a way to fit it into her story. Will you find it?
ASCETIC
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Meaning
Ascetic is a formal word used to describe people or things that are markedly simple and restrained in appearance, manner, or attitude. Its original meaning, still in use, is “practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline,” as in “an ascetic monk.”
Story of the Week
An Enduring Friendship
In early 2015, Rachel had left her job at Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite, Nevada and was only working part-time performing transcription services for two orthopedic surgeons, one of which she still works for to date doing his billing and coding. She received a call one afternoon from her OB/Gyn, and friend, Dr. Edward Ofori. He asked her if she was busy, and if not, would she mind coming to his office to perform an audit of his office operations. Rachel had handled his contracting with the hospital for years and he knew her organizational skills were on point.
Rachel agreed, thinking she was just doing a favor for a friend. During her few hours in his office, she identified a good deal of potential that would generate additional revenue for the clinic. She and Dr. Ofori met the following weekend to discuss her findings. He wrote her a check for her time, which was a fantastic surprise. He then called her a few days later and offered her a job. He wanted her to come in and help implement change. This would be a part-time assignment that she believed to be part-time until things were implemented.
Implementing change in an existing office isn’t the easiest thing. Staff is set in their ways and don’t necessarily believe change is necessary. When Rachel started, she was met with significant resistance. Being stubborn and optimistic, Rachel pushed through and did her best. Change was implemented and Dr. Ofori was happy. He was not thrilled when Rachel made the move the Washington, as he had planned to keep her around.
This story is titled An Enduring Friendship, and while Rachel and Dr. Ofori have remained friends and in contact over the years, this is not the friendship this story is about. This story is about Nancy and Rachel’s friendship.
Rachel hired Nancy into the clinic to work as a front-end patient intake representative. Nancy’s previous experience had been in banking, but she had customer service experience and had been recommended by a current employee. During her interview, Rachel found Nancy to have an ascetic personality. While she was nervous, she also had a calm about her. Rachel instantly liked her.
Over the next few years, Nancy was a stellar employee and had proven to be a great hire. Nancy and Rachel worked closely together every day and became friends. It would be towards the final year of Rachel’s time in Nevada that Nancy and Rachel’s friendship would cemented as long-lasting when Nancy began joining Rachel for her 4:00 AM daily walks.
Rachel would take a 4:00 AM, five-mile walk each day before getting ready for work. The staff in the office couldn’t believe she was doing this, and Nancy was intrigued. She met Rachel one morning and joined her for the walk. She loved the way it made her feel the rest of the day. There were days when other staff would join them, but none became consistent. Nancy and Rachel spent a lot of time walking and talking, and then heading into the office and working together all day.
When Rachel moved, they kept in contact. Nancy traveled to Washington to visit Rachel in 2019. Their 2020 and 2021 travels plans were squashed due to the pandemic, but Rachel got to see Nancy when she was back in Las Vegas for work last December. As you read this story, Nancy and her daughter, Jaz, are currently visiting Rachel in Washington and undoubtably having a fantastic time.
Rachel is excited to share her adventures with Nancy and Jaz in next week’s My Monday Memo. For now, enjoy a few photos from the past. Until next time, be well.
