Schlechten wein zu trenken
Germans have a saying: "Das Leben is zu kurz schlechten wein zu trenken." My German isn't good, but loosely translated it means that life is too short to drink bad wine.
Looking back on decades of working on this newspaper I can report enjoying good wine. Never did I feel it was a boring job, it was a labor of love.
Can you think of anything worse than looking back on a lifetime of doing something you didn't enjoy? Or can you think of anything better than having a career you fully enjoyed?
Many have commented, "I thought you retired."
I did.
They are confused because editorial comment from me continues on this page.
Writing editorials and columns required about one percent of my time as editor/publisher. The other 99 percent was occupied in running the paper, writing stories, and putting out small fires.
Donna Bernhardt is doing those things today. Don't be misled that what she writes for the editorial page is her main chore.
As long as you don't object, I'll continue to write a bit for this page. It's enjoyable. I continue to serve as president of the corporation which owns this and two other newspapers. But I'm no longer a member of the Marion County Record staff, except to write some personal comment when I feel so inclined, or the fire in my belly begins burning.
After all these years I don't plan on drinking bad wine, when good wine is available.
— BILL MEYER
