I’ve published my first book, A Bridgetender’s View: Notes on Gratitude, and it was very much inspired by this blog, so if you like the blog, you’ll love the book. Check it out!
I have been working on drawbridges since 2001. It’s a wonderful job, mostly relaxing, with a light sprinkling of white knuckle terror to keep things interesting. It gives you a lot of time to think and observe the world. This blog is my opportunity to share those thoughts and observations with you. I was also diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum 2 weeks before my 58th birthday. That has been life-changing, and I’ve since blogged a lot on that topic, too.
Yes, I write a lot about bridgetending and autism, but there will be no fixed topic per se. This is a quirky, eclectic little blog, but I hope you will find it interesting. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject!
If you’re visiting from a device that doesn’t allow you to access my menus on the right, then you’ll have to scroll way down to find the search widget or the list of most recent posts. Sorry about that. But it’s worth the effort! But if you do have access to my menus to the right, check out my various posts, and view the archives below that, because only my last five entries get individually listed.
For years I posted entries on a daily basis. Now I’m posting twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. You can also sign up to get my posts via email, or join my Facebook group, where I post links to my blog posts as they come out, and have a lot more communication with drawbridge nation there.
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to hearing from my readers. Feel free to post comments at the foot of each post or this page, or contact me using this form.
The View from a Drawbridge 
I probably don’t say it as often as I should but your blog is very special to me and I’ve nominated you for 3 awards. Yes. Three. http://wp.me/sQUCq-rewarded . Much love!
Wow! Thank you very much! 🙂
Were you working bridges when the IBEW Local 177 represented the operators? Sadly, do to high turnover and lack of interest, the Union was decertified. Last year, we won an election with the Duval School Maintenance Workers. Negotiated a good contract they haven’t seen in ages. If you think theirs enough interest to get over 50% to vote, contact us.
I was indeed, and was a member myself. But when our pay is so abysmally low, it’s hard to convince someone to pay dues, especially when we would be included in your mailing list with electricians, who were complaining about earning 3 times as much, so we didn’t feel we were being prioritized. But I’ll keep my ear to the ground.
Sorry about the past. Could I ask how many operators are left? The IBEW came around just as more high rise bridges replaced draw bridges, so you are a rare bird!
Actually, here in Northeast Florida there are still a TON of us around that remember IBEW. Many of us have been around for a decade or so. There are about 40 bridgetenders in this district.
That’s a lot more than I would have ever guessed. BTW your ‘dead letter file’ was a good read. ROFL when I read “you should try it some time”, I like your prose.
Why thank you. 🙂
I have been reading your posts for over three months. I’ve liked keeping you to myself, however, it’s not really fair to you. So I shared you–whether they take my advice, who knows. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/101682904061855876/
Wow, thank you! I’m very flattered.
Are you still a fan and follower? Hard not to be when someone is passionate and consistent. My favorite way to have morning coffee is reading the daily post even before I get out of bed. 🙂
And to think I’m not a morning person! Glad to be a part of your routine, though. 🙂
Huge smiles… As I sit in a tower, listening to the hum of tires on span grates, the rattle of window screens due to SCA winds, and security announcements from various ships; I surf the internet and find YOU!
From one late 40’s, December born, ever pondering tender to another; Happy Holidays!
Tiny Troll
Welcome aboard, Tiny Troll! Also check out my Drawbridge Lovers group on Facebook!
Dear Drawbridge-
I just wanted to let you know that I posted a link to your blog on a website I host regarding construction tradeswomen. It’s at http://www.shovel.life under a menu to the left of the screen.
Cheers,
Lazy Susan
Thank you! I’m very flattered.
I ride my bike by your bridge all the time and soon my downtown office, PEMCO, will be on Dextor and I will se you more I will be following you!
Yes, I can see a lot of Dextor from here. Looking forward to your feedback. : )
Looking forward to the posts! I’ll wave next time I ride by!
Just don’t be like every other biker and rush the gate when you hear the warning signals going off. It’s a good way to die, and an even better way to give me a heart attack.
Not a chance! I stop and take pictures, promise
Thank you from the bottom of every bridgetender’s heart.
Hey, thank you for the link excellent work and already going through your archive. Found an interesting story about a guy called Kip who gets stuck in a window, I laughed so hard, almost as hard as when I was stuck in that window, I had forgotten about that. This inspires me
Yay! I love inspiring people!