Thornapple bush

We get paid at the farm on the first and the 16th of each month (the milk checks come into the business on the 15th and the last of the month). Milking goes a lot faster now that Domingo is my partner so I was already gone on Thursday when our paychecks arrived. I didn't pick up my check until today (took Friday off). I don't always look at them carefully but noticed today that I had received another raise. Unlike the recent brouhaha caused by comments from the Microsoft CEO, I haven't ever asked for a raise (though once I told a company that I would be leaving if a promised promotion didn't come through). Most of my career, companies gave raises in order to keep good employees. Times and attitudes have changed and companies now look upon employees as replaceable cogs (no matter how much they like to tell them differently). Personally, I see raises as good and bad. The good part is your boss likes the work you are doing. The bad part is living up to that perception - even when the raise is 25 cents.