Time for a change

The only constant, it seems, is change. Unless that means change in your pocket, and in these days of layoffs and plant closings, that might be in short supply.

Been there, done that.

The closure of the Fleetwood plant, which put 150 people out of work, raised memories of 15 years ago when me and 40 co-workers were cut loose from a Minnesota publishing company. The transition counselors said I would bounce back and I did.

Ever since the layoff I’ve put a higher value on change, the money kind. I always pick up pennies on the sidewalk, each of them, I’m told, being worth a day of good luck.

I need all the luck I can get.

Lately I’ve been thinking about making the most of change. After the Better Half died, now 1 1/2 years ago, I began cleaning up the house and among other surprises found lots of spare change.

Only problem is, the change is from Canada, Denmark and Sweden.

My bank will exchange bills from these countries, but not change.

So now I have a new idea — travel to these countries to get rid of the change.

Spending several thousand dollars to get rid of a handful of coins may seem crazy in these challenging economic times.

But it could be just the change I need.

You, too, may need a change of scenery to appreciate what you have right here at home — if you still have a home.

If you’re like me, you look for any excuse to see the world. And your idea of a long trip is a drive to Walla Walla.

But now this new travel challenge awaits. Years ago, when she was high school age, my late wife lived in Sweden for a summer on an exchange program she set up with her Swedish pen pal. And the Better Half toted back a handful of souvenir coins.

Then she did the same on more recent trips to dog shows in Canada, the kind where the dogs say, “Bark, eh?”

The other day I discovered a plastic container filled with Loonies and Two-nies — the coins Canadians use in place of our $1 and $2 bills — and other coins.

Being the type who can’t stand to see stuff go unused, now I’m making plans to travel to Canada to spend the change.

The only complication is, because of the terrorist threat, I have to get a passport to go to Canada. There goes $60. Plus I’ll need gas to reach the border, just to spend Loonies.

I might also someday book a trip to Denmark and Sweden. Consider it nuts, but I might spend several thousand dollars just to get rid of a pound of coins.

Oh, I might hang on to the 2-Kroner coin with the hole in the middle to use as a necklace.

I appreciate having a choice of getting a change of scenery. People facing layoff have no choice. For them the change might be hard. But it is necessary, and people are resilient, especially when change is the only choice.

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