It is a difficult job if it is done right. There are plenty of folks, mostly women, who are exceptional secretaries. ... My mom was right up there with the best of them. Mom was a secretary back when they were still called "secretary", when pencils, shorthand, carbon paper, little eraser wheels with a brush on the end, and typewriter ribbon were still in style. She took all the classes in High School that would enable her be competent/JanTri, Brand X Ranch. More here.

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• Michael D's Eatery/Dad's Diner
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• Guy talk/Silver Valley Stories
• A day to celebrate trees/Slight Detour
• More below

Question: Have you ever performed secretarial work? How difficult is the job?

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HBO Numbers (for Thursday, Dec. 23): 6583/3884