Entrepreneurs and Tinnitus

 As we are out and about during chores or just a ride, I am impressed by the enterprise exhibited by many in the community. Since for years Bessemer and Hueytown have been in an economic decline, some people take advantage of the opportunity to make a living in surprising ways. 

While there are carwashes in abundance where you drive your car through a scary tunnel of lights, brushes, and sound, there are more independent car washes where the car is hand-washed. These are men supporting their families. And, yes, the are all Black. I know the unfavorable impression many have of minorities. 

There are many gas stations, but only the ones with many tanks are operating for the most part. So, that leaves the old stations with only two pumps. These men turn these into car washing stations. Sometimes, there are a dozen cars parked about, waiting for a wash. Of course, the owners hire other people, too. 

There is a Hispanic couple who unload several tables and load them down with items to sell. Most days, there are power tools in the box. Some days, the produce person sets up in that one space. I am not sure what brand tools are on the tables, but nothing appears dirty or used. Every time we pass, I silently and aloud hope they have good sales and much success. I don't know the family story, but the couple have two very small children. 

I don't know if the Hispanic people are employed elsewhere and have found a way to boost their income. Maybe they are displaced by covid. I just don't know. It would be extremely rude to stop and ask. If I were interested in purchasing power tools, maybe I could glean a bit of information. But, it would involve too much walking for me to stop out of curiosity, even if I were willing. 

Save your breath if you want to accuse me of racism for mentioning the ethnicity of the entrepreneurs. 

Last night, we went to bed too late. But, as I lay down I became aware of a sound, loud enough to catch my attention. It was a pulsating high sound. It was my ear--tinnitis. Now, I have tinnitus every hour, every minute of every day and never before has it been this bothersome or bothersome at all. My tinnitus is just a low, white noise. One doctor had his prescription pad out but I told him it is not bothersome, more like comforting. 

But, this is awful. I could not sleep until 6 am this morning. When I awoke and sat up, I almost choked on phlegm (tmi). Since then, my head is congested. And, my hands shake as I try to hold or grasp anything. I am wobbly walking, too. I hit the door frame hard and slopped milk all over me. I never do that. I cannot take pseudoephedrine because it will raise my heart rate and know nothing else to take for all this congestion. The best I can do is to try to get this under control before I have a situation where I need an antibiotic. 

Tomorrow, I will call the doctor who comes to a clinic and ask her what to take. In the meantime, I am drinking Campbell's Chicken Broth and taking Hall's Mentholyptus cough drops. Both help to clear my head. 

Have you noticed instances of entrepreneurism  during this time of diminished jobs? Have they turned racial perceptions on their heads? Do you have tinnitus that is debilitating? What do you do for it?