Another Reason Why I Like Yard Sales and Flea Markets

This morning I was reading a story in The Collectors Newsletter #435 June 2006 from TAIS.COM . Some one named Robin R. had written about a recent experience she had at a local flea market. In the article she was describing a print set she had found. She said, "there was something about it that kept drawing me to it. You know that feeling you get when you find certain items. Its not even a memory, more of a feeling that somehow takes you back in time. Love that feeling! " When I read those words, I knew exactly what she meant. Its a kind of warm nostalgia that comes to you when you see something from the past. Something that takes you back to a happy time or place.

This week I have been going through some of the papers from the desk at my fathers garage. They date from 1959 to 1985. I saw names of people that I had long ago forgotten and papers about transactions and events that I wasn't previously aware of, but all of it gave me that warm nostalgia just like I so often get at flea markets and yard sales.

The Bright Side Of Global Warming

First let me say that I think the idea of significant man-made global warming is junk science. If you are one of those people that is worried about possible global warming, you should read this article. It should make you feel better.

Word Verification Sux

Suddenly ever time I go to post something to my blog, I have to type some nonsense word like "awlyt" or "wxseptyy" in a box before I can publish. I did not opt to have it this way and I've tried to find a place to opt out, but so far I have been unable to. I realize this is supposed to stop automated posts, but I have to log into my blog so why the need for the added step.

It just reaffirms my feeling that computers and the internet will continue to evolve in complexity until they become totally useless.

Today's Issue of The Coosa Marketplace

Today's issue of The Coosa Marketplace, which is a free paper Published by the Talladega Daily Home, includes an article by The Associated Press entitled "Many cities look to Pelham for way to track down all taxes due." The article states that "Pelham's revenue director has shared his successful method of collecting taxes and fees with 20 cities in Alabama trying to collect payments due. Pelham's expanding tax base has helped the Shelby County city increase its budget from $2.5 million in 1990 to $35.8 million this year"

I've lived in Pelham since 1979 and I can tell you that the quality of service to the citizens has not improved in accordance with the increased tax collections. Oh they have built a Racket Club and a Civic Center and a Golf Course. And now they are building a big new city office building, but the traffic is a nightmare, there is a busted water line on my street almost every week and Alabaster has kicked their ass in attacting a fantastic new shopping center. Meanwhile, I understand that the Mayor is the highest paid in Alabama. Pelham may be collecting a lot more money than they used to but it seems that it only gives them more money to waste.

Its So Dry

Its so dry at my house. I said its so dry at my house. (How dry is it?) Its so dry at my house that the plastic wreath on my front door has started to shed its leaves.

Its been quite some time since I remember it being this dry. In fact, I may not actually remember it, I may just remember the stories that my folks used to tell.

Sometime in the early 50's, 1951 I think, it got really dry in Central Alabama. I remember my folks saying that the branch behind our house dried up. In fact several of the branches and creeks dried up. There was one little spring on some land that my folks owned down near Richville that continued to flow. I've not been down to the branch behind my folks house or to the spring near Richville yet to see if they are still flowing, but I do know that it is really dry up here in Shelby County.

Every Dark Cloud Has A Silver Lining

I guess if you look hard enough, you can find some good in almost anything. It has been extremely dry around here for quite some time. I was standing on my front porch this morning while the dogs ran around in the yard and I realized that it has been weeks since I cut the grass. Kind of like winter, without the cold. I don't care much for cutting grass, but I would enjoy about 24 hours of slow rain.

A New Atomic Bomb?

I just read an article that said that the government is having a competition to design a new atomic bomb. Is this really what our country needs? A competition to design a new atomic bomb? I am now convinced that the lunatics are running the asylum.

Schools Out, Check Your Order Before Leaving The Window

Those of you (all three of you) who routinely check my Blog know that I frequent fast food drive thru windows. You also know that I have had some on going problems with several in this area. The one bright spot in all this has been the local McDonald's but last week they let me down. I drove up to the outside speaker to order but could not get any response. I drove around the building and pulled up to the other speaker and was able to place my order. When I got to the window to pay, a young guy who I had never seen before casually took my money. I pulled to the next window and a young lady who I had never seen before shoved a bag at me and I drove off. Later when I checked the bag, my two double cheeseburgers, two medium fries and two apple pies were actually two cheeseburgers, one big mac and a small fry.

I've thought about this and I think that what is happening is kids are out of school for the summer, maybe even graduated and are looking for summer jobs. Many are probably going to college this fall and see this demeaning work as necessary to get them thru the summer. They don't give a fat rats ass whats in the sack, just get thru 8 and collect that minimum wage check.

While you are at it, be careful where you get your oil changed. When my daughter was in college at Auburn, she took her car to Express Oil Change , had them change the oil and then drove back to her apartment. A hour or so later she went to get back in the car and there was a big puddle of oil on the ground underneath the car. She called Express Oil Change and they sent someone over. Turns out the person who put the oil filter on did not tighten it down sufficently. Apparently he also did not check for leaks when the car was started. I can't prove it, but I have always suspected that the employee in question was some student working part time to help out with finances. Don't get me wrong, I think that is commendable and I am sure that most young workers do a good job, but if they see the work as beneath them and just a way to get some money, quality suffers.

Don't forget, Schools Out, Check Your Order Before Driving Off.

How About A Tax On Doctors Instead?

This article in the Daily Mail says that US doctors want a tax on Coke and Pepsi to fund an anti-obesity campaign that the doctors want to run. I have a novel idea, why don't the doctors pay for the campaign themselves. Of course, when that looser, Hillary Clinton is elected president and gets socialized medicine passed, all those doctors won't be making enough to fund anything. In fact they will be lucky if they can afford a Coke or a Pepsi themselves. Abject poverty often cures obesity.

I did see one thing in this article that I agree with. In this country (USA) we use entirely too much high fructose corn syrup for sweetner. I think surcrose (sugar) is a better, healther sweetner.

My Veggie Car

Charley Reese Does It Again

Again Charley Reese has written an article that says exactly what I feel.

Some Interesting Prescription Drug Information

I came across this article about some of the percentages quoted in drug advertisements. I have known for a long time that people with an adgenda (not just drug companies) use percentages to make things seem more impressive than they are. The information in the article is a good indicator of why any argument that contains percentages should be immediately followed by a question. "What are the raw numbers."

For example, if you buy one Powerball ticket, you have a 1 in 146 million chance of winning. If you buy two Powerball tickets, you have a 1 in 73 million chance of winning. That is a 50% improvement. Does that mean you ought to rush up to Ardmore and buy two Powerball tickets?

Dixie Highway Yard Sale

Saturday, Linda and I took in the Dixie Highway Yard Sale in Georgia. We started at the north end in Ringgold Ga and traveled south to Marietta. This was the first year for the sale but it seemed to be well organized with lots of signs. The Dixie Highway route is well marked with signs and there were a lot of Dixie Highway Yard Sale signs as well. We had a great time and my opinion is that this sale was a success. You can learn more about this sale and the Dixie Highway at http://www.dixiehighway.org/

A Stateless Society

Pretty interesting article by Stefan Molyneux about the possibility of a stateless society.