Wasted Days, wasted....

I wanted to go outside... but it is rain, rain, rain.... talk about wasted days.

Marianne's Challenge

Marianne of Slight Detour challenged her readers to
complete the following with their own stories. Being I didn't
want to clog up her comment area, I chose to answer here.

Best Never Told Smoking Stories
Two for one. The first one, was my neighbor pal and I smoking
straw for starters. We didn't want to go straight into smoking cigarette,
so thought we try straws. Not good. Got sick, her father found us
behind his garage, and I think he said something to the fact of burning
down the garage with our matches, it was hard to understand him,
when you are sick as a dog.

Second one, was when my father found out I smoked. Well, I think
puffing on them, would be a more accurate description. So he decide I
should smoke in front of him. I had bought a pak of Pall Mall ..reds.
For those who are young, that is a straight cigarette with no filters.

I bought that brand as my mother smoked them and figured if I
got caught I could past it off as my mothers. Which goes to show
I was not a smart child, as when I got caught, I was accused of
stealing her cigarettes. And of course we all know that children lie,
so no amount of protesting on my part was going to change their minds.

First Dad, started out with one cigarette. Then when he caught on that I
didn't inhale, he told me I had to inhale if I was going to smoke. It was a
waste, not to inhale. So he showed me how to do it correctly. You inhale,
long and kind of kept it in the lungs for a little bit, and then you let it out
slowly. (Oh, come on now, in those days, everyone inhale and blew it out
slowly, and made circles and etc.. this was not child cruelty......yet).

I say yet, because, I was almost done with my cigarette and kind of holding
my own.. just a little heady... then my father dropped the next foot. He lit
up another cigarette, and handed it to me. I told him no, thanks, one was good
enough for me. Oh, no, a real smoker has a few. As I was getting thru the
second one, I was trying to find an escape route. As I was drawing out the last
one of the inhales.......Dad lit another, I begged off, saying I was fine. 2 was just
my limit.. I know I had to be glowing green by this time. He told, me no, a true
smoker ...smokes one right after another... all day.. and handed me #3, after
about two inhales, I really couldn't tell you what he was saying, as I was heading
for the escape route outside, and throwing up on the lawn. I decided smoking
wasn't for me. Sadly, I figure out that cigarettes calmed the nerves and started
at the age of 31. And finally gave them up for good at the age of 48. It was
a financial thing. It was either a monthly product for women or cigarettes. After
thinking about how I could use the filter after I finished the cigarette, that I decided
I had gone over the edge and quit for a month. Then the next month and the next
and etc. Even thought they cost me 88 cents for my last pack. And they cost 3
times that now or more, and I know they are not good for me at all... I still crave one ..
once in a while.. especially if I have had a few drinks. Hard to explain.. it was kind
of a private, quiet time for me.

Best Never Told Food Stories
When I was a teen, I was left in charge of my kid brother (who was 4 years
my junior) on Friday nights. I guess it was kind of a date night for them.
They went out to dinner. It was my job to make sure I fed my brother dinner
and kept him out of trouble. The funniest one was when I made him hamburgers.
As I was cooking the meat, I had laid out the bun, put mustard, mayonnaise
and ketchup on the buns, then closed them while I finished cooking the meat.
As I swung over the first pattie to put the meat into the bun, .....two of the buns
were gone. I put the meat in the bun. And asked my brother, what happen to
the buns. He laughed at me and said I already ate mine, so I finished first. ha ha
Thinking this was funny. So I had decided to wait about 2 hours before I told him,
he ate his without the meat. lol... I don't think I should go into the time I told him
that Exlax was chocolate candy.

Best Never Told Report Card Stories
Report card time wasn't bad until I was in the higher grades. And by that
time, I had my kid brother. His always seem to be worse than mine, so I
had him go in first with his... and then I would show up half hour later with
mine. That way, mine didn't seem so bad.

Best Never Told Lying Stories---now tell the truth
I never was good at lying. Not to say I never ever did. I am sure I must have
slipped a few white lies in there. But the main reason I decided to give up lying,
was memory. Even as a kid, I wasn't really good at memory. And if you tell a lie,
you have to remember exactly how the story goes. And because I couldn't get
that straight...and got whipped for it, I decided the true was the best way to go.
I could always remember the truth. And facing the music, I found was easier.
You got your punishment and it was over. Instead of waiting weeks for the
parent to figure out the lie, and knowing any day it would happen.
Fear is worse than punishment.

Ok, I have met the challenge of Marianne's... anyone else want to
take up the challenge? I will check out your blog to see how you
answered.

Places that give you Anxiety

Why is it, the mere mention of
the IRS, makes you sweat?
I got a letter today from them,
which scared me.. I thought, oh
no, I am going to be audited. But
I got my money already, don't they
audit you before you get your money?

Any way, it was just telling me they had
adjusted my refund (which I got two
weeks ago) and it is slightly more. If I
wanted to contest it, I could call the numbers
given. Yea, right, who is going to call the
IRS and say.. ......
"Well, no, you sent me too much
money, so I am protesting this".
Yea, right.

Then yesterday, I went down to
get my drivers license renewed.
What is it about going there that
makes you sweat. At least that
room seem awful hot to me. I was
dreading the eye test. I had my
glasses upgraded last Nov. But
still, it is looking in there and seeing
which block is closer and which one
is further away, and etc. I am dreading
it. So I let the young couple who was
finishing their test, go in front of me, so
they could finish the paper work. Anything
to keep away from that eye machine.

Then it is my time, I give the old license,
(wondering what will I use if I fail the eye
test) and the little paper that they have
you fill out. Make sure all the data is
correct. And then she says, step over
here. So I head to the eye machine.
She said, no over here, to get your picture
taken. I am thinking what is the sense of
taking my picture, (she already has my money
for 4 years), if I don't pass the eye test.

After I get the picture taken, (had to have 2,
as my face was froze with fear in the first one
with a slight smirk), so I smiled and she said
good. Fill out this donor (as I had said yes) paper
out, and the picture will be here soon. I filled out
the paper, telling them to take all parts (not going
to do me any good when they cremate me) ... then
the other gal called my name. I gave the papers,
and she said there you are... you are good for 4
more years! I said that is it? She said, yep.

I sweated all this for nothing? No eye machine.
No, I didn't say that aloud as I was walking
out of the courthouse, looking at my new
driver's license. Great, I won't have to go thru
this for 4 more years....Idaho trust me for 4
more years. Good.

Then it dawn on me... will I be driving in 4 more
years? I will be 71 by that time.

Global Warming??????

I am really having trouble getting a handle
on this global warming. There is so much
information out there, but I am still having
trouble believing it.

I guess because I have lived long enough
to go thru so many different weather changes.
I can remember back in the 60's or 70's that
they said we were going to freeze to death.
That everything was getting colder. That the
Ice Age was returning.

I was so busy raising kids, I couldn't get
excited about it. Besides their prediction was
for something like 5 million years from then.

After that, I read a book called "Looking out
for #1". There were many chapter of how not
to believe everything you hear. That when you
hear THEY and THE COMMITTEE in any
reference, to start putting on your doubt
signals. As there is really never a clear deal
of who THEY ...THE COMMITTEE or
even THE SCIENTIST are.
For every bit of information of the pro, there is just
as much for the con. Con in many ways.

I know Al Gore is running around with his movie,
which I have not seen. Don't plan on seeing it.
Movie.. Al Gore.. doesn't instill great trust in me.
After all, he is the one who claimed he found the
computer and online. Maybe he was a Bill Gates
school mate and saw him drawing up the plans?

So I am sorry if I don't jump on the wagon.
Especially because one of the things that
most do agree on, it is going to happen in
about 5 to 15 million years from now.
So those of you who are still around, at that
time.... yes, you can say to my ashes... see
I told you so...

The Simplest of Times....

The King was getting a little
stir crazy, so I put in for a visit
from his brother and sister in law,
on the side. They live over by Tri-cities.

Friday afternoon, they walked in
and it was all smiles. We had a
wonderful visit. We took them on
a ride from Kootenai to Bonner's
Ferry, to Troy,Montana to Thompson
Falls and then to Clark Forks and home.

I had to drive the car, which I am not
fond of. The car hates me. It refuses to
start for me. It won't even let the key turn.
So the King had to start it from the
passenger side. He was the tourist
guide, so he was suppose to find....
a store that had fish in Troy, live fish,
and stuffed animals and had a peeing
bear out front when you went by. Then
we were going to stop on the Bull Run
road to see the petrified trees... and then
have b-b-que in Clark Fork. We found
none of them. Lol. We told him he was
fired as a tourist guide. So we had great
lunch at the Sub sandwich/coffee shop in
Kootenai.

We had the greatest of time traveling
thru the states and back. It was the
simplest of times. Which makes me
think of 2 other times we had a great
time together.

We went to Canada for
lunch. At a A&W restaurant. On 4th
of July. The waitress thought we were
odd as the Canadians go to the USA
to watch fireworks, and we were there.
We also found a yard sale to go to.
It was a very enjoyable time.

The other time was in Seaside. We
walked thru little shops, we walked
the beach, had lunch and dinner, and
watched the sunset and then rise the
next morning. It was just a simple time
and most enjoyable.

Baby Boomers

As we all know the Baby Boomers
are alive and well. They are calling
themselves, the 60's that is the new
30's. And I have to admit, they are
a lively bunch.

We, who are just a little too old to
be baby boomers (pre-war babies),
watch as they run up and down the
street. Seeming to have more ambition
that those of their age did have a generation
ago. They seem to be scared to get old.

We, who are a little older, have embraced
it. We claim our 10% senior discount with
pride. Enjoy retirement. Enjoy life.

But you know, it isn't too bad being in the
half generation before the Baby Boomers.
With all their fear of growing older they are
working on different things that is making
it easier on us. They are making sure all
the things are assessable to us. Better health
care, more in home health than before. So
one can be independent longer. Communications,
and so many things that have come down to us
all in the past 20 years. All due to the Baby
Boomers.

Neither rain, snow, hail ......

It was a dark and stormy day......

but nothing stops fishermen from getting ready for KK week.

Old hometown feeling Sandpoint

We, here in Bonner County,
cry about losing our old town.
The feeling of the old hometown, the
losing of familiar buildings.
The building of monster size
buildings and parking lots.

I am in the front line of those who
cry the blues over this, or just get
down right upset over such things.

Yet on Tuesday, I was running
around looking for a cane for the
King. Went to some of the second
hand stores. (we lost another one
recently, besides the Senior Citizen
one) and only one to be found,
that was a claw bottom...needed
a straight bottom. So after none to
be had... I decided to go to a store
and see what a new one would cost.

I went into the store and my first flow
of feeling was, why don't I come here
more often. Convenience I suppose, as
I live 3 miles away. But the feeling I had
as I walked thru the door... was old hometown
Sandpoint. The friendliness of the employee's.
The different things I saw as I walked to the
back of the store. Things I don't find in
the big stores. And things of quality. Well,
made things. Not the thin plastic stuff.
I use to shop at this store quite a bit before.
So why don't I now, why don't I think of it
first?

I walked back to the home health
section and there was quite a selection
of canes. Some really nice fancy ones.
But this was going to be a short term
cane, so got practical instead of pretty.
And the price was very reasonable.
About the same price as the one I
saw at the second hand store.

I took my purchase to the head of the
store and as I was paying, I remarked to
the clerk, about my feelings as I came in
to the store. She reminded me they were
only 4 minutes pass the big box stores.
I told her yes, and that I would be back.

So where was I, that made me feel so good
about being in an old hometown Sandpoint place?
That has a big size parking lot, that is
easy to get in and out of. That the employee's
are friendly?

SANDPOINT SUPER DRUGSTORE.
that where.

So if you are tired of losing the old Sandpoint,
you better start appreciating our old time
stores we have left. Where the prices are
reasonable, you just have go there.
The local in-town people go there all the time,
it is those of us who are 2 miles to 17 miles
out, that forget the old hometown feeling.

I know I will be back. It just felt good to
be there.
p.s disclaimer... no, I do not know any
one who is there or works there.

You know the old saying... if you don't use it,
you lose it.

Ethics

Ethical, principles, beliefs, moral,
right, fair, decent, just, proper,
honorable... all words to
describe ethics.

We had a tragic situation that
happen here in our town. I thought
I might write about the ripple of
the situation. And how the situation
ended.

But I didn't have my heart in it. After
all if I get upset with the media, getting
up front and personal. Or reporting all
the details of something, feeling that
the public, I think doesn't not need to know
everything. After all, which one of us,
wants every detail of our lives reported
by the media. Some of it is..well, just
private.

If it doesn't mean the safety of the public,
then how much do we need to know.
The media has to walk that fine line.
And not always on the side we like.
Which can be taken either way.

Bloggers, on the other hand are only
accountable to themselves. They don't
have a company to answer to. But we
do have to answer to ourselves. And of
course, if it isn't true, then it is a lawsuit.

So I have chosen, to decide on the side of
right, fair, decent, thing to do. Not write about
the situation. Maybe someday, I will. But
it will be about a situation and not THE
situation. And how it effects so many people.

Now that is clear as mud. But when I do write
about it... I will mention this post.

I Just Didn't Feel Comfortable

Please read this whole thing before
you make a judgment call. You need
all the facts before you say how you feel.

There is voting by mail in the state of
Washington. And Idaho would like to
follow suit.

I have not been great on the idea and recently
I have had my fears grow even more.

When you go to vote, you sign your name
that you are about to vote. They have your
name on the list. Then they give you the ballot.
You make your decision and then fold as told.
And slide it into the big box. I feel comfortable
with that. I know, they know it is really me, who is voting.
Not some one who is in my household or picks up
my mail. I feel comfortable because I take the
ballot, and I put it in the box with all the rest. And
there is no way after, that they can tell which
ballot is mine.

Yesterday, I did not feel comfortable about a
ballot. My husband had his knee operated on.
So getting out is not easy. He put in for a
absentee vote. Because we sent it in too close
to the time, I had to run over to the school district
office and get the ballot. I brought it home, my
husband sat at the table and made his vote and
put it in the ballot envelope. Then he had to sign
a validation declaration, put it and the ballot
into another envelope. And that was the end of
the comfort zone.

Understand I am very guarded with voting.
I think it is horrible when those who can, don't.
Being from the East Coast, New England, where
ballot stuffing was a norm...not legal..but norm, in
the 1900 to who knows how long. Before electric
voting I guess. There was a word for it, but can't
think of it. Anyway, I am very guarded about it.

I have never asked anyone how they voted on
something. I rarely will answer if someone ask me.
It is between God and I. I feel the same way about
my husband. I will sit there and tell him who is
running, or what they are trying to pass. He makes
the judgment himself. I never tell him how I feel
about it, as I don't want to sway him one way or
the other. He is to decide what he wants.
Then I took his absentee ballot over to the
school district office to have it turn in. I was told
if we mailed it...it would be too late to be counted.
Mail can't get there on Tuesday if mailed on Sat.
Oh, yea, we are talking about the US POSTAL
service.

Anyway, I went there, Monday afternoon,
there was a young lady who is the receptionist.
Who put her hand out for the envelope, when
I told her I was turning in his absentee ballot.
She said ok. And put her hand out again to
take it. I asked her, isn't there a box to put it
in. No. She would give it to the person
who is sworn to take care of the ballots. I was
not comfortable about that. I told her so. Again,
she goes thru the deal of it goes into this folder
above her head, for the woman who takes care
of the ballots. That is it. Another gentleman
came in, and he gives her his absentee ballot.
So I give it to her, but not happy about it.

To me, how did I know who was going to get
the envelope? When they got the envelope, did
they open it right there, after all they have to have
the valuation slip. And then do they put the ballot
in a box? How do I know she didn't open the ballot
envelope right then. Then she would know who my
husband is... and what his vote is. Making this worse
is that my husband works for the school district.

I don't know how my husband voted on the levy.
And maybe I am paranoid to think that this woman
could open this envelope, see his name, open the
ballot and see how he voted... and if my husband
were to vote NO... how would that effect his job?
There has been threats over the years. Subtle hints,
of how one's job is a day to day job, no contracts,
so you can be fired. Remarks made about ..you better
vote, we will know if you did or not. Of course this
was about 6 years ago. But it doesn't help, when
you go to put in a absentee ballot. And there is
no box.

Now this is where I had asked you to read the
whole post...because when I went to vote, I ask
the woman there and told her how I didn't feel
comfortable about it. And this is what she said.
"The absentee votes that went to the school
district office, will be transferred to here, at the
Kootenai school tonight at 8, to join the walk-in
votes. At 8, we will open the first envelope and
verify that the voter is registered. Then after
we have verified all of them... we will take the
ballot envelopes and open them with the walk-in
ballots." "No one opens any of the envelopes
before they get here."

Well, it made me feel 50% better, but why
don't they have a locked box at the school
district office? And now my question for you..
Would you feel comfortable about it, if you
were a school employee? Or even just the
average Joe, doing an absentee ballot?

I am not looking forward to mail in voting.