Hot and windy but nice and sunny. Only problem, our "neighbor" down the hill that we call "Burnie" is at his favorite nighttime sport... burning pine pallets outside on his patio... the smell is very bad and the wind always pushes the smoke up to our house and we have to keep the doors and windows closed in order not to breath in the fumes. What do you do about that? We can tell that if we complain, we will have bigger problems with him because he has lived in this vicinity for many more years than we have, and resents our development anyway. I don't begrudge him doing his "macho" fire thing, but I wish he would do it when the wind is not blowing. Unfortunately, that is not very often.
I spent a long time reading the local paper today.. lots to think about.
Eek! A Snake!
Today's Carroll County Times had a front page article about Tammy McComrick, who is a Frederick-based snake catcher. She has a busy schedule from March through November, the time when snakes like to visit human's houses and barns. I'm afraid of snakes because I don't know which ones are venomous.. Tammy says that only the rattlesnake and copperhead are poisonous in Maryland... those are the same two that inhabited Massachusetts when I lived there.
When I had a big garden in Gamber, I would go down my rows of pea plants, picking pods. One day, I suddenly looked up from my picking and saw what looked to me like a cobra about to strike. I immediately did a complete backflip and scooted out of the snake's vicinity. My son, Chris, and his friend were nearby and saw the action... they had a hard time stopping their laughing.. it was just a harmless big black snake. Well... it could have been a cobra.. well.. maybe not.
Carroll County Pays another Fine
Actually, we taxpayers are on the hook again because of what our representatives do or don't do. This time the fine was for $40,000 after the County failed to comply with Federal water pollution and quality standards.
Crime in the Country
The Westminster Police, acting on a tip, arrested three Westminster residents in the act of preparing drugs for sale. One of these guys had close to $1,000 in his pocket. That's why these guys keep violating the law and are willing to take the risk.. because it's lucrative. What other profession allows 20 year-olds to walk around with so much cash?
Boring Advertisement
For a long time now, the Carroll County Times has run the same ad, proclaiming that Michele Carroll won a $100 grocery gift card by accessing their online newspaper site. Hey, guys, this is boring.. its nice that she won, but stop reminding us about it every single day of the week.
Prostate Cancer Detection
Fellow NARFE member, Dave Pyatt, wrote an important column about Prostate Cancer testing. As he says, sometimes the search kills more that the condition, and men over 70 should avoid being tested. I agree. At my age, I would probably not live long enough anyway for a cancer to reach maturity.
Paid Parental Leave
Harold Meyerson, editor at large of the American Prospect, had an interesting article in the Carroll County Times today. Harold lambastes the Republicans for holding back progress in providing paid parental leave. He cites a study of 185 Nations and Territories, where representatives were asked if they have some kind of paid parental leave. 182 did have. Only 3 did not.. guess who: yes, the good old US of A again, in a league with Oman and Papua, New Guinea. For shame !
Surprise Wedding Bells
Good news! To save money, contact this young couple: Very tall Officiant, Steven Gaudaen and very tiny, pink-haired photographer, Maggie Winters, will arrange a "Pop Up" wedding for you. PopWed Company lets you skip the usual expenses and instead helps you "pop up" some place interesting, often where weddings are never held.. like museums and the like. Maybe even in front of the White House, if they can get away with it. (Incidentally, an Officiant is someone who is willing to marry you, and who probably is not a preacher or a Government official. Bob Leffler and I are able to be Officiants at times, if we feel it is appropriate.)
Guns!
By law, Georgia will be allowing school staff to carry guns while in school. However, Georgia teachers are not too happy with that.
Also, I'm not sure, but Georgia might also be allowing hunters to put silencers on their rifles. Home owners in the Country are not in favor of that.
The Green Dot Scam
A new scam has been reported in Maryland: BGE Customers are being contacted by telephone and told that their service will be terminated unless they make a payment to purchase a Green Dot Visa Credit Card. If you get contacted, you should contact BGE's Customer Center at 800-685-0123.
Why Vote?
The candidates for the District 2 Council in Prince Georges County are separated by only 13 votes. The outcome will be determined by provisional ballots. (The Kennedy campaigns in Massachusetts recognized that voting counted.. and they would provide buses to Nursing Home residents and carry them to the poling places, giving them a little coffee or treat while on the bus... guess who those people voted for? A few trips like that could get out enough votes to tip the scales in an election.)
1914! 2014! 2114!
Radio Lab did an interesting retrospective on the year 1914.. 100 years ago! So many amazing things have happened in that period .. just think of what changes will probably occur in the next 100 years! Hopefully, there will be a cure for cancer and other nasty bodily problems... in fact, people may even be able to trade in their old bodies for newer, younger ones. Why not? We're almost there now. Wouldn't you like to have immortality?
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