brrrrr

 Why did I choose to move south instead of north?  Cold weather.  I should have moved even further south.  Does it ever snow in  / ice in Panama?  Of course some drug lord may do you bad.  But, it is not cold.  If you - a reader - lives north of here, you probably think this is just whining.  And, you're right.

Whine.

Brrrrrr

In earlier years I have lived through winter in Amarillo, Lubbock, Oklahoma, Kansas, and one full year in Nebraska, albeit I was much younger in some of those years.  In Kansas, I walked to school on top of snow drifts higher than my head.  Of course, I was in 1st through 3rd grades.

Here I am.  Central Texas.  Ice storm outside.  Temperature dropped below freezing yesterday and has not broken back through the glass ceiling of ice.  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe not.  In the past 24 I have received lectures from various relatives about how to stay warm.  It never ceases.  

So, here we sits - staring out the window at the wet - if it were just 20 degrees warmer, we could sits - staring out the window at the dry.  There is just something about dreary days that eat on you.  It is a wonder residents of Seattle ever live to be over 30.  (For the uninformed: it rains a lot in Seattle.  This was just an example.  I could have used St. Paul instead.  Up north winters seem to linger into eternity.)

With this I close.  My winter coat is draped over a chair, waiting.  My dog is snuggled under a nice quilt.  Y'know, if  I had some carrots and potatoes, we could have a steaming hot crock pot full of beef stew - if we had some stew meat.  Well, maybe a can of Wolf Brand chili instead.  That would be warm and comforting...cold crackers and a slice of  onion on the side.

me

FNBO BABBLE

With an apology -  I have just reread what I wrote below.  It is nonsense to read.  How often have I been stuck beside some old person who just rants and raves about some meaningless subject.  They don't know when to stop.

Here is my  meaningless rant.  Try to enjoy.  You won't.

===================================================================

 Here is the deal.  A while back I had dealing with the First National Bank of Omaha.  I owed them some money.   I'm gonna make up some dates and $$ amounts here.  I don't remember the facts.

Anyway, lets say that I owed them $100 and it is the end of April, 2019 or so.   I received their statement; and, I mailed them a check for $100.  Well it seems that in between the dates that I don't really remember, I had used their card and charged something else - let''s say it was a purchase for $50.  

Fine.   According to their printed paper, if I paid off my debt, I would not be charged interest.  These clowns charged interest on the $50 when it was still in "it's" first month.   I called to explain.  The girl on the phone recited some garbage - I asked to speak to someone higher up.  If I am going to call and sit through the phone nonsense, I want good results.  Higher up person listens.  He recites some garbage.  I questioned.  He gave me the name of someone else to call - tomorrow.  I did.  Got another young girl on the phone and we repeated yesterdays adventure.  

After 3 calls and same garbage response, I gave up.  The interest was only a couple of dollars.   At that time I sent them a message to forget that I existed, and I cut up my card.  Done.  Over.  Complete.

Now that was when I lived in North Texas.  I moved to Central Texas in my motorhome and used the mailing address of my daughter for business.  That was about 2 years ago - the moving that is.

My daughter moved.  I moved up here.  The now resident of her old place gave her a letter addressed to me from this company. . They were sending their yearly credit rules.   

GADZ.   I have not done business with them for over 2 years.  How did they get my new/old address?  Mind boggling.

I am mailing them the following letter ( which I modify here because some folks like to do bad things when they get certain info).

 ================================================

TO:  First Natl Bank of Omaha 

Sir:

I have a problem. 

You recently sent me a letter regarding my account.  It went to the {new/old} address listed below. As an FYI, I have not lived at that address for about 2 years.  The above address is my current address. {address listed on letterhead by me}  

Frankly, I cannot find this card.  I do not have the slightest idea where it has gone.  Digging in my stuff, I found an old letter that I had written to you; otherwise, I would not have known how to contact you.  Apparently, I have not used the card for well over 2 years.

I had one account with  you that had made me angry.  I didn’t like the way you charged interest on certain items.  On the phone, I just got a run-a-round story.  This may be the card that I vowed never to use again.  Beats me.  I’m old.  Who can remember being mad over 2 years and 2 house changes ago?

Do what you want.  Send me a replacement card or cancel the account.  But, most importantly, if you are going to keep me on the books, change my address – please.

{signature}

Credit Card

0123 4567 8910 etc. 

Former addresses:

{old address}                                               {new/old address}

=====================================================================

SOOOOOOO,

This brings my questions.  Why would anyone do business with a company that has lost you for over 2 years?   Obviously, I am not a good source of income for over 2 years. Why do they mess with me?  I am willing to bet they will send me a new card.  I have another account with them - different company on letterhead - but still FNBO.  

I close.

tomorrow, I will try to write much better babble.

The Big Three

 Last December, I made a resolution to post more often.  Now that I have messed that up, in January, I am making a resolution to post more often even if I don't feel like it.

Moving on.

==================================================================

THE BIG THREE:

No, I am not talking about Russia, China, & the good ole USA.

No, I am not talking about Cancer, Heart Disease, & Warts.

And, NO, I am not talking about Trump, Polunkski, and/or Biden.

This list could be extended for several pages.  Make your own list of Your Big Three.  Let's see what you come up with . . , The, And, & You Know . . . Football, Baseball, & Basketball . . . Roast Beef, Pork Chops, & Fried Chicken . . .  Easter, Christmas, & Thanksgiving (with a nod to the 4th of July) . . . Christians, Jews, & Muslims 

We could go on with this for hours:   Rain, Snow, & Hail   You get my drift here.

----

My big three:

SOLAR - BUGS - & SHINGLES

I  live in a nice little neighborhood / housing development.  You can look it up online - love the title - Amity Estates.    Not Amityville, just Amity Estates.  I understand that our HOA has a new website going up yesterday or thereabout.  There is a facebook page too.

It's a nice area.  As of this year, the development is "built out."  This means that all lots have houses.  There will be no more building here. Of course in our associated close-by village - Salado - many many many more developments have been started.  These houses are not mansions.  They're just nice little, over-priced homes with grass and few trees.  I'm getting to the big 3.

We moved here about 2 years back in a house that was  probably built 5 years ago.  It is fine.  We're happy.  Now, that is the rub.  Sometimes we are not happy.  You sit back in your easy chair, relaxing your eyes.  They flutter shut.  There is a hint of a mild snore.  All three dogs  (ANOTHER BIG 3) have settled down for their afternoon nap.  Anna, Bella, and my own Sadie.   Sadie has a cushion by the front door and keeps a look out for killers and muggers and teenagers  (3).

All relaxed.  Settling down.  At rest  (3)

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YES -  ALL YOU KNOW WHAT BREAKS LOOSE.  The dogs have seen, smelled, or sensed (big 3) movement outside.  Let the barking begin.  Anna, the big girl, has the biggest bark.  It could cause deafness in the more fragile.  The other two have annoying barks.  I'M SURE their sounds reverberate around the front porch before reaching the ears of .... you may have guessed it ....  One of the Big Three.

Our neighborhood - being fairly new - is prime resource for companies who want more money.  They are a bit wrong about Amity Estates.  On the average, someone comes to my front door at least 3 times or more per week.  Are you getting it yet?

Today, my front door visitor:  Two fairly young, good looking men with matching shirts and a small computer in the left hand.  I stepped outside and said, "No, I do not want my roof shingled;  or my house treated for bugs;   and I do not want to place solar panel thingys on my roof."  They both smiled, and we had a nice conversation about me having too many salesmen trampling down my front sidewalk.

They moved on to the house across the street.  I stepped back into the house to try and shush my vicious animals.  My wife came out of the bedroom and said that she had really enjoyed her non-nap.  I put my trusty 45 back in the drawer.  And - I use this word too often - And, we both tried to settle back in before the next visitor arrives.

An Aside:  last week I was visited by 2 different young ladies from the Salado M.S. Band selling World's Finest Chocolate (and girl scout cookies).  This is different to me and happened after nap time.

To sum it up, I will add the 4th Biggie.  I get phone calls DAILY of people who want to buy either this house or my Rent house.  Each promises big money.  I did that type of work back in the 80s.  But, I only called people who had FSBO (for sale by owner) listed in the paper.  They were willing to stop and listen to me.  That experience is a completely different stone for a later date.

I close now because ANNA is in the back yard barking at the school bus.  I think it is time for her to come inside and nap more.

Thanks for visiting and listening.  "Hey, would somebody grab that ringing phone?"

mtz3 

misc

Thursday, trash out day

Just nonsense.  Spent the first part of the week wondering at the political process.  It was wandering.  Of course, as we all should know, I could care less what your political opinions are unless they coincide with mine.  Yes, my political opinions are the only ones that count.  I am willing to share my political brilliance if asked.  Spoiler alert:  if you are a democrat, don't ask.

This morning's today show had Bobby Flay giving his chicken parmesan recipe.  We have been discussing this very dish off and on for a week.  I hit record on the tv box.  Next, I used my phone to find the recipe from Bobby Flay - he does have a charming personality.  I found one on phone which had a print sign.  Loped over to computer room and hit the print button.  Such a dreamer I yam.  It didn't work.  It tried to send the recipe to some unknown source by FAX,  

Turned on big computer (desktop, not laptop -my lap isn't big or stable enough).  After waiting patiently  for the machine to function, I dug around and found several entries under Google for this delight.  Printing was another thing.  One "print" button sent me to another website where they wanted all of my personal info and a fee to register.  

                                          Really.  

Finally found a recipe with a proper print button.  Nothing printed and computer froze up.  When it freezes, I never know if it is me or AOL messing up.  I do have a tendency to think it is AOL.  I hit Cntl - Alt - Delete.  Rebooted the machine.  Meanwhile, the spouse and I made it to the kitchen for a beautiful lunch of leftovers.  It's a dirty job; but, somebody has to do it.

With Computer re-booted, I opened the printer app and deleted everything in the queue.  Nothing there since machine had re-booted.  Found a setting in Printer App and did some rearranging of preferences.

Back to Google.  Found the recipe.  Printed and stapled.  Am ready to go.  I hope it was worth the effort.

=================================

Son texted last night.  They had to put one of their dachshunds to sleep last night.  MAX.   He was a good boy.  Long legged - long nose - nice mutt.  It made me really sad and depressed.  We have gone through that much too often  Had I been smart years ago, we would have had parrots and turtles instead of dogs.  Their life span is longer than mine.  Let my children or Grand Girls mess with it.

=================================

I'm having a marijuana issue.   The news says that 12 states have legalized the leaf.  I just don't understand the why.  Here we are - daily - fussing about drunks, alcoholics, fried brains - and, they add marijuana to the mix.  I don't get it.  I just don't get it.

Potheads!!!  They will be more responsible than beer drinkers.  It doesn't make sense.

=================================

Today, I have had 3 phone calls wanting to buy my rent house in Waxahachie.  Yesterday and the day before ???  same thing.  I get calls daily and snail mail daily wanting to buy Waxa.  For a while, I use to say something like, "Send me a check for half mil, and it's yours."  Now, I just tell them how many calls I've had this week.  

It is similar to when we had a hail storm last spring.  Starting at 7 a.m. the next morning, we had hundreds of shingle salesmen ringing our door bell.  They just kept comin' and comin' for over a month.  I finally got a roofer's sign and planted in the front yard.  I heard this would deter salesmen.   It didn't.

And, it is like the guys who are pushing solar panels for your roof.  These guys don't know anything about the money - just certain misleading facts - no cost to the home owner - new policy:  one low price - it never stops.  Back to the real estate thing.......

OPINION: These home buyers / folks are going to a weekend seminar, paying good money, and hearing how some slick talking feller made a million dollars.  They sit in awe.  Monday rolls around, and they begin searching for houses without the "Homestead" exemption.   "Grab the phone Mrytle, I just found another hot lead."  Surely someone has made a score somewhere.

Take you back to the 70s when lovable Jimmy Carter was in office.  Inflation soared (just like today), gasoline went sky high (just like today) and bad people in other countries began to take advantage of a weak president (just like today).  I quit teaching and earned my real estate broker's license.  My partner and I would find homes for sale by owner (FSBO).  We'd make an appointment - look the house over -  make an offer on the house.  Several took us up on the offer.    Buy the house, fix it a bit, and resale for a profit.   Good plan.   I just wish my partner hadn't been a slick talking feller.

The houses we bought had low interest rates on them.  With assistance from a certain bank, we would buy and refinance at the 16+ % interest rate and help the bank unload its low interest notes.  It was a good plan until people quit buying houses.  The plan is still good.  But you have to know "when to fold and when to hold 'em."    Thus, endeth my lecture.   QUIT CALLING ME!  HALF MIL OR NADA.

==================================

Last night, my cousin Red called me rather late.  (RED:  guess his hair color)  

Red, (I knew him by another name in years past) is getting up there in years like me.  I'd suppose that he is almost 80.  He has been getting a facebook messenger thing from my wife.  Something like: "Why don't you answer me?"  So forth.  Well, folks, my wife doesn't do messenger.  Someone has made a connection.   I told Red to ignore and block the messages, cause my wife don't do dat stuff.  Someone has found a way to do this scam.  Suppose I should go online and try to warn some folks.  Or not.

===================================

{The following contains a news item and an outright lie, by me.}

Local paper announce that there will be a solar eclipse in April of 2024 at about 1:30  right here in the center part of Texas.  It will last for a while.  Based upon other things from the past, I believe we will have many folks visiting our area for the sight.   It could be fun.    

(now for lie)  When Beto O'Roarke heard this -- April, 2024 at 1:30 - he asked, "A.M. or P.M.?"

Speaking of Beto.

I hope he goes away.  El Paso:  this is your fault.

I saw a cartoon (don't know who wrote it) which shows Beto standing at the Louisiana State Line with a sign:   "Hello, Louisiana, I am Beteaux O'Roarke."  I'd give credit to the author if I knew it.  Please don't sue me.

=======================================

All Hades just broke out here at my house.  The Amazon truck pulled up out front and my lovely dog Sadie just let loose with some expletives that I didn't know she knew.  Good watch dog.

Thunk I'll quit for now.

take care and remember to hug your dog (or cat).  You never know when you'll lose one of them.

'mtz 

Elec

ELECTION DAY

VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN

☺

(special thanks to bro-in-law Ernie for this message)

Revisit 82 is just 28 spelled backwards

 quickie

Today - my 82nd birthday.    Born about 12:05 at night.   

I understand my brother Jim (16 months old) was standing in his crib watching when it happened.  Yes, I was born at home, not a hospital --   Tecumseh, Oklahoma

My mom was the high school band director at the time.

I'm sure there is more to the story, but I wasn't paying attention.  Some guy kept hitting me on my back.  

Mtz

Hallowed Weenie

 This was a good night, Halloween 2022.

We lived on Richland-Chambers lake just east of Corsicana for about 14 years  --  the last house on the left with a nice cul-de-sac.  For 14 years, I shopped for candy, and piled it by the front door ready and waiting for the mass of ghosts and goblins to arrive.  During the entire 14 years, we had zero, zip, nada, 0 trick or treaters.  After a few years, my wife would fuss at me for buying candy.  I bought it on the QT and waited.  I was the Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to appear.

zero

14 years

Moved to Salado - the Amity development  (yes, Amity, not Amityville).  This is a nice area with large lots and affordable houses - well, most don't sell for half million or so.  Quiet.  Good yards.  People out walking their dogs.  Most houses have an unattached steel shed - mine is about 20' x 30'.  I really like the neighborhood - or most of it anyway.

Since daughter Christine became part of our household, life has taken on a different slant at times.  She has been living in a duplex with a small yard and somewhat scary neighborhood.  For 15 years or so, she has seen Halloween come and go.  Nobody did the trick or treat thing.  Would you send your kid out where the neighbors camp out in their front yards daily (nightly) eating and drinking and playing loud music of unknown origin?

Today - here she is in a completely different environment.  I bought an enormous package of candy at Walmart - 350 pieces of snickers, M&Ms, 3 musketeers -- you know the company.  We didn't give away any trash candy.

Christine, did some decorating outside.  We moved a couple of chairs to the front porch area.  All lights were turned on.  The candy was poured into a large plastic bowl. She found scary music to play over a speaker.  Then, at 6 p.m. we moved to the front area and waited.  Nothing.  6:05 silence.   About 6:10 a family of 4 walked by.  They were our first.   Another 3 came in a couple more minutes.  It is still light outside.

All of a sudden the flow began.  WHO LET THE GHOULS OUT?   Little kids, Big kids, tiny babies in the arms of a mother, an entire family dressed as the Addams family, dinosaurs, ninja fighters, clowns, Disney, princess darling, characters from TV and Movies that I have never seen, a group of older boys who stopped across the street and sang Christmas carols - yes, a serenade, lighted golf carts loaded with urchins.   I cannot describe all that came to our house. 

I had given my daughter instructions to give each kid 2 pieces of candy.  It was a good thing.  We gave away 227 pieces of candy.  Next year, I'm buying 2 bags of good candy and giving each person more.

It was a fun evening.  We stopped at 7:30 in the dark with nobody in sight.  For a while I thought I might have to go inside and break into my wife's secret stash of Snickers.  In all of my career, I have NEVER seen this much traffic of monsters and creatures on a Halloween night.

I'll say it again.

It was a fun night.

M3, The Candy Man