Decades ago, a local city gobbled up all the satellite cities that depended on the city for water, and sewer. They used the powers allowed by annexation, and now had what was considered at the time some new, good tax revenue.
Over time, the now larger city, as most larger cities, mishandled the tax money, allowed critical infrastructure repairs to be placed on the back burner, and chased anyone with any sense away. The gains now are liabilities, since the property values are not what they should be, and once prime real estate is filled with dilapidated homes.
I'm sure this isn't an isolated occurrence. Cites are run by politicians and bureaucrats. Neither is really useful for much of anything, and a less polite society would have bounties on both.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Sunday, March 4, 2018
One Spring Afternoon
Spring is here. Trees are budding, the flowering trees are covered with blooms, and the Azaleas are starting their annual brilliance.
I wrote the following story years ago. The inspiration was the coming of Spring, and the memories it brings.
***
I wrote the following story years ago. The inspiration was the coming of Spring, and the memories it brings.
***
One Spring Afternoon
It was a glorious spring afternoon. The tug between the seasons was almost over; the passage of a late front the day before left cool temperatures, which yielded to the afternoon sun.
The new leaves on the trees signaled the final break from the grasp of winter. Almost impossibly green they were a brilliant contrast against the azure sky.
Shawn sat on his front porch and soaked in the day. His thoughts wandered between different subjects, but the unique weather had led most of his thoughts to years before. It seemed just about everything brought a memory, or a feeling of something so familiar, it tugged at his concentration.
The neighborhood was quiet, like it always was before. Generations were represented by each house. While the houses might not be childhood homes, they weren’t far away for the occupants. They only needed to go a short distance to find a neighborhood that held the memories of their youth.
A few houses down, a neighbor was cutting their lawn for the first time of the season. As the grass, straggly dandelions, and clovers succumbed to the whirling blades they released a perfume, with a hint of wild onion. The odors wafted to where Shawn sat and pulled his thoughts to a collage of spring days he lived long ago.
As he thought, a honeybee landed on his leg. Resisting the urge to swat it away, Shawn quietly watched as the bee seemed to rest and regain its strength. It reminded him of a long gone day when he arrogantly interrupted a bee and was rewarded with a sting. His mother carefully removed the stinger and his father made a poultice of cigarette tobacco. Although the pain was soon gone, he spent the remainder of the afternoon showing his playmates, who were fascinated by the angry red swelling with the red dot in the middle.
Sufficiently rested, the bee soon left, made a few quick circles around the porch and left. Shawn watched as it flew across the street; soon too far away to see.
“Good afternoon Mr. McIntyre.”
Looking over, he saw the women that delivered his mail walking across the yard.
“Good afternoon, Gladys. It’s a fine day, isn’t it?”
“It sure is. I’ve been waiting all winter for this.”
Walking onto the porch, she asked: “Do you want me to put it in the box?”
“Please. I’ll get it on the way in.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have anything but junk. No bill, letters or cards from your sweetheart.”
Shawn laughed and answered: “So, it’s just another day?”
Laughing, Gladys replied: “I guess it is.”
Placing her hand on his shoulder for a moment, Gladys spoke as she hurried on her way: “You have a good day.”
“I will; you too.”
As she walked away, Shawn admired her as he always did. He found her attractive, although he knew he was far too old to ask her out. He longed for the days when such thoughts would never cross his mind. Age had won the battle against his youth long ago.
A car passed slowly and stirred the smell of sun heated asphalt. The scent soon reached Shawn’s nose; returning him to his childhood, when such heat allowed removing his shoes and playing barefooted. He remembered the cool, spring ground was a sharp contrast to the sun heated pavement. If his feet got cold, he only had to stand for a moment on the sidewalk and the feeling would leave.
Looking at his hands, Shawn examined them for a few moments. He had a hard time recognizing the wrinkled, spotted appendages that were his own. Thinking hard, he realized he couldn’t remember his hands when he was young. The thought saddened him; such things should never be forgotten.
The warm air soon conquered Shawn’s unwillingness to not enjoy every moment of the afternoon. Drowsy, he soon fell asleep.
“Shawn!”
Waking abruptly, Shawn looked up to find his neighbor, Caroline, standing next to him on the porch.
“Are you okay?”
Shawn was embarrassed. Caroline was always worried about him, which was understandable, even though it bothered Shawn. Alone, and with his family miles away, she would constantly check; even offering food, which Shawn refused. He was adamant about taking care of himself.
Caroline would “visit”, although Shawn felt it was more of just making sure he hadn’t lost his ability to survive and was a danger to himself. Even though he was suspicious of her reasons, the visits were always pleasant and welcomed. Shawn appreciated the company, which was a rarity these days. Almost all his friends were gone and only the youngest of family members were left. They'd send a card on his birthday, or on holidays. Their visits were rare, and he reached the point he knew most would have their last visit as his funeral.
“I was just taking a nap.”
“It’s a good afternoon for a nap.”
Shawn smiled and examined Caroline’s face. He could see the worry through her smile. It made him sad; she shouldn’t have to worry about such things
Shaking away his thoughts, Shawn answered with a happy tone: “It’s a wonderful afternoon for a nap.”
“I brought you something.”
Looking at her hands, he found she was holding a pie, covered with clear wrap.
“It’s apple.”
Shawn was pleased. He loved a pie – which he allowed as an offering – and apple was his favorite.
“I’ll put it on the counter.”
As she went into the house, Shawn thought of his mom’s apple pie. He helped her when he could, which always left enough dough for a treat. His mother would cover it with butter, sprinkled it with sugar, add a dash of cinnamon and then bake it until a golden brown. He would enjoy it with a glass of cold milk.
A robin landed in the yard, which diverted Shawn’s attention. It soon started picking at the ground for a meal of the insects that were emerging from the cold ground. Mesmerized, Shawn felt as though he’d lived this exact moment before. Digging in his memories, he couldn’t find any reference, but everything felt so familiar.
“Shawn!”
The voice sounded far away, but familiar
“Shawn!”
Suddenly worried about the time, the sound of a distant train whistle signaled it was 6:00 pm.
“I’m late” Shawn said in a panic.
Jumping from the porch, he ran to the sidewalk and paused. The warm concrete felt good on his cold feet. They were tender, but summer would bring the thick calluses that allowed walking on hot pavement.
Looking back from where he came, he started to examine the old man and young woman on the porch. He knew they were, or did he? Isn't her name Caroline?
“Shawn Michael!”
Glancing one last time, he saw the woman shaking the shoulder of the old man. Pushing away any thoughts, he started running down the sidewalk toward his mother's voice. She only used his middle name when she was mad or worried.
The neighborhood was quiet, like it always was before. Generations were represented by each house. While the houses might not be childhood homes, they weren’t far away for the occupants. They only needed to go a short distance to find a neighborhood that held the memories of their youth.
A few houses down, a neighbor was cutting their lawn for the first time of the season. As the grass, straggly dandelions, and clovers succumbed to the whirling blades they released a perfume, with a hint of wild onion. The odors wafted to where Shawn sat and pulled his thoughts to a collage of spring days he lived long ago.
As he thought, a honeybee landed on his leg. Resisting the urge to swat it away, Shawn quietly watched as the bee seemed to rest and regain its strength. It reminded him of a long gone day when he arrogantly interrupted a bee and was rewarded with a sting. His mother carefully removed the stinger and his father made a poultice of cigarette tobacco. Although the pain was soon gone, he spent the remainder of the afternoon showing his playmates, who were fascinated by the angry red swelling with the red dot in the middle.
Sufficiently rested, the bee soon left, made a few quick circles around the porch and left. Shawn watched as it flew across the street; soon too far away to see.
“Good afternoon Mr. McIntyre.”
Looking over, he saw the women that delivered his mail walking across the yard.
“Good afternoon, Gladys. It’s a fine day, isn’t it?”
“It sure is. I’ve been waiting all winter for this.”
Walking onto the porch, she asked: “Do you want me to put it in the box?”
“Please. I’ll get it on the way in.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have anything but junk. No bill, letters or cards from your sweetheart.”
Shawn laughed and answered: “So, it’s just another day?”
Laughing, Gladys replied: “I guess it is.”
Placing her hand on his shoulder for a moment, Gladys spoke as she hurried on her way: “You have a good day.”
“I will; you too.”
As she walked away, Shawn admired her as he always did. He found her attractive, although he knew he was far too old to ask her out. He longed for the days when such thoughts would never cross his mind. Age had won the battle against his youth long ago.
A car passed slowly and stirred the smell of sun heated asphalt. The scent soon reached Shawn’s nose; returning him to his childhood, when such heat allowed removing his shoes and playing barefooted. He remembered the cool, spring ground was a sharp contrast to the sun heated pavement. If his feet got cold, he only had to stand for a moment on the sidewalk and the feeling would leave.
Looking at his hands, Shawn examined them for a few moments. He had a hard time recognizing the wrinkled, spotted appendages that were his own. Thinking hard, he realized he couldn’t remember his hands when he was young. The thought saddened him; such things should never be forgotten.
The warm air soon conquered Shawn’s unwillingness to not enjoy every moment of the afternoon. Drowsy, he soon fell asleep.
“Shawn!”
Waking abruptly, Shawn looked up to find his neighbor, Caroline, standing next to him on the porch.
“Are you okay?”
Shawn was embarrassed. Caroline was always worried about him, which was understandable, even though it bothered Shawn. Alone, and with his family miles away, she would constantly check; even offering food, which Shawn refused. He was adamant about taking care of himself.
Caroline would “visit”, although Shawn felt it was more of just making sure he hadn’t lost his ability to survive and was a danger to himself. Even though he was suspicious of her reasons, the visits were always pleasant and welcomed. Shawn appreciated the company, which was a rarity these days. Almost all his friends were gone and only the youngest of family members were left. They'd send a card on his birthday, or on holidays. Their visits were rare, and he reached the point he knew most would have their last visit as his funeral.
“I was just taking a nap.”
“It’s a good afternoon for a nap.”
Shawn smiled and examined Caroline’s face. He could see the worry through her smile. It made him sad; she shouldn’t have to worry about such things
Shaking away his thoughts, Shawn answered with a happy tone: “It’s a wonderful afternoon for a nap.”
“I brought you something.”
Looking at her hands, he found she was holding a pie, covered with clear wrap.
“It’s apple.”
Shawn was pleased. He loved a pie – which he allowed as an offering – and apple was his favorite.
“I’ll put it on the counter.”
As she went into the house, Shawn thought of his mom’s apple pie. He helped her when he could, which always left enough dough for a treat. His mother would cover it with butter, sprinkled it with sugar, add a dash of cinnamon and then bake it until a golden brown. He would enjoy it with a glass of cold milk.
A robin landed in the yard, which diverted Shawn’s attention. It soon started picking at the ground for a meal of the insects that were emerging from the cold ground. Mesmerized, Shawn felt as though he’d lived this exact moment before. Digging in his memories, he couldn’t find any reference, but everything felt so familiar.
“Shawn!”
The voice sounded far away, but familiar
“Shawn!”
Suddenly worried about the time, the sound of a distant train whistle signaled it was 6:00 pm.
“I’m late” Shawn said in a panic.
Jumping from the porch, he ran to the sidewalk and paused. The warm concrete felt good on his cold feet. They were tender, but summer would bring the thick calluses that allowed walking on hot pavement.
Looking back from where he came, he started to examine the old man and young woman on the porch. He knew they were, or did he? Isn't her name Caroline?
“Shawn Michael!”
Glancing one last time, he saw the woman shaking the shoulder of the old man. Pushing away any thoughts, he started running down the sidewalk toward his mother's voice. She only used his middle name when she was mad or worried.
It was time to go home.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Hoggin the Limelight
David Hogg is all over the news. A search of his name reveals many websites with reports, and opinions.
According to some of the reports, he won't return to school, unless new restrictive gun laws are passed. He might as well hold his breath. His temper tantrum only proves ignorance, and his willingness to seek public exposure.
Ten years from now, when he finds his G.E.D. didn't lead to any scholarships, and he couldn't afford the cost of college, his ignorance will let him know his five minutes of fame only led to obscurity.
According to some of the reports, he won't return to school, unless new restrictive gun laws are passed. He might as well hold his breath. His temper tantrum only proves ignorance, and his willingness to seek public exposure.
Ten years from now, when he finds his G.E.D. didn't lead to any scholarships, and he couldn't afford the cost of college, his ignorance will let him know his five minutes of fame only led to obscurity.
Maybe They Decided to Move
Scientists discovered a super-colony of penguins. According to the article, the scientist are surprised by this, since this species appeared to be dwindling where previously studied. Penguin crap covered rocks exposed by satellite imagery led them to the colony.
I wonder if the reason the penguins were dwindling is because they were moving away from the helicopters, motorized vehicles, constant dabbling by humans, and the fact humans are sometimes not very good neighbors?
Since penguins can't talk, and scientists will justify their meddling, the answer may never be known.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
When Logic Fails
Over the last few years, nuclear weapons were dismantled, launching platforms were abandoned, and it was all supposedly a cooperative effort between the major powers of the world.
Meanwhile, Putin announces he has nukes that should make the West pay attention.
Logic failed in this situation. Russia, in the process of becoming a ruthless, totalitarian country, murdered millions that either were political opponents, had an unwanted religion, or were just in the way. The resulting Soviet Union led to misery for most of the citizens. Those in power tyrannized their own people to keep their power. Thinking the supposed more friendly Russia has compassion for the rest of the world, or are honest with their deals, is illogical.
So, the United States may be at a disadvantage, which in the cruelty of war, means taking an offensive position. That always ends in defeat, and it's a crying shame the last administration did everything it could to weaken our military strength. Their actions were seditious.
Meanwhile, Putin announces he has nukes that should make the West pay attention.
Logic failed in this situation. Russia, in the process of becoming a ruthless, totalitarian country, murdered millions that either were political opponents, had an unwanted religion, or were just in the way. The resulting Soviet Union led to misery for most of the citizens. Those in power tyrannized their own people to keep their power. Thinking the supposed more friendly Russia has compassion for the rest of the world, or are honest with their deals, is illogical.
So, the United States may be at a disadvantage, which in the cruelty of war, means taking an offensive position. That always ends in defeat, and it's a crying shame the last administration did everything it could to weaken our military strength. Their actions were seditious.
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