Tuesday, May 4, 2021

More Odd Thoughts

I was in a convenience store last night and the person in front of me used a credit card to buy 2 bananas.  "2 bananas" on a credit card?  And it took 5 minutes before his card was finally accepted.  Damn, he must being having a bad month or year.  I sometimes forget how fortunate I am.

I have a cigarette habit.  I only smoke at the computer every few days, so it is really more a habituation than an addiction.  I type; I smoke.  We all have some failings...

My State raised the tax on cigarettes by $2 a pack last month.  I understand the logic; more expensive means fewer young people can afford a bad habit.  I can afford the increase.  But I remember when a case of beer and a carton of cigarettes were both $15.  The cost of beer hasn't increased but a carton of cigarettes is $100.  

I wonder why.  Alcohol is more dangerous ( I hardly drink anymore - wine with dinner)  but I suppose it is more popular.  

I bought a new car about this time last year.  It had 79 miles on it.  Now it has 570.  I don't drive a lot, LOL!  The dealership sent me an email reminding me that my 10,000 miles maintenance was due.  I laughed.

I donated my previous car to a place that takes old cars and trains released felons the repair trade last year. It was a 2005 Toyota Highlander with less than 20,000 miles on it.  They even emailed to check if I misreported the milage.  Nope.  

I ruined a batch of bean seeds last week.  I usually presoak them a day and that works well.  But I didn't have the planting spot ready for them.  There were tree roots in the spot and I couldn't get them out as fast as I expected.  Tree-roots are tough.  I finally succeeded but the beans rotted.  Have to start that again.

I went out to get my mail (none) but I saw an envelope on the road.  2 houses away.  I wasn't sure it was legal for me to put mail in another person's mailbox (the post office has some VERY strange rules), but I did it anyway.  It was a thick envelope from a business.  

For all I know, it might have been just junk mail,  But it may have been a job offer.  You never know..  Or maybe I changed someone's life.  One of those things I'll never know about.

Speaking of which, have you ever wondered about what other people remember about you?  That neighbor you helped load a coach onto a trailer?  That roommate from 50 years ago?  I do sometimes.  So I do random acts of kindness.

Today is Lapis Lazuli's 1st Gotcha Day here.  He had a hard year adjusting, but better than his previous 2 1/2 years.  I think he is calmer the past couple months and will be better in the future.  Sometimes, all you can hope for is "better.  

I am mostly recovered from the fall off the extention ladder.  I walk normally.  The right clavicle will always be slightly annoying but it doesn't seem to prevent me from doing things.  The left thumb is weak but usable.  Well, I've been lucky most of my life and it could have been a lot worse.

I've had both my Covid shots with no problems, so I am probably safe from that.  I still wear a mask in public though.  I'm careful and willing.

I set up 2 sawhorses on the deck.  I have trays of lettuces to put out into sunlight for growth.  I will post pictures soon.  And the deck is even more convenient for cuttings than the basement is.  It is right next to the kitchen after all.  And it means I can turn off the plant stand lights.  They are fluorescent but that doesn' mean "free".

I think that is about all for today...



4 comments:

Megan said...

Over here there has been a big push to get people to use credit or debit cards for virtually every purchase, no matter how small. The greengrocer I go to doesn't even accept cash anymore. So, it's very common to see people using credit cards for small things - one cup of take away coffee, two bananas, one newspaper.

Perhaps you should contact the car dealership and try to book your car in for the 10,000 mile service: I'm thinking that September 24, 2030 might be about the right date.

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

I don't drive a whole lot...about 90 miles the past week, but it still way more than you! LOL!
Hope your planting and gardening endeavors work out to your satisfaction.

I hear you about the credit card nonsense...

AnnDee said...

Dan says you should change your oil every year, as air condenses into water in the engine. That's what HE says. I have no opinion.

T. Gray said...

Hello. Just wanted to mention that some auto manufacturers require an oil and filter change once every 12 months to maintain warranty coverage. Honda/Acura does this. You might want to check to see what your manufacturer requires.

Adventures In Driving

 Last month, my cable box partially died, so they sent a replacement.  But they wanted the old one back anyway.  The store in town only hand...