So... There I was, headed into town, Monday, April 15th, a date that will live in infamy. For, I am the Family Messenger enroute to the Postal Service Office to send the Family share of the National Debt to the Cesspool on the Potomac.
If you don't understand that nomenclature, well, we can't be friends.
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| Source (10:45 AM 16 Apr 2024) |
I noted that the PO parking lot was a little fuller than usual, although it was noonish, so I assumed they were folks picking up mail for businesses or because it was lunchtime and they had time to do so.
Silly me, No, virtually everyone there had an envelope of various sizes all addressed to the same Austin address. Seems like Mrs. J and I weren't the only one's wanting to hang on to their money as long as legally possible.
Yes, short of Christmas Eve, April 15th is probably the busiest Post Office day of the year. So...One clerk on duty. By the time I got to the front of the line it extended out the door. US Gummint at it's finest.
But, because I dislike driving through town, (18 wheelers, pedestrians, and out of town drivers makes a mix that borders on disaster. Hence, I tend to avoid it when possible) I had, several years ago, discovered a back road that while two lanes, avoids most of the primary traffic ball ups. It goes through some ranch land and follows a creek with trees, and little traffic!
What's not to like?
This day, after the spike in BP at the post office, tranquility was high on the "wish for" list. The Big Guy came through.
That, my Friends, is a Texas Longhorn and, No, I'm not referring to a college football team.
You may notice a few things about these pictures. One (and the most important one) there is a fence in the picture between them and I. Two, there are indications in a couple of the pictures, that the pictures were taken from inside the car. Three, and you'll have to trust me on this, while my foot was on the brake pedal, the car was still running and in gear, just in case.
Magnificent animals, and smart. They gave me a quick once over glance, determined the threat level was low both in likelihood of some poor action idea as well as low likelihood of my ability to cause harm. So, they just returned to grazing.
I'm pretty sure after I left and went around the corner, the herd pulled the vodka martini's and Guinness from camouflaged refrigerators and consumption was resumed. But, I was happy, and they seemed to enjoy the attention.
Which brings us to the never ending project story.
Dangerously close. If I knew how to measure, it would be done. But, NOOOOooo.... I cut the left hand setting bolt about a 1/2" too short. Ah well, another trip to Lowes. In addition, LJW approved adding a slide to the project, so, the trip is not a waste.
THE big event over this past week was the arrival of Little J with his successful escape from Sodom on the Potomac. He and LJW decided to stay the night in Moscow on the Colorado for some reason or another. I'm SURE it was to avoid rush hour traffic and had nothing whatsoever to do with not seeing each other for a very long time.
In any case, Mrs J and I had care of Miss B. It was quite fun and the following morning was pretty interesting in itself.
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| Who IS this Hairy Guy? |
Yep...Initial contact did not go real well, But, someone came up with an ingenious plan..Give her her mom's phone and have Little J call it.
Because she'd been video chatting with him quite frequently, she recognized the face on the phone.
I wish I'd have been faster on the camera, when she looked up from the phone and saw the same guy on the phone in the same room as her. A flood of recognition and understanding who was in the room with her. Dada!
Yeah, a heart warming moment!
But as you are reading this, he's en route to Honk Honk to finish up there. He'll be back in the Great State early in June to pick up Wife and Daughter and move to Jolly Old England. Thank You, Lord!
All is well...
Finally, this was discovered by LJW and sent to me, regarding my post from last Monday and the attitude of some immigrants from out of state and the reaction to that from current residents.
I don't care who you are...That's funny right there!
* A little of this, a little of that. Or a Song. I'd used its title as the title of one of my previous posts, hence again. This Tune is pretty catchy, among other things. Might even add a little energy to Sarge's battery. Hope you feel better soon.
Smart move to use the phone to re-introduce Miss B to Dada. What part of England are they moving to juvat?
ReplyDeleteNylon, they’ll be in the outskirts of London.
Deletejuvat
ya know....if election day was to be moved to April 16, we wouldn't need term limits. pissed off tax payers would make re election very difficult.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteProbably. But that’s probably the reason it’s about as far away as possible.
juvat
Our politicians are out of control.
ReplyDeleteAs to the title. we've had this conversation before. 😁
Good news on the home front. Our youngest grandchild now looks behind the phone to see where we are. As we've met in person, he knows that we exist, "outside of the box."
Sarge,
Delete"Out of control", at least aviation wise, implies the ability to get back "In Control". As I am able to type this response, I know for a fact that is true. In describing our politicians and their antics, I think "We the People" and this country are in a Death Spiral. I pray we are not, but...
Yeah, Little J's visit was great for all party's concerned. I wish it had been longer, but that would just have postponed the actual family reunion.
So So, it's not a little of this, a little of that!
juvat
Good point as if they ever were "in control."
DeleteFrom my recent research, the French no longer use this phrase, though apparently the Quebecois still do. In France, apparently, they now use couçi-couça which they "borrowed" from the Italian così così which also means "so so." Geez.
Well...They certainly "think" they're in control. It'll be interesting (in a horribly negative way) when they learn the truth.
DeleteYeah, my French is limited to ordering wine. But...That's good enough for me!
juvat
What a genuinely great story about the reunion, Juvat. Glad to hear that (finally) they are on the back end of this whole thing.
ReplyDeleteWhile the cynical side of me suspects a minimal PO staffing based on the day to make people's lives miserable, I conceded it may also be possible that individuals are also taking PTO as they do not want to deal with cranky taxpayers.
Thanks for the Longhorn pictures. People that have never seen them in person do not fully grasp how really grand they are.
THBB,
DeleteSorry, read this on my iPad while Mrs J is getting her treatment and it skipped over your comment.
Re: post office, see comment below. Annoys me so much that retyping it would probably break quite a few of Sarge’s commenting rules.
Re: the longhorns. Even among cattle, they are huge! And their horns are WAY wider than my spread arm length. Huge! Wouldn’t want to annoy them, but, man, they are magnificent.
juvat
I helped my neighbor sort her longhorn heifers once. That was exciting.
DeleteApplegoat9
DeleteI'll be it was.
juvat
An old good read is Frank Dobie's "The Longhorns". Over decades of running wild, they had bred themselves for survival. Some old "mossybacks" would live deep in the mesquite and not cross a clearing even in moonlight.
DeleteDon,
DeleteThanks for the tip. I’m always looking for a good book. Got a large library on my iPad Kindle. Sometimes I want a particular genre other times a different. And…I don’t have to get outta my easy chair if I change my mind.
juvat
juvat, Frank Dobie wrote a number of other books like "The Mustangs" (not much to look at, but some of the finest horses in the world with seemingly endless endurance). Born of prize Arab stock and running wild for two centuries. Again, bred for survival (the best ones would die rather than be tamed). "The Coyote" (and several other books that I can't locate). Dobie lived when the old cowboys were still alive and could relate their stories to him. All good reads.
DeleteJuvat, you've hit the sweet spot of most of my conversions with Mrs. Cletus when she returns from a trip to town. "What happened today when you stopped at the local "Black Hole" of the Texas Hill Country? AKA the building occupying the local US Postal Service. I honestly don't know if the building was cursed during construction or some government program was implemented to deliberately impede US Mail "Service" in the "Burg". I could go on with specific instances, but rehashing them would just make what's started as a good day immediately go into the toilet.
ReplyDeleteGlad Little J was able to get into town, even for a short time. Whomever came up with the genius move to reacquaint Dad and Daughter needs an extra scoop of Blue Bell at their next serving!
Cletus
Cletus, rumor has it that the postmaster isn’t well liked/tolerated by the employees. This has resulted in an exodus, much like Moses would have undertaken. Our mail gets delivered anytime between noon and way past my bedtime. Turnover in employees is rampant. I know of only one who’s been there more than a month or two. But…like most government, it’s hard to get someone fired.
Deletejuvat
Juvat, one employee at another post office about 25 minutes away worked here and transferred to her location when the opportunity to escape became available. That individual is as happy as a clam now that they are out of the "black hole". Local "Burg" Postmaster was to call me, left a message way after PO opening hours and said they'd call back tomorrow. Some 3-4 months later I'm still waiting on the call back. I think some competent people who recently hired in, hired right out again due to the situation.
DeleteRegards,
Cletus
Cletus,
DeleteYeah, I think I know who you mean. She was the one working with the long line. Nice lady, competent and speedy. Just what you want, but you gotta treat folks well, good workers even more so. Just because you're in charge, doesn't grant god-like privileges.
juvat
Good Ol' Tommy J. called it:
ReplyDelete"I see, as you do, and with the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal branch of our government is advancing towards the usurpation of all the rights reserved to the States, and the consolidation in itself of all powers, foreign and domestic; and that, too, by constructions which, if legitimate, leave no limits to their power. Take together the decisions of the federal court, the doctrines of the President, and the misconstructions of the constitutional compact acted on by the legislature of the federal branch, and it is but too evident, that the three ruling branches of that department are in combination to strip their colleagues, the State authorities, of the powers reserved by them, and to exercise themselves all functions foreign and domestic. Under the power to regulate commerce, they assume indefinitely that also over agriculture and manufactures, and call it regulation to take the earnings of one of these branches of industry, and that too the most depressed, and put them into the pockets of the other, the most flourishing of all."
There is zero accountability at any level of government. Once a person makes it into office they are st for life.
Worst is that We the People have allowed it to happen and, as a society, have bought into the Big Lie that people who are in office have our interests as their priority.
Joe,
DeleteHadn't read that Jefferson quote before. But, he sure could foresee the future accurately couldn't he? More's the pity. Your last paragraph is the nail in the coffin and disappointingly accurate.
juvat
Amen.
ReplyDeleteApplegoat9
Deleteyep
juvat
The massive current Debt to GDP ratio? Part of a plan, a long term plan... look around at how many "things" have changed over time.. The Airwaves Fairness doctrine was killed back in '87, that was allowed the MSM to do whatever it wants today (24/7/365)... The woke teachers union has been allowed to mold children for many years, the Citizens United ruling from the Supremes allowed the cooperate power to be used politically and the digital masters being allowed (encouraged!) to use their platforms to censor thought, actions and speech that does not follow along with their agenda..
ReplyDeleteThis has been a long time build... We're just noting now because the barbarians are ACTUALLY inside the gates ....
Rob,
DeleteCouldn't have said it better myself. (Except maybe switch Corporate for Cooperate, not that I've ever missed a spellcheck fix. Nope, no river.)
juvat
What? No giant blue box with a convenient slot outside of the Post Office or 'outgoing mail' slot inside the Post Office for you to not stand in line in front of to mail said letter to the .gov for pay for 'protection?' Why go to a mail clerk if you already have stamps?
ReplyDeleteVery weird, standing in line stuff at the post office. Unless you're getting it certified, they process the letters from the box or collection slot that day and date stamp it that day.
As to the bovines of unusually lengthened horns, you can tell who the people are because they stand within reach of said horns next to the fence. Within the Danger Zone. Same jackwagons that try to pet the fluffy assault cows in national parks or try to pet swamp donkeys up north. (That would be Buffalo (yeah, okay, American Bison, but who cares, we call them Buffalo so shadap already) and Moose for those at home who don't understand said fluffy assault cows and swamp donkeys.)
And... fart squirrels are skunks, trash pandas are raccoons, tube rats are ferrets and so forth and so on. We do this not because it's easy, but because we can. And it's fun. Except for trash pandas, who are just 4-legged bullet stops, but that's a different type of fun, except cleaning up the range gets messy...
Beans, one day I went to the drive through mail box after the inside counter hours. There were two drive through boxes...one for stamped mail and one for metered mail. While I was stopped, here comes a clerk pushing a grocery cart. He opened the stamped box, dumped the mail into the grocery cart, opened the metered mail box and dumped that mail right on top of the stamped mail.
DeleteNo question that lots of government planning and our tax $$ went into the reason for those two drive up boxes....the planning was definitely an exercise in futility.
Cletus
Beans,
DeleteWhen I finally got to the head of the line, the Agent (Cletus wrote about her above) asked how things were going, I said "Well", and pointed at the line. She asked why I didn't just drop it off. I said because I wanted to make sure it got date stamped. She smiled reached into the drawer in front of her and stamped it then and there. I smiled and said "Thank you". She said "No, thank you. You're the only one who's said thanks all day." I guess the door swings both ways at times.
juvat
Cletus,
DeleteI'm confused. The outside one's been wrapped in plastic since it was installed. The only drop off box their is at the PO is inside the front door. Or am I missing something?
juvat
They took the 'extra' mailbox away at my mail facility. Now one box does two jobs.
DeleteJuvat, that was before the new boxes ones were installed and then left wrapped up so they can't be used. Makes a lot of sense doesn't it. At the time the mixing of the stamped and metered mail we had a house in town a few blocks from the PO.
DeleteCletus
I’m with Beans on this. I just stuck the envelope into the box and said “Let’s Go Brandon!” Then I went home and had some aged rum (from Costco now!). I wear my “Don’t NewYork my Florida” shirt to Publix and around sometime getting funny looks. Maybe it’s my “Ubon Royal Thai AirBase” hat with my Deuce and Phantom pins on it or it could be a flock of “Eastern Seasonal Migrants” taking offense. I hope for the latter.
ReplyDeleteIf we only had full Constitutional Carry (meaning legal open carry) here in Florida then you could really offend the offedible. Especially on "Talk like a Pirate" day, 4 pistols jammed into your belt, a cutlass, some daggers...
DeleteD4,
DeleteI've got several of those type T-Shirts (No not a Ubon one) and delight in wearing them into HEB. There are only two types of reactions mainly. Those who laugh and nod their heads and those who look like they're about to criticize until they look at my eyes. They tend to turn and walk away. "Well...I never!" is usually answered with "No, I never thought you would." There are two definitional interpretations of those thoughts running through my head simultaneously, but not hitting the vocal cords (fortunately).
juvat
Beans,
DeleteI'd probably get into too much trouble. But I am preparing if things keep going south.
juvat
At least you all gots full CC. And can wear swords in public. Me? I'd get some sort of warpick or a tomahawk. And a sword, of course.
DeleteWell, Beans, we haven’t closed our borders, even to illegals. And we’re rarely seriously impacted by hurricanes. I’d be happy to vouch for you citizenship (sanity on the other hand?). As the show says “C’mon down! The beers good, the wines better and most of the population is somewhat sane.
Deletejuvat
Where I am is also rarely seriously impacted by hurricanes. We do have some illegal alien issues, but more issues with homeless. And we do have the Cape. But you have Boca Chica.
DeleteHey, can you see the SpaceX launches from your house? (We can't see diddly from our location due to trees, lots and lots of trees. Dammit.)
Beans,
DeleteNo. We’re pretty much smack dab in the center of the state. Lots of shopping, not much entertainment
juvat
I take it your inspiration for that longhorn comment was a particular Farside toon? https://images.app.goo.gl/QQhvbACUavDXBCBN7 That car was pretty funny, but how necessary is that? Will cars get keyed? Some arsehole who was jealous of my wife's lexus walked by on our sidewalk and keyed it from bumper to bumper. Time to get a security cam I guess.
ReplyDeleteTuna,
DeleteI don't think the car would get keyed. Downtown Dallas/Houston/Austin maybe, but it would have to be DEEP downtown. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a Groomsmen prank on the Bride and Grooms wedding vehicle. I could be wrong. Keying a car just for the s4!7s and giggles is the mark of a coward/jerk/criminal trying to prove he's a man (and proving beyond a shadow of a doubt otherwise).
As to Farside, Yep, I think that's the way it is.
juvat
Living in ND had the advantage of displaying seldom seen ND plates when traveling elsewhere. Elected mostly curious interest and no animosity.
ReplyDeleteDon. One of the earliest memories in my life was my Dad being stationed in Fargo ND and sliding off the roof of our quonset hut in my snow suit. One of the drawbacks was dad was the commander and only officer. Mom was a deb from San Francisco. Not much of s change of scenery but she handled it. I remember sliding off the quonset hut roof in my snow suit and ripping the bottom off it as I passed over the snow covered dry ice that dad and mom used to transport steaks from the big city to the “base” and cook for the enlisted on the “base”. There might have been 10 or so.
DeleteND has not rated high in my places to live in probably 65 years or so.
juvar
Smart move on the phone! And yes, the car is hilarious! Friend had to get a rental and REFUSED an upgrade because it had CA plates!
ReplyDelete