Reason # 1,500,999 Why We Left That God Awful Town

I'll never know how we lasted as long as we did in that little town we lived in not so long ago. It seems so very far away and honestly it feels like a very very dark time. Recently I recieved some news that for some odd reason peaked my interest in what was going on in that very small town. So I looked it up on TOPIX and started reading some of the forums. When I came across these posts I was reminded why I haven't missed a damn thing about that town (except for a VERY small group of extraordinary people)

Poster A -Note to all citizens of "T" County - please stop the gossip. It seems that the good folks in this county have nothing better to do than to sit around and talk about everyone, and what is sad is that they have no idea what they are talking about. So to all of you old biddies - shut your mouths, to all of you young girls - get a clue and to everyone else - mind your own damn business!! If you have to gossip about everyone else, it just goes to show how sad your life is and that you have nothing better to do with yourself.

Reply A - good try. but if you're doing something wrong you're going to be talked about. and if you're doing something right you're going to be talked about. even if you mind your own business... you know the drill! fact is people gossip. and for you to post this probably means you're one of the biggest talkers, you just can't take it when the rumor is about you!

Reply B - We don't gossip in "T", we share. Most of us are family and if you don't like it here, then stay in Raleigh or New York or where ever, and keep your sons and daughters out of our schools and businesses, we don't need your ways here, if you like it here fine visit and drop some money here, but all oyur (their typo) doing is driving our taxes up and killing our way of living, can't wait to see you damn yankees move on, we want you gone!

Big Al's Jerk You Around Auto Repair

I grew up around cars. My uncles worked on them one way or another every weekend I can remember. My grandfather when I was 15 and about to recieve my learners permit, taught me how to change a tire. He told me that I shouldn't always count on the kindness of strangers or that someone would be close by to help. I'll never forget what my grandad and my uncles taught me about cars. More often than not I can identify what's wrong with a car by certain sounds, shimmies or shakes. Now while I never learned how to fix these things I've had enough cars in my life that have taught me more than most.

Before I left for Florida I had noticed that our Trooper had started to shimmy a little. A classic sign that the Tires were going bad. We have much larger tires than I am used to and upon inspection I didn't see any real damage going on. Which made me worry that it was something more serious.

Finally we took it into a local shop that thanks to many conversations with the owner we felt confident that he would fix her right up. It took this guy 5 days and $111 in labor before he told me that it was the front differential and that he didn't have the tools to fix it. He also had the balls to tell me that he tried to open the differential housing using inappropriate tools in the hopes he could fix it. So let me get this straight there are special tools for an Izuzu Trooper. You are the owner and the orderer of tools, why the hell couldn't you tell me when it rolled in. "I wish I could but I just don't have what I need to work on a foreign car" instead of waiting 5 mother effin days. So I do a little research and find a guy with some good reviews one town over. I get the Trooper towed and this guys calls to say hell no it's not the differential but.... wait for it. THE TIRES! I explain to him that I have a rental car and time is beacoup money he says he understands and that he has ordered the tires and it will be ready by "tommorrow after lunch" I go to bed thinking FINALLY we found a good one.

So it's now 2:35pm and I call and the guy that's been doing the work is out to lunch. I find out that my tires did not "come in on the truck" and that it will be FRIDAY before they can get the tires I need. Yeah, needless to say I'm a little upset, needless to say I'm ready to kick some greasy mechanic butt.

Sad thing is last night we were ready to go out of our way to give this guy more of our business. If he was a kosher as he seemed to be we were going to stick with him despite the would be hour commute to his location.

I want to believe there are good mechanics, guys who aren't about jacking up prices and leaving your car a little worse so you'll have to come back. Mechanics that really understand that you need to be back on the road as soon as possible. But in two days I've dealt with two nightmare mechanics. And the past two before that have been just as horrible. It seems to me that if they just realized that if they gave their customer reliable, efficent service we'd be back over and over. Why do they insist on squeezing every dime they can out of you? For some they have to sacrifice their cars because of enormous bills. (The reason you should run if you see an Auto Shop with tons of cars parked around it.)

It never ceases to amaze me, the fact that such sleazy practices continue to run rampant. That's why I hope to teach Stella more than I know about a car. To teach her how to change a tire. Perhaps she can then walk into a shop and say you need to fix this no if and's or butts. She will know all too well that 9 out of 10 mechanics are complete douches out to pull a fast one.

In The Stacks

Another one of my great loves is Books. Before domestication got the best of me. I never went a day without reading. Barely a week went by without the purchase of a new book or checking one out at the library. It's been far too long since I've nurtured this part of me. That all ends now.

Once a week (what day who knows) I'll share with you a book review, perhaps share a little nostalgia, but one of my favorite hobbies has to be finding obscure and/or quirky books. I've been known to buy books for their elaborate illustrations or artful fonts or absolutely absurd subjects. These little morsels of fun I'll be sure to share with you. All in an effort to write a never ending love letter to the art of prose.

This week I was very excited about our local library's book sale. As Library books sales are famous for providing a plethora of obscure books. And at this particular book sale I hit the mother load. Behold: "Polly's Homemaking Pointers" by Polly Cramer

First I must tell you that the kitschy illustrations were the first thing to catch my eye. There are some spectacular cutie illustrations by Joe Phelan (I believe). Published in 1965, I knew I was in for some delightfully pre-women's lib verbiage.

I soon discovered that one post most definitely won't be enough. As Chapter One begins with.

"A good homemaker is tops in the most respected and highly honored occupation in this wide, wide world of ours" *cough- bullshit* "An excellent housekeeper is not necessarily an excellent homemaker. Many women, you know some and so do I , are slaves to housework. They empty the ash tray almost before hubby's cigarette ashes hit it, and the newspaper is in the trash can before he has had a chance to take a second look at the sports pages." *first, that's OCD hun and second, BWAHHAHAHA* "For the comfort and happiness of their families, let's hope these almost fanatical housekeepers are few and far between. Most of us follow the middle road..." *or some like me are domestically disabled* "...and have some time left over for our families, for worthwhile outside activities, and if we are fortunate, for some things we just like to do for our own selfish pleasure" *like be forced to work a full-time job to help keep a roof over our heads*

Rrrright. See what I'm talking about and trust me it just gets better and better.

But I do have to say there are some very interesting old skool tips shared, that are quite innovative. For example in the children's corner chapter: "A blackboard bank account for a child teaches mathematics, saving and industry. Even preschool children learn to add and subtract nickels and dimes when it involves their own money. Some of the odd jobs around the house that they are not paid for are credited to their account on the blackboard. Children feel like they have money in reserve, that they can decide when and for what it can be spent, or saved for a larger want. "

I'll definitely re-visit Polly's Homemaking Pointers in the future for a good laugh and a surprisingly good tip.

I hope you enjoyed the inaugural run of In The Stacks, If you have any suggestions or if you would like to post your own review, or guest blog about your own book nostalgia your submissions are oh so welcome.

Sometimes the truth hurts

A 61 year old Librarian was cited and almost arrested for trespassing on city property during a McCain "town hall" event.

Carol Kreck was standing outside exercising her LEGAL right to a peaceful protest & freedom of speech. By carrying a simple handmade sign that said "McCain=Bush".

McCain's secret service asked nay forced her to leave with the threat of arrest and the police gave her a ticket for trespassing ON PUBLIC PROPERTY!!

Oh yeah this is just the guy I want to take over the leadership of my country. McCain gets his feathers in a ruffle because of a "McCain=Bush" sign? Could it be because it's not too far from truth?

If you'd like to know more click here http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/Cqyh