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Senior Moment© Copyright© 2005 All Rights Reserved
A Publication of http://www.senior2senior.org
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Vol 2 #17 Sep 30, 2006
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Content:
1. Publisher’s Comments
2. Article
Publisher’s Comments
The following statement should come as no surprise. A recent survey showed high oil prices, $70+ a barrel, contributed to more consumers doing their shopping online. I don't know about you but if I can buy something online cheaper, I do it regardless of oil prices.
Let's face facts. Buying from a reputable online company is as safe as going to their outlet. Big Company, Inc. is not going to screw you online. Those days are long gone.
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Today's article is a true story dealing with a very vital topic. That is, if you are 92 or a caregiver for a 92 year old. I hope you enjoy it.
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If you have been reading this NL for any length of time, you know I am a candidate for county tax assessor. Big deal, right? Actually, yes for several reasons.
One, the tax assessor is the only person in government (in a non-income tax state and not counting the IRS) who can legally tax you out of your home. And, it is happening here in Washoe County just like it is in New Jersey, New Hampshire and other states.
Two, the local media could care less about this particular office. Hard to believe, but oh so true. I tried getting booked on the only TV show that covers politics in this county and the host told me that they just didn't have the time to cover what is "only" a county race.
Three, candidate debates are equally as limiting. If it isn't a state wide or federal office, forget it. The hosts don't want to hear from you.
Four, some of the voters do not know what the Assessor does and could care less. I even had one who said she didn't know we had such a position in the county. Can you imagine paying taxes and not knowing to who or why? Geesh...
I could go on for hours but why? I learned in my last candidacy, the supposedly derogatory statement calling voters the "masses of asses" isn't derogatory at all. It is simply an accurate portrayal of a people who no longer care what happens to them.
Maybe that isn't such a bad thing and I only think it is.
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When you patronize your local grocer, do you use their saver card? We do since they've front loaded the cost of everything as high as possible and drop the price into the palatable range for "card" holders.
Did you know the supermarkets save your purchase information. I am not sure for how long but does it really matter given your shopping history can be subpoenaed.
You read that right. Let's say you are in a child custody battle with your ex and it is getting nasty. One day you show up in court and see your shopping history as exhibit A on a court document stating what a bad parent you are.
If you've ever bought alcohol, cigarettes or other such products, they will be on exhibit A with each and every item highlighted.
Second scenario: You are getting three to four solicitations for insurance in your mail box everyday. Where are they coming from?
It could be your super market sold your name to insurance companies or maybe that particular chain was sold and the new owner, to increase revenue, sold your name. The new owner never promised the information you gave on your application would be kept private.
As soon as I have a spare moment, I will compile a comprehensive article about these shopping cards and post it to this site and give you notice in this NL.
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One of our Congressinal representatives made the following statement:
"I believe one of the greatest threats facing this nation is the willful economic ignorance of the political class. Many of our elected officials at every level have no understanding of economics whatsoever,yet they wield tremendous power over our economy through taxes, regulations, and countless other costs associated with government."
I'd bet the above statement isn't uniquely American.
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I discovered an about to be launched bi-weekly newspaper in New York looking for writers and columnists so I submitted a column. Should the paper one, get off the ground and two, still be looking for contributors, I'll post their contact information so you can submit an article and (maybe) get paid.
Some of you write with a very welcoming style or at least your emails to me are written that way.
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Let me use this last space to ask you to pass along a copy of this NL to your friends and associates. After you tell them about us, urge them to subscribe. I sincerely appreciate it.
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2. Article
The question, "When should a 92 year old female bathe?" almost resulted
in an arrest. Don't laugh - not yet anyway - the story is true.
First, the characters. Margaret is the 92 year old mother. Joyce the, I'll just
say old enough to know better, daughter and Mikki, my wife, whose age doesn't
matter.
Next, the setting. At about 9 p.m. on a particular Thursday night my wife received
a call from Joyce who is absolutely frothing at, as Joyce described them, her mother's
antics.
Joyce went to pick up Margaret at her senior living center for her weekly Thursday
night bath at Joyce's house. Mother saw Joyce coming up the walkway and locked
the front door. As Joyce told it, she locked the door for reasons known only to
her.
Joyce rang the bell, knocked on the door and announced herself but mom wasn't
responding. Joyce walked around to the back of Margaret's apartment and tried
opening the glassed patio doors. Just like the front door, the patio doors were
also locked.
Joyce looked through the doors, sees mom and asks her to open the door so she can
come in and get her and her stuff for her bath. Margaret declared in no uncertain
terms she is not taking a bath because it is too cold, and adds, I'll take a
bath when I want to.
Joyce responds by shaking the glass doors and saying in an elevated tone, "Open
the door please so I can come in. It is Thursday and you are going to take your
bath."
Margaret rejoins with a go away and don't bother me type of remark. This sets
Joyce's hair on fire and she begins shaking the glass doors and speaking to
her mother, both by the way, in a volume that is heard by several neighbors.
Joyce is so busy shaking the doors with vigor and invecting at her mother now in
super elevated tones she only notices the police officers, yes, plural, when one
of them advises her to step away from the door and produce identification.
One of Margaret's neighbors bcame quite alarmed and called the police who responded
in a most expeditious manner.
As Joyce is handing her driver's license to the requesting officer, Margaret
opens the door and says to the police officers, "Joyce is my daughter. Tell
her I am not going to take a bath tonight." She finishes the request with words
to the effect she loves her daughter but, if you will, please ask her to go away
and come back next week. And, with a coup de gras flair, locks the door again.
The officers, by now, have assessed the situation and ask Joyce to leave and make
contact with Margaret by phone. No arrest, just a red face on a super steamed daughter.
The answer to the opening question is easy, right?
Until next issue,
Tom Koziol
Write to:
Senior Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box 1234
Reno, NV 89504
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