The comic strip above is from 2003. Imagine a fifth panel, where Arlo’s sled flies off a cliff and write “2016” on it. There. It’s been updated. I know I haven’t been around much the past few weeks, but I hope it will help when I tell you I’ve been busy coordinating painters and masons and laborers who are working on the parsonage restoration. Those guys start early! That’s right; I’m spending the money you so generously contributed. And working on that book, too! It’s quite a unique experience to have a lot of help for a change. However, I’ve been demoted from architect, engineer and craftsman to “gopher.” But I’m not complaining. Soon, I’ll post pictures and further information about the project. Oh, and… Happy New Year!
103 responses to “It’s All Downhill from Here!”
c x-p, I did not ask: Mains natural gas, or propane pig? Same idea different details.
My parents had purchased a home that included an over-sized propane tank as real property belonging to the homeowner. Two years later, price shopping the competition, they allowed the old provider to remove this high value asset from their property. Without compensation. They decided not to pursue and now their tank and fuel both belong to their vendor.
Morphy, we have “main gas”. Leak seems unlikely, as such would have to be on the house side of the meter or inside (!). The quantity would certainly be detectable by smell from the ethanethiol added just for that purpose.
The leak belongs to you if it is between meter and house or in house. Have the tee shirt. Prior owner had sloppy pipes that broke down and my contractor who became city inspector was no better twenty years ago. A miracle we didn’t blow to he’ll. We had several leaks including one in house.
Gas company shut off and locked down meter for about two weeks while we hassled repairs by a plumber they’d accept and got it inspected by someone they’d accept. It cost a lot, it was annoying, we didn’t blow to hell.
I recommend calling gas company.
Oh, I agree completely with your assessment. But the responsibility to prove where all this gas went still rests with them. Or at least could be argued.
A theoretical leak next to the meter could be venting product to the neighborhood and would be their hazard, not yours. But your property loss if the worst were to occur.
Or, accept the extra charge. Both approaches make sense.
Glad you are warm this season.
Sorry, Jackie. Slow fingers caused me to cross-post
Here is a photo of my Texas Caviar salad which I am just finishing for dinner.
Things can be different and still the same, presented differently. Remember that as 2017 goes on.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1715194242125643&id=100009052528502
c x-p, the gas company has already given their answer, hoping you won’t press. I would compare stories with other consumers in your area to find a gouging pattern if it exists. It is not likely that they are out to get you individually. But may be casting a larger net to spread loss/increase profit for 4Q 2016.
Happy New Year to all y’all.
It appears that my 2016 problems will continue into 2017. My ISP screwed up my DSL connection on Thursday and still hasn’t figured out how to correct the problem. The “fun” will continue this week. They decided to do a major renumbering of their network and it appears to have caused all sorts of problems. Wait time for tech support is well over 6 hours. C’est la vie.
Spent a quiet day relaxing. I was going to make bean soup but I soaked far too many beans and lentils. I decided to add brown sugar and molasses and make it into tasty baked beans. My daughter is busy pickling beets and eggs right now.
When New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, it always messes up my schedule. Usually sleep in and eat breakfast just in time to watch the Rose Parade and all of the Bowl games. I work for a company that gives us 3 floating holidays, but one of them is not tomorrow. So I take the 2nd as a vacation day. I have let everyone know, but I’m sure that I will be called tomorrow asking where I am at.
I need to take Friday off as my wife is getting her periodic colonoscopy. She had one 3 years ago and the prep was difficult and her BP was high during the procedure. I had mine done a few weeks later and zipped through the prep with no issue and ended up with a 10 year reprieve. This is one of those times that I really wish that I could do this for her. But hopefully we will have peace of mind when it is done.
Gary, you may have my beets, to pickle or do with as you wish. The only two foods I’ve never been able to convince myself to eat again are beets and liver, especially beef liver. The former tastes to me the way dirt smells, and eating the latter is like chewing my own tongue.
Good fortune to your wife, Steve.
I spent all afternoon wrapping gifts for my grandson, Paw Patrol toys in Paw Patrol wrapping paper. I had packed them in big black garbage sacks to sneak into her house a d wrap there. That plan got ditched when I got sick.j. am assuming he will not start ripping the paper off in driveway.
If you do not know what Paw Patrol is it is because you have no children aged 2.5 to 7 years old in your immediate family. It is a Nickelodeon television show featuring a half dozen canine rescue dogs who talk English or whichever language of country being shown in. They operate firetruck, bull dozers, helicopters, etc. And mint money for Nickelodeon by the armored truck load.
So where have you been Ghostly mystery man all my life knowing how to properly fit bras for busty women?
I still am working on that. I had no idea there were G bras, besides G men, G strings and G other things but not bras.
Your namesake cat is adorable and every one’s favorite. While I was wrapping gifts he kept getting in middle of it all, playing in tissue papers, getting into boxes. My pet care helper loves him to pieces made photos of him for me for Christmas. I am going to frame them if not him.
I could probably fit you for a bra, Jackie (Heaven knows I’ve critiqued enough of them), but be aware that would require a certain amount of hands-on work.
JJ, if you were to draw that fifth panel, I’m guessing that Arlo would be wearing a warm cap with ear flaps and a scarf. After all, he’s more bundled up in each panel so far, and that’s the next obvious step.
No problem with that. No one except me has any claims on me.
Well, maybe my dog but he is more dangerous with kissing than biting. Loud bark but faster tongue. Only ten pounds of lovable fur.
I just unpacked a bakers dozen of many colors including a cheetah that I swear looks like the one from 9CL. All same company so I have high hopes.
Another reason why I love New Orleans, a group calling themselves The Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade in honor of Carried Fisher and her Star Wars character Princess Leia. Only in New Orleans.
I hear you Ghost. Beets (whether pickled or not) are not one of my favourite foods. I can eat them if I have too. I am really not a fan of Brussels sprouts either (nasty, bitter objects) but I like cabbage. I never like the shoe leather that my mom called liver. I tried calf liver in a restaurant and was surprised when they asked how I wanted it done: rare, medium or shoe leather. I found rare with tomatoes and bacon was quite nice. I also like liver pate.
I miss New Orleans too and have for years but I don’t know that the city I loved is still there.
Me, I would rather go somewhere like Franklin, Louisiana where I know not much has changed and I feel I stepped back in time safely. The spirit is there.
Gary, Brussel sprouts sliced thin and lightly sautéed in browned butter and olive oil and some sliced walnuts thrown in is delicious.
A nice beet salad of red, white, gold beets that have been undercooked and then shredded like carrots with a light sweetest dressing is lovely.
You got the answer on the liver already.
I see Jackie just beat me to it, Gary, but I was going to say that small fresh, not frozen, Brussels sprouts cut in half, dusted with flour, and sautéed in a butter/olive oil mixture until lightly browned, are quite tasty. Sliced cauliflower flowerets may be prepared the same way, which entirely changes their taste. (I’ve known cauliflower haters to rave over them fixed like that.) But preparing B-spouts and cauliflower that way likely negates their value as a healthy veggie.
Not too badly if you slice thin and skip the flour coating, stir fryou quickly and throw in the coarse walnuts, black pepper.
You know you and I most likely cook and eat similarly Ghost. Cooking with compatible men is something else I enjoy with men besides the obvious. So far I have only cooked with two men, they are hard to find.
Here’s an interesting sautéed Brussel sprouts recipe that uses very little oil, walnut oil, and zested orange. The one I used to do had olive oil and butter, chopped shallots or whites of green onione, garlic cloves, black pepper and a little flaked red pepper, lemon zest and juice, walnuts.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/132070/browned-brussels-sprouts-with-orange-and-walnuts/
Miss you, Debbe, and hope all is well.
I will call Debbe today. She has stepped back in time at her dad’s house with one wired land line phone, no Internet, no computers, think she may have cable but may not. Don’t think she owns laptop but she’d need wi-first access. She has no car and someone must be with her dad. This might be peaceful.
Sounds like just the environment to either decompress or to go totally stir crazy. I hope it’s the former for Debbe.