Farewell, Hector

Coker, Alabama

Weather: low 39 degrees, high 65 degrees, cloudy early, then clear skies

Here we are on April 15, 2009. Another year for paying taxes so our representatives and senators in Congress can spend our hard earned taxes on their little pet projects. Did anyone notice the TEA parties taking place across the country? It would be great if this grass roots effort could make a difference. Enough already on the spending and giveaways by this deadbeat Congress. If we ran our financial affairs like that bunch does, we would be bankrupt. Wait a minute, we are bankrupt as a nation. Even less reason for this mindless spending taking place.

I was reading an article the other day about the tax rebate that most people received last year. We didn't qualify for that little giveaway because of the money we made in 2007. According to what I read, the giveaway continued for 2009, and there was a possibility that we would qualify based on earnings for 2008. I contacted our CPA and found out that he had completely overlooked that line on the tax return (line 70). As a result, he is amending our 2008 return, which we should receive by the weekend. We'll sign it and send the amended return in. Who knows, maybe we'll get some of our tax money back. We can only hope.

This afternoon, I checked the water heater bypass valve that has been leaking, and it looks like the leak has stopped. I'm going to leave everything as it is for a couple more days to make sure there are not any more leaks.

I installed three roof vent covers today. The covers allow us to leave the vents open when it is rainy or windy. The job was not that hard, other than getting on top of the RV. I don't like being up there, even though I have to clean the roof and check the caulking.

Our daughter Lori lives in Bay City, Texas with her husband and two children. She is a science teacher in a middle school, teaching mostly advanced classes. Lori is one of the most gentle people a person will ever meet, and loves animals. She would never dream of harming an animal, and became a vegetarian when she was 15 years old because she didn't want to eat meat products. She has helped the humane society and adopted several animals over the years. When one of her pets dies, it is painful for her because she considers them part of her family. Today, her guinea pig Hector died after being ill and in great pain for about a week. Hector was taken to the vet twice, but the vet was unable to do anything for him. Lori called to tell us and was obviously grieving. Our hearts go out to Lori, but I'm sure she will fill the loss she is suffering now by giving more love to her remaining pets.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Nashville, Tennessee: Country Music Capital of the World

Not all who wander are lost.