August 5,2011 Newsletter on Bill's

August 5, 2011 - Old Man’s Gripe’s
lewis1946@cox.net

Just arrived home from picking up mail from the old post office box, Yipe’s was the first words that came out of my mouth. Still waiting for the water bill and since that has doubled already compared to last year, then I assumed the electric would follow and it sure did. It also doubled as most of the local news media has been saying because of this heat. Of course with extra people means extra fan’s as well as everyone wanting to open a window and place a fan in it even if you do have central air, as that mean’s nothing to most as there only wanting to get cool. But, I use to have a rule here especially during the summer never to turn on the gas for the stove. After all we have a few barbeques and normally use them. This year is a bit different because there are little one’s that like to have a cooked breakfast. Well, as of this electric bill that is going to come to a stop with cooking and baking in this heat. Total of last months household bill’s was $1045.00. That also covers the cable, gas as well as water. But, this months already passing last months by another $350.00 and still waiting for the water bill. Of course I have two water coolers in the outside rooms and had those for years with no increase in the bills. Gas at the pumps not even included, but with a little extra income from others I even able to have a full tank of gas. But, come September I am beginning to wonder. Had to watch the yard being watered from my bedroom window and did say, there is a reason no one in Rogers waters the grass. Not from going dry either, but from the expense that it will be. Even trying to get people to take showers instead of baths as it is a savings as well, but some people seem to think that they are not as clean after a shower without soaking. Wrong! Dirt will splash off your body and go down the drain better than getting up after a bath and all that dirt attaching back onto you. But, then who cares as they pay rent and feel it pays for what is used. Sorry, wrong again and in time a lot of people will learn. Had one person that owed me over nine hundred dollars and only said I expected six back. Well, good hearted old me was screwed again as is normal and the jerk moved out on his payday. Staying at a motel and drinking as he did the month before and expect him back next week sometime as well begging again and making the same promises as always. This time it’s of course NO! But, he did get all his meals free as well as a sofa and cable etc. Everyone seems to come up with cash for beer, weed and all that other crap, but ask them to help with food and there broke. Asking how did they get the beer, a friend bought it. Yea right. Next time ask them to buy food then. Of course that was silly to say in the first place but everyone feels I am to old to remember what I said anyways. So what the hell! I suppose it’s to get cooler soon or at lease below the hundred degree mark. As soon as that happens then this cooler is going to be off. People that want to cook and warm the house up in 80-90 degrees heat. Then will have to sleep with it until a cool breeze comes along or learn to cook outside as I use to do for years. May as well start now with new training as to what the future has in store for many people across this United States. After all they do not open up cooling off shelters for people with out coolers or fans but for people that no longer able to afford the high prices of gas and electric. Now to get ready for winter and all the yelling and screaming over how cold it is. Oh yes, it doesn’t matter to say put on some extra clothing in the winter as it does no good to say take some extra off in the summer. One of my ex’s tell’s me she lights her pilot light when she needs to and then turns it off when the chill is off the house. Well, my pilot light I never have lit and asking my kids mor grand kids to do that is nuts until they want it warm. All these conveniences in our society and now were paying for them as people are use to having them. I dread the day we lose our electrical power systems as well as water systems to see what people do then. I love the wood stoves as well as cooking on them and heating when I was growing up. I hated the out doors toilets and we called them other things. Electric was a cole lit lamp for lights and we even then used that only for as long as needed to. Then shut it off and when we awoke if no one stroked the fire it was below zero most times but body heat really does wonders under heavy blankets over night. Ah the good old days to see them coming back soon is going to be great! Rabbit and squirrel stew made from the wilds of the land. But, a lot of deer this time, and can see the smoker being used a lot for jerky for beef come summer. Fresh meats in the winter. Clothes made from skins again. Ah the good days. Dreaming of course, then again am I? How many of you are seeing higher bill’s this month and wondering what to do? How many will be taking drastic action and pissing a lot of family members off? As always send the e-mail to me and at: lewis1946@cox.net