His Zaftig Wife

It certainly wasn't feeling like one of those 'dead' Friday's, and only because it seemed as if I was in a near-constant state of motion since I arrived at office. Of course I felt as though I was was driving thru a rat maze with all the many downtown streets closed for the Band Festival festivities which were beginning tonight.

Every time I drive past that carnival set-up in the parking lot west of City Hall, one could swear it's the same outfit that's been coming here for the past twenty years, and believe me, those 'rides' are looking like they've seen their day. Talk about rust buckets. More than one who has young children told me today, they'd definitely not have their children riding those contraptions.

I had to meet with a prospective buyer and a friend of his at a property who knows a little more than a little bit about construction and design. Of course yours truly had to offer up a few ideas, and only because I've personally been down a similar road or two, and no matter what something looks like on paper, almost always, there are changes which end up being made because of how a given project starts unfolding. As long as I can see something clearly in my mind, I don't worry too much about it, but if there are wobbles in those mental pictures, I know there's something that's been missed, and sure enough, as a project unfolds, that's when they appear.

There were Realtors texting me to set up showings this weekend for several of my new listings, and others asking if they were still available, so hopefully they'll be getting sold more sooner than later. I've also been noticing a number of price reductions on homes, which is telling me the buying frenzy is starting to settle down. Of course there are a whole heap of listings on the market which I believe are over-priced, but what do I know?

Considering the number of calls and emails I received this week from prospective tenants, there's definitely a huge shortage of fairly-priced rentals in our community. With the exception of those few who can afford well over a thousand dollars in monthly rent, I'd say the comfort zone for the average tenant, is less than $750.00 per month, which stands to reason considering our area's low wages and ever-increasing costs of goods and services, and speaking of services, I just heard today from a man in the know, that our not so dear city, is planning on raising our water, sewer and garbage rates again, which is likely due to our city's coffers having been emptied by all the hand-outs given to all the many over that ghost hotel, bridge to nowhere and decrepit mall. I'm growing all the more convinced some great entity placed a curse on our city for some terrible wrong-doing a number of years ago, because all these happenings are reminiscent of the movie 'Ground Hog Day', so have to find someone who can reverse curses, or educate a handful of people on how to get out of the end-less loop they've fallen into.

That very same person who's an exceptionally 'in the know' member of our community, mentioned how certain he is our City Council members are nothing more than puppets for one or two in our city's administration. He believes they're are privy to some wrongdoings which they possibly inadvertently allowed to happen, or likely didn't fully understand their causes and effects at the time. Whatever the reason may be, he insists every one of our council members need to be voted out, and start off with a clean slate of new ones. I couldn't help fully agreeing with him.

After a short conversation with a business person today, I'll not be worrying any longer over those items I gifted to St. Paul Lutheran not getting sold, so if you're curious enough, stop over there early tomorrow morning, just in case they're already selling like hotcakes. It gave me a warm feeling when hearing how many have enjoyed the edibles I randomly gift to various grateful people and good causes. Like I said, if times get really tough, I could still keep a roof over my head and a chicken in my pot.

Since I hadn't done any practicing on my piano these recent days, I sat down and started running thru a few of the more difficult pieces, and for whatever reason, I didn't hear my front door open or close, and when I went to turn a page, I noticed in the corner of my eye, a figure standing up front, so came to a screeching halt. When I walked up to see what my visitor wanted, he said, “I'm sorry you stopped because I could tell you seemed to be enjoying what you were playing which I remember hearing at my church.” Of course still being a little red-faced I answered, “Oh, it's a Bach piece most have heard.” For sure, that was the first time in a very many months where I didn't see someone walking in while I was playing. It's too bad my office configuration isn't conducive to my being able to turn my piano where I can face the front door while at the keyboard. Oh well, I'm glad he enjoyed listening to a few lines.

I'm gonna be a busy bee tomorrow with a number of chores I need to get done, and especially if the grass is dry enough to mow. Gosh I do hate seeing grass getting out of hand because it makes for double work. I also have to get a few calls made to several friends I've not spoken with in weeks, just to let them know I've not forgotten about them.

I'm still in shock over seeing a couple I'd not crossed paths with in at least 15 years, and when the husband walked up to me, I almost didn't recognized him because of how rotund he'd grown, along with his zaftig wife a few steps behind. We had a nice chat, but just as I was getting ready to walk away, the husband said, “You look the same as you did the last time I saw you except you look taller now.” Of course wicked me had to reply, “No, I'm not any taller, but I think the both of you've shrunk.” Oh mercy!

Tonight's One-liner is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, for there are plenty of others.

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