A car guy's patio
I've had b'fast (oatmeal), read the news (blech!), and perused my list of car sites. Pretty quick I've got to get going on chores, including feeding the goats, checking in on the chicks, and housework. There's a sink full of dishes and I need to vacuum. I'll leave here about 10:45 for Portland to meet Pam's 1:00 flight.
She's coming HOME! When we talked last night I could tell she's more than ready for that. She feels like a lot has been accomplished, but it's been stressful and often frustrating. We both think it's time to get back into our routine on Baker Rd.
I read an article on USAToday.com that said nearly half of all Americans die nearly broke. They defined that as having less than $1,000 in the bank. Real estate value is not included in that, just cash on hand.
My thought was, "good job!"
Timing is everything, and if I (we) can use our money wisely and use it almost all up just before we die...excellent! We're thankful that our kids are doing fine thanks to good jobs and wise financial management. They've worked hard, spent judiciously, and are in far better financial shape than we ever were/are. They don't need any inheritance from us.
We live simply, frugally, and happily. If we had more money we'd struggle with how to spend it. (We already debate what's the best thing to do with any inheritance we'll get from our folks.)
There are people and causes we wish we could support, or support more, but finances don't allow. And since nobody takes anything with them, why not use it all up before you die?
Yes, I get the article's point. The problem with having <$1,000 in the bank is that you can't deal with a crisis that happens a month before you die. And because most of us won't know the time of our death it's pretty tough to get the exhaustion of cash and our departure from earth to align.
Truth.
So I guess the best approach is to forget about amassing wealth. Why store up all that money??? Spend what we've got, spend it wisely, including an appropriate contingency fund for emergencies, and enjoy the life God gives us on this earth.
I'll add that given the intent to "enjoy," I'm looking forward to "that day," whenever it comes. I'm ready, I have every confidence that our kids (all four of them) will take good care of their mom, and some days (with increasing frequency) I'm weary of life on this side of the river. Solomon was right, it's vanity. Trouble, pain, sadness, and sin. And that's just in me.
Why, when he's promised me an eternal rest in his presence, would I not want to cross the Jordan?
I'm both amused and angered by all the angst about our departure from the Paris Climate Accord. I suspect the vast majority of people, including pundits and pontificators, haven't a clue what's in it.
Note: it is an accord, not a treaty (which would have req'd Congressional approval). President Obama committed us to it via an executive order, which is why President Trump can cancel it. And the stipulations of the accord were/are entirely voluntary.
Each signatory nation said, "These are the environmental targets we'll set for ourselves," and then committed to reporting back how they did at meeting those goals. That's pretty much it.
The U.S. set its goals fairly aggressively. Or rather, the Obama administration set those goals, because no other branch of govt. had any input or say in the matter. Other nations, including those with FAR worse records on pollution, set their goals, often at near meaningless levels.
When the bell rings everyone reports back...on the honor system. Yeah, right.
I'm sure China will be fully transparent on their performance, as will India, the two leading polluter nations in the world, both with fragile economies.
So why are the leading tech CEO's all worked up about our leaving the accord? Guess what economic sector was poised to benefit most from our aggressive goals re. renewable energy.
Since I typed the above I've done the dishes, vacuumed, ordered new steering parts for Sally, and am basically ready to head for the airport. I'll listen to more short stories as a drive to help me stay awake and alert.
And now we're back from the Portland airport (traffic!), had dinner, and....crash! I'm wasted.
Marta came over earlier and prepped Sundae for giving birth, a process that includes shots, hoof trimming, and shaving her tail. We got educated on how to identify the early stages of labor and what to expect during the stages of labor. We're 18 days out from her due date, so we need to be ready.
Don't know why I'm so tired, except for the stressful drive on a Friday afternoon during vacation season.
A cookie or two and bed.
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