“Mom. it’s Friday and Lucy won’t play with me.” “I’m sure she will. Won’t you Lucy?” “Man. Close my eyes for one second…”
Another week has flown by. At least for me, it has. I guess if I were hanging upside down tied by the ankles, above an alligator pit, I would have a different view of time. As it is the week seemed short. We were happy to have the dining room chairs arrive. Unique fabric (resistant to the man of the house and napalm.) had to be ordered. Hence the delay. The fence measuring person came out and took all the measurements. We are on the schedule for mid-May, but since we already have the permit and survey, we were told there might be an opportunity for earlier. We are not holding our breath.
We’ve had some beautiful rain, so the drought-like conditions are gone. Since we have very little grass, the rain also produces paw prints unless the pooches get a foot wipe each time out. I am the designated foot-wiper.
I managed to get some words written on my WIP, so I am a happy camper.
Today’s JohnKu talks about what makes us happy. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
“It is Wednesday, not Friday. You don’t have to eat grass on Wednesday Little one.”
It’s Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we found out the insurance company is unwilling to say much about Rafferty’s policy. We also didn’t get any information from Rafferty’s employment contract. In fact, we didn’t get anything at all. (The Greek chorus says amen) Is it any wonder Larry wants to try to contact Gloria? Heck no. It’s a good idea. We better hurry since he and Andrew are entering Micki Lee’s shop.
“Well hello, my two favorite cops.”
“Hi, Micki.”
“Not to draw too much of a fine line, Ms. Lee but I’m not a policeman.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cummings. Since you are in the employ of Mr. Dunfee, I believe you are a policeman.”
“Fair enough.”
“if you two are finished I have some business with you, Ms. Lee.”
“For heaven’s sake Larry. You need to lighten up. Nothing in this world was ever accomplished by getting too pushy.”
“Tell that to Washington.”
“Okay, what is it I can do for you.”
“I need to talk to Gloria. The last time she was on some kind of holiday. I need to know if she is back and can meet with me.”
“I think I can help with that. First, let’s have some tea.”
“I know you have your system so if tea is part of it, fine.”
“I’m actually playing with your head, Larry. Tea has nothing to do with it but I think you should relax and slow down a little. I’ll be right back.”
“Tell me, Andrew. Do I look like I’m in a rush or something?”
“Your type A personality is on your sleeve today.”
“Really? Well okay. Let’s just kick back and drink some mother loving tea and have a real social hour here.”
“Also your propensity to overreact is playing a part as well”
“For heavens sa—”
“Here we are with some nice black tea from China. I’ll pour.”
“You know Ms. Lee. There is nothing like a nice cup of tea to relax the soul.”
“Call me Micki. I see Andrew has been talking to you.”
“He mentioned a few things. Yes.”
“While you are having your tea, I will call Gloria.”
“That would be nice. Maybe she would like a cup as well.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so but hold on. Her presence is very strong. Gloria is that you?”
“I am here Micki”
“Gloria, how have you been?”
“Just fine, Larry. The important question is how have you been?”
“I still miss you.”
“I know but don’t worry. I’m here now. What can I do to help you?”
“The Sandusky case is driving us nuts.”
“Still no closer to a suspect?”
“That’s the problem. We have three and now possibly four and the death of his engineer.”
“It wasn’t an accident.”
“What Rafferty?”
“Yes.”
“Who killed him?”
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
“What can you tell me?”
“You need to pay close attention to who would want Rafferty’s dead.”
“We have those. Evon, Janice, and Cortez.”
“Sorry. You are missing the obvious.”
“The Police Chief of South Lake Tahoe?”
“Nope.”
“Aw come on, Gloria. Give me some help.”
“All I can say is the littlest insect can cause the most damage.”
“Huh? Insect?”
“Well, I need to get to the spa now, Larry. If you need more help you know where to find me.”
“Don’t leave, Gloria. Gloria?”
“You know when you have a spa appointment you can’t be late, Larry. She is not here anymore.”
“Do you have any insight into her insect parable?”
“Let’s think about it. Sip your tea. Clear your mind.”
“Hmm. The only thought that comes to mind when I think of little is someone with no power.”
This is a fable of sorts. Yes, it begins with once upon a time but is a little different from most. You see the time was yesterday. Here’s what happened. This guy whose name was Mortimer was walking on the beach. He was taking in the salt air and enjoying the sand between his toes. Mort did not have a care in the world. He had long ago made peace with the fact that he was an ordinary man. He no longer made any pretense about working hard and getting rewarded for doing so. You see, old Mort had worked hard his whole life and in his mind never got a thing for it. Yes, he was able to feed and clothe himself but never felt he had enough money to court a potential spouse or buy any luxuries.
Mort lived from hand to mouth. When he was young, he dreamed about the time when he would be a big boss. He had a belief that the road to success was paved with loyalty and dedication. He became whatever his boss wanted him to be. He came in early and left late. He finished all assignments on time and with as much quality as Mort’s abilities could deliver. Time after time when the opportunity for a promotion arose the job went to someone else.
Mort, although disappointed, kept up appearances of a loyal and dedicated employee. He never expressed his true feelings. Year after year the same thing occurred. Boss after boss praised his work, but when it came time for a step up, he was passed over.
The day finally came where Mort worked up the courage to ask his boss the reason he never got a promotion. His boss seemed surprised by the question. Mort could see his surprise and inquired as to the purpose. The boss looked a little embarrassed but when pressed by Mort confessed that Mort was such a good worker that they would never have been able to replace him. Mort was so shocked by the double indignation of the boss’ admission and the unfairness of being irreplaceable that he rose from the chair and resigned.
Mort was strolling the beach thinking about what to have for dinner. He still had some Redfish in the freezer and was concocting in his mind a Beurre Blanc sauce. While lost in the thought of shallots Mort stumbled over a heavy object in the sand. He dropped to his knees and brushed the sand away. To his amazement, he uncovered a substantial brass urn. He dragged the urn out of the hole and on close inspection he could see a cover on top of the urn. He placed his hands around the cover, and like he was working a new jar of pickles, he finally got the cover to move. To his surprise, the cover began to move on its own. He jumped back and finally, the cover fell and stuck upright in the sand as if it were a discus.
Mort held his breath while a vapor rose from the urn like a well-trained snake. He couldn’t help himself as he began to feel weak in the knees. He soon was aware of his whole body shaking his inability to control it.
“Hey, Mort.” Came the voice from deep in the urn.”
“Y-yes.” Mort answered, but it wasn’t his finest response.”
“You get a wish.”
“I-I do?”
“Yup. It’s the old free the genie deal. One wish and I’m on my way.”
“I want to be a boss.”
“Granted.”
“Just like that?”
“Yup. You are now a boss.”
“Wait. Who do I boss?”
“Not my deal.”
“What?”
“Surely you have read enough genie stories where the genie grants a wish and the client forgot to include important facts.”
“Like who to boss?”
“Exactamundo.”
“Can I get a do-over?”
“Ha ha ha. No.”
“So I’m boss over nothing?”
“I wouldn’t sell yourself short.”
“So I’m boss over me.”
“A lot can’t say that.”
“You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“How many do you think feel they are their own boss.”
“You should be giving self-improvement seminars.”
“Great suggestion. I gotta go.”
“Can I go with you?”
“You don’t need me. You have you and a great boss.”
“Wow. See you then. I have some orders to give.”
So needless to say, Mort lived happily ever after. The genie is still doing seminars on cruise ships.
Today is the anniversary of the opening of the first McDonald’s by Ray Kroc in 1955. It was sixty-four years ago that the fast food innovation began. In case you have a way to get back there here is a list of things not to do that will hopefully keep you from making a big mistake.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Opening of the First Ray Kroc McDonalds.
10 If you are at the opening, do not try to order your burger without onions. If you do, at best your request will be ignored. At worst, you’ll be asked to stand aside and in twenty or so hours you’ll get your burger. ( I have to say you were warned, Goodwine. If Ray wanted to eliminate ketchup from the burger he would have done it already.)
9 If you are at the opening, do not drop a paper on the ground while Tiny the WWF champ is in charge of picking up trash around the restaurant. If you do, at best he will ask you politely to pick it up. At worst, he will pick up the garbage and you and deposit both in the nearest can. (I know this space in the trashcan is tight, Gorman. The bad news is Tiny is adding more trash. You better hope collection day is soon.)
8 If you are at the opening, do not take any time to make up your mind on what to order. If you do, at best there is no one behind you. At worst, the person behind you has not eaten for twelve hours. (Not sure why you have a problem ordering, Gottfried. The menu only had a hamburger, cheeseburger, fries, shake, coke, root beer, orange drink, and coffee. How hard could it be?)
7 If you are at the opening, do not ask for ketchup for your fries. If you do, at best you will be refused. At worse, you will be subjected to the corporate lecture on why the McDonald policy forbids supplying ketchup for fries. (You now realize customer service does not include satisfying customer wants, Gowyn. Unhappy? Go pay 35¢ for a burger somewhere else.)
6 If you are at the opening, do not ask for a fillet-O-fish sandwich. If you do, at best no one will understand you. At worst, the employees will think you are trying to make trouble and call the police. (This is a fine kettle of fish you have gotten yourself into Gram. You should have known the fillet-O-fish was not introduced until 1965. The police are very interested in you now.)
5 If you are at the opening, do not ask for a seat inside. If you do, at best you’ll get a strange look. At worst, the manager will bring you in, and you’ll be waiting on customers before you know what happened. (If you keep at it, Graysen you might become the President like Fred Turner who started at the counter. Inside seating wasn’t available until 1962.)
4 If you are at the opening, do not start singing “Two all beef patties, lettuce, cheese, onion, pickle, special sauce on a sesame seed bun.” If you do, at best the employees will think you daft. At worst, the manager will think you are having a mental breakdown and will call an ambulance. (Since the Big Mac was introduced in 1968 it will be thirteen years until you are released from the sanitarium, Gregoly. Try not to make any trouble until then.)
3 If you are at the opening, do not start waxing poetic about the McGriddle breakfast. If you do, at best you’ll be ignored. At worst you’ll be asked to make a McGriddle and when you fail tossed out on your ear. ( So much for having a glimpse into the future huh, Griff. Best not show your face here again.)
2 If you are at the opening, do not ask them to supersize your order. If you do, at best you’ll get a blank stare. At worst, a well-meaning customer will pull you aside and give you a talk about the evils of overeating. (You should have remembered, Grim that the super-sized concept was way off in the future and a trend that didn’t last.)
1 If you are at the opening, do not remain at the store longer than to eat your burger. If you do, at best you’ll get looks from the employees. At worst you will be accused of loitering. (Before the police arrive you may get the explanation that Ray Kroc did not install payphones or vending machines near the restaurants so that bums like you would just eat and move on. Aw, don’t be so sensitive, Guglielmo. He didn’t think of you personally as a loitering bum. Just the rest of humanity.)
There are several amazing things in Lakeway. One of them is an airport smack dab in the middle of houses and a golf course. The airport was originally used as a landing strip for a ranch. In 1964 a 3200-foot runway was built to support air interests of residents and later expanded to 3,983 feet. It is a private airport and receives no government funds. Operations are supported by fuel sales and landing fees. I hope you enjoy a look around.
Here is an aerial view of the park. There are eight homes that have driveways connected to the runway. They are on the left.
A ground view looking South.
This is the central building. entrance is by keycode.
A sign explaining the fees. Note that the fee box is by the front door and compliance is the honor system backed up by a camera.
How much for aviation fuel? $4.02 a gallon here. 100 is the octane level and LL stands for low lead. This fuel is good for piston driven engines. Jet fuel is not available at the air park.
Here is a sign with some information about the airport. To the left is the elevation of the field (905 feet) to the right is the airport common frequency. This is used so pilots can communicate their position to other pilots in the area. This airport does not have a controller so awareness of other aircraft is important. The first item should be cause for concern. Deer on the runway are not a good thing. The second indicates this airport is not lighted so operations are restricted to daylight hours only. The third explains the landing pattern has a left hand approach at 1900 feet Mean Sea Level (A measurement against a calculated sea level standard) So, if you are intending to land your approach to the airport needs to be on the left side of the runway and at 1900 feet. If all planes use the same method collesions are avoided. The next advisory says upon take off pilots should stay on the runway heading until a mile away and at least 400 feet (Above the Ground) altitude. Let’s assume the take off heading is 340 degrees the pilot would hold the 340 degree heading until 400 feet AGL and one mile. No touch and go’s which means no practice take off and landings. The last one which says use at own risk is self-explanatory.
The last shot is of an airplane taxing toward the fuel station. Those bright spots on the wing tips are strobe lights. The propeller doesn’t look like it is moving thanks to my super-fast camera phone. You can see the houses located with access to the runway in the background. Way off to the left is a group of golfers getting ready to T-off.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “lip.” Yeah, that’s right, lip. Anyway, Linda Hills says we can use the word alone or as part of another word. For example, Lipshitz. If you would like to join in and perhaps send yourself over the edge, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“Okay, Little One it’s Friday. Time to ruckus.” “You make the first move, Lucy. Then I’ll pulverize ya.”
Another fast Friday for me. Seems these weeks are flying. It becomes hard to remember just what went on for the week. I do know we received two area rugs which were welcome additions to the house.
We were pleased to get a permit and final approval for the fence. The company will start building about the 15th of May. They were totally booked by the time the details were worked out.
We had about one and a half inches of rain last weekend which pointed out the need for gutters at key points of the house. The rain came off the roof in torrents, and it was hard to get out the door without being drenched. We need to find a gutter and downspout contractor.
Our landscaping plan includes a deck which will require a permit. So we are also in the hunt for a deck builder.
Like most things connected with a move there becomes a seemingly endless list of items.
Today’s JohnKu talks about how lists seem to grow on their own. I hope you all have a glorious weekend.
“Are you sure it’s Wednesday?” “Yes, Little Potato I’m sure.” “Can I go back to bed till Friday?”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were exposed to one more character who seems to have a connection to the death of Alexis Rafferty. Larry and Andrew added Captain Swartz of the South Lake Tahoe police department to the growing list of suspicious persons. I think Larry’s lament “God I hope we are not adding another suspect,” rings pretty true for all of us. We also heard Larry say out loud that he ought to contact Gloria. Surprisingly Andrew seemed to agree. Larry had one more call to make, and that was to Evon to check the status of Rafferty’s employment contract which Evon said he was going to send. I see Larry is off the phone so let’s get to the station for the results of the call.
“So, Larry. What did Evon have to say.”
“He said he is working on getting the contract read.”
“Did he say when he would have it to us?”
“No, and I get the idea he may be dragging his feet.”
“I don’t get it. What could be in a contract that would be a problem.”
“I don’t think it is the contract.”
“What is it then.”
“He is trying to delay our investigation.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, if I was on the receiving end of five million, I sure wouldn’t want some detective discovering something that could squelch the deal.”
“But he is Janice’s lawyer. What could he stand to gain?”
“Hos fee. I’ll just bet he stands to make twenty-five percent.”
“I see. That would be a million and a quarter.”
“Enough to drag one’s feet for sure.”
“Why don’t we call the insurance guy and find out where they are?”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”
“Hold on I have his number here. Let’s see what he has to say. It’s ringing. Crap it’s going to voice mail. Yes hello, Mr. Davis, this is detective Dunfee of the Boston Police Department. We have a need to discuss the Rafferty claim with you for a moment. I would appreciate a return call. You can reach me at 617 555-5000. Thank you, Mr. Davis I hope to hear from you soon.”
“Doesn’t anyone answer their phones anymore?”
“I could tell this number is a cell phone. I think I’ll give him a text as well.”
“Good idea. I don’t think most people would ignore a detective of the Boston Police department.”
“Okay, I’ll let that one slip. You are pretty cheeky today.”
“We just don’t seem to be getting anywhere is all.”
“Hold on. Let me finish the text. There sent. I think having my cell number as well as the office is a good thing.”
“You mentioned Gloria before.”
“Yeah, since when have you become a believer?”
“Since Miss Lee introduced me to her fine selection of teas.”
“Very funny. Oops, hold on. Here’s a call from Davis. This is detective Dunfee. Oh yes, Mr. Davis. Thank you for returning my call. Yes, that is correct. We would like any information you can share regarding the status of the Rafferty claim. Hum, I see. How about with a subpoena? Yeah, I can get one for sure, but I had hoped we could handle this on an unofficial basis. Let me be blunt and ask is World Life going to pay the ten million in claims. I see. Okay then. Thank you for your co-operation. We’ll be in touch. Goodbye, sir. Jerk.”
“What was that all about?”
“Ah, he has some kind of confidentiality thing with his clients. He can’t disclose details of policyholders or policies.”
“So did he say anything.”
“Nothing of value. Just that the policies are under investigation.”
“Well, that says to me they are not going to automatically pay.”
