Sunday, May 24, 2020

Another Fine, Boring Day



And, actually, I don’t know too much.  It rained last night.  I awoke in the early dark hours to a little thunder and lightning.  (And went right back to sleep – rain falling is a soothing sound I think.)  This morning I checked the rain gauge – 3 inches.  Wow.  Nice to have except for the mosquitoes that are chasing me through the yard.

While looking over emails this morning, I found a few amusing things -

One
I wanted zombies and anarchy.  Instead we got working from home and toilet paper shortages.   Worst. Apocalypse. Ever.

My Austin friend sent me a Toilet Paper fact email not too long after the isolation situation was a thing. 

Packaged toilet paper wasn't sold in the United States until 1857. However, it wasn't until 1935 that a manufacturer was able to promise Splinter-Free Toilet Paper.  (Really – splinter free?  Splinters???)
Americans use an average of 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per trip to the bathroom.  (Probably less these days.)
In ancient times something called a communal gompf stick, a piece of sponge tied to the end of a stick, was used.  Wealthy Romans used wool soaked in rose water and French royalty used lace.  (Communal?  Lace?  Ick!)
There was a toilet paper museum in Wisconsin, The Madison Museum of Bathroom Tissue, but it closed in 2000.  It once had over 3,000 rolls of TP from places all over the world, including The Guggenheim, Ellis Island, and Graceland.  (Alrightee then)
In 1996, Congress passed a Toilet Paper Tax of 6 cents per roll, which is still in effect today. An effort to triple the tax was defeated in the House.  (Remember that when you vote next time! – Repeal the Toilet Paper Tax!)
The most expensive toilet paper in the world is from Portugal, a brand called Renova.  Renova is three-ply, perfumed, costs $3 per roll and comes in several colors including black, red, blue and green.  (Pass)
When asked what necessity they would bring to a desert island, 49% of people said toilet paper before food.  (Must be the same people that bought baskets of toilet paper when isolation first happened.)



Two
People keep asking: "Is coronavirus REALLY all that serious?"  Listen, the churches and casinos are closed.  When heaven and hell agree on the same thing it's probably pretty serious.

Three
The spread of Covid-19 is based on two things:
1. How dense the population is.
2. How dense the population is.

Too true.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend here.  I always feel reluctant to say HAPPY Memorial Day, considering it is the day we honor all the men and women who died serving in the US Armed Forces.  Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day as people went and decorated the graves of the fallen) originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War.  But during World War I when the United States found itself involved another major conflict, it evolved.  Today it includes American military personnel who died in all wars and conflicts, including World War I, World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in the Middle East, Africa, Bosnia, and anywhere else our military is sent at the behest of the president.  In 1971, Lyndon Johnson designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day, a federal holiday.  So, instead, I’ll say – A Thought Evoking Memorial Day to you.  Remember and think positive thoughts about those fallen during military conflict and positive thoughts in the hopes that someday the world will get smart enough to stop and think before doing rash stupid things.



Today is laundry day.  My washer and dryer are out in my garage.  Not a totally bad thing since I just walked out to find water all over the garage floor.  And, it doesn’t seem to be coming from the washer.  Instead, it seems to be coming from the ½ bath next to it.  The bath that has the water shut off – completely.  Apparently, the guy that installed that bathroom tied the sink drain to the washer drain and now, it’s overflowing.  Argh.  A blockage in the sewer line is my guess.  So, next weeks big deal will be the plumber.  And, no more laundry today.



One last thing.  I have a grandfather clock.  It’s an old one – about 1750.  And, it’s sensitive about where it stands and when it runs.  When I was gone this past Christmas, it ran down and stopped – okay – expected.  But, since then it has not worked for longer than a few minutes.  Yes, I checked the mechanism – no obvious problem.  Yes, I checked the level – perfectly level horizontally/vertically.  Yes, I spoke politely to it – it’s old.  Finally, I moved it – just a bit to one side and . . . . it started right up!  And, seems to be working fine now.



Good things / bad things.  I guess it all comes out even.

24 May 2020

9 comments:

  1. 3"?! we didn't even get a half inch last night.

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    1. I rethought about it and think I didn't empty the gauge after the last big rain, so probably 1/2 inch here also.

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  2. I expect the grandfather clock wanted a bit of attention, not wanting to be overlooked! Has it been in your family? Looks like a classic broken-bonnet design, lovely.

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    1. No, not a family heirloom, I got it when I was 18 - a long bit ago. But, it is a family heirloom now!

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  3. Those TP facts are a hoot! And I like that grandfather clock. But when you're 270 years old, you're ENTITLED to be finicky!

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  4. The things that people do with plumbing are so interesting. Our air conditioner condensate line was dumping into the line under the hall bath sink and was leaking all over the toilet paper. Fortunately we got it fixed before the pandemic.

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  5. Fun toilet paper facts - and yes, repeal the tax!

    I would add to the "How dense the population is." It's also how sick the population is due to lack of health care, lack of good nutrition and obesity and diabetes. Those are HUGE factors, and I am medically obese and have type 1. Communities that lack access to good grocery stores are also at high risk.

    Love your Grandfather Clock. Glad you got it working again!

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  6. If I were stranded on a deserted island I would just plan to use FABRIC for my TP needs. I mean, food is WAY more important to me!

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  7. I would love a grandfather clock, just for the ticking.
    Great toilet paper facts. I definitely do NOT fancy the gompf stick.

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