My tax preparation is on hold until next weekend. What is it about taxes...every April 15th I want to place a sign in front of my business, kind like a badge of honor, which reads, 'I paid your rent, again.'
Skinny little girl just knocked. She's dirty, smells, and I'm sure her breakfast was a piece of crack. Poor creature asked if I'd 'loan' her five dollars. What's that old saying, "There but for the grace of God," yeah.
Said she had a line on a 'few' handguns, and for a mere five dollars she'd steer these lines towards me. Told her not to bother. I love the black market, really I do, but I'll not support her habit. Don't start with me over this....if for instance I knew, without a shadow of doubt, she'd take the funds and walk towards a meal, fine. I'd pay for breakfast. But we know better, don't we.
Back to the black market for just a moment. I firmly believe if one is to make a living in this country you'd best hang a shingle and proclaim yourself an independent business. The dependance on employers is, in my humble estimation, a huge risk. Keep those funds on the down low. Fly beneath the radar. Barter. Screw the government....
Rambling....
My friends are supposed to meet here at the shop later this evening. Should be interesting. I thought perhaps for a change of pace we'd cross the street and walk the park. Critter hunt. Use one of the guys as bait. If we make the late local news I'll post a notification, tomorrow.
Stephen
If you provide the call letters of the local news station, we could monitor remotely. You know, in case you're unable to make outside contact and what-not ...
ReplyDeleteWJXT.
DeleteIf you were to keep a box of poptarts in the shop, the next time the girl calls, you could offer her "breakfast". Not as nutritious as home-cooked, but a lot better than crack. When I was in France years ago, I carried a piece of fruit, usually an apple or orange, in my purse for the child beggars. I don't give money, either. It doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteNow why haven't I thought of that....great idea my new friend. In fact I've a box of granola bars in my office. Thanks, Marivene...nice name, btw.
DeleteI guess our panhandler season is getting started once again. I only see em when I go to town but I always hate it when I pull up next to one at an intersection.
ReplyDeleteThey parade everywhere...some set tables with cookies and use the names, Girl and Boy Scouts.
DeletePanhandling in Florida is like having an fruit tree in your back yard, so many its unreal. They travel is groups too. I see the news now, armed patriots taken down for just walking in the park.. big kymber laugh. ;)
ReplyDeleteYep, they flock here by the thousands.
DeleteUnderground economy is alive and well where we live. We don't have panhandlers, either. They don't need to.....they get lots of govt handouts so they can stay home.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I like my underground economy. Not that I use such you understand......
Delete"There but for the grace of God,"
ReplyDeleteAmen, Stephen . . . Amen . . .
(Now be careful . . please don't make the news.)
We're sneaky that way....
Delete"Keep those funds on the down low. Fly beneath the radar. Barter."
ReplyDeleteAlso be preparing to think of wealth or value in terms of something other that worthless fiat paper once the dollar crashes. If you don't, when it comes to barter time after things crack up, you'll be way behind the curve when trying to make a fair deal.
I don't know if that comes across well, as it is something I've struggled with. A lot of people are like me and grew up thinking that our paper money actually had value in and of itself.
Very true. Trade may be dealt in many forms of currency. Wise move, my good friend.
DeleteI was coming out of a Jack-In-The-Box one time with a bag of food, and some guy approached me for "a few bucks so I can eat".
ReplyDeleteI offered him the bag of food, and he got all outraged!
Gee....I wonder if the fact that there was a liquor store right across the street had anything to do with it?
Funny how a liquor store always seems to be covenant to where they camp, isn't it. When they lose their cool it makes it all the easier for my conscience.
Deletei used to think we should be straight up about income. we still are but it is at the point that the gov't. wastes most of what they get and people are so hard up i think whatever they are able to earn should be unreported and got to pay for food and meds.
ReplyDeleteso many are caught between a rock and a hard place.
we are having a blizzard here so there are no panhandlers. that's what you get in trade for balmy weather!
deb h.
True, Deb. The panhandlers flock to this part of the country come winter...then stay. When one plays by the rule book with the government it only hastens the enviable. Thank you, my friend.
Delete