Cold Continuing

Time 2124. Daughter calls back.  Appears to see pilot light but having a difficult time reaching in and pushing the pilot-light button.  I found the name of a 24 hr service for $70 plus parts.  She says she found one 5 blocks away — same price.   Sometimes it is better to pay and learn the lesson while keenly watching what is happening.

Cold Apartment

Time 1923 EST.  My daughter called in tears that her house has not had heat for two days and she cannot get a hold of the landlord to find out how to light the pilotlight for the heater.  Trying to describe such an procedure over the telephone is nearly impossible and of course it was unsuccessful even though she has the instructions on the door panel.  I told her to call a HVAC company with 24 hour service as NIPSCO does not come out to light pilotlights (they only investigate gas smells).  What to do on a holiday weekend?  Freeze I guess or go over to friends house if they are home or maybe just stay at work.

The New Coffee Shop

About a year ago a group of non-smokers migrated away from the decade old coffee shop.  I had left a few months before and just did not go to any Saturday morning coffee establishment.  someone started going to McDonalds and after a few months there was a group of 5-10 people regularly attending.  The group is mixed – A military contractor, a retired PhD professor, an inventor, a retired engineer, a retired sherrif and sometimes myself.  The conversations vary widely and rarely cover religion or partisan politics.  My usual attendance period is about two hours or 1 cup of coffee.

The big deal in our county now is whether a Casino should be allowed in the county and where it should be built.  I have heard the Governor has stated he does not want it in the NE county.  Since this county has not elected a Democrat to any significant office in 100 years I guess he will probably gets his way.  However, the consensus of the group is that it would probably be a good thing – 300 direct jobs and 600 or so more service industry jobs.  That would increase our tax-base considerably via food, hotel and other shopping plus the income taxes.  since the road infrastructure already exists in the “Outlet Mall” area not much roadway expense or other infrastructure would have to be built.

Who knows what will happen?  I am sure the money will be passed around and it will happen if approached from the correct angle.