The Fourth Of July Is On A Tuesday People!
– or –
Cherry! CHERRY! dumbbell.

Dear Patriots,

The Calendar Cabal has conspired to drive the tourist public away from my little mountain paradise this year. Tuesday! That’s perilously near the middle of the week and I fear that people will freak about how much time they’ll spend away from their tedious jobs and feel deep regret if they have too much fun. You guys need to lighten up!

Good, that’s out of the way.

This was going to be some sort of thrilling report from my orchard. The cherry tree was loaded with fruit and only required a little bit more time until we could pick a regular bounty. Sadly, the birds’ harvesting meters are calibrated at RIPE-minus-ONE so they swiped greenish fruit and left me with roughly two percent of what I thought I’d get. Two! The remaining ones were awfully good though. I may even get a couple more from the tree this season if the critters leave the last little bunch alone. Keep your stems crossed.

Changing the subject a little, it seems that my wishful thinking at tax time a few years ago is once again rearing its ugly head. Back when I was severely underemployed and (kinda) contracting for The 42nd Largest Marketing Firm In The Solar System (by billings) I placed a little too much faith in the tax software and underreported income by a bunch. The Feds have received their blood money but the state now wants their fair share. Yeah, it’s a lot and comes only a couple weeks after the county got their supplemental property tax payment.

It almost makes you want to vote for the Libertarians, doesn’t it? Or the anarchists! (that’s an oxymoron, ain’t it? – ed Well, yeah. – Bob)

More sooner.

Your pal,

bob