35°f, about 2°C, snow flurries giving way to sun and thin clouds.
Have you ever heard of mud rain? Neither had I, until last night when it literally rained mud on us while we were in Parkersburg.
The National Weather Service explained the phenomenon as sand sucked up into the atmosphere from dust storms in Texas. The high winds we experienced in the past few days carried the dust to our area, where it mingled with moisture in the clouds, et voilà, mud rain. Fortunately it was very light and fine, and later rainshowers washed it off our car. Others weren't as lucky and had to wash their vehicles. So, another new weather weirdness!
We stocked booths yesterday, then went to Mineral Wells to get cheap(er) gas and do a little shopping at Aldi's. Afterwards, we visited Parkersburg Brewing Company where Larry could use his coupon for 50% off two beers. This was a promotion offered in January, where you pay $14 for a coupon book good for 50% off beer at select breweries around the state. Proceeds benefit Trout Unlimited, so basically it's a good time for a good cause.
While we were there our son Derek called. He was also coming to Parkersburg with two friends for dinner at another local watering hole. We went over to meet up with them for a few minutes. One of the guys was one of our neighbors, who was celebrating his 44th birthday, the other was the guy who owns and singlehandedly operates a greenhouse tomato-growing business, and who gives us free tomatoes when he is done selling. We had a good time, but this morning we are both moving slow. It is hard to remember our age sometimes-- then it hits us. Still, I would rather do and be tired than not do at all.
So, while we were at the first brewery, Larry got to talking with a young man sitting near us. This man was from New Mexico, and was working in our area with a company that flies helicopters over gas lines, searching for leaks. His background? First he worked on his family's ranches until the family sold their land. Then he went to college and got a degree in geography; after graduation he went to work with his father, who had started a chain of car washes. Then he saw an ad for his current job, and was hired after a 15 minute interview. Now he travels all over the country.
A chance comment got him started on politics, and boy oh boy. He said he was a Libertarian, disliked the current administration, and he believed in some really farfetched conspiracy theories-- like never get vaccinated, all money would disappear in 8 years and there would be a "one-world" virtual currency, democracy would vanish as well...well, you get the drift. He was a nice guy, well spoken, but wow. He firmly believed in the Deep State. I will always listen, rarely argue, and had to wonder if he heard how bizarre he sounded. I also wonder, how many more like him are there, out in the world, working, having families, and believing firmly in such dark theories? It reminded me of this show I heard on public radio last week.
A month ago we were at Aldi's and a lady in line behind me had a just a few items in her cart, so I offered to let her go ahead of me. She said no thanks, she wasn't in a hurry. Then she added, "I just have to do my taxes when I get home, so I am putting it off as long as I can." I commiserated, saying that I had to do mine too, and she said,"Yeah, but I have to do them for the past 5 years."
I was flabbergasted. How do you not do your taxes, for FIVE YEARS? She said, well, she just kept putting it off, so now she was going to have to pay some penalties. Later, someone (I forget who) said that if you didn't owe any taxes, or if the government owed you, you could just not file and the IRS wouldn't care. Hunh. I don't know about you, but I would be afraid to test that theory. Like my reaction to the young man above, I guess I am too...ordinary? mainstream? old-fashioned?...to jump into anything that seems so questionable.
Last story from a stranger: we were at Tudor's Biscuit World back in January, and there was a group of 5 ladies in the booth behind us. They were clearly out to have a good time, laughing and chatting over their breakfast. One of them was standing up, having gone for a coffee refill. I heard her say, "When I walked into the funeral, all he could look at was my boobs, so I told him yeah, I got a boob lift!"
You know that made me curious as could be! As we got up to leave, I said to that lady, "I just have to see that boob lift." She laughed and said, "Honey, it was a push-up bra. That thing pushed my girls up so high I couldn't even get a cup of coffee to my mouth!" These ladies were on a girls day out and I told Larry I think I wanted to go with them!
I finally remembered to get these last two stories posted, after being reminded of them by our conversation with the young man last night. I love seeing different places, like my last post, but the people we meet along the way? I like that even better, whether I agree with or approve of them or not. It is one big, diverse, crazy world out there, isn't it?
Back to painting the bedroom. Til next time, friends.
LOL I had to laugh at the boob lift! Yesterday we took an extra long walk for over 18 kilometers...and we were both darn tired. Usually we wouldn't have problem, but I guess we are just getting old.
ReplyDeleteCommiseration over the painting. I recall having what seemed like the whole house torn up to do one room. I used to schedule it for when my husband had to be out of town for a few days.
ReplyDeleteThen we moved here and are now, glory be, hiring painters.
Who have some weird views of life. I hear you. It leaves me wondering how they got through school without being taught how to analyse for fact.
PS Did you know Canadians spell in what Spellcheck thinks is error? s vs z in that last line.
What a trio of interesting people you ran into. And they are all living in their own little worlds, as the last young lady seemed to be with other women of like mind, all having a fun time. The Aldi woman who postponed her taxes reminds me of my friend who doesn't make enough income to file, and therefore hasn't for several years. I have been recommended to, and passed along to her, that filing when you don't have to pay or receive back taxes at least keeps your own numbers going into the IRS, and nobody can file false claims in your name. Not that that makes one bit of sense, when you think about it.
ReplyDelete...mud season always happens between winter and spring!
ReplyDeleteI want to go out on a girls day with that group, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThe boob lift was funny. The boob from NM, not so much. I have a nephew who is a libertarian, and honestly, I think that he is a libertarian so that he can complain no matter who is president! But some of that conspiracy stuff is totally over the top. It wasn't so long ago when you heard people like Lori Vallow or Jerry Falwell or whoever, talking crazy stuff and you thought 'my heavens. That's crazy stuff.' Now it seems like the crazy stuff has gone straight to the top.
ReplyDeleteI knew there were records of "frog rain" but never heard of mud rain. Interesting. Interesting is also what I'd call the various people you met recently. Someone in my DH's family has all manner of conspiracy theories, which I have a hard time listening to. In order to keep the peace I swallow my words.
ReplyDeleteEek. Doen´s sand leave scratches?
ReplyDeleteLast year I had such a coupon book, too, €15. Bought to get cheaper tickets for American Footy. Where did we not go?
At least some lunches with a friend.
But... isn´t it great to forget about age at times?
Great story of the guy from New Mexico. Always something new, sounds familiar. My Brother does the same since age 16...
But, uh. Crazy dude after all.
I am SO with the lady at Aldi, LOL!!!! Oh. Just 2024 here, bad enough.
Your ladies remind me of "The Golden Girls"!
Glad it´s a "big, diverse, crazy world"!
You must be very friendly and outgoing to meet and talk with so many people. Since I have a degree in geography, i am not too impressed by the Libertarian dude. 😀
ReplyDeleteI know Mary G, above, and she knows her stuff. As a Canadian, I do spell analyze with a z. I am forever mixed in my spelling. However, I do say the z as zed, but not always. 🤓
You certainly ran into some interesting people this week! I too will listen to people of different political backgrounds without offer my opinion. It is interesting to hear their thoughts and wonder how they came about them.
ReplyDeleteI have run into mud rain once, while in Arizona. It was in a sandstorm that turned to rain, what a mess!
I had never heard of mud rain before. Glad your car got rinsed off by the rain. I have a hard time not speaking up when I hear people go on about conspiracy theories that are crazy. I enjoyed your stories of the fun conversations you have had.
ReplyDeleteMud rain is a new one on me. Right now my world is covered in ice. Last time my Occasional Helper was here, even he - a hearty young fellow - was creeping along by inches with his eyes on the ground.
ReplyDeleteWhen women of a certain age get together for a day out, the conversation flows freely, and it can be so much fun.... both to be part of the group, and to listen from the next restaurant booth! Yes it's tax time, have to do mine in the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting people you have been running into. What color are you painting?
ReplyDeleteFunnies stories, they help us through a crappy day.
ReplyDelete