TELECOM Digest Editor noted in response to Lisa Hancock:
> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: This may sound like a bizarre,
> diabolical question, but did you ever wonder how the custodian (of
> the school) ever got there _in the first place_ to spread the ashes
> around?
That's easy. At times like that the custodian would spend the night in
the building. He had a room fixed up for that purpose.
> I am barely old enough -- at my ancient age -- to
> recall when the boiler at our school converted from coal to gas
My school was built in 1948, late for coal, but there was some sort of
deal with the coal miners. People converted to oil or gas rapidly
after the war. My mother told me growing up with coal heat was
utterly miserable. It was warm, but a big mess to take care of and
very dirty and smelly. Her family thought switching to oil was the
greatest invention ever.
> And thanks for thinking about my food. My food supply is okay for
> another week; its the dog and cats' supply I am worried about. They
> have only a couple more day's worth unless I start rationing it out;
> I should put them on a diet anyway. All too big and fat (and sassy!).
My 90 year old neighbor decided he shouldn't drive anymore.
Unfortunately, around here that makes getting food and stuff difficult.
There's a convenience store about six blocks away, but it's a bit of a
walk in bad weather or for an older person. In the city there were
stores often closer by, although the old small groceries are gone,
replaced by chains. But in the city there are people who provide a
private taxi service for a modest fee, my mother found that very
helpful. Doesn't exist out here.
With the U.S. population aging and now in suburbia, there's gonna be a
real challenge on getting people around. In the city there are buses
and drivers, in the suburbs, zilch. We live in a totally car oriented
world now and for many people who physically can't drive that's equal
to prison. There's been some horrid accidents by such drivers who had
no choice but to drive. But the car advocates always win out.
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There is a small convenience store five
blocks north of me on Main and Fourth Street. (A Dollar General
place). They sell animal food, soda pop, potato chips, etc and if my
motorized chair arrives sometime this week I will be able to get by
I am sure. But if it does not arrive, there is still the taxicab.
hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com