From today's walk, same place as last post. It rained hard early today so this must be new.
And an interesting epitaph for this poor bloke, from a few blocks away. Halloween's a-coming!
'Scoakat' rhymes with 'Snow Hat'! - - Just my thoughts on music, humor, our life in Madison and anything else I feel like.
From today's walk, same place as last post. It rained hard early today so this must be new.
And an interesting epitaph for this poor bloke, from a few blocks away. Halloween's a-coming!
No, not that kind, that was June. Pride, satisfaction, happiness, gratification, fulfillment, contentment; whatever you want to call it. It's a good feeling, even if fleeting. I've felt a bit of that lately, as I sat by the fire last night I looked around me and just appreciated it all.
My wife and I have a nice house, if small, that's in pretty good shape and we've made some good improvements, inside and out, so far. We have an exceptional lawn for the area, as it was when we bought it so I've maintained that, which does take some doing. The gardens and flowerbeds are looking good and the compost bin I built with just a vague plan to start is still holding up great and looking good. The garage is stuffed full but well organized so even I can usually get 3/4 way around the car to get to anything anytime. The firepit and wood rack have been a great addition to the yard and got me out of the house and outside much more during a pandemic, and still, obviously. We live on a nice street and though the street itself is getting a little rough in spots the neighborhood is nice, calm and family-oriented. And in a good part of town, on the bike path to easily get to other parts of town or as far as you're willing to walk or bike. The city itself has many outstanding features that are unique, including the middle of the city is our state capitol building on an isthmus.
And, well, now Livability rated Madison as the best place to live in the US for a second year in a row. The link is a quick read, points out some highlights and numbers. Not that I take a whole lot of stock in the ranking, whatever number, but to consistently be on lists like these, it must be a pretty good place. A related article here points out lots more of those lists, and more of the varied features of the city that are too numerous for me to try to list here.It's easy to take for granted. We live here every day, this is normal to us. But realizing you have it pretty good in a pretty good place feels pretty damn good, sometimes. I like to ignore the weight of the world in those moments, and just be proud of what we have. And that's okay.
But first, I had the MRI last week and the other morning found out that a shot in the spine is recommended. Exactly what I suspected when this first started, but you have to go through the whole, lengthy process. Probably what my doctor suspected, as well, since he never did refer me to the neurosurgeon. A week or two ago I was getting pretty worried it would be surgery, but the pain has lessened a bit since. Next is scheduling the shot, but first I have to wait for pre-approval from my insurance. I've forgotten how many back shots I've had overall, but actually this may be only third or fourth, to go along with the two prior surgeries. Anyway, more waiting. Back to the tree!
Last year three more trees on the block were taken down. This picture, looking down our block, is from 2019. The second tree down on the left side was removed in 2020, as were the second tree down on the right and another on that side about 6 houses further down. The year after removal the city will come and get the stump, and sometimes will plant a new tree the year after that. I hate to lose old, big trees but so goes the circle of life, I guess. And now we won't worry so much about a branch falling on our cars when parked in the street.
I worked off and on today while I keeping tabs on the activity outside. The cats certainly did not like the constant loud noise from out front so spent much of the day in the bedroom. On top of the bed, thankfully, and not hiding under it. In fact, there was much activity on the street today with this tree being removed by the city, a private company removing a tree up the block in someone's yard, and on the next block were a new front walk and a new driveway being put in at separate residences. So there were a lot of workmen, big trucks and loud noises for much of the day.
But this is the picture story of this one tree's end across the street. Pictures were taken from the front storm door window and the (dirty) front window, and I've not even reviewed them myself just yet, so we'll see what's interesting enough to post. After the break!
For most of my life I've read the newspaper, and mostly that paper has been the Wisconsin State Journal. When I was young my parents were subscribed. In my young adulthood I usually picked up the paper on my way to work every day. I went through fits and starts subscribing for myself, but usually ended up cancelling due to issues, mostly that the paper would not consistently arrive early enough for me. This is also why I changed from subscribing 7 days a week to just getting the Sunday and Wednesday subscription option since we bought the house in 2009. Eventually I learned not to count on the paper to read before work, so I'm no longer concerned too much what time it arrives on Sunday or Wednesday.
This Sunday/Wednesday subscription to the Wisconsin State Journal consists of either 8 or 9 newspapers a month, 9 a month for 8 of 12 months in 2021, 104 newspapers a year. Keep in mind, these different days of papers are not created equal. The Sunday paper offers much more than a daily paper, though the Sunday and Wednesday papers are both loaded with ads, which is why you can only subscribe to the Sunday paper if you get Wednesday's, as well.
Last month they sent me a notice that my subscription price would be changing next month. They cite the online access and other perks that justify the cost, but really all I want is the newspaper. Thinking about this, I wanted to know what the newsstand price was for both, the Sunday and daily papers. You think you can find that online somewhere? Fat chance. I finally found an email for their customer service, and they replied that it is $2.50 for the daily paper and $5.00 for Sunday. (I remember paying only $0.35 for a daily paper on the way to work, years ago). I forgot to ask if these prices would also be changing soon, so I replied to ask and have yet to hear back.
So, at my subscription price of $37.50 a month, that is $450.00 a year and $4.33 a paper on average. The newsstand price would be $390.00, which is $60.00 to have it delivered for a year. And sixty bucks for 104 deliveries is probably worth it, I think. But is the overall cost for the paper itself worth it? I guess I've thought so for several years now.
Now, as I mentioned, they recently sent me notice that my subscription price is changing. It is going up to $43.00 a month starting in February. So let me look at those numbers again. $43.00 a month is now $516.00 a year and $4.96 a paper on average. That's $66.00 a year and $0.63 a paper more than I'm paying now.
Sure, I can afford it, but do I still think it's worth it? Do you?
We're well into the new year now and other than for a little insurrection review I've not posted in 2021. We are entering the doldrums of winter here, and during a pandemic still, so there's not a whole lot going on for us lately. Despite that, there must be a few things I could say so time to start typing and see what happens.
Edit 4/11, added new 8 pic. |