Northern weather

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...cars are a burden.......

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

Consider a young person, under the age of 25, today with all of the costs of living and now factor in all of the costs financial and otherwise of car ownership, that is more invested in staring at their hand-held device that connects them to their life.

[sarge]

...cars are a burden.......

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

In many ways, ones lifestyle dictates whether a car is merely a necessity (hence a burden, like a mortgage or any other bill) or if it can be something more. I know where Ruf is coming from and can respect that statement, odd as it may sound coming from a confirmed petrolhead.

I couldn't be more pleased to have walked away from that lifestyle and locale. Now my cars are just as fiscally burdensome perhaps, but that has been more than offset by the play-value inherent in the cars I can own now and the environment in which I use them, both for purpose and for pleasure.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...cars are a burden.......

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

Consider a young person, under the age of 25, today with all of the costs of living and now factor in all of the costs financial and otherwise of car ownership.

Aaaahhh heuy! The summer right after I had graduated from college, 1967, I rode a clunky 4-speed bicycle to the next town (McKeesport, PA), spotted a white Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible (white w/ red interior) sitting in the dealership window, propped the bike up against the front window, strolled in in my cut-off shorts and T-shirt, was ignored by the first salesman who crossed my path, and when asked by the next salesman if I could be helped, I said, "I'll take it." (I ended up buying a 4-door burgundy-n-burgundy Olds Cutlass Supreme sedan.) I had no job. Only my degree under my arm, so to speak, and the vow and determination to do well, to get employed, and to earn money, once the summer was completed.

I've been employed since I was a 12-year-old newspaper-delivery-boy; then, a busboy, a salad buffet counter-boy, a garbage can cleaner-outer dude (that lasted one day; the regular guy returned) and soon afterward a Cardio-pulmonary Therapist, never having been unemployed. I don't expect praise. Why should I. Working for a living, which included my cars, was normal to me. Growing up in a steelmill town can do that for a fella.
Murph

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...cars are a burden.......

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

In many ways, ones lifestyle dictates whether a car is merely a necessity (hence a burden, like a mortgage or any other bill) or if it can be something more. I know where Ruf is coming from and can respect that statement, odd as it may sound coming from a confirmed petrolhead.

I couldn't be more pleased to have walked away from that lifestyle and locale. Now my cars are just as fiscally burdensome perhaps, but that has been more than offset by the play-value inherent in the cars I can own now and the environment in which I use them, both for purpose and for pleasure.

You measure use of a car differently than that of a 25 year old - they are more interested in whether it has internet and Wi-Fi, and all the other rubbish that we not want or need in a car. They don't even grasp what your fun in a car might be - this is like when I went to the bank to get rid of a box of quarters and the young girl across the counter was unable to grasp the concept of loose change and cash.

I don't think that your cars are fiscally burdensome - actually pretty cheap. They do fit easier into smaller parking spaces.

[healey36]

And, it's snowing again - Hoorah!

Just got rid of the thirty inches, now a new dusting:



Festive, but I've had enough...just a few weeks until the Vernal Equinox...can't wait!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

And, it's snowing again - Hoorah!

Just got rid of the thirty inches, now a new dusting:

Festive, but I've had enough...just a few weeks until the Vernal Equinox...can't wait!

Nothing on the ground at my house in VA. Rain....might be ice for tomorrow's commute,

[rogruth]

Snow "festive". Where? Hades?
You call that a "dusting"? That would stop all traffic in Georgia except northerners passing through.
Sorry it would stop them too because all the Georgians would have the roads blocked with little
skids and wrecks. When I lived in Ohio and Kentucky snow never stopped me but I've been here half
my life and would make no attempt to drive in snow like you get up north now.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

And, it's snowing again - Hoorah!

Just got rid of the thirty inches, now a new dusting:

Festive, but I've had enough...just a few weeks until the Vernal Equinox...can't wait!

Nothing on the ground at my house in VA. Rain....might be ice for tomorrow's commute,

This morning's traffic/weather map, on the news, was bristling with accidents. I never saw so many indicated on the map of eastern NJ, all along Routes 80, 280, 46, 287, 3 , 4, 78, and roads leading into Staten Island and Long Island, lots of fender-benders for folks not as prepared ahead as you are intellectually for the challenge of slick roads. Don't let any hotheads hustle you along.

[sarge]

The scouts were lurking here Wednesday, and today sees robins by the hundredfold, here for the annual pre-spring berry-stripping; the Dungfield holly and barberry are getting their clean-up and groom for Spring.

[robert.]

Some cold friends

[rogruth]

Sarge,

I like how you put it about the birds.

[Nev]

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

Between the time I was 24 years old to 31 years old I never owned a car I was in the military during that time and never had a use for one.
So for seven years I never owned a car but had a lot of government cars at my disposal that the dumb civvy taxpayer payed for! Grin.
My son in London never owned a car for eight years, when he moved out of London to Kent he bought a car only for his wife he still travels to London by High Speed train it's not unusual to not own a car depends on where you live we don't really need a car everything is around us including a train and bus. We have the car mainly to visit family and friends across town.
When we go Bushwalking we catch a bus down south for six hours get off the bus and start walking home when we get sick of it we catch a bus again no car is needed I admit we live like peasants at home (Our Choice) all our friends and neighbours have two some three cars all these big fancy four wheel drive things we drive a little Ford Fiesta we are the odd ones out.
My biggest luxury is my trains and some of the costs are shared by my friend Bruce who helps me in return he uses them with me.
Nev.

[rogruth]

Nev,

It sounds from your description that you live a lifestyle that pleases you.
IMO nothing is more important. Good for you.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Now, there's an intriguing remark. I wouldn't even consider being without one - only time I did not have a car, since I was sixteen, was when I lived on Manhattan (for a year+, back in the late-60's) and you know why that would have been the case.

...it's not unusual to not own a car depends on where you live we don't really need a car everything is around us including a train and bus. We have the car mainly to visit family and friends across town.
... get off the bus and start walking home when we get sick of it we catch a bus again no car is needed I admit we live like peasants at home (Our Choice) all our friends and neighbours have two some three cars all these big fancy four wheel drive things we drive a little Ford Fiesta we are the odd ones out...
Nev.

Talk abut an "interesting remark" ! Tonight it is 2 degrees here, and that is not counting the wind-chill factor, which is significant here, tonight. It is dark. We just got out of a big church-social, and since I was a significant participant in this event, we ended up loading back into my "four wheel drive thing" (THANK GOD!) a full load of paraphernalia, top to bottom, front to rear door, leaving only a bit of room for my wife.

Wait for a bus in the dark cold night? NO. Carry the stuff home on our backs and return tomorrow by bus to retrieve the remaining load of stuff, making probably three trips more? Definitely not. No way. Not I. Nope. Why would I want to? Why should I ? Why oh why would I? And the church is only approx. four blocks ( 1/4mi.?) max. away.

Oh and by the way, I prefer central-heating over the fireplace in our house. No pot-bellied stove for us either. Why would I? The world invents some new convenience, I adopt it, likely, esp. if it provides further, enhanced safety and security from the elements and the hoodlums out there, ever at the ready to do harm.

And I doubt that's just me. Just I.

Now, all of this comes to you, Nev, with not the slightest bit of negativity or smart-mouth. I'm just sayin'. This is me. I love my cars and four-wheelthingy. I'm being friendly, and playful, of course, in my reply, but I am dead-serious in my affirmation to you. Dead serious.
Murph

[Nev]

Murph.
Don't get the wrong idea about the way Margaret and myself live.
We have four kids all married and they have everything they just regard us as eccentrics or "The Oldies".
Don't forget a few years back I was a car maniac the faster the better.
I never knock anyone about how they live it's their business if you knew me personally you would find that out.
My house is always open for visitors to the trains when I know someone is coming I don't run around frantically and tidy up they just have to accept the way we are or leave, no one has, they stay and have a good time, I have had to tell them to leave!
I'm easy, I'm cool, I'm cruising I love yuh.
Nev.