Late Whimsy + GOMER Returns + Exclusive Resort Review

special sat edition of whimsical wed

Wednesday Whimsy . . . on Saturday

From Lincoln Journal Star (1/7):  "Do I really need this? . . . Box of love. Can't express your feelings adequately through emoticon-filled text messages? For you, there's the Lovebox. The wooden box--made by a French startup, of course--plugs into an outlet & connects to Wi-Fi. A heart on the outside spins when you get a message. Open the lid to see a digital screen with the message. You can reply with a digital heart by rotating the heart on the box . . . " [You probably think I'm going to make a snarky comment about the French. How little you know me . . . I can hardly wait to put this on the next Hill Family Christmas drawing list!]

From Omaha World Herald (1/10):  A figure to inform, or maybe freak out, parents-to-be. Expecting a baby? The Dept. of Agriculture says the estimated cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610, or as much as almost $14,000 annually . . . " [SEE related excerpt which follows.]

Also from OWH (1/10):  "5 mistakes Americans make with their money.  1. Not paying their bills on time . . . 2. Carrying too much credit card debt . . . 3. Spending too much on housing . . . 4. Living outside your means . . . 5. Tapping their retirement accounts early . . . " [Based on previous excerpt, I'm adding . . . 6. Failing to keep all receipts related to child-raising expenses, enabling parents to present offspring w/bill when offspring move out of house.]

G.O.M.E.R. Returns *

Weather Forecast:  Since last night I've been following weather reports--both online & on the radio--about a winter storm watch that could affect both the Lincoln & Norfolk areas . . . 100% chance of an ice storm, including up to 1/4" of ice, beginning Sunday & lasting into Tuesday. For years now the tendency of weather forecasters has been to go with the worst case scenario, which is better for them than to fail to call a winter storm & be wrong. This does not make it easy for those of us suffering from general anxiety disorders. Hey, here's an idea for weather forecasters! When they nail it, they get a bonus. When they miss it, they get fined by the FCC or FAA or NCAA or whomever. Seems fair to me.
* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants

Bracing for & Racing toward Retirement

It still looks like my official early retirement date will be 3/1/17 . . . & it still looks like I may need some supplemental income. Imagine my delight to see this item, also from the LJS (1/13):  "Austrian town looking to hire a part-time hermit. Wanted, PT: a hermit. Experience not necessary. Municipal & Roman Catholic church officials in the Austrian town of Saalfeldern are looking for someone to live in a nearby hermitage built into steep cliffs characteristic of the Salzburg region . . . "
      I got my hopes up. What's not to like? A hermit-like existence! Undoubtedly a beautifully, scenic, mountain-top fortress! And no mention of a need to renounce my Lutheran heritage . . . And then I read on . . . 
      "But a 2nd job is advisable. The parish website says the position is unpaid. And because it's unheated & without running water, the hermitage is inhabitable only between April & November."

CONclusion:  It ain't gonna happen.

Exclusive Bonus Resort Review

Lois & I were privileged to stay at the Casa de Hill in Wichita Falls, TX. checking in on Dec. 26 & checking out on Dec. 30. We've stayed there before; as always we were not disappointed.

• Reservation process:  ***** out of ***** stars
• Host & hostess ***** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  Always a delight to visit with this charming couple. They laugh at my jokes & it's fun to talk football with the host.
• Accommodations  *** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  Although the bedroom was somewhat small compared to the suites we are used to, we had our own private lavatory, & the Texas motif was warm & welcoming. Also, plenty of shampoo & soap [although no extras to take home w/me.]
• Amenities  **** out of ***** stars  COMMENTS:  There was a hot tub located outside. I did not use it. Lois did & found it adequate. Daily newspaper was provided & I found it very informative & suitably conservative, unlike deplorable USA Today, provided at so many other resorts & hotels these days. TV generally tuned to FB games--nice since Lois & I cancelled Direct TV at home--also rarely if ever tuned to CNN & MSNBC. [Must point out that guests were watching CNN one morning.]
• Food & Coffee Service  ***** out of ***** stars. COMMENTS: Ample selection of dark coffee, wine & beer was available. Also, biscuit & gravy breakfast casserole. We were introduced to this delicacy at the hosts' related resort property at Little Island Lake near Nevis, MN last summer. Much better than biscuits & gravy at Super 8.
• Other guests  **** out of ***** stars. COMMENTS:  We had been led to believe that we dared not discuss politics & religion w/these guests, but it turned out that--for the most part--we were able to set aside hypothetical differences & converse like adults [even w/guests who technically may not have achieved "adult status."] One minor complaint . . . the hot tub was located just outside our bedroom window. One night two of the younger guests--rumor has it that one of them may have been the hosts' youngest offspring--caroused late into the evening. Evidence in the form of a plethora of "empties" were left on the patio for all to see the next morning.