I'm Not Good Enough?

I'm on the bottom rung of the ladder. I'm the low man on the totem pole. I get the crust of the bread, the rind of the fruit, and the mold of the cheese. Actually, cheese mold on Brie is pretty good. As Marilyn Monroe said in "Some Like It Hot." "I always get the fuzzy end of the lolly-pop."

Last Wednesday Wanda and I went up to Nevada City for our 9th annual gathering at the Outside Inn. I'll write more about the trip over the next few days. We got home around 10 yesterday morning. We have a returning home routine and were settled in by 11. Over the rest of the day, where Wanda went, Steve the Cat was sure to follow. 

This morning Wanda left for the office, I went to Safeway. Upon my return I was greeted at the door. Steve said, "Meow...purr, meow." "Yep, hiya Stevie I'm home." He jumped off his window perch and came over for a pet and a scratch. Steve looked up with his big cat eyes and may as well have said, "It's just you? Where is Wanda?" He spent the next five minutes whining while looking in all the rooms.

I guess I know where I stand.

I do something stupid. I read the news.

We are in the beautiful California gold country foothills and I open my computer. The first thing that catches my eye: SOCIAL SECURITY RUNS OUT. The article says the system will be broke in twelve years. I plan on being around and I don't want to move in with the kids. I suppose Wanda and I can rent our house to cover most of the expenses and pitch a tent in the backyard.

HOME FOR RENT: REASONABLE, MUST BE WILLING TO SHARE BACKYARD AND BATHROOM WITH OWNERS.

If everyone is looking up, this may be why: ASTEROID HITS EARTH. This probably will not happen, but if it does social security money will be about the last thing on my mind. 

And if I don't have enough to worry about. 

If you think "Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo" is scary, here comes the deadly new SARS VIRUS. This is a virus that acts like a cold and attacks the respiratory system. At this point 27 of the affected 49 people have died, but its not too bad.

Here is the good news. Widespread transmission hasn't been seen, cases are only connected to the Middle east, underlying heath conditions may make you more susceptible and no travel warnings have been issued. 

The bad news? There are no treatments and no vaccine.

TIME SENSITIVE MAIL. MAIL CARD NOW: Cards received after the deadline (wonder what they mean by deadline) may NOT receive this information in a timely manner.

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE: You may qualify for a program that will pay your family up to $20,000.00 TAX FREE dollars. But only if you send us this card right now.

Social security broke? The SARS virus? Asteroid hitting the planet? Finally some good news, I may qualify for $20,000.00. Only if I die? It's a funeral benefit? That's like them betting I won't and me betting I will. No thanks, I'll take my chances with the virus and the big space rock.

And if I'm broke, living in a tent, and eating cat food, I just may welcome it.