Monthly Archives: March 2015

70° at 45° North Latitude (Reprise)

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I get a free vacation day on the fifth Monday of every month. Enjoy these images from April of 2011, just four years ago.

This is what a 70° day can look like in Northern Vermont. Yes, that is Lake Champlain. Yes, that is snow on top of the ice on Lake Champlain. I took those photos April 9, 2011, when the ice was still in but a southern breeze had pushed warm air up from the Gulf of Mexico.

It is probably not that warm today.

Looking southerly:

Spring on Missisquoi Bay
 

Looking west (that speck in the distance may be what’s left of a fishing shanty):

Spring on Missisquoi Bay
 

Looking northerly:

Spring on Missisquoi Bay
 

Mmmmm, Turkey

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The Fiscal Times reports that the most popular sandwich in America is … wait for it … turkey.

Gobble GobbleI bought two turkeys on sale and put them in Joe’s freezer next door. We ate one at the appropriate holiday and left the other for the next big company meal.

I had not forgotten that but somehow, when Rufus was here, we spent all our time eating gumbo at Sparky’s or a really amazing pork loin with Ken and Beth and we simply didn’t eat the bird.

After turkey on the list of nearly 1,000 lunch eaters comes ham, chicken, a sub of indeterminate gender and dressing, and deli salad. I’m sorry to report that PB and J is down at number 6 on the Wall Street list and the BLT is even below that at number 7. In fact, the only other good news is that Other outperformed vege, wraps, vege wraps, and fish. Turkey-ham was nowhere on the list.

Other good news: more Americans make their sandwiches at home, schlep them to work, and eat them cold. OK, good for me but bad for restaurant owners. Packing a lunch helps stay within the monthly budget.

“Deep down, you know the truth: Any lunch you make yourself will taste 17 times better than the slimy chopped salad you’d end up buying…” Rachel Sanders wrote on Buzzfeed. Oddly, she includes the peanut butter, pickle, and potato chip sandwich but eschews (heh) turkey.

Do you think those more Americans carry a little, insulated, zippered sack or a Davy Crockett™ tin?

There are about 17,800,000 results to a search for packed lunches for adults. There are even more for kids. And not one that I surveyed mentioned packing a drink.

So.

SWMBO and I had the turkey. And had the turkey. And had the turkey. She gave up her PB and J for Lent. And we had turkey.

Don’t get me wrong. My dad ate a ham-and-cheese sandwich most lunches on most days of his adult life but I really like turkey and I particularly like turkey sandwiches.

True, I bounce around between turkey breast or tuna, ham or sliced egg, chicken or corned beef, and turkey breast. I eat roast turkey breast when I have it. Black peppered turkey. Smoked Turkey. Honey smoked turkey. Black Forest turkey. Chipotle turkey. Cajun turkey breast. Italian herb turkey. Mesquite turkey. Deep-fried turkey. And more. I like most turkey with a slice or two of fresh Florida tomato and a slice or two of seriously sharp Vermont cheddar cheese. A dab of mayo. The bread of the day may be sourdough white, potato, oatmeal, even the honey whole wheat in the fridge right now. I had it on a light rye the other day.

Just as important is a tall, cold glass of milk. Mmmmm.

Thank goodness for PB&J, though, because peanut butter jars are a time-honored tradition for carrying drinks. A peanut butter jar is about the right size, has a lid that seals, and fits perfectly in my cooler.

Back when I did commute to the office instead of rolling down the stairs, I carried a small upright cooler. It had room for a refreezable ice, my Pepsi™ bottle, a turkey sammie, the peanut butter jar of milk, and at least a couple of cookies.

I’m thinking it must be lunchtime.

 

Individual Income

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Vermont might not tax income received by a non-resident of Vermont. Except when they do. From Vermont’s “Find more information…” pages.

Non-Resident Income From Web or Internet Activities
“Income received by a non-resident of Vermont is not taxed by Vermont when the income results from activity necessary to create or maintain a world wide web page or internet site for the non-resident…

“Income received by a non-resident through a partnership, limited liability company or trust also is not taxed by Vermont if the entity’s activities in Vermont are limited to the above activities and no other activity of the entity creates nexus with Vermont.”[emphasis added]

I’m really wishing that the Vermont Tax Department didn’t feel the need to tell us that a non-resident’s non-Vermont income is not taxed by Vermont under these conditions because it reminds me that the Vermont Tax Department figures it can and will tax a non-resident’s non-Vermont income under those conditions.

 

What a Pile of Doggie Doo

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Miami-Dade Animal Services removed 42 Chihuahuas from a Miami-Dade home today; Animal Services cited “uncontrolled breeding.”

Say what?

There was no abuse, Animal Services said, but the unusually large number of dogs in the home appears to have resulted from uncontrolled breeding.

Say WHAT?

If you have more than four dogs, Animal Services will take them away from you.

Veterinarians examined the dogs, They found every last one is in good condition. Animal Services is putting the Chihuahuas up for adoption.

SAY WHAT???

Looks like you can have as many children as you want but if you have more than four dogs, Animal Services will break down your garage door and take them away from you. Then they’ll sell them to other people for $65 or $75 each.

Is this a great country or what?