You may have noticed that last month our little newsletter was rather short as there was little to write about. I don't like to talk about 'what we are going to do' but only what we have actually done. Plans may come and go but completed projects are a done deal. As many of those projects are now completed we have long tall tales to write about.
Honey, we need a BBQ!
Yes dear....
Years ago, as in many, many years ago, I built this 5 X 10 foot (1.70 m X 3.3M) split faced block foundation for what was to be a wood fired BBQ. Slipping way back on the to-do list, it served as a burn bin and saw many years of service disposing of all manner of wood scraps from projects plus tons of garden weeds and debris from all over our 3 acre property. As we have developed more of our 'yard' it became obvious that I had been a little over enthusiastic in super sizing the structure. It was big enough to BBQ a whole cow. Besides, in the meantime, the boss had decided she now preferred a professional commercial grill. So, I got busy and retired the burn bin and put Humpty Dumpty together.
Over the past 60 days, we have worked on and completed a few other large projects. Some expensive but not so sexy like replacing the furnace and air conditioning system in the house, as well as having our 600 foot driveway and large parking area re-sealed. Important infrastructure stuff to keep the house fresh and new. Other projects completed were...
Honey, can you build a pizza oven?
Can I build a pizza oven?
Is the Pope Catholic?
Roll the dough out baby, I am almost there!
Statistics
California is still a terrific place to live but unfortunately has lost an awful lot of its luster. Without getting on with another one of my often unwelcomed political rants, the fact is that many current policies and decisions have allowed, enabled and encouraged the things that have diminished the quality of life of the states residents. The homeless population in the big cities has exploded to an unprecedented level, causing an exodus not only to the more rural areas but out of the state altogether. In San Francisco, thousands of homeless are currently housed in city hotels at taxpayers expense. Since the poor are stuck, it is folks with financial means that are leaving. The homeless issue has begun to show itself ever so slowly in our county also but to relatively negligible state, to date. Thankfully, we are untouched in our immediate area.
The ongoing debate (more like a war really) over allowing illegal aliens (called undocumented migrants by some) to access the resources paid for by the state taxpayers is tearing at the social fabric because less resources are then available for the wants and needs of the citizens (Hospital upgrades, road maintenance, parks, etc.) Elections have consequences and the new administration has clearly decided the direction this discussion will go. (You see, I can be diplomatic!!)
Meanwhile, the cost of living in California to pay for these policies is very high and we have the highest taxes in the country. I stumbled across some statistics and it showed that the cost of a home in California is over twice the national average. In the county we live in, it is well over 3 times the national 'average' at $733,000. In San Francisco, the average home price is set at $1.6 million.
Its official
Our tickets have been refunded and we have been kicked to the curb. Much like Michael Jackson, we have been told to "Just Beat It!". France has pulled the rug out from under us and told us that with the current Covid situation we may not return to our home until further notice. The current plan is to return to the Island in Canada in early May, unless we are 'persona non grata' there too. We just might be.
The Canadian government has announced that any non essential travelers that fly into the country must not only produce a Covid free test but must quarantine for three days at a government designated hotel at a cost of nearly $2000 per person. No that is not a typo. Then, you can proceed to your home to self quarantine for the next 14 days.
If you drive in (like us) you must also provide a Covid free test and if you don't have one there is a $2370 fine. Is it me or am I feeling the welcome mat being pulled from under me?
Had I known in March
that it was the last time I would be in a restaurant
I would have ordered the dessert.
