Fly fishing is a solitary sport. Even though hordes of fly fishing enthusiasts travel for hours of miles to gather on the banks of their favorite stream on opening day, fly fishing itself is a solitary exercise. Robert Traver captured this concept in his book Trout Madness (Simon & Schuster, 1989).
"... I need not consider the convenience or foibles or state of hangover of my companions, nor, more selfishly, feel any guilty compulsion to smile falsely and yield them a favorite piece of water."
Royal Dun
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Nemo the Turkey
On the usual route from the city to our home in the 'burbs' we pass by several homes that either back up to a wooded tract or are spaced about 100 feet apart. One of these homes has several domesticated chickens that hang around the yard doing whatever chickens do. About a week before Thanksgiving Day, my wife and I were driving by and spotted a turkey, a jake, scratching and pecking along with the chickens.
It was an amusing sight to see this lone jake, four times the size of the chickens, feeding with them. He showed no particular concern about the passing cars as he and his smaller dining buddies worked the lawn only 10 feet from the road. No nearby flock was ever seen by us. This time of the year, turkeys flock together, move around, and establish wintering grounds. That's the reason it was so unusual to see a lone turkey.
Every day we would see the jake picking through the grass with chickens. My wife observed that such behavior could only be the result of superior intelligence. She figured the turkey was hiding from hunters. With Thanksgiving only a week away, passing himself off as a chicken was a stroke of genus genius, so to speak. She named him Nemo, after the Disney Pixar character who hid from dangers among his friends.
After Thanksgiving, both the chickens and Nemo disappeared. We don't think they were victims of the homeowner. Snow came early this year, so the chickens most likely treated to their hutch. As for Nemo, we wish him well, wherever he is. Each time we pass, we look toward the house with hopeful anticipation.
Royal Dun
It was an amusing sight to see this lone jake, four times the size of the chickens, feeding with them. He showed no particular concern about the passing cars as he and his smaller dining buddies worked the lawn only 10 feet from the road. No nearby flock was ever seen by us. This time of the year, turkeys flock together, move around, and establish wintering grounds. That's the reason it was so unusual to see a lone turkey.
Every day we would see the jake picking through the grass with chickens. My wife observed that such behavior could only be the result of superior intelligence. She figured the turkey was hiding from hunters. With Thanksgiving only a week away, passing himself off as a chicken was a stroke of genus genius, so to speak. She named him Nemo, after the Disney Pixar character who hid from dangers among his friends.
After Thanksgiving, both the chickens and Nemo disappeared. We don't think they were victims of the homeowner. Snow came early this year, so the chickens most likely treated to their hutch. As for Nemo, we wish him well, wherever he is. Each time we pass, we look toward the house with hopeful anticipation.
Royal Dun
Michigan Tries to Collect Sales Taxes on Out-of-State Sales
My state, Michigan is pushing hard to collect sales taxes for all internet sales by Michigan residents. Well, senators and representatives, now we know for whom you really work.
First, the argument about a fair, equal playing field for storefront businesses is a specious and biased. When items are purchased on-line there are significant shipping charges attached (creates shipping jobs). That makes internet prices relatively equal to storefront prices, even though storefront businesses pay very little for shipping on a per item basis.
First, the argument about a fair, equal playing field for storefront businesses is a specious and biased. When items are purchased on-line there are significant shipping charges attached (creates shipping jobs). That makes internet prices relatively equal to storefront prices, even though storefront businesses pay very little for shipping on a per item basis.
Secondly, if I buy something out of state, the transaction occurs where the money is exchanged for the product (according to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Since the money is received and product shipped out of state, no state taxes are due except perhaps the state housing the distribution center (an incentive for states to attract distribution centers).
Third, if I purchase anything out of state what right does my state have to levy a tax on it? Yes, I am familiar withe the "use tax" concept and it should go the way of laws protecting slavery.
Finally, I buy locally first when I can, but guess what? Retailers stock their shelves with the merchandise that brings the greatest profit, not the greatest customer satisfaction. I like to see, touch, and smell my merchandise when possible but when the choices are so limited, I might buy on-line.
Instead of helping consumers find ways to stretch their dollars, and have better choices, I view congressional support for the Marketplace Fairness Act (S.743) as working against my interests as a citizen and for the interests of the business lobby. In the end, I can do very little. After all, those with the guns (power to arrest) are able to rob from the citizens with impunity.
Royal Dun
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