Rain Dance

I know the sure fire way to make it rain.... when you don't want it to. We went through a very dry spell this winter. They got lots of snow in the mountains but very little here, in Denver. Of course, winter is the time we do little work outdoors, so it would be nice to get the snow then. But, no sir! No snow. Then March and April came and there was still very little moisture. The wild fires got going in the mountains and prairies and there was no rain or snow to slow them down.

Now the weather is warming and we can begin to work outdoors once again. I have some decks to repair and stain. But, hm, now there is rain every day. not enough to do the grass any good, but enough to keep me from staining the decks. If I didn't know better I'd think Obama was in charge. Oh, wait! He can;t be in charge because if he were he'd be printing money and sending it to me. Or something like that.

Anyway, want it to rain? Take a week's vacation and paint your house. But make sure you have alternate plans.

An Update on My Police Story

Yesterday I wrote a little about the police in our town. I was inclined top let it go at that. However, this morning as I pulled up to my local Starbucks there were four squad cars outside, and four officers inside. When I ordered my coffee I commented to the barrister that I felt well protected this morning. He said it's pretty much that way throughout the day.

A couple minutes later an officer said "good morning" to me. I replied that I feel pretty well protected this morning. I think I saw a light come in his eye and he promptly left. The other three hung around. But as he was leaving another officer drove up and entered.

But here is an observation: They parked in the choice parking places, only one of them ordered coffee, and now they are sitting in the choice places in the store. Like I said yesterday, we only need about half of these guys.

The Police in Our Town

Let me tell you a story about the police in our town. Actually, I could tell you several, but just one this time around. Well, maybe two.

About two years ago I bought a 2010 F-150 for my work. Because it was too large to fit in my garage until I made some adjustments in the garage I had to leave it out doors for the night. That night it was broken into and everything inside was stolen. It was early morning when I discovered this and I called the police. The person I talked to on the phone wanted me to file a report over the phone. I declined and wanted an officer to come to the house. I was told that they would be there shortly. I waited over an hour and nobody came. I called again and was told things were a little slow because of a shift change.

I knew that the police made it a habit of gathering in the morning at the local Starbucks. So I drove down there, and sure enough, there were four officers sitting there enjoying their coffee. I called the police department again and was told the same thing, a shift change was taking place. I told the dispatcher that I didn't believe that because I had just went down to Starbucks and several officers were sitting there. An officer appeared at my house within ten minutes.

Well, I go to this Starbucks a lot in the mornings and there are usually several officers sitting chewing the fat and complaining about their jobs. Interestingly, they don't always buy coffee. There are four officers here this morning (the typical number). Their average stay is 45 minutes to an hour. OH, by the way, they left their cars running outside. I'm sure the taxpayers are happy to pick up that tab.

How many jobs are there where you can spend one-eighth of you shift having coffee club? And is this the only place they do coffee, or do they spend that much time at another coffee shop?

I guess the other story I have for today is about one cop, does not involve others. But one day while I was in Starbucks, he was here meeting with his girlfriend. They got a little passionate and started making out inside the store. You don't believe me? I have pictures. These camera phones are really nice.

Ah, the last police officer just left. A 65 minute break at Starbucks. Hmm.

As far as I'm concerned our city could lay off half the day shift and put the rest of them to work.

Sorry, but that's the way I feel.