I had a bit of an argument with Political Man today. When he found out I refuse to apply for food stamps he said I was: "Cutting off my nose to spite my face." He gets Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps. He pays a ridiculously low price for his meds. All this although his boyfriend, in his own words, "has money." And he spends $500 a month on marijuana. At least that's his own money. He feels no compunction about spending other people's. He is baffled that I would choose to spend my own money rather than accept hand-outs. Will this country survive, let alone thrive, if the sense of entitlement becomes ingrained throughout the middle class? I tried to change the subject to music, citing an op-ed piece by George Will in today's NY Post that paid tribute to the Beach Boys, who PM has seen in concert 14 times and whose best albums he recently purchased on CD, but he insisted. He seemed shocked as he walked away. I guess he'd assumed I was a liberal.
How hot was it? I felt like I was wearing a hat, even though I wasn't. Although the temperature was higher than yesterday, there was at least a breeze to mitigate it, provided one stood in the shade. Business wasn't as good for the floating book shop, but at least I had three buyers, a few dollars I wouldn't have earned staying home. Alan refused the "Heat Wave Discount" I'd given to others. Thank you, sir. A couple of people commented on the sleeveless T-shirt I was wearing, a gift purchased long ago in the Dominican Republic by my mom's home attendant, Germania, who still sends me candy at Christmas and a card for my birthday. I miss trying to speak Spanish to her.
The hardest part of the session was having to move the car for Alternate Side. Fortunately, I found a spot a half block away and exited before I melted. It's supposed to be a little bit cooler tomorrow. That'd be nice, especially if the thunderstorms hold off until late afternoon. One woman who greets me every day said this was her favorite kind of weather. It takes all kinds to make a world, and we're all better off for it. Even someone like Political Man is valuable, as he shows us how not to live.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://membershttp://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
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