Just two degrees of separation

Last Monday I went to the library early where trained volunteers from AARP do my income taxes for me - free. Of course I'm a fairly simple person, so don't have any major deductions.

I was Tom's first client that day. A 9 o'clock appointment was such that I was completely finished by 10.

Mike Brubaker is another blogger, who I read when he posts weekly on Sepia Saturday...his passion for old post cards and marching bands usually.

In 2021 I met his wife, Claudette, by a chance encounter at the AARP tax preparation site at our library. She started telling me (in her wonderful English accent) about her husband's penchant for collecting post cards, and his blog. We then knew immediately that I was the Barbara who had commented on his blogs, and posted my own on the same meme of Sepia Saturdays. 

I've been blogging for around 14 years, and much of that time contributed to Sepia Saturday. So has Mike!

I do enjoy what thorough posts Mike comes up with, mostly musically oriented as he plays in the local orchestra, and has an extensive knowledge of brass instruments. 

This week I've again had Claudette review my taxes before they were sent off to the IRS. As her first client, she was gracious and cheerful, and very particular at doing the review.

And I am done for this year with the tax requirement. But since this post doesn't have any old photos, I won't use it for Sepia Saturday this week!

I must note that on Monday I was planning to go to an important meeting of the Social Action Committee as it began to stretch further into dealing with climate change. Meeting was at 1 o'clock, and I proceeded to sit here blogging away till 1:55 when I noticed the time. Guess I missed that meeting. I had some trepidations about volunteering to do things, and not always being successful at carrying them out. I guess my trepidations won out that time.

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A FYI:

(202) 224-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator. To place a call to say whatever you wish about the coup d état.

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Today's quote.

Our glad hearts, accepting the miracle of this moment, this breath, this day, this life—that is the foundation of all sanity.

TERRY PATTEN  Today's art - new friendly furrby. Benny I think.  She was helping her mom, Sarah Ann, welcome people and make sure they had their identifications to do their taxes at the library. The only way she (dog) would stay still for a photo was when she begged for a belly rub. Sharing with Eileen's Saturday's Critters!

Necessities in the time of Covid-19

I am hunkered down, except a couple of outings that cannot be postponed.

Here in NC our cars have yearly tags which means paying taxes to city and state. Before they are issued, each car must be inspected by an authorized car repair place...and lots of them offer this.

I postponed getting this done, so Friday last week, I figured I'd better do it before everyone shut down their businesses. I'd waited to avoid the crunch at the end of last month, but it's due at the end of March.  I dare say taxes will still be collected, though the envelopes may not be opened on time.

My favorite mechanic was busy as usual, but also checked a belt that had been squealing, and he said it doesn't need replacing yet. Isn't this shop just like they probably always have been? The parking lot is always crowded with cars and I just pull up in whatever free area is available.  I sat wearing a mask and reading a book in their cluttered waiting room, and caught them working on various computers, one of which eventually printed out my inspection. Yay, my little car is good for another year.  I was even offered the staff washroom in case I wanted to wash my hands.

I will be taking some bleach-water and disinfecting the car a bit (except upholstery of course) from wherever I think R.T. touched things. Just being cautious. He was wearing rubber gloves himself to work on it!

Poor Richard's inevitibles - death and taxes

I think I'm an optimist. But of the pessimistic variety.  Which means that I prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and worry a little bit to help oil the friction that might happen.

 Early this morning I went to the education room at the library and waited for volunteers (with training) from AARP to help prepared my taxes for the governments under which I live.

I had gone last week too late to get served, so this week I returned earlier and was the 3rd on the list...and before they started taking new folks, I would get to go to the three stations one by one.

 I only waited a half hour or so for the first "intake" interview, to make sure I'd answered all the questions on their forms.  Then I had an hour wait for the next interview, during which I noticed people going ahead of me, so I went to the clerical type person in charge of the list of names to say I was wondering how they got ahead of me.  She said the list was confusing and messed up, and that I'd be called soon.  Which in another 10 minutes I was.  So that was the interview with a computer to enter all my data.  Since I'd been there last year (and many years before) it was just a job of a few minutes to enter this year's information.  And then I thought I'd have another half hour wait, so I went to my car and got a sip of my coffee (no food or drinks allowed in the library).

I decided not to stay out there, and as I walked back inside, the gentleman was calling me already for my last interview. Another 10 minutes and I signed my IRS and State of NC forms, and was done, as they e-taxed them off to the respective governments.

I'm going to join AARP now.  They've served me so well with this service, all for free, though it does take a dedication of about a whole day to wait usually.  That's why I didn't stay last week, with the assurance that coming back this week I'd get through faster.

Many of the people who come to these Tax Clinics have more difficult taxes to be worked with, though I'd say most of them are retired like myself.  It is certainly a blessing to me. I prepared my own taxes for many of my working years...but I'd have to read about all the changes each year.  I'm glad that someone else is doing that now.

"I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward." 

Charlotte Brontë