Inflation

 So, my great tire odyssey was...anticlimactic?  I woke up slightly earlier than usual and reported to the Goodyear place on Ames right at 7 when they opened; just me and a couple of techs.  I pulled up, they filled up all the tires, I turned on the car, and lo and behold, no warning light!  I gave the tech an SEC handshake in gratitude, and he seemed...confused?  Maybe he didn't expect it, but to me, it was more than worth it, just for the peace of mind.  

Anyways, off to the food pantry; I arrived promptly (if early) at 7:30, and, of course, there were a couple of clients in line.  Mind you, we generally don't start serving until 8:30, if not later.  Alas.  I do enjoy getting there early, before everyone (especially when I am managing), as I can sort of mentally plan what to give out, what to prioritize, etc.  We had lots produce, so that was priority one -- everyone got a 5-lb bag of potatoes, lettuce, peppers, and fruit (apples and oranges).  Also bread and some random snacks, in addition to the meat and canned goods.  We were steady but not terribly busy (90, instead of the 120 we have had) which was fine, but we pushed slightly less produce in consequence.  Alas; that we really cannot control, especially as many clients don't want that much.  Anyways, it was a good and fairly smooth day, always a plus.

Finished book 11 yesterday:  Manifest Destiny's Underworld, which concerned the rise and fall of filibustering in pre-Civil War America.  Quite interesting, actually; lots of stuff about why the went, what happened to them (generally nothing good), and the fact you could argue that the distrust of America in Latin America stems from them (even 150 years from the time!).  I also thought that now...well, Haiti seems the place you could almost get away with it today; maybe not with the gringo thing, but a failed state, lots of opportunities for "Security" and thus profit... one can almost see it.  Almost.

https://aeon.co/essays/what-was-it-like-to-grow-up-in-the-last-ice-age

This was quite fascinating!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/business/inflation-food-prices-seniors.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_20230215&instance_id=85399&nl=todaysheadlines&regi_id=31060267&segment_id=125355&user_id=f914b0e213c5e2b4265494b6d07fe88f

I made a post on FB about this, and... I still think I am correct.  Yes, some seniors are poor and can barely make it, but... I see plenty of others hitting the casino, or, as my sister likes to say, eating out while saying they can't afford to vote for the school levy.  I am willing to bet that seniors are more able than others to absorb these costs, mainly because of all the other economic advantages they have accrued over time, like high savings and 9,000 discounts; it's not too much ask them to cut back when everyone else has to as well, is it?