Bailout, Idiots and B&B

Remember when gas prices shot up to over $4.00 a gallon last fall? Remember what the news people kept telling us? Hurricane in the gulf shut down the supply lines therefore demand was higher than supply. Turns out that was all a big fabrication. Now focus on the bailout. Think of the financial institutions that have received our money because they were going broke. Turns out that is all a big fabrication too. Some very smart people have traced subsidiaries of these same financial groups to huge holdings and stockpiles of oil and those same groups are trading in oil futures that were driving the prices up; one day alone the price of a barrel jumped $25. 60 Minutes broke this story this past Sunday and I must admit when I heard this I was furious. There are individuals in our country on the verge of losing everything they have ever worked for yet our government in its infinite wisdom has seen fit to give our money to these institutions to “bail” them out of what? When do you think the citizens of the United States are going to start paying attention and say enough is enough?
I spent a little time at North Augusta’s newest B & B this week. Carolina Oaks (819 Carolina Avenue), owned by Rachel and Kenny Franklin, is a lovely example of what one would expect in a bed and breakfast. The Franklins have done a wonderful job of making this 1905 Victorian into a warm inviting place to visit. As you walk up to the entrance the first thing you notice is the front porch with its comfortable seating areas; just the place for an afternoon of reading or enjoying an iced tea in the sultry summer afternoon. Upon entering you are enveloped in the warmth of the large foyer. As you make your way in there is a very comfortable sitting room to the right adjoined by a spacious dining area with a fire burning in the fireplace. Immediately you feel comfortable and at home. Add to this the restored hardwood floors throughout the main floor you can’t help but want to sit a spell and soak in the ambiance or imagine the history. Upstairs there are three guest rooms that have been lovingly furnished just waiting for you, the guest, to unload your stresses and take in the tree top views.
Don’t you just love it when you go to a drive thru for anything; food, bank, or to pay a bill and the person in front of you wants to carry on a conversation with the window person or is on the phone or is so busy talking with the passenger that they just sit there when the transaction is complete? The best is when they change their mind and want something else instead of what they ordered thereby making everyone behind them wait while they decide. Either they have total disregard for anyone else or they do it on purpose; either way it drives me crazy.