Twelve years, two wars and billions of “borrowed” dollars gone down the rabbit hole…Al Queda, Iraq, Afganistan, Lybia, Arab Spring, NSA, Syria…. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Longest Day
D-Day, 6 June 1944 — Time once again to remember how much we owe to the “Greatest Generation.”
Bedford, VA is the home of the National D-Day Memorial. Why Bedford, VA you ask? Here’s the answer!
I’m Big, I’m Brick!
The latest McMansion rising from the rubble of a 1950s vintage house a few blocks away is not only larger than average, but it has a brick exterior. One doesn’t see too many new homes with all-brick exteriors going up here. The main reason for this is that they are quite expensive compared to those built with vinyl or fiber-cement siding and brick or stone veneer trim. The labor is more costly and so are the materials.
In addition to the higher cost of brick, there are other cost drivers. For example, local building codes require steel I-beams to support the weight of all-brick houses. The code allows most new houses with vinyl or fiber-cement siding to use less expensive I-beams made of wood products such as laminated veneer lumber.
The house is on a lot next to a another McMansion that was built earlier this year. This house has fiber-cement siding, over 3700 square feet of living space and sold for about $1.2M.
As one can see in the pictures, “I’m Big, I”m Brick” is somewhat larger. So I expect that the sell price will be substantially more than $1.2M.
April 2013
The First of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. (Mark Twain)
April brings us showers and Tax Day in the USA, the day that I, along with a number of other fools, occasionally have to send way too much money to the US Government.
The Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place about 20 miles east of here, is also a yearly April happening.
1461 Days
My bionic left hip was four years old yesterday. And, as far as I can tell, none the worse for wear. Old Lefty and my bionic right hip, which was four months old earlier this month have become BFFs. Despite their age difference, they have discovered they have much in common.
Homecoming 2013
My Alma Mater’s Homecoming celebration is taking place this week. Today’s events include the annual Tailgate Party, followed by a basketball game and fireworks. Today’s weather forecast is for a wintry mix, i.e., mixed freezing rain and snow, with temperatures ranging from the low to mid 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The Alumni Association and the various colleges and student organizations typically have heated tents where one can go to get relief from the weather. However, this year, entrance into the tents is limited to those who previously registered and bought tickets. Unfortunately I am not one of those people.
Too bad the university doesn’t play NCAA football. if It did, Homecoming would no doubt take place in the fall, when the weather is a bit more accommodating.