I still agree with our traffic act ... that it's a privilege ... to drive on the public highway. Any person has a right, wearing a seat belt or not, to drive any vehicle, licensed or not, passed mechanical/emissions test or not, on private property ... but only if s/he owns it. Or has the owner's permission ... which makes that situation a "privilege" that must be granted, doesn't it? How would you like to have me tell you that I have a right to drive my car on your driveway? farm? In our area, a youth can only drive on the public road initially if s/he can pass a test showing that s/he knows many of the traffic laws ... and only if accompanied by a licensed driver, for some time, until s/he has proved her/his capacity to operate a vehicle within appropriate parameters (which until that time does not include driving on an expressway, or driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or with more than one other youth in the car, or with any trace whatever of alchol on his/her breath) at which time s/he is granted an unrestricted licence (except can't have more than 0.08% of alcohol on his/her breath). And if s/he transgresses those parameters, the privilege will be withdrawn ... for a period. In fact, I don't have a right to drive any vehicle on the highway, as is. When I purchase a vehicle, it must pass certain mechanical tests and limited emission tests before the government allows me to put a licence plate on it, and if I am caught driving it on a public road without a licence plate, I have some serious consequences to face, regardless of whether I possess a driving licence. Actually, if I don't pay a fee before my birthday next year, the "right", "privilege" or whatever we choose to call it, will expire, and if I put it on the road the next day, there'll be consequences that I won't like (if I'm caught by certain designated persons policing the rules). Plus, every couple of years, it must re-pass an emissions test and if it doesn't, they won't accept my fee in order for me to continue to exercise my "right" ... "privilege" ... whatever ... to continue to operate it on the public roads (but I can operate it on my own farm, even if it doesn't pass the emissions test). If it's been through an accident and an evaluator assesses that it has suffered structural, rather than merely cosmetic damage, I will not be allowed the "right" ... "privilege" to continue to have a licence on it. But this issue is beside the point ... my suggestion here was that everyone choose to make a distinct effort to re-evaluate and most likely upgrade their driving knowledge and skills. Probably we upgrade our computers oftener than re-evaluate/upgrade our driving skills. But the choice not to re-evaluate/upgrade our computer will hardly ever be responsible for someone's death or serious injury, whether that of others or our own. ole joyful

Skunks and highways don't mix well ... and when they've tried, usually there's a reminder for later travellers for a time. Coons don't, either. Or dogs, for that matter ... and this f c doesn't mind running angleways over the road, ahead of the car: she hasn't been trained how to manage, around cars. (Skunks, either, for that matter). I took the course that stockbokers take, thirty years ago ... but there was some downturn in the markets and brokers weren't hiring. I got on with a mutual fund broker a couple of years later ... compensation totally by commission ... but after a year I hadn't sold enough to suit the second tier guy above me ... so was "decommissioned". Some years ago a parishuioner in the post office one day thought it a bit odd that his clergy person subscribed to "The Financial Post" ... ... and I allowed as how it was my impression that bread cost me the same price that it cost him. So I worked for years as a personal financial consultant selling no financial products - folks didn't need to watch me closely, to see whether I was talking out of the side of my mouth that dealt with what was good for them ... ... or the side of my mouth dealing substantially with what was good for me. When I worked for the mutual fund broker, there was a guy there who'd been a fee-only planner for some time prior to that, and he said that was a good way to starve ... and I somewhat agree. People claim that they'd like unbiased advice ... but wonder why they should pay me ... for advice that they can get elsewhere ... for free. "Free", huh? Most financial planners are actually sales-peiople ... for insurance or mutual funds ... or, in recent years, stockbrokers, as well. I'm in London, need to get my diuretic prescription refilled, and meet the mutual fund guy in a half hour, so ... ... see you all later. ole joyfuelled

Hi Lindy Lu Who ... ... well, a WA-HO-O-O (not a boo-hoo) about that one! Thank you for making such a wonderful addition to this discussion! I have some Hanes ... and they're blue, too! But ... I've never seen them configured like that! Or ... so occupied, either, for that matter. Also, with elastic still intact - so they're not available for this purpose. Yet. Isn't this a wonderful idea? No more worries about the shortcomings (or, more accurately, long goings) of the elastic: in fact, if it were even somewhat tight, it might cause a problem. If any of you would like to use my old undies in such a fashion, I'd be glad to spring for the postage, even trans-border, to help the ancient briefs find some useful things to do throughout their retirement! Or, more accurately, delay their retirement! I can guaratee that I'll not send holey ones ... and you don't need to worry about the "baggy" that someone referred to, as the only part that's stretched is the elastic (possibly due to not having large body parts to ride herd on). And no stained or dirty ones, either ... solely ones that look to be only in slightly used condition. Then, with these still-useful things having their remaining useful life taken care of, I can go buy new ones with a happy heart!! Adding it as an extra errand when going to town to take care of several needs at a time ... ... and turning off the engine and coasting downhill, and as approaching signal lights when they turn yellow, half a block away ... to be passed by people pushing the gas pedal ... then hitting the brakes about a hundred feet before the "Stop" line. I staked a couple of rows of peas and picked some of the regular and of the edible pod kind. Took them to a nighbour who treats me well, and their daughter and SIL were there, playing cards. Daughter loves peas, I gave her several of the edible pod kind ... and she shelled them and ate them. En route home, I thought that I should have taken the edible pod ones back and given her some of the regular kind ... if she was going to shell them, anyway. Had some of each kind for supper - second picking - delicious! I hope that you had an enjoyable weekend ... and are looking forward to the coming week with anticipation. ole joyful

Hi sock-it-to-'em, You don't even need to put me on your list - if you come here and ask, and I feel that I have anything useful to offer (or just want to have some fun with it) ... no doubt you'll hear from me, anyway ... unless I don't show up for a while. I'll be happy to be on your list: my email address is on my profile - all that you need do is go there. You're the first person in about five years that has made that request, if I recall correctly. I've even offered my phone number to a few, and on a rare occasion, especially if someone seems rather hard up, or deeply distressed, have offered that if someone gives me their phone number, I'll call them. Will you be on my list? Tell me about your training, skills, interests, contacts, vacation destinations, hobbies, experience in maintaining various home, auto, computer, leisure, etc. issues. You've probably become fairly familiar with a number of my training, skills, interests, etc. so that you may have an idea of what kinds of concerns about which you might feel it relevant to contact me. Plus - your email address, if it isn't on your profile. Good wishes for a really fine New Year. ole joyful P.. My friend gave me 5 pair of white sport socks for Christmas ... but no one gave me any underpants: will have to buy some for myself, I guess (if I want to stop the binding-around-the-knees by the half-dozen or so lazy-elastic ones). o j