A Short Note on The Food of The Aged Poor 

It is sometimes reported that the elderly poor are driven to the pet food aisles to purchase their daily meals;  a small serving of “Precious Puss” or “Bowser Treat” providing a nutritious protein snack.

I was set to thinking about this the other day when I read the proud boast on my cat’s food can: “Provides the same proportion of fat and protein as a mouse!” No kidding.

Well, instead of buying cat food, why not simply trap its equivalent and prepare a tasty mouse Haggis. Excellent hot, and fine cold with Indian Chutney.

Easy Haggis recipes may be found on line.

 In a year when Democrats are focused on reclaiming control of the state legislature they are conceding elections in senate and house races before a vote is cast.

There are no Democratic candidates for a seat in the state Senate in Districts 1, 12, 13, 15, 22, and 23.

In House races things are almost as bad, with no contests in five districts: Districts 1, 12, 13, 22, and 23.

What in the world explains this premature surrender? What do the wise grey heads of party officialdom have to say? Most likely the following:

1. We are so vastly outnumbered in those districts, that we judge winning to be virtually impossible.

2. Even if we though there might be a slim chance of winning in one of those districts, we can find no one to run. (No one volunteers for a political forlorn hope.)

2. Elections are expensive; we must save money for tight races.

The decision not to run is based on a serious misjudgment; it’s based on the idea that the only reason you run in such districts is to win. This is a mistake, and besides you’ve already decided you are hopelessly outnumbered and can’t win.

So, no, winning is not the point. The point is having a voice; the point is being able to criticize the other side’s feckless arguments; the point is being able to defend Democratic policies at all levels in debates and interviews. Surely, amongst all the argumentative and fiercely combative Democrats, the party should have been able to find 11 quick-witted debaters to take on their opponents.

What is to be done? If I understand election law you can still run as a write-in candidate in the primary, although I’m not sure of the number of signatures required to get on the ballot.  I’m sure some reader, probably Ms. Classen, will set me straight.

I believe the deadline for filing an affidavit of intention to run as a write-in is only four days away, so expecting some write-in candidates to volunteer this late in the game   is probably naively unrealistic.

If not this year, then 2014 for sure. And turn that white flag into a battle banner by writing “No Surrender” on it.

If you’re the sort of motorcyclist who would  (almost) rather ride than eat; if all that really worries you about old age and death is that there might not be riding in haven, then the chance for one last ride might have some appeal.

An outfit in Vail Arizona has just the service for you, an old- fashioned hearse pulled by an elegant Harley Trike. Just the thing for your last earthly journey.

Hank Brouwer is the owner/operator of the  Vail Arizona  Boot Hill Hearse Company. Boot Hill is a company that originated in Ontario, Canada, and now, happily, is available to us here in the Boot Hill state.

The Data Port doesn’t have a financial finger in Boot Hill pie, but I must admit that the idea that the old guy might take his last ride that way has some appeal. Put the urn in front, load the back with cases of beer and bubbly and throw one last party for the club.

Boot Hill Hearse Website: Click

Or phone them here: 520-762-9342