What Happens When You Don't Pay Your Water Bill

My ride-alongs with the Wombie over to Seaton on a daily basis to do the readings was fairly benign stuff. Jot down the numbers, look at the meters, drop some water softener into the vat and generally make sure all was well isn't the kind of stuff that makes your heart race.

Along with taking care of the water the AquaMaster must also stop the spigot for those who do not pay their bills. It is safe to assume that Seaton's water-stoppage policy is far more liberal than, say, Galesburg, who I suspect do not get the time to pay the bills that Seaton allows.

But on this day, Mark must turn the water off at two homes. It is also safe to assume that turning water off a family's home has changed from the Rockwellian days of our childhood to shoot first and answer questions after of today's world.

So it was with more than just a little apprehension that we set out to do exactly that.

This is the process of ruining a family's day. Turning off water is a BIG deal wherever you are, but the stuff isn't free and a bill is a bill, after all. So while Mark found the turnoff, removed the plate and then the special tool which turns a recessed valve bolt, I stood guard. But today, at this house, nobody was home. It began to look a lot like the former inhabitants had already left the place and was abandoned.

At the other house, the old Douglas place, we already knew to be empty. Someone had said access could be had from the back deck area but it was all locked. We called the Galesburg realtor who listed the place and they provided the door code for entry. Inside the old Victorian we saw that a lot of money had been put into it and was pretty darn nice, but a separation/divorce has left the place empty and for sale. But if you go check it out don't turn on any of the faucets, the Blythe Boys have struck again.

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Flashback Friday

Class, Or Lack Thereof The Dwight Vice gravestone in Oquawka, Illinois. I bring this old chestnut out every so often just to remind me that class is classless. Dwight Vice was killed in his home near Oquawka in 2001. It was one of those things that can generate crime: two guys thought Dwight had a lot of money stashed at home because of his pot-selling sideline to supplement his fishing job. Not really one of those big drug deals gone-bad things. Marijuana was, according to the trial, about the only stuff Dwight sold. But these two guys barge into the house and killed Dwight and attempted to kill his 11 year old kid, Darryl, before they took off with what money they could find. His son, now 23, was stabbed in the back and left for dead. He survived and is wheelchair bound and has undergone several surgeries to repair his wounds. He will be paralyzed for life. None of this is pleasant. Reading the facts of the murder and attempted murder are most unpleasant

Summer Swim

It's Monday and the start of another work week. Except for me. I have the week off because the parents of my daycare charges are taking the week off, too. This is one of those wordless posts I love on Mondays so I can put my laziness in full view of loyal readers. These pics need no words. Why muddy the waters? They were taken at the pool at Sinkhole Estates aka Death Valley. The nice thing about this pool is it is heated in winter. If one must find positives in one's situation, I suppose that is one. But, please, no more.

Florida Air Museum - Part 3

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