August 16

The old dock seemed to make it through another rough weekend without any visible structural failures. They do add up I'm sure. We've had this dock for over twelve years with at least eleven of them being out here where it's pretty rough. Man, that's over 572 weekends with probably at least half of them that could be classified as rough. Pretty tough dock when you get to thinking about it.

Good old Missouri weather is calling for a chance of rain almost everyday this week. A fresh Missouri morning has started here with the sun out and most of the early clouds having dissipated but Missouri weather can change faster than a third look out the window. When you live in the country and seldom go anywhere, about the only variable you can get is the weather.

"Variety is the spice of life" but in Boulder City, variety in the weather isn't an option. Once in awhile you have a rare day or two but if variety is wanted it comes down to choosing from a multitude of gambling joints. Usually the choice is based upon the daily food specials or a so called freebie that never is.

Outside it is always hot and windy. Leaving a casino, scooting to your air-conditioned car through all the heat and the constant blowing wind tends to mess your mind into putting the blowing of your money somewhere way down on the list as not to be that noticed. That is until the end of the day. While relaxing from the enjoyable day you discover that the enjoyment came with a fair sized price tag. Unfortunately or fortunately, a good nights sleep dilutes that devastating realization and you eagerly pick your spice for the new day.

I'm not saying that all the visitors to the casinos, including us, are always losers, everyone has some winning moments or days but rarely does the winning moments of any given week exceed the money invested. It can happen but I wouldn't want to buy something on time and expect to pay it off out of my winnings.

Despite the cost of living and gambling, have you noticed how popular it remains?..........BS