Name: |
greycove
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 10:42:45 AM
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Rich on WSFA in Montgomery (might have seen) notes that May will be the driest one since records began in 1888. We sit at .23 inches. All time low is .50. We have easily broken that. Unless we get a rain by midnight, about as likely as my hair suddenly growing back, this is one for the weather history books.
I would not be so concerned, but this drought is long term. Auburn finished 9 inches below average in 2006. We are even further behind in 2007, and it is only May. We have seven more months to go up? or even further down?
Perhaps??? Chicken Little was right, the sky is falling.
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Name: |
PC Al
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 11:30:03 AM
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Being retired, I am thinking about pulling out of this part of the country. With two houses, it seems like all we do is water and irrigate from early spring to late fall. You can’t go anywhere without thinking about the plants back home. And we have irrigation systems at both places. The cool mountains of North Carolina are looking better and better to me every year.
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Name: |
greycove
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Subject: |
good point...
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:07:54 PM
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I am nearing retirement. Been coming to the lake for over 30 years. It seems to me we have had serious water level problems for at least the last 10 years. We cannot count on having even near fool pool water as early as the first of August. This has become very frustrating. For example, having to cancel a famly gathering on the 4th. Canceled having friends up last August, mud everywhere.
Being retired, I would not mind driving to another lake. I am also thinking about looking for another lake place within two hours that does not have such wide fluctuations in the water level.
Wonder what other old-timers think? Any suggestions for other lake options withing two hours of Martin?
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
good point...
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:24:01 PM
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I have friends with a place on Mitchell and they say they do not see the huge changes in water level that we do at Martin. I did see an article on al.com that said the Power Co will be pulling from other lakes as well, so I am not sure any lake in AL will escape this drought. WE all need to wash and WAX our cars. The perfect spot is what you make of it. We might not have full pool this summer, but the summers we do make it all worth while. Look at it this way, you are saving engine hours on your boat this year! You can search the beach for arrowheads that are normally 10+ ft underwater.
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:29:37 PM
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The snow in the mountains would get to me.....like the sun and water...even when there is less than what we feel we are due!
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Name: |
boblee
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:34:55 PM
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....and you know the rest of the Chicken Little story, yet you quote it?
bl
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Name: |
Feb
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Subject: |
All I Can Add
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:41:07 PM
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If your are retired and/or retiring, then do your homework. Lets get away from the beauty of the Lake for a minute. Check out the hospital systerm, taxes and other factors of where you are retiring. Florida has no State Income tax, but as all of us know they have high sales taxes and very high property taxes. You have to look at the big picture.
If you Company offers a retirement class, then take advantage. If not, consider such a class at your own expense. It may save you a lot of money and bad experiences in the future.
I for one would not retire to Florida or the 1/2 way State back (North Caroliana). There are too many retirees there and for no good reason other than Florida being a sun State ahd NC being famous for all the retirement communities and golfing. I get at least two or three pieces of litter in my mail everyday from developments in NC. There must be a big profit made by some developers trying to lure future retirees.
None of my business, but choice wisely. The hills of TN are just as nice as anything in NC.
I am not a beach person.
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Name: |
Carnac
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Subject: |
apples & oranges
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Date:
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5/31/2007 12:53:10 PM
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You already know this, but for the sake of some others, here goes. The folks on Lake Mitchell won't see drastic changes to their water levels this year for important reasons. Lakes Lay, Mitchell and Jordan are not reservoirs. APCO calls them "run of the river" lakes. They are also on the Coosa River which has far more inflow than Martin and Harris reservoirs on the Tallapoosa. Also, any water released from Georgia's Lake Altoona would not find its way to the Tallapoosa but to the Coosa.
I've fallen prey several times this year already and decried the early and rapid drop in the water level. And I'm confident that I'll decry it more as this year rolls on. But every now and then we need to take a deep breath and deal with the fact that this is still the best place to be. We'll all enjoy and be thankful for whatever water we will have. Some years will be very enjoyable because of what He provides. Some years will be bad because of what He doesn't provide AND because of APCO's poor water management practices on wonderful Lake Martin.
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
apples & oranges
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Date:
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5/31/2007 2:42:25 PM
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Very well said.
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
CHILL people... HONESTLY
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Date:
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5/31/2007 2:55:28 PM
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Concerning plants and irrigation systems.. You don't NEED these things to enjoy your lake experience. Our grass is close to dead all ready.. it's just the way nature works. If you want to let dead grass and plants keep you from enjoying the lake, then I guess you do have a problem. There is still plenty of water for everyone to enjoy. Last time I checked being at the lake was about being ON the lake! Yes, the lower water level is an inconvenience: I can't use the boat launch near my house so I am forced to drive several miles and find some one to assist to drive my trailer back to the house. AND before long I'll be trimming up every time I dock. BUT I guarantee you this is not going to put a damper on my enjoyment of the lake this summer or any summer to come. If you want to tuck tail and run because of a drought then obviously the lake doesn't mean much to you anyway. So please, leave...
The low water levels of the past several years are NO reason to cancel any type of gatherings. This past Monday I had friends coming down from Birmingham and we simply spent the entire day on the water, never went by the house and we had a blast!
"Wonder what other old-timers think?" Here is what they think: My grandfather bought our family lake house FIFTY ONE years ago.. He was up this past week and yes, he did comment that the water level was lower than he could remember. BUT GUESS WHAT?!? he went fishing... he went boating... and even watered the dead grass.
My point is if you are going to let this drought hamper your enjoyment of the lake while others continue to enjoy the water we have regardless of the situation then maybe you don't belong here in the first place. Perhaps you lack the appreciation of the simple things in life. So if you can't enjoy what we have then please, by all means, LEAVE.
I'm SICK of the forum clutter about the poor empty lake. I think the majority of people are still enjoying what we have, so if you can't be a part of this majority then perhaps you should look for another place to retire.
Chris
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Name: |
PC Al
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Subject: |
CHILL ????
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:01:22 PM
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Talk about CHILL. Read your post again, then you should………….chill. Why would you let someone’s thoughts get you so upset when they have nothing to do with you?
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
CHILL people... HONESTLY
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:04:04 PM
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Hey, look on the bright side.....if all these folks that don't like the low water levels leave, the lake will not be as crowded for the rest of us hardy lake goers...
I hear ya! We will have to do the same thing. At winter levels we have NO water in our area. But there are plenty of "deep water" ramps if you want to spend time on the water, there are ways to do it.
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
CHILL ????
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:05:07 PM
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Because obviously you can't appreciate the lake for what it is! Droughts do happen, your plants may not live this year. But are you willing to give up the lake and all it's pleasures for this reason?
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
thank you waterbug
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:06:21 PM
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I hated to bring up the crowding issue, because I think the lake is everyones to enjoy..
But if they can't hack it, then yes.. that would be nice!
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
thank you waterbug
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:10:00 PM
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It is for everyone to enjoy, but so much less stressful during the week when it is not as crowded.
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
exactly :)
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:10:30 PM
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Name: |
dooblebug
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:15:59 PM
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For whoever was talking about other lakes within 2 hours of Lake Martin......I have been on nearly every lake in the state of Alabama and nothing compares to Martin. Smith Lake for wter levels is your best bet because of how deep the lake is there, but beware.......the rest of the amenities are not there. There is hardly anywhere on Smith Lake to eat and grocery stores consist of Cullman or Jasper. My husband and I had a lake house on Smith Lake and sold it and came back to Martin. I can't say too many nice things about Logan Martin, Lay or Mitchell - - in comparison to Smith and Martin, they are all very dirty and nasty. Lake Martin is definitely the best lake in this state and probably the southeast. We are fortunate to actually have eating places, nice marinas, grocery stores, and hospitals within a short drive from the lake. Its heaven on earth and no amount of drought will make us doubt how wonderful Martin is or leave again. Just kick back on shore and enjoy the beauty that God created for us.
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I was on the water for over 3 hours and only saw 2 boats and 3 or 4 wave runners. Tuesday was about the same after the big holiday weekend crowds left. I hated to leave, but I'm on my way to south Florida for a week of sea base scout camp with my boys......then it's back for 3 solid weeks of lake life starting on the 8th!!
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
Yesterday
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:21:35 PM
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Ok, quit bragging. Some of us have to work and will not get back to the lake until mid June.......Lucky you! Enjoy it.
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
good points dooblebug!
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:22:21 PM
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or try west point lake in georgia and then tell you don't appreciate lake martin
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Name: |
waterbug
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Subject: |
Extreme drought
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:22:50 PM
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Ditto
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during the summer!!!; there is plenty of time for work from September-May....It hurts the old bank account, but it sure is fun.
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Name: |
Bamaonthelake
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Subject: |
At least I am not spending all
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:28:08 PM
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my time doing yard work! I guess there is a silver lining to every situation!
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Name: |
Feb
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Subject: |
You Lucky Scoundrel You
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Date:
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5/31/2007 3:51:30 PM
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Next thing is you will be saying your show pirate films on your flights. LOL
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Name: |
BoatsRFun
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Subject: |
CHILL people... HONESTLY
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Date:
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5/31/2007 4:42:15 PM
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Dang Chevy, nice rant, I agree with you as we will be on the lake every weekend that I'm not working. If you ever need help getting the Baja in the water or truck and trailer back to the house just let me know. Be glad to help out. Peace and Have a Great Lake Day!!!
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Name: |
PC Al
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Subject: |
To the Chevy Man
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Date:
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5/31/2007 4:51:57 PM
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Well, I’m back from lunch and I can’t believe how long this thread has become over a lot of nothing. But, I will reply to Chevy4x4’s first paragraph, which I assume was intended at me. Greycove started the thread mentioning the drought as reported on a Montgomery TV station. He also mentioned Auburn. My reply was about the drought also and having to water and irrigate. I don’t think you will find Lake Martin mentioned in either of the first two parts of this thread. Where did I say one word about the plants, grass, irrigation or anything else having to do with my enjoyment of Lake Martin. I was talking about this whole area, not just Lake Martin. I said I was thinking of going to the mountains of North Carolina period. Lake Martin is wonderful and if I am going to stay on a lake, Martin will be it. I just don’t know if I want to stay in Alabama or this part of the Southeast because of the heat, humidity and lack of rainfall. Sorry my part of the post made you CHILL.
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Name: |
Chevy4x4
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Subject: |
PC al
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Date:
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5/31/2007 5:15:03 PM
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Sorry if I offended you. My comments were mostly directed toward Greycove and his eagerness to find a "better" lake...
It seemed to me that you were complaining about your worries concerning having to irrigate your properties. This would include grass and plants..
PC, I take it you didn't grow up in Alabama? As most of us are use to the humidity and dryness... ;)
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Name: |
PC Al
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Subject: |
Back to Chevy
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Date:
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5/31/2007 5:38:43 PM
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Thanks for your comments. No born and raised in the state. I don’t have anything against Alabama, I’ve had a great life here. It’s just the heat and humidity. I am in my 60’s now and it just seems to bother me more every year. I know weather runs in cycles but I long for the days when the first football games were chilly at night. Now you wear shorts to games almost the whole season. When I’m up in the mountains, I just love the cool nights. I actually enjoy the lake more in the winter since I can be there any time I want. If I had enough water at my pier in the winter, I would be in heaven there that time of year.
P.S. – I’ve always been a Chevy man.
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Name: |
Maverick
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Subject: |
Vacation
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Date:
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5/31/2007 5:38:57 PM
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Calling Delta to have your vacation revoked.
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Name: |
Aardvark
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Subject: |
At least I am not spending all
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Date:
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5/31/2007 7:45:03 PM
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I miss the yard work. Cutting the grass at the lake is a good workout. Maybe when things get a little lower I can start clearing off the boat ramp or building those steps that we never put in over the winter. Besides, the hard work is part of the fun of the lake.
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Name: |
Feb
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Subject: |
Disagree
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Date:
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5/31/2007 7:52:52 PM
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I am a Ford Man.
Trust me on this one. Once you have used the dang snow blower a few times even as late a April this year, then you will change your tune.
Try two feet of the white crap one Winter. I have a football field long driveway. I am only talking about Northern Virginia within recent memory.
I am also your age. I will swap with you any Winter. It is not always pretty and just a fire in the fireplace.
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Too late....they won't be able to find me for a month!
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