Dateline Dayton — I attended last Thursday’s  meeting of the Budget Committee for our condo association because I am a member. The meetings are comical because of the differences of opinions. One man is quite vocal and rarely follows the program.

I come away frustrated by the lack of progress.  Too many people are on the committee.  There should be five, three board members and two residents.  Most committee members are board members. They will approve the budget, be able to question items at that time and they would not need to be on the committee.

The head of the beautification committee always is upset when a line item receives an increase while her line items are being reduced.  The treasurer, who heads the budget committee, asked for the various committees to submit their budget requests. That was all she needed to do. But she didn’t.

After the budget meeting, I was on my way to my friend Dan’s house. He was having a garage sale.  I had dropped off pieces on Monday, and I had more with me.  The sale started on Thursday, and that was my best day. Many of my sales were made after what was supposed to be closing time.

I took Friday as a vacation day and helped with the sale.  I also brought objects that my son Chris wanted to unload.  I sold two of his chairs, on Thursday.

Saturday was a bust.  Only two small items were sold. Dan and his friend Bill did alright.  Some of the items of mine that didn’t sell are going to Goodwill. The rest I will keep — for a future sale.  Never can tell when someone will want what I have.

I was asked to attend a Rotary Club meeting last Monday, an interesting time with 30 Rotarian setting up booths for their businesses.  I got to see, first-hand, a 3D printer, a fascinating piece of equipment.  The gentleman said  that “in the near future” 3D printers will be in homes because they are becoming less expensive.”

Will You or Won’t You?

Yesterday we were in Piqua, making our final arrangements, even to the extent of writing our obituary.  The hardest part of the meeting with the funeral director was picking a casket.  There are many options, and they come with various high prices. We chose a quality, lower-priced box, and the director made choosing the vault easy. He showed us a lower-priced one that he felt offered the most value for the money.

The afternoon wasn’t easy, but it was something we needed to do so each of us, as well as our children, would know our wishes.  Afterward, we joined my sister, who has donated her body to medical research and her husband, who will be cremated. He promised that I could scatter his ashes down the Las Vegas Strip. Since they allow most everything, I wonder if that is legal. for supper.  We met at the End Zone for supper. Great pork sandwiches. Only $2.50 on Wednesdays.

Arizona Bound

Next week Pauline and I will be visiting old friends in Phoenix. We have not seen them for 17 years.    Since I will not have an essay next week, Happy Halloween.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglob.net