Sitting in the Dark, Shopping on Empty Shelves and Other 16th Century Problems!

It's dark in the house, again... something not so unusual in our corner of the world, where wind and trees often take down power lines.

This time, however, there is no wind or snow and it is perfectly dry outside. According to the power company's twitter feed, a "pole fire" is responsible for 1,500-odd families eating dinner in the dark.

Ironically Enough...

The last conversation Mrs. Denmarkguy and I had before the world went dark was her sharing a post from a Facebook friend's feed in which she lamented living in a world where the main worry is whether we are going to "get the plague and die" when we go out and whether we'll be able to afford a dozen eggs today, if eggs are even available.

"Why can't we have 21st century problems, instead of 16th century problems?" she continued...

Fair enough question, I suppose...

Earlier Today...

I did a town run to get various things we have been desperately out of, for both cost reasons, as well as availability reasons.

To say that I came home with a bad case of "sticker shock" would be an understatement!

A ream of cheap copy paper for the printer, and a box of 50 envelopes? About $18.00. Just a year ago, paper was about $7.00 and the envelopes $2.69. Yikes! But at least they had some...

Next, two light bulbs and a small tin of wall spackle from the hardware store. $34.44. Yes, it's lovely that we have LED bulbs that save power, but they are expensive.

While there, I noticed that the kind of spray finish I use for my painted stones is now $12.99 a can. A year ago, it was $6.99.

At the supermarket (this is the part that came to mind when aforesaid comment about the 16th century came up) I felt like I had really scored when I managed to get a box of Borax laundry booster for the first time since about November... $11.00 price tag notwithstanding.

And then, of course, eggs. For the first time I can recall, I actually saw "$10.99" on the egg shelves. Granted, it was for an 18-pack of the nice brown organic ones... but it was such a nice symmetry with that Facebook post...

Meanwhile, we're still sitting in the dark. Mrs. Denmarkguy is reading a (paper) book by the light of the fire and a couple of candles, while I am laboriously slowly trying to create this Hive post on my phone...

Is There a Point, Here?

I suppose most of my point here is that the actual inflation rate in the USA - at street level, where we live - is so far removed from the "official" 8-9% that they might as well be from different planets.

As a stark counterpoint to that, my businesses repeatedly face the assertion by potential customers and clients that "I should probably be HAPPY to accept a lower price offer since times are tough and I probably need the money," which essentially results in an untenable financial squeeze.

And such is life, here in 16th century USA!

Thanks for stopping by, and apologies in advance for a lower-than-normal grade post, but I loathe trying to do anything more than make calls and send few short textson a phone.

In the meantime have a great remainder of your week!

2023.01.24 21:10PST