Wow -- When I saw that it was going to cost someone from Portland $1,200 to $1,500 for he and his wife to go to the WSCB in Reno, I got worried. I will only be 160 miles closer, coming from Boise, so it can't be much cheaper for me, can it? While I was worrying, my lovely wife pointed out that I (1) often don't consider all the details; (2) tend to rush into things; and (3) worry about stupid things while not giving any thought to important stuff. When I disagreed with her, she only had to mention one word to make her point - "firewood".
Several winters ago our electric heat bill had reached $2,000 dollars and I was determined to do something about it. I found out that I could cut the bill in half by heating the house with wood in our fireplace. I was ready to make the change immediately. However, my wife being the thoughtful person she is, pointed out a few flaws in my thought process. To cut the heat bill in half, we would need an insert for the fireplace to make it efficient enough ($950). A forest service permit to cut the wood was $20 and I would be on my way. However, she further pointed out that I would also need a chain saw to cut the wood ($400). I also would need a truck to haul the wood home in ($29,000) no make that ($35,000), it would have to be a 4 X4 you know. Oh, and don't forget the insurance and gas ($1,000). She then suggested that the way I drive I should plan on having to replace at least 3 tires that I would destroy ($630). She then points out that at a savings of $1,000 a year it will ony take me 38 years to pay for the $38,000 it will cost me to burn firewood. Damn women and their logic! Luckily that summer the natural gas line came to our neighborhood and saved my bacon.
Now my wife may be right, but I'm thinking that the $1,200 to $1,500 is because the poor guy's wife must like to gamble and doesn't win very often. The one thing that I will agree with her about is that I must be worrying about this to much. So I'm going to stop worrying now, go to my shop and wistfully dust off my car, wishing for warmer and drier weather .... and we will see all of you in Reno
