Whip on Bifrost

I haven't received my tax refund yet (mailed it in February).   Wasn't all that concerned but the U.S. mail being unreliable I began to wonder if my tax returns had made it to the IRS.  Got on-line and the system verified that it had received it and the refund was ready.  However, the IRS wanted me to give them my banking account routing number so they could direct deposit it.  If I'd wanted it direct deposited I would have given them that info when I sent in the return.  The on-line website said I should receive a form informing me I needed to give them the banking info and I had 30 days after that to get them the info.   I called the IRS hotline.  Wasn't a bad wait time and I asked the rep what happens if I don't give the IRS my banking account.  "After you receive the form they will hold your refund for an additional 30 days before sending you the physical check."   I repeated back to her that if I did nothing the IRS would eventually send me the check.   She answered in the affirmative.  This is not a shining example of government working for it's people.

I received a letter last month that Waste Management would no longer be picking up garbage in this area and April 20th would be the last pickup day.   Thought that was strange.  A week later I got an e-mail stating if I really wanted them to pick up my garbage they would but I had to let them know by April 10th.  At the election the gossip was that the WM area manager (located in a different part of the state) was upset that our town wouldn't allow them to run their heavy trucks on town roads during the spring road bans and proclaimed pick up in our area was 'unprofitable'.    After the letter was sent out stating they wouldn't pick up our garbage, someone pointed out that our town was the most profitable since the landfill is right on the line between the Town of Stubbs and our town.  The Town of Stubbs where the landfill is located had negotiated w/ the landfill that their residents could drop off garbage free of charge.  The nearest village has their own garbage pickup service.  Therefore, our town is the most profitable one for garbage pickup since they use less gas and time servicing an area so close.  That's when the e-mail was sent.  I wanted to see how this all played out so I hadn't responded.  Monday is my usual pickup day and they picked up my garbage and the bin.  I could call and ask why they picked up my bin a week early but if the gossip is true, Waste Management has issues.  Let sleeping dogs lie.

Late last week a big semi passed me, kicked up a pebble that hit my windshield.  A pretty long crack is growing from that ping.  Time for a new windshield.  I haven't had to get a new windshield since Big City days.  Called my insurance and they gave me the name of two companies they recommended and said I just give them my insurance info - no deductible for windshields.  Life is good.