TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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December 3, 2005
Volume 3, Number 23
ISSN 1554-6330

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Bev Christensen, a warm and wonderful friend.

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country Essay

2. Top Drawer Article

3. Top Drawer Tips

4. Top Drawer Book Review

5. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY

What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

Escape is a verb with many synonyms. It can mean avoiding capture to a mugger running from the police. Breaking out to those confined in a jail, hospital or nursing home. Even a memory slip when someone’s name eludes us.

Last week in Carpenter Country escape meant freedom, diversion, distraction and just plain getting-away-from-it-all fun. For seven carefree days, we visited relatives in another state and became escapees from mundane chores.

Deadlines and routines were replaced with wonderful walks in autumn colored woods. Unhurried drives through a beautiful countryside. Leisurely strolls around a holiday decorated mall. Afternoon card games, evenings filled with great food. Good conversation and the rekindling of friendships.

The time passed much too quickly. Before we knew it, we found ourselves back on the highway heading south. Reluctant to come home to a mailbox stuffed with bills and a refrigerator that needed refilling, we detoured through several other states, took in a few more sights.

Finally there was nothing left but to pull into our driveway, sad that our week of evading responsibilities was over. Ask anyone who has ever enjoyed a vacation - flying the coop is a liberating experience.

So, even as we dumped the contents of our laundry bag into the washer, we began planning our next great escape.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Charitable Gifting

by
HL Carpenter

Making a holiday gift list and checking it twice? One of the people you may want to check with is your accountant. That’s because year end is often a good time to consider how giving can affect your tax return. In addition, the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 included special benefits with regard to charitable contributions that may benefit you.

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

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TOP DRAWER BOOK REVIEW

by
HL Carpenter

Nobodies to Somebodies
by Peter Han
ISBN 1-59184-186-4
233 pages; hardcover; $22.95
Penguin Group, New York, 2005

Nobodies to Somebodies asks the question youths have wondered through the ages: Can the old folks teach us anything?

Read the entire review here

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Cluttering Up the Economy

by
HL Carpenter

Clutter-holics, take note! Thanks to the holiday season, store shelves are once again crowded with useless goods. The increase in the muddle of clutter is welcome news for accumulators (the industry term for clutter-collectors), since more supply tends to mean lower prices.

Read the rest here