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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April 19, 2008
Volume 6, Number 8
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Top Drawer News ... and More Top Drawer News
2. Carpenter Country
3. Top Drawer Article
4. Top Drawer Tips
5. Top Drawer Satire

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***TOP DRAWER NEWS***

Our essay, Gracious Receiving, was published in the January 16, 2008 issue of The Christian Science Monitor! We’ve added a link to the essay on our Published Clips page. Click here to read Gracious Receiving! ***MORE TOP DRAWER NEWS*** Our essay, Pelicans for Sale, won Honorable Mention in the 2008 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition! We’ve added the link on our Published Clips page. Click here to read Pelicans for Sale! (Clicking this link will take you to the Washington-Centerville Public Library web site. You can read the essay on the Top Drawer Ink web site by clicking here.)

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CARPENTER COUNTRY
What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

 

In Carpenter Country, yesterday was a day at the fair. The county fair, that is. The short one almost didn’t go. She was trying to lose weight - and the fair meant food.

But maybe if she didn’t overeat...

An hour later, she was seated under a tent munching a very small bag of kettle corn while listening to live entertainment served up by three young-at-heart guys. The energetic trio played oldies but goodies on guitar, drums and harmonica for a finger snapping audience.

When the last note faded there were blue ribbon quilts to see, cattle pens to tour, rabbits to view and a petting zoo to wander. Fortunately, the camel in the petting zoo liked the short one’s lemonade-filled drink cup. His happy tongue won the day and her calories.

Across the way local politicians were delivering ‘vote for me’ spiels and handing out cotton candy. Who can resist cotton candy?

But her real downfall came when she rounded a corner and was hit by the savory aroma of fast food. There were so many concession stands - and so much to choose from.

A mug of root beer from a barrel, and an Italian sausage in a bun heaped high with roasted onions and green peppers won the day. When the last bite was finished, she spied an ice cream stand. After only a moment’s hesitation, she bought a two-scoop chocolate cone topped with sprinkles.

Ah, the day is complete, she thought, as she headed for the exit.

And the diet is shot.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Will You Get a Stimulus Payment?
by
HL Carpenter

 

You’ve heard the news – to stimulate the US economy, the government will send you a check in a month or so.

Or will it?

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

 

Tip: The stimulus check you may receive later this year is a one-time non-taxable payment based on your 2007 tax return. According to the Internal Revenue Service, you won’t be required to pay the money back on your 2008 tax return and your refund for 2008 won’t be reduced.

Glossary Term: Phaseout. In tax law, a phaseout is the income level where benefits from certain deductions begin to fade away. Generally each phaseout provision has different rules and amounts, as well as differing degrees of benefit reduction. Examples of items subject to phaseouts include dependent exemptions, education and child tax credits, itemized deductions and deductions for IRA contributions.

Financial Horoscope: You know there’s no such thing as free money, though you can be free with your money, and money can set you free. Getting an unexpected windfall – or even a few hundred bucks – can set a few dreams free, too. Why not follow those dreams? Happiness is one thing that truly is free.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Distraction, Inc.
by
HL Carpenter

 

Looking for something to take your mind off these troubling economic times? Direct your attention to Distraction, Inc.

Read the rest here