LEAVE IT TO PEEVER

Good business makes life easier

— Bumper sticker of the week: Never underestimate the ineptness of the government.

— Quotes of the week: “If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu

“The voice of conscience is so delicate that it is easy to stifle it; but it is also so clear that it is impossible to mistake it.” Madame de Stael

— Positive peeverism of the week: Facing disasters brings out the best and the worst of us. The Gulf disaster has once again demonstrated this phenomenon. The spectrum has ranged from craziness to salvation to the birth of heros. Along the path, hopefully we will learn more about ourselves and what it means to be human. I have heard and seen heart-warming stories during this tragedy about what it means to give and expect nothing in return. An older gentleman in town has opened up his home to one of the victims who lost everything. He didn’t know her from Adam, but invited her to stay in his home over the next months until she can decide what to do. I can’t think of anything much more giving or much more positive.

— I finally got started on my next book. So far I’ve got the page numbers done.

— Good business:

• I have bought four cars from Lincoln-Mercury-Nissan over the years. The service on all four was excellent. I’m never quite sure that I make the best deal, but I’ve always been satisfied. My last purchase, a 2004 Nissan Quest, had a lot of problems. The company changed the design. You know how that goes. We’re the guinea pigs. But Lincoln-Mercury fixed everything that came up, without question, and the Nissan company extended the warranty to 5 years, 60,000 miles. The car gets 25 miles to the gallon, and as of late, has been running well. Sometimes inconvenienced, but well taken care of.

• I have always been pleased with the treatment I get at St. Mary Medical Center. My wife and I have OSF insurance, so that makes it easy. They also were kind to my daughter when she was hospitalized without insurance, as were the doctors. St. Mary’s seems to continue the time-honored tradition of charity, standing in the midst of a not-so-charitable health care system.

• Bates Collision Center has handled our last several fender-benders. Their service is fast and courteous. We have always been pleased with the results. And their commercials are great.

• Dr. Mike, Computer Therapist, has always taken care of my computer woes, which are numerous. He is good and fair-priced, although he doesn’t give me a lot of encouragement concerning my computer skills. I do like visiting with him, since we tend to agree on a lot of topics. And a like that ambulance.

• Dennis Twitty has been our State Farm insurance agent since 1980. He handles about every insurance need we have. In those 25 years, I can without hesitation say that we have gotten excellent service from Dennis and his staff. He is comprehensive, thorough, and besides that, a nice guy. I give him way too much money, but he gives me the confidence that when I need him, he’ll be there.

• I am an art buff. I love artwork. Mainly because I’m not artsy and need to get some around me. I probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 pieces, all framed by The Frame Works. They do a great job. I’ve never been disappointed. Not necessarily cheap, but in framing, you get what you pay for. In their case, it’s excellence.

These are places I am familiar with and have done a good bit of business with. I would recommend them to anyone. Good businesses make life easier. Thanks.

— The days are getting shorter and I’m getting older, making the viewing of the 10 o’clock news less and less likely.