Backyard sunset

Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
Fall gently reminded me of her presence while I was grilling some Beer Bratwurst last night to go with a big batch of mushrooms, onions, garlic and peppers sauteed in butter. It was 72 degrees but the leaves are falling. Naturally, I felt obliged to stop and open a cold one to allow my cell phone to take a picture. Texas voters just supported a much needed overhaul in property tax structure, so ours were cut dramatically both at home and for the warehouse. Decent occasional rains are keeping the lake up, gas prices are $ 2.35/gallon and dropping fast, the deer are plentiful and the fish are biting.
Life is good in the cheap seats.




I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • SteveKSteveK Solar Expert Posts: 375 ✭✭
    edited November 16 #2
    Those seats might be cheap now but that was hard won. Be sure to rest on the laurels for now with an eye towards the certainty of the battles ahead.
    Great picture!
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,018 ✭✭✭✭
    #3

    What a view to enjoy!  Around here the taxes on the view alone would be close to 5 figures a year (Prince Edward County ...the blob sticking down into Lake Ontario from the north)
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  • Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭
    #4

    Even with the recent reforms, Texas property taxation rates are still quite high. When we had low property values, the actual cost of taxes was not so bad. BUT Californians are flocking here in large numbers, bringing huge wads of home equity cash. Previously “undiscovered” areas are suddenly seeing property values doubling, tripling, and sometimes much more.  It can be heart-stopping to get a tax statement from the county showing that your modest home has been reevaluated at $1 million. In the five years that I have been in this house, six of my neighbors have cashed out and left the state. The new owners in each case are “weekenders” buying a vacation home.



    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 16 #5
    Would you stay in California  ;)  

    At least you can graduate from Cali with grade F's in High School. :'(

    Save me a whiskey for the empty Adirondack.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

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  • Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Dave Angelini said:
    Would you stay in California  ;)  

    At least you can graduate from Cali with grade F's in High School. :'(

    Save me a whiskey for the empty Adirondack.

    No, on staying in CA or ever moving back!! I seriously doubt that you would go back either.  As I have said publicly many times, I really loved that state from 1959 until 2008 - but not now. Your buddy Newsom seems to be gaining ground.
    If you can stomach the Bourbon that I can afford, I will gladly share in copious quantities :D
    This time I caught a sliver of the moon.



    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • BB.BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,327 admin
    #7
    A couple weeks outside of California. Just a couple blocks from "home":
    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Ralph DayRalph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,018 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    My county in Ontario is in similar straights regarding property values.  Further north (cottage country) is priced out of reach of most, we have become the new discovered spot.  Little bungalows that 10 years ago sold for $85000 now are close to $1mill.  With waterfront like yours closer to 2.  Young people who'd like to stay can't afford even rent here!  Service sector jobs can't get staff because they can't afford to live in the county.  Us boomers have inherited wealth and are using to screw the next generation's hopes.  
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  • SteveKSteveK Solar Expert Posts: 375 ✭✭
    #9
    Here at home we have what is called Prop 2-1/2. This regulates how much the towns can raise our real estate taxes annually. No more than 2.5%. Thing is our good citizens tend to vote for overrides all too often and that prop means little to nothing anymore. So, here it is worse. Our gov't is kept in check legally but the dimlows say "Thank you Guvna, may I have anutha?"
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  • SteveKSteveK Solar Expert Posts: 375 ✭✭
    edited November 17 #10
    BB. said:
    A couple weeks outside of California. Just a couple blocks from "home":
    Bill

    Is that China? Sheeshjiangping, you really mean a couple blocks...lol.

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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17 #11
    Yea ,   what gives Bill ?  It does have a pagoda look to it.      BTW  you all know  𝕐𝕚𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕖 𝕂𝕚 𝕐𝕒𝕪    :) 
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

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  • BB.BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,327 admin
    #12
    Taipei 101 tower.
    Photo was just a couple blocks from where i am staying. Tower/photo is a bit over 1 mile off.
    I liked this quick photo. The weather and lighting made me think about the upcoming Starship launch later today(?).
    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #13
    Have fun !  I bet there is a lounge up at the top that would serve you guy's !   Good not to go during lightning😉
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

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  • Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    Cool trip! Family in the area?
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • BB.BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,327 admin
    edited November 18 #15
    Yep, my wife was born in Taipei. Was a small village and rice fields outside of Taipei 6 decades ago.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 18 #16
    very cool picture in the fog Bill.  Might have to take a snip of that one.  They like Elon in Tai Tai? 



    That was a 
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

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  • Marc KurthMarc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,114 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 19 #17
    Bill, I would like to hear your opinion/observations of Taipei.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #18
    One for the Lone Star!


    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

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