TAXES

I just finished my bowl of Cherios, and then consumed several Special Dark Hershey Miniatures. I don't normally eat chocolate first thing in the morning unless it's a cup of "hot chocolate." But I figure I'm off to the Town Hall to pay my property taxes. They're due February 1. Tomorrow which is a Saturday they have special hours as well for those who pay them just before the deadline.

This is one thing I've always made sure to do considering as an American it's "American to invest in America." And paying our taxes is one way to do this. Especially now in this economic climate where towns are hurting as much as everyone else. I don't want to contribute to the downslide that this country has been in since the real estate crash that pretty much became the catalyst for the demise of Wall Street.

No siree. This country's has got enough troubles without the likes of me contributing to those troubles.

Then again, I come from a "stock" of people who prided ourselves of the fact that we carry our own weight and we don't default on obligations.

Doing so can have long lasting repercussions.

So off I go to the Town Hall, wait in line with check in hand. I will smile at the Town Clerk who will take this check and mark me as a "paid" resident of this small New England town. I won't be put on any "delinquent" list. Or have anyone put a lien onto my house. Of course it mean for the next coming year as I've always done to live within my means. Budget my income. Do without some of the "unnecessary things" that had once been labeled a "definite must."

Belt tightening is in order for must of us.

Then again, I will allow in my budget monies to buy books/ebooks. I figure at least buying these will let me escape from this climate of unease and uncertainty. Heck, we all need a break from what is happening around us.

And where else can anyone find that so readily available than their nearest computer where they can download a book, have it right there at hand and ready to delve into.

Just click on the links below and go to any of my publishers' sites and you'll find more than enough to help you weather the latest storm(s) happening here in the good old USA.

And look for me there either as Marie A. Roy or Collette Thomas. (It will help me pay my property the next time I go to the tax office which will be on July 31, 2009--again just before the deadline:)

Aspen Mountain Press

Forbidden Publications

Noble Romance Publishing

Treble Heart Books