The City of Kiel had a funeral for the young State Trooper (Casper) who died at age 21 after a shootout with a bank robber. He had been on the job 3 months. By pure coincidence, your Mom and I happened to passing through Kiel moments before the funeral procession to the cemetery. The streets were lined with citizens in tribute to the “trooper”. It was a moving scene to see how many people really care. It reminded me of a similar scene from American Sniper. Maybe the world isn’t going to hell.
The Badgers are still “dancing” which means they are part of the Final Four. It doesn’t get easier because they play unbeaten Kentucky Saturday night. Grasshopper No.4 and I both have a chance of winning our family pool. Mom and Grasshopper 3 will have to wait again until next year.
I read a story on RR. No, not Ronald Reagan or Roy Rogers. The man’s name was Ron Read and he lived to age 92 in upState Vermont. He worked in a gas station and later as a janitor at Penney’s. He was a widower with two step children. He left an estate of $8 million dollars. He obviously lived very frugally, saved money from each paycheck and invested wisely in quality companies. When companies paid dividends, he reinvested the dividends immediately. The trust department at the bank found stacks and stacks of stock certificates from Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble and American Express. Alas, when Mr. Read died he bequeathed his money to the local hospital and library. I guess the papers to adopt me didn’t get processed in time for me to inherit a few bucks.
The question I ask myself is “was Mr. Read happy living frugally, denying himself many of life’s everyday pleasures and sitting on $8 million”. Obviously only he could answer that but when people live that way all their life, that is what they know and it makes them happy. Grasshopper No.1 would have bought a horse ranch and raised thoroughbred horses. Grasshopper No. 3 would have bought a boat that goes 100 mph. Grasshopper No.4 would have bought a company that makes Ferrari cars and he would personally test drive them. And so it goes. Mr. Read loved saving money, not spending it.
Go forth and find you own happiness.
Love,
Dad