Barbara J. Hamby

Tax Trip

Darline, at H & R Block in Vancouver, has been doing my taxes for many years. She did them for my late husband and myself until we separated, then continued to do mine and his separately until he died. We have a short visit every year which is always fun. She told me today that another lady who doesn’t have enough income to pay taxes anymore, comes in once a year to talk to her anyway.

I’m reasonably sure I could do my own taxes with a computer program if only I understood Railroad Retirement regulations. Because I don’t, and haven’t had much luck when I ask questions, I let Darline figure it out for me. If she ever retires, I’ll hope it’s while I’m still mentally capable of learning how to do it. She assured me she has no plans to retire this coming year, but the best laid plans . . .

Because my income has gone down slightly the last couple of years, my taxes went down a few dollars last year. Every little bit helps.

I drove through the neighborhood where I lived the last several years in Vancouver, before I moved here. I got out just in time. At one end of the street I lived on, there is now a Wendy’s and a Krispy Kreme donut shop, with a big Costco across the street from them. At the other end of the street on Highway 99, they had already put in a Wal-Mart, a large theater and all kinds of other commercial buildings on the way into Hazel Dell. The traffic has probably at least doubled in the three years since I moved.

It was a lovely day for a drive and I got back home within about 30 or 40 minutes. Most of the traffic was Northbound on I-5 so I made good time going South.