Tim Chitwood: Screening shoes for winter wear

When your fears subside and shadows still remain, it's Monday Mail.

November

Today's opening is from the song "Cold November Rain" by Guns N' Roses, not that we've had any cold November rain. We've had muggy November rain, but not cold. And it's too late now, because.

December

Starts Tuesday, and you know what that means.

That's right: If you own property in Muscogee County and did not pay all your property taxes on Oct. 1, then the rest is due Dec. 1, each year, so the deadline looms.

It's like a holiday tradition. So be sure to say "Merry Christmas!" while you're writing a check.

Don't forget the tax commissioner's office no longer is in the Government Center, so don't go there to pay your taxes. Or to get a car tag.

Some readers may wonder why this reminder is obligatory. It's because people still show up at the Government Center trying to do stuff they have to go to the City Services Center on Macon Road to do, and the Government Center has only one security checkpoint everyone has to go through, and they just make the line longer.

And waste even more of their time waiting in it, before the deputies tell them they're in the wrong place.

What gets to me at the security screening is when people just ahead of you reach the metal detector and discover they're wearing more jewelry and gadgets than Batman. And then they take it off one piece at a time while they go back and forth through the scanner, making it blare like a game show tone for "wrong answer."

Other irritants are people who won't get off their cellphones to go through the screening, so the rest of us are like, "Hey, no problem, bud -- you take your time, and finish that call. We'll all just wait here behind you."

Oh, by the way, the City Services Center has only one security screening, too, and it's at the back door, so don't try to go in the front.

Shoes

Here's an email from Jack Yates, regarding a Nov. 8 column on how my profession eats dress shoes like a big puppy going through that chew stage where you have to guard the furniture:

Seriously, Tim,

Red Wings: Their Wellingtons are long lasting, comfy and (mine, at least) refuse to let water touch my socks. They are also 'We mean business" dressy.

Pricey, but I've worn a pair daily for eight-nine years now on a stand-up job, and they're not even beginning to wear out.

Dear Jack:

Thanks for the tip.

I've been looking at waterproof hiking shoes for $69.99, but I'd have to order them online, and I've always believed you don't know whether the shoe fits if you don't try it on first.

Tim Chitwood, tchitwood@ledger-enquirer.com, 706-571-8508.

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 10:08 PM with the headline "Tim Chitwood: Screening shoes for winter wear ."