Commentary: Small Shower Curtains At State Park Not Much Of A Money Saver

We pay taxes because we want government to provide certain services to us: police protection, fire and emergency services.

Here's something else I would like to see: appropriately sized shower curtains.

I know you are perplexed, but I'm about to explain.

I'm just back from a weekend at Lake Fort Smith Park, a lovely part of our state parks system. Once a year, a group of quilters takes over two lodges and the dining hall for a marathon of quilt making.

The buildings are lovely -- even though the architect put skylights over the beds in Wild Turkey Lodge. So when the sun comes up ... well, you know. I woke with a start early, early Sunday morning thinking someone had lost her mind and turned the lights on. Nope, it was only Mother Nature.

The bathrooms in both lodges are old-fashioned dorm-like -- you'd best not be modest.

We've held retreat at the park for three or so years and the matter of too-small shower curtains has existed the entire time. This year, however, it came up for discussion at our final breakfast. I don't know why, but it did.

One of our number, whose identity will be protected here, regaled us with her efforts to make sure the curtain was closed just so. She undressed, hanging clothes and linens so they wouldn't get wet only to realize, too late, that the curtain didn't cover the opening. Not by a long shot.

"Someone got a good show," she said, while the rest of us howled with laughter.

Did I mention we were sleep deprived?

I suppose the not-wide-enough curtains were chosen because they cost less. Frankly, I'd give the state parks a dollar to put toward buying a couple of wider curtains. I'm pretty sure the other ladies would also donate.

If they want to save money, I have a really good suggestion: set the thermostats on 72. Maybe even 73 or 74.

I was sewing on the east side of the dining hall where the thermostat was set on 70, and no amount of resetting would coax it to a warmer temp.

It's not often that you see a group of women sewing in sweat shirts. In early September. In Arkansas.

I, like any red-blooded American girl, was wearing flip-flops. After all it is still summer. Another of our group saved me by giving me a pair of athletic socks.

Flip-flops with athletic socks. I shudder, but fashion ended at the knees at quilt retreat. At least my feet were warm.

Having it so cool in the dining hall is a waste of money that cannot be made up by the use of too-narrow shower curtains.

We have been bombarded for years with entreaties from both the federal and state governments telling us to turn up our thermostats in the summer and down in the winter to conserve energy.

I think the folks at Lake Fort Smith are confused about which direction to turn the thermostats in which season.

Lake Fort Smith is a lovely destination. Just remember, if you are staying at a lodge, take socks to wear with your flip-flops and don't bend over in the shower.

•••

I'm so not ready for Christmas. After all, it is still summer and we just had a three-day weekend, thanks to Labor Day.

I had one thought this week about a Christmas gift and I blame that thought on a national retailer.

The thought came to me after I had looked at their weekly ad. This week's specials include Christmas this, Christmas that and Christmas something else.

I know this will never happen, but I would like to think about Christmas shopping and decorating after Halloween. Try as I might, I cannot block out the Christmas bombardment.

All I can say is, gird your loins, folks.

The next song you hear will include the words, "Have a holly, jolly Christmas ... "

LEEANNA WALKER IS LOCAL EDITOR OF THE ROGERS MORNING NEWS AND SPRINGDALE MORNING NEWS.

Commentary on 09/11/2014

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