One of the interesting perks, if one wants to call it such, of having an extra body in the living space, is the interesting morning rituals that now unfold.

An example is that Aunt Liz has taken to, more or less, giving me a recap of some of the major news items that grace the pages of other area publications.

On the other hand, with Perpetual, (fiance), I only hear of the local deaths, since the obit page is his first stop of the day. (It seems as though I've already reached the, “but I digress” part of the column, and I'm only a paragraph or two in. I believe that might be a record.)

Back to the point...First off, the bit of information about Aunt Liz isn't leading to a story full of crazy start-of-the-day antics, as I shall save that for a future column.

The following is about something she read to me, as I was dragging myself to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, from one of the other regional newspapers.

Some periodicals contain an area in which readers may voice views without having to provide names. In fact, the Community News also has a section reserved for people wanting to release some tension, or praise someone wildly, whilst remaining anonymous

At any rate, AL (short for Aunt Liz—have you noticed that I love these abbreviations?), casually read something from one of the above mentioned sections. After which, I threw somewhat of a temper tantrum.

I calmed down a bit and coaxed AL out of hiding, since I terrified the poor woman. I then became rather delighted since, at long last, I had an idea for this space. See how things work out in the end?

The blurb that AL shared, had to do with a citizen's complaint having to do with what another human being had purchased using food stamps. I am not even going to take a “political” stand on the whole food stamp issue as that is not really the point of this column. I will say a thing or two about those receiving the benefits but, for the most part, this is has to do with something else entirely.

The point is, (and there really is one coming), it seems to me that some people appear to lack actual lives and feel the urge to write off to papers, with some regularity, I might add, to blather on about food stamp stuff.

For the purposes of this column, and, in sticking with my love for nicknames, I shall call the food stamp person “Card User” and shall use “he.” I will also provide a handle for the individual who bemoans card usage and will call HER “No Life Nosy Nelly.”

Crawling back to the issue at hand, the letter that AL read aloud for all to enjoy, was not an isolated incident. On numerous occasions, I've glanced at a few of the complaint pages, and have seen similar stories concerning Card User.

No Life Nosy Nelly tends to write to newspapers every now and again, in order to describe, in full detail, mind you, what Card User placed on the conveyor belt in the grocery store line. This totally floors me. I mean really?? Does No Life Nosy Nelly have nothing better to do than to take the time to memorize, not only the food hitting the bags in front of her, but, also the method of payment? I guess not.

Most of these “it's none of your business” letters include stuff like, “Card User had the nerve to purchase a bunch of soda and a bag of chips, blah, blah, blah, blah...and then paid with an Access Card. Harrumph.”

I ask you this, does No Life Nosy Nelly really have such a limited quality of living that she feels compelled to watch every step of the transaction unfolding ahead of her? Not only but, she takes precious time out of the day to actually shoot letters off to local publications in order to grumble and gripe about Card User.

This just seems unbelievable to me but perhaps I'm odd—you may stop those impure thoughts at any moment now. Thank you very much.

First of all, or maybe second of all by this point, No Life has no idea what sort of troubles Card User has endured that led him to apply for help with the food.

Does No Life give that a thought at all? I don't think so. What if Card User simply fell on hard times and had to get some help for a few months? Perhaps Card User just lost a spouse and cannot afford food at this time.

Also, just because a person is using stamps, does not mean that he or she is forbidden from providing a treat or two for the kids. Sorry, but that is my view.

I realize that some folks abuse the system, in many ways, and I'm certainly not in favor of that. What I am saying is that No Life Nosy Nelly hasn't a clue about the circumstances of Card User and should probably reserve judgment.

I think that No Life Nosy Nelly would be better served focusing on her own situation rather than dashing to the computer, or the stationary pad, in order to blast a letter of complaint concerning what a person ahead of her in line bought.

(For example, perhaps No Life should attend a session with a professional to ascertain what drives her need to examine Card User in full detail. Just a thought.)

Good gravy Nosy, get a hold of yourself. Keep your eyeballs in your own cart and, for the love of everything loveable, don't peer over at Card User to check out what he is using to pay for the groceries, and other items in the cart.

The End.