READERS WRITE

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David G sent me an email with a link to the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mP-bd2_Ysg

David’s text:

Hi Otto

Hopefully even if this one isn’t new it still brings a smile to your face.

David

Thanks David.

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The transcript of the video:

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, loss due to fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost ‘in a series of small fires.’

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON!

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable ‘fire’ and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars that perished in the ‘fires’.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART!

After the lawyer cashed the cheque, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of arson!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

This true story won First Place in last year’s Criminal Lawyers Award contest in USA.

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I sent a reply to David, which appears below, together with his response:

Thanks David, unfortunately it’s not real:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cigarson/

David:

Yeah, most Law based jokes not true but our imagination seems to enjoy taking aim.

David

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A nice compliment from Joy C:

Hello Otto,

I’m a friend of Tom C’s.

I just wanted to thank you for your emails and every one you send gives me something to think about or reflect on.

Tom speaks very highly of you and you are in my prayers every day.

In kindness

Joy

Thanks Joy

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Also from Kathryn C:

Hi Otto, I hope you are faring well. I enjoy each of your informative and gregarious posts. This particular piece encourages me to say this. Thank you for sharing your time with us. You are much appreciated.

Take care and stay well.

Kat

Thank you, Kat.

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An email from Ron in the US, in response to the posted poem Tying Knows in the Devil’s Tail, about 2 drunken cowboys who rope and brand the Devil:

Otto, greetings,

The more I enjoy the Bytes, I come to the [obvious] conclusion that Australia and the US are so wonderfully similar in so many ways.

Watched the series on Queen Elizabeth and noted the independent spirit of Australia and your PM at the time Princess Dianna visited.

Too bad that Pacific Ocean is in the way.

Warm regards for you, Kate and your family.

Thanks, Ron

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I mentioned in that post that the lyrics as a poem did not scan as well as the song, a comment disputed by Tim B:

I don’t know Otto, I kind of like the poem better than the song. Hope you’re doing well.

Tim B

Thanks Tim

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David B sent me an email in response to the post about Pooh and Piglet supporting Eeyore, who was feeling down with the blues:

My favourite:

Piglet asks Pooh "What day is it?"

Pooh replies "Today"

"Good" says piglet "That's my favourite day."

Carp diem.

Thanks, David.

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By the way, ever wondered why they’re called the blues?

The name originated with the 17th-century English expression “the blue devils,” for the intense visual hallucinations that can accompany severe alcohol withdrawal. Shortened over time to “the blues,” it came to mean a state of agitation or depression.

American slaves used the term ‘the blues’ in the above sense from the early 1800s, from there coming to also refer to the melancholy music and depressive songs sung and played by them.

“The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of.”

- Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

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Tim B also sent an email in response to the post about VC winner Stan Gurney, an instlament in the Remembering Heroes series:

Hello Otto,

I can’t say I enjoyed reading this byte, but I am thankful that you posted it as I think it is important that we remember these gallant people. They are truly heroes and the reason we are free nations today. Thank you.

Tim B

Thanks Tim, I echo your sentiments.

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Ron T also sent me some earlier emails:

One in response to favourite items from bakeries:

Otto, hope this note finds you, Kate, and all your loved ones well.

Indeed, I did enjoy the Bytes on pastries. Interesting - many of the pastries, although under differing names, are ones I've loved here in Midwest US - or at least very close to what I've enjoyed.

Sadly, though, I have to lose a rather large amount of weight, so it may be a while before I can again dive into those confections. My problem stems from a misunderstanding that the Food Pyramid consisted of refined sugars, bleached flour, and saturated fats. [What's that protein, fats, and carbohydrates stuff !?!]

In e-mails and text with Acacia I shared my thought that with the Bytes always on their daily and fascinating/engaging basis that your medical support is doing its job. Pray that's the case.

Wishing all the best,

Ron

The other prompted by the photographs from the past:

Great pics. Thanks for sending.

I was particularly struck by the similarities between your AU and US pics of the same periods.

The dense urban areas could have been swapped between the countries and no one would know, except for the differing spelling on signs.

Same for the vast, open spaces with horses, cattle, sheep, and cowboys. Then add in Ned Kelley and Jesse James, football and rugby, love of beer, and nations with rather independent spirits.

Thanks again for all your marvelous Bytes ! !

Thanks, Ron.

I suspect that Ron may be a frustrated Aussie.

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Grace M also sent an email about the bakery items:

Morning O

You missed the most important – democracy sausage roll with one of the best lawyers, person and friend we know…

G and Joe x

Thanks Grace.

I responded to Grace that whilst a sausage sandwich with fried onions and tomato sauce was one of my favourites BPT (Before Peg Tube), it was not a bakery item and therefore not included.

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Rosie J was on the mark in response to the bakery post:

Missed the caramel slice 🤤🤤🤤

Thank you, Rosie.

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A final one, from David B in Scotland, prompted by some Friday Funny items:

Hi Otto,

You are in top form today! Loved the kilt joke! Also the Tarzan one.

Smile 😊 on my face as I sit in our caravan facing the Isle of Arran. Near Culzean Castle

David

Thank ye, laddie, hae aguid day.