Let's start with a fact or two because you never know where an end of the day blog entry might go.
Colombia is the world's primary producer of emeralds.
Colombia is a country in northern South America. Three primary cordilleras of the northern Andes interrupt the lay of the land and often overwhelm the unaccustomed traveler with dizziness, all the while creating varied climate zones and spectacular scenery. The Western, the Central, and the Eastern Cordilleras are the straightforward names by which these bullying ranges go. The Eastern Cordillera stands out as the source of most of Colombia's emeralds, which are green gemstones and have been cherished for many years. According to a wikipedia source, emeralds were the favorite of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Interesting to note, as well, is that these green gemstones, when extracted in states of highest quality, are commonly given a market value greater than diamonds of the same size. And Colombia is a leader. Colombia's mined emerald production accounts for greater than 70% of the world's emerald market.
"La peor diligencia es la que no se hace." This is a Colombian saying that my wife often uses with me as a helpful reminder. It means something along the lines of, "The worst obligation is the one that is most often avoided."
Like any good expression, what at first seems like plain rock, upon closer consideration reveals its embedded gems.
When engaging in "hanging out" or fitfully "taking a break" from chores in and out of the house, navel gazing and TV buzzing, do you ever think, "Is there something just a little productive, not too strenuous, that I could do? I mean, I want to relax but I don't want to be too slothful." (I am not going to suggest here a scroll through Facebook uploads. That would be like recommending a final shot of whiskey to move the drunk off the bar stool.)
So, what small but significant obligation, commonly avoided yet easily performed, could I be getting at? To wit, input your auto and homeowners info into our Coastal Louisiana Insurance automobile and homeowners quote forms. In five to ten minutes you will have set in motion a process that might save you several hundred dollars a year.
"Whoa, cowboy, that's a lot of hard work! What else? Do you want me to self-audit my tax return from 2004 while I'm at it? Jeepers!"
"Easy, easy, my friend. How about a nice cold beer? I'll even fetch you your car insurance and homeowners insurance files. Here, served up with a koozie, my friend. Most of what you need will be on the first page, the summary page. Hey, happen to have a "Smart" phone hanging around? Good, hasn't left your hand in two years! Interesting protective cover... Is that the holographic head of a Bengal tiger that ... morphs into... Joe Burrow? (Jeepers) Now sip your beer and focus ever so slightly on the Coastal Louisiana Insurance homepage. Cheers. Good Pilsner, huh? So, my friend, you see the word "Automobile"? Good. See the word, "Homeowners"? Excellent. You happen to own both. Now see if those boys at Coastal Louisiana can save you some money.
"Hey, pass me the remote. Also, in a few minutes, when you're done, we'll have some popcorn and you can share with me why you think the "jeepers" is an appropriate expletive."