Cars and Taxes

  I was at the Mechanicville's McDonald's last week when I spotted, in the notoriously unassuming little strip mall across from the parking lot, two storefronts whose services  I could use:  Advance Auto and H & R Block.  The rear bumper of my car is missing paint where it was evidently "kissed" either by some vehicle  using our driveway to turn around in, or else by some delivery truck.  I walked into Advance Auto, and the clerk told me to bring in the Color Code and they would most likely have the touchup paint for late model cars.  Then I walked next door into H&R Block to ask for help in straightening out my tax return which has me stymied trying to compute  the required distribution on a retirement account.  I knew I'd made some errors which I'd subsequently corrected but I didn't want to keep messing things up any further.  The receptionist at the desk referred me to a Senior Tax Consultant, a very congenial man who tried to give me some advice on the spot, before saying I could make an appointment and return with my paperwork if I wished.
   I did return this week, to both establishments.   I diligently brought my Color Code into Advance Auto, where the clerk checked their inventory only to find they did not stock that color.  Surprising since the car is a 2012 Honda and the color is WHITE.  While there may be many shades of gray, there are only 2 shades of white for that year, and they have the other, Taffeta White, but  not Orchid Pearl White.  So be it.  I'll go to the dealer, as he suggested.
    Next I went right next door, to H&R Block, having made an appointment with the specialist I'd previously spoken with. I'd arranged my files as best I could, and was prepared to spend a few hundred dollars to get this thing settled, and back on the right track.  I was ushered into a cubicle, with  computer of course, and we started to go over my records, with me explaining what I'd done or tried to do, and what I'd failed to do.  For the next hour and fifteen minutes, we talked taxes and other things, with his verifying data on the computer, and explaining some of the ins and outs of our federal tax code.  Finally, he said that he could file for me, but that he thought I was in a position to do the same myself.  So I agreed, kind of exhausted, and went to the desk to pay for services rendered.  He told me there was no fee, that he'd enjoyed talking to me, and wished me good luck.
      Mechanicville is a nice little city or town which seemingly has a lot to offer, but is sorely lacking in  productivity.  I have come to feel much the same about myself: I have every intention of accomplishing something, but am unable to make things happen.  Can't even buy paint or pay taxes......