I paid my property taxes for the first time by visiting the county treasurer's office last month. Until December, my taxes had been part of my mortgage payment -- and, therefore, paid by my mortgage company at the appropriate deadlines. I wrote out a check in December for the first-half taxes because I'd paid my house off earlier in the fall. It's harder to pay property taxes in one lump sum from savings (even though I put money aside each month to do so). All of this is a reminder to you that property taxes are due Monday here.

• Monday's poll: By 32% to 24%, Merry Hucksters picked the "receiving" line over the ceremony from among 8 choices as their least favorite part of a wedding.