We are still in the motor home, and seeing lots of country.  We haven't slain one another yet, so I think we are enjoying our travels.

We are currently in sunny Arizona, and very glad we are missing the snow and rain.  It seems to have snowed everywhere we have been after we left.

We expect to be home in March, if all goes well, and I  promise to be more active when we are once again settled.

Stey happy and take care of yourself in this new year.

I can't believe how long it has been since I made an entry here!  It has been a busy time for me.

We have purchased a motor home and will be heading south in a couple of months.  Tuneups and maintenance go without saying.  Making sure the unit is sound, checking for leaks and functionality of all the important things like brakes has been time consuming.

We are also making sure that the house is ready to hit the market.  We may not list it until spring.  Yes, I know this is not the best time to enter the market, but we are not in a distressed situation where a sale is absolutely necessary.  We can sit back and wait at this moment in time.

We are anxious to be gone, and ready to hit the road. Well, almost!  I still have much sorting of things for a yard sale to do.  I am becoming a minimalist, as there is only so much room in a motor home!  This is a drastic change for a pack rat like myself.

News is so discouraging.  I have a friend who cries a lot about all the bad stuff going on, and I really feel bad for her.  But all I can do is write my congressman and hope it is read.  At least, I know I tried.

Taking a break from tragedies, I read a few books to lift my spirits.The first one to really lift me was "Life Is Like Making Chocolate Cookies",  By L. Sue Durkin.  

At any rate, that is what I have been up to.  You can find my reviews of these works in the section titled: 'My Reviews  of Other Works'.

Dead and wounded counts are in flux at the moment, but my heart goes out to all who are impacted.  What possesses a person to go on a shooting spree?  The opinions are varying, and I doubt anyone knows for sure.

I do have to wonder what would have happened if there had been an armed citizen (legally, of course) who 'took out' the assassin?

In the same vein, I would wonder if I were in that situation, would I have been able to save a few lives?  It is certainly a question to ponder. 

I would like to think I could have stopped it, but would I then have become the target for the police and the courts?  And given the opportunity, would I have been able to shoot another human being?

Hmmm...

I should think I could shoot in a 'him or me' scenario, but the moral issue remains.

Of course, is it even legal for normal folks to be armed in New York?

Do you get as tired of so called celebrities parading around as I do?  Well, here is something much more important than  Hollywood 'stars':

Ahad’s constant

derives from an astro-mathematical formulation by Abdul Ahad (1968- ) in his astronomical paper, The Music of the Night Sky, published c. July 2004.

The constant has been provisionally assigned the symbol, mAhad, and is calculable from the following algorithm, whose input parameters are stellar magnitudes in the v-band part of the electromagnetic spectrum:

where mi is the apparent visual magnitude of the ith star

It doesn't matter what you call it.  These times are hard on and for everyone.

No matter your circumstances, weathering a recession or a depression can be depressing and very stressful.  This is when we need to be mindful of those around us.  A cross word can make someone's day a little darker.  And a kind word just might brighten someone's day. 

I expect domestic violence to reach a very high level these days.  Stress is a constant threat to our well being.  It is so easy to blame a spouse or partner for financial woes.  

And children don't escape the wrath, either.  Our mouths can overrun our brains sometimes, it seems.  And if we are financially strapped, it occurs more frequently.

These are times when we need to support one another, not take cheap shots in any direction.  Adults wield a lot of power with their words; and while children may seem forgiving, they can carry verbal wounds that go on forever.  Some spouses and partners are like that, too.

What I am suggesting is that if you are angry at anyone, take a deep breath before you speak.  It just might prevent you from saying something hurtful and unfair that you will regret later.

Depressions have happened before, and they always get turned around.   We just need to be patient.  Do what you can for yourself and anyone you are responsible for.  Be kind to others.  Your attitude can set the tone, even for strangers.

Try to eliminate as much debt as possible from your finances.    Have high interest rates?  If you can't afford to pay your credit cards, shop around for a better rate, and try transferring your blances.    Just be mindful of charges for that service.  It may not be a good deal.  Getting lower rates will relieve some of the stress.

Try talking to the institution to get the rates lowered.  They would most likely prefer a little less interest gained from your account than to lose your business altogether.  And don't make minimum payments.  If you can, add to it.  Even a few dollars can make a big difference.  Double up on payments where  possible.

Most of all, be kind to yourself.  A little pampering never hurt anyone.  And try to spread your smile around.

Valentine's Day is over now, New Year's too.

President's Day, to celebrate presidential birthdays has just passed, Now we have saint Patrick's Day and Easter to look forward to. And then we also have The Fourth of July (Independence Day), Labor Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas.

I may have forgotten a few, like the birthday of the Marine Corps, Jeremiah Johnson's birthday, Groundhog Day etc.. Don't forget your own birthday and that of loved ones!

I think in all fairness there should be an everyone's day. Perhaps every day!

We have Mother and Father's Days and even a grandparent's day. I think this is just a way for card makers everywhere to boost their sales.

It shouldn't take a special day marked on the calendar for people to send each other cards or express affection for one another.

So if there is someone you admire or care about, you can always send a card, or email some special wishes! It just might brighten their day!!

Are you alone on this day for lovers?  Don't despair.  There are 'lovers' who are alone together.  Now, that is real loneliness!

:o

If there is no one special in your life right now, be your own best friend.  Do something special for yourself.

Treat yourself to a day at a spa. 

Have a massage. 

Take yourself out to dinner some place you have been wanting to go.

Go to a movie.

See a play.

Take a long bubble bath.

Don't dwell on your aloneness, revel in it.  The day is yours and yours alone.  If you have been invited to a party -- go.  You might have a lot of fun, and who knows?  You might meet at least one interesting person.

Want to attract someone?  Be visible and don't be afraid to put yourself out there.  Be approachable.  Don't hide in a corner.

Best of all, enjoy the day and be kind to yourself!   ;)

      I have a cheese grater that I really like. Or at least I used to like it. It has 5 sides, each with a different cutting style. When you use it, the cheese falls into the center, nicely conatined in a mound.

      I also have new kitchen cabinets that I am trying to organize with the most used items the handiest. This is taking a while, as I love to cook and have many gadgets and necessary items. So the cupboards are full and I can't easily reach the top shelf.  That's where I stash some of the items seldom used, and there is scant space for those things.

     After using and washing my lovely grater, there seemed to be no space in the spot I got it from. So, eyeing the top shelf of the upper cupboard, I stood on tiptoe to try to put the grater in what appeared to be an open spot. Had I been using my head for something other than sight, I would have gotten a step stool since reaching and tilting my head back mess up my balance.

     However, I was not using my head and what appeared to be an empty space was hiding some ice trays in the very back. As I reached up, holding the bottom of the grater between my fingers, I gave it a boost. The ice trays complained and slung the grater right back at me. Luckily, it was the plastic handle that struck me before bouncing down to the counter.

     To my amazement, that grater left a small but painful lump on my forehead which turned into a bruise. When I showed it to my bitter half and asked him to kiss my boo-boo, his thoughtful response was "Ew, gross!" 

      Sometimes you get no respect!!

            In the Pacific Northwest, vast sections of freeway are shut down or at a standstill.  Downtown Seattle is in the grips of snow and ice.  Ten inches of snow and more which turned to ice.  Metro drivers with articulated buses are jack knifed and stuck in the road; chains are not even working on the hills.  The plows and deicers are all out, but not making much headway.  The Seattle area is built on a series of hills which makes matters dangerous for anyone on the roads.  The Puget Sound region is pretty much iced in.  Tow trucks are in high demand, and the wait is a long one if you are in a collision.  And don’t call for a taxi—you will only get a recorded message that says there are none available.

 

            UPS and FEDEX drivers are delivering packages on foot!!  I guess they are determined to see that any Christmas presents are delivered in time for the event.