There is a crispness in the air and the nights are cool. I can even wear a sweatshirt in the morning -- keeping the door open until it's too warm. It still goes up to the high 80's or 90 but it cools down very fast and takes a long while to warm up. Lovely!
Unfortunately, for many, this cartoon is no laughing matter. There are people who rush to the bank of their employer on paydays to cash their check; hoping it will clear. Others, who are on direct deposit, pray it clears. This is no laughing matter, of course. Many are concerned about the financial status of the businesses they work for. Our countries financial situation is not good right now but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The kind of optical illusion in this cartoon has always been easy for me to "see"; like the old woman or the young woman, the urn or the two faces, etc... However, the ones that you have to put your nose to the page to see (can't remember what they are called right now -- if anyone knows, let me know in a comment) I have virtually never been able to decipher those. Oh well! Guess it takes a certain kind of mind/ability. I think they are all fascinating, though - don't you?
Whatever this is, it is. I sometimes wonder what I am going to write about. I don't really want to go through the day before, I prefer to think of something else, something that is on my mind or, if nothing comes to me I get inspiration from the news, what's happening in our family, or even by one of the cartoons. Today it is the above cartoon.
I am amazed at all the people who "fall" for all the scams. I, myself, receive at least one email a day saying I have "inherited" or "won" hundreds of thousands of dollars. John received a check in the mail for several thousands of dollars for doing nothing. We call the FBI and were told it was a scam. There are way too many out there to describe. But, the old adage, "if it looks to good to be true it probably is" still stands. Beware!
Change. To what? That is the question. I never really understood why no one ever asked Mr. Obama, when he was campaigning for the presidency, what he meant by change. It seems to me, if there is going to be change one would want to know: what kind of change? change to what, exactly? But, no one ever asked that question. But, now we know the answer. And, truthfully, it isn't really change at all. For a lot of years now and many presidents we have been on a totally downhill slide to where we are now. It doesn't matter whether the president was Democrat or Republican the slide continued. President Obama has just brought us here a lot faster. So, here we are. Isn't "change" wonderful?
New Mexico's housing market has not been as bad as some other places but it is bad. We only bought our home four and a half years ago and already it's value, if we were to sell it right now, is down about 18%. This means, of course, that we are "upside down in our mortgage". I am very happy that we do not have to sell our house right now; I feel for those who do. Very difficult time in our country, right now, for so many reasons.
Exercise has always been the only way I can really lose weight. About 8 years ago, over a period of 18 months, I lost 100 lbs. I did this by walking 3 times a week for an hour, aerobics class 2 - 3 times a week, and lifting weights twice a week. Although I did adjust my food intake, the weight loss stopped and reversed itself once the exercise diminished and then stopped. Due to the first kind of vertigo that started in 2004, I was no longer able to go the the gym as I got so dizzy and even fell off equipment. I then had many falls when walking (really messed up my ankles in the process). So, it has been a very long time since I exercised. Since the second kind of vertigo kicked in, two years ago, crossing a room is sometimes a task. We have a great stationary bike but I can't use it as I get soooo dizzy trying to get on it. I have found a DVD for people who are older and may not be able to stand while exercising. So, here's hoping chair exercise will help me to attain better health - weight loss would be icing on the cake.
A little bit dark, but funny, humor. 
I know we all have this happen to us but I find it remarkably irritating: I put 5 pairs of socks in the washing machine and then the dryer but only 4 1/2 pairs come out. How is that possible??? I really don't get it. Is there really a sock thief that lives in my laundry room? Are there little trolls in there that think it's hilarious to take just one sock of a pair? Why? Why? Why? Take a deep breath.
Washington is all about saber rattling. No one is really interested in us. They just want to "score points" to get re-elected. Frankly I am totally fed up with the whole thing and am seriously thinking about voting for Libertarians in the next election. Some Libertarians are D's and some are R's but I will do my research and figure out who is who and make my decision. 'Nuff said.
Where does the time go? How many times have I said that lately? But, it is true. I can hardly believe that Marcelle is two years old. She is such a sweetie and is blessed with wonderful parents. As you can see she had a birthday party which, based on all the photos, was a huge success; everyone had so much fun. We hope to be there for her next birthday party.
Yesterday the computer was acting strange and so I wasn't able to post - today, as you can see, it's fine. Who understands these things?????
What is it about crisp skin on BBQ'd or fried meat? Yum! Had some scrumptious fried chicken on Sunday - wow! Anyway, I like my hot dogs grilled or pan fried pretty much beyond recognition. Have no idea why. 
Having a good hair day is like, well, a miracle. As I grow older I have fewer and fewer of them. Marcelle has cute hair, period. But this photo shows one of her very best hair days so far. I just love the "up do" that Misha created. Really darling! I hope all her days are good hair days.
I think we are all a little crazy sometimes. We fantasize about how we want things to be, without logic. We dream of things that are not realistic. We plan out entire scenarios knowing they will never be. Is this the human condition? In this way we are entirely different than all other creatures on Earth. God has blessed us with imagination, dreams, and hope. Praise His name!
