FamGuyToday by Aunty Fox

and HE doesn't like it. George finally changed the way he signs off after one of his propaganda speeches. (We are winning in Iraq, etc.) He used to say, "and God bless America," after calling for death to his enemies. Then, later, after calling for more war escalation, he'd say "God bless". His last speech ended with "Good night". If you believe in God, I can just hear him saying, "Hey George, you're giving me a bad name, and, after creating more hell than heaven, I don't want to be associated with any part of your policies, stop acting like we're partners." That's what I think happened.....

that the Bush administration has repeatedly "mislead the public about global warming"? Over 40% of scientists involved in temperataure studies say they have had their work "edited in such a way as to change it's meaning." Over half had been told to delete references to "climate change' or "global warming" from their reports. These are scientists, experts in their fields, having politicians redo their work. Surprising? Not really. This is the Bush crew in action, doing what they do best. Cheating and lying. Hopefully, someday they will pay.....

with Charles Osgoode. Always like to wake up to "Sunday Morning" and today was extra special. Saw a segment on Murano glass, which we visited in Venice, and then a feature story on Bob Seger. I knew I really liked him and his music, and I'm REALLY looking forward to his concert on Feb 14th, but after this morning, I'm even more psyched. He sold over 50 million albums, then took the last 11 years off to be a father. He obviously looks older, but still has that amazing voice. Other than the Beatles, I can't think of anyone who's written more great songs. His tour is getting rave reviews and I wouldn't be surprised if, after seeing him here, I would take a road trip for another Seger concert. Just watching and listening to him makes me proud of "My Generation." (even though that's a Who song.)

buried in the back pages, was W's proposal to DOUBLE the Nat'l Petroleum reserve, at a cost of $65 BILLION dollars, while cutting alternative energy budgets. Just when you think he can't be any more blatant in his shoveling of $$$ to his big oil buddies, he comes up with another subsidy for the people he has already made obscenely wealthy. Today's quote, from 9-13-2000. "The best way to relieve families, from time to time, is to let them keep some of their own money." But not MUCH, right...

Another good meal, in Houma LA,was this 'shrimp boil', a classic cajun dish, hosted by Bob, of Bob's Bayou Black Marina, for James and Diann, center of picture, who spent 3 days on a roof in New Orleans, and myself. Also attending, Bob's family. Recipe includes about 25 lbs of fresh shrimp, cajun sausage, corn on cob, garlic, onions, potatoes, lemon and Zattarains 'special sauce'. All boiled together, outside, then dumped on a table with plastic beneath and newspaper on top. No plates or utensils. Just roll it up and toss in trash when finished. Oh yeah, when you've totally stuffed yourself, you sit around and shell all the left over shrimp for the next day's gumbo. GREAT food.

and have had better days. Started out with a ticket on I-70. Trooper had someone pulled over, so I moved from right to center lane as a courtesy. Didn't signal, and he noticed. TICKET. Then Carol's binding screwed up, and it was probably my fault 'cause I had set them for her new boots before we left. Luckily they sell wine up there so she had something to do while I got some runs in. Was standing in middle of slope, adjusting I-pod, and some rookie boarder totally took me out. Good day, but have had better.

For another Bush rant, but I REALLY don't like that guy. Just saw on ABC news about the 12 soldiers killed in the latest Iraq tragedy. They left 34 children, and assorted family members. Then I saw the Fisher House story, where the severely wounded come to the states and have their families visit while they try to rehab from terrible wounds. Also saw senators Hagel and Warner, Viet Nam vets, and Republicans, come out against this travesty. Hopefully, people will wake up, and fight this idiot Texan on his latest "surge". OK, I feel better, and I don't have to bother Kari and Carol with this overwhelming feeling against our fearless leader. Sorry, but who is John Galt?

to post, I thought I'd show you a picture of the best food I can ever remember having. Calamari in Amalfi. Absolutely the best. The atmosphere and company didn't hurt, but when I think of 'best ever' food, this plate has to be right up there. Thanks, Kari.

A Denver federal jury agreed with a top auditor, who had been fired after being a 'whistleblower' against Kerr-McGee, who cheated the govt out of millions of dollars in royalties from oil it produced on public lands. The Interior Dept. composed of Bush admin appointees, fired Bobby Maxwell after he pressed audit findings that oil companies weren't paying necessary taxes. He then sued, as a private citizen, and is blowing the lid off a scandal involving billions of dollars in unpaid royalties. Bottom line, because of administration policies of non-enforcement, oil execs put the $$ in their pockets instead of the US treasury for oil from OUR land, and this guy was ignored, then fired for saying something. That's what we get for having an "oil man" at the top. Along with record gas prices and oil company profits. A coincidence. I DON'T THINK SO. Today's Bush quote, from 5-11-2001. "There's no question that the minute I got elected, the...

There's a reason Nelson DeMille is my favorite author, and his new book, "Wild Fire", just proves it again. A fast moving tale, that's way too hard to put down. So, I finished the 500 pages in less than 2 days. I think what I like most about him, is the wise-ass dialogue. I only wish I could be such a glib, tough guy, but I'm not, so I just gotta enjoy it from a distance. After "The Lion's Game", where he had a terrorist plot where a hi-jacked plane hit the World Trade Center (BEFORE 9-11) I only hope the bad guys aren't reading this one. Sorta like the new "24" plot. If you watch Jack Bauer, you'll kinda recognize this, but it's much better in book form. Another fantastic tale from the New York Times #1 author. Find out why he's the best. Check him out...

arguing with the maitre de at the Backwoods Cafe. She wanted a better table and he wanted a larger tip. She ended up kicking his butt. Don't mess with her....

This is one of 4 'antler arches', one at each side of the town square in Jackson Hole. BEAUTIFUL place on the edge of Yellowstone Park, a truly amazing place. If you've seen it you know what I mean, if not, WHY NOT?

The State of the Union address, is the same old crap. This " new surge"? Same as the lst 3 surges, and they didn't work. What is different here? Nothing. Sunnis hate Shiites and they all hate the US. Get back to me in 6 months, a few thousand deaths later and tell me what changed. NOTHING. His policy is a total failure, and 20,000 new troops only postpones the inevitable. A failed policy, based on lies, has the same result. Thanks George. As you said on 4-10-2001. "This administration is doing everything we can to end the stalemate in an efficient way. We're making the right decisions to bring the solution to an end." Couldn't have said it better myself...

but my last one wasn't that great. Finally gave up on "Stranger in a Strange Land." Got 2/3 thru it and realized it was boring, and there's too much good stuff out there to be bored. Went to library and got "Atlas Shrugged" 'cause it was highly recommended by many, including the librarian. However, as I was checking it out, all 1200 pages (it better be good), she told me they had gotten in the new Nelson DeMille (currently my favorite author) book, which I was on the waitig list for. SOOOO, I now have a lot of quality (I hope) literature to read. Speaking of expectations, today's Bush quote, from Air Force One on 6-4-2003. " I'm the master of low expectations." Sometimes it's hard to argue with his logic.

For those who don't already know, Bob Seger is playing the Pepsi Center, in Denver, on Feb 14th, Valentines Day. I was afraid it would sell out immediately, like it did at some of his other venues, so I had various friends and relatives get on-line and buy tickets for us so we didn't get shut out. Well, we were (all) successful and I ended up with alot of Seger tickets. SOOOO, if you, or anyone you know, is interested in what I think will be a killer concert, just let me know.

and I'm posting this pic, just in case anyone knows her, and can let me know how to get in touch with her. She impressed Ted and Kari at a Mexican wedding, and I would like to extend an invitation her way, so she can share her charms, again. What'cha think, Kari? Today's nugget from W, on the reception of American forces in Iraq, 12-12-2003. " I think we were welcomed. But it was not a peaceful welcome." I couldn't make this stuff up, folks.

three elk and 30 lbs of beef fat become a few hundred pounds of the best eating "little white packages" that you will ever have in your freezer. I always rate "this year's elk" and it is unanimous, this is the best ever. Could be because they all fell dead, into deep snow, no running, and cooled down FAST. The secret to good meat. Whatever, our home-butchering process, after 35 years, is the BEST around. We are spoiled, and hopefully we can continue to be. Looks like my big bet, for this year, THE BEARS, are winning against New Orleans. Another Bushism, 'cause his idiocy is endless, comes after another accidental "truth telling." In New York, on 5-24-2005, this "worst-ever", without a doubt, president said, "See, in my line of work, you got to keep repeating things, over and over and over again, to kind of catapult the propaganda." You finally said something clearly and succinctly, and it was the truth. First time for everything...

I finally found something I like about you. Because of your ignorance and total incompetence, you have nearly single-handedly destroyed the Republican party. Because of this, the Democrats are pretty much guaranteed a win in 2008. (Anyone wanna bet?) And, they will probably field either a black man, or white woman, who will become our next president. Shake in your boots, you red neck bigots. A breath of fresh air. No matter how bad they are, the Democrat will look extremely qualified compared to the national embarrassment that is now in power. The rest of the world is gonna speak to us again. We'll regain lost credibility and can reclaim some national pride. Thanks George. Speaking of Obama, "Curious George" asked Brazilian president Cardoza, on 11-08-2001. "Do you have blacks, too." Just when you think he can't possibly be THAT stupid.....

It just keeps snowing. Is still kinda neat, but that beach in Mexico is lookin' mighty good. 'Bout the time to check out the trips. Hot tub was fun this morning, with the snow coming down, and the doggies rolling in the snow. Should be good skiing next week, and couldn't think of a better weekend to have the AFC and NFC championship games. Nate and Laura are s'posed to fly in from FL today, but DIA is expecting 8" of snow w/ 35 mile per hour winds. Could be a problem. Double Bushism today, 'cause none last time. On 10-24-2000 George expressed his concern. "It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet." Followed by, "Will the highways of the Internet become more few?" The guy exhibits a keen understanding of technology and grammar...

with those beautiful women? That would be me, with my lovely wife and daughter, on the beach in Italy. Life is good. Will forego fishism and Bushism for a welcome change. Good night for Denver sports. Nuggets beat Houston in O.T. and the Avs beat the Redwings. Doesn't get much better than that. More snow forecast for tomorrow, which would make 5 weekends in a row. Gotta be a record. Gettin' kinda old...

and with his back to us is Spencer, my nephew. My wife's sister's son. He married this intelligent beautiful woman, born in Iran. We went to their wedding in Phoenix, and I met many of her relatives, from the Iran/Iraq area of the world. Believe it or not, they are real people. Not just pawns for GW's economic war. For his economy, that is, not theirs. Their culture has been devastated. Over a million of the upper class, educated members of Iraq society have left the country, since George's invasion. Those who have the ways and means, that is. The ones with the education, therefor the money, are going, going, gone. The rest are stuck there, in the chaos his invasion created. But families are important to GW, too. His quote from Wisconsin, 10-18-2000, states, "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." Then he stared, with that goofy grin on his face....

in the newspaper today were two interesting articles. The first told of Jessica Lynch having a baby. You remember her. The war-spin machine reported in the first days of the Bush pre-emptive war in Iraq, how she went down fighting, emptying her rifle in a firefight against overwhelming odds, was then captured and raped by those barbarians. Later, the truth came out. Her vehicle got lost, then wrecked when the driver drove into a ditch, injuring and killing the passengers. The Iraqis took her to a hospital, treated her wounds and informed the US that they should come and pick her up. The war machine press, reported it as a large secret raid to free her. The administration later recanted the original story, blaming it on the "fog of war." The other article of interest, to me, was how the Bush administration is pushing, behind the scenes, to give western oil companies (read-campaign contributors) a 30 year, tax-free deal to help the Iraqis sell oil. I can see Bush pondering, ...

A spokesman for SMU went on the record and said they wanted to decline the offer from G Dub to have his presidential library located at SMU. A GW Bush library? Isn't that like Hitler's synagogue? There's a reason comedians like Letterman and Leno make fun of Clinton's skirt chasing and G W's intellect. I am gonna go out on a limb here, and predict G dub continues having a hard time finding a home for his library. Who would want a reminder of an embarassment like him to be forever enshrined on their campus? Have a shrine built where it would be the most appropriate, like the headquarters of Haliburton.

from another long walk in the snow with Duke and Milan. 'Tis a good excuse to get out and get some exercise. Was going skiing today but lost my partner at last minute. Some people and their JOBS. Anyway, am realizing it is good to have a pet around and putting out the word for anyone who has any info on kitties to let me know. Don't know why, but Craigslist no longer allows any listing with pets. Not sure why. So, if you're aware of any kittens out there, I would appreciate you letting me know. Thanks.

but I liked this one of a large brown. WIll end the whole fish thing soon, but I prefer posts with a picture and am running low. Need to shoot some more I guess. No shortage of Bush quotes, though, like this one. Speaking in Tokyo, 2-18-2002, this student of history says. "For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times." Uh, George, remember WWII? Didn't think so. Or Viet Nam, obviously.

So I went to the Rescue Shelter today to see if any of the kitties looked like "the one." Nope. Not today. After looking at about 20 kitties, it made me realize, even more, how special Sophie was.

Nate and Laura have a (nearly) new (big) house under contract up Coal Creek Canyon. Beautiful house with views and some acreage. Gonna miss having them closer, but it seems this is what they've been dreaming of. I'm all for someone "going for it" when they have a chance, and I hope it works out for them. Am currently dog-sitting while they visit Jen and Jess in FL. Just had a great, long walk in the snow and now the doggies are tuckered.

Couldn't continue this stupid fish series without my favorite fish. This 10 1/2 lb beauty is in my living room after being fooled by a Panther Martin, on 4 lb line. A fantastic mount done by an artist. Another Bush favorite from Missouri on 11-2-2000. "They want the government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program." Someone should explain it to him...

Carol and Kari admitted that they "appreciated" my blog. BECAUSE, as long as I am blogging, I am not venting against Bush on a regular basis. Works for me...

to continue to blog against Bush and his war machine. BUT, I had a very bad experience during the Viet Nam years, and, late at night, promised myself I would never make that mistake again. Sooooo, apologies to those who think this is superfluous, but it is important to me, to make this, admittedly, futile attempt, to make people see how WRONG this Bush war is. Bottom line is, IF I gotta explain it, you wouldn't understand it. Check back in (several) years, and let me know if I was wrong. I stand by my convictions, and only time will tell...

Not exactly fish, but related. This bag of shrimp, bought fresh from a shrimper at the marina for $2.25 a lb. Ate MANY pounds while I was there. Yum, yum. Today's Bushism. When asked about Iraqi militans attacking US forces, on 7-3-03, from the safety of his Washington office he said, "My answer is, bring 'em on." What a brave, brave man.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16636745/site/newsweek/ , this says it better than I can. The short version; the US military, at one point Bush's most consistent supporter, is now only 35% behind him. That number speaks volumes to those who want to listen.

to the Bozo who said, "Global warming? Ha. Look at all those ice storms." Well, Bozo, that ice is formed when cold air next to the earth (normal) has warm, wet air fall thru it during the winter. (Not normal) It's all part of the global warming scenario. But, I admit, a little too complicated for the average "global warming is a liberal plot" thinker to figure out.

or, how all those $23,000 refrigerators, and other stuff, can add up to some real money. The Bush(league) administration claims the Iraq (pre-emptive) war "price tag" at approx $500 billion. But it's hard to tell for sure because they have funded the war primarily thru "emergency supplemental bills" which are not part of the federal budget, and don't have the scrutiny involved with the rest of the budget. Because this war is an "emergency", $23K refrig's are OK. However, those who study the costs put them at over 2 trillion, and rising. They actually figure in long term health care for the injured and replacing the equipment lost and damaged, including that of the Nat'l Guard ($24 billion worth) Little things like Chinook helicopters, that weren't available for rescuing people and livestock during the recent storms, because Colorado's ONLY 2 Chinooks are in Iraq, along with a bunch of people and other "stuff." Couple this...

Wonder why there's a certain faction (Haliburton types) who want to keep this war going on? Just read in the new Reader's Digest how the Bush(league) administration is paying $1000 for hot plates, which seems like a bargain compared to the $22,797 mini-refigerators. ($99 at Lowe's). Who says "War is hell?" Not if you're on the Bush war contractor list....

This is Jason, who, among other things, was a professional fisherman, and was based out of Bob's Marina. He'd catch these monsters 'til his boat couldn't hold any more, then come in and fillet them on the dock, taking the "scraps" to a secret spot, where he'd entice the local alligators, then go back for them. Quite a system, and a really (hard working) cool guy. Today's Bushism is one of my favorites, where he shows a true understanding of the problems confronting our nation. On 9-25-2000, speaking in Oregon, this fountain of wisdom said, "It is clear our nation is reliant on foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas." Intelligence and a keen economic mind, all rolled up in one.....

This is a nice rainbow, over 4 lbs, NOT catch and release, that went for a large Rapala. Today's Bushism in US News and World Report, 4-3-2000. "I think anybody who doesn't think I'm smart enough for the job is misunderestimating." Well, as Forrest Gump says, stupid is as stupid does, and I don't think it is possible to underestimate his stupidity. He was on 6o Minutes last night and stated, "I don't care what people think, I'm going forward in Iraq." He stated earlier, "I don't care if Laura and Barney are the only ones who support me." Nice attitude for the leader of a so-called democracy, huh?

Shouldn't be a problem for an administration that grapples with reality, like this one. Like in Viet Nam, just "declare victory and go home." Iraq has an elected government, they have no weapons of mass destruction (and never did). Iraq is stable, in that things are unlikely to change in the near future. Furthermore, there have been no reports from Iraq of gay marriage, nor of research involving stem cells. George must be SO proud.

Who could ask for more? This beauty is a 5# smallmouth bass who was fooled by my Daredevil spoon. Within a pound of the state record. Caught and released. Today's Bushism is another quote, from 9-23-02, when he again, accidently said what he was actually thinking. "We need a energy bill that encourages consumption." Yeah, W, that will make your oil buddies a few extra billion. Oh, I almost forgot, saw "An Inconvenient Truth" last night. Had heard good things about it, but it was even better than I was expecting, for a quasi-documentary, that is. If Al Gore could have come across like that in 2000, the world would be a better place today, but he didn't. EVERYONE should see this movie. There are a lot of fairly dry facts, but they are presented in an interesting way. I only hope, for our children/grandchildren's sake, he is wrong, but it doesn't look that way.

Soooo, I'll try to enlighten and educate with the wit and wisdom of our glorious leader, who, as Ann Richards said, "Was born with a silver foot in his mouth." Sometimes he accidently tells the truth, as in his interview with Katie Couric on 9-6-06, when he said. "One of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." There's a reason it's hard, George....

I caught this alligator gar from the dock at Bob's Bayou Black Marina when I was living outside Houma, LA, last year. I was over 15 miles from nearest grocery store and would often toss a line into bayou, (could literally cast into water from my front door) and catch catfish for dinner. Yum yum. But, occasionally something HUGE would take my bait and either break my line, or once, even pulled my fishing pole out of the rod holder into the swamp. Lost my favorite ultralite rod/reel that way. Didn't know at the time what was out there, but caught this little gar and later met Jason, a professional fisherman, who caught gar for a living. Up to 200 pounders. MONSTERS. Anyway, that's the fish o' the day story.

or is it an eel, or something in between? For lack of anything better, and I'm tired of wrting about our glorious leader, I'm starting a "fish of the day" for the next few weeks. Just noticed I gotta lotta fish pics, that I'm SURE you'll enjoy. Soooo, we'll start right here, with this beauty...

Today, the National Weather Service declared that 2006 was the warmest year on record in the United States, edging out 1998. Hope these guys don't get fired, because the Bush(league) Adminstration calls global warming "junk science" and a "liberal plot". This makes it 11, of the warmest years of all time, during the last 13. I have no problem with debating the science of "why" we;re getting warmer or if it is all bad, that we're getting warmer. The Brits are gonna love it. BUT, to say that there is no global warming???? Only the Bush administration could come up with that crap.....

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/crocs-shares-up-on-guidance-deals/n20070110154509990002 Sometime between now and the next earnings statement,( due around the first part of Feb, which SHOULD send Crox stock UP) the stock is gonna get pulled down by profit taking ( it has already doubled, and is up 6 points this week) and there will be an opportunity to make some short (or long) term money. The ONLY question is to know WHEN!!! (to buy, then sell, that is) Not gonna guess as to stock prices, but in following this stock, I'm predicting a pretty good gap between the high and low in the next three weeks. Just my humble opinion...

to the United States? Seems like forever. Love that intelligent look on his face. Tonight we hear how/why he is ignoring the will of the voters, the bi-partisan Iraq Commission, his (former) generals in charge, and the HUGE majority of world opinion, and is ramping up his Iraq debacle. Because HE, King George, knows best. IF he would have studied in college, where he obviously didn't, finishing in the lower 15% of both schools he attended, instead of bopping around in his MG, wearing his cheerleader outfit, picking on less affluent students (quoted verbatim from Yale professor's interview), he would realize why his whole pre-emptive war, based on lies, won't/can't work. Some basic subjects he obviously didn't comprehend were: HISTORY- note religious wars in mid-east and a conflict he avoided in SE asia, that we remember as Viet Nam. GEOGRAPHY- Look at the map. It's on the other side of the world, and surrounded by people he's pissed off. POLITICAL SCIENCE- T...

in my "Stranger in a Strange Land" book, as Jubal tries to explain to Mike, who was raised on Mars, the concepts of 'truth' and 'religion'. Mike is the lone survivor of a mission to Mars, born there, a human, but raised by the "Old Ones" of Mars. He knows 'truth', but has no concept of religion. After studying some of the various religions on earth, he wants to know who's lying. Jubal explains they all think they are telling the truth, so none are lying. Mike counters with, 'there can only be one truth, so the rest are lying', but Jubal tries to explain there's a difference between being mistaken and lying. Mike finally decides mere mortals cannot be blamed for choosing the "wrong truth" when there's so many liars preaching at them. Kinda hard to argue the logic of the Martian....

Just started that book. I never read sci-fi, but had heard good things about it, and "Atlas Shrugged" wasn't in the library. Am about 100 pages into it and so far, like it. Speaking of liking it, just saw "Inside Man", a movie w/Denzel Washington, Jody Foster, Wilem Defoe, etc. FANTASTIC movie. I want to see it again. An amazing story. The other news of the day, I finally got my printer working. I have 3 HP printers and none of them could be installed. I tried everything I knew, and so did Ted, who's pretty good at that stuff. We wasted hours and hours. I called a computer repairman I found on Craig's List who came over and worked over 2 hrs. Long story short, my AOL security program, automatically downloaded by them, screwed it all up. Just passing this on in case anyone else has a similar problem. The more I hear of AOL, the more I hear about stuff like this. Am gonna get a new ISP. (Note, the picture goes with the title of the book)

After the blue ribbon, bi-partisan committe submitted their recommendations, calling for a phased withdrawal from Iraq, George said, "I will listen to my military commanders before making a decision." Well, his 2 main generals, who were finally able to speak out without fear of Rummy taking their heads off, both said we needed a political solution, the military option was not working. And then there was the American people, expressing their feelings in the recent election. So what is our glorious leader's reaction? Fire the generals, John Abizaid and George Casey, who have actual "on the ground" real life experience, replace them with his "yes men", and ramp up the debacle he has led us into. WHAT AN IDIOT!! His exit strategy is to drag this out out 'til HIS exit in 2008, then blame the loss on the next administration. Send him and his advisors to Baghdad, put them in a Humvee dodging IED's, make them go house to house in a city larger than Los...

(Just found this pic, had never seen it, but will share, just to prove the "prettiest kitty ever" claim) my book, "The Innocent Man", by John Grisham. I've read all of Grisham's books, and enjoyed every one. This was a little different, though, being his first non-fiction work. I spent the morning trying to stay busy cleaning and fixing, but when that was done, decided I needed to keep my thoughts from dwelling on Sophie, so I dug out my current book. It did rearrange my thoughts, but reading about a man falsely convicted by an incompetent police department aided by a corrupt prosecutor, gradually going insane on death row, wasn't exactly what I needed. Kinda depressing. He was eventually exhonerated, but spent 12 long years as a victim of the Oklahoma judicial system. Pretty scary. I've dealt with Southern cops and believe me, it is a different world down there, especially if you have long hair. Whatever, it got my mind away for awhile, but it'...

she'd make it through the holidays. And, bless her heart, she did. Just barely. I suppose I could have delayed another couple of days, but I hurt when she hurts. It would be different if she had a chance of recovery, but after a long talk with Dr Gussman this morning, we decided to end her suffering. It only gets worse from here, and putting it off isn't gonna make it any easier. She's still here, on my lap, for the next few minutes, then gone forever. I'm sure gonna miss her, and if I had it all to do over, am not sure if all the good was worth all this bad. But, for her sake, I'm glad we were able to love and spoil her these last days. She was born with this genetic death sentence, and never really had a chance, but sure managed to steal some hearts along the way. Wouldn't have guessed I could feel this way about a kitty/cat, but she is/was special. We knew it the instant we saw her, after spending many hours looking at every available kitty we could find. Th...

on 2006, I see an unusual, somewhat transitional time in my life. Expecting more hurricanes, but getting none, gave me time to get a 'preview' of retirement, which most people probably never get. I realized that while nearly unlimited 'free time' is nice, it does get old. Would love to start building something, but I don't feel the time is right to gamble a bunch of$$ in the real estate market. I've been through too many ups and downs not to recognize a down time coming up. There will be a time to jump back in, and I hope I can recognize it, but I just don't think it's now. So that leaves 'something else', but I don't know what, right now. My experience is in building and adjusting, with minors in reading, golf and gambling, but is not limited to these areas. I do plan to combine my reading and gambling into a more active investment program, but that won't be full time. My ski pass should give more "contemplative" time, as I hop...