Indian Summer

What a gorgeous day - high about 70! Clothes on the line, grass mowed, and the damn Lady Bs piling up in the house.

The backyard is definitely "celebrating" the fall season.

Updates since the last entry:

Last weekend Cousin Lynne made a trip down to this area. We ambled around Arthur, Illinois, and made purchases in several Amish shops. Then went to the annual Haiti relief auction (by the Amish). The sales were mostly over by the time we arrived, however. We arrived back at the "King farm" and then took a quick 2.5-walk through the campground at the end of the road (adjacent to Lake Shelbyville).

Sunday, after dinner, we had a minor "runner's reunion" when Donna joined us for brunch. The three of us are all signed up for next year's Mini Marathon (May 3 - Indianapolis) and have our room reserved at the starting area. After brunch and Lynne's departure, Donna and I repeated the previous day's 2.5-mile walk through the campground and boat launch.

This week has included lunch with the defectors from Dynegy. Most are retired, some are looking for work, and no one is fully employed. One has set up his own company for consulting.

So, today I continued my quest for full employment. this week recruiters have talked with me about positions in Texas and West Virginia. No response from last week's submitted resume to the biggest company in Decatur. A new lead in Springfield. It seems that employment could be coming in the near future, but in the meantime the Federal government has extended unemployment for an additional 13 weeks. I hope it doesn't take that long.

The weekend is now staring me in the face. The weather will be delightful (in the upper 60s at least) and more mowing is on the agenda. Today is Halloween, but as you can tell, this rural site is unlikely to have small spooks and goblins knocking on the door. Alas, my favorite "holiday" will pass again without getting dressed appropriately. Perhaps I should dress as the "cat lady" and enjoy the evening. Good idea.

Birthday Weekend Plus

October 13, 1922 - she was born on a Friday in the Chinese year of the Dog. Yves Montand was born the year before and Lenny Bruch was three years younger than her: My MOM!

To celebrate her 86th birthday three of us and a friend went to the Covered Bridge Festival in Park County, Indiana. The "slideshow" covers the day. Mom walked all of us "youngsters" into the ground that day. We were "pooped" by the time cocktails were poured in the gazabo.

Yesterday (October 19) I managed a trail run (10K) at the Ballard Nature Center along with about 50 other runners. The start was UP a hill (not the best way to begin a long run through the woods), and then it got better. After an hour and 10+ minutes I found the finish line. The good news was - I wasn't the last person to cross the tape. In fact, I was second in the "women over 50" group. Not too bad.

Fall is definitely here. Not too many more great days for just enjoying the sun or laying around the yard - like the furry ones. May you all have a great fall week!

Amish BBQ

No photos, no job, no running. So far today, only BBQ in Arthur. Well, that makes up for a lot of "no's."

Walked at 6:30 AM with neighbors, ranted and raved about falling markets, reduced retirement funds, and politics in America. Went to Arthur (heart of the Amish in Illinois) and bought book: "The Audacity of Deceit." Looking for deer in the backyard now, listening to Ohio State beatup on the Boilers, and wondering what employment will look like in the near future.

Philosophy evades me at the moment.

"What is this oozing behemoth, this fibrous tumor, this monster of power and expense hatched from the simple human desire for civic order? How did an allegedly free people spawn a vast, rampant cuttlefish of dominion with its tentacles in every orifice of the body politic?" [Opening lines from "Parliament of Whores" by P.J. O'Rourke, 1991].

If we do not study history, we are doomed to repeat it.

Choices

Morning drink at the fountain. Call from a recruiter - once again tempting me to move to Southern Ohio. Friday negotiation for a job that includes a 70-mile (one way) commute. My carbon foot print expands.

In either case, I would miss the morning drink. A move would require bundling up the "family" (I wonder if BK would want to move), selling the "homestead," and extending my distance from most of the family (but not all - you other "bloggers" will be closer).

Not moving means spending a lot of time behind the wheel, particularly after the Midwest winter sets in. But the light that is shined includes working from home part of the time - attractive, no?

Then there are the morning walks with neighbors ... how will I keep up with their impressions of politics? I won't be on a "first name" basis with many of the players no matter which avenue I choose to follow.

Ah well, summer always comes to an end. Vacation soon will be over and I will be a wage slave once again (besides, unemployment is rapidly coming to an end). Maybe I will get a "stimulus package" check someday and can hold out for the burger job.

Choices, choices, choices.

Welcome to the Country

"Now is the time ... ."

Ah yes, "it was the best of times and the worst of times." October 1, 2008, and my first "blog." I have never been one to write in a diary, other than to keep notes in my "daytimer" related to my professional accomplishments and day's activities. With that said, I enter with trembling fingers into the world of on-line communication. Dear reader, be gentle.

As my introduction, I welcome you to my place in the country. Midwest location, far away from the hustle of any major cities (the largest "city" is 30 miles away and has less than 12,000 residents). Corn and beans are ready to pick and it is opening day for deer hunting (with a bow). My favorite season, Fall, has finally arrived and the morning air is clear and crisp.

My family? Four cats. My profession? Engineer. My current favorite hobby? Running. My politics? Active and attentive, but always a "contrarian."

Economic crises, politicians not playing nicely in the sandbox of Washington, and talking heads trying to elect the next leader of our country. Time to re-evaluate the lessons of history. America has faced energy shortages in the past, become a net importer of goods, and lived on open credit lines for too long. Time to relearn the lessons of the Great Depression - tighten out belts, use only cash, and get healthy.

Enough of a rant for my first attempt. Be well, treat animals with kindness, and "dance as if no one is watching."