Scary Times, Part Two

I just scanned the headlines and recoiled at the financial top story - "Dow Jones drops 700 points" and "Worst Drop since Crash of 1987". There are not confidence inspiring words. After last week's almost-1000 point single day gain, we are once again reminded that these are very scary times.

Many have likened the stock market of late to a roller coaster ride. However, one major difference between a roller coaster and the stock market is that you can get off a roller coaster ride!

While I am fortunate to be young enough to (hopefully) ride out this economic maelstrom, several of my business colleagues are facing some real tough decisions. They are closer to retirement than I am and do not have the luxury of time to make up for recent losses. We are all scared to review our retirement account balance - but for those just a few years away from retirement - it must be doubly as scary.

Once again, I want to reiterate - I have faith in American ingenuity. We can, and will, figure a a course our of this "perfect storm". Americans have always risen up to meet any and all challenges thrown their way. This economic cycle is no different. We need to formulate our "D-Day" invasion and get it underway!

Pumpkin Ale

It's an annual quest of mine... searching for a beer that embodies the essence of the Fall season. Once again, I found myself in front of a gargantuan refrigerated display case with dozens upon dozens of choices of beers and ales. My eye caught "Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale". I grabbed a six-pack and took it home to taste.

This offering by the Michelob Brewing Company is labeled "Fall Seasonal" and features a pumpkin scarecrow and other Fall figures on the label. Its an attractive packaging scheme, but I suspect that's not what you might be interested in finding out. How's it taste?

I'm not a beer critique, nor do I play one on TV, but I like this beer. It leaves a hint of nutmeg/pumpkin spice on your tongue. Its definitely got much more flavor than a light beer (I guess that's to be expected and professional tasters will no doubt scoff at my comments) but not overbearing as some dark ales tend to be. There is a slight "bite" but I didn't find it objectionable. While I enjoyed this ale, I wouldn't want a steady diet of it.

I did a google search for pumpkin beers and hopefully will get some assistance from my brother in St. Louis and try one of the local offerings... So stay tuned!

Be safe!

Changing Traditions

While the title may seem to be an oxymoron, it really is not. My paternal grandmother Helen used to say "Nothing is so permanent as change."

Today, we travel to Pennsylvania to pick up my Dad (and stepmother and step-sister) and bring them to Maryland to see the house. My Dad, 74 this week, has suffered a few major strokes and many TIA's (or mini-strokes.) They have left him physically debilitated and with a very short attention span. He is unable to drive and aside from occasional trips to the doctor, he does not get out much. Lately, he has had difficulty getting motivated to even get out of bed, shower and generally take good care of himself.

So we will pick the group and bring them to Galena to visit for the day. We have a surprise birthday lunch readied for him. The kids have prepared birthday cards for him. We will bathe and shave him. Hopefully he will leave here refreshed and with a sense that he is loved, now more than ever.

How ironic that we begin our lives dependent upon our parents for the basic necessities of life. And often we end our lives dependent upon our children and others. So while we celebrate the traditional birthday of the family patriarch, we recognize that things have indeed changed.

You see, October is a bad month for me. My mother passed away 14 years ago on October 23rd. For whatever reason, she was called "home" too early. I miss her. And I am determined to make the most of whatever time I have left with my father.

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you.

Falco

Our newly adopted greyhound continues to delight. He is such a character! He is curious about EVERYTHING. And I guess that is understandable. After all, he spent the first years of his life in a crate for more hours per day than I care to think about. He had very limited human contact and as a result, has a few "quirks" about meeting and greeting other humans. He also has never associated with other breeds of dogs other than greyhounds. Overall, he is shy and easily spooked. But we are trying to re-train him and make him more comfortable in social settings.

When he runs, he is pure grace. We are fortunate to have a safe place to run him occasionally and we delight when he stretches his legs. He really sounds like a thoroughbred horse when he runs full speed.

All in all, Falco has become a valued and loved member of our family. The fact that we rescued him makes that addition even better!

Check out www.NGAP.org ....

Scary Times

We live in very interesting times. Many times that phrase refers to world or global events such as military invasion. But these days, its more of an economic "war" that looms. The news is consumed with daily alarms about the plunging stock market and depressed economy. Daily comparisons are made between today's climate and that of the Great Depression of the 1930's.

My generation has never lived through that type of economic upheaval and its resultant scars. I wonder if we are equipped to deal with it?

I truly believe in American ingenuity. If anyone can figure a way out of this economic mess, America can (and will!)