A few things have changed...

...for instance, Genie and I have retired from teaching and moved from Wasilla, AK (formerly known as $arahPalindia) and gone off to Eugene Oregon, where progressivism is actually tolerated, and dare I say, nourished. We're close to the kids and grand kids, go to wineries (yum) and have real summers for the 1st time in about 30 years. Try an outdoors CHICAGO concert at 77 degrees, with stars overhead, and ice cold micro-brew in hand. Not happening in old AK, my friends!

Selling the Casa Siedler was a trial, and selling off most of our earthly possessions for about 10 cents-on-the-dollar nearly put me into the cardiac ward, but we did it, and strangely enough, I don't think about it at all anymore. So all of you that picture yourselves in a different place with less "stuff" and more of everything else, it can be done, and we've proved it. Our 960 square-foot condo seems to get bigger all the time, and Aly-the-dog has even gotten used to it. In fact, with 3 walks a day and a better food regimen, she's lost 5 pounds and I've gained five. Where's the justice in that?
I used to teach in a "portable" 300 yards from the staff kitchen. Now that I'm not working, I spend alot of time at home. I call it "refrigerator proximics." More later...