>The businesses will take care of the workers if they are successful. That is no longer the case. The business model that prevails in America right now is that labor costs are the best place to gain on the profit vs costs equation. The more successful a business becomes the more likely it will be that they will reduce payroll to further inflate profits for the executive management and shareholders. Not everyone is equipped to become an MBA, nor should they need be in such a vast economic system as the United States. We need burger flippers as well as CEO's and they should and can be paid a wage that is sufficient to live on without derailing the company growth. Most companies only need a single CEO but they always need vastly more labor consistent with the size of the company. If our destiny truly lies in automated personal service delivery and outsourced skilled trades manufacturing then unwed mothers should not be pressured to have children they don't want. Republicans make most of the pro-life arguments but then argue just as fervently for Globalization. Huh? I don't think effective methods of birth control should be blackballed with trumped up allegations of danger. In fact it probably isn't out of line to suggest that if things are really so bad that ones country cannot guarantee its citizens employment consistent with their availability then maybe couples should be limited to one child only! The U.S. displays a shocking lack of ability to learn from history. After decades of a direct correlation between production and profit the U.S. began experimenting with a stock market economy which crashed badly in 1929 and the same dynamic is working again less than 100 years later. The U.S. also experimented with a free labor economy which indirectly led to a Civil War. This Red State/Blue State division is tearing our country apart and when it isn't doing that it definitely inhibits forward progress. The rest of the world is racing by with quality of life improvements for its citizens and we watch as China ascends to the place that we once held as a mover and shaker on the international stage. H

Rose, Swiss Chard is VERY good, one of my favorite greens, it's not bitter tasting like many of the others (collard, turnip etc) it has a nice buttery taste to it..I've steamed it and then added a little butter and garlic and tossed it together...In San Diego, I had a few of them growing and they were just gorgeous, big and full and I'd cut off leaves to eat regularly...Here in GA..I had 5 bunches (I put 3 or 4 seeds in every spot) that came up from seed (I bought on ebay and had 100% germination from them)however, with the extreme heat here this summer, and lack of water....they never really got to any decent size...I think the bugs liked their delicate flavor too, I would find them all wilted and hanging over and when I realized they were needing water etc, as well as being under bug attack it was too late...they were all but gone. I'm definitely going to try to grow some in the GH this winter...If you'd like some of my seeds, I'd be happy to send some to you...let me know and I'll get my info to you (email)

yup, thats a mango seedling treefrog, thanks. Im in the smack center of CA in Fresno. I live in the central valley where we get LONG dry summers (typically above 110 degrees) and cool, short, wet winters (Dec and half of Jan). So far, we've had a couple of frosty mornings, but nothing to hard to protect any plants. There is only a bit of damage to dypsis lutescens, majesty palm, hibiscus and bouganvillea. Temperatures begin to rise quickly begining this first week of January so there is minimal danger for any more damage than what is shown in the pics above.

Wouldn't we all like to change places with our cruiser today?? Oh McPeg - hugs!! If they wanted to get rid of you they would have. You must be doing something right. If you love the job as much as you say smile pretty and kill them with kindness. They have the power because they write the check. I had a job and boss I loved and changed departments (not my choice!) and ended up with the worst boss in the printing plant. I lasted 2 years. If you can't take it get out of there and go somewhere there is less pressure or ask for a transfer there. It sounds like they are giving you a chance at least. Lots of places are "all business". My cousin (a woman) owns her own business and it is like a tomb in that office. You have had a lot of headaches the past few weeks and deserve all our hugs for that. Hang in there! big big hugs to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The banquet last night was a long drawn out affair I should not complain about free food but - the chicken was breaded fried and had ham and American cheese in it. It looked like a loaf of bread. The Athenians would never have touched that! The salad was really fruit with some dairy sauce on it. About the only healthy thing was the carrots. I passed the dessert right to hubby so that was good at least. The entertainment was good but there was too much of it and after kids singing, testimonials (it was a children's ministry appreciation dinner) and thank yous, group singing with a guy who kept saying "one more time!", kids dancing then they called up a speaker! He was good but I was ready to bolt for the door. I do not need to worry about my doctor's appt Monday because it turned out I had scheduled my appt. and the dog's appt. 10 minutes from each other so we know which one was put off another 2 weeks ;-) I made the Italian pasta dish that I posted the recipe for supper and hubby loved it but boy is it spicy! It would be great food when someone has a cold. If you try it, precook the sausage and cool it before slicing. I had too many things going on at once and overcooked it a little but that did not hurt anything. I thought it "needed" something so added a spoonful of fat free sour cream to my dish. I used frozen pepper stir fry for the peppers and picked the onions out so was a little low on peppers and added mushrooms. Red, yellow and orange peppers here are $4.00 a pound. Hmmm maybe I sould grow some this summer.... Oh heck gals I have been losing and gaining the same 8 pounds forever. BUT I am still 46 pounds lighter than I used to be! It makes a big difference in your life. My problem is I had quit going to the doctor's for years so he did not see the biggest me. To ME I am thin! Mom has tried to find the WW bagels everywhere so she went to the store where she bought them and ordered 10 packs! The manager said they were suprised how many people are asking for them. MaryAnn did you go out on the motorcycle? Hubby wants me to ride with him but it is bad enough riding in the car. You know you (and me!) are getting old when a late night is 10 pm. YH what is O'Charlies? Sounds like a pub. Hmmm do we need to do a 5 pound challenge? Haven't done a challenge in a while. Well big hugs to all who share this torture er/a struggle. Have a great tomorrow! Kathy