Landlord had come into the house shortly after my departure ... locked the porch door behind him, I guess. He was a bit distressed about the locked door, the cats had gone without food for a while, finally he'd climbed in through the back window ... and had moved the cat food up near the window so that he could get at it from the ground outside. I haven't asked him why he didn't open the door when he was inside the porch. He used the tiller to chew up a large number of weeds in the garden and son and friend helped, so much of the need has been met. There's a proliferation of lettuce and beans everywhere ... plus some zucchini, a few of which the weeders took home and landlord would like a couple. Got some U.S. money, so am nearly ready to go. Niece is asking for some time off. Send your best wishes for a safe journey, please. ole joyful P.S. Succeeded in avoiding political messages, this time. I think. o j

Hi OJ, Good for you! If one had written a small novel, and didn't want to risk it maybe getting lost, one could also open the post in another tab or window to reference the thread's info. Do you not do multiple tabs, or multiple windows? I know on dial-up it wouldn't be the fastest way. Sue

Well ... I guess we can shut off the lights and close and lock the door of this thread: I'm to fly out of Detroit early evening Fri. Jan. 23 - fly out of Phoenix morn. Mon. Feb 2 ... just under $250. For folks who might be in or able to come to Phoenix, my email address is available here, and I can send daughter's address - don't remember the suburb - and phone. Got a card in mail Fri. Nov. 28 saying item to pick up at P.O., picked up passport Monday ... postmistress says it somewhat resembles me. She's supposed to have identif'n., but not too concerned ... I got out photo driver's licence ... she said she doubted that she'd let me into States on that - look too much like terrorist. Application went in Nov. 21, it was issued Nov. 26 - really quick service. I am disappointed that I'll not get to visit folks along the route ... but hope that I can meet several of you some time in the future: maybe a spring or fall trip (summer too hot). I hope also that you have the start of a fine week under your belt. ole joyful

I used to recommend to clients (and others - mostly anyone who would listen) that they have a 3 - 6 months worth of wage income in a financial cushion, in case of layoff, emergency or other need ... and in the volatile economy and employment situation we've seen in recent years, more like 9 months' worth to a year's usual income in the cushion. And to some I said that I didn't always have such myself, but had a credit card whose balance owing I paid in full every month, and a fully secured line of credit at the bank (with interest rate level below what they charge on unsecured lines) which I'd draw on to pay off the credit card in full monthly, then save strenuously to retire the debt owing on the line of credit as soon as possible. I want my savings working for me ... not my debts working for someone else or another entity. When I have that ... I say that part of my work is producing nothing (current result) for me. Wait a minute ... since I've been retired, I'm not "working", right? Oh, well ... part of the pension goes to pay someone or an agency whose money I used temporarily. I want it working for me ... or one of the charities/churches that I choose to support. ole joyful