Are we headed for a depression which could last for years or is this just an economic recession which would be normal in business and usually lasts a few months? I try to understand these things, but they aren’t always clear for me. Are we headed for a collapse? Depending on who you read and the sources it’s enough to make people panic.

They tell us this is a good time to buy a home ( a buyers market ), but it certainly isn’t a good time to sell. People are losing their jobs and if you read the paper you will see lists and lists of foreclosures and sheriff sales. When we are out riding I see so many businesses that have closed and it’s scary.

Where do all of these ex employees go for jobs, how do they live when they can’t afford to pay mortgages and buy food? Unemployment only lasts for so long. Many Americans are being forced to live in their cars or at the mercy of family members, soup kitchens are being bombarded by hungry people.

I have seen enough homeless people regardless of the economic times, but lately it appears to have doubled and even tripled in some areas. I have my doubts about both parties, Democrats and Republicans on whether either side can help our failing economy or how long their plans might take, but each individual must make a choice soon and I hope we choose correctly.

People that have been investing for years for their retirement in “safe” companies are starting to see their retirement funds go down the drain. This just goes to show that nothing in life is a sure bet. For years they have been saying that the social security system may be going down the toilet also and it may not be there when it’s your time to retire, what happens then?

Now is not the time to spend frivolously, most people are finding ways to stretch the dollar which isn’t worth much now. I really feel bad for families because I know how hard it is to make ends meet. I know one lady that maxed out her credit cards to pay for her children’s tuition at college and they even own a business that I worked at some years ago.

At least she used her credit for an education so her children could earn a living, but most people know they will eventually have to pay these credit cards off, but they don’t even think about what it’s going to cost them in the long run they simply think about the here and now and their spending power, we live in a world of instant gratification, we want it now.

I confess I am worried about the world that my Grandchildren are facing and that’s where I shall leave this post.

Bill has gone over to help my brother with his furnace so I’m working on the computer. It looks like it’s going to be a nice Saturday so more than likely we’ll be able to take a putt later. It’s hard to believe it’s October already and before I know it tax time will be here again.

This year I plan to buy a program to do my taxes, they have to be cheaper than the 218 we were charged for my taxes alone at H&R last year, although she did give us a small discount. At least I can use that expense on my taxes next year I was almost in shock when she told me the price.

Since it’s starting to get colder I’ll have plenty to do on the inside this year that I let slide over the Summer months, bad me. Eric, Ethan, and Chris are coming up for Thanksgiving if he’s feeling ok because he wants to show Ethan off to the rest of the family and they will be staying with us so I need to get everything ready for that visit.

The first hospital Eric was at told him he had a 4by4 mass at the upper part of his lung now the second opinion hospital says there isn’t one there, but there is a 2by2 mass in the middle. I can’t for the life of me figure this whole thing out, it either is or it isn’t, they don’t simply shrink and move. I know mistakes are made, but this is a persons life at stake here.

No, I’m really not going on a rant about hospitals so you can relax I was just mentioning in passing because I know so many people have said a prayer for him. Now, if they tell us it isn’t stage 4 small cell I will be delighted and know that prayer did the trick or else they have some pretty stupid doctors in Kentucky. I need to get some other things done before Bill gets back so I’ll say Adios.

I’m sure everyone knows that the older you get the thinner your skin becomes and mine must be really thin today because I’m freezing. My brother told me that the Almanac says this will be the worst Winter ever or did he say the last 10 years? At any rate I certainly dread it, but last year was pretty mild so I guess we’re due. I may be turning my heat on at any time.

We missed York bike night because of our vacation and that’s always something we do every year. From all reports there was only 800 bikes in the parade this year and usually it’s closer to a couple thousand, but it was also a rainy weekend so that didn’t help much either. I’m sure many people checked the weather reports for our area before they made their decision to make the long trip.

I know I don’t like riding in the rain Bill and I have been caught in it a couple times without rain gear and I can tell you it’s no fun. Besides when it rains all those oils come to the surface and make it that much more dangerous for bikers. I guess we might get a few more rides in before we put them up for the Winter at least I hope so, but I know with my thin skin I will be bundled up like a bear this year.

With a lot of different things going on with us right now I have put my gear shifting lessons off till Spring. I did manage to shift up to 3rd gear, but I’ll need lots of practise till I feel safe enough on the rode and I’m quite sure you will not see me taking my hands off to give the motorcyclist hand signals to each other. I will probably nod or lift a finger until I feel comfortable.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard  “What If?” and through the years I have even said it myself a few times, but realized it did no good to fantasize or chastise myself in any way because what may have and what could have been wasn’t, so I learned to let it go, but just last week while visiting my son I probably said more what ifs than I have in my life time.

Like, what if I had given him up for adoption when I was 16 and unwed as I was advised to do. Was I selfish wanting someone of my own to love and care for even though I wasn’t able to care for myself? Maybe, but I would have missed all those experiences that bonded us and made him who he is today and myself also. Of course maybe he wouldn’t be sick now, but I don’t know that so I let it go.

What if my parents hadn’t died when I was small, would I have been the person I am today? Probably not because being deprived of a loving family made me appreciate love and kindness when it finally came along, we often take so much for granted. So many what ifs come to mind, but I try to let them go and have tried to learn something from every experience I’ve ever had.

There was one big what if that really bothered me when I was holding my Grandson in my arms and smothering him with kisses. Bill was in a relationship before me and I’m not sure if I told you about the lady before, but a couple of years ago she was babysitting her little 18 month old Grandson and while she was carrying him she tripped down some stairs and fell on top of him and killed him.

I have often wondered what if that had happened to me?