Let it be known that today was the first day the heat was turned on in our house. Outside it was cloudy and 55 degrees. Almost felt like real November!

Don’t know about anyone else, but I’m limiting my holiday spending to Walmart and Kohl’s gift cards and books and vids from Amazon.com. No shopping malls for me.

From the “something for everyone” department: Seen in Scottsdale, Arizona: a store that sells “extreme” photographic equipment – you know, the kind only James Bond or a conspiracy theorist would ever conceive of owning. Except for one small corner of the store, where they sell rabbit food and toys. Go figure.

I can’t watch the political insiders on the 24/7 cable natworks. Not only do I think the majority of them are full of sh*t, but I just can’t bear to think who might be getting ready to occupy the White House a year from now. Call it, “the devil you know” syndrome…

Here’s something that will brighten up your back yard during all seasons: “geeky beaks”! We’ve decorated our backyard with a few of ’em – they’re really cool, especially when the wind blows!

What a 14-lb. turkey in a house of two will get you. We’ve already had three meals, have enough for a fourth, and I haven’t even started the turkey soup yet!

Let the record also show we got our first Christmas card today, from my good friends Pete and Kathy. Let the season begin!