Well, it's over now, except for the parties, etc.  I started watching first thing in the morning and just went through papers and magazines as I watched the pageantry unfold.  And...I cried...again....now and then...because we are so happy to be Americans, I guess.  Today, everything looks rosy and hopeful, but tomorrow the work of rebuilding the country must begin.  Michelle looked really good, actually, they all looked good.  Barack gave a very good speech about the changes that must come about.  Being concerned about the environment, I heard him say "no more consumption of resources without calculating the effects" or something of that nature.  Because right now, I am reading about the devastation of the Amazon basin in South America for oil production.  This, of course, has gone on long before I knew anything about it, and I am now concerned about sulfide mining in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  So close to home and far away, the agony of the earth goes on and on. 

Afterwards, I got ready, having made out my bills last night, got the truck brushed off and warmed up, went to town and mailed them all out.  There was even sand on the curves and hills to aid vehicles along over the slippery snow and ice.  That was nice.  Having paid the bills, I had enough money left in bank to buy a bunch of groceries again, so I went to Walmart this time.  The latest craze around here (dogs), are Li'l Smokies, tiny sausages, so I got 3 packages of them, and we'll see which flavor everybody (including humans) likes the best.  A bag of chicken breasts, a bag of shrimp, some more liversausage, bratwurst, bread and donut holes, coffee, and that will about do it for shopping for this month. 

Back home safe and sound, preparing to snuggle down, tending the fire and the critters, watching the tube, and being very thankful that America is still, and again, the land of the free and the home of the brave.