Has the death of Bin Laden dealt a death blow to terrorism? I think not. It makes no difference whether the cause is just or evil. Eliminating a leader kills only the physical man (or woman), not the function. 

It’s group process. We are pack animals. The biology of pack animals demands an alpha. Contenders will sort each other out, whether peace-ably or murderously, until one emerges as the leader of the pack. 

Nature is not picky. She doesn’t demand the leader be good for the pack. Or even that the alpha be good. 

In fact, to become a leader, it helps to be bad. A concern for other people’s feelings and needs gets in the way

It was freaky cold last weekend (twenty seven below Sunday night). The heat shut down in the house Friday. But we didn’t know that. I piled on the sweaters, but couldn’t warm up, like when the flu felled me. By the time we figured it out, it was too late to do anything more than hunker down under double wool blankets and down comforter, bundled up in double fleece pj’s and double wool socks. 

Saturday morning, I layered on an ankle length down coat and wool scarf, then called Friend Karl, who helps us with house ailments. His phone was down. But I didn’t know that. 

For maximum joy and cheer, fly between December 24 and January 1. The strip search and pat down by security kicks off the festivities.

Each seat in the plane has been sold to two people. Snickers and knowing looks go round the waiting area with the free ticket offer (good for one year) in exchange for taking a later flight. All the later flights will also be double booked.  Music wafts by…. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams….

So, the Oracle and family went. I know you’re insanely jealous. Let me tell you, I’m insanely jealous of you. By staying home, you got to watch it on TV,  from beginning to end. Live.

We couldn’t get on the metro for the crush. Couldn’t get a cab, all taken. What could we do? Walked the four-plus miles from our hotel on Connecticut Avenue to the National Mall. Which was great. Good exercise. Gorgeous fall day. Beautiful buildings. Cool neighborhoods.

We chatted with locals along the way who were surprised by the flow of people walking downtown. An hour and a half later,

Living With The Budget, Part I

Living With The Budget, Part II

Living With The Budget, Part III

Phase IV: Mastery

Finally, after days trekking through bad terrain in bad weather, the Devoted Followers hiked the last mountain. At the summit, they fell panting to their knees at the mouth of the Great Teacher’s cave. The Learned Loner stuck his head out to see what was making that sick rattling noise.

The Followers cried out in gladness. “Master! We have traveled far to ask you our question!”

Living With The Budget, Part I

Living With The Budget, Part II 

Mentsch tracht, Gott lacht. (Yiddish)  Man plans, God laughs.

Phase III: The Budget As Compass North 

Just when I’ve settled cozily into complacency, something happens to remind me that not only have I not arrived, I never will. The learning never stops. The Budget, like a lodestone, has guided my way more than once.

The Hank Situation

After two decades of throwing money away on rent, Hubby and I bought an investment property,

Living With The Budget, Part I

Phase II: Locking Yourself Into The Budget And Throwing Away The Key

Detoxing off credit cards and the ATM is not for the faint of heart. Hubby especially, suffered horribly. Thwarted desire and frustration ran rampant, daily.

“What do you mean, I can’t buy a book?” he would snarl in outrage.

It bit, hard, dealing with Hubby. But way less than the fanged snake of the bill, which would be cornering me like a mouse at the end of the month.  If I gave in to him. “It’s not in The Budget. If you have cash, go ahead.”

Of course he didn’t have any,