I surely do not know the answer but believe all of this is a great wake up call to Americans to simplify their lives. I know I have. And to be quite honest, the more simple I make my life, the better I like it.

However, we still have needs such as groceries, banking, etc...and we have evolved to this. In other words, we still have to go to town (buy gas), some still have to travel where the work may be, and downsizing for some is not an option for one reason or another.

Are we in a recession? Heck, we've been in one!

Have we seen the fallout from all of this? Not even the tip of the iceberg. Unemployment breeds more poverty and with that comes higher crime. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to people stealing to eat.

I hate to sound like the voice of gloom and doom, but are we going to replace the "re" with a de?"

Here are some happier thoughts. More and more people are starting to grow their own food and this is a good thing. Maybe we should start a list of things we can do to offset some of the rising cost? It's a supply and demand thing. Anybody else want to join in? If so copy and paste this and add your own...wanna?

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.

next?