The ten year old and I sat on the couch this afternoon and looked at U tube videos of laughing babies. The laughter was infectious and we almost fell off the couch laughing. She kept asking why do babies laugh so much and I said I didn't know.

I read a statistic that 85% of last years college graduates had to move home with their parents because of lack of jobs and debt. UMMM Maybe it is time to start an exchange program where parents can exchange their graduate for another graduate. A way to get a new perspective on young people. Moms wouldn't feel the need to take care of this stranger and the dinner conversations might be more fun.

I am thinking that my room really needs to be cleaned. My plans for tomorrow suddenly changed so I could do this or maybe I could go to the beach or the movies. I will always have my room to clean.

My neighbor Gerald is now pruning his oak trees so severely that there are leaves and branches only on the top. they look like umbrellas. The good news is that he has stopped starting fires and building giant tree houses.

The pruning is tolerable to us but maybe not to the trees.

I have finally added a fourth blanket to my bed. I like to sleep with the window open and the nights are colder. I can feel the cold skin on my exposed face but my body is warm. Perfect for sleeping.

No I am not going to shop today. I hate crowds and I don't like spending money. But I am susceptible to hype and excitement. I don't want to miss anything important as if being at target could be considered important. Shopping on Amazon is just not the same.

Well it is only 7am and I can change my mind many times today if need be.

I have built the first fire of the season in my fireplace. I love the feel of a fire even though I am terrified of my house burning down. Life is good when the fire is just right. Now I am going to make dinner and then watch Rachel Maddow on TV.

Went ot the new Starbucks on Alvarado Street this morning at 8:30. It was crowded. Lots of mothers with young children sitting at the tables. The kids drinking hot chocolate and eating breakfast. The mothers looking bleary eyed drinking their coffee. I assume they were on their way to school.

I had my drink and read the New York Times. Also read another chapter on i phones in the complete idiot's guide to i phones. I am still learning.

Beautiful Fall day i Monterey. the rain has brought out the lushness in the plants and trees.

Went to the Sports Center and I have increased the amount of time on the treadmill and the bicycle slowly. I am still having some difficulty with walking but my knees seem to be healed. So I will keep showing up at the sports center probably for the rest of my life.

Lots of rain today. I spent some time today cutting out the fabric for a zen robe for a friend. I have been meaning to do this for a long time and now it is done. I rewarded myself with some unintrerruped time with the new Lee Child's book. A good book is a joy.

Saw long lines of pelicans flying over the water outside of Moss Landing. Huge waves crashing. Spent time sitting on the deck of Moss Landing Marine lab. the doors to the building were locked so we walked around the edge of the building on to the deck.

It takes a while to settle in and start seeing what is really around. I am particularly interested in the bird life. We also saw whales off in the distance.

I sat out the Occupy Monterey rally tonight. It's cold, dark and wet. Yes I support them or maybe it is better to say I am part of the 99% so their interests are my interests. and it is good to see these young people working for change. This old person is going to stay in doors tonight.

I went to the Alternative Cafe in Seaside to hear my friend Michael Reid read from his newly published book. It was dark and there was not parking in front. It took all my courage to park my car on another block and walk to the cafe. I couldn't tell if it was a safe area or not. I didn't get hurt and the reading was great.

I am just about finished reading the Steve Jobs book. I am just dragging my feet with this one. I now have a better understanding of how my iphone actually works and maybe I will be able to use the ipod part of it in the gym. Sometimes it is all a mystery to me.

I would not have liked Jobs as a friend or as a boss. Too angry a personality.

I am sitting here in my warm house while protestors are gathering at Colton Hall for a 24 hour protest. For a moment I though I could go but I am not able to do so but I will be thinking of them and wishing them well.

Occupy Monterey is alive and well, thank you very much.

Went to see J Edgar at the Pacific Grove cinema last night. Sparse elderly audience. I fit right in. the movie wad dour and humorless. It was a well made film but too heavy and sad for me. I want to see a comedy now.

We are starting the 4 months of darkness now with the days shorter and cooler. I am holding my breath until it is over.

sun is out but still a bit chilly. I am busy setting up my living room for the last of the fall Sunday classes. Can't decide whether to turn on the hater or not. the room is slowly warming up with the sun. Maybe I will wait and see. My body seems to tolerate cool rooms but some people seem to shiver.

Lots of rain today. My house is snug and dry, thank you new roof. Out most of the day and now I am home and plan to stay here even though Occupy Monterey is having a rally later. Can't do it. I have books to read, food to eat and news to watch.

I have been following Occupy Monterey on Facebook. There are lots of conversations and activities. I guess tomorrow there will be an event at Colton Hall for Veterans Day.

Sometimes I think this group is more interesting on facebook then in person.

Took a leisurely walk around Asilomar conference center today with the 10 and 11 year old kids. We checked out the new reception area, bought an ice cream at the gift store, sat on the deck. Lots of construction noise going on. Yes this will be a good place for a family reunion.

I have the new Steve Jobs biography from the library. I was very excited about reserving it but now I can't remember why I wanted to read it. i will start it and see, maybe it is good. It certainly has had good reviews.

Spent most of the day in the house at a class and then a board meeting. the daylight hours just disappeared. Now I am tired but it is too early to go to bed.

I read Blue Nights by Joan Didion this week and was quite moved by her writing and her insight into aging. Yes aging is hard.

Went to the press conference for the beginning of the encampment for occupy Monterey. Hundreds of people came out on this cold afternoon. There is a lot of concern about what is happening in our country. I have no idea how it will turn out. There were three guys wearing dark clothes and masks, they looked sinister. I was told they were part of the anonymous group. I don't know who they are. I will keep showing up.

I saw MARGIN CALL tonight and I was very upset with the story. And the story is probably true. corruption and money. I don't even know what I can say about it. But it reinforces my intention to go to the beginning of Occupy Monterey tomorrow at noon.

I turned on the light in the hall bathroom and there they were, a line of ants. Yuck. I sprayed 409 cleaning fluid on them. I hope this will stop the migration. I am not sure what they are thinking to eat. None of it looks good to me.

I keep checking on line to see how the strike in Oakland is doing. Huge numbers of people protesting.

Went to the sports center to do my usual workout.so noisy in the center. I wish it could be quieter.

I feel so dumb. Fro years I could not figure out how to get stains out of clothes. No one else seemed to have them. Did they just throw away stained clothes. I tended to wear those stained clothes and pretend not to notice.

but now I know. Just spray form a stain remover bottle and let it sit over night and then wash. Stains gone or lat least most of them. How come it took me so long to learn.