O'dog's Act II

[Gardener]

O'D, You're sounding good, lately. Good to hear. Some thoughts on your recent excellent points:

- I'm never going back. There is really only one thing I ever desire credit for again and that's a mortgage on a small house or condo. Amen.

- I will need time to repair. Patience. Amen.

- The Dog has always hated money. Hated dealing with it. Being defined by it. I will work with it and keep it in it's place. Gardener, too. Big time. Sometimes paralyzingly so. Never again.

- Our grandparents had it right. Live simple. Pay cash or go without. Be happy with what you have. Yep. The old adage -"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Also, "want what you have instead of having what you want."

The Dog is disenfranchised with so many things lately. Spending, economy, jobs, education, housing, etc. I feel like I (we) were sold a bill of goods.

So does Gardener.

It's not for lack of personal optimism (macro optimism is another story). I just feel the things valued, conventional wisdom, and the common model was (is) flawed.

More and more, I reflect on having lived my life "by the book". I now plan on living it by my book during the next chapter. After the house is sold, I plan on downsizing and "de-stuffifying" big time.

Won't get fooled again.

Peace,