Kay, Were you living in the city then? When we lived in Manhattan there were people keeping bees on the roofs of some apartment buildings. Not legal till three years ago--as long as the bees are not "aggressive"!

Barbara, Your response is an important way to look at these issues. What I think Dr. Schreiber is focused on is his view that people need to come together to face the reality that these occurrences are no longer unusual. From his perspective that perspective that can help us to feel safer.

Brandon. Remarkable and entirely shifts my idea of Hilo as a small, beautiful place with beautiful views and flowers. And vog, which I learned about from Hattie! Thanks for expanding my knowledge!

@Barbara - What you've written has been with me for days. It's definitely discouraging to consider how this large economic problem might be solved. Supporting programs that have partial solutions, ones that provide job-training, housing, food, is what I can do. And the long range? Every now and then intelligent young people come to the forefront, develop policy, run for office. @Hattie - Sounds as if many disturbing things came together as you wrote this. I have days like that too! As you've noted elsewhere, Mexico has its share of very poor people and dysfunctional governments. Been that way for a long time. @Brandon - Intrigued you think "American Winter" would attract interest in Hilo since my impression is that more upbeat fare is favored there.

@Barbara...It is unreasonable I suppose to hope people one admires share ALL my cherished values! @Kay...Had to think about Chris as nerd--now Ezra Klein, definitely. We could explore further? @Marianna...Yes, my fears of format change were unfounded, and so he continues.

What can I say? Recently something odd happening with links. They tell me it's something I've done to make it happen. But I do not fiddle with the design, so it seems another time when TP tells user to do all these things to fix problems. Much back & forth may be stalling till they figure it out at their end?

Should have included one photo in the rain...good to have it back again. Yes, one of the three granddaughters--each very different from the other.

Susan, Was there something in the air that year that led to baby-naming for girls. Intrigued there are many among our Zoe's peers--various ethnicities. Yes, yeast + flour creates a seductive aroma and probably an experience like yours from a Manhattan bakery was what intrigued me to begin.

Barbara, What you experienced in your childhood home was something unknown to me. Living an intensely urban life in NYC, I saw a Woman's Day magazine at a grocery store with a feature on canning jam. That was 1965, decided I would try that but finding the jars not easy. When I left for a small Ohio town couple of years became at-home mom, spouse had seen his mother making bread and so it began. Did it with our children who hardly cook at all. Hoping it skips a generation to Zoe and her younger sister--both interested.

Mary Ellen, Goodness, we have done it again! Coast to coast this mysterious connection--just as my thoughts were, "Where is Xtreme English, what's she up to?' Bread is the right string between us it seems. Have you made Naan. Commenter suggested it, started looking at recipes because like it in Indian restaurants. Oh, I can do that even without an iron tawa. Off to check out your blog now!

@Barbara, Hippies still here, keep several co-op groceries going to sustain our memories of less glitzy days. There is great produce yearround here; allows us all to stay righteous about "buying Local." Tomatoes, of course, the one exception. @Marianna, Yes, indeed. @PiedType, Thanks for visiting and having that visceral response to my bread. Reminded me that there's a one-page article from recent NY Times on sliced bread that I ought to write about. @ellen, There's an idea: baking naan. Bet it's quicker than my usual. Going for a recipe right now!

Lydia, Thanks for validating my concern from a place not too far from Portland. Your comment about reincarnation is one I'll keep in mind in future encounters with trolls!

Ever since we've seen it I've been trying to convince others to do so. Think it's so important to have validation of ourselves as old people with complex feelings. Glad you enjoyed the photo of the set because it was perfect.

We always found when visiting as "distance grandparents" that it worked well to take some time for ourselves away from the family. Heretical, I suppose!

As you can see in my reply to Marianne here, I feel there are questions we could ask about using this format better. Though TGB developed an excellent beginning for elderblogging, I look now for less of the "ain't it awful" (which I'm guilty enough of doing) and more of the possibilities for shifts--personally and/or politically.

Marianne, You have much to share with us, especially as a younger older woman. Then I'd ask both you and Marianna (whom I once confused with one another) if there are more engaging ways to be tapping into blogging...do we need to noodle with the form? Thanks for the welcome.

Judy, great to hear from you. We will never forget that great weekend at your place. Cindy, the goat, isn't she the one who kicked me? A small price for an unrepeatable experience--Ron still talks about his moments with helping to shear sheep. Very powerful for a Brooklyn guy! Your hats sound very colorful--a direction that seems inevitable for creative fiber workers. Maybe you and Kirk could use a couple of head covers from Oregon. Will email you about details.

Well, someone has to fill the fiber space in the family and he does it quite well. He was thrilled that you want one. That can happen, as they say in the TV ads, "at no cost to you." Will send you an email. Marianna, We do want to get to Calfornia again, so the meet-up might happen yet!

Ellen, Look for wood pins (or whatever the proper name) for closing wool garments. Maybe something unexpected would work...short chop sticks?

Thank you, thank you. Imagine how challenging it is to choose which hat--another one--I want for myself.

June, Poinsettia + red sounds like cheerful approach. Thinking about getting closer to observing the Solstice with an environmental focus--probably simply an extension of my usual goings-on. Thanks for the support!

Ellen, Mostly have had a great time with grandchildren--what more could one ask? Thanks for the wishes...surprise would be less craziness politically!

Kay, Thanks for your good wishes. Mine to you: a better and more secure 2013--something that should be yours in a reasonable world.

Yes, Portland has been a good place for our last retirement stop. Am trying to imagine what Xmas in China would look like: flaming drinks, tinsel-trimmed tee-shirts...would enjoy knowing. Whatever you are celebrating, China or Denmark, have a wonderful time.

Marianna, It gets harder to treat this time of year as I'd like, i.e., respecting others spirituality connected to their personal celebration. Curious that as we become a less Christian country numerically, there is more effort to make it appear larger. Seems you have a mellow way to celebrate...knew more like you in NYC, so could be more open.