Gaddafi is dead

There closes yet another bloodly chapter in the Middle East. Although his final moments were brutal and displayed on the internet, he died the way Saddam Hussein should have died: at the hands of his own people.

That region is far from secure, though. Now western countries are going to vy for some control over Libya's oil economy.

But anyway, I shouldn't let the news of Gaddafi's demise get to me. There are many other concerns, like the lingering dry and mild winter ahead of us, rising gasoline prices, the continued economy and where in the hell my credit card is. It's been lost for over two weeks now. No one's used it so I'm sure it fell into a deep, dark crevice of my SUV. Cleaning that out will be a real chore!

Spending a few days in Chicagoland

I am on fall break. I took a cheap flight via Southwest direct from Tucson to Chicago-Midway. Weather here is beautiful, in the 70s with the smell of changing leaves in the air. My daughter thinks it's funny (and annoying) to see me photograph trees in their colorful prime. I was expecting much oolder weather.

I wish I had time to do all the usual things I enjoy doing here: a trip into Chicago, a hike along the dunes, and some country driving. Instead I'm victim to everyone else's schedule. Next time I fly out, I'm reserving a car for myself.

I've seen Erin and Ethan, but Eric is still in hiding. I worry about him. He never answers his email or voice messages.

Bisbee Animal Shelter

The Bisbee animal shelter is a small shelter in Bisbee-Naco that is run by the police department. Its annual budget is a mere $4500. It has 12 kennels and as many cages for cats. The cats are crowded often two to a small cage that isn't much bigger than a large trap.

A local doctor donated $71,000 to the animal shelter two years ago. A new building was constructed with that money but there are no animals in it. It's strictly an office building that isn't being used for anything but storage. I'm sure the doctor did not expect his money to go to waste.

It has a Facebook page that takes donations but the money goes to the chief volunteer who doesn't bookkeep. People who donate to the Bisbee Animal Shelter are really donating to the Bisbee police department, and those guys really don't need any more donuts.