My sister and I received a financial blow. Like many Oklahomans, we rely on oil royalties for some of our income. Sheridan Petroleum, a large company in Houston just took bankruptcy and with it went a good bit of our money. we are learning to scrimp all over again. I just made a big pot of bean soup, the recipe is courtesy of Laura Emerson and that is my gesture toward saving money. It is very good and requires several different kinds of beans and peppers and seasonings, plus ham or pork. I also shopped at the dollar tree for birthday sacks and ribbons. I am having a birthday luncheon for a good friend in a couple of weeks. I have not decided on a menu yet. Our new Governor, is a Republican...no surprise there...but he has disallowed the mansion tours for now and my guess is permanently since he has six children and is probably worried about security. I am sorry about that because it was fun leading the tours and telling about the antiques and where they came from. He is as religious as Pence so they have told us we can no longer tell about the supposed haunting by a former governor, Alfalfa Bill Murray. The changes in seasons has brought a little chill in the mornings so I have to walk Jose a little later in the day. This is my favorite season and I love Halloween. It gets hot again by ten o'clock. 90 has brought with it some very real changes for me. I have to be careful walking because my balance is poor and I slowed down considerably. I do not relish these changes but haven't deteriorated to the point of a cane or a walker. I REFUSE! Cleaning and yard work have become difficult for me but I have a robo vac and that helps. I also have the twins but I have to make a valiant effort to keep Ted from firing them. One would think the state of the grass is a spiritual issue, but then all the Hinkle men obsess about something. I think I will solve the problem by shopping for a small (very small) riding lawn mower that he can use.