We are definitely in a recession and we all cope with the need to cut out non essential items in our own way. I did a months worth of grocery shopping and bought a case of wine today at Tinker Air Force Base and found the mood of everyone I came in contact with to be one of sharing tips about ways to save and being extra helpful. It is always a pleasure to shop at the Base but it was a little different today. It was as though we are all in this together and we
need to help each other out all we can. I like the spirit and the courtesy of our people.

Wouldn't it be strange if hard times made us more appreciative of each other and less self involved? This is almost beyond belief but Ted took one of our cars to a dealership and they told him the factory

parts were too expensive and allowed him to purchase them elsewhere for a fraction of the cost and then installed them very reasonably.

I have always thought that we would not be able to respond
the way England did during World War II and after the war during the austerity program. As most of you know, they were able to find homes in the country for many of the city
children so that they could escape the bombs. Even as late as the seventies most people were not able to own a home as well as a car. I hope that we escape such severity but I
am really seeing a lot of changes in attitude. I am proud of all of us.

By the way, I am not about to reveal which dealership this was. They were super nice.