I am listening to the news as I write this. All combat troops are leaving Iraq, earlier than anticipated, a closely held secret. Rachel Maddow, the CNBC news analyst, is there reporting the event. 50,000 noncombat troops remain behind. This is gratifying news (and the Republicans are, no doubt, gnashing their teeth at the success of this maneuver).

In the dozens of E mails I get from various liberal organizations, one gave me pause as it reported that Target, the store chain, is supporting a candidate in Minnesota who has ties to a virulently anti-gay group. I have sent an E mail protesting this position to the CEO. If anyone wants to do the same, E mail him, here is the info:

Gregg Steinhafel@Target.com.

I won’t be shopping there anymore, although I never did go a lot mostly because it is difficult to get Ed to go to any large store. He does love Macy’s though.

I walked this morning at 9, and made myself do the exercise routine on the pier. The whole effort takes 90 minutes (if done right). I was then out of commission for most of the day as the effort totally washed me out. It was brutally hot. I drank the small bottle of water I had and it was barely enough to stave off heat stroke.

I baked salmon for dinner and it smelled less than fresh when I took it out of the package. Since I paid full price for it, I am irked. I rinsed it well and that took care of the problem. The local market is selling rib eye steaks starting tomorrow for the sale price of $8 a pound, down $3 from the $11 it usually is. I am going to get a couple. We eat sirloin most of the time and I get it at BJ’s where it is routinely $3.99 a pound, a good price, and the quality is most of the time excellent. Bud I do love the expensive cuts – T bone, porterhouse, etc.

I tried the marinade that Jeri is so fond of – Sweet Baby Ray’s – I used it on baked chicken. I gained a pound. That’s enough of that. Ed liked it but he doesn’t get a vote on this.

Nadine’s grandchildren (one a stepgrandchild) are visiting her. The step gk, is named Inca and I was pondering the thought that if her last name was Dinkadoo, she would be Inca Dinkadoo. (With apologies to Jimmy Durante). They leave this Saturday and then Nadine and I can make some social plans. At the moment she is drained from the effort.

I wrote a condolence note to a neighbor who was just widowed. His wife had Parkinson’s. She was a lovely person and although we did not see them often, particularly of late. because she was unable to socialize, I am greatly saddened. We missed the Sunday memorial service as we saw the newspaper notice too late. I am saddened by that, too. It took me till today to write the note as these things are so difficult to do. We will take him to dinner if he is willing.

I've been meaning to mention how devoted I am to the CBS series, "The Good Wife" with Julianna Margolies and Chris Noth. It is infinitely involving. It's on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Noth is a states attorney who had affairs and was accused and convicted of misconduct and served jail time. Margolies plays his wife, also a lawyer, who goes back to work while he is in jail. I love the plots.

xx, Teal