Fresh snow was on the ground this morning-- and the weather spoke of a storm coming Monday night into Tuesday that promises to produce my area rain, snow, and ice. The long summer is over.. the short fall never seemed to be here.. and winter approaching quickly..

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Thanksgiving 2008: America seems to be giving thanks to change. Change from the old guard to the new guard--no matter what the new guard plans, it's change from a mess. The mess is unfolding daily before our eyes: Retail stores in financial worry, major banks in financial crisis, jobless claims on the rise.. and just in time for Christmas, many companies are scaling back and announcing layoffs. Giving thanks during recession? It can happen. There's more to life than money--though the last 15 years or so wouldn't make you believe that. Thanksgiving today involves food and football, but Puritans believed that the country needed to give thanks. In 1846, Sarah Hale began writing letters to Presidents and publishing essays for a permanent day of thanks.. Hale asked Abraham Lincoln for Thanksgiving.. In 1863, he proclaimed a Thanksgiving holiday on the last Thursday in November, as an attempt to heal the nation after the Civil War. President Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in 1939 to boost the country's failing economy.. Congress then declared Thanksgiving to be the fourth Thursday in November..

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So as the economy free-falls and your neighbors, and perhaps even you, lose your job: Take comfort in history. It's been been before, and will be again.. But through it all, Thanksgiving stands as a day of giving thanks for things that do matter.. things that money can't buy.. This year, think of the real things that matter..
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In the meantime, the random rakings from around the world.


SCHMUCKRAKER: Sarah Palin (and the weird guy behind her) the Schmuck and Schmuckette of the week.. A video you'd have to see to believe..

Police searching for gunman after shooting at Washington state mall. One man was killed and another was critically injured..

Lame duck: Bush wrapping up the last global summit of his Administration..


Parents rejoice! Their kids aren't watching sex and violence.. The movie TWILIGHT the surprise his of the year.. A $35 mil opening on Friday night and $72 mil total is being anticipated..

First the floating lost tool belt, now trouble with the NASA urine machine! NASA hoping to get shuttle equipment working so it can convert urine and sweat into drinkable water and allow the international space station to grow to six crew members.. Drink up!

13-year-old student "arrested" after farting in class. Farting numerous times..


Developments in the sick case of the three men that wanted to have sex with corpse of woman they found attractive.. The three men want the trial to be moved out of Grant county, Wisconsin.. All three have plead not guilty to attempted sexual assault, attempted theft and attempted criminal damage to a cemetery

Tennis star Jimmy Connors arrested at basketball game..

Double standard: Teacher only gets 30 days for having sex with student! The teacher was a 31-year-old female was two children..


45 years ago yesterday, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas.. Hundreds gathered in Daley Plaza to mark the dark day in American history...

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Labels: Random rakings, Sunday Morning Sidewalk