Today we hold dear corn, petrol, wheat, and any fleck of gold we can make our own.

Our money is literally worth less and less every day. What bought an apple yesterday can only buy a carrot today.
Fuel for me, fuel for you. We are a fuel based econonmy. The cost of fuel has doubled for all practical purposes. And, the cost of fuel factors into literally everything including the cost of fuel. Does that make an exponential progression then? One would think so. Now that a couple billion more people are demanding fuel than a couple years ago, that seems to put a little damper on the whole fuel based economy thing. When I drive my truck towing my trailer, it costs over 50c per mile. So when we go only 150 miles for a short camping trip, the fuel alone costs $150. This is a staggering change from when I bought my truck, at only 20c per mile...

Now then. My desktop picture of my son and his grandfather building sandcastles on the beach at sunset gives me the constant reminder of what is REALLY important to me in my life. Without my family, I would just be another leaf blowing in the wind. I do need to provide for my family, it is my role. It's a role I accepted gladly, although at times reluctantly. I am (supposed to be) the leader in my household, and at times that is a lot to live up to. Fatherhood isn't a walk in the park. And it's still early too... I can only imagine what is to come when he's bigger than me. Now, when my son comes and tackles me and hugs me to the ground (a take-down hug I call it), I can only be thankful that I can accept it, and then get back up again. That second part is getting harder. Ce'st la vie.