I think

--I think Christmas is coming way too fast.

--I think Florida used cars should be sold for more than those from other states because the turn signals have never been used.

--I think Repugnicants sure have short memories when talking about big government, wars and deficits.

--I think the Swine Flu emergency has been WAY overblown. And I suspect drug manufacturers, who are making a bundle, are fueling it.

--I think health care reform is absolutely necessary now. And I think the insurance companies will spend billions to block it. Because they'd rather control health care than return control to doctors.

--I think blaming the local economy's ills on 'illegals' is a cop-out. When half your economy is based on home sales and resales, and home sales are in the dumpster, how is that the illegals' fault?

--I think assuming that anyone with a hispanic surname is illegal is ignorant, racist and simple minded. Ignorant, racist and simple minded describes a majority of the non-hispanic population of SW Florida.

--I think I'm done - for now.

And so it goes.

Aaaargh!

They're back.

The streets are crowded. With slow drivers. With no turn signals. And with no clue. Braking at green lights. Changing lanes at random. Living in the left lane at 35 miles per hour.

The grocery store is packed. With octo-couples. Wandering around looking in vain for the Cream of Wheat. And reading the ingredients like Campbell's soup contains plutonium. It's the same soup as you buy up north, folks. We just get fresher plutonium. One of the perks of Florida.

The restaurants are packed. With octo-early birds. Having dinner at 4:30 p.m. to save 10 percent. So they can have another mojito at an extended happy hour.

And I noticed a decided shortage of beer and wine at the local Publix. Look out for tipsy granny and gramps.

Must be season.

The money's welcome.

It's the 'serve me NOW' attitude I could do without.

And so it goes