That gave a totally different picture of the election. The divide is obviously not so much by state but is defined more by urban versus rural. The entire area of Washington, Oregon and California were almost all red (Bush) except for the areas around Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles (Kerry).

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Did you know they now make toilet seat lids that don't slam down when you accidentally lose the handle? I saw where they make them with a kind of hydraulic assist that gently lowers the seat and lid.

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The other night Nancy said she was going to watch the movie "The Rookies" with Dennis Quaid. I asked her what made her think he was coming over to watch the movie.

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You can learn a lot from little people. I didn't know they make chocolate graham crackers, but they do. They make a nice little snack or even dessert.

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The other day I was eating borscht, but it was really soupy and was taking too long to eat the broth.

I know you're not supposed to pick up the bowl and drink out of it, so I used a straw. It works quite well.

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In the urban-versus-rural category I was interested in an article in the WeKan newsletter about community-owned businesses in some small Kansas towns.

In some places, a community owns a grocery store or cafe, for example, just so the service is available.

The article went on to say that as the number of big-box stores increase in our regional centers, it becomes even harder for the best of stores in neighboring and small towns to stay open.

As long as small stores give good service and keep their stores clean, it is paramount that townspeople rise up and help keep their towns viable.

The towns that will survive are those that have citizens that refuse the lure and myth of the cheap prices, but instead shop locally.

Town leaders also need to show the way with their own personal-shopping choices.

I could also add that the local sales tax collected here goes to pay for streets and other benefits that are needed here, and not for someone else's downtown arena.