Fewer Americans are moving this summer, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Moving & Storage Association.

The AMSA says that shipments dropped 20 percent in the first quarter of the year. It's a trend that started in 2005 with the beginning of the mortgage crisis.

The Census Bureau also noted that fewer Americans moved in 2008.

Linda Bauer Darr, AMSA president and CEO says, "There's no doubt that many Americans - and as a result, our members - have been hard-hit by a triple-whammy.  A virtual halt in new home construction, followed by a tightening of the mortgage market, is still being felt and is likely to continue well into 2009. In addition, the scarcity of employment nationally removes a traditional reason to relocate - finding a better job."

The Census Bureau and AMSA is looking at the country overall and not individual regions. 

photo: www.luxmoving.com

I served on jury duty last week, arising early and heading downtown to the Bexar County Courthouse.  I had plenty of advice beforehand, mostly in the form of jokes, on how to get out of it... but I don't really mind jury duty.  Actually, I kind of enjoy it.  I find it to be intellectually stimulating, feel that I am fulfilling my civic duty, and realize that the opinion of the jury is important to the parties involved.

Some things I have noticed about trials:

1. I have never been questioned directly during voir dire but I have always been empaneled. 

2. Twelve strangers sit in the jury box, strangers to each other, the judge, the attorneys, and the principals; they sit quietly and attentively through the trial, never discussing the case with anyone, even their families, and at the end they go into a room and decide the fate of the trial.  Then the twelve strangers again enter the jury box, the decision is read, and the strangers file out of the courtroom, probably never to see anyone from the courtroom again.

3. It never ceases to amaze me how closely judges follow each minute detail of a case.

After the trial, one thing stood out in my mind.  There were 4 men and 8 women on the jury.  All 4 men came to a conclusion quickly and had strong opinions, agreeing with the plaintiff (an insurance company.)  Of the 8 women, 6 felt sympathy for the defendant but weren't looking closely at the evidence.  One woman (me) wanted to review the medical records before the initial vote and the other woman was leaning toward agreeing with the men.  After discussion, it became clear that the men were correct in their decision.  In the final vote, everyone voted as the men had initially voted. To the credit of the jurors, they all mentioned lying awake the night before the final vote, thinking about their decision.

What struck me most was that most of the women initially voted emotionally while the men initially voted logically.   The men didn't get distracted with the emotional aspects but went to the heart of the matter. 

I wonder if men in general think more clearly than women?  Nah, probably not... What do you think?

We had such a beautiful "winter" here in San Antonio but we are not having a beautiful summer.  At 9:00 p.m. the temperature on our back patio was 95 degrees and here is what I found when I googled "San Antonio weather" about 5 minutes ago.  There is a bright spot: Tomorrow the high should only be 95 degrees.

My favorite method for beating the heat is staying inside my home in the almost constantly running air conditioning.  To be totally transparent, a part of me doesn't even want to do anything real estate related that would require going out in the heat.  Of course, that is pretty unrealistic (or maybe not.)  We also keep a pitcher of iced tea prepared at all times.  Drinking enough water is important, as is getting some physical activity even if it is done on our neglected fitness equipment.

I will admit that another thing I have been doing is thinking of places with mild summers and after reading Steve Shatsky's post, SPEECHLESS SUNDAY: When it's 100 Degrees in Dallas, My Daydreams are of New Jersey in January, I see that I am not the only one!

How do you beat the heat?

Today is the day set aside to honor our founding fathers, our independence from British rule, and our Declaration of Independence.

John Adams wrote to his wife that "The [fourth] day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

We still do all those things but with the "solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty" being mostly limited to church goers.

Being proud of our country is a good thing.  It is a natural instinct to love our family, our community, our city, our state, our country, our world. 

If you are new to San Antonio, stationed at one of the military bases here and looking for something fun to do this long week-end, here are a few options:

About 70 miles away near Fredricksburg is Lyndon Baines Johnson National Park and Lyndon Johnson Home. 

At nearby Canyon Lake Randolph AFB has an off-base recreation area with cabins, RV sites, picnic shelters, and a marina.

About 200 miles to the east, visit National Seashore , or Mustang Island State Park.

Have fun and stay safe!

Recently I wrote a post about my daughter's our cat, Fluffy There's a Killer Stalking My Neighborhood .

Since I took Fluffy in a few months ago he has Killed gifted us with 2 geckos, a newborn bird, and 2 doves.

This week I have been ...oh joy... on jury duty. My dear and loving husband has chauffered me downtown each morning and picked me up each evening.  While we were having dinner before going home today, Stephen told me that Fluffy had brought me his best gift ever.  A snake!  Yikes!  I hate snakes whether they are dead or alive.

Stephen graciously saved the snake for me to see.  Really, you shouldn't have Stephen!  There it was lying on the back patio... a little brown snake with a checkerboard pattern running down his back.  I have no clue what kind of snake this is.  Stephen said he didn't either but that it isn't a diamondback.  Well, that helps I suppose.  I requested that the little guy be disposed of but I don't want to know how or where!

Fluffy, I appreciate the sentiment but really, you shouldn't have!  I know you just want to show your appreciation for all the yummy food I give you, but don't spoil me... no more gifts, please! 

It has been really hot here lately.  A couple of days have also been unbearably humid.  I don't want to cook or grill or get out to go to a restaurant.  I just want to stay inside in the air conditioning.  In the summer, we enjoy lighter meals that may include chilled soups.

~Chilled Cucumber Soup~

(I like to leave a little of the peel on the cucumbers as it deepens the flavor and color of this soup.)

4 cucumbers, washed, and 2 of them peeled and all cut into thin rounds
3-4 cups ice water
Kosher salt or Sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1 teaspoons honey to taste (optional)
2 small Kirby cucumbers, washed and cut into small wedges (the small bumpy ones)
The juice of 2 lemons                                                                      
1.    Place half the cucumber slices in the blender. Add 1 cup of the water and blend 'til smooth. Add more water if the blender has trouble pureeing the cucumber. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a touch of honey, if desired.

2.    Blend the remaining cucumber using the same process. Transfer the soup to a bowl and place the bowl over ice. Taste for seasoning so you can add more if needed. When ready to serve, salt and pepper the Kirby cucumber wedges and add a few to each soup bowl for garnish. Flavor the soup with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve immediately.

Serves 4 - 6 people.

~Enjoy

photo:  flickr.com ulterior epicure

Location: San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, TX

The plaque reads: "Here Lie the Remains of Travis, Crockett, Bowie and Other Alamo Heroes
Formerly buried in the sanctuary of the Old San Fernando Church
Exhumed July 28, 1936. Exposed to public view for a year. Entombed May 11, 1938
The Archdiocese of San Antonio erected this memorial May 11 A.D. 1938 R.I.P"

There’s a killer on the loose in our neighborhood and there have been 5 victims so far, maybe more. From the evidence, it is apparent that the killer is a member of my very own household.

I took this good looking guy into my home several months ago. Previously my daughter had met and fallen in love with him at the shelter where he was living when she volunteered there. So against my advice, she moved him into her apartment. She became disenchanted with the arrangement after she found out how very high maintenance he was. But she didn’t want him to go back to the shelter... so I took him in.

At first there were no problems; I didn’t mind paying his expenses and grew rather fond of him. Then the first victim showed up, then another, until now there are 5. The first 3 victims were killed but the last 2 were maimed beyond being able to function.

This is something I didn’t expect from my house guest and, frankly, I don’t know what to do about it. He sleeps in the house at night but heads out the door in the morning and each day I pray that there will be no victim that day.

Fluffy is a cat of interest in the demise of 2 geckos and 1 neo natal bird, and of serious bodily injury to 2 doves.