1-1 - 2011. WINTER CLOSES IN

The temperature fell from 23 C yesterday to only 2 C this morning. No traces of fireworks anywhere, and we had also heard nothing all night. A bit sleepy I drove the car to Newport in Arkansas. Until now we had not turned on the heater in the car. So when we went shopping in Walmart I found a pair of big jogging-pants to wear on top of my jeans. All the small diners were closed, so for the first time we went to chain restaurant. We chose buffet and it was very cheap, cheaper than cooking at home. Most Americans do not keep food in their kitchens at all, only snacks, soft drinks and ice. The family members seldom eat at the same time, so logically in many homes the dinning table is on the way out. To cook food in your home seems to be for the wealthy.

Nina