There's a new sport in America. Well, it's been there all along, but the rules have changed; there are no rules!! It's the new sport of eating. You can eat with abandon when, where and whatever you please.

Having been away from the US of A for two years, we were surprised there was a recession for there were long lines at our favorite restaurants. You would never guess that Americans should be tightening their belts literally and figuratively by the crowds that were still eating out. Remember when eating out was a treat and having a soda with dinner an extra special delight. Now it is the opposite; eating a home cooked meal is the novelty.

But how can one resist the temptation? There are buffets to beat the band!! All you can eat lobster and endless New England Ipswich clams. Gosh how can one refuse? There is French cuisine, Italian pastas, Mexican burritoes, Chinese lo mein, giant beef burgers on almost every corner, and those Bang Bang shrimp for $5 on Wednesday night at the Bone Fish Grill are to die for. So ten pounds later our sporting event has come to a screeching halt. We won!!! It is time to quit before we explode or die of a coronary attack. So back to the standards we had set before; eating small portions, fresh fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, no sugar, less breads, and closing our eyes and holding our noses when going through the Fresh Market grocery store. It will take longer to take off the added pounds than it was to put them on of course, but we played to win, to score, and to indulge. We won't play again, our bodies can't take this sport.

On a positive note, we are headed to Kodiak Island, Alaska, to see the grandkids and with our added winter blubber coats, we'll be warmer and feeling like bears ready to hibernate. We'll survive the cold northwest I'm sure. Send us warm messages. Love Walt and Honoree