Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: It Really Is Autumn

As in sloppy, cold, trying-not-to-get-depressed Fall. Although we've had snow (the mountains got it  more), we never got a killing frost. That's supposed to happen tonight. 
    The Brick and both girlies are headed out hunting this coming weekend, but we have nine hundred bazillion things to do before then. Including finishing up taxes. And he's crabby about it. 

     Okay, maybe I'm crabby about it, too.
 
    Daughter #1 (yes, she of the running magazine) spent the weekend hunting with her friend, and Daughter #2's boyfriend. And didn't get a thing. (She texted, "Cold!!!! And gameless" --frowny face) 
    Gee. Such monuments of cheerfulness to get me through this gray week. I have work to do, including a job starting shortly at the elections board. It's not difficult. And from working other years, I have this feeling there's going to be an awful lot of just sitting around, waiting for the next item. I'd better bring a book, and something to quilt on. 
     Meanwhile:

When should you start collecting Social Security benefits? (From The Simple Dollar) A reasoned, thoughtful approach to this becoming-ever-more-crucial question.

Four ways to win at Social Security when you finally do start to collect. 

Roger Williams' shorthand is finally cracked. Marginal notes on a book belonging to the founder of Rhode Island, covered with odd symbols, can finally be read.

Those poor squeezed women who just cannot get by on $200,000-plus a year. Awww....

Ten little-known unsolved mysteries. And while we're at it:

Ten little-known celebrity deaths -- that are still unsolved.

Ten photo fails...as in totally and often hilariously messed up.

Eleven historical treasures that were misplaced, misidentified...or almost lost. (It's okay -- professionals know about them now.)

The largest Viking treasure ever found in Britain, so far at least. And on the ground of the Church of Scotland near Galloway! (Yes, it's still 'British' technically, not Scotland. Sigh.) Dozens of armbands, a solid silver cross -- and a large pot they haven't even opened yet. Found only a few inches under the surface, by a guy with a metal detector. Wowzers!

 

Two teenagers who ran away from home to join ISIS, and became poster girls for the movement. And now, they're pregnant and want to come back home. Stupid, stupid. What did they think would happen? (Yet another reminder that kids don't always think about all the consequences.)

The boiling bag. An ode to soup, and the joys of homemade stock, by Donna Freedman.

Still waiting to hear the sales results on Queen Victoria's knickers...but there are more photos here. (They sold Her Majesty's stockings, too!)

The Walking Dead's started up again -- so scary, and dark, that it's actually refreshing! Hey, they have to go through a LOT MORE than you and I ever did.
     Yes, I know it's silly. But I love this show. 

Five ways to collect (for fun and profit) and Retirement: Can You? from yours truly, via Midlife Finance.  Also: Fall-ing into the season. (ways to save and prepare for winter)

Have a good week.