I read, talk to friends, think about solutions to the problems, daydream, make plans to make things better, set goals, clean out areas and donate clothing and food to food and clothing pantries, sleep, write in my journal, cook, eat when I’m not hungry, lie on a lounge on the sunny patio when I can, count my blessings that it could be worse and hope for the best.

Avoid listening to the Fox Network at all costs, especially the morning weekday shows. The paranoia in their approach to news is pathetic.

I have a friend who is very centered. She has inspired me to meditate, and I find that calms me down, especially when there is nothing I can do about the situation.

talking to fellow alcoholics/addicts and making sure that THEY are ok. in other words, getting out of myself! rosie oh yeah…………………lots of great music!

Daydream, read, daydream, listen to light classical music, daydream, listen to music from back in the day (the nineteen forties), read, watch & listen to college lectures on many subjects (from The Teaching Company) on DVDs, read, daydream, write poetry, enjoy the spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay from my back deck, read, daydream. Walk in Quiet Waters Park and my own community while listening to audio books of The Portable Professor series (from Barnes & Noble).

When all the madness started happening around me - first the election - the melt down on Wall Street - the stupid bail out - my jeans were fitting too tight - fighting a sinus infection - car in shop for new brakes - car in shop for rear window repair (paid $200.00 for a new motor) -all my clothes fitting too tight — business off , possibly having to let an employee go — etc. I decided it was time to take it all to a higher being. So, remembering my mother’s cure for TOO much trash floating in your life, I decided to start going to a church close to my office — beautiful little chapel - lighting a candle and asking God and St. Jude (Patron of Hopeless Cases) to intervene on my behalf. Just sitting there talking about all my silly little problems sounded so small compared to the REAL things around me. One day, while I was sitting there a man came in - lit a candle and started to pray and cry. His wife of 50 years was dying of cancer. We sat and talked in that chapel for over an hour. When I came out I felt so ashamed of my self because my problems were insignificant compared to his. Now, I’ve been back to that little chapel many times — now I pray for this country and all the people who have bigger problems than mine.

Open a Guinness and hope for the best?

Recession Sex!! http://thedamedomain.blogspot.com/2008/11/recession-sex.html

Watch a bunch of upbeat movies and write. I find that as I get older I try and change the flavor of the situation instead of wallowing in it.