I am wondering why the climate change activists aren't ecstatic about these changes though.

Another aspect of the change is the reduced percentage of individuals in the younger age groups. There should be good aspects to this. For example: Criminal behaviors tend to decrease with age. More mature people seem to buy fewer frivolous things and switch to more sensible purchases. People retiring while still needing goods and services should mean a better job market for younger folks.

People who make more money get less or zero child tax credits. People whose income (after deductions and exemptions) results in less tax than the child tax credit will get a check from Uncle Sam. (How much of the credit is "refundable" is apparently changing lately, but at least some of it still is.) There are LOTS of other ways that the government subsidizes low income families. To the extent that some part-time employees refuse to work full-time because they'd end up with less money after losing their low-income benefits.

I don't know if this link will come through, but this is very recent (calvin klein ad using very popular trendsetter in his 20s). Though this is a guy, young females will buy up all the clothes these guys model, and the styles are pretty much unisex.

Howdie, happy Friday! Besides work, I've been doing the "almost adult kid" mom thing today, lol. Kid1: "Can I go get my hair cut ... [and can I have money for it]?" "Up to you, just make sure you're back in time for your Spanish lesson." "Nvm I'll go tomorrow." "What time is your orientation tomorrow?" "What orientation?" "Your new job orientation, you said it was 4/27." "Oh yeah. 1pm." "Well then get your hair done early in the morning." "OK." Kid2: I had to research Juvenile Traffic fine waivers & then call Juvenile Court. Apparently in our state/county, minors have to go to juvie court for a speeding ticket. The cop said it was not waiverable, but turns out, it is waiverable. But we'll have to put together a lot of paperwork to waive it. (Kid has work on the court date, and who wants to tell the boss "I need to take off for a juvenile court appearance"?) I have a number of month-end / quarterly report items that I hope to send out today, so my clients will think I'm on the ball. Ha! Have already had a number of email exchanges with clients and service providers today. Want to do something that is stressing me out. It should have been done months ago, but for some reason I haven't made it happen, and I'll get in trouble if it goes much longer. But, I'll probably get in trouble anyway for letting it go this long. Sigh.

I wonder what technological replacements will exist to make up for the combination of fewer healthcare workers + more healthcare users. I can imagine some things. I am thinking maybe we should plan on investing in some home upgrades / technologies since the cost of / access to geriatric services will probably be a big challenge when my generation is old.

Recently the news reported that there have been fewer births in the US than any year since 1979, and a lower birth rate than any time since they started counting (which probably means, lowest ever, considering that people historically had a lot of births). The birth rate is significantly less than replacement rate at this point. Not saying that's a good or bad thing. But I think it means there have been and will be changes in various aspects of US culture. So I just wanted to start a chat about that. What do you all think? What will change for the better, what will change for the worse, and do you think something needs to be done about it?

Apparently this listing is for private colleges. Ours (public) isn't on the list, which made me wonder for a minute. 😛

iirc you and I are close in age. I thought one of the points of middle age was to make our kids cringe? My kids are way smarter about current fashions than I ever was, and that's how it should be. But you and I have earned the right to wear whatever makes us feel good, which shouldn't depend on what youngsters think about it. Most fashion rules are irrational. I mean, the fashion industry would die if people thought whatever they had/liked was good enough, right? Just enjoy your denim, and tell your kid she'll understand when she's your age. 😛 An evil additional thought: "I might have opinions about your clothes sometimes too, but I keep them to myself. Should I stop doing that?"

I have nothing against it, but I don't have one in my bed, and I honestly don't remember ever having a habit of sleeping with a thing. That said, I have recently noticed that if I'm not sleeping well, holding a pillow can help. Both of my girls still sleep with something they've had since babyhood.

Maybe you do dream, but you don’t remember your dreams.

Sometimes in my sleep I hear my name being called urgently and I wake up to silence.

I hope you find something by asking around. I have a friend who is very involved in local services for adults with autism and other disabilities. The organization definitely works with adults with behaviors etc. They run coffee shops, do farm work (making honey for example), and a bunch of other things. (I follow them on facebook.) And I know of a "consulting" business that employs autistic adults in catering etc. But these are very local, and I don't have knowledge of broader contacts.

I'm not too worried since my kids aren't in super academic fields. But it was a pretty big buzz kill when we were talking about the girls' upcoming campus activities and an auntie said, "what's your plan B if ___U shuts down?"

Just another little aside ... as lone hikers go, I wouldn't be surprised if statistically, the women might be more likely than the men to be packing a gun ....