On vacation in Maine last week, which is why I haven't posted anything for some time.

It looks to be a tough Winter ahead when it comes to heating your home with oil or natural gas, according to this story in The Boston Globe. I can definitely feel the pain.

Another wave of loan defaults may be on the way, according to this story in The New York Times.

Also in the Times, a profile of the race between incumbent GOP Senator John Sununu and former Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen for U.S. Senate here in New Hampshire. A pretty fair analysis, in my estimation. The tide continues to be going out for the GOP here, but the fact that John McCain will be atop the ticket in November is one reason for some optimism. It is also possible that the big Democratic sweep in '06 was an anomaly. I still think Congresswoman Shea-Porter is too Liberal for this district (NH District One), for instance, and may get knocked off by either former Congressman Jeb Bradley or his GOP primary opponent John Stephen. I think the Democrats have a pretty good hold on the more Liberal Second District.